Exploration and Mining
Ayyub Nikkhah; Mohammad Taji
Abstract
In open pit mines, the extraction of ore rock with minimum price and good quality is the most important mining goal. In this paper, the impact of underground water on production costs and mining process has been investigated. For this purpose, the parameter specific crushing(S_cr ), measured and used. ...
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In open pit mines, the extraction of ore rock with minimum price and good quality is the most important mining goal. In this paper, the impact of underground water on production costs and mining process has been investigated. For this purpose, the parameter specific crushing(S_cr ), measured and used. To evaluate mining operation in dry and wet conditions of database in two parts of production costs and mining operations of two blasts, holes with diameter of 6 inches were created. The difference of two different conditions of mining in increasing production costs and reducing production performance is observed such that the costs including drilling cost, blast cost, total drilling and blast costs, loading cost are increased respectively, equal to 83.33, 450, 266.67 and 200 percent in wet mining conditions compared with dry conditions. Rock crushing cost due to crushing amount is almost similar in both conditions. Also, wet mining conditions cause reducing the production yield of Sarcheshmeh copper mine such that production performance in sections including special loading and index specific mining operations unit has been decreased respectively, equal to 33.34 and 198.85 percent compared to dry conditions. In order not to use waterproof explosives, improvement of mining operations index and reduction of project production costs, it is necessary to determine the model of underground water of Sarcheshmeh copper mine. Desirable mining operation will be provided with lower cost with sustainable development by drainage of underground water in open pit mines.
S. Orandi; A. Yaghubpur; M. Nakhaei; B. Mehrabi; H. Sahraei; M. Behrouz
Abstract
Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, one of the well known porphyry copper deposits, is located in 55 km south of Rafsanjan, south-eastern Iran. Metalliferrous deposit mining, prepare proper conditions for oxidation of sulphide minerals and acid mine drainage will be produced easily by chemical reactions between ...
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Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, one of the well known porphyry copper deposits, is located in 55 km south of Rafsanjan, south-eastern Iran. Metalliferrous deposit mining, prepare proper conditions for oxidation of sulphide minerals and acid mine drainage will be produced easily by chemical reactions between metal sulphides and water, with the presence of air. Investigations on impact of waste dumps on producing acid mine drainage at Sarcheshmeh copper mine shows decreased pH up to 3-5.5 in acid drainages with the presence of some dissolved toxic and heavy metals higher than permitted standard limits (WHO). In such degraded water and improper environment for aquatic life, just some of microorganisms are able to survive. At Sarcheshmeh copper mine in some of acidic drainages which maintain high dissolved elements, an acid tolerant alga recognized. The genus of this filamentous green alga is Ulothrix and species is Ulothrix gigas without antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The alga is observed in the drainages with high dissolved solids (TDS≈1800mg/l). It seems pH values, type of dissolved elements and secondary minerals formed on the substrate, are important factors in distribution of Ulothrix. This research shows the most prolific and densely populated communities occur in effluent with the pH 3- 4.5. The colloidal conditions and presence of suspended Iron and Aluminium prevent growth or reproduction of them. Sampling and chemical analysis of algae show elevated absorption of heavy metals. Therefore the presence of this alga is a factor to remove heavy metals from acid mine drainage naturally and improve the water quality.
