This book aims to present an alternative based on natural processes and an environmental approach to post-excavation site management, e.g., post-coal mining heaps. These sites are places where various mineral excavation by-products are collected. Nevertheless, some post-mineral excavation sites are oligotrophic, terrestrial, wetland, and water habitat islands, providing unique biodiversity enrichment in the landscape. These oligotrophic mineral habitats are essential in over-fertilized, eutrophic, agricultural and urban-industry surroundings. Some post-mineral excavation sites are places where the wildlife can develop and support the functional processes of novel ecosystems. Implementing the newest biogeochemical and comprehensive knowledge into urban-industry landscape management will help to establish the ecosystem's processes and environmental functioning. There are several post-industrial sites in Europe where the wildlife areas developed due to natural processes, are becoming wildlife hotspots in densely populated urban-industry areas. In this respect, many of the oligotrophic mineral terrestrial, wetland, and water habitats of anthropogenic origin should not be categorized as environmentally dangerous and undergo economic utility-focused reclamation. Facing the actual environmental constraints of the Anthropocene Epoch, the book's chapters presenting the natural basics and perquisites of the environmental ecosystem mosaics, will be interesting for a broad range of environmentalists (scientists and students), miners, economists, and sociologists.

Rock salt formations have long been recognized as a valuable resource - not only for salt mining but for construction of oil and gas storage caverns and for isolation of radioactive and other hazardous wastes. Current interest is fast expanding towards construction and re-use of solution-mined caverns for storage of renewable energy in the form of hydrogen, compressed air and other gases. Evaluating the long term performance and safety of such systems demands an understanding of the coupled mechanical behavior and transport properties of salt. This volume presents a collection of 60 research papers defining the state-of-the-art in the field. Topics range from fundamental work on deformation mechanisms and damage of rock salt to compaction of engineered salt backfill. The latest constitutive models are applied in computational studies addressing the evolution and integrity of storage caverns, repositories, salt mines and entire salt formations, while field studies document ground truth at multiple scales. The volume is structured into seven themes: Microphysical processes and creep models Laboratory testing Geological isolation systems and geotechnical barriers Analytical and numerical modelling Monitoring and site-specific studies Cavern and borehole abandonment and integrity Energy storage in salt caverns The Mechanical Behavior of Salt X will appeal to graduate students, academics, engineers and professionals working in the fields of salt mechanics, salt mining and geological storage of energy and wastes, but also to researchers in rock physics in general.

Magmatic sulfides provide most of the world's supplies of platinum and nickel, among other rare and valuable ores. The author, a ranking authority on the topic, discusses the types of rocks that contain magmatic sulfides, the chemical processes by which they form, and the geological setting of major nickel-copper and platinum deposits throughout the world--in Canada, Australia, the U.S.S.R., South Africa, the U.S.A., and Zimbabwe. Naldrett also examines how theories about ore genesis can be applied in exploring for minerals. The book will be used in graduate-level courses and by economic geologists, geochemists, and geologists in the mining industry. It will also be of interest to members of geological surveys worldwide.

This book describes all parts of belt conveyors, their functions and different types presented one after the other with necessary illustrations covering all the basic aspects so that the reader can obtain an overall understanding of their operation and implementation within the field of bulk material handling, mining and mineral processing. Dedicated study of this work will also enable engineers to carry out minor repairs on their own without having to wait for maintenance personnel. This is an introductory preliminary book for beginners in the field of bulk material handling, mining and mineral processing, written in lucid, easy-to-understand language, well-illustrated, and with self-explanatory descriptions that do not compromise in maintaining academic standards while dealing with the subject matter. A salient feature of this book is that all the new terminology used to describe the components and their functions has been included and explained. Much of the content of this book has been tested and evaluated positively by graduate and postgraduate students and professional engineers of several bulk material handling plants during training programs over the last twenty-five years in India.

- provides a useful historical overview of rope guidance in Poland and other countries. - discusses research on the conveyance's behavior in shafts with rope guidance. - offers a precise description of the technical solution of the retractable guidance system for engineers and constructors - presents a system that one could buy or construct oneself.

