Rock Raw Materials Research Articles

Trace Elements Anomalous Concentrations in Building Materials-The Impact of Secondary Mineralisation Processes.

The Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Co, As, Sr, Ba, and Zr content has been determined in the tested rock raw materials. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) was found to be elevated in all types of rock materials and was found on average to be: 1.39 mg/kg in limestones, 0.86 mg/kg-sandstones, 0.44 mg/kg-diatomites, 0.55 mg/kg-opoka rocks, 0.89 mg/kg-marls, 0.21 mg/kg-gaizes 0.42 mg/kg-kaolin clays, and 2.13 mg/kg-decalcified opoka rocks. Higher concentrations of arsenic (As) have also been recorded in sandstones and diatomites, as well as lead (Pb) in limestones and sandstones. The results obtained indicate that the anomalous level of elements is of natural origin and the results of identified secondary mineralisation processes that have affected the tested materials. Pyritization and sulfatization processes have been detected. Mineralogical research has shown that these processes can be associated with the activity of biochemical processes caused by the decomposition of the soft tissues of animal organisms and the organic substances of plant origin that fill the stylolites. It has been shown that the content of strontium (Sr) increases in geologically older Jurassic formations compared to younger Cretaceous formations, which can be used in the monitoring of building materials.

Rock raw materials from the Mesozoic–Neogene contact zone in the Bełchatów Lignite Deposit – recognition and evaluation of their utility

Rock raw materials from the Mesozoic–Neogene contact zone in the Bełchatów Lignite Deposit – recognition and evaluation of their utility

Properties of Fine-Grained Rock Waste from the Pilawa Gorna Amphibolite and Migmatite Aggregates Production Plant

In the course of mining and processing of almost all petrographic varieties of rock raw materials for the production of building and materials, aggregates for road and railway construction, waste is generated. These are usually fine-grained fractions of these rocks that are difficult to manage and are deposited at dumps. The article presents and describes the results of the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of fine-grained waste from the production of amphibolite aggregate from Pilawa Gorna in Lower Silesia (S-W Poland). Such studies have not been carried out on this waste before. The tested waste is a very fine-grained dusty material (<0.100 mm) originating from the dedusting of the crushing and classification operations during the production of aggregates. Preliminary studies of the separation of the tested material using collector-less flotation and gravity separation are also presented. Detailed chemical analysis shows that most of the elements in the studied rock dust occur in abundance close to the average in the Earth’s crust. The collector-free flotation of the investigated sample allows effective separation of graphite and the part of sulfide minerals Cu, Ni, and Mo. The presented results may be the basis for further research and development of the concept of their economic use.

Slope Shape Optimization of Water Reservoirs Formed Due to the Reclamation of Post-Mining Excavations

Reclamation of post-mining areas is one of the most important duties of an entrepreneur involved in mining mineral resources with the use of surface techniques. There are various forms of reclamation activities that depend on the chosen reclamation direction and intended function of the reclaimed object as well as from the type of the mined mineral. When there is water present in the mining excavation, we are talking about the aquatic direction of reclamation. This particular type of post-mining area requires a particular shape—especially if its intended future function is recreational. This research addresses optimization-related analyses and calculations of slope inclination in water reservoirs formed in post-mining excavations of both clastic and clay rock raw materials. Considering the conditions of stability and load-bearing capacity of water reservoir slopes, their optimum slopes were determined using the FlexPDE v 6.0 program, based on a two-dimensional elastoplastic model from the Coulomb–Mohr criterion. The inclinations of 1:5 and 1:15 are proposed, respectively, for the above-waterline and below-waterline slopes that serve a beach function. Slopes that do not serve a beach function are proposed to have an inclination of 1:2. Obviously, the strength conditions in the soil medium as well as the comfort of users were key drivers when it comes to selection of the slope inclinations.

The Influence of the Physical-Mechanical Parameters of Rock on the Extent of the Initial Failure Zone under the Action of an Undercut Anchor.

This paper presents the results of a numerical FEM (Finite Element Method) simulation of the formation of a rock failure zone in its initial stage of development. The influence of rock parameters, such as the Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and friction factor of the rock in the contact zone with the working surface of the undercut anchor head, were taken into account. The obtained results of FEM simulations were compared with the results of field tests conducted in Polish mining plants extracting rock raw materials.

