Handbook of Flotation Reagents: Chemistry, Theory and Practice

      Handbook of Flotation Reagents: Chemistry, Theory and Practice is a condensed form of the fundamental knowledge of chemical reagents commonly used in flotation and is addressed to the researchers and plant metallurgists who employ these reagents. This book consists of three distinct parts: part 1 provides detailed description of the chemistry used in mineral processing industry; part 2 describes theoretical aspects of the action of flotation reagents, while part 3 provides information on the use of reagents in over 100 operating plants treating Cu, Cu/Zn, Cu/Pb, Zn, Pb/Zn/Ag, Cu/Ni and Ni ores.

    Looks at the theoretical aspects of flotation reagents
    Examines the practical aspects of using chemical reagents in operating plants
    Provides guidelines for researchers and engineers involved in process design and development

       Provides a valuable tool for mineral technologists and metallurgical engineers working in mineral separation plants, researchers in mineral processing and university students.Handbook of Flotation Reagents: Chemistry, Theory and Practice provides a condensed form of the fundamental knowledge of chemical reagents commonly used in flotation addressing the researchers and plant metallurgists who employ these reagents. This series of books consists of three distinct parts: Volume 1 provides detailed description of the surface and colloid chemistry principles involved in the mineral processing industry and the flotation of sulphide minerals; Volume 2 describes the flotation of Gold, PGM and oxide minerals, while Volume 3 provides information on the use of reagents in over 100 operating plants treating industrial and oxidic minerals. Written in a clear, easy-to-follow format and including multiple instances of data from innovative technology, Handbook of Flotation Reagents: Chemistry, Theory and Practice is an indispensable reference for any professional working with flotation reagents.

Froth Flotation: A Century of Innovation

    Froth flotation is a process for selectively separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic. This is used in several processing industries. Historically this was first used in the mining industry, where it was one of the great enabling technologies of the 20th century. It has been described as "the single most important operation used for the recovery and upgrading of sulfide ores".The development of froth flotation improved the recovery of valuable minerals, such as copper- and lead-bearing minerals. Along with mechanized mining, it allowed the economic recovery of valuable metals from much lower grade ore than before.
   Before froth flotation can work, the ore to be treated is reduced to fine particles by crushing and grinding (a process known as comminution) so that the various minerals exist as physically separate grains. This process is known as liberation. The particle sizes are typically less than 0.1 mm (100 µm), but sometimes sizes smaller than 7–10 µm are required. There is a tendency for the liberation size of the minerals to decrease over time as the ore bodies with coarse mineral grains that can be separated at larger sizes are depleted and replaced by ore bodies that were formerly considered too difficult.

In the mining industry, the plants where flotation is undertaken to concentrate ore are generally known as concentrators or mills.

For froth flotation, the ground ore is mixed with water to form a slurry and the desired mineral is rendered hydrophobic by the addition of a surfactant or collector chemical (although some mineral surfaces are naturally hydrophobic, requiring little or no addition of collector). The particular chemical depends on the nature of the mineral to be recovered and, perhaps, the natures of those that are not wanted. As an example, sodium ethyl xanthate ("SEX") may be added as a collector in the selective flotation of galena (lead sulfide) to separate it from sphalerite (zinc sulfide). This slurry (more properly called the pulp) of hydrophobic particles and hydrophilic particles is then introduced to tanks known as flotation cells that are aerated to produce bubbles. The hydrophobic particles attach to the air bubbles, which rise to the surface, forming a froth. The froth is removed from the cell, producing a concentrate ("con") of the target mineral.

Frothing agents, known as frothers, may be introduced to the pulp to promote the formation of a stable froth on top of the flotation cell.

The minerals that do not float into the froth are referred to as the flotation tailings or flotation tails. These tailings may also be subjected to further stages of flotation to recover the valuable particles that did not float the first time. This is known as scavenging. The final tailings after scavenging are normally pumped for disposal as mine fill or to tailings disposal facilities for long-term storage.

Froth flotation efficiency is determined by a series of probabilities: those of particle–bubble contact, particle–bubble attachment, transport between the pulp and the froth, and froth collection into the product launder. In a conventional mechanically-agitated cell, the void fraction (i.e. volume occupied by air bubbles) is low (5 to 10 percent) and the bubble size is usually greater than 1 mm. This results in a relatively low interfacial area and a low probability of particle–bubble contact. Consequently, several cells in series are required to increase the particle residence time, thus increasing the probability of particle–bubble contact.

