Lower Carboniferous limestone has been extracted in the “Czatkowice” open-pit hill-slope quarry in southern Poland since 1947, for the needs of metallurgical and building industries, as well as farming. We can distinguish two aquifers in the Czatkowice area: the Quaternary porous aquifer and the Carboniferous fissure-porous one. Two vertical zones representing different hydrodynamic characteristics can be indentified in the Carboniferous formations. One is a weathering zone and the other one the zone of fissures and interbedding planes. Groundwater inflows into the quarry workings have been observed at the lowest mining level (+315 m above the sea level (asl)) for over 30 years. This study concerns two hypotheses of the sources of such inflows originating either from (a) the aeration zone or from (b) the saturation zone. Inflows into the quarry combine into one stream flowing gravitationally to the doline under the pile in the western part of the quarry. This situation does not cause a dewatering need. Extending eastward mining and lowering of the exploitation level lead to increased inflows.

The article describes the testing of four selected samples of limestone originating from four commercially exploited deposits. The tests of sorbents included a physicochemical analysis and calcination in different atmospheres. The main aim of the tests was to determine the possibilities for using limestone during combustion in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. Tests in a synthetic flue gas composition make it possible to assess the possibility of CaCO3 decomposition in atmospheres with an increased CO2 concentration.

The preliminary stage of asphalt mixture production involves the drying and dedusting of coarse aggregates. The most common types of coarse aggregates used are limestone and basalt. In the process of drying and dedusting the dryer filter accumulates large quantities of waste in the form of mineral powder.

This paper introduces an investigation into limestone powder waste as a potential microfiller of polymer composites. Physical characteristics such as the granulation the of powder collected from the filter - in terms of the season of its collection and the type of input materials used - were analysed. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for the investigation described within this paper. The obtained results were compared against those of other materials which can be used as polymer composites microfillers.

Waterproof lime dust used in coal mines is an important element in the system of protection against explosions. This is one of the oldest methods used to prevent coal dust explosions and, according to an expert’s opinion, it will remain so for a long time. T he work is a summary of research on the development of a new method of producing waterproof limestone dust to use it as an anti-explosive powder in coal mines. The typical method of hydrophobic dust production (milling limestone with stearic acid) is no longer profitable due to the restructuring of the mining industry. The main research was conducted on raw materials traditionally used during the production of anti-explosion powder, namely limestone meal with a grain size diameter equal to 80 μm (Czatkowice Limestone Quarry) and stearic acid as a modifier. Silicone preparation and bituminous preparation (Bitumenovoranstrich) were used as additional modifiers. The hydrophobization process was conducted with the use of different techniques: from stearic acid ether solution, from stearic acid vapor, from methyl silicone resin or bituminous preparation solutions. A series of research on modified powders to determine hydrophobization and flow properties was conducted. Depending on method of hydrophobization, the test of “floating on water”, the extraction of stearic acid was carried out, water contact angles on compacted material were determined, the thermal decomposition of powder was made. The increase in moisture after wet storage was indicated. The flow properties of powders were measured with the use of the Powder Characteristics Tester. The evaluation of the suitability of each hydrophobization methods in achieving the intended purpose was valued.

 Widespread opinion holds that calcareous rocks have limited suitability for use in the production
 

 of aggregates and stone products having adequate frost resistance. However, some of the rocks, in
 

 particular those from earlier geological periods, provide a promising alternative to silicate rocks.
 

 The paper presents results of the analysis of Devonian carbonate rock originating from two selected
 

 mines in the Swietokrzyskie region. The examined mines extract limestone from two different
 

 deposits of the same age. The rock samples are collected from beds lying at different depths, distinct
 

 in texture and color in macroscopic examination. It was found that despite the changes in bulk density,
 

 porosity and absorption, all the examined samples were frost resistant.
 

 Using the Differential Analysis of Volumetric Strain method, the content of ice formed in the pore
 

 spaces was determined. In addition, the ratio of the content of water capable of freezing to the total
 

 pore volume, and the total amount of water absorbed due to capillary action in rock samples soaked
 

 in water, were analyzed. In all cases, it was revealed that the destructive action of freezing water was
 

 weakened due to a relatively low content of water capable of freezing and a substantial volume of
 

 pores that are not filled with water in capillary absorption.
 

 It is extremely important to be able to classify the available rock material. The generally adopted
 

 methods, including absorptivity tests, do not allow for precise categorization. In the investigations,

the authors focused on the analysis of the basic factors that are decisive for rock durability, including bulk density, pore filling level and volume absorption. The authors do not correspond compressive

strength and resistance to abrasion as this will be the subject of further research.