Improvement of the effectiveness of greywacke crushing process by applying an impact crusher in quarry for the production of railway ballast

The production of aggregates in rock mining requires an optimal system of crushers, separators and conveyors. Proper machine selection allows to obtain aggregates with appropriate technical parameters and increase the output of required fractions with a given unit cost. The usage of rock raw materials for the production of railway ballast used in the railway track superstructure is connected with the necessity to meet strictly defined quality requirements.

Analysis of Rock Raw Materials Transport and its Implications for Regional Development and Planning. Case Study of Lower Silesia (Poland)

The movement of rock raw materials from source to demand areas is carried out predominately with road and railway transport. The latter is less damaging to infrastructure, the environment and society and is cheaper for longer distances, but it is also less flexible and not widely used. The Lower Silesia region in southwestern Poland is an important producer of rock raw materials and the principal provider of igneous and metamorphic dimension stones and crushed rocks in the country. A multicriteria scoring scheme has been developed and applied to identify mines presently using road transport, that are predisposed to switch to or include a railway form of transport. Four criteria have been proposed, C1—distance to railway loading point, C2—annual production of rock raw material, C3—economic reserves, and C4—type of rock raw material. The scoring scheme (classification) was developed based on the results of descriptive statistics for mines presently using railway or combined road and railway forms of transport. Two scenarios were analyzed, one with equal weights (0.25) and the other with higher significance of C1 = 0.40 and C2 = 0.30, and lower significance of C3 = 0.20 and C4 = 0.10. In the result, 24 mines were identified and ranked in terms of their potential to introduce railway transport. The proposed methodology can be used universally for other regions and countries, and the results will be included in drawing up regional spatial development policies.

Spatial and Multicriteria Analysis of Dimension Stones and Crushed Rocks Quarrying in the Context of Sustainable Regional Development: Case Study of Lower Silesia (Poland)

This study aimed to analyze and assess the spatial and temporal trends in distribution of reserves and production of igneous and metamorphic dimension stones and crushed rocks in the Lower Silesia region, which with 90% of total supply is the key source region of these rock raw materials in Poland. The research utilized descriptive statistics to examine temporal variations of production, as well as to determine sufficiency of these resources for four different scenarios and seven main lithological groups of rocks. Spatial statistics in the geographic information system was used to map changes in spatial distribution of production with the density function, as well as to determine areas of highest concentration in the 2010–2018 period. Then, 169 communes in the region were assessed using the multicriteria analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique to identify local communities prospective for development of this mining sector. Strong, positive correlation (r = 0.645) between year to year production change with annual rate of gross domestic product was determined. Sufficiency of economic reserves was estimated, in four scenarios, as being the lowest for melaphyre and porphyry (25–49 years), and the highest for marble (380–389 years). Reserves of basalt and amphibolite should last for approximately 50 years (32–60 and 36–67 years, respectively), granite for 82 to 110 years, and gabbro and gneiss for over 100 years (78–159 and 76–189 years, respectively). Maps revealed a possible trend of increasing production in quarries located in the central and eastern parts of Lower Silesia, whereas multicriteria analysis allowed for the identification of nine communes with the highest potential for rock raw material quarrying. The practical outcome of this study is a knowledge database for authorities, upon which sustainable management of regional rock raw materials can be based in the context of economic, social, and environmental impacts of their extraction.

Effect of Heating Temperature on Magnetic Properties of Fe3O4 Synthesized by Coprecipitation Method

The synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with iron rock raw materials was carried out using a coprecipitation method. Iron rocks were taken from the Surian village, South Solok of West Sumatera. This research was conducted to utilize local materials and produce low cost, varied magnetic materials to be applied to the electric and electronics industries. Iron sand as a base material was obtained by processing the iron rocks through destruction and extraction. Iron sand that has been extracted is reacted with HCL and NH4OH. Furthermore, the PEG-2000 were added as a template to homogenize and inhibit the growth of particles. Heating temperature variation performed to see the effect of temperature on the magnetic properties of the particles. Heating temperature variations were used at 500 ̊C, 600 ̊C, and 700 ̊C. Phase composition of the samples were confirm using X-ray diffraction method. Characterization of magnetic properties carried out using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The results of magnetic properties show that the saturation magnetization decreases with increasing heating temperature in the range of 32.6883 emu/g, 20,1632 emu/g, and 10.4734 emu/g respectively. The value of coercive force, HC obtained in the range of 13,840 A/m – 19,120 A/m. The results show that Fe3O4 can be used as a magnetic recording material.

