Abstract: A method useful in the continuous ore extraction in underground works intended for the permanent production of extraction from draw points or trenches, comprising the construction of reduced size drifts (4) wherein through the center defined by a group of drifts crosses a drift (2) which is intended for ore haulage, such drift crosses successively all drift groups defined at the exploitation face,—such extraction points (11) are arranged to form a regular layout [m4] at certain distances which are compatible with an interactive gravitational flow; once such drifts, trenches and haulage drifts are constructed the pre-conditioning, caving and extraction stages are carried out.

Abstract: An arrangement for extracting extraction products in caving in which the extraction product is extracted downwards through an extraction funnel into an extraction path and from this is transferred onto an extraction conveyor arranged in a conveyor path, in which arrangement the extraction path extends transversely between the conveyor path and an auxiliary path parallel to this, a loading ramp is arranged in the extraction path which forms a ramp surface orientated transversely to the conveying direction of the extraction conveyor and inclined towards it. The extraction path is provided with a rail guidance attached to the bottom and extending in the area between the auxiliary path and the conveying path, on which the loading ramp is guided and along which it can be moved by a displacement drive (20) in the direction of the conveyor path and in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A nut cold cutter devise is used in the assembly and maintenance of semi-autogenous grinding mills for large-scale mining. The device includes a front body, a back body and a hydraulic cylindrical chamber located between the front and back bodies. The front body has a defined cavity in which there is a movable cutting tool and a fixed cutting tool. The nut to-be-cut is positioned in the space located between the two cutting tools. The hydraulic cylindrical chamber contains a push piston that is sealed to the inside of said hydraulic cylindrical chamber with watertight joints. The push piston is attached to a toolholder axis and the movable cutting tool is attached to the front end of the toolholder axis.

Abstract: A nut cold cutter devise is used in the assembly and maintenance of semi-autogenous grinding mills for large-scale mining. The device includes a front body, a back body and a hydraulic cylindrical chamber located between the front and back bodies. The front body has a defined cavity in which there is a movable cutting tool and a fixed cutting tool. The nut to-be-cut is positioned in the space located between the two cutting tools.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the leaching of copper from copper bearing ores with an aqueous sulfuric acid leach solution are disclosed wherein an antifoam formulation stable at a solution pH of about 1 to 2 is added. A preferred antifoam formulation comprises a glycol ester and an alkyl phenol ethoxylate in a paraffinic oil solvent added to the aqueous sulfuric acid leach solution.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting crud formation and organic in aqueous solvent and aqueous in organic solvent entrainment in the solvent extraction of copper from an aqueous sulfuric acid pregnant leach solution is disclosed. The method comprises adding an antifoam formulation stable at a solution pH of about 1 to 2 is added. A preferred antifoam formulation comprises a glycol ester and an alkyl phenol ethoxylate in a paraffinic oil solvent added to the acid solution.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the operation of an acid solvent extraction and electrowinning operation by inhibiting acidic aerosol formation, allowing increased acid concentration and allowing higher operating temperature is disclosed wherein an antifoam formulation stable at a solution pH of about 1 to 2 is added. A preferred antifoam formulation comprises a glycol ester and an alkyl phenol ethoxylate in a paraffinic oil solvent added to the acid solution of an acid solvent extraction and electrowinning operation.

Abstract: A method of removing aqueous phase residues and other contaminants from the organic phase used in hydrometallurgical extraction processes comprises passing the organic phase through a column or other vessel in which a porous bed of elements of suitable size and shape to permit flow therethrough is provided. The material making up the bed elements may be polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, teflon, stainless steel, plastics in general and their derivatives, or combinations thereof. The aqueous phase coalesces on the surfaces of the materials making up the bed and forms droplets which drop to the bottom of the column or vessel which are thereafter removed.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for recovering copper from copper bearing ores or fractions, by a process of first wetting and sulfatizing the ore with controlled amounts of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and water, followed by acid curing and repulping to sulfatize a substantial portion of the copper in the ore. Also, the fine and coarse fractions can be classified, followed by pile leaching the coarse fraction, preferably reusing the cycled H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 solution obtained during the copper recovery process. Since the coarse fraction is classified from the fine fraction, the pile leaching process is performed at very high specific flows, which substantially reduces the leaching period as compared with that of conventional pile leaching.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for recovering copper from copper bearing ores or fractions, by a process of first wetting and sulfatizing the ore with controlled amounts of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and water, followed by acid curing and repulping to sulfatize a substantial portion of the copper in the ore. Also, the fine and coarse fractions can be classified, followed by pile leaching the coarse fraction, preferably reusing the cycled H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 solution obtained during the copper recovery process. Since the coarse fraction is classified from the fine fraction, the pile leaching process is performed at very high specific flows, which substantially reduces the leaching period as compared with that of conventional pile leaching.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of organic materials trapped in the emulsions generated in solvent extraction plants. The emulsions are first washed in aqueous solution. The washed emulsions are then subjected to a mechanical breaking process in aqueous/organic dispersion, inducing the inversion of the continuity of phases in the emulsions and the release of the phases involved. Subsequent separation of the phases by decanting enables the removal of significant quantities of solids and increases the overall recovery of the organic trapped in the emulsions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing molybdenum trioxide from raw materials containing molybdenum disulfide including melting the raw materials in an oxidizing atmosphere volatilizing a major portion of the raw materials as molybdenum trioxide with the remainder bonded in a molten slag as MoO.sub.4 and directing an oxidizing gas onto the molten slag to convert the MoO.sub.4 to molybdenum trioxide with the volatilization gas and the gas from the slag being united, the gas cooled and the molybdenum trioxide condensed from the gas into solid form (undesirable admixtures are separated from molybdenum trioxide raw oxides hydrometallurgically).

Abstract: A cylindrical grinding mill liner comprising a continuous uninterrupted internal helical fluting extending along the length of the liner. A cylindrical grinding mill with an inner liner comprising a continuous uninterrupted internal helical fluting for the grinding or crushing of ore. A method for segregating or distributing ore particles and grinding bodies along a cylindrical grinding mill with the larger sizes at the feed end and the smaller sizes at the discharge end.

Abstract: Low grade copper concentrates containing molybdenum are roasted under conditions to form copper and molybdenum compounds which are soluble in dilute sulfuric acid solutions.Molybdenum is then recovered by solvent extraction from these solutions and further precipitated as ammonium molybdate, while copper can be electrowinned or precipitated from the raffinate.Overall recovery efficiencies are 96% for copper and 84% for molybdenum.