Flotation is normally undertaken in several stages to maximize the recovery of the target mineral or minerals and the concentration of those minerals in the concentrate, while minimizing the energy input.

Principles of Mineral Processing

    Principles of Mineral Processing  destined to become an industry standard, this comprehensive reference examines all aspects of minerals processing, from the handling of raw materials to separation strategies to the remediation of waste products. The book incorporates state-of-the-art developments in the fields of engineering, chemistry, computer science, and environmental science and explains how these disciplines contribute to the ultimate goal of producing minerals and metals economically from ores. With contributions from more than 20 recognized authorities, this thorough reference presents the most current thinking on the science and technology of mineral processing.
   The book is an indispensable textbook for students of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy, and a practical reference for seasoned industry professionals interested in improving operational efficiencies. It presents the principles that govern various unit operations in mineral processing along with examples that illustrate how these principles apply to real-world situations. Topics are arranged in the order of the typical processing sequence, including communition, separation, flotation, hydrometallurgy, and waste handling.
   This comprehensive reference examines all aspects of mineral processing from the handling of raw materials, to separation strategies, to the remediation of waste products. The book incorporates state-of-the-art developments in the fields of engineering, chemistry, computer and environmental sciences, and explains how these disciplines contribute to the ultimate goal of economically producing minerals and metals from ores. This text is indispensable for students of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy, and is a practical reference for seasoned industry professionals interested in improving operational efficiencies.
    Chapter topics include particle characterization; size reduction and liberation; size separation; movement of solids in liquids; gravity concentration; magnetic and electrostatic separation; flotation; liquid?solid separation; metallurgical balances and efficiency; bulk solids handling; hydrometallurgy and solution kinetics; mineral processing wastes and their remediation; and the economics of the minerals industry.
   This comprehensive reference examines all aspects of minerals processing, from the handling of raw materials to separation strategies to the remediation of waste products. The book incorporates state-of-the-art developments in the fields of engineering, chemistry, computer science, and environmental science and explains how these disciplines contribute to the ultimate goal of producing minerals and metals economically from ores.
     With contributions from more than 20 recognized authorities, this thorough reference presents the most current thinking on the science and technology of mineral processing.
     The book is an indispensable textbook for students of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy, and a practical reference for seasoned industry professionals interested in improving operational efficiencies. It presents the principles that govern various unit operations in mineral processing along with examples that illustrate how these principles apply to real-world situations. Topics are arranged in the order of the typical processing sequence, including comminution, separation, flotation, hydrometallurgy, and waste handling.

Chapters include:

    Introduction
    Particle Characterization
    Size Reduction and Liberation
    Size Separation
    Movement of Solids in Liquids
    Gravity Concentration
    Magnetic and Electrostatic Separation
    Flotation
    Liquid-Solid Separation
    Metallurgical Balances and Efficiency
    Bulk Solids Handling
    Hydrometallurgy and Solution Kinetics
    Mineral Processing Wastes and Their Remediation
    Economics of the Minerals Industry

Guidelines for Open Pit Slope Design

     Guidelines for Open Pit Slope Design is a comprehensive account of the open pit slope design process. Created as an outcome of the Large Open Pit (LOP) project, an international research and technology transfer project on the stability of rock slopes in open pit mines, this book provides an up-to-date compendium of knowledge of the slope design processes that should be followed and the tools that are available to aid slope design practitioners.
This book links innovative mining geomechanics research into the strength of closely jointed rock masses with the most recent advances in numerical modelling, creating more effective ways for predicting the reliability of rock slopes in open pit mines. It sets out the key elements of slope design, the required levels of effort and the acceptance criteria that are needed to satisfy best practice with respect to pit slope investigation, design, implementation and performance monitoring.
This book will assist open pit mine slope design practitioners, including engineering geologists, geotechnical engineers, mining engineers and civil engineers and mine managers, in meeting stakeholder requirements for pit slopes that are stable, in regards to safety, ore recovery and financial return, for the required life of the mine.