Ageing Process of Hydraulic Oil in Single-Bucket Excavators in Rock Mining

Abstract The paper presents the problem of ageing processes of hydraulic oils when used in single-bucket excavators in mining of rock raw materials. Working parameters of these excavators are specific, particularly when a hydraulic hammer is mounted in place of the working bucket, therefore the course of the oil degradation process and the change times should be precisely determined as full functionality of hydraulic systems of excavators must be maintained and the wear of individual components of these systems should be reduced. Research on oil ageing processes has been carried out for excavators from various manufacturers that have operated in mines of rock raw materials of various raw material extraction quantities. The methodology adopted for testing the ageing processes of oils in excavators allowed to obtain a number of results that question the hitherto applied criteria for quality assessment of used oils in relation to the time of their actual use in hydraulic systems of excavators, as well as the time of change of such oils.

The Scope of Reclamation Works for Areas after the Exploitation of Rock Raw Materials

This paper proposes a framework to systematize the scope of reclamation works that optimize the agricultural, forest, aquatic, natural, economic, and cultural values of areas after the exploitation of mineral raw materials by mining. The framework describes characteristic reclamation works, which may become the basis for estimating the financial value of reclamation projects and for securing financial means for the implementation of reclamation tasks. Three phases of reclamation are represented in characteristic reclamation works. The preliminary phase includes works related to the development of design-estimate documentation. The scope of these works is the same regardless of the direction and type of post-mining facility. The technical (basic) phase is the completion of earthworks that prepare for the biological (detailed) phase, which includes introduction of biological systems into areas transformed by mining activities. The scopes of works of the technical and biological phases are different, depending on the planned function of the post-mining area and the type of material extracted.

Multi-Criteria Analysis of Potential Applications of Waste from Rock Minerals Mining

The article describes the research on the analysis of the economic use of mining and processing waste produced and stored on the premises of active mining plants exploiting rock raw materials in the context of the reduce-recycle-reuse (3R) concept. To assess the potential economic applications of the investigated wastes, a two-stage methodology based on a multicriteria analysis using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) algorithm was proposed. Preliminary research produced an inventory of active mining plants storing mining and processing waste on their premises (62 locations). Then, preliminary qualitative analysis was carried out to assess mining waste locations at the environmental and social level consistent with the idea of circular economy—CE (20 locations). Next, in the first stage of the multi-criteria analysis, six directions of economic use of the investigated waste were analyzed and their significance was determined. These directions are use in road and railroad construction, construction, agriculture, reclamation and development of post-mining areas, food industry, and storage at landfills of mining and processing waste on the premises of a mining plant. In the result of the assessment of potential economic applications of mining waste, recommendations for directions of economic use were obtained for the six highest classified mining waste sites. The recommendations were determined in the second stage of multi-criteria analysis by deriving the local preferences (waste sites) for the alternatives (waste uses).

Petrographic study of selected sculptural works of Jan Michałowicz from Urzędów

Nowadays, in order to determine whether given rock properties make it useful for specifi c purposes, the material is examined using relevant test equipment. At the times of Jan Michałowicz, any knowledge in this respect was transmitted by the master to his apprentices, based on the master’s experience. The artist used domestic rock raw materials to sculpt monuments commemorating important persons who were his contemporaries. For the petrographic analysis, the authors selected the most distinguishable works of the artist, which he signed or which are most likely to have been sculpted by him. The authors analysed the materials used by the artist to carve specifi c elements of his works, as well as rock raw materials in terms of their historical and contemporary properties. Consequently, the petrographic study allowed to describe the rocks in greater detail, as well as their properties useful for sculpture purposes, and their durability. Artistic qualities helped determine the sources of stones used by Jan Michałowicz during his projects. These include the quarries near Pińczów (limestone), Kunów (sandstone), Bolechowice (marble), Żurawno (alabaster) and initially quarries in Hungary. The discussed works of Jan Michałowicz provide firm grounds for acknowledging the artist as the leading co-founder to Polish Renaissance art.

