Abstract: A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap. Bacteria from the heap may be fortified to assist in bacterial growth.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and system for recovery of one or more metal values using solution extraction techniques and to a system for metal value recovery. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a first solution extraction circuit and a second solution extraction circuit. A first metal-bearing solution is provided to the first and second circuit, and a second metal-bearing solution is provided to the first circuit. The first circuit produces a first rich electrolyte solution, which can be forwarded to primary metal value recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which is forwarded to secondary metal value recovery. The second circuit produces a second rich electrolyte solution, which is also forwarded to primary metal value recovery. The first and second solution extraction circuits have independent organic phases and each circuit can operate independently of the other circuit.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, leaching the roasted metal hearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution, conditioning the pregnant leach solution to thrill a preprocessed metal bearing material; and leaching the preprocessed metal bearing material in acid medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for controlled leaching and sequential recovery of two or more metals from metal-bearing materials. In one exemplary embodiment, recovery of metals from a leached metal-bearing material is controlled and improved by providing a high grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) and a low grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) to a single solution extraction plant comprising at least two solution extractor units, at least two stripping units, and, optionally, at least one wash stage.

Abstract: Micronized perlite filler product, methods of producing the micronized expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The micronized expanded perlite product has, for example, a small median particle size (for example, less than 11 microns), a high blue light brightness (for example, higher than 84) and low oil absorption (for example, less than 70 percent in volume). The micronized expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications such as anti-block filler in plastic films and reinforcement filler in polymers.

Abstract: New functional additive in polymers comprised of micronized diatomite filler product, methods of producing the new functional additive in polymers, and methods of use thereof are provided. The new functional additive in polymers has, for example, a small median particle size (for example, less than 10 microns) and a small top particle size (for example, less than 20 microns), and a high blue light brightness (for example, higher than 84). The new functional additive in polymers may be used in a variety of applications such as reinforcement filler in polymers and anti-block filler in plastic films.

Abstract: Improved foam glass products prepared from natural glasses, such as unexpanded fine perlite ore and expanded fine perlite, methods of producing the improved foam glass products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The improved foam glass product made from natural glasses has, for example, a thermal conductivity less than 0.70 Btu·in/hr·F·ft2 (0.101 W/m° K) at 73° F.(296° K), a compressive strength greater than 100 PSI (689 kPa) and a density less than 20 lb/ft3 (320 kg/m3). The improved foam glass product made from natural glasses may be used in a variety of applications including thermal and acoustic insulation applications.

Abstract: An unexpanded perlite ore polishing composition is shown. The composition comprises base material having grains of unexpanded perlite ore of a selected distribution of particle sizes which undergo fracturing of the grains as a function of an abrasive force applied to the base material. The selected distribution of particle sizes includes a significant volume of grains of unexpanded perlite ore having a (d90) particle size in a range of about 101 to about 229 ?m. The base material is responsive to an abrasive force being applied thereto during polishing resulting in continued fracturing of the grains of unexpanded perlite ore to yield a final polishing composition having a sufficiently low level of abrasiveness under said abrasive force making it suitable for use in polishing. Compositions for polishing acrylic dentures and CRT tube surfaces using the unexpanded perlite ore polishing composition and methods for polishing the same are also shown.

Abstract: A system and method of directly, dynamically and on-line measuring different parameters related to the volume dynamically occupied by the internal load of rotating mills when in operation; specifically, an on-line measurement of the total dynamic volumetric load filling, dynamic volumetric ball load, dynamic volumetric mineral filling and of the apparent density of the internal load of the mill. The present invention comprises a series of wireless acoustic sensors attached to the mill's outer body, a receiving and/or conditioning unit located near the mill, a processing unit and a communication unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to filterable composite adsorbents comprising one or more adsorbent components and one or more filtration components, and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to filterable composite adsorbents and filterable composite adsorbent products which are suitable for use in filtration applications, and which comprise one or more microparticulate or colloidal adsorbent components selected from the group consisting of silica gel, fumed silica, neutral clay, alkaline clay, zeolite, solid catalyst, alumina, adsorbent polymer, alkaline earth silicate hydrate, and combinations thereof, which bear the property of adsorption, which are intimately bound to one or more functional filtration components selected from the group consisting of biogenic silica (e.g., diatomite, rice hull ash, sponge spicules), natural glass (e.g.

