Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
Jiaye Li; Jing Zhao; Zebin Wang; Huan Liu; Qing Wen; Jinling Yin; Ze Li; Yang Lei; Guiling Wang
Abstract
Traditional graphite has safety and environmental issues, associated with fluorine purification. To address these issues, an energy-saving and efficient graphite purification process can be explored through the acid leaching method with composite additives. The acid leaching process was studied and optimized ...
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Traditional graphite has safety and environmental issues, associated with fluorine purification. To address these issues, an energy-saving and efficient graphite purification process can be explored through the acid leaching method with composite additives. The acid leaching process was studied and optimized in detail using the controlled variable method including the effects of the soaking time and temperature on the graphite purification process. Then the response surface method was used to simulate the orthogonal experiment of graphite purification to verify the correctness of the single-factor, experiment. The purity and micromorphology of the graphite samples at each stage were characterized and tested. The experimental results showed that the optimal liquid-to-solid ratio of the acid solution and graphite was 20:1, which could make the fixed carbon content reach 99.77%. On the basis of these optimal process conditions, the addition types were further explored. The experimental result showed that the best addition was ascorbic acid and EDTA, which could reduce the content of various impurities in the graphite raw material without destroying the microstructure of the graphite. Benefitting from the addition of compound additives in the two-step process, almost all the metal ions were leached from the graphite. After the acid and water leaching, the fixed carbon content of graphite could reach 99.96%. The process parameters proposed in this paper were scientifically verified by both the single-factor and multi-factor experiments, and innovative and effective additives were introduced in different steps to make the graphite purity break through 99.9%, which was difficult to reach by the traditional method.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Ayodele Owolabi; Olumuyiwa Temidayo Ogunro; Gbenga Stephen Ayode
Abstract
Sustainable development is one that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The geospatial approach was used to evaluate the degree of sustainability of the mining operations in Okpella, Nigeria. 2011, 2016, and 2021. Normalized ...
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Sustainable development is one that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The geospatial approach was used to evaluate the degree of sustainability of the mining operations in Okpella, Nigeria. 2011, 2016, and 2021. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) revealed mean values of 0.36557, 0.32961, and 0.41674, respectively. This vegetation cover of shrubs, grassland, and relatively healthy vegetation remained after the mining activities in the research area. The surface water in the area is under stress due to the anthropogenic activities like mining, which is known to demand large amounts of water for mineral recovery and processing. Additionally, the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) revealed that the mean values for the years 2011, 2016, and 2021 were, respectively, 0.01415, -0.32949, and -0.15331. The research area's NDMI showed little water stress. The Soil Moisture Index (SMI) for 2011, 2016, and 2021 indicated a moderate moisture content in the soil (0.73682, 0.58690, and 0.58897, respectively). The Land Surface Temperature (LST) data revealed that the LST levels (from 28.623 oC to 32.525 oC) had been rising. During the three years under study, aquatic bodies had the lowest LST values, whereas bare land and populated regions had the greatest LST values. According to the results of the NDVI, NDMI, and MNDWI investigations, this increase was caused by the intermediate vegetation levels and extremely low surface water. It is necessary to develop an environmental policy to mitigate the negative consequences of mining on land covers.
Review Paper
Exploration
Abdalmajed Milad Shlof; Mohd Hariri Arifin; MUHAMMAD TAQIUDDIN ZAKARIA; Emmanuel O. Salufu
Abstract
More than sixty thermal springs have been detected across Peninsular Malaysia, with about 75% conveniently located in easily accessible areas. The potential for thermal energy growth has been recognized at four hot spring localities: Lojing, Dusun Tua, Ulu Slim, and Sungai Klah. This article analyses ...
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More than sixty thermal springs have been detected across Peninsular Malaysia, with about 75% conveniently located in easily accessible areas. The potential for thermal energy growth has been recognized at four hot spring localities: Lojing, Dusun Tua, Ulu Slim, and Sungai Klah. This article analyses Peninsular Malaysia's geothermal development's geological, geochemical, and geophysical research to assess its appropriateness and performance. The geological data provide insights into the structural characteristics and spatial distribution of thermal springs within the studied area. Geochemical studies measure reservoir temperatures, revealing the highest recorded temperature exceeds 189°C. The review shows that the hot springs are derived from a recharge region linked to high-altitude topography, with their source being meteoric water. Several geophysical techniques, such as transient electromagnet (TEM), gravity, land and satellite magnetic, ground penetration radar (GPR), seismic, resistivity, and induced polarization (IP), have been employed to examine the geothermal system in Malaysia. The sole magnetotelluric (MT) investigation at Ulu Slim deviates from this pattern. The source suggests uncertainty regarding accuracy related to station distance, highlighting these concerns. Most studies indicate that magma intrusion is the most likely heat source. To offer a comprehensive understanding of Peninsular Malaysia's geothermal potential, this study reviews previous research and presents a feasible model that incorporates all current facts.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Mustafa Yasser Elgindy; Ahmed Zakaria Nooh; Ali Mostafa Wahba
Abstract
Kick monitoring, detection, and control are key elements to ensure safe drilling operations and avoid catastrophic blow-out incidents that can cause loss of life, equipment, and environmental damage. Conventional kick detection systems such as the pit volume totalizer and the flow in/out sensors identify ...
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Kick monitoring, detection, and control are key elements to ensure safe drilling operations and avoid catastrophic blow-out incidents that can cause loss of life, equipment, and environmental damage. Conventional kick detection systems such as the pit volume totalizer and the flow in/out sensors identify the kick after a large amount of influx has been recorded on the surface. So, we aim to recognize the kick before it enters the wellbore by detecting the abnormal formation pressure once the bit penetrates the rock. This paper proposes a new machine learning model as an alternative solution using field drilling parameters such as true vertical depth, porosity, bulk density, resistivity, rate of penetration, weight on bit, rotation per minute, torque, standpipe pressure, flow rate, flowline temperature, and gas level. The data-driven models were developed using three separate algorithms: K-Nearest Neighbor, Random Forest, and XG Boost. 6022 field data points were split for training, testing, and validation processes. On average, the model using the random forest algorithm showed the highest accuracy in forecasting the formation pressure, with root mean squared error values and coefficient of determination values of 12.868 and 0.9638, respectively. Streamlit Deployment tool was used to create a user interface program to facilitate the prediction process. The program was tested using 196 field data points and recorded a high accuracy of 95%.
Review Paper
Environment
Aditi Nag; Anurag Singh Rathore
Abstract
The tourism industry is experiencing a profound transformation driven by digital innovations such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interactive platforms. This paper explores how these technologies are reshaping destination competitiveness, with a specific focus on the mining heritage ...
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The tourism industry is experiencing a profound transformation driven by digital innovations such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interactive platforms. This paper explores how these technologies are reshaping destination competitiveness, with a specific focus on the mining heritage sites (MHSs). By leveraging VR and AR, heritage sites can offer immersive and interactive experiences that enhance visitor engagement, and broaden their reach. Through a case-study analysis, this work examines successful implementations of digital tourism initiatives at various MHSs including the Big Pit National Coal Museum, the Mining Museum of Slovenia, the Mining Museum of the West, the Erzgebirge Mining Region, and the Mesabi Iron Ore Mines. The findings reveal that digital tools significantly improve accessibility, educational value, and global appeal of these sites. However, challenges such as the technical and financial constraints remain. The paper concludes with recommendations for practitioners on integrating digital technologies effectively and suggestions for future research to explore long-term impacts and emerging trends. This work underscores the transformative potential of digital innovation in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism destinations.
Original Research Paper
Exploitation
Sruti Narwal; Debasis Deb; Sreenivasa Rao Islavath; Gopinath Samanta
Abstract
A novel underground mining method is proposed to extract friable chromite ore bodies in weak and weathered limonitic host rock below an open-pit mine. The conventional underground methods do not instil confidence since GSI (Geological Strength Index) of ore bodies and host rock lies below 35. Series ...
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A novel underground mining method is proposed to extract friable chromite ore bodies in weak and weathered limonitic host rock below an open-pit mine. The conventional underground methods do not instil confidence since GSI (Geological Strength Index) of ore bodies and host rock lies below 35. Series of dimensions of transverse stopes along the strike are suggested based on a detailed analysis of multiple mining and backfilling operations by simulating 36 three-dimensional numerical models. For each operation or sequence, a strength-based “Mining Sequence Factor (MSF)” is devised that helps quantifying its equivalent strength compared to in-situ conditions. This factor along with the average equivalent plastic strain (AEPS) developed on the pillars as obtained from numerical models is used to determine the safe operations with desired yearly production target. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of this method and suggests minimum pillar dimensions of 40 m, whether in-situ or backfilled. The paper, in addition, lays the design of underground drives and their support system as per NGI (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute) guidelines and 3D numerical studies, the performance of which is analysed considering distribution of stress and equivalent plastic strain.
Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
Ahmed Mohammedelmubarak Ah Abbaker; Nevzat Aslan
Abstract
This work optimizes coarse particle flotation using microbubble-assisted flotation in a cationic environment created by dodecylamine (DDA). The flotation efficiency of coarse quartz particles (D50 = 495 μm) was investigated through an examination of the interactions between microbubbles (20-30 μm), ...
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This work optimizes coarse particle flotation using microbubble-assisted flotation in a cationic environment created by dodecylamine (DDA). The flotation efficiency of coarse quartz particles (D50 = 495 μm) was investigated through an examination of the interactions between microbubbles (20-30 μm), the cationic environment, and various operational parameters. A systematic approach utilizing factorial and Box-Behnken experimental designs was employed to evaluate the effects of the multiple variables. These variables included the dodecylamine (DDA) concentration, methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) concentration, impeller speed, pulp density, the addition of fine particles, and the presence of microbubbles. The DDA concentration and the impeller speed significantly impacted the coarse particle recovery, while microbubbles increased recovery by 15% under non-optimized conditions; optimization revealed a more negligible difference. The optimized conditions achieved maximum recoveries of 99.47% and 97.88% with and without microbubbles, respectively, indicating the minimal effect when other parameters were optimized. This research work shows that a careful optimization of the flotation parameters can achieve high coarse particle recovery rates, with microbubbles playing a less significant role than anticipated. These findings suggest that optimizing the conventional parameters may be more crucial than the microbubble introduction for enhancing the flotation efficiency of larger particles. The work contributes to our understanding of coarse particle flotation, and provides insights for improving the mineral processing techniques for challenging the particle sizes.