* Constructs a 3-D numerical model which incorporates the persistent and non-persistent faults, a weak interlayer, and the complicated tunnel system.* Simulates the non-linear relations between the joint normal/shear deformations and normal stress obtained from laboratory tests.* Offers 3-D implementation of the sequential excavation, backfilling and supporting procedures.* Incorporates a novel routine to simulate the delayed installation of rock supports.* Specifies the rock mass failure according to the residual state of the material properties instead of using the plastic yielding zones.* Quantifies the safety of rock supports based on the percent of the bond shear and bolt tensile failures.* Provides suggestions for the appropriate support design based on the quantified rock mass mechanical behaviour and the quantified rock support failure.* Makes comparisons between the numerical results and monitored field deformations.

This second edition examines the problems facing the mining industry, and offers practical case studies, as well as new solutions for environmental restoration and remediation. New topics include bioremediation technology, mountaintop surface coal mining, reclamation procedures, environmental impacts of gold mining, mining in different countries worldwide, and the resulting environmental problems. The book is considered a "must have" book for environmental engineers and professionals in the mining industry, geologists, hydrologists, hazardous waste professionals, and academics.

This book uses a multimethod approach to examine local experience of contemporary mining development in the Peruvian Andes, creating an understanding of the transformations that rural societies experience in this context. Mining is a major component of economic growth in many resource endowed countries, whilst also causing mixed social, cultural, and environmental effects. Most current literature on contemporary mining in Peru is largely focussed on conflict; however, in this text, the author takes a differing approach by examining the experiences of families in the vicinity of Rio Tinto's La Granja exploration copper project, Northern Peru, an area with great significance due to the mining investment and development, which has taken place over the past 25 years. The book first provides a critical discussion about production of space theories, and debates on spatial mobility, highlighting their relevance to understanding large-scale mining developments, especially in the Peruvian Andes. The following chapters analyze spatial transformations mining development has prompted, focusing on four axes: access to space, production, mobility, and representations of space. A comprehensive narrative is constructed drawing on diverse voices and perspectives, including those of family heads and their partners, local leaders, company employees, and social scientists. The book concludes by discussing how the findings challenge some of the current accounts of the social effects of mining developement on rural communities and pose significant implications for sustainable development programs and place-based practices. By taking an interdisciplinary approach, this book will appeal to a wide audience including geographers, social anthropologists, and social scientists interested in the social effects of mining as well as researchers interested in current Latin American Studies and Rural Development.

Emerald-green hiddenite, a gem so valuable that it is said "a June bug can carry away $1,000 worth," is only found in one area of North America: Alexander County, North Carolina. Now known as the village of Hiddenite, the area has continuously produced gems of great beauty since 1875, including the largest natural emerald and the largest faceted emerald in North America. The beauty of the area's free-standing minerals of emerald green beryl and spodumene, as well as amethyst, smoky quartz, calcite, and rutile have attracted collectors, adventurers, and miners since their discovery. The search for emeralds and other gemstones over more than 100 years has generated true drama: controversies about mineral names, who discovered what, tragic fatal accidents, and physical strife between individuals. This book reveals the whole story. Alongside the fascinating history of the area, it includes detailed information about the geology of the region, and will be of interest to the historian, mineral enthusiast, and the curious reader alike.

Mining activities may result in rock mass deterioration and instability that may lead to failure both in underground and open pit mines. Such deterioration represents a safety risk and may result in substantial financial losses. Rock mass response may lead to ground subsidence, fall of ground/caving, inundation, pillar collapse, seismic activities and slope and tailings dam instability. Each response is preceded by warning signs and precursors, which are identified in this book, with a view to providing guidelines for prediction and amelioration of damage to mining structures. Furthermore, case studies of both large scale ground deterioration leading to collapse and geotechnical mine disasters are presented. Identifying risks and monitoring geotechnical precursors and warning signs allows for safe and productive mining.

From its origins in the malachite mines of ancient Egypt, mining has grown to become a global industry which employs many hundreds of thousands of people. Today, the mining industry makes use of various types of complex and sophisticated equipment, for which reliability, maintainability and safety has become an important issue. Mining Equipment Reliability, Maintainability and Safety is the first book to cover these three topics in a single volume.