Spatial and Quantitative Analysis of Waste from Rock Raw Minerals Mining: A Case Study of Lower Silesia Region in Poland

Mining of minerals is associated with waste that needs to be dealt with, e.g., safely deposited or, if possible, reused. From 2010 to 2016, 6,182,277 Mg of waste was deposited during mining of rock raw materials in the Lower Silesia region in Southwest Poland. Extraction activities were responsible for 46.95% of that waste, while mineral processing was responsible for 53.05% of that waste. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of waste resulting from mining rock raw minerals in Poland’s Lower Silesia region. In the study, an inventory of waste deposited during rock raw mineral mining and processing was prepared. Then, a geographic information systems (GIS) database that included information on the quantity and quality of waste generated during rock raw mineral mining and processing during the 2010–2016 study period was created. It was used for assessment of the variation of waste distribution and density in time and space with GIS kernel density estimation (KDE) functions. Spatial context of mining waste production and distribution over a period of 7 years in Lower Silesia were analyzed and presented graphically. The study revealed increasing accumulation of mining waste and helped to identify spatial clusters of its deposition in the region. Based on a literature study and the identified main waste types, the potential of selected types of this waste for re-use was analyzed and prospective uses were proposed. The methodology of quantitative and spatial analysis used in this research can be applied to studies in other regions coping with the problem of a large amount of mining waste.

Overview of Polish Mining Wastes with Circular Economy Model and Its Comparison with Other Wastes

This article discusses the main issues associated with waste from mining activity, which is the largest group of combined waste in Poland. A series of domestic and foreign solutions (practical and laboratory solutions) were indicated here, aimed at the management of waste in accordance with the tendency of circular economy (CE). In connection with the legislative changes, there is a need to resign from storage of the waste that is recyclable. The authors indicate mining waste as a potential for further studies, searching for solutions in regard to the use of waste as a raw material for sustainable, secondary use/reuse. Based on EUROSTAT data, the types of waste from mining and quarrying were grouped and the juxtaposition of all waste generated in Poland was implemented in the context of selected European economies. It was indicated which types of waste can be identified for reuse and management in accordance with CE. Rational management of mineral raw materials and therefore, maintaining of the level of extraction of domestic natural resources will contribute to maintaining not only energy independence, but also the leading position of Polish mining in the international aspect in the scope of extraction of metallic and rock raw materials. Mining waste can be and is reused in accordance with the concept of CE, which was showed through the example of domestic industry enterprises and their business models.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research on the Waste from the Mining of Rock Raw Materials in Lower Silesia

The Lower Silesia area in SW Poland is characterized by a geological structure that is conducive to mining activity. The exploitation of rock raw materials plays an important role in this sector of the economy. By the end of 2017, there were in total approximately 400 current concessions for the exploitation of rock raw materials in the analysed area (Polish Geological Institute, MIDAS database—Management and Protection System of Polish Mineral Resources). The conducted mining activity results in waste, which in the greatest amount occurs in the process of obtaining crushed road and construction aggregates, natural aggregates, carbonate raw materials for the cement and lime industry, as well as stone elements for construction and road engineering. At the end of 2016, the mining plants accumulated 26,569,600 Mg of waste. As part of the European Regions Toward Circular Economy (CircE) project, research was conducted on the volume and composition of the mining waste of rock raw materials in the years 2010–2016 within Lower Silesia. This research used the methods of statistical, descriptive and spatial analysis to identify mining plants with the highest potential for using their wastes. In the course of this study, 6 mining plants with the highest potential of using their waste for industrial production purposes were selected. In order to objectively select these plants, the methodology of qualitative multi-criteria analysis was developed, and 7 criteria were selected for assessing the economic potential of using waste from the mining of rock raw materials. An additional result of this research is a database and graphical presentation of changes in the spatial distribution of generated waste in the Lower Silesia region in the years ranging from 2010 to 2016.

Excavation topography modelling in the context of adaptation to climate change on the example of “Brzeziny” Natural Aggregate Mine

One of the key activities of adapting to climate change is the revitalization of post–industrial areas. A special case of such areas are post-mining areas in the mining of rock raw materials, which as a result of opencast mining have a completely different characteristics from the surrounding landscape. Therefore, there is a great need to undertake actions aimed at adapting post–mining areas to climate change. However, to properly design these activities, a method should be defined to assess the level of adaptation of post-mining land to climate change. For its needs, the Topographic Adaptation Index was developed and applied in this paper. In order to determine the level of adaptation to climate change in the studied mine, three models were created in which the course of the Topographic Adaptation Index was analysed depending on the variable spatial conditions.

