The Circulating Load: Practical Mineral Processing Plant Design by an Old-Time Ore Dresser [Paperback]

Robert S. Shoemaker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873352181 | ISBN-13: 978-0873352185 | Publication Date: May 2002

This how-to guide is loaded with innovative ideas and practical solutions to some of the most troublesome minerals processing challenges. From mess-free flooring to inventive crusher and conveyor designs to time-saving quality control techniques, this reference of tips and tricks is full of fresh approaches to age-old problems that can inhibit mill operating performance Veteran metallurgical engineer Bob Shoemaker spent his 40-year career seeking out better ways to design and manage minerals processing operations. Visiting dozens of plants worldwide, he witnessed some of the industry's best ingenuity at work. He also saw his share of mistakes. Part engineering, part common sense, this treasure trove of tips and tricks presents new and smarter ways to manage minerals processing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Society for Mining Metallurgy (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873352181
• ISBN-13: 978-0873352185
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fewer Spills in the Mines - The Best Ideas, September 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Circulating Load: Practical Mineral Processing Plant Design by an Old-Time Ore Dresser (Paperback)

Bob Shoemaker has probably designed, and visited, more processing plants than any millman around...and he also took the time to write down much of what he learned. As he notes in SME's new book The Circulating Load, "...I found that the managers and mill superintendents of ...plants were most hospitable in showing me their operations and freely answered any questions I asked. During these visits I observed many clever ideas in plant design...and also many mistakes...." These ideas (and mistakes), from Bob and others in Bechtel, were collected over the years in an in-house publication "published in the interest of fewer spills in the mills." The Circulating Load is a compilation of the best of those ideas, along with a generous helping of editorial comment by Bob Shoemaker.
Bob writes well - and always to the point. What about slope on mill floors? Everyone who has hosed a spill on a flat mill floor has vowed to never allow that mistake in a new mill again - but what is the proper slope? Bob has a well thought out recommendation. Which way should the slots run on floor trench grating? There's a right way and a wrong way. How do you load fines on a conveyor belt with a vertical curve? Bob tells us how - and why.
The author does have strong opinions: "The vibrating feeder...is not a feeder in the true sense of the word but is actually - sometimes - a vibrating, self-destroying transport device". He is however, always fair: "There are ...applications where they can be employed successfully"; and better yet, spells out what a millman or engineer needs to consider in selecting and installing this type of feeder.
The book contains suggestions for operators on simple ideas to improve operations (The leaky cyclone valve really does work) and to include in new mill design. Don't ever design a convey system again without re-reading "Notes on Conveyors". On the other hand, you probably only have to read once "Never Hire a Plumber Who Claims to be a Pipefitter".
And "Storage Bins". There's an engineering lesson or two here, but that doesn't interfere with a good story.
She's deep enough.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book but...., November 25, 2011

By 

Danny G - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Circulating Load: Practical Mineral Processing Plant Design by an Old-Time Ore Dresser (Paperback)

You can tell that this author has been in the business for a long time and knows what he is talking about.
Good points throughout the book.
The only downside to the book is that there are VERY few drawings in it, I have been in the mining business for several years and understand what he is describing but for a novice it will be a challenge.
Danny G

4.0 out of 5 stars A Ready Reckoner.....!, August 10, 2009

By 

Atul S. Kamath "Mine Owner - Iron Ore" (Bangalore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Circulating Load: Practical Mineral Processing Plant Design by an Old-Time Ore Dresser (Paperback)

A really practical book for mine owners & mineral processors, which briefly and quickly tells you, how to avoid commonly made mistakes. Simply put, this is a "Ready Reckoner" of most commonly made mistakes in the Mineral Processing Industry. More often than not, it tells you "what not to do"...!
A slightly expensive book, though...!