Mining Services International

Other

John T Day

Lex L Udy

Mark Reynolds

Clayton Odum

Metal cyanide suitable for shipment is prepared by introducing an aqueous metal cyanide feed stream to a crystallizer to form a slurry of metal cyanide crystals in their mother liquor. The crystallization step occurs at a temperature between 30.degree. C. and 70.degree. C., and preferably between 50.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. The metal cyanide crystals are separated from their mother liquor to form a wet cake product containing from about 75 to 98 wt. % anhydrous metal cyanide crystals, from about 4 to 24 wt. % water, and from about 1 to 5 wt. % of metal hydroxide. The wet cake product is placed into a shipping container for shipment to a desired location. A metal cyanide solution is prepared by dissolving the wet cake product.

Method for producing and shipping metal cyanide salts

A method of blasting using non-nitrogen containing explosives which protect the environment from pollution of nitrogen compounds is provided. The method includes the following steps: (1) combining an oxidizer, a fuel, water, and a binder such that an explosive is formed which is substantially free of nitrogen; (2) placing the explosive in a location selected for blasting; and (3) initiating said explosive. The nitrogen-free oxidizer may be a perchlorate such as sodium perchlorate. Using this method, the explosive may be a water gel, emulsion, a dry explosive, or a liquid oxygen explosive.

Methods of blasting using nitrogen-free explosives

A method and apparatus for delivering an explosive to the bottom of a borehole containing water without allowing a detrimental amount of mixing between the explosive and the water. More particularly, the present invention allows an ammonium nitrate rich bulk explosive to be placed in a borehole without allowing the explosive composition to change significantly through dissolution of its constituents. The apparatus of the present invention includes a length of collapsible tubing having a plurality of apertures near its base and a weight attached to its base. The tubing is then lowered into a borehole. The weight causes the tubing to extend through any water layer within the borehole and the collapsible nature of the tubing serves to keep any significant amount of water from entering the tube. An explosive can then be flowed into the mouth of the tubing and down through the length of the tubing to the bottom of the borehole. At the bottom of the borehole, the explosive exits the tubing through the plurality of apertures.

Methods and apparatus for loading a borehole with explosives

A dry explosive seismic composition which can be initiated by low grain detonating cord so as to minimize the fire hazards typically associated with seismic testing. Preferred compositions within the scope of the present invention include a sensitizer of Hexamine or a derivative thereof, such as Hexamethylenetetramine Mononitrate. The compositions of the present invention not only reduce the fire hazards associated with using such compositions, but they also resist vaporization of the sensitizer, thereby minimizing the problems associated with handling the compositions.

Seismic explosive composition

A cylindrical primer cup having a top end which may be sealed so as to safely contain granular or liquid explosive matter is disclosed. A cylindrical conduit extends in a straight path through the cup, providing an opening at either end permitting through-passage of detonating cord or blasting caps. The cylindrical conduit additionally has a fixed diameter throughout, facilitating its travel along a detonating cord. A frustoconical conduit extends well within the primer cup for the placement and frictional retention of blasting caps therein. The sidewalls of the two conduits are relatively thin to provide for easier primer detonation. Symmetrically placed columnar-shaped ribs provide longitudinal structural support for the cylindrical conduit.

Growing community of inventors

Sandy, UT, United States of America

John T Day