The article presents tests carried out on three selected samples of limestone originating from three commercially exploited deposits. The tests of sorbents included desulphurisation in different atmospheres and a physicochemical analysis of desulphurisation products. The aim of the tests was to determine desulphurisation efficiency and conversion degree as dependent on the concentration of O2 and CO2.

The article presents the problem of selecting the correct type of limestone for producing paving stones used to renovate the surface of Mariacki Square in Krakow. Due to using up local limestone deposits, imported limestones began to be used. The first one was a Turkish limestone with the trade name Lotus Beige. Despite substantial physical and mechanical parameters (compressive strength 134 MPa, water absorption 0.26%), after several years of use, the paving stone cracked and, as a result, fell apart into smaller fragments. Hauteville limestone from France has been selected for the following reconstruction of the surface. This limestone in the air-dry state was characterised by even higher parameters, i.e. compressive strength of 157 MPa, flexural strength at 16.9 MPa, Bohme Abrasion test at 15275 mm3, and water absorption at 0.23%. The tests also showed absolute frost resistance and high resistance to thermal shock. Unfortunately, after several years of using the surface of Mariacki Square, cracks and flaking of the rock material have been observed in terms of some paving stones. These cracks appeared within the so-called stylolite seams, which are a natural feature of limestone. Despite a very strict selection of materials, unfortunately, problems with the surface’s durability could not be avoided.

The article is an attempt to compare the impact of the use of various types of limestone as the main constituent of cement on selected mortar properties. Four different limestones were added in amount of 15, 30, 40% to CEM I 42.5 R to obtain limestone cemens. Rheological properties (yield stress, plastic viscosity) of fresh mortar, tensile and compressive mortar strength, early shrinkage, and drying shrinkage were tested. Obtained results indicate that both tensile and compressive strength decreases with the increase of the limestone content in cement. Limestone can worsen or improve workability, depending on distribution of limestone grains. The addition of limestone increases the early shrinkage, but reduces the shrinkage after 28 days. Studies show that the granulation of limestone plays an important role in determining the influence of limestone on mortar properties.

The correlation-regression method, as one of the indirect sampling methods, is only sporadically used in geological and mining activities. Theoretically, it should be particularly useful for predicting the content of some chemical components in limestone and marl deposits due to the correlation between them. The results of simple and multiple correlation and regression analysis for 5 selected components (CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, and SO3), determined in samples from exploratory boreholes and blast holes carried out in the Barcin-Piechcin-Pakość deposit, are presented in the article. The determination coefficients were used as a measure of the correlation power and the quality of the regression models. A very strong linear correlation between CaO and SiO2 content and strong linear correlations between CaO and Al2O3 and SiO2 with Al2O3 have been found. The correlation relationships of the remaining pairs of oxides are weak or very weak and do not provide a basis for prediction of their content based on regression models binding them with the content of other components. The use of nonlinear models for these pairs of oxides results in only a slight improvement in the quality of regression, insignificant from a practical point of view. The application of multiple regression models, linking the content of the mentioned components (with the exception of CaO), leads to similar conclusions. Compared to the determination coefficients of a simple linear correlation, a strong increase in determination coefficients obtained in two cases was found to be artificial and caused by a correlation between the content of the selected components acting as independent variables. From the geological and mining point of view, the results of the analysis indicate the possibility of a fully reliable prediction of SiO2 content and the limited reliability of the Al2O3 content prediction when the CaO content is determined using simple linear regression models.

Stemming plugs are one of the widely used accessory in surface mining operations. Stemming plugs assist conventional stemming material in gas retention and help in better fragmentation and explosive utilization. Effective use of the stemming plugs results in economic benefits and enhance the efficacy of the project. Economic and productive viability of stemming plugs have been conducted in depth by different researchers. Addition of stemming plugs to a new system requires ergonomic challenges for operators conducting drilling and blasting operation. Induction of a newer product in already established system is subject to overall positive feedback. This work investigates ergonomics of three different stemming plugs introduced to a limestone quarry in Pakistan. The stemming plugs were evaluated based on extra time needed, workers feedback, failures during operation, recovery time after failure and number of extra equipment required to carry out the operation. Points based matrix was established with likeliness of each plug and based on overall scores stemming plug 1 was most acceptable followed by stemming plug 3. Stemming plug 2 was disliked by operation and did not reach the level of acceptability of operators. This work will help stemming plug making industry in adapting to best practices by incorporating ergonomics of plugs in designing. Literature shows no previous work on ergonomics of stemming plugs.