Analysis of conditions and the concept of multidirectional revitalization of the dolomite quarry in Siewierz

The development of mining of rock raw materials in Poland has significantly contributed to economic growth and the quality of life of local communities. However, mining activity, besides a number of positive effects, also implies broadly understood changes in the environment and the formation of brownfields. Reclamation and redevelopment of post-industrial areas, and especially post-mining areas, is currently a huge environmental and socio-economic challenge. Revitalization of post-mining areas is particularly important for small towns and municipalities, where mining was one of the main pillars of development and prosperity. An example of such a municipality is Siewierz in Silesian Voivodship. In the paper analysis the conditions have been conducted and the concept of revitalization of dolomite quarry Górnicze Zakłady Dolomitowe S.A. has been proposed. The AHP method has been used to analyse and select the optimal method of revitalization. As a result of the analysis, the concept of multidirectional revitalization with socially, economically and environmentally beneficial functions has been created, maximizing the potential of the quarry.

Skały Lubelszczyzny w budownictwie i architekturze regionu – glaukonit

W artykule, który w zamyśle autora jest pierwszym z cyklu omawiającego materiały kamienne i surowce mineralne Lubelszczyzny wykorzystywane na przestrzeni dziejów w budownictwie i architekturze oraz innych działaniach inżynierskich i technologicznych, przedstawiono glaukonityt. Ta charakterystyczna, zielona skała jest stosunkowo mało znana, oszczędnie wymieniana w podręcznikach petrografii i surowców skalnych. Skała ta pojawiła się w architekturze najprawdopodobniej tylko w ziemi chełmskiej w XIII wieku i była wykorzystana wyłącznie do budowy I fazy stołecznego Chełma. Później nie była już wykorzystywana i mało znane stały się miejsca jej występowania i pozyskiwania. Skała ta pozwalała na wykonywanie, w porównaniu do innych skał Lubelszczyzny, dużych formatowych bloków oraz obróbki kamieniarskiej o stosunkowo wyrazistych reliefach oraz skomplikowanych kompozycjach. Gwarantowało to możliwość realizacji założeń ideowych pierwszych kamiennych budowli romańskich na obszarze między Wisłą i Bugiem i to od razu w dojrzałym wydaniu stylistyki XII-wiecznej szkoły pizańskiej. Analiza petrograficzna i materiałowa tego unikatowego surowca kamiennego i śladów jego wystąpień złożowych pozwala w przybliżeniu lokalizować historyczną eksploatację glaukonitu oraz inne rejony występowania tej skały. Na podstawie dostępnych obiektów budowlanych i architektonicznych oraz narzędzi możliwa jest wstępna rekonstrukcja warsztatu kamieniarskiego oraz architektury XIII- wiecznych założeń sakralno-rezydencjonalnych Wysokiej Górki w Chełmie.

Thorium and Uranium in the Rock Raw Materials Used For the Production of Building Materials

Thorium and uranium are constant components of all soils and most minerals thereby rock raw materials. They belong to the particularly dangerous elements because of their natural radioactivity. Evaluation of the content of the radioactive elements in the rock raw materials seems to be necessary in the early stage of the raw material evaluation. The rock formations operated from deposits often are accumulated in landfills and slag heaps where the concentration of the radioactive elements can be many times higher than under natural conditions. In addition, this phenomenon may refer to buildings where rock raw materials are often the main components of the construction materials. The global control system of construction products draws particular attention to the elimination of used construction products containing excessive quantities of the natural radioactive elements.In the presented study were determined the content of thorium and uranium in rock raw materials coming from the Bełachatów lignite deposit. The Bełchatów lignite deposit extracts mainly lignite and secondary numerous accompanying minerals with the raw material importance. In the course of the field works within the framework of the carried out work has been tested 92 samples of rocks of varied petrographic composition. There were carried out analyses of the content of the radioactive elements for 50 samples of limestone of the Jurassic age, 18 samples of kaolinite clays, and 24 samples of siliceous raw materials, represented by opoka-rocks, diatomites, gaizes and clastic rocks. The measurement of content of the natural radioactive elements thorium and uranium based on measuring the frequency counts of gamma quantum, recorded separately in measuring channels. At the same time performed measurements on volume patterns radioactive: thorium and uranium. The studies were carried out in Mazar spectrometer on the powdered material. Standardly performed ten measuring cycles, after which were calculated the concentration of radioactive elements in the sample.The highest concentration of thorium and uranium has been found in the clayey raw material. Their value was respectively from 8 to 12 mg/kg for thorium and from 2.3 to 3.5 mg/kg for uranium. In carbonate sediments the content of thorium was at the level from 0.5 to 2.1 mg/kg and uranium from 0.5-2.2 mg/kg. From a group of the siliceous raw materials the diatomite had a highest concentrations of radioactive elements where the content of thorium was from 1.5 to 1.8 mg/kg and uranium from 1.3 to 1.7 mg/kg.