Review Paper
Environment
Salil Seth; Mrinal Kanti Mahato; Mohd Irfan Pathan; Lokesh Tomar; Parveen Yadav
Abstract
This paper explores the role of eco-centric financing in promoting sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges in mine cities. Through qualitative analysis of the case studies from the Pilbara region in Australia, the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor in India, and the Kapan ...
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This paper explores the role of eco-centric financing in promoting sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges in mine cities. Through qualitative analysis of the case studies from the Pilbara region in Australia, the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor in India, and the Kapan Mining Complex in Armenia, the work highlights the multifaceted nature of eco-centric financing, and its implications for various stakeholders, including local governments, mining companies, and communities. The findings reveal that eco-centric financing is essential for enhancing climate resilience, fostering sustainable mining practices, and generating socio-economic benefits. However, significant barriers hinder its effective implementation including inadequate regulatory frameworks, limited access to financial resources, and social mistrust among stakeholders. The paper identifies key opportunities for improvement such as strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and integrating technology and innovation into financing initiatives. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of a holistic and inclusive approach to eco-centric financing, emphasizing the need for collaboration and transparency to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes in mine cities.
Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
Ashraf Alsafasfeh; Anum Razzaq; Abeer Sajid; Maryam Nazir; Muhammad Badar Hayat; Mirza Zaid
Abstract
Palygorskite (PAL), also known as attapulgite, is a clay mineral prized for its nanorod-like silicate structure and fibrous morphology. The traditional PAL purification methods often involve wet gravity separation techniques such as sedimentation and screening, which require significant water usage and ...
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Palygorskite (PAL), also known as attapulgite, is a clay mineral prized for its nanorod-like silicate structure and fibrous morphology. The traditional PAL purification methods often involve wet gravity separation techniques such as sedimentation and screening, which require significant water usage and pose sustainability challenges, especially in the water-scarce regions. This work introduces a novel, environmentally sustainable dry beneficiation method for PAL. A large PAL sample with 41.7% content and 10% moisture was crushed, ground using a pin mill, and classified into three particle size fractions:
-0.088 mm + 0.066 mm, -0.066mm +0.044 mm, and -0.044 mm. These fractions were treated with an air classifier. A Box-Behnken experimental design was employed to investigate the effects of particle size, shutter opening, and motor speed on the classification efficiency. The optimal parameters for grade were 400 rpm motor speed, shutter opening of 1 mm, and feed size of -0.066 mm + 0.044 mm. For the recovery, the optimal conditions were 1200 rpm motor speed, shutter opening of 2.5 mm, and feed size of -0.044 mm. The most favorable balance of grade (67.8%) and recovery (53.2%) was achieved with a motor speed of 1200 rpm, shutter opening of 4 mm, and feed size of -0.066 mm + 0.044 mm. The work concludes that air classification significantly enhances the PAL beneficiation process, with a 50% increase in grade, and recommends exploring the low shear grinding techniques for further improvement.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
RADHA TOMAR; SMITA TUNG
Abstract
Slope failures are prevalent issue in the construction sector. Thus the engineers must use appropriate slope stabilization techniques to reduce the risk of human life and property. This work investigates the efficacy of multiple regression analysis in predicting slope stability, specifically focusing ...
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Slope failures are prevalent issue in the construction sector. Thus the engineers must use appropriate slope stabilization techniques to reduce the risk of human life and property. This work investigates the efficacy of multiple regression analysis in predicting slope stability, specifically focusing on the slopes in the Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India. A total of 160 cases with different parameters were analyzed by using the well-known Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM), Morgenstern and Price on PLAXIS LE. Numerical analysis was performed using different nail lengths (6 m, 8 m, 10 m, and 12 m) and nail inclinations (0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, and 35°), applied to a homogeneous soil slope with 45°, 50°, 60°, and 70° inclinations, respectively. The limit equilibrium analysis may not offer predictive capabilities for future scenarios directly. In contrast, Multiple Regressions (MR) can provide predictive insights based on the historical data, allowing for forecasting of stability under different conditions or design scenarios. The utilization of MR provides the coefficients that quantify the influence of each variable on slope stability, enabling a detailed understanding of how each factor contributes. To develop the prediction models using Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA), the factor of safety values obtained by the numerical method were used. The accuracy of this model was evaluated against the conventional LE methods. The results indicate that multiple regression provides a good predictive performance with an R2 value equal to 0.774, offering a more nuanced and accurate assessment of slope stability compared to the traditional LE techniques.
Original Research Paper
Exploitation
Javad Lotfi Godarzi; Ahmad Reza Sayadi; Amin Mousavi; Micah Nehring
Abstract
The production rate and cut-off grade are two critical variables in the design and planning of open-pit mines. Generally, the production rate depends on the reserve amount, which is influenced by the cut-off grade. Additionally, the cut-off grade is affected by the production cost, which is influenced ...
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The production rate and cut-off grade are two critical variables in the design and planning of open-pit mines. Generally, the production rate depends on the reserve amount, which is influenced by the cut-off grade. Additionally, the cut-off grade is affected by the production cost, which is influenced by the production rate and product price. A conventional approach optimizes each variable individually, and neglects the trade-off between production rate and cut-off grade, leading to a sub-optimal solution. This work aimed to address the simultaneous optimization of the production rate and cut-off grade and provided a novel solution for this problem. In this context, a non-linear mathematical model was developed. The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was used due to the model's non-linear nature and the continuous decision variables. Implementing the model for a typical copper mine showed that the suggested model resulted in a concurrent optimization of production rate and cut-off grade. The maximum NPV of 1.153 billion dollars occurred at a production rate of 15.66 Mt/y, and a cut-off grade of 0.64%. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted for key factors such as product price, discount rate, and maximum capital cost.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Hamed Farajollahi; Mohammad Mohammadi; Mohammad Hossein Khosravi
Abstract
A better understanding of rock mass behavior is an essential part of the design and construction of underground structures. Any improvement in the understanding of the behavior of rock mass will facilitate the improvement of the design in terms of the safety of the working environment, long-term safety ...
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A better understanding of rock mass behavior is an essential part of the design and construction of underground structures. Any improvement in the understanding of the behavior of rock mass will facilitate the improvement of the design in terms of the safety of the working environment, long-term safety of the structure, environmental effects, and sound management of public or private resources. Thus, in step one in this paper the experience gained from the application of the GDE (Geo Data Engineering) multiple graph approach for rock mass classification and assessment of its behavior through the course of excavation of the Alborz tunnel is presented. The predicted hazards are compared with the experienced problems and suggestions are given to be considered in future works of tunnel construction. In step two, the GDE multiple graph approach is compared to the rock mass behavior types proposed by Palmstrom & Stille (2007) in terms of the continuity of rock mass. The result of this comparison together with the data obtained from rock mass classification in the Alborz tunnel are used to develop a system that determines the applicability of the rock bolt supporting factor (RSF) in different rock mass behavior classes.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
parnian javadisharif; Alireza Arab Amiri; Behzad Tokhmechi (غیرفعال); Fereydoun Sharifi
Abstract
The technique referred to as Complex Resistivity (CR) or Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) possesses the capability to distinguish between various kinds of minerals or the sources of induced polarization by utilizing the physical characteristics of minerals or polarizable inclusions. The Generalized ...
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The technique referred to as Complex Resistivity (CR) or Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) possesses the capability to distinguish between various kinds of minerals or the sources of induced polarization by utilizing the physical characteristics of minerals or polarizable inclusions. The Generalized Effective Medium Theory of Induced Polarization (GEMTip) model is utilized to derive physical characteristics from SIP data. Different inversion methods are applied for this task, though they encounter difficulties such as computational costs, non-linearity, and the intricacy of the inverse issue. To tackle this, a new inversion approach based on Deep Learning (DL) via Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is proposed for predicting the parameters of polarizable particles from SIP data. The CNN is trained on 20000 synthetic datasets produced using the GEMTip forward model. While DL networks address non-linearities, specific modifications are applied to synthetic datasets to evaluate the influence of non-linearity and correlation on the results. In the Kervian region southwest of Saqqez city, gold mineralization is linked to quartz and pyrite minerals, with two types of pyrite recognized - coarse-grained barren and fine-grained auriferous. The existence of sulfide mineral pyrite, along with variations in pyrite sizes, presents an attractive target for SIP exploration in the investigated area. The trained network is also validated on Gravian data and effectively retrieves parameters as evidenced by the data. The proposed methodology simplifies the inversion process by estimating parameters in one step, enabling a direct and efficient procedure.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Daniyal Ghadyani; Amirhossein Badraddini; Mohammad Mirzehi Kalateh Kazemi; vahab sarfarazi; Hadi Haeri; Jinwei Fu; Sohrab Naser Mostofi; Vahid Khodabandeloo; Mohammad Fatehi Marji
Abstract
Regarding the hazard-prone working conditions in underground mines, synchronous monitoring and alarm system is vital to increase the safety. By analyzing the accidents in underground mines in Iran, it can be deduced that most fatalities are related to gas leakage, objects drop off on the head, and not ...