This article presents the results of research on carbonate rock samples taken from Triassic sediments of the northern area of Chorzów City. The aim of the research was to identify the mineral phases of these rocks, especially carbonate phases. The rocks from the roof part of the Bundsandstein profile and floor part of the Muschelkalk profile - Gogolin Beds - are typical sediments from the northern part of Chorzów City. These rocks were mined in the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century. The article also presents the results of research on samples of carbonate rocks taken from investigated strata. It provides a Petrographic description, the results of microscopic analysis executed in polarized, transmitted light, X-ray analysis, and microprobe measurements using a scanning microscope. The results of these analyses showed that dolomites dominate in the Bunsandstein strata. Dolomites (The sampled rocks?) are composed mainly of dolomite, but sparry calcite was also identified. Moreover, quartz, clay minerals, muscovite and iron minerals were observed in the Bundsandstein rocks. The Muschelkalk sedimentsare mainly represented by limestone. In some areas, conglomerates were also found. The conglomerates are composed of carbonate rock boulders connected by carbonate cement. Two generations of calcite were observed while investigating the limestone. The first generation calcite is micritic, and the second generation calcite forms sparry crystals different in size and shape. In some areas of the sparry calcite it is possible to observe perfect rhobohedral cleavage. Moreover, dolomite, rhodohrosite, and noncarbonate minerals like quartz, muscovite, and clay minerals were identified. The results of microscopic analysis also showed that the limestone is different in texture. The limestone presents the following textures: biomorphic, detrical, sparry, microsparry and micritic.

This article presents the history of mining for rock raw materials in the Cieszyn area since the beginning of the 20th century. The study assessed the possibility of continuing these activities in relation to the ongoing enlargement of conservation areas. The conflict between mining these deposits and environmental interests was described. The results of the analysis allowed for the identification of potential sites for further exploitation of Godula Sandstone and Cieszyn Limestone. The study used analog and digital data which were subjected to the procedures specific to the GIS (Geographic Information System) methods. The exploitation of Cieszyn Shale and Limestone played an important role in the first half of the 20th century. They were used for the production of lime and cement. However, the importance of these materials decreased gradually due to declining demand and quality. In later years, after the closure of the cement plant in Goleszów, limestone was used only for aggregate production. Natural aggregates and clay raw materials were initially exploited in small excavations based on local needs, and later in an organized manner with documented deposits. At present, mining of these materials has been discontinued. The centuries-old tradition of Godula Sandstone block production was maintained during the last hundred years. In the last decade, their extraction was conducted in the original quarry, as well as several new quarries. Additional resources have been documented at other locations. Because of the nature of the product, such extraction (in small quarries, without the use of blasting agents) does not significantly affect wildlife. Moreover, the locations of current and former mining operations often become tourist attractions. This is evidenced by the fact that the documentation sites are established on the basis of such excavations. Numerous objects of protection established in recent years have led to a major conflict between the exploitation of rock materials and the environment. This prevents development or even the continuation of exploitation. Therefore, in future planning processes, efforts must be made to characterize mineral deposits as a part of nature, requiring protection.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the hydrodynamic behaviour of a stratified bed filtration column consisting of 4 cm of sand and 2 cm of limestone to remove turbidity and measuring the head loss through the filter in several runs. In this study, two types of sand were used as filtering bed material, one fine and one medium. Crushed limestone was also available. These materials were characterized to determine the average particle diameter, porosity, and permeability coefficient. These were respectively 1.7∙10 ^–4 m, 336.96 and 0.68 m∙day ^–1 for fine sand, 3.3∙10 ^{–4 m}, 654.24 and 2.59 m∙day ^–1 for the medium sand and 1.26∙10–3 m, 388.8 and 8.64 m∙day–1 for crushed limestone. Using these materials, hydrodynamic analyses were carried out using clean water under rapid filtration conditions. In these analyses, different filtration rates were determined to be used in each experiment. Once the filtration rates were determined, the filtration analysis was performed with synthetic turbid water prepared at 8 NTU using tap water and bentonite. From the results obtained, a predictive model was developed based on total head losses for the evaluated filter, maintaining the rapid filtration condition. As a result, a turbidity removal efficiency of 97.7% was obtained with a total head loss of 17.8 cm at a filtration rate of 153 m·day ^–1. The developed model predicted head loss as a function of operating time, filtration rate, and filter depth to maximise turbidity removal. The model showed excellent prediction accuracy with R2 of 0.9999, which indicates that the model predictions are not biased. It was concluded that, due to the porosity of these materials, a stratified bed of sedimentary rocks has a great potential to be used in surface water filtration processes, which implies that it could be used at the rural community level as a form of water treatment, since the

