Longwall Gateroad Analysis AAI performed a comparative stability evaluation for the East Longwall Panel 8 Gateroads. Four different gateroads were analyzed, including three- and four-entry layouts. Analyses were performed using SALT4 and EXPAREA, both of which can model time-dependent salt behavior. SALT4 was used for two-dimensional analyses of gateroad profile stresses, while EXPAREA was used [...]
Trona/Soda Ash
Solution Mining of Nahcolite—Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado, USA AAI personnel have provided technical support during the development of this pioneer solution mining project using cavity development from long horizontal boreholes. Specifically, AAI provided field and technical support in a pilot drilling program to characterize rock structure and hydrologic data. Rock structural data generated from drill [...]
Solution Mining of Nahcolite Natural Soda took over operations at White River Nahcolite in 2003. AAI has continued to support the operations in permitting, ground control, cavern development, and subsidence monitoring. To monitor potential caving above the solution mine caverns, AAI has installed TDR cables and monitored the response as solution mining has progressed.
Solution Mining of Nahcolite NaTec/White River Nahcolite (WRN) was the first solution mine developed to recover soluble minerals from thin horizontal beds using long horizontal wells. AAI personnel provided field and technical support in a pilot drilling program to characterize rock structure and hydrologic data, and have since supported WRN with assistance in drilling production [...]
Solution Mining of Trona Eti Soda, Inc. is developing the Beypazari trona deposits in Turkey. AAI has been involved since 1999 in various projects. Initially AAI reviewed plans for underground mining the southern portion of the deposit. This involved review of geologic, geotechnical, and geo-hydrology to assess reserves; mine productivity; ventilation; and capital and operation [...]
American Soda, L.L.P. Agapito Associates, Inc. has been actively involved with the American Soda Project from 1997 through 2003. Major projects include: Stability assessment of pilot test cavern for permit application Design of subsurface solution mining plan Design of solution well completion Support in permit application to BLM, EPA, and affected counties Core drilling (7 [...]
Order of Magnitude Studies and Geotechnical Characterization Order of Magnitude studies for conventional room-and-pillar mining, longwall mining, and solution mining of a potential soda ash mine at Kazan, Turkey, were completed by AAI. The solution mining option was aggressively pursued by Rio Tinto and AAI was responsible for design of deep horizontal caverns, resource definition, [...]