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Regarding the hazard-prone working conditions in underground mines, synchronous monitoring and alarm system is vital to increase the safety. By analyzing the accidents in underground mines in Iran, it can be deduced that most fatalities are related to gas leakage, objects drop off on the head, and not using helmets by the staff. Therefore, a smart helmet with the capability of measuring harmful gasses (regarding the type of the mine), detection of the existence of the helmet on the head, temperature and humidity measurement, and detection of blow on the head is designed and fabricated to eliminate the present dangers and problems. This system displays the evaluated data on a developed software through wireless data transmission hardware. The data transmission hardware is the primary a link between the intelligent safety helmet and the software. To follow the idea, practical experiments have been performed in Parvadeh four and East Parvadeh of Tabas coal mine to confirm the validity of data transmission that culminated in successful results. The results were altered by the complexity of the design of the underground spaces so that in a straight direction, data transmission was held until 430 meters. However, further progress was not possible due to tunnel limitations. Data transmission was reduced to 190 meters in access horizons with curvatures or tilts. According to present standards, some thresholds are defined for each of the mentioned cases such that alarm protocol is activated by exceeding these thresholds in critical circumstances. Then the helmet user and the software’s operator will be informed of the occurred danger and will settle the problem. The system outlined in this study ensures performance reliability through its alarm package. A key innovation is the in-depth examination of the impact of head injuries, transforming it into other factors by analyzing relevant content and setting boundaries for assessment rather than using specific numbers. Furthermore, the most evident aspect of this design is the enhancement of the managerial approach, which includes an attendance evaluation platform and performance reporting within the system.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Azadeh Agah; Faramarz Doulati Ardejani
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a model to illustrate the migration of petroleum hydrocarbons that penetrate the underground environment due to leakage from storage tanks located below the surface.The transport model for non-aqueous phase liquids was integrated with contaminant transport models in two dimensions ...
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This study aimed to develop a model to illustrate the migration of petroleum hydrocarbons that penetrate the underground environment due to leakage from storage tanks located below the surface.The transport model for non-aqueous phase liquids was integrated with contaminant transport models in two dimensions to forecast the contamination of groundwater and soil-gas resulting from the migration of light non-aqueous phase liquids on the water surface. The finite volume method was employed to obtain numerical solutions. The findings indicated that evaporation significantly influences the migration of non-aqueous phase liquids. The soluble plume's production and movement were impacted by the geological features of the location and the existence of the free phase plume. Comparing the model predictions and the results from the field studies for the thickness of non-aqueous phase liquids plume over water indicates a good agreement between the results of the two methods with an average error of less than 5%. The maximum thickness of non-aqueous phase liquids plume between 7 and 7.5 meters was obtained at a distance of 2250 meters from the beginning of the investigated profile. Although 36 years have passed since the leakage occurred, a significant amount of the spilled mass still remained in the non-aqueous phase liquids. The prolonged migration of non-aqueous phase liquids over this time period has led to the contamination of groundwater and the accumulation of significant quantities of contaminated soil.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
mina shafiabadi; Abolghasem Kamkar Rouhani
Abstract
Considering the effect of fractures in increasing hydrocarbon recovery, the study of reservoir rock fractures is of particular importance. Fractures are one of the most important fluid flow paths in carbonate reservoirs. Image logs provide the ability to detect fractures and other geological features ...
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Considering the effect of fractures in increasing hydrocarbon recovery, the study of reservoir rock fractures is of particular importance. Fractures are one of the most important fluid flow paths in carbonate reservoirs. Image logs provide the ability to detect fractures and other geological features and reservoir layers. In this study, two approaches were used to detect fractures using FMI image log in two wells A and B located in one of oilfields in southwest of Iran. In the first stage, the correction and processing of the FMI raw data were carried out to identify the number and position of fractures, as well as the dip, extension, classification, and density of fractures. In the second step, by considering that the fractures possess the edges in the FMI images, various edge detection filters such as Prewitt, Canny, Roberts, LOG, Zero-cross and Sobel were applied on the image data, and then, their performances for identification of fractures were compared. Finally, the automatic identification of fractures was done by applying the Hough transform algorithm and the results showed that Canny algorithm was the best option to perform Hough transformation. The comparison of the efficiency of the above-mentioned edge detection filters for identification of fractures, and more importantly, the automatic identification of fractures using the Hough transform algorithm can be considered as the novelty of this research work.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Hamid Sarkheil; Shahram Alghasi; Ali Sadeghy Nejad
Abstract
Environmental degradation, particularly in marine ecosystems, has become a critical issue, due to industrial activities. Offshore areas are significantly impacted by the deep sea mining operations, leading to pollution and ecological imbalances. The existing environmental risk assessment models often ...
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Environmental degradation, particularly in marine ecosystems, has become a critical issue, due to industrial activities. Offshore areas are significantly impacted by the deep sea mining operations, leading to pollution and ecological imbalances. The existing environmental risk assessment models often fail to integrate the qualitative and quantitative data effectively, highlighting a significant research work gap. This work aims to address this gap by developing a comprehensive framework using the Bayesian Networks (BN), and the NETICA software to evaluate the risks associated with the installation of three-legged deep sea mining structures. The major goals are to systematically identify and prioritize the risks, and to develop effective mitigation strategies. The novelty of this work lies in its innovative use of the Bayesian modeling to combine the expert knowledge with the empirical data, providing a detailed categorization of risks into the low, medium, and high levels. The output parameters focus on the severity, likelihood, and detectability of risks. The results indicate that 40% of the habitat destruction risks are low, 46% fall within the ALARP region, and 14% are high, while the species destruction risks are 31% low, 50% ALARP, and 19% high. These findings guide the targeted mitigation measures to ensure effective protection of the offshore marine environment. Also the work concludes with a set of recommendations aimed at mitigating identified risks, and minimizing the environmental impacts. These include the implementation of advanced monitoring technologies, adoption of best management practices, and enforcement of stricter regulatory frameworks.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Mohammad Rezaei; Seyed Zanyar Seyed Mousavi; Kamran Esmaeili
Abstract
This study introduces a novel approach, known as Hybrid Probabilistic Slope Stability Analysis (HPSSA), tailored for Mine 4 of the Gol-E-Gohar iron complex in Iran. The mine walls are first divided into 8 separate structural zones, including A-A' to H-H' sections for slope stability analysis. Then, sufficient ...
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This study introduces a novel approach, known as Hybrid Probabilistic Slope Stability Analysis (HPSSA), tailored for Mine 4 of the Gol-E-Gohar iron complex in Iran. The mine walls are first divided into 8 separate structural zones, including A-A' to H-H' sections for slope stability analysis. Then, sufficient core specimens are prepared from 22 drilled boreholes and the required parameters for slope design, including cohesion (c), friction angle (φ), and unit weight (γ), are measured. Finally, the HPSSA approach is performed through the combination of Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), Mohr-Coulomb criterion and Bishop's technique. According to the HPSSA results, the normal distribution function is achieved as the best curve fit for c, φ and γ parameters. Also, the obtained values of mean probabilistic safety factor (SF) for defined structural zones vary from 0.93 to 1.86, with the probability of failure (PF) of 0 to 75.6%. Moreover, SF values varied from 0.68 to 1.22 (mean value of 0.93) with a PF of 75% for the A-A' section and from 0.65 to 1.24 (mean value of 0.97) with a PF of 60% for the H-H' section. Hence, it is concluded that the A-A' section and mine’s north wall are more prone to instability with PF>60%. On the other hand, SF>1.2 and PF<5% for other mine walls (sections B-B'-G-G') prove that they are highly unlikely to be unstable. Displacement monitoring of the pit walls using installed prisms confirmed that average displacements in structural zones have a similar trend with SF values of the HPSSA. The results show a good agreement between the trend of probabilistic SFs and monitored slope displacements. Lastly, comparative analysis confirmed the validity of the suggested HPSSA approach with relatively higher accuracy than most previous slope stability analysis methods.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Rashed Pourmirzaee; Hadi Jamshid Moghaddam
Abstract
In recent years, hyperspectral data have been widely used in earth sciences because these data provide accurate spectral information of the earth's surface. This research aims to apply match filtering (MF) on Hyperion hyperspectral imagery for mapping alteration mineral in the Astarghan area, NW Iran. ...
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In recent years, hyperspectral data have been widely used in earth sciences because these data provide accurate spectral information of the earth's surface. This research aims to apply match filtering (MF) on Hyperion hyperspectral imagery for mapping alteration mineral in the Astarghan area, NW Iran. Astarghan is located in the northwest of Iran where deposits of low-sulfide gold-bearing ore rocks occur as veins and stockworks. Therefore, at first, the Astarghan Hyperion scene was topographically and atmospherically corrected. Then, the data quality was surveyed to recognize bad bands and improve the accuracy of the subsequent processing steps. In MF analysis, it is a challenge to separate MF abundance images to target and background pixels. Therefore, to cope with this challenge, a moving threshold technique is proposed. The results indicated three indicative minerals including kaolinite, opal and jarosite. Then, the results were statistically verified by virtual verification and geological data. The verification was performed virtually using United States Geological Survey (USGS) spectral library data, which showed an agreement of 78.06%. Moreover, a comparison of the MF analysis results showed a good agreement with field investigations and overlaying with a detailed geological map of the study area. Finally, in this study the X-ray diffraction (XRD) of three indicative mineral samples was used to check the efficiency of the applied method.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Akram Abdolahadi; Seyed Jamal Sheikhzakariaee; Abdollah Yazdi; Seyed Zahed Mousavi
Abstract
The Plio-quaternary sub-volcanic domes are the products of magmatism in the Turkish-Iranian plateau in the collision zone between Eurasia and Arabia. Intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks are found 50 km west of Ardabil. These volcanic domes make a significant part of the Sabalan volcanic, a Plio-quaternary ...
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The Plio-quaternary sub-volcanic domes are the products of magmatism in the Turkish-Iranian plateau in the collision zone between Eurasia and Arabia. Intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks are found 50 km west of Ardabil. These volcanic domes make a significant part of the Sabalan volcanic, a Plio-quaternary stratovolcano in northwest Iran. The igneous rocks (adakitic) include dacite, trachyte, andesite, trachy-andesite, and trachydacite, associated with ignimbrite and pyroclastic equivalents. They mainly comprise phenocrysts and a microcrystalline groundmass of pyroxene, amphibole, and plagioclase, with biotite and titanomagnetite. These rocks are enriched in Light Rare Earth Elements (LRREs) and Large Ion Lithophile Elements (LILEs) and depleted from Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HRREs) and High-Field Strength Elements (HFSEs). In these rocks, the SiO2 content is 56-66 wt%, Na2O is > 3.5 wt%, Al2O3 > 15 wt%, Yb < 0.2 ppm, and Y < 7 ppm, which are typical of high silica adakitic rocks. The initial ratios of the 143Nd/144Nd range from 0.5127 to 0.5129 and the initial ratios of 87Sr/86Sr for the adakites range from 0.7035 to 0.7060, reflecting the heterogeneity of the mantle and different degrees of crystallization. These geological, geochemical, and Sr, and Nd isotopic data indicate that these rocks belong to the post-collisional adakite type, and are derived from low-degree partial melting of a subduction-metasomatized continental lithospheric mantle (eclogite or amphibolite garnet). In the studied area, mineralization related to Plio-quaternary adakitic rocks has not been observed.
