Energy Efficiency in the Minerals Industry

This book presents a state-of-the-art analysis of energy efficiency as applied to mining processes. From ground fragmentation to mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, experts discuss the current state of knowledge and the nagging questions that call for further research. It offers an excellent resource for all mine managers and engineers who want to improve energy efficiency to boost both production efficiency and sustainability. It will also benefit graduate students and experienced researchers looking for a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge concerning energy efficiency in the minerals industry.

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vi
   PDF

2. Introduction

   Kwame Awuah-Offei
   Pages 1-7

3. Ground Fragmentation

   1. Front Matter
      Pages 9-9

   2. Energy Distribution in the Blast Fragmentation Process

      Braden Lusk, Jhon J. Silva

      Pages 11-30
   3. Effect of Hole Stemming Practices on Energy Efficiency of Comminution

      Calvin J. Konya, Anthony Konya

      Pages 31-53
   4. Effect of Wave Collision on Fragmentation, Throw, and Energy Efficiency of Mining and Comminution

      Catherine Johnson

      Pages 55-70
   5. Energy Efficiency of Drilling Operations

      Celal Karpuz

      Pages 71-86
   6. Energy Efficiency in Rock Blasting

      José A. Sanchidrián, Pablo Segarra, Lina M. López

      Pages 87-118

4. Material Handling

   1. Front Matter
      Pages 119-119

   2. Energy-Efficient Loading and Hauling Operations

      Ali Soofastaei, Elnaz Karimpour, Peter Knights, Mehmet Kizil

      Pages 121-146
   3. Energy Efficiency in Cable Shovel Operations

      Kwame Awuah-Offei

      Pages 147-157
   4. Benchmarking Energy Consumption of Truck Haulage

      Lalit Kumar Sahoo, Santanu Bandyopadhyay, Rangan Banerjee

      Pages 159-180
   5. Role of the Operator in Dragline Energy Efficiency

      Maryam Abdi-Oskouei, Kwame Awuah-Offei

      Pages 181-194

5. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy

   1. Front Matter
      Pages 195-195

   2. Energy-Efficient Comminution: Best Practices and Future Research Needs

      Bern Klein, Chengtie Wang, Stefan Nadolski

      Pages 197-211
   3. Energy Efficiency of Electrowinning

      Michael S. Moats

      Pages 213-232
   4. Plant Automation for Energy-Efficient Mineral Processing

      Jocelyn Bouchard, Daniel Sbarbaro, André Desbiens

      Pages 233-250
   5. Energy Management Systems in Copper Smelting: The Atlantic Copper Case Study

      José Maria Tejera, Guillerno Rios, Tasio Martínez, Miguel Palacios

      Pages 251-269

6. Renewable Energy and Miscellaneous Topics

   1. Front Matter
      Pages 271-271
      PDF

   2. Solar Energy Applications in Mining: A Case Study

      José Pablo Paredes Sánchez

      Pages 273-285
   3. Energy-Efficient Mine Ventilation Practices

      Nuray Demirel

      Pages 287-299
   4. Technology Selection and Sizing of On-Board Energy Recovery Systems to Reduce Fuel Consumption of Diesel-Electric Mine Haul Trucks

      Petrus J. Terblanche, Michael P. Kearney, Clay S. Hearn, Peter F. Knights

      Pages 301-333

Biography

Kwame Awuah-Offei is currently an associate professor of mining engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, as well as a mining engineering academic fellow at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He holds a PhD from the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR). Part of his PhD work was done at the University of Alberta, Canada. He holds a BS (Hons) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana.

Dr. Awuah-Offei’s research focuses on the modeling and optimization of sustainable mining systems, including energy-efficient mining systems. In addition to 12 years of research and teaching experience, he has worked in surface gold mining and aggregates operations. In his current role, he teaches graduate and undergraduate mining engineering courses including Environmental Aspects of Mining. Dr. Awuah-Offei is an active member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) and the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP).