• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2018

Coal samples with different joints morphology were subjected to uniaxial compression experiments, cracks evolution was recorded by Nikon D5300 and acoustic emission (AE) energy signals were collected by AEwin Test for Express-8.0. During loading process, coal samples deformed elastically with no obvious cracks changes, then they expanded gradually along the trace of the original cracks, accompanied by the formation of secondary cracks, and eventually produced a large-scale fracture. It was more interesting that the failure mode of samples were all shear shape, whatever the original cracks morphology was. With cracks and damage evolution, AE energy radiated regularly. At the early loading stage, micro damage and small scale fracture events only induced a few AE events with less energy, while large scale fracture leaded to a number of AE events with more energy at the later stage. Based on the multifractal theory, the multifractal spectrum could explain AE energy signals frequency responses and the causes of AE events with load. Multifractal spectrum width (${\Delta}{\alpha}$), could reflect the differences between the large and small AE energy signals. And another parameter (${\Delta}f$) could reflect the relationship between the frequency of the least and greatest signals in the AE energy time series. This research is helpful for us to understand cracks evolution and AE energy signals causes.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제18권6호
• /
• pp.585-594
• /
• 2019

In-situ leaching could be one of the promising mining methods to extract the minerals from deep fractured rock mass. Constrained by the low permeability at depth, however, the performance does not meet the expectation. In fact, the rock mass permeability mainly depends on the pre-existing natural fractures and therefore play a crucial role in in-situ leaching performance. More importantly, fractures have various characteristics, such as aperture, persistence, and density, which have diverse contributions to the promising method. Hence, it is necessary to study the variation of fluid rate versus fracture parameters to enhance in-situ leaching performance. Firstly, the subsurface fractures from the depth of 1500m to 2500m were mapped using the discrete fracture network (DFN) in this paper, and then the numerical model was calibrated at a particular case. On this basis, the fluid flow through fractured rock mass with various fracture characteristics was analyzed. The simulation results showed that with the increase of Fisher' K value, which determine the fracture orientation, the flow rate firstly decreased and then increased. Subsequently, as another critical factor affecting the fluid flow in natural fractures, the fracture transmissivity has a direct relationship with the flow rate. Sensitive study shows that natural fracture characteristics play a critical role in in-situ leaching performance.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제36권3호
• /
• pp.205-215
• /
• 2024

Manually mapping fractures in construction stone mines is challenging, time-consuming, and hazardous. In this method, there is no physical access to all points. In contrast, digital image processing offers a safe, cost-effective, and fast alternative, with the capability to map all joints. In this study, two methods of detecting the trace of discontinuities using image processing in construction stone mines are presented. To achieve this, we employ two modified Hough transform algorithms and the degree of neighborhood technique. Initially, we introduced a method for selecting the best edge detector and smoothing algorithms. Subsequently, the Canny detector and median smoother were identified as the most efficient tools. To trace discontinuities using the mentioned methods, common preprocessing steps were initially applied to the image. Following this, each of the two algorithms followed a distinct approach. The Hough transform algorithm was first applied to the image, and the traces were represented through line drawings. Subsequently, the Hough transform results were refined using fuzzy clustering and reduced clustering algorithms, along with a novel algorithm known as the farthest points' algorithm. Additionally, we developed another algorithm, the degree of neighborhood, tailored for detecting discontinuity traces in construction stones. After completing the common preprocessing steps, the thinning operation was performed on the target image, and the degree of neighborhood for lineament pixels was determined. Subsequently, short lines were removed, and the discontinuities were determined based on the degree of neighborhood. In the final step, we connected lines that were previously separated using the method to be described. The comparison of results demonstrates that image processing is a suitable tool for identifying rock mass discontinuity traces. Finally, a comparison of two images from different construction stone mines presented at the end of this study reveals that in images with fewer traces of discontinuities and a softer texture, both algorithms effectively detect the discontinuity traces.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.24-32
• /
• 2024

Background: Learning from incidents for accident prevention is a two-stage process, involving the investigation of past accidents to identify the causal factors, followed by the identification and implementation of remedial measures to address the identified causal factors. The focus of past research has been on the identification of causal factors, with limited focus on the identification and implementation of remedial measures. This research begins to contribute to this gap. The motivation for the research is twofold. First, previous analyses show the recurring nature of accidents within the Ghanaian mining industry, and the causal factors also remain the same. This raises questions on the nature and effectiveness of remedial measures identified to address the causes of past accidents. Secondly, without identifying and implementing remedial measures, the full benefits of accident investigations will not be achieved. Hence, this study aims to assess the nature of remedial measures proposed to address investigation causal factors. Method: The study adopted SMARTER from business studies with the addition of HMW (H - Hierarchical, M - Mapping, and W - Weighting of causal factors) to analyse the recommendations from 500 individual investigation reports across seven different mines in Ghana. Results: The individual and the work environment (79%) were mostly the focused during the search for causes, with limited focus on organisational factors (21%). Forty eight percentage of the recommendations were administrative, focussing on fixing the problem in the immediate affected area or department of the victim(s). Most recommendations (70.4%) were support activities that only enhance the effectiveness of control but do not prevent/mitigate the failure directly. Across all the mines, there was no focus on evaluating the performance of remedial measures after their implementation. Conclusion: Identifying sharp-end causes leads to proposing weak recommendations which fail to address latent organisational conditions. The study proposed a guide for effective planning and implementation of remedial actions.