Case Study
Exploration
Adel M Salem; Said Kamel Elsayed; Mohamed Y Amer; Mohammed S Farahat
Abstract
Sustainable production of sufficient energy to power the world’s economy with a minimum environmental footprint has been one of the most significant challenges for the decades. Geothermal energy has been considered as one of the promising options to meet the world’s future energy demand. ...
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Sustainable production of sufficient energy to power the world’s economy with a minimum environmental footprint has been one of the most significant challenges for the decades. Geothermal energy has been considered as one of the promising options to meet the world’s future energy demand. The cost of drilling geothermal wells is between 35% and 50% of the total investment cost for the new high-temperature geothermal plants. This “up front” cost makes the geothermal plants more expensive to build than the conventional plants, and because of this and the perceived risk, a lot of attention has been focused on reducing this cost.
This paper attempts to minimize the cost of drilling deep wells such as AG-119X, in Egypt of 20060 ft. in depths; in this well, the actual cost was more than the proposed by about five million USD. The actual cost of the drilling operation has been analyzed and compared with the proposed; by observing the cost of each drilling item, it was found that the power drive tools in the bottom hole assembly such as the downhole motor with Rotary Steerable drilling system (RSS) or turbodrill hydraulic downhole motor is the most costly element of the drilling operation in 8.5 holes, which tack thirteen trips in every trip with a new bit, and it was found that the turbodrill hydraulic downhole motor was costly effected in drilling the shush section, in this, and can save around 1756999 USD; this paper is a road map for reducing the cost of drilling geothermal wells.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Aditi Nag
Abstract
Using quantitative data from visitor surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and stakeholder perspectives, this paper investigates the growth of sustainable tourism at Dhori Mines, a noteworthy mining heritage site (MHS) in India. The survey reveals that 82% of visitors value a site's heritage ...
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Using quantitative data from visitor surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and stakeholder perspectives, this paper investigates the growth of sustainable tourism at Dhori Mines, a noteworthy mining heritage site (MHS) in India. The survey reveals that 82% of visitors value a site's heritage value and prefer immersive experiences that highlight its cultural and historical significance, highlighting the complex relationship between conservation efforts and visitor engagement. The EIA revealed that 68% of regions experienced moderate to severe environmental degradation, and water contamination increased by 22% since baseline measurements. The findings suggest targeted measures to reduce environmental effects and encourage ethical tourism, emphasizing the importance of inclusive decision-making and collaborative governance in balancing conservation objectives with visitor satisfaction. Developing tailored visitor experiences, implementing sustainable practices based on EIA data, and enhancing community participation are merely some of the important recommendations made in the paper's conclusion. The research provides managers and policymakers with evidence-based recommendations for preserving the environmental sustainability and cultural integrity of MHSs like Dhori Mines, contributing to the growing knowledge on sustainable heritage tourism. Future research prospects include long-term monitoring of environmental impacts, assessing socio-economic outcomes for local communities, and conducting comparative studies across different MHSs.
Case Study
Environment
Debasmita Basu; Smriti Mishra
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of community perceptions regarding the impacts of reclamation strategies for abandoned coal mines in India, with a specific focus on the Manikpur Coal Mine. Through a structured survey administered to residents in the vicinity of the mine, the research investigates ...
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This study presents a comprehensive analysis of community perceptions regarding the impacts of reclamation strategies for abandoned coal mines in India, with a specific focus on the Manikpur Coal Mine. Through a structured survey administered to residents in the vicinity of the mine, the research investigates the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of reclamation efforts. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the study identifies key factors influencing community perceptions, including the perceived benefits of reclamation, levels of community involvement, and overall satisfaction with mining operations. The findings reveal significant relationships among these factors, such as the positive influence of reclamation availability/requirement (path coefficient = 0.633) on satisfaction and the negative impact of involvement on satisfaction (-0.805). Indirect effects highlight the interplay between constructs, with experience positively influencing involvement (0.673) and satisfaction (0.162) while negatively affecting reclamation availability/requirement (-0.194). Variations in latent variable scores for satisfaction (-1.63 to 3.031) and reclamation availability/requirement (-1.42 to 1.903) underscore the diverse respondent experiences. These insights emphasize the importance of effective community engagement and tailored reclamation strategies. Policy recommendations are provided to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of reclamation efforts, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches that integrate economic viability, socio-cultural acceptance, and environmental sustainability. The study contributes to the field of mine reclamation by offering valuable insights into resident perceptions and practical guidelines for improving reclamation practices in mining-affected areas.
Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
Rim Amata; Mohamed Bounouala; Ashraf Alsafasfeh; Amar Amata; Sofiane Bouabdallah
Abstract
The Djebel Onk region of Algeria faces a significant environmental concern, related to phosphate mining waste. Although these mining tailings contain relatively low quantities of valuable minerals, they still include up to 25% P₂O₅ in the particle size range of 0.25-1 mm (-1-+0.25), suggesting the ...
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The Djebel Onk region of Algeria faces a significant environmental concern, related to phosphate mining waste. Although these mining tailings contain relatively low quantities of valuable minerals, they still include up to 25% P₂O₅ in the particle size range of 0.25-1 mm (-1-+0.25), suggesting the potential for recovery and reuse. This research, based on the Bir El Ater area, explores the methods to recover phosphate-rich minerals, optimizing their reuse. Two techniques were explored: calcination, a heat treatment altering mineral chemistry, and electrostatic separation, which uses the electrical properties to separate minerals. The black phosphate tailings collected from the curved grids of wet processing were subjected to detailed analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), to examine their mineralogical and chemical properties. The results showed a notable improvement in the P₂O₅ concentration, with electrostatic separation reaching a 30.03% content and an 89% recovery rate, while calcination achieved the 30.91% content with a 91% recovery rate. These results highlight the effectiveness of both methods in recovering phosphate from mining tailings, contributing to a better waste management, a more efficient resource use, and a reduced environmental footprint. They also suggest sustainable recovery pathways, especially for the regions facing water scarcity, where flotation is impractical. With the ability to achieve high recovery rates without chemical inputs, calcination and electrostatic separation stand out as environmentally sustainable options for global phosphate beneficiation.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Ehsan Taheri; Reza Mohammadpour; Mohammad Hossein Mokhtarzadeh
Abstract
In recent years, the demand for new trenchless methods has dramatically risen. Pipe jacking is a trenchless method widely used in recent years. Ground deformation is one of the significant parameters that may lead to unrepairable harm to facilities and even people. So, ground deformation analysis is ...
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In recent years, the demand for new trenchless methods has dramatically risen. Pipe jacking is a trenchless method widely used in recent years. Ground deformation is one of the significant parameters that may lead to unrepairable harm to facilities and even people. So, ground deformation analysis is necessary for safety and design reasons. The present study analyzes the factors affecting ground deformation during pipe jacking. This is a descriptive-interventional study. Pipe jacking causes soil displacement in three dimensions (3-D). Therefore, 3-D numerical methods were applied for analysis. In this study, numerical simulation was performed using PLAXIS finite element numerical software, taking the case study into account. The effect of each parameter on the ground deformation pattern was studied in three directions; the uplift and their exact position were then analyzed. It should be noted that displacement analyses were performed in two areas: pipe crown and ground surface. Also, the relation of each parameter was estimated with the ground subsidence. Finally, the effect of each different factor and their sensitivity index were determined using sensitivity analysis. The highest subsidence occurs at the end of the shield due to stress relaxation. Considering the results, it was found that the relationship between the internal friction angle and subsidence is linear and direct. The relationship between the elastic modulus and subsidence is also linear but indirect. The results indicate that the most sensitive factor of ground deformation is the diameter, but the least sensitive factor is the face pressure.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Dariush Kaveh Ahangaran; Kaveh Ahangari; Mosleh Eftekhari
Abstract
Blast damage on the stability of the slopes plays an important role in the profitability and safety of mines. Determination of this damage is also revealed in the widely used Hoek-Brown failure criterion. Of course, this damage is used as a moderating factor in this failure criterion, and its accurate ...
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Blast damage on the stability of the slopes plays an important role in the profitability and safety of mines. Determination of this damage is also revealed in the widely used Hoek-Brown failure criterion. Of course, this damage is used as a moderating factor in this failure criterion, and its accurate determination is considered an important challenge in rock engineering. This study aims to investigate the effect of geological structures in blast damage factor using 3D discrete element modeling of two slopes with different directions of geological discontinuities. The dynamic pressure of the explosion is also simulated in three blastholes. To ensure the modeling results, other dynamic properties of the model have been selected based on the proven studies. An analytical analysis was conducted based on the failure zones (blast damage area), and quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed using the recorded PPV values during the blasting simulation. The results show that the geological discontinuities control, damp, and reduce blast damage. The expansion of blast damage is reduced by 75% along with the increase in rock mass strength, and the blast damage can expand up to 33 meters along with the decrease in strength. By reducing the distance of discontinuities, the role of discontinuities in damping becomes greater than other properties of the rock mass and the discontinuities further away from the blasting hole create more damping. The relation between the distance from the Hole and PPV values shows that for more realistic slope stability analysis results, the values of the damage factor in the Hoek-Brown failure criterion should be applied gradually and decreasingly in layers parallel to the slope surface.
Original Research Paper
Exploitation
Pouya Nobahar; Yashar Pourrahimian; Roohollah Shirani Faradonbeh; Fereydoun Mollaei Koshki
Abstract
Mineral reserve evaluation and ore type detection using data from exploratory boreholes are critical in mine design and extraction. However, preparing core samples and conducting chemical and physical tests is a time-consuming and costly procedure, slowing down the modeling process. This paper presents ...
