Henry Krumb Lecture Series  

Dragan Bogunovic 

Integrated Production Management System: Step Further

Abstract: Significant effort has been made to develop an Integrated Data Environment for Analysis and Control of Energy (IDE-ACE) consumption in surface coal mining. The system is integrated in the mine environment and has been successfully used during the past three years. The capacity of the system has been expended and today it not only provides the analysis of the fuel consumption, but also delivers multiple reports that identify bottle necks in the production or maintenance departments. Advanced Integrated Production Management System (IPMS) unifies multi data streams (from a crew line-up to equipment availability reports) into a user-friendly application. IPMS has been thoroughly tested and validated using data streams from one mine site. Based on this success, the IPMS will be implemented at NACOAL’s greenfield project in South East Mississippi.

Dragan Bogunovic received his Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 2008. He received BS and MS degrees from the University of Belgrade in 2002 and 2005, respectively. With over 10 years of experience in industry and academia, Dr. Bogunovic is working with North American Coal Corporation. His current focus is implementation of new technologies and better utilization of existing data resources in surface coal mining. 

Water Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink, Nor Do I Know Its Whereabouts

Abstract: The demand for water is driven primarily by population and concomitant economic growth. Water requirements are predicted to grow considerably in the next decades while supplies will remain relatively constant or decline due to over pumping of aquifers, changing weather patterns and increased water pollution and contamination. Mining activities are often located in remote, arid environments, with limited access to high-quality water. The water used in mining operations comes from a variety of sources and the sources and quality of the water varies from operation to operation. Mining impacts on water quantity and quality are among the most contentious aspects of mining development. The main problem for the mining industry is to generate confidence in developing a responsible, sustainable and transparent water management strategy that is recognized as such by all stakeholders. This paper provides an overview of water in the wider global arena and compares this to how the mining industry has dealt with water stewardship over the last couple of decades. 

Robert Dunne is the Fellow Metallurgical for Newmont Mining Corporation having recently moved from his previous position of Group Executive-Metallurgy Development and Technology and is based in Denver, Colorado, USA. He is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and is an Adjunct Professor at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. Over the last 30 years, Robert has worked for a number of mining companies, including Anglo American, Anglovaal, and Newcrest Mining, and also spent time lecturing at the Western Australian School of Mines, and at Mintek, where he was involved in introducing new technologies into the mining industry.  

Electrokinetic Feature of Kaolinite and Other Selected Two Layer Silicate Minerals

Abstract: The surface charge feature of two layer clay minerals such as kaolinite, halloysite, antigorite, chrysotile etc. is complicated by their platy shape and anisotropic crystal structure which exposed silica tetrahedral layers (001 basal plane), aluminum or magnesium octahedral layers (001 basal plane) and broken silica tetrahedral and aluminum or magnesium octahedral bonds at the edge surface (010 basal plane). In this paper, the surface charge of kaolinite is reviewed. Surface force measurements were conducted to interrogate the basal planes of kaolinite particles (silica tetrahedral face and alumina octahedral face). These colloidal force measurements reveal that the silica tetrahedral face of kaolinite is negatively charged at pH > 4, whereas the alumina octahedral face of kaolinite is positively charged at pH < 6, and negatively charged at pH > 8. This new information would be useful to understand mechanical properties of such suspensions such as yield stress, and dewatering characteristics.

Dr. Gupta is currently working as a research engineer in the R&D department of FLSmidth Inc. in Salt Lake City. Dr. Gupta received a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering at the University of Utah in 2010. Dr. Gupta also received an MS from Southern Illinois University and B.Tech with Honors from the Indian School of Mines. Dr. Gupta has over 8 years of academic and 4 years of industry research experience working in bacteria and nanoparticles transport, flotation, coal processing and optimization, mineral beneficiation, and industrial minerals. Dr. Gupta has developed creative and innovative efforts in mineral beneficiation, such as coal washability, magnetic separation, flotation, and tailings treatment. Dr. Gupta has received one patent, published 12 journal articles, one book, one book chapter, and presented work in many national and international technical conferences. Dr. Gupta has received APCOM award (Application of Computers and Operations Research in Mining Industry) and Dr. Dhar award for his contribution in sciences. 

PEngineered Pumpable pHoam(TM): An Innovative Method for Mitigating ARD

Abstract: If one can embrace the medical analogue, much of the mining industry currently suffers from a massive bacterial infection. When pyrite-bearing or sulfide-bearing rock formations, tailings, or mine wastes are infected by Acidithiobacillus ferro-oxidans, the likelihood of forming acid rock drainage (ARD) is almost guaranteed. The “pharmacy” of antibiotics available is extensive, ranging from solid alkaline amendments like limestone to liquid “medicines” such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium thiocyanate, waste milk, and bipolar lipids. Unfortunately, the “geo-medical” teams of geochemists, microbiologists, engineers, and mine managers lack the tools to surgically apply these active ingredients where they are needed most with a minimum of waste. Distribution of fine grained limestone on the surface of an acidic mine waste dump is analogous to applying a bandage soaked in antacid to treat an upset stomach. The implementation of up-to-date best management practices has not healed the patient; an equivalent combination of hypodermic needle, cyber knife, and arthroscopic probe is clearly needed. Using an engineered, flow-able or pumpable foam or pHoamTM as the medicinally analogous “dextrose delivery solution” for solid and/or liquid “geo-antibiotics”, off-the-shelf technologies have been combined that had previously been applied in solving geotechnical problems in the mining industry. A patent for the innovative process is pending. This paper discusses method concepts and the advantages it could provide over conventional BMPs.

James J. Gusek is a Senior Consultant with Golder Associates, Inc. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1973 with a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering. He specializes in the design of passive treatment systems for mine influenced water. Since 1987, his work with acid rock drainage prevention and passive water treatment systems has included about 50 projects throughout the U.S. and internationally. He is on the steering and mitigation committees of the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative - Metal Mining Sector (ADTI-MMS). He is a founding member and former president of the Denver Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

R. Larry Grayson

Analysis of U.S. Small-Mine Compliance Feasibility with Proposed New Respirable Dust Standards and Implications for Better Dust Control Methods

Abstract:  In 2010, MSHA began holding hearings on a new coal mine respirable dust rule, which proposes a 1.0 mg/m3 standard, a separate 0.1 mg/m3 quartz standard, and the use of single-shift samples for compliance. Small mines largely comprise the ‘hot spots’ where dust diseases of the lungs increased dramatically over the past decade. This paper presents findings on the feasibility of small mines’ compliance with the proposed new 1.0 mg/m3 standard. It gives probabilities of noncompliance by MSHA district, average mining height, and selected ‘hot spot’ counties. Because silicosis and respirable quartz dust appear to be the primary issues related to a recent doubling of the prevalence of dust diseases of the lungs, multiple regression models for prediction of the average total quartz content of compliance samples are given. These findings have significant implications on the need for better dust control methods. 

Since July 2, 2007 Dr. Grayson has been the George H., Jr., and Anne B. Deike Chair in Mining Engineering and Professor of Energy & Mineral Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. At Penn State he oversees the Mining Engineering program and the graduate program. For six years previously, he was the Chair, Department of Mining & Nuclear Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR). During this time, he was the Director of the NIOSH-funded Western Mining Safety & Health Training and Translation Center for five years.

Following the mine tragedies in 2006, Dr. Grayson chaired the Mine Safety Technology & Training Commission, which was established by the National Mining Association to do an independent study on current and future approaches to improve mine safety in the U.S. Prior to going to UMR, he served in government as the first permanent Associate Director of the Office for Mine Safety & Health Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and managed the merger of former U.S. Bureau of Mines’ mine health and safety research functions into NIOSH.

Following the Upper Big Branch Mine-South disaster in April 2010, he worked with the National Mining Association, the West Virginia Coal Association, various coal companies, and Congressional staff persons on mine safety and health reform legislation, specifically regarding a potential alternative approach to the Pattern of Violations process used by MSHA. He gave testimony on July 13th at the House Education and Labor Committee hearing on this issue. He also gave multiple presentations at several conferences and testimony at Mine Safety and Health Administration hearings on related topics.

After joining the Pennsylvania coal mining industry in early 1975, he worked for 9 years as a United Mine Workers of America laborer and in various engineering and management positions, including as chief mining engineer and as superintendent of a 500-employee underground coal mine and surface facilities. In academia, he has been a professor, a chair, and a dean, and has published 174 technical articles, reports, and book chapters, including 62 articles in peer-reviewed journals. His publications largely focus on mine health and safety, including on underground coal mines, and mine management applications. Dr. Grayson is a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as a certified Mine Foreman and Mine Examiner in Pennsylvania.

Rick Honaker

Upgrading Powder River Basin Coal Using Dry, Density-Based Separator Technologiesn

Abstract: Due to the thick seams with very few partings, coal produced from the Powder River Basin (PRB) is typically direct shipped without any need for upgrading. However, there exists a significant amount (i.e., up to 5% of the total reserve) of coal that is rejected in the mine pit due to out-ofseam material. Research conducted on laboratory and pilot scale dry, density-based separators indicates that sufficient upgrading can be achieved on the +1mm fraction of the reject material to meet typical end-user specifications. For example, a PRB coal containing 20% ash was reduced to 6% ash content on a dry basis. The results from detailed experimental programs focused on the upgrading of PRB coal will be presented and discussed in this publication.

Yi Luo

Locating and Determining the Status of a Thermal Event in Longwall Panel Using Mine Atmosphere Monitori

Abstract:Concealed thermal events in longwall gobs present safety hazards for underground coal miners and could greatly interrupt the mining production. The causes for such thermal events could range from coal oxidation at slightly above ambient temperature to smoldering fires due to spontaneous combustion of the broken coal left in the gobs. Locating the “hot” spots is the key step for planning and implementing mitigation measures to bring such thermal events under control. If a mine section or even the entire mine has to be sealed, understanding the status of the sealed mine atmosphere is important for the decision of subsequent actions.

