Questions and Answers
What is the chemical formula for Silica?
What is the primary function of Borax?
It lowers the temperature of slag formation and promotes a quiet and orderly fusion.
Which of the following compounds is a Basic Flux?
Lead in granular form is the collector of precious metals in the scorification assay.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the melting point of Sodium Carbonate?
Signup and view all the answers
The chemical formula for Potassium Cyanide is ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Which chemical is used as a reducing agent due to the carbon it contains?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main function of Litharge?
Signup and view all the answers
Argols are obtained from ______.
Signup and view all the answers
What is Herbert Clark Hoover known for?
Signup and view all the answers
The basic four group products separated by proximate analysis are moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ___ content.
Signup and view all the answers
Proximate analysis helps in understanding a coal’s combustion characteristics.
Signup and view all the answers
What does nominal refer to in finance?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the break-even stripping ratio?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following commodities were notably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the price of gold per gram as of August 2024?
Signup and view all the answers
Sub-bituminous coal is more commonly used because it is cheaper than anthracite.
Signup and view all the answers
What is volatile matter in coal?
Signup and view all the answers
What does carbon neutral mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the melting temperature of gold?
Signup and view all the answers
What is simple interest?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a cash flow statement?
Signup and view all the answers
What does a balance sheet provide?
Signup and view all the answers
Higher rank coals generally have lower sulfur content compared to lower rank coals.
Signup and view all the answers
What are products of combustion?
Signup and view all the answers
What law recognizes the rights of Indigenous Peoples in mining in the Philippines?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main objective of the Philippine Mineral Resource Council (PMRC)?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some common issues hindering foreign investment in mining?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the weakest rare earth element (REE)?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by overshot in diamond drilling?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Chemical Fluxes and Their Functions
-
Silica (SiO2)
- Classification: Acid Flux
- Function: Protects crucible and scorifiers from litharge's corrosive action
- Melting Point: 1625 °C
- Remarks: Excess silica leads to bi-silicates which can result in the loss of precious metals through slagging or matte formation.
-
Glass (SiO2)
- Classification: Acid Flux
- Function: Same as silica
- Melting Point: Same as silica
- Remarks: A minimal excess (5 to 10 grams) is permissible, but too much can spoil the assay.
-
Borax (Na2B4O7•10H2O)
- Classification: Acid Flux
- Function: Lowers slag formation temperature and promotes orderly fusion
- Melting Point: 560 °C
- Remarks: Commonly used as a cover for crucibles during fusion.
-
Borax Glass (Na2B4O7)
- Classification: Acid Flux
- Function: Same as borax
- Melting Point: 742 °C
- Remarks: More cost-effective alternative.
-
Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
- Classification: Basic Flux
- Function: Reduces melting temperature of mixtures
- Melting Point: 276 °C
- Remarks: Economical option.
-
Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3)
- Classification: Basic Flux, Desulphurizing, Oxidizing
- Function: Reduces melting temperature of mixtures
- Melting Point: 852 °C
- Remarks: Cost-effective.
-
Potassium Carbonate (K2CO3)
- Classification: Basic Flux
- Function: Reduces melting temperature of mixtures
- Melting Point: 849 °C
- Remarks: More expensive than sodium carbonate.
-
Litharge (PbO)
- Classification: Basic Flux, Desulphurizing, Oxidizing
- Function: Supplies lead for the collection of gold and silver
- Melting Point: 883 °C
- Remarks: Volatilizes at 800 °C; has strong affinity to silica, which if insufficient, leads to crucible damage.
-
Lead in Granular Form (Pb)
- Function: Acts as a collector of precious metals in scorification assays
- Melting Point: 326 °C
- Remarks: Same behavior as litharge.
-
Argols (Bitartrate of Potassium KH C4H4O6)
- Classification: Basic Flux
- Function: Acts as a reducing agent
- Remarks: Derived from wine barrels.
-
Cream of Tartar (C4H4O6)
- Classification: Basic Flux
-
Charcoal, Sugar, Flour
- Function: Serve as reducing agents due to their carbon content.
-
Iron (Fe)
- Classification: Desulphurizing & Reducing Agent
- Function: Decomposes sulphides of lead, silver, mercury, and others when heated.
- Result: Produces pure metal and iron sulphide.
-
Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)
- Classification: Oxidizing Agent
- Melting Point: 339 °C
- Remarks: Often avoided in assays due to its tendency to oxidize silver.
-
Potassium Cyanide (KCN)
- Function: Acts as both reducing and desulphurizing agent by forming potassium cyanate upon oxygen combination.
- Melting Point: 634.5 °C.
-
Salt (NaCl)
- Function: Usage unspecified, typically functions in many chemical processes.
Herbert Clark Hoover
- The 31st President of the United States, Hoover had a degree in Mining Engineering.
Proximate Analysis
- A method to analyze coal, dividing its composition into moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content.
- Helps determine coal's combustion properties and energy characteristics.
Nominal
- Refers to the stated interest rate in finance, not adjusted for inflation or other factors.
Break-even Stripping Ratio
- The ratio where costs of overburden removal equal the value of extracted ore.
- Critical for assessing mining project economic viability.
Commodity Prices Affected by Pandemic
- The COVID-19 pandemic altered commodity prices, initially causing drops due to demand reduction, followed by fluctuations linked to recovery trends and supply chain issues.
- Key commodities impacted include oil, gold, and industrial metals.
Price of Gold Today per Gram
- As of August 2024, gold is priced around 80.81pergramand80.81 per gram and 80.81pergramand2,530 per ounce.
Sub-bituminous Coal Usage
- More prevalent due to its lower cost and adequate energy content for power generation, in contrast to more expensive anthracite, used for specialized high-energy applications.
Volatile Matter
- Represents coal that turns into gas or vapor when heated without air, influencing the fuel's combustion properties and energy content.
Carbon Neutral
- Achieving an equilibrium where carbon dioxide emissions equal absorption, resulting in no net atmospheric increase.
Melting Temperature of Gold
- Approximately 1,064°C (1,947°F).
Melting Temperature of Nickel
- Approximately 1,455°C (2,651°F).
Simple Interest
- Calculated solely on the principal amount without compounding. Formula: I = P x r x t.
Estimation of Vein Thickness
- Conducted through drill core samples, geological mapping, and surveying techniques, providing direct vein thickness measurements.
Cash Flow Statement
- Illustrates cash inflows and outflows from operations, investments, and financing, crucial for assessing liquidity and financial health.
Balance Sheet in Economics
- A snapshot of a company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity at a moment, reflecting financial status.
High Rank Coal and Sulfur Content
- Higher rank coals like anthracite typically have lower sulfur content than lower rank coals such as lignite, though sulfur levels can vary.
Low Rank Coal Component
- Low-rank coals, including lignite and sub-bituminous, generally feature higher moisture and volatile matter, with lower carbon content than higher rank coals.
Lignite and Sulfur Content
- Contains varying sulfur levels, usually higher than those in higher rank coals, depending on local deposits.
Dash Line
- A line claimed by China to assert rights over a substantial area of the South China Sea, contested by several countries.
Earnings Before Income Tax (EBIT)
- A profitability measure showing earnings prior to income tax deductions, important for evaluating operational performance.
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) in Mining
- The IPRA of 1997 in the Philippines safeguards indigenous peoples' rights to their ancestral lands and natural resources.
Main Objective of PMRC in the Philippines
- The Philippine Mineral Resource Council promotes and regulates responsible exploration, development, and utilization of mineral resources.
Hindrances to Foreign Investment in Mining
- Regulatory uncertainty, environmental concerns, political instability, and high compliance costs impede foreign investment.
Products of Combustion
- Include carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter, varying based on fuel and combustion conditions.
Weakest Rare Earth Element (REE)
- Lanthanum is often considered one of the less critical REEs regarding market demand and physical properties.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on various chemical compounds including silica and their classifications. This quiz will cover the functions, melting points, and important remarks regarding these chemical substances. Perfect for students in chemistry courses!