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Mineral reserve evaluation and ore type detection using data from exploratory boreholes are critical in mine design and extraction. However, preparing core samples and conducting chemical and physical tests is a time-consuming and costly procedure, slowing down the modeling process. This paper presents a novel Deep Learning (DL)-based model to recognize the types of kaolinite samples. For this purpose, a dataset containing the images of drilled cores and their types determined from conventional chemical and physical analyses was used. Eight Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) topologies based on individual features were developed, named A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. Six of the eight proposed CNN topologies described above had accuracy below 80%, whereas two of them, model A and H, had higher accuracy than other topologies. Due to their similarity in results, both of them analyzed deeply. Model A was more efficient, with 90% accuracy, than model B, with 84% accuracy. Furthermore, the class detection performance of model A was further evaluated using different indices, including precision, recall, and F1-score, which resulted in values of 92%, 92%, and 90%, respectively, which are acceptable accuracies to identify the type of samples when using this approach on six different types of kaolinite.
Original Research Paper
Exploitation
Moslem Jahantigh; Hamidreza Ramazi
Abstract
Various methods have been used for clustering big data. Pattern recognition methods are suitable methods for clustering these data. Due to the large volume of samples taken in the drilling of mines and their analysis for various elements, this category of geochemical data can be considered big data. ...
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Various methods have been used for clustering big data. Pattern recognition methods are suitable methods for clustering these data. Due to the large volume of samples taken in the drilling of mines and their analysis for various elements, this category of geochemical data can be considered big data. Examining and evaluating drilling data in the Lar copper mine in Sistan and Baluchistan province located in the southeast of Iran requires the use of these methods. Therefore, the main goal of the article is the clustering of the drilling data in the mentioned mine and its zoning of the geochemical data. To achieve this goal, 3500 samples taken from drilling cores have been used. Elemental analysis for six elements has been done using the ICP-Ms method. Pattern recognition methods including SOM and K-MEANS have been used to evaluate the relation between these elements. The silhouette method has been used to determine and evaluate the number of clusters. Using this method, 4 clusters have been considered for the mentioned data. According to this method, it was found that the accuracy of clustering is higher in the SOM method. By considering the 4 clusters, 4 zones were identified using clustering methods. By comparing the results of the two methods and using the graphical method, it was determined that the SOM method has a better performance for clustering geochemical data in the studied area. Based on that, zones 2 and 4 were recognized as high-grade zones in this area.
Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
reza zolfaghari; Mohammad Karamoozian
Abstract
In flotation, entrainment (ENT) affects the recovery of the concentrate, and the entrainment model is often supposed to be only a function of particle size in models. Some research shows that other variables may also significantly affect ENT. In this study, some flotation experiments executed using a ...
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In flotation, entrainment (ENT) affects the recovery of the concentrate, and the entrainment model is often supposed to be only a function of particle size in models. Some research shows that other variables may also significantly affect ENT. In this study, some flotation experiments executed using a mixture of pure quartz as the valuable mineral and a pure magnetite sample as the gangue mineral to investigate the effects of other variables, such as solid content, airflow rate, frother, and collector dosages, on ENT. The results showed ENT varied from 0.071 to 0.851 is different, while the entrainment recovery was between 0.006 to 0.23, which means that the difference is statistically significant. ENT affected by (1) collector dosage, (2) frother dosage, (3) solid content, (4) the interaction between airflow rate and solid content and, (5) the interaction between airflow rate and frother dosage. An empirical statistical model is presented based on operational parameters. As the present models for ENT incorporate just particle size, it is not enough to predict gangue recovery in industrial applications by keeping the operating conditions constant. This novel model can predict ENT based on different operational parameters. The developed model is presented based on the particle mass by changing the operation parameters.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Amirhossein Naseri; Behnam Maleki; Tohid Asheghi Mehmandari; Amin Tohidi; Ahmad Fahimifar
Abstract
The present study delves into investigating the impact of sample size and geometry on the mechanical behavior of rock and concrete. More specifically, it examines factors including Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), Elastic Modulus (E), and Pressure Wave Velocity (Vp). Results indicated a notable correlation ...
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The present study delves into investigating the impact of sample size and geometry on the mechanical behavior of rock and concrete. More specifically, it examines factors including Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), Elastic Modulus (E), and Pressure Wave Velocity (Vp). Results indicated a notable correlation between the dimensions and morphology of the specimens with these properties. All tests were conducted at a uniform loading rate of 0.002 mm/s. According to the outcomes, the effect of sample size and shape on UCS for concrete is more predictable than for rock. The increase in the sample size led to an initial increase followed by a decline in the UCS values of the rocks. Furthermore, the concrete typically showed a drop in the UCS values as sample size increased. The UCS and E values rose at first before falling, suggesting the existence of a sample size with maximum UCS. The Vp values of the prismatic rock and concrete samples continually grew. After attaining their optimum strength, the prismatic samples showed greater degrees of flexibility and ductility compared to cylindrical ones because of post peak behavior. This suggests that prismatic samples, with their less slender geometry and reduced tendency for brittle behavior, are deemed more suitable for UCS testing. These results can improve the accuracy of assessing the mechanical properties of tunneling materials, particularly those used in subsurface construction in urban roads and highways.
Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
Seyyed Mohsen Zamzami; Javad Vazifeh Mehrabani
Abstract
In this research, solid phase settling process from the liquid phase were optimized simultaneously on the different responses, using the response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of solid percentage, flocculant dosage, temperature, and pulp pH were evaluated on the responses of solid settling velocity, ...
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In this research, solid phase settling process from the liquid phase were optimized simultaneously on the different responses, using the response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of solid percentage, flocculant dosage, temperature, and pulp pH were evaluated on the responses of solid settling velocity, water turbidity, viscosity and density of settled pulp. The results showed that by increasing the flocculant dosage from 0.5 to 3.5 g/ton, settled pulp viscosity decreases from 49.05 cSt to 17.54 cSt. The higher values of pulp pH as well as low amount of solid percentage resulted in high water turbidity, which shows the lack of contact between flocs and suspended particles. The results indicated that the pulp solid percentage and the flocculants dosage are the most significant parameters on the responses. Optimum test conditions were obtained in industrial mode by using 5 g/t flocculant, solid percentage 23.96%, pH=7.5 temperature of the pulp 21.5°C in which condition, settling rate, pulp viscosity, pulp density and water turbidity were predicted to be 13.23 cm/min, 5.1 cSt, 1.61 g/cm3 and 15.7 NTU respectively. Repetition test in the model predicted optimum condition was carried out and verified the predicted optimized condition.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Seyyed Saeed Ghannadpour; Samaneh Esmaelzadeh Kalkhoran; Maedeh Behifar; Hadi Jalili
Abstract
In this study, with the aim of identifying alteration zones related to the porphyry copper system, satellite images are processed in study area (the Zafarghand exploration area) in the NE of Isfahan. For this purpose, one of the common methods of separating geochemical anomalies from the background, ...
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In this study, with the aim of identifying alteration zones related to the porphyry copper system, satellite images are processed in study area (the Zafarghand exploration area) in the NE of Isfahan. For this purpose, one of the common methods of separating geochemical anomalies from the background, i.e. fractal Concentration-Number (C-N) model, has been employed. The C-N fractal model will normally be implemented on geochemical samples. While in this study, the digital number values belonging to the pixels of the ASTER sensor image are considered as a systematic sample network and also as input for this model. The output of this processing has been prepared in the form of maps of promising areas of the Zafarghand region. The correspondence of the resulting maps with the alteration map of the region shows that applying the proposed method in determining the propylitic and phyllic alteration zones has had acceptable performance. Finally, with the help of the aforementioned proposed method, a map of the promising areas of the study area has been prepared, and based on that, new zones of alterations have been introduced in the region.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Feridon Ghadimi; Amirhossein Solaimani
Abstract
Chogan region is located in the west of the Urmia-Dokhtar volcanic belt and northwest of the Markazi province in Komijan City. Copper mineralization has a vein type with a length of 260 meters and an average thickness of 4 meters. Mineralization was taken in a sheared silica vein. Eighty three samples ...
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Chogan region is located in the west of the Urmia-Dokhtar volcanic belt and northwest of the Markazi province in Komijan City. Copper mineralization has a vein type with a length of 260 meters and an average thickness of 4 meters. Mineralization was taken in a sheared silica vein. Eighty three samples were taken from the surface ground, in the trenches and it determined the concentration of 10 elements such as Fe, Al, Ca, Ba, S, Mn, As, Pb, Zn, and Cu. It was determined, that S, Ba, Mn, Fe, and Cu are secondary elements in the tuffs by the method of factor and cluster analysis. The constituent mineral such as barite and malachite are vein-shaped, but iron oxides such as hematite and goethite in the form of iron gossan. Geochemical, mineralogical, and geophysical (IP/RS) indices were investigated to separate copper oxide and copper sulfide zones. Sulfur and Ba were used in barite and excess S was chosen as sulfide index (Is). Chalcopyrite and metal factor were chosen as separating oxide and sulfide zones. By combining the geochemical and metal factor, it was approximated the apparent sulfide zone depth and confirmed with actual depth in borehole and error was less than 12%.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Aref Jaberi; Shokroallah Zare
Abstract
Unlike the mechanical properties of intact rock, which can be obtained on a laboratory scale, estimating the mechanical properties of the jointed rock mass is very difficult due to the presence of different joints and the complexity of the joints. Therefore, to calculate the mechanical parameters of ...