The gas composition data obtained through tube bundle mine atmospheric monitoring system are the first-hand information of great value. Fire ratios proposed by various researchers and derived from the gas composition data are useful in determining the fire status and even approximating the source locations. However, the applicability of each of them under the particular conditions should be carefully evaluated. Properly combined use of different fire ratios could enhance the certainty of analysis. For a sealed mine atmosphere, its explosibility deserve the ultimate concern for mine safety during the seal construction, idle time, and reopening of the sealed area.

Mine atmospheric monitoring data from a longwall mine with flame fire have been analyzed. Efforts are made to identify the possible causes, locations and status of these events using the obtained gas data as well as other ventilation, geological and mining parameters. The effects of injected inert gas to control the events have also been quantified. The explosibility of the sealed atmosphere has been determined using two methods.

Dr. Yi Luo studied mine ventilation with particular interest in ventilation and air conditioning in deep and hot mine and obtained his M.S. degree in 1985 from University of Idaho.  In 1989, he earned his Ph.D. degree from West VirginiaUniversity specializing on prediction and control of mine subsidence.  Currently, he is an associate professor at the Department of Mining Engineering of West Virginia University.  From 1990 on, he has obtained and successfully conducted various government and industry research projects with a total funding of about $2,000,000.  He has published 61 technical papers on professional journals, SME transactions and conference proceedings and co-authored more than 200 technical reports.  Topics of the publications include: mine subsidence prediction, assessment and mitigation of subsidence influences on structures and environment, computer applications in mining, coal mine dust control and machine cutting bit design, mine pillar failure investigation, etc. Dr. Luo is also listed in 1998-99 edition of Strathmore's Who's Who and 2002 edition of Engineering Educator Who’s Who.

The Importance of Geologic and Geotechnical Monitoring for Improving Stability in Deep Two-Seam Longwall Layouts

Abstract: Energy West Mining Company (EWMC) has implemented a geologic program for improving stability and support requirements along deep two-entry longwall gateroads at its Deer Creek Mine operations located near Huntington, Utah. Together with geotechnical monitoring and concurrent review of mine seismicity in cooperation with MTI staff, it has become possible to improve longwall layout designs for two seam extraction of the Hiawatha and Blind Canyon seams. The geologic program consists of surface and in-mine exploration drilling, surface and in-mine geologic mapping, rock mechanics testing and detailed measurements of changes in depositional and structural conditions during development of every longwall gateroad.  The geotechnical program consists of underground measurements at seven locations in two neighboring mining districts located in the Hiawatha and Blind Canyon coal seams under moderate to deep cover. Within the last five years, additional measurements, including data on seismicity and face conditions, have been incorporated into the data collection program for verifying the insitu coal strength and load transfer mechanisms for improving two-seam designs and support systems. Geologic mapping results are also used to predict local stability of headgate and tailgate entries, combining mine roof mapping, stratigraphic profiles of the coal and roof, and depth-of-cover information and dual-seam mine overlays, for use by operations personnel in planning roof and rib support for the retreating longwall sections.

Hamid Maleki received graduate degrees from the Colorado School of Mines, specializing in applied rock mechanics and coal mine ground control. Hamid has 30-years of experience in stability evaluation, rock mechanics instrumentation, stress analyses, and structural designs in variety of mining and civil construction projects in the US and abroad. He completed an annual stability evaluation for the nation’s most active nuclear waste repository (WIPP site, congressional mandate), and worked with a group of professionals to address technical issues and regulatory requirements that arise during the preparation of conceptual mine plans and environmental impact statements for four coal tracts located on the Manti-Lasal national forests and one tract in Colorado and another one in WA. Maleki developed engineering methods for calculating in-situ pillar strength for US coal seams, caving, and coal bump potential and support requirements. 

Methods for Removing Arsenic from Process Wat

Abstract: Arsenic is among the list of major contaminants in mining aqueous waste streams. Though the elemental form is toxic, the aqueous oxyanions are more so. The most common forms of arsenic released during mining processes are the aqueous forms, arsenate and arsenite. The most common treatment technologies to date can be summed up in these major categories: oxidation, coagulation, absorption, and media filtration. These methods can often involve many expensive processing steps that may also be limited by variables, such as; total dissolved solids, other ions, and the oxidation state of the arsenic. An innovative technology, falling in the absorption category, was developed that can successfully reduce such aqueous forms to a level below the EPA recommendations. This new technology offers a unique and viable solution which is transparent to the above mentioned limitations.

Lucas Moore is a senior research scientist at Kemira Chemicals - Minerals and Metals, USA. He has a Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry with an emphasis in organometallic synthesis and coordination chemistry from the University of Alabama (2006), and a BS in chemistry with an emphasis in environmental chemistry from the University of West Alabama (2002).

Moore is a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Arkansas, with research again focused dominantly on organometallic synthesis and coordination chemistry. He has 5 years industrial experience, of which 4 were in the mining industry for Kemira, where the current research interests include: scale inhibition in both oil and mining applications, rheology modification in mine produced tailings, deoiling technologies for oil produced waters, and new technologies for the treatment of contaminated mine produced water.