Mining Equipment Reliability, Maintainability and Safety will be useful to a range of individuals from administrators and engineering professionals working in the mining industry to students, researchers and instructors in mining engineering, as well as design engineers and safety professionals. All topics covered in the book are treated in such a manner that the reader requires no previous knowledge to understand the contents. Examples, solutions and test problems are also included to aid reader comprehension.

Coal Production and Processing Technology provides uniquely comprehensive coverage of the latest coal technologies used in everything from mining to greenhouse gas mitigation. Featuring contributions from experts in industry and academia, this book: Discusses coal geology, characterization, beneficiation, combustion, coking, gasification, and liquefaction Explores coalbed methane drilling, excavatability, surface production, strata control, and longwall production Tackles financial, safety, and environmental issues, including coal company valuations, mine emergency preparedness, and carbon management Capturing state-of-the-art knowledge from different facets of the coal chain, Coal Production and Processing Technology offers a holistic view of today's coal industry as well as a look at future trends.

"Uncovers a centuries-long story of obsession that often included murder, gun fights, deadly accidents, overnight fortunes and even cannibalism. . . Neligh is a practiced writer whose style mixes history and modern realities seamlessly." -Colorado Country Life Gold! brings together the story of this metal’s glittering legacy in the Centennial State and the madness, murder, and mayhem that came along with it. The book examines the rich history of the miners and treasure hunters who came to face danger and hardships in the unforgiving Rocky Mountains. This story is unique in that it takes a look at the phenomenon of gold, the treasure hunters, both modern and historic, and brings them to life in a detailed and sharp narrative. Author Ian Neligh spent a year meeting with experts and enthusiasts, hearing their stories and trying to understand why it is they continue to do what they do—often in the face of extreme hardship. Modern-day gold miners profiled include Al Mosch, Bill Chapman, Ken Reid, and Chad Watkins. Gold! is the story of an unusual subculture on the rise in the mountains of Colorado fueled by a delicate balance of hope, greed, and loss. It tells the story of men mostly forgotten by the world as they go in endless pursuit of an impossible fortune. It follows miners working their small, dangerous gold claims in mines over a hundred years old, to modern-day prospectors trying to strike it rich and counterbalance the weight of a struggling economy. The book also examines if those who spend their lives in search of riches—ever actually strike it rich. This book will appeal to both history buffs as well as fans of modern-day reality shows like Gold Rush.

The prize was great -- not just land, but the riches it held, in the form of diamonds and gold. What became a country called South Africa was, until 1910, a vast and untamed land where great fortunes could be made (and lost); where great battles were fought (and lost); and where great men had their reputations forged, or dashed, or sometimes both.

Martin Meredith's follow-up to his magisterial The State of Africais an equally epic new history of the making of South Africa. Covering the extraordinarily eventful four decades leading up to the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910, it covers some of the most iconic tales of imperial history. The Zulus at Rorke's Drift; the Jameson Raid; the diamond and gold rushes at Kimberley and Witwatersrand; the Boer wars; the titanic struggle between the arch-imperialist Cecil Rhodes and his Boer rival, Paul Kruger -- DIAMONDS, GOLD AND WARbrings all of these and more together in a stunningly coherent and compelling narrative.

History, somehow, just isn't as colourful any more.

This book describes all parts of belt conveyors, their functions and different types presented one after the other with necessary illustrations covering all the basic aspects so that the reader can obtain an overall understanding of their operation and implementation within the field of bulk material handling, mining and mineral processing. Dedicated study of this work will also enable engineers to carry out minor repairs on their own without having to wait for maintenance personnel. This is an introductory preliminary book for beginners in the field of bulk material handling, mining and mineral processing, written in lucid, easy-to-understand language, well-illustrated, and with self-explanatory descriptions that do not compromise in maintaining academic standards while dealing with the subject matter. A salient feature of this book is that all the new terminology used to describe the components and their functions has been included and explained. Much of the content of this book has been tested and evaluated positively by graduate and postgraduate students and professional engineers of several bulk material handling plants during training programs over the last twenty-five years in India.