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Unlike the mechanical properties of intact rock, which can be obtained on a laboratory scale, estimating the mechanical properties of the jointed rock mass is very difficult due to the presence of different joints and the complexity of the joints. Therefore, to calculate the mechanical parameters of the jointed rock mass and use the continuous media theory of the jointed rock mass, it is necessary to calculate the Representative Element Volume (REV) of the rock mass. In this study, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the mechanical index of strength were used to investigate the effect of persistent and non-persistent joint angles, as well as model size on the REV in x, y, and z directions. The numerical results showed that by changing the joint angles and side length, both the strength and the REV of the rock mass were affected. The maximum representative side length for the persistent joint in the x and z directions occurred at angles of 60° and 75°, respectively. The minimum strength was obtained for joints in the x and z directions at a 45° angle. Finally, the REV for persistent and non-persistent joints is calculated as 10*0.5*8m and 4*0.5*4m, respectively.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Bardiya Sadraeifar; Maysam Abedi; Seyed Hossein Hosseini
Abstract
The Shavaz iron deposit, located in the southwest Yazd province in Central Iranian Block, near The Bafq metallogenic belt, is a significant and economically valuable iron oxide-apatite resource. It features hematite and a minor content of magnetite, detectable through potential field geophysical ...
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The Shavaz iron deposit, located in the southwest Yazd province in Central Iranian Block, near The Bafq metallogenic belt, is a significant and economically valuable iron oxide-apatite resource. It features hematite and a minor content of magnetite, detectable through potential field geophysical surveys. This study aimed to target magnetite mineralization within the deposit using constrained susceptibility inversion. We began by simulating a multi-source synthetic model with three identical cubes at different depths to evaluate the sparse norm inversion approach. The method was then applied to the case study after the essential magnetic data corrections. To refine the interpretation of residual magnetic anomalies and gain insights into their source and depth, the analytic signal and upward continuation methods were employed. Inversion results across different cross-sections revealed two distinct, shallow, lens-shaped magnetite mineralizations with an average vertical extent of 60 meters. Notably, one magnetite body lies approximately 30 meters deeper due to the Dehshir-Baft fault influence. Low normalized mis-fit values confirmed the successful minimization of the objective function during inversion. Additionally, the reconstructed susceptibility models align well with the previous geological studies and borehole data, demonstrating the efficiency of the sparse norm inversion algorithm.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Kamran Mostafaei; Mohammad Nabi Kianpour; Mahyar Yousefi; Meisam Saleki
Abstract
Discrimination of geochemical anomalies from background is a challenge in that elemental dispersion patterns are affected by a variety of geological factors, which vary from one to another area. While statistical and fractal methods are commonly employed for anomaly detection, they struggle with selecting ...
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Discrimination of geochemical anomalies from background is a challenge in that elemental dispersion patterns are affected by a variety of geological factors, which vary from one to another area. While statistical and fractal methods are commonly employed for anomaly detection, they struggle with selecting optimal thresholds. This study proposes the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm as a novel approach for identifying the optimal boundary between anomalies and background. Stream sediment geochemical data from a copper-mineralized area of the Sarduiyeh-Baft sheets in southeast Iran were utilized for analysis. The Geochemical Mineralization Probability Index (GMPI) was first calculated for Cu-Au, Mo-As, Pb-Zn, and porphyry distributions. Subsequently, fractal methods were used to identify anomalous populations within each GMPI. The GWO algorithm was then applied to these distributions to determine the optimal thresholds. Risk analysis, calculated as the ratio of covered copper occurrences to the covered area, revealed superior reliability for the GWO-derived limit compared to those obtained using fractal methods. For porphyry GMPI values, while the fractal reliability indices are 0.127, 0.44, and 0.5, the GWO limit achieved a value of 0.66. Risk analysis for Cu-Au distribution also caused more desired result for GWO limit rather that fractal ones. This demonstrates the enhanced performance and superior reliability of the GWO algorithm for optimizing anomaly detection thresholds in GMPI data.
Original Research Paper
Exploitation
Abbas Khajouei Sirjani; Farhang Sereshki; Mohammad Ataei; Mohammad Amiri Hossaini
Abstract
The most significant detrimental consequence of blasting operations is ground vibration. This phenomenon not only causes instability in the mine walls but also extends its destructive effects to various facilities and structures over several kilometers. Various researchers have proposed equations for ...
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The most significant detrimental consequence of blasting operations is ground vibration. This phenomenon not only causes instability in the mine walls but also extends its destructive effects to various facilities and structures over several kilometers. Various researchers have proposed equations for predicting Peak Particle Velocity (PPV), which are typically based on two parameters: the charge per delay and the distance to the blast site. However, according to different studies, the results of blasting operations are influenced by several factors, including the blast pattern, rock mass properties, and the type of explosives used. Since artificial intelligence technology has not yet been fully assessed in the mining industry, this study employs linear and nonlinear statistical models to estimate PPV at Golgohar Iron Ore Mine No. 1. To achieve this goal, 58 sets of blasting data were collected and analyzed, including parameters such as blast hole length, burden thickness, row spacing of the blast holes, stemming length, the number of blast holes, total explosive charge, the seismograph's distance from the blast site, and the PPV recorded by an explosive system using a detonating fuse. In the first stage, ground vibration was predicted using linear and nonlinear multivariate statistical models. In the second stage, to determine the objective function for optimizing the blast design using the shuffled frog-leaping algorithm, the performance of the statistical models was evaluated using R², RMSE, and MAPE indices. The multivariate linear statistical model, with R² = 0.9247, RMSE = 9.235, and MAPE = 12.525, was proposed and used as the objective function. Ultimately, the results showed that the combination of the statistical model technique with the shuffled frog-leaping algorithm could reduce PPV by up to 31%.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
mobin saremi; Abbas Maghsoudi; Reza Ghezelbash; mahyar yousefi; Ardeshir Hezarkhani
Abstract
Mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM) is a multi-step and complex process designed to narrow down the target areas for exploratory activities in subsequent stages. To pinpoint promising zones of porphyry copper mineralization in the Varzaghan district, NW Iran, various exploration evidence layers were ...
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Mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM) is a multi-step and complex process designed to narrow down the target areas for exploratory activities in subsequent stages. To pinpoint promising zones of porphyry copper mineralization in the Varzaghan district, NW Iran, various exploration evidence layers were employed in alignment with the conceptual model of these deposits. These layers encompass fault density, proximity to intrusive rocks, multi-element geochemical anomalies, and distances to phyllic and argillic alterations. The geochemical anomaly maps, recognized as the most effective layers, were generated through staged factor analysis (SFA) and the geochemical mineralization probability index (GMPI). Other layers were weighted using a logistic function, and their values were transformed into 0 -1 interval. Ultimately, to integrate the weighted layers, the fuzzy gamma operator and the geometric average method were applied. The normalized density index and prediction-area (P-A) plot were employed to evaluate the MPM models. The findings indicate that the developed models possess considerable validity and can be effectively utilized for planning future exploration endeavors.
Original Research Paper
Environment
amirhossein karimi; Amin Falamaki; farid soltani; mehdi homaee; nader shariatmadari
Abstract
Mining activities have led to the accumulation of large quantities of mineral tailings containing potentially hazardous metals, contaminating the surrounding soil. This study investigated the effectiveness of electrokinetic remediation combined with washing solvents for the decontamination of zinc and ...
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Mining activities have led to the accumulation of large quantities of mineral tailings containing potentially hazardous metals, contaminating the surrounding soil. This study investigated the effectiveness of electrokinetic remediation combined with washing solvents for the decontamination of zinc and lead from mine tailings. Samples were collected from various locations within the Angouran mine in Zanjan, Iran, and analyzed for total metal concentration using the standard ICP method. Electrokinetic tests were conducted using different washing solutions—hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, and sulfuric acid—each at a concentration of 0.1 M and mixed with soil in a 1:2 solution-to-solid ratio. A voltage of 1.5 V/cm was applied throughout the experiments. To mitigate heavy metal precipitation near the cathode, the same chemical solutions were used in the cathode chamber. The results demonstrated that distilled water resulted in the lowest removal efficiency for zinc (16%) and lead (11.5%), while hydrochloric acid showed the highest removal efficiencies of 64% for zinc and 45% for lead. These findings indicated that electrokinetic remediation, particularly when using hydrochloric acid as a complexing agent, was an effective method for removing significant quantities of zinc and lead from contaminated soil.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Hamid Reza Baghzendani; Hamid Aghajani; Gholam Hossein Karami
Abstract
Karsts are important sources of groundwater, and it is crucial to determine their water volume and quality. The Ravansar Karst spring in the Kermanshah province is a significant water resource with a substantial water volume in the area. The source of this spring is the carbonate rock unit from the Cretaceous ...
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Karsts are important sources of groundwater, and it is crucial to determine their water volume and quality. The Ravansar Karst spring in the Kermanshah province is a significant water resource with a substantial water volume in the area. The source of this spring is the carbonate rock unit from the Cretaceous period and is affected by tectonic changes and faulting caused by movements related to the Zagros folding. In this work, geophysical methods of microgravity, electrical resistivity, and induced polarization have been utilized to identify the extent of karst development in the limestone units. The minimum residual gravity values are associated with karstification. The field dataset comprised two electrical profiles with the dipole- dipole and pole-dipole arrays. The resistivity and gravity data were inverted using a 2D algorithm based on the least square’s technique with a smoothing constraint. According to the processing and 3D modelling of gravity data; not only cavity-shaped voids and spacious cavity chambers were identified but also sub-structures and micro-karstification in carbonate rocks were detected. The most significant finding from the field survey is the detection of low gravimetric values, indicating relatively large holes and chambers that were previously unknown and inaccessible from ground level. These findings are consistent with known collapse and sediment infill features, as seen in surface sinkholes, cavities, and karstification systems. Geophysical surveys and field surveys show that the holes and karsts in the area are related to tectonic phenomena and faulting and are conduits for transporting water to the Ravansar spring.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Farhad Mollaei; Ali Moradzadeh; Reza Mohebian
Abstract
The important aspects of this study are to estimate the mechanical parameters of reservoir rock including Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and friction (FR) angle using well log data. The aim of this research is to estimate the UCS and FR angle (φ) using new deep learning (DL) methods including ...