Abstract: Expanded perlite products having controlled particle size distribution, methods of producing the expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The expanded perlite product has, for example, a low ratio of standard deviation of particle size distribution to median particle size (for example, less than 0.63) and low median particle size (for example, less than 50 microns). The expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications including filter applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to advanced composite filtration media comprising a functional filtration component and a matrix component, and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to advanced composite filtration media and advanced composite filtration media products comprised of a functional filtration component, such as a biogenic silica product (e.g., diatomite), a natural glass product (e.g., expanded perlite), or a natural or synthetic crystalline mineral (e.g., titanium dioxide), which is thermally sintered to a matrix component, such as an engineering polymer (e.g., glasses, natural or synthetic crystalline minerals, thermoplastics, and metals) or a suitable natural material (e.g., rice hull ash, sponge spicules) that has a softening temperature below that of the functional filtration component. This invention also relates to advanced composite media and advanced composite media products, generally, which are also useful in non-filtration applications.

Abstract: Provided are methods for substantially removing organic substances from an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution is contacted with a synthetic hydrated calcium silicate. Components that can be removed from aqueous solution include bacterial, plant, algal and fungal components. Exemplary components include endotoxins. The aqueous solution comprises, for example, water, a chemically buffered solution, a pharmaceutical solution, a solution comprising a nutritional supplement, a culture medium, or a growth medium. Other examples include pharmaceutical compendial water and non-compendial water. In one embodiment of the method, the pH of the aqueous solution is maintained at a selected pH to promote the separation, for example, about pH 5.5 to 9.5, or, e.g., about pH 5.5 to 7.5.

Abstract: Expanded perlite products having controlled particle size distribution, methods of producing the expanded perlite products, and methods of use thereof are provided. The expanded perlite product has, for example, a low ratio of standard deviation of particle size distribution to median particle size (for example, less than 0.63) and low median particle size (for example, less than 50 microns). The expanded perlite product may be used in a variety of applications including filter applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to the selective separation of particles according to particle size. More particularly, this invention pertains to advanced particulate media which are carefully sized so as to permit precise and selective separation of microparticles suspended in fluids according to particle size, and to methods of using these advanced particulate media to achieve precise and selective separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production and use of an agent for use in polymers as an antiblock agent. Pumice with very low amounts of crystalline silica is processed from pumice stone to produce a fine ground pumice with a narrow particle size range. When incorporated into a polyolefin film, the fine ground pumice acts as an antiblock agent while not significantly contributing to haze.

Abstract: This invention relates to purified natural glass products having low concentrations of soluble substances. More particularly, this invention relates to purified natural glass products having low slurry electrical conductivities (i.e., less than about 18 .mu.S-cm.sup.-1). Preferred embodiments are further characterized by low concentrations of soluble iron (i.e., less than about 2 mg Fe/kg product) and/or low concentrations of soluble aluminum (i.e., less than about 10 mg Al/kg product). These products may be prepared from natural glasses and natural glass products, including, for example, expanded perlite, pumice, expanded pumice, and volcanic ash. The products of the present invention retain the intricate and porous characteristics of the feed material but possess low concentrations of soluble substances, thereby permitting much greater utility, particularly in filtration applications.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operation of a mining system including a continuous miner, a tramming conveyor and a load-out vehicle operatively connected to the tramming conveyor. The apparatus includes a master computer processor on the continuous miner and at least one slave computer processor under the direction of the master computer processor for controlling elements of the mining system other than the continuous miner. A pair of parallel data communication highways connect the master computer processor and the slave computer processor and the functional status of the data communication highways is monitored. A radio communication path is provided between the master computer processor and the mining system. The master computer processor operates the mining system in an automatic mining mode of operation when both data communication highways are functional and operates the mining system in a reverse mode of operation if either data communication highway fails to function.

Abstract: This invention relates to advanced composite filtration media comprising (i) a functional filtration component and (ii) a matrix component, wherein said matrix component has a softening point temperature less than the softening point temperature of said functional filtration component, and wherein said functional filtration component is intimately bound to said matrix component; and methods for preparing and using same. More particularly, this invention pertains to advanced composite filter media and advanced composite filter media products comprised of a functional filtration component, such as a biogenic silica product (e.g., diatomite) or a natural glass product (e.g., expanded perlite) which bears a distinguishing porous and intricate structure suitable for filtration, which is thermally sintered to a matrix component, such as an engineering polymer (e.g., glasses, crystalline minerals, thermoplastics, and metals) that has a softening temperature below that of the functional filtration component.

Abstract: Improved potassium sulfate/potassium nitrate salt products in both solid particulate and liquid form are provided which exhibit enhanced salt solubility in water. The products include potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate, in combination with a surfactant and mixed together in water. The aqueous mixture is heated to a maximum reaction temperature in the range of about 100-.degree.210.degree. F., and will retain enhanced water solubility in either a heated or cooled condition.