Open Pit Mine Planning and Design

        Open Pit Mine Planning and Design is an excellent textbook for courses in surface mine design, open pit design, geological and excavation engineering, and in advanced open pit mine planning and design. The principles described apply worldwide. In addition, the work can be used as a practical reference by professionals. The step-by-step approach to mine design and planning offers a fast-path approach to the material for both undergraduate and graduate students. The outstanding software guides the student through the planning and design steps, and the eight drillhole data sets allow the student to practice the described principles on different mining properties (three copper properties, three iron properties and two gold properties). The well-written text, the large number of illustrative examples and case studies, the included software, the review questions and exercises and the reference lists included at the end of each chapter provide the student with all the material needed to effectively learn the theory and application of open pit mine planning and design

      Appropriate for diverse audiences, this book is an outstanding technical reference that provides the reader with an understanding of the fundamental principles associated with the design and planning of modern surface open-pit mines. The book is well-written and addresses topical subjects in a manner highly conducive for use in undergraduate and graduate education, as well as by a wide range of professionals interested in the subject. The text emphasizes the influence of economic and environmental considerations in mine design and planning, where applied engineering principles and approaches are effectively introduced through numerous examples and exercises. While the book is ideally suited for students in mineral related disciplines, seasoned professionals will also find it extremely useful as a technical reference. Overall, it is an excellent book that successfully introduces the interdisciplinary aspects of surface design and planning in a straight-forward, easy to understand manner that challenges the reader to think in a broader context about the subject.

Hugh B. Miller, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mining Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA

Over the years, attempts have been made to capture the essence of open pit engineering. Past volumes have been organized by assembling papers and chapters written by experts and practitioners. These works contain valuable information but often digress into specialized areas and frequently repeat introductory material. Students who are trying to put all this information into a practical context find the repetition tedious and often are overwhelmed by esoteric subtopics. In this two-volume treatise, Dr.Hustrulid and his coauthors have captured the essence of ore body modeling, open pit planning, unit operations, and responsible mining in an organized and succinct manner. This work is especially valuable for mining students who are eager to learn about open pit mining and for the faculty tasked to teach the topic. The software included with the volumes provides an excellent introduction to computerized planning and a logical transition to more complicated programs.

M. K. McCarter, Ph.D., P.E., Professor of Mining Engineering, Malcolm N. McKinnon Endowed Chair, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Open Pit Mine Planning and Design is an ideal textbook for courses in surface mine design, open pit design, geological and excavation engineering, and in advanced open pit mine planning and design, and can also be a priceless reference resource for active professionals around the world.

Underground Mining Methods: Engineering Fundamentals and International Case Studies

        Under certain circumstances surface mining can become prohibitively expensive and underground mining may be considered. A major factor in the decision to operate by underground mining rather than surface mining is the strip ratio, or the number of units of waste material in a surface mine that must be removed in order to extract one unit of ore. Once this ratio becomes large, surface mining is no longer attractive. The objective of underground mining is to extract the ore below the surface of the earth safely, economically, and with as little waste as possible. The entry from the surface to an underground mine may be through an adit, or horizontal tunnel, a shaft (see shaft sinking), or vertical tunnel, or a declined shaft. A typical underground mine has a number of roughly horizontal levels at various depths below the surface, and these spread out from the access to the surface. Ore is mined in stopes, or rooms. Material left in place to support the ceiling is called a pillar and can sometimes be recovered afterward. A vertical internal connection between two levels of a mine is called a winze if it was made by driving downward and a raise if it was made by driving upward.

             A modern underground mine is a highly mechanized operation requiring little work with pick and shovel. Rubber-tired vehicles, rail haulage, and multiple drill units are commonplace. In order to protect miners and their equipment much attention is paid to mine safety. Mine ventilation provides fresh air underground and at the same time removes noxious gases as well as dangerous dusts that might cause lung disease, e.g., silicosis. Roof support is accomplished with timber, concrete, or steel supports or, most commonly, with roof bolts, which are long steel rods used to bind the exposed roof surface to the rock behind it.

Underground Mining Methods presents the latest principles and techniques in use today. Reflecting the international and diverse nature of the industry, a series of mining case studies is presented covering the commodity range from iron ore to diamonds extracted by operations located in all corners of the world. Industry experts have contributed 77 chapters.

This book is certain to become a standard for every practicing mining engineer and student alike. Sections include: General Mine Design Considerations, Room-and-Pillar Mining of Hard Rock/Soft Rock, Longwall Mining of Hard Rock, Shrinkage Stoping, Sublevel Stoping, Cut-and-Fill Mining, Sublevel Caving, Panel Caving, Foundations for Design, and Underground Mining Looks to the Future.