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The important aspects of this study are to estimate the mechanical parameters of reservoir rock including Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and friction (FR) angle using well log data. The aim of this research is to estimate the UCS and FR angle (φ) using new deep learning (DL) methods including Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and CNN + LSTM (CL) by well log and core test data of one Iranian hydrocarbon field. As only 12 UCS and 6 FR core tests of single well in this field were available, they were firstly calculated, and then generalized to other depths using two newly derived equations and relevant logs. Next, the effective input logs' data for predicting these parameters have been selected by an auto-encoder DL method, and finally, the values of UCS and φ angle were predicted by the MLP, LSTM, CNN, and CL networks. The efficiency of these four prediction models was then evaluated using a blind dataset, and a range of statistical measures applied to training, testing, and blind datasets. Results show that all four models achieve satisfactory prediction accuracy. However, the CL model outperformed the others, yielding the lowest RMSE of 1.0052 and the highest R² of 0.9983 for UCS prediction, along with an RMSE of 0.0201 and R² of 0.9917 for φ angle prediction on the blind dataset. These findings highlight the high accuracy of deep learning algorithms, particularly the CL algorithm, which demonstrates superior precision compared to the MLP method.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Zohre Hoseinzade; Mohammad Hassan Bazoobandi
Abstract
Anomaly detection is the process of recognizing patterns in data that differ from the typical behavior. In geochemistry, this involves identifying hidden patterns and unusual components within the context of exploratory target identification. This issue is particularly significant when limited information ...
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Anomaly detection is the process of recognizing patterns in data that differ from the typical behavior. In geochemistry, this involves identifying hidden patterns and unusual components within the context of exploratory target identification. This issue is particularly significant when limited information is available about the area of interest. Therefore, employing methods that can aid in the exploration process under such conditions and with limited data is highly valuable. In this study, the Deep-Embedded Self-Organizing Map (DE-SOM), an unsupervised deep learning approach, was used to detect geochemical anomalies. The research focused on identifying multivariate geochemical anomalies in the Moalleman region. After detecting the region's geochemical anomalies, the effectiveness of the algorithm was assessed alongside two other types of SOM algorithms. For this purpose, the prediction area plot was utilized, with the intersection points for DE-SOM, Batch SOM, and SOM were determined to be 0.75, 0.67, and 0.65, respectively. The multivariate geochemical anomaly in the Moalleman area shows a good correlation with known mineral occurrences and the andesite and dacite units. Based on this, it can be stated that the DE-SOM method is a useful tool for identifying anomalies and patterns associated with mineralization.
Original Research Paper
Environment
Reyhaneh Khashtabeh; Morteza Akbari; Ava Heidari; Ali Asghar Najafpour; Rokhsareh Khashtabeh
Abstract
The Heavy Metal (HM) contamination in surface soils poses significant environmental and health concerns near the mining operations. This study examined the concentrations and health risks of the five HMs lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and iron (Fe) in soils surrounding the Sangan ...
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The Heavy Metal (HM) contamination in surface soils poses significant environmental and health concerns near the mining operations. This study examined the concentrations and health risks of the five HMs lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and iron (Fe) in soils surrounding the Sangan iron ore mines in eastern Iran. Sixty soil samples were collected at depths of 0-20 cm from sites adjacent to the mining area and one control site. The HM concentrations were compared to the global shale values. Soil contamination was quantified using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo). Health risks to the local residents were assessed using the US Environmental Protection Agency's Human Health Risk Evaluation Index. The analysis revealed that the lead concentrations near the mine exceeded the global shale standards, while the arsenic levels remained marginally below permissible limits established by global soil standards. The Igeo values indicated low to moderate the contamination levels for both Pb and As in the mining-adjacent areas. The risk assessment results showed that non-carcinogenic risk indices were within acceptable limits for both children and adults. However, arsenic posed a significant carcinogenic risk to adults through two exposure pathways: ingestion (3.36E-04) and dermal absorption (1.36E-04). These findings highlight the importance of implementing regular monitoring protocols for potentially hazardous elements in the mining region to prevent and mitigate pollution-related health risks.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Hamid Geranian; Mohammad Amir Alimi
Abstract
This study employs Sentinel-2 satellite images along with the random forest algorithm to create a regional geological map. For this purpose, the independent variables consist of the images for 10 Sentinel-2 bands of the Khosuf-I region, while the class labels consist of a geological map of Khosuf-I divided ...
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This study employs Sentinel-2 satellite images along with the random forest algorithm to create a regional geological map. For this purpose, the independent variables consist of the images for 10 Sentinel-2 bands of the Khosuf-I region, while the class labels consist of a geological map of Khosuf-I divided into three and fifteen rock units. The classification accuracy of the resulting model is 90.97 and 84.85% for the three-class training and testing data, and 94.76 and 63.92% for the fifteen-class training and testing data, respectively. These models are then applied to the Sentinel-2 satellite images' data of the Birjand-IV region to prepare two preliminary geological maps. The Birjand-IV region's three-class geology map reveals that igneous rocks are present in the northern and southern regions, while sedimentary rocks occupy the middle section and metamorphic rocks are found within the region's igneous masses. Similarly, the fifteen-class geology map of Birjand-IV indicates that andesite, dacite, intermediate tuff rock units, and metamorphic rocks characterize the northern region. Conversely, the southern part of the region is mainly composed of ophiolite, flysch sediments, basaltic and ultra-basic volcanic rocks, and limestone and shale interlayers. Field studies in three areas confirm the accuracy of the preliminary geology maps.
Case Study
Exploitation
Mojtaba Rezakhah; somaye khajevand; Masoud Monjezi; Fabián Alejandro Manríquez León
Abstract
Efficient loading and hauling systems, with trucks and shovels as the primary transportation machinery, are essential for optimizing mining operations. This study introduces a simulation-based approach to enhance the utilization of the hauling system in an Abbasbad copper mine in Iran. A dynamic truck ...
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Efficient loading and hauling systems, with trucks and shovels as the primary transportation machinery, are essential for optimizing mining operations. This study introduces a simulation-based approach to enhance the utilization of the hauling system in an Abbasbad copper mine in Iran. A dynamic truck allocation model is proposed to overcome the limitations of fixed allocation methods. In this approach, trucks are assigned to loading equipment based on the real-time throughput data, prioritizing equipment experiencing the highest production delays. The simulation results demonstrate that this flexible allocation model improves productivity, achieving a 13% increase in waste material handling compared to the fixed allocation scenario. These findings indicate that the proposed framework to significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of haulage systems in mining operations.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Aram Ardalanzdeh; Seyed Davoud Mohammadi; Vahab Sarfarazi; Hossein Shahbazi
Abstract
Creating holes in rocks using different methods presents various challenges. In this research, an attempt was made to investigate these characteristics and the existing problems in creating holes based on the texture and brittleness of the rock. For this purpose, several core specimens were taken from ...
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Creating holes in rocks using different methods presents various challenges. In this research, an attempt was made to investigate these characteristics and the existing problems in creating holes based on the texture and brittleness of the rock. For this purpose, several core specimens were taken from the Alvand granitic batholith of Hamadan, and the petrological and textural indexes of the rocks were determined. There are four types of rock textures, ranging from coarse-grained to fine-grained. The texture coefficients (TC) for the four types of rocks (G1 to G4) were 1.709, 1.730, 1.774, and 1.697, respectively. The brittleness index (B1) for the four types of rocks (G1 to G4) were 9.13, 11.01, 12.07, and 10.65, respectively. After that, using a diamond drill, one hole was created in each rock core specimen, and at the end of drilling, a fracture pit was separated from the bottom of each hole in the specimen. The results show that as the mineral size decreases, the fracture pit depth also decreases, and in porphyry texture, the fracture pit depth is between the fracture pit depths of coarse-grained and medium-grained rocks. As the texture coefficient (TC) and brittleness of the rock specimens increase, the fracture pit depth decreases, and in porphyry texture, the fracture pit depth remains between the fracture pit depths of coarse-grained and medium-grained rocks. Finally, the results from laboratory tests indicate that creating holes using a drill to study the effect of the holes on rock behavior can cause damage to the rocks.
Original Research Paper
Exploitation
Masoud Monjezi; Morteza Baghestani; Peyman Afzal; Ali Reza Yarahmadi Bafghi; Seyyed Ali Hashemi
Abstract
Blasting is an essential operation in mining projects, significantly affecting the particle-size distribution, which is critical for subsequent processes such as loading, hauling, and milling. Effectiveness of the blasting operations rely on accurate rock characterization, especially when dealing with ...
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Blasting is an essential operation in mining projects, significantly affecting the particle-size distribution, which is critical for subsequent processes such as loading, hauling, and milling. Effectiveness of the blasting operations rely on accurate rock characterization, especially when dealing with different rock types. Proper rock and fragmentation characterization allows for tailored blast designs and also can lead to precise predictions of fragmentation quality. Various characterization techniques exist. This paper examines the application of fractal analysis to classify fragmentation quality and rock types, utilizing the Choghart iron mine in Iran as a case study. Extensive fieldwork collected data on rock properties (uniaxial compressive strength and density) and fragmentation outcomes during blasting. The fractal modeling revealed distinct breakpoints for classification, followed by Logratio analysis to assess relationships among the identified classes. Finally, mathematical models were established to predict fragmentation features based on the relevant rock attributes. The models demonstrated improved predictive accuracy as compared to the prior classifications.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Ahmadreza Erfan; Saeed Soltani Mohammad; Maliheh Abbaszadeh
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) has significantly transformed multiple disciplines, including mineral resource evaluation in mining engineering, by facilitating more accurate and efficient estimation methods. Ensemble methods, as a fundamental component of modern machine learning, have emerged as powerful ...
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Machine learning (ML) has significantly transformed multiple disciplines, including mineral resource evaluation in mining engineering, by facilitating more accurate and efficient estimation methods. Ensemble methods, as a fundamental component of modern machine learning, have emerged as powerful tools that robust techniques that integrate multiple predictive models to improve performance beyond that of any individual learner. This study proposes a novel ensemble method for estimating ore grades by localizing the base learner weights in ensemble method. Ordinary kriging, inverse distance weighting, k-nearest neighbors, support vector regression, and artificial neural networks have been used as the base learners of the algorithm. In ML base learners, coordinates (easting, northing and elevation) of samples have been defined as input nodes and grade has been defined as target. The proposed method has been validated for predicting the copper grade (Cu%) in Darehzar porphyry deposit. The performance of proposed method has been by individual base learners and famous ensemble methods. This comparison shows that performance of proposed method is better than other ones. The findings highlight the necessity of adapting ensemble methods to address spatial variability in geological data, thereby establishing a robust framework for ore grade estimation.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Mojtaba Bazargani Golshan; Mehran Arian; Peyman Afzal; Lili Daneshvar Saein; Mohsen Aleali
Abstract
The purpose of this research is application of the Concentration-Number and Concentration-Area fractal models for determining the distribution pattern of REEs and lithium in mining area of the North Kochakali coal deposit. According to the Concentration-Area and Concentration-Number fractal graphs, four ...