• 한국지반공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국지반공학회 1999년도 가을 학술발표회 논문집
• /
• pp.45-56
• /
• 1999

There have been many coal mines abandoned since late 1980s in Korea. Due to the abandoned mines, there have been ground subsidences in some area where are under ground reinforcement works now. So, this study shows the general phenomena of mining subsidence and the procedure of ground reinforcement. In general the procedure for ground reinforcement is as below, 1) obtaining information from inquiries and observations, 2) satellite image analysis and surface geological mapping, 3) analysis of maps of coal mines, 4) geophysical survey and boring test and 5) selection of reinforcement method. The case of reinforcement design at Chul-am area, Kangwon Province is introduced in this article.

• 터널과지하공간
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.174-180
• /
• 2009

This paper gives a brief review of seismicity and seismic monitoring in surface mines. A summary of various researches related to seismicity is presented. Our research focuses on the understanding of seismicity and the application of analytical techniques to seismicity. Seismic monitoring plays an important role in the identification of potential failure planes and thereby predict potential failures. Much of the instrumentation used in our research is derived from earthquake monitoring systems. The major aspects in seismic monitoring are an instrumentation used, size of the network and data acquisition systems. Seismic monitoring in surface mines could be successfully applied to the improvement of safety standards in slope stability.

• 자원리싸이클링
• /
• 제10권1호
• /
• pp.42-48
• /
• 2001

The dissolution behavior of gold and silver from gold-silver alloys in aerated cyanide solutions has been investigated by an electrochemical means as well as a direct measurement of gold and silver ions reported in the bulk solution as a function of time using rotating disc electrodes. The variables studied included oxygen partial pressure, rotating speed of the disc, concentration of cyanide, temperature and composition of the allyos. The dissolution potential and the rate of dissolution were obtained in view of the anodic and cathodic current-potential relationships. The results were discussed in terms of the mixed potential theory. The results showed that the dissolution rate of gold and silver from the alloys was controlled partially by chemical reaction. but largely by transport of either oxygen or cyanide, depending on their relative concentration under the experimental conditions employed in this study.

• 한국지하수토양환경학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국지하수토양환경학회 1998년도 공동 심포지엄 및 추계학술발표회
• /
• pp.71-75
• /
• 1998

The objective of this study is to investigate geochemical characteristics of mine wastes including tailings in various abandoned mines in Korea. Tailings and wastes were sampled in and around 39 metalliferous mines, and analysed heavy metal concentrations including Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn extracted by 0.1N HCl and aqua regia by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Measurements of paste pH and lime requirement were carried out to examine a general geochemical characteristics of the materials. Lots of mine wastes were characterized by very low pH values of 2 to 4 and high lime requirement to control neutralization of the wastes. In addition, elevated levels of heavy metals were found in various mine wastes extracted by both 0.lN HCl and aqua regia. Because the mine wastes can be dispersed into the downstream by clastic movement and wind-blow, it is necessary to control the materials with a proper method for their reclamation.

• 한국지하수토양환경학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국지하수토양환경학회 2006년도 총회 및 춘계학술발표회
• /
• pp.209-212
• /
• 2006

Using sulfur sotope analysis of dissolved sulfate in surface water, we have investigated the source of sulfate in order to identify the abandoned metallic mines, which have the potential of heavy metal contamination within watershed. The range of the sulfur isotope values for dissolved sulfate in stream waters (DD-1 and 2) are similar to those of sulfides from the Dunjun mine, which suggests that oxidation of sulfides is the principal source of $SO_4^{2-}$ in these stream waters. Also, heavier sulfur isotopes in waters near Baekjun and Hamchang mines imply the possibility of contamination in waters by these metallic mines.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
• /
• 제12권1호
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2011

This paper summarized concept, manufacture and results of the micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The cells were fabricated by co-sintering of extruded micro-tubular anode support and electrolyte coating layer, and then additional cathode coating. The cells showed quick voltage rising within 1 minute, and the electrochemical performances were closely related to the balance of fuel utilization and performance loss. And a thermal-fluid simulation model was also reported in combination with the electrochemical evaluation results on the GDC-based micro-tubular SOFCs.