{"title":"Understanding the Usefulness of Self-Escape Technologies in Underground Mining: Perspectives of Metal/Nonmetal Miners.","authors":"Eugene A Gyawu, Kwame Awuah-Offei, D A Baker","doi":"10.1007/s42461-025-01368-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42461-025-01368-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research on mine self-escape often focuses on coal mining, while perspectives from underground metal/nonmetal miners remain understudied despite their distinct emergency response challenges and unique operating environments. Using a scenario-based survey approach, this study evaluated underground metal/nonmetal miners' perceptions of the usefulness of 18 hypothetical self-escape interventions and how these perceptions are influenced by worker characteristics. Employment type was the strongest predictor of usefulness ratings, with hourly employees rating several self-escape interventions significantly higher than salaried employees, including those related to improving self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs) and tethered guidance systems. The data suggested potential trends where perceived usefulness increased with more time spent underground and decreased with higher education levels. While previous research found no relationship between these characteristics and coal miners' perceptions of self-escape technologies, our findings suggest these factors do influence metal/nonmetal miners' views. This work contributes to the broader understanding of human systems integration in mining self-escape, reinforcing the notion that technology priorities can differ by user groups, while acknowledging that certain core safety needs may transcend these differences.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"42 6","pages":"3391-3403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12698773/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145757055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica Ledesma, Julia W Neilson, Raina M Maier, Alicja Babst-Kostecka, Craig Rasmussen
{"title":"Effects of Stockpiling on Topsoil Biogeochemistry for Semiarid Mine Reclamation.","authors":"Jessica Ledesma, Julia W Neilson, Raina M Maier, Alicja Babst-Kostecka, Craig Rasmussen","doi":"10.1007/s42461-024-01164-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42461-024-01164-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stockpiling and storage of topsoil for use in reclamation and revegetation are common practices for many mining operations. However, stockpiling can lead to significant changes in topsoil physical and biogeochemical properties that may be detrimental to reclamation. The objective of this research was to assess the effect of long-term stockpiling on soil biogeochemical properties in a semiarid region. We hypothesized that soil properties would change systematically with depth reflecting a shift to anaerobic conditions and resulting in a general decrease in soil health. To address this hypothesis, boreholes > 20-m deep were drilled into a 14-year-old topsoil stockpile at a copper mine in Arizona and samples collected every ~ 75 cm. Samples were analyzed for soil DNA biomass, texture, general agronomic properties, mineral composition, oxalate and dithionite extraction of active mineral phases, and total elemental composition. Depth profiles revealed non-systematic changes in biogeochemical variables with depth, including variation in soil DNA biomass, organic matter (OM), extractable nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub>-N) and ammonium (NH<sub>4</sub>-N) nitrogen, plant-available manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe), and oxalate-extractable Mn and Fe. Differences in biogeochemical properties were associated with zones of variable redox state mediated by OM content and layer depth. Anaerobic zones were observed at depths greater than 4 m where OM > 1%, and aerobic zones were observed at depths up to 15 m where OM < 1%. This study demonstrates the importance of stockpile composition on biogeochemical processes during storage and contributes to improved understanding of topsoil management as a resource for reclamation of degraded mine lands in semiarid environments.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42461-024-01164-2.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"42 1","pages":"15-26"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11787246/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143123373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Feyisayo Akinwande, Sunwook Kim, Aanuoluwapo Ojelade, Khoirul Muslim, Hardianto Iridiastadi, Mahiyar Nasarwanji, Jeong Ho Kim, Maury A Nussbaum
{"title":"Perspectives of Mining Personnel on Adopting Occupational Exoskeletons: Comparisons Between a Developed and a Developing Country.","authors":"Feyisayo Akinwande, Sunwook Kim, Aanuoluwapo Ojelade, Khoirul Muslim, Hardianto Iridiastadi, Mahiyar Nasarwanji, Jeong Ho Kim, Maury A Nussbaum","doi":"10.1007/s42461-025-01189-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-025-01189-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Occupational exoskeletons (EXOs) have received growing attention as a new ergonomic intervention to reduce physical demands in various industries (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, construction, and agriculture). However, their potential use in mining has not yet been reported. Survey data (<i>n</i> = 135) were obtained from mining workers in the United States (US) and Indonesia (ID). Qualitative and frequency analyses were used to summarize and compare respondents' perceived barriers, benefits, and promoters to EXO use and adoption. Beta regression analyses were also used to examine whether the perceived likelihood to use arm-support EXOs or back-support EXOs differed between the countries and was affected by demographic or job characteristics, or by perceptions regarding EXOs. Both US and ID respondents reported potential benefits of EXOs for physically demanding tasks such as lifting and overhead work, and they shared concerns about adaptation, uncertainty or lack of knowledge, confined spaces, device weight, potential failure or damage, and costs. However, some key differences also emerged: US respondents were more likely to consider using arm-support EXOs and back-support EXOs, despite expressing concerns about their use; ID respondents, although they reported more existing health and safety hazards, appeared more hesitant about adopting EXOs, possibly due to these additional hazards. These results demonstrate that miners appear to have an interest in EXOs but also emphasize the need to ensure task compatibility, comfort, and affordability to ensure the safe and effective adoption of EXO technology in mining in both developed and developing countries.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42461-025-01189-1.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"42 2","pages":"523-536"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976373/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144018932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