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The purpose of this research is application of the Concentration-Number and Concentration-Area fractal models for determining the distribution pattern of REEs and lithium in mining area of the North Kochakali coal deposit. According to the Concentration-Area and Concentration-Number fractal graphs, four different geochemical groups were obtained for REEs and lithium in the mining area of North Kochakali coal deposit. The comparison of the threshold values and the models obtained based on the Concentration-Area and Concentration-Number fractal models indicate that the Concentration-Area Fractal model has performed better in determining different geochemical groups and separating anomalies from the background for REEs and lithium in North Kochakali coal deposit. Based on the fractal models in the mining area, the southeastern and western parts have the highest concentrations of REEs and the northeastern parts have the highest concentrations of lithium. These parts should be considered in mining operations due to their higher economic value. The locations of the REEs anomalies are consistent with the location of right-lateral faults with a normal component, since these faults are young and have operated after the formation of coal seams, so the mineralization of REEs in North Kochakali coal deposit is epigenetic.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Mohammad Rezaei; Seyed Pourya Hosseini; Danial Jahed Armaghani; Manoj Khandelwal
Abstract
This paper presents an experimental-statistical study investigating the influence of five joint properties: density, filling type, angle, aperture, and roughness on the longitudinal wave velocity (LWV) of concrete samples. To achieve this, each of the five properties is categorized into distinct groups ...
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This paper presents an experimental-statistical study investigating the influence of five joint properties: density, filling type, angle, aperture, and roughness on the longitudinal wave velocity (LWV) of concrete samples. To achieve this, each of the five properties is categorized into distinct groups with specific intervals. Concrete samples measuring 15*15*15 cm are prepared in the laboratory based on an optimal combination of 75% sand, 15% cement, and 10% water. The LWV values of these samples are then measured. The experimental results indicate that joint density, roughness, and aperture have an inverse relation with LWV, resulting in reductions of 82%, 22.5% and 49%, respectively. Additionally, an approximate sinusoidal relationship between LWV and joint angle is established, leading to a variation of approximately 10% in LWV values for different joint angles. To evaluate the effect of joint filling on LWV, various filling materials, including iron oxide, calcite, silica, clay, and gypsum are used, resulting in approximately a 34% variation in LWV values. It was found that gypsum filling yields the highest LWV value while iron oxide filling produces the lowest. Furthermore, analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirms that a polynomial quadratic equation best represents the relation between LWV and each of the joint characteristics, with determination coefficient (R2) values ranging from 0.694 to 0.99. Finally, a verification study using "validation samples" demonstrates the acceptable accuracy for the proposed equations, with minimum relative errors ranging from 3% to 13%, a low root mean square error of 189.08 m/s, and a high R2 value of 0.926. This research enhances understanding of wave propagation through jointed rock masses with varying joint characteristics and provides theoretical support for rock reorganization and dynamic stability analysis of rock masses.
Original Research Paper
Exploration
Shirin Jahanmirir; Ali Aalianvari; Hossein Ebrahimpour-Komleh
Abstract
This paper introduces the Human Mental Search (HMS) algorithm as a novel and superior optimization technique for predicting groundwater seepage in tunnel environments. Traditional methods for predicting such seepage often struggle with the complexities of subterranean water flow, particularly in heterogeneous ...
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This paper introduces the Human Mental Search (HMS) algorithm as a novel and superior optimization technique for predicting groundwater seepage in tunnel environments. Traditional methods for predicting such seepage often struggle with the complexities of subterranean water flow, particularly in heterogeneous geological conditions, and while machine learning approaches have offered improvements, they often require significant computational resources. The HMS algorithm, inspired by human cognitive processes, employs memory recall, adaptive clustering, and strategic selection to efficiently refine solutions. Our results demonstrate that HMS significantly outperforms established algorithms in predicting groundwater seepage, achieving an R² value of 0.9988, a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.0002, and a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.0137. In comparison, the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) achieved an R² of 0.9951 with much higher MSE and RMSE, and other methods, like Genetic Programming and ANN-PSO, show higher error values. The HMS algorithm also showed a Variance Accounted for (VAF) of 99.88% and a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.0041, further validating its high predictive accuracy. This study highlights the HMS algorithm’s superior performance and computational efficiency for optimizing groundwater seepage predictions, positioning it as a powerful tool for geotechnical engineering applications, including real-time monitoring.
Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
Mohammad Jahani Chegeni; Sajad Kolahi; Asghar Azizi
Abstract
Consumed energy is the most important issue and concern in industrial ball mills, and includes a major part of the costs of mineral processing plants. By using suitable liners and the optimal lifter count, the energy of the mill is properly transferred to the balls. In Part 1 of this research work, five ...
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Consumed energy is the most important issue and concern in industrial ball mills, and includes a major part of the costs of mineral processing plants. By using suitable liners and the optimal lifter count, the energy of the mill is properly transferred to the balls. In Part 1 of this research work, five types of liners, i.e. Lorain, Osborn, Rib, cuboid, and Hi-lo, are examined. These liners all have separate lifters with the same volume. Their difference is in the width, height, and type of lifter profile. First, all types of liners are simulated with four lifters using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Then the lifter count is increased four by four to fill the entire wall of the mill with lifters. Based on this, Lorain liner from 4 to 24 lifters, Osborn liner from 4 to 120 lifters, Rib liner from 4 to 40 lifters, and cuboid and Hi-lo liners from 4 to 64 lifters are simulated. For the first time, the kinetic (KE) and potential (PE) energies as well as the sum of these two energies (TE) of all the balls are calculated, and compared in the entire duration of the simulation from 0–13s for all the liner types and lifter counts mentioned above. Finally, by using data related to KE, PE, and TE for each type of liner, the optimal lifter count is obtained. Accordingly, 16 to 20 lifters are recommended for the Lorain liner, 64 to 76 lifters for the Osborn liner, 24 to 32 lifters for the Rib liner, 44 lifters for the cuboid liner, and 36 to 44 lifters for the Hi-lo liner.
Original Research Paper
Mineral Processing
Sajad Kolahi; Mohammad Jahani Chegeni; Asghar Azizi
Abstract
In Part 2 of this research work, five types of liners, i.e. wave, step, step@, ship-lap, and ship-lap@, are examined. These liners all have similar connected lifters with different volumes. Their difference is in the width, height, and type of the lifter profile. All the five liner types, from 8 to 64 ...
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In Part 2 of this research work, five types of liners, i.e. wave, step, step@, ship-lap, and ship-lap@, are examined. These liners all have similar connected lifters with different volumes. Their difference is in the width, height, and type of the lifter profile. All the five liner types, from 8 to 64 lifters, are simulated using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). In this research work, for the first time, data from the sum of the kinetic and potential energies of individual balls (79,553 particles) are used to find the appropriate range for the number of lifters. In other words, the kinetic and potential energies of all particles within the system (inside the ball mill) are the basis for determining the appropriate number of lifters. The results suggest that for the wave liner, the appropriate range of the number of lifters is between 8 and 16, for the step, step@, and ship-lap liners; it is between 12 and 20, and for the ship-lap@ liner, it is between 8 and 20. In fact, using the data on the kinetic and potential energies of the balls inside the mill, it is possible to determine the appropriate range of the number of lifters, which is done for the first time in this study. In general, it is suggested that the data on the kinetic and potential energies of the balls can be used to determine the number of mill lifters, and unlike what has been done. So far, by other researchers, the number of mill lifters should not be determined solely by using its diameter or the dimensions of the lifters. Also the effect of mill-rotation direction on the values of kinetic and potential energies in step and ship-lap liners is investigated. It is shown that the step@ and ship-lap@ liners transfer more energy to the balls than the step and ship-lap liners, and have a suitable direction of rotation.
Original Research Paper
Rock Mechanics
Weiqun Liu; Tian Fang; Sheng Sang
Abstract
Mudstone is a common rock in underground engineering, and mudstone with fractures, have the certain self-closing capability. In this paper, we employed experiments and numerical analyses to investigate the mechanism of such a characteristic, and also examined the permeability pattern of mudstone overburdens. ...
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Mudstone is a common rock in underground engineering, and mudstone with fractures, have the certain self-closing capability. In this paper, we employed experiments and numerical analyses to investigate the mechanism of such a characteristic, and also examined the permeability pattern of mudstone overburdens. The experiments were performed with the MTS815.02 testing system, involving material properties under different water contents and their crack-closing behaviors. The principal task of numerical analysis is to determine the permeability of fractured mudstone layers, working with the COMSOL platform. The experimental results show that the Young’s Modulus of water-saturated mudstone is just 2.2% of that of natural mudstone, and the saturated also exhibit a remarkably obvious creep behavior. As the surrounding pressures increase, the permeability coefficient of fractured mudstone decrease exponentially, even dropping by two orders of magnitude corresponding to over 2.0MPa pressures. Based on these experiment outcomes, we can easily infer that rapid or complete fracture-closing is the main reason of permeability drop, and furthermore, both softening and creep are the major factors of self-closure of mudstone fractures, and especially, the softening behavior plays an absolutely fundamental role. The numerical analyses show that either a higher in-situ stress or lower fracture density can obviously become one of the advantageous conditions for fractured mudstone layers to restore towards impermeability. These results are also verified by the engineering observation in Yili No. 4 mine of China. There obviously existed the recovery of water-blocking capacity of overlying strata after a period of time. We hereby recommend this investigation as refences for underground mining or engineering construction involving mudstone.
