Masters Theses

Abstract

"The purpose of this study is to analyze the underground mechanization in the fluorspar mines in Southern Illinois. The mining mechanization in this district is confronted with manifold problems which are typical of most small or medium size mines.

The ore reserve in each mine is not very large. The method of development had to be planned accordingly such as not to exceed the depreciative capacity of the deposit.

The ore bodies consist of thin bedded layers or small veins. This thickness controls the sizes of the equipment to be used.

The mining operations always lack skilled equipment operators. In a large mine the company is able to provide pre- training before any new operator is assigned to a certain job, while in a small mining operation, this cannot always be done.

This district produces approximately one half of the United States fluorspar domestic production (52% in 1957). The fluctuation of the market price has a fast impact on the operations in the district. The decreasing price in the last few years caused by the cheap imported fluorspar that flows into the domestic market, together with the increasing labor cost, requires that the mining companies introduce more mechanized production methods so as to reduce costs.

In this paper the author evaluates these problems first with the operational or process analysis. The second is the study of the employed equipment, their performance and efficiency, with the aid of the time studies.

The human efforts involved in the underground production processes, and the economic effects of the application of certain types of equipment will also be investigated. Conclusions are presented after the discussion on the drilling, loading and haulage operations.

For the field studies, the author obtained the permission from the three major companies in the district, the Minerva Oil Company, the Ozark Mahoning Company and the Aluminum Company of America to visit the following mines:

  1. Mine No. l, Cave in Rock, Minerva Oil Company
  2. Crystal Mine, Cave in Rock, Minerva Oil Company
  3. West Green Mine, Cave in Rock, Ozark Mahoning Company
  4. Oxford Mine, Cave in Rock, Ozark Mahoning Company
  5. Hill Mine, Cave in Rock, Ozark Mahoning Company
  6. A. L. Davis Mine, Cave in Rock, Ozark Mahoning Company
  7. Fairview Mine, Rosiclare Aluminum Company of America

The field work was accomplished during the period of June 3, 1957 through July 31, 1957. With the aid of the companies the author ran the time and motion studies, and collected the necessary information"--Introduction, pages 1-2.

Advisor(s)

Christiansen, Carl R., 1921-1997

Department(s)

Mining Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Mining Engineering

Publisher

Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy

Publication Date

1958

Pagination

v, 72 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-71).

Geographic Coverage

Southern Illinois (Ill.)

Rights

© 1958 Marangin Simatupang, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Fluorspar -- IllinoisMechanization -- TestingMining machineryNonmetallic minerals industry -- Equipment and supplies

Thesis Number

T 1174

Print OCLC #

5157908

Electronic OCLC #

915824486

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Thesis Location

 
COinS