James A Frimpong, Basel Ahmad Shabab, Rohit Pandey, Snehamoy Chatterjee, Gabriel Walton, Alexander S Brand
{"title":"Fracture Initiation Pressure as a Measure of Cemented Paste Backfill Strength.","authors":"James A Frimpong, Basel Ahmad Shabab, Rohit Pandey, Snehamoy Chatterjee, Gabriel Walton, Alexander S Brand","doi":"10.1007/s42461-025-01257-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42461-025-01257-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This laboratory-scale study presents the development and validation of a hydraulic fracturing technique to directly measure the tensile strength of cemented paste backfill (CPB), providing an alternative to traditional strength testing methods. Fracture initiation pressure (FIP) was used as the primary measure of CPB strength. Experimental results were compared with traditional benchmark measures such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), and critical Mode-I fracture toughness (K<sub>Ic</sub>). Regression analysis of experimental results revealed a strong linear relationship between FIP and these benchmark strength measures, indicating that FIP can be used as a reliable predictor of CPB strength. However, traditional linear elastic failure models did not adequately explain the observed FIP values, as they significantly over-predicted the CPB tensile strength. To address this, the Point Stress (PS) model was applied, which provided a more accurate prediction of tensile strength, especially in cases involving small boreholes. The PS model explained observed effects of borehole size on the material's response to hydraulic pressurization. This study confirms that hydraulic fracturing, interpreted through the PS model, is an effective method for determining CPB strength and provides a practical alternative measure to conventional testing methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"42 3","pages":"1305-1323"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12158861/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144302454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juan J Monsalve, Aman Soni, Richard Bishop, Jim Hazzard, Adrian Rodriguez-Marek, Cheng Chen, Nino Ripepi
{"title":"A Risk-Based Pillar Design Approach Combining Stochastic Continuous and Discontinuous Modeling in an Underground Stone Mine.","authors":"Juan J Monsalve, Aman Soni, Richard Bishop, Jim Hazzard, Adrian Rodriguez-Marek, Cheng Chen, Nino Ripepi","doi":"10.1007/s42461-025-01210-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42461-025-01210-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The collapse of a mine pillar is a catastrophic event with great consequences for a mining operation. In spite of the low probability of occurrence for a pillar collapse in comparison to other ground control instability issues, these consequences make these events high risk. Therefore, the design of these structures should be considered from a risk perspective rather than from a factor-of-safety deterministic approach, as it has been traditionally done. This work presents a risk-based pillar design framework that enables to characterize discontinuities' effect in pillar strength, as well as accounting for the possible range of stresses that will be acting on pillars. The proposed methodology is based on the integration of stochastic discrete element modeling for pillar strength estimation, and stochastic continuous modeling for pillar stress determination. This approach was evaluated in an underground dipping stone mine. Using the reliability analysis method, results from the stress estimation model were integrated with those obtained from the stochastic DEM approach, thereby enabling the probability of failure estimation for the pillars throughout the mine. Finally, the methodology was validated by comparing numerical modeling results with LiDAR and photogrammetric surveys from the mine. Results from this design framework provide additional decision-making tools to prevent pillar failure from the design stages by reducing uncertainty. The proposed method enables the integration of pillar design into the risk analysis framework of the mining operation, ultimately improving safety by preventing future pillar collapses.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"42 2","pages":"501-522"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976770/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144010255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David A Parks, Grant W King, B David Koski, Greg S Bierie, Carl B Sunderman, Samantha E Wilson, Arthur L Miller
{"title":"Reducing Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica Near Conveyors Using a Hybrid Dust Control System.","authors":"David A Parks, Grant W King, B David Koski, Greg S Bierie, Carl B Sunderman, Samantha E Wilson, Arthur L Miller","doi":"10.1007/s42461-024-01095-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42461-024-01095-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Occupational exposures to respirable dusts and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is well established as a health hazard in many industries including mining, construction, and oil and gas extraction. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is researching methods of controlling fugitive dust emissions at outdoor mining operations. In this study, a prototype engineering control system to control fugitive dust emissions was developed combining passive subsystems for dust settling with active dust filtration and spray-surfactant dust suppression comprising a hybrid system. The hybrid system was installed at an aggregate production facility to evaluate the effectiveness of controlling fugitive dust emissions generated from two cone crushers and belt conveyors that transport crushed materials. To evaluate effectiveness of the system, area air measurements (<i>n</i> = 14 on each day for a total of 42 samples) for respirable dust were collected by NIOSH before, during, and after the installation of the dust control system in the immediate vicinity of the crushers and the nearby conveyor transfer point. Compared to pre-intervention samples, over short periods of time, geometric mean concentrations of airborne respirable dust were reduced by 37% using passive controls (<i>p</i> = 0.34) but significantly reduced by 93% (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) when the full hybrid system was installed. This proof-of-concept project demonstrated that the combined use of active and passive dust controls along with a spray surfactant can be highly effective in controlling fugitive dust emissions even with minimal use of water, which is desirable for many remote mining applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"41 ","pages":"2891-2899"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11708428/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142951435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prediction of Backbreak in Surface Production Blasting Using 3-Dimensional Finite Element Modeling and 3-Dimensional Nearfield Vibration Modeling","authors":"Satyabrata Behera, Kaushik Dey","doi":"10.1007/s42461-024-01072-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-01072-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In the context of modern industrialization and global development, blasting operations have become essential for meeting the growing demand for raw materials through large-scale opencast mining. However, if not meticulously planned and executed, blasting can lead to adverse outcomes, including backbreak, flyrock, and structural damage caused by vibrations. These issues can significantly undermine operational safety, reduce efficiency, and negatively impact environmental sustainability. Addressing these challenges requires innovative control techniques, including empirical approaches like vibration analysis, machine learning methods, and numerical simulations, to mitigate the negative impacts effectively. This paper focuses on a numerical approach to controlling backbreak, presenting a comprehensive 3-dimensional finite element (3D FE) model developed to simulate rockmass deformation under blast-load conditions. The model is implemented using Ansys Explicit Dynamics, incorporating the Drucker-Prager strength model and the Jones-Wilkins-Lee equation of state for explosives to accurately predict the extent of rock breakage zones. To evaluate its predictive accuracy, this 3D FE model is compared with 3-dimensional nearfield vibration models. Our findings reveal that the FE model closely aligns with both the vibration model outcomes and field observations, establishing its reliability in predicting backbreak without the need for historical blasting data. This aspect is particularly valuable for preliminary checks in new blasting sites, where historical data may not be available. By offering a dependable alternative for predicting the rock breakage zone extent, the FE model significantly contributes to the refinement of blasting designs, enhancing the safety, productivity, and environmental stewardship of surface mining operations.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"116 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Khaled E. Yassin, Mahmoud A. Mohamed, Mohamed G. Khalifa, Ayman A. Hagrass
{"title":"Improving Feldspar Flotation Using CTAB As Amine Collector (Part Two)","authors":"Khaled E. Yassin, Mahmoud A. Mohamed, Mohamed G. Khalifa, Ayman A. Hagrass","doi":"10.1007/s42461-024-01084-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-01084-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In this study, feldspar ore was successfully enriched using a two-stage process. Initially, dry magnetic separation was employed to remove iron oxide, followed by cationic flotation to eliminate gangue minerals containing free silica. A feed sample with a size fraction of (− 0.25 + 0.053) mm, pre-treated by attrition scrubbing and dry high-intensity magnetic separation (cleaned twice), was used for flotation. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) served as a cationic collector for feldspar, while hydrofluoric acid (HF) acted as a depressant for quartz at a pH of 2.5–3. Factors affecting the flotation process were investigated. The flotation resulted in a concentrate with 64.75% SiO<sub>2</sub>, 21.00% Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, 0.08% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, 4.00% Na<sub>2</sub>O, 10.22% K<sub>2</sub>O, and 94.71% feldspar, compared to the feed sample, which contained 76.03% SiO<sub>2</sub>, 14.73% Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, 0.08% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, 2.99% Na<sub>2</sub>O, 4.77% K<sub>2</sub>O, and 59.43% feldspar. Overall, the results indicate that using CTAB as a feldspar collector, combined with a small amount of HF as a quartz depressant in acidic conditions, effectively reduces chemical consumption when compared to alternative methods for treating similar feldspar samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Research on Vibrating Screen Screening Technology and Method Based on DEM: a Review","authors":"Yufei Yang, Zhiping Xie, Junhao Wang, Siqian Wang, Wenxin Feng, Xinyue Hou, Yuelong Yu","doi":"10.1007/s42461-024-01080-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-01080-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Particulate materials are prevalent in the natural and engineering fields, and the screening of particulate materials is constantly improving with the development of industrial needs. New and efficient screening equipment is endless. Discrete element simulation plays a vital role in the design and development of vibrating screens, which improves the design speed of new screening machines and reduces the research and development cost. The purpose of this paper is to collect the literature published in recent years on the research development and application of discrete elements, with the expectation of providing a relatively comprehensive and advanced literature review on the application of discrete components in the field of vibratory screening, which includes the introduction of particle models, the setting of crucial simulation parameters, discrete elements in screening optimization. Meanwhile, the results of many researchers in the field of vibratory screening simulation in recent years are summarized to provide readers with references on the use of the discrete element method in the screening simulation process and to provide a cutting-edge summary for subsequent research.</p>","PeriodicalId":18588,"journal":{"name":"Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142249359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}