Presenting new technologies in underground coal extraction, with special attention to mine galleries support and maintenance, load mechanism of "massif-support system-safety system" systems, analysis of face equipment for thin coal seams mining and substantiation of rational stoping parameters. Advanced surface mining technologies of coal and ore are discussed in an original form, stability calculations of internal dumps and open-cut faces are presented, as well as examination of land surface subsidence using modern methods of calculation experiments. Special attention is given to the complex mining of mineral resources, such as: iron ore, coal deposits with drilling advance degassing wells, methane extraction from coal and anthropogenic deposits, heat receipt from mine water with help of thermal pumps. The unique geological conditions for mining in Poland and the Ukraine require a new technological approach for mining thin and very thin coal seams with thickness of 1 meter and less, using selective coal extraction methods, leaving rock behind in the mine. Relevant technological solutions are discussed in this volume. Further, technological process control during coal seams underground gasification is described together with pressure-temperature conditions of gas hydrates formation from gaseous mixtures of various content. Substantiation is also given to gas hydrates extraction technologies development and 21st century new pulse technologies of well drilling and a temperature mode of a rock-cutting tool and equipment with cryogenic-gravel filters is examined. Gas extraction processes located in flooded deposits with uniform and macroheterogeneous collectors are presented with the description of an effective methodology of two-subbench technology of ore deposits extraction.

This practical step-by-step guide describes the key geological field techniques needed by today's exploration geologists involved in the search for metallic mineral deposits. The techniques described are fundamental to the collection, storage and presentation of geological data and their use to locate ore. This book explains the various tasks which an exploration geologist is asked to perform in the sequence in which they might be employed in an actual exploration project. Hints and tips are given and the steps are illustrated with numerous examples drawn from real programmes on which the author has worked. Traditional skills are emphasised to show how they can be combined effectively with modern high-technology approaches. For instance this second edition also reviews new techniques geophysics along with GPS applications in exploration and the application of state-of-the-art software to mapping, 3D modelling and resource estimation. Another important facet is the discussion of harm minimisation, especially during the exploration stage, beginning with landowner and community consultation, through exploration planning, leading to sustainable and environmentally responsible mining practices.

The book is a comprehensive treatment of the application of geotechnical engineering to site selection, site exploration, design, operation and closure of mine waste storage facilities. The level and content are suitable as a technical source and reference for practising engineers engaged both in the design and operational management of mine waste storage facilities and for senior undergraduate and postgraduate students. The thirteen chapters follow the sequence of the life cycle of a waste storage facility (characterization, site selection, geotechnical exploration, environmental aspects, testing and compaction) and also consider the use of mine waste as a construction material. The text is liberally illustrated by both line drawings and photographs, and the theoretical passages are supported by typical test results, worked examples and carefully analysed case histories.

Corrosion Protection for the Oil and Gas Industry: Pipelines, Subsea Equipment, and Structures summarizes the main causes of corrosion and requirements for materials protection, selection of corrosion-resistant materials and coating materials commonly used for corrosion protection, and the limitations to their use, application, and repair. This book focuses on the protection of steels against corrosion in an aqueous environment, either immersed in seawater or buried. It also includes guidelines for the design of cathodic protection systems and reviews of cathodic protection methods, materials, installation, and monitoring. It is concerned primarily with the external and internal corrosion protection of onshore pipelines and subsea pipelines, but reference is also made to the protection of other equipment, subsea structures, risers, and shore approaches. Two case studies, design examples, and the author's own experiences as a pipeline integrity engineer are featured in this book. Readers will develop a high quality and in-depth understanding of the corrosion protection methods available and apply them to solve corrosion engineering problems. This book is aimed at students, practicing engineers, and scientists as an introduction to corrosion protection for the oil and gas industry, as well as to overcoming corrosion issues.

Written for the piping engineer and designer in the field, this two-part series helps to fill a void in piping literature, since the Rip Weaver books of the '90s were taken out of print at the advent of the Computer Aid Design (CAD) era. Technology may have changed, however the fundamentals of piping rules still apply in the digital representation of process piping systems. The Fundamentals of Piping Design is an introduction to the design of piping systems, various processes and the layout of pipe work connecting the major items of equipment for the new hire, the engineering student and the veteran engineer needing a reference.