Abstract: A process for forming an aqueous chloride leachant from a spent aqueous chloride leach liquor which process comprises passing a spent aqueous chloride leach liquor and gases containing hydrogen chloride through a preconcentrator to form a concentrated aqueous chloride leach liquor by partial evaporation of water therefrom and absorption of hydrogen chloride; withdrawing a portion of the concentrated aqueous chloride leach liquor; roasting the remainder of the concentrated aqueous chloride leach liquor to generate a metal oxide, and gases containing hydrogen chloride; and passing the gases containing hydrogen chloride to the preconcentrator.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a titaniferous material that has been subjected to thermal reduction and which includes a titaniferous phase of general formula M.sub.3 O.sub.5. The thermally reduced titaniferous material is subjected to a secondary heat treatment to covert the M.sub.3 O.sub.5 phase to a more readily leachable M.sub.2 O.sub.3 phase. This material is then cooled and leached in an aqueous acid solution containing hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, and the leachate is separated from the titaniferous material to form a purified titaniferous material.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for stabilizing radionuclides extracted during the upgrading of minerals. The process comprises forming a composition of a radionuclide and a component and roasting the composition so that the component forms a crystalline phase having a structure that binds the radionuclides. Suitable components include a compound of a lanthanide and/or phosphorus and zirconia. Zirconia in its cubic form is useful in stabilizing uranium and thorium.

Abstract: A process for the production of iron from ferrous raw materials, the process comprising conducting a production phase and a tapping phase, the production phase including feeding fuel to an iron bath contained in a converter, continuously feeding ferrous raw materials to the iron bath through a gas space above the iron bath, continuously blowing oxygenous gases onto the surface of the iron bath, reducing the ferrous raw materials with the fuel to produce reduced iron, afterburning reaction gases comprising CO and H.sub.2 emerging from the iron bath with oxidizing gases in the gas space to produce heat, and transferring the heat to the iron bath; and the tapping phase including removing 40% to 90% of the iron bath to produce a final bath which can then be used as an initial bath in a subsequent production phase.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising an oxidising agent such as ammonium nitrate (AN), and a fuel material which may include a fuel oil (FO) and which also comprises a solid fuel such as rubber particles or polystyrene beads or flakes. The solid fuel is incorporated into the composition to provide for the controlled release of energy upon detonation of the explosive composition. It has been found that by substituting some or all of the liquid fuel oil with a slower burning solid fuel, the time during which the pressure builds up during detonation is lengthened. Thus a low shock energy explosive (LSEE) can be produced having reduced shock energy and increased heave energy compared to convention explosives, such as ANFO.

Abstract: A method of reducing metal oxides in a vessel containing a molten bath, the bath comprising a metal layer and a slag layer, wherein metal oxides and carbonaceous material are introduced into the bath, gas is injected into the slag layer to case the eruption of molten slag parts, droplets and/or streams into the gas space above the bath and oxygen-containing gas is injected into the gas space to case post-combustion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for smelting reduction of metal ores involving a combination process wherein the metal ores are partly reduced in one or more stages and then completely reduced to metal in a melt-down reactor. The combination process comprises at least three process units, and the melt-down reactor forms one process unit. The partial reduction of the metal ores is performed in at least two further process units. A different waste gas is produced in each of these at least three process units.

Abstract: A rock bolt load sensor assembly for use to determine the load on a nut screwed onto a bolt embedded in a rock face, the assembly comprising a plurality of spring washers arranged to be mounted on the bolt between the nut and a roof plate, and a sensor comprising an induction coil adapted to be, in use, placed around the washers, the sensor including an indicator coupled to the induction coil whereby in use, the spring washers define an air space which varies in dependence on the load on the bolt and the induction coil provides an electrical indication of variation of the air space and the indicator provides an indication of variation of the load on the bolt.