The effects of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) on the rheology and viscoelasticity of cement-limestone paste were evaluated, as was the mechanism of HPMC from the viewpoint of zeta potential and adsorption amount. The results revealed that the greater the content of HPMC or the viscosity of its aqueous solution, the lower the fluidity of the composite paste and therefore the higher the rheological parameters. The relation between torque and rotational velocity of cement-limestone paste is linear; nevertheless, the shear thickening degree of paste increased following the addition of HPMC, demonstrating typical viscoelastic properties. The addition of HPMC prolonged the induction duration and delayed the emergence of the exothermic peak of hydration, decreased zeta potential and conductivity, and increased the propensity of suspension particles to agglomerate. The adsorption amount of polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) decreased with increasing aqueous solution viscosity and HPMC concentration due to the winding effect of HPMC’s high molecular chain structure and the competing adsorption of HPMC and PCE.

Calcium Sulfoaluminate cements (CSA) may be an alternative to Portland cements due to their very high early strength and more environmentally friendly production technology, however they are characterized by a short setting time and high cost. A possible solution to these problems is to mix CSA cement with other binders or additives. In order to test this possibility, CSA cement was mixed with Portland cement and limestone in the amount of 10, 20 and 30 wt. %. A hydration heat test was carried out in the first 72 hours after the components were mixed, measured were compressive and flexural strength after 1, 2, 7 and 28 days, and rheological properties, including early shrinkage. A negative interaction between CSA and CEM I 42.5R was observed, leading to deterioration of mechanical properties of the mortars. The study did not indicate a similar negative interaction between CSA cement and limestone.

To produce the lime required for the Bayer process, two parallel flow regenerative shaft kilns (PFR) were used in the Iran Alumina plant located in Jajarm, North Khorasan Province, Iran. In this study, the calcination conditions of limestone were modelled in a laboratory furnace by considering three factors of limestone size, temperature and calcination time using the Box-Behnken method. The calcination model of limestone was obtained using a quadratic equation. Due to the importance of limestone dust in the performance of industrial kilns, conditions of calcification and its reactivity with water were examined at three temperature ranges of 800, 1000, and 1200°C, by two methods of titration and standard ASTM C110. The results indicated a decrease in reactivity of lime relative to the increased temperature of calcination and the lack of forming the burnt lime particles that stick together (blocking). Finally, the ratio of input limestone (kg) to fuel (m3) was reduced from 16.4 to 15.3 to increase the average temperature of the burning zone to 1000°C. Also, excess air was reduced from 40 to 20%. In this condition, the lime quality was increased by about 6% in the kilns.

In the Fore-Sudetic Monocline area, gas deposits occur in carbonate rocks of cyclothems PZ1 (Zechstein limestone Ca1) and PZ2 (main dolomite Ca2). The location of deposits is closely connected with zones of carbonate sedimentation. Generally, gas deposits occur within barrier zones and at the foot of carbonate platforms. The outburst of rock fragments into the heading of the KGHM Rudna mine in 2009 was evidence that gas could also appear in the basin zone Ca1 of the copper deposit. 2D and 3D surface seismic surveys comprise the basic method which is applied to hydrocarbon prospecting. The main advantage of this method is the fact that P-wave velocity and bulk density decrease as a result of gas saturation of the pore spaces. As a result, one can observe anomalous seismic [records(activity?)] which can be connected with gas deposits, and reservoir interpretation of seismic data is based on Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators analysis (DHI). This paper presents and compares seismic images of gas saturation [in traps(trapped?)] in a typical carbonate barrier (Kościan gas field in Ca1) at the foot of a carbonate platform (Lubiatów gas field in Ca2), and in a porous/fractured zone in Ca1 dolomite where there was a gas outburst in the Rudna mine. Based on available well logging data and 1D seismic modeling (synthetic seismograms) this study developed criteria for identification of gas-saturated zones for each case. The results of the study provide the following basic criteria for gas saturation: (1) phase change at Ca1 bottom from negative at the basin zone to positive at the barrier zone - for the Kościan barrier Ca1; (2) the bright spot at the top of the saturated zone - for the Lubiatów deposit at the foot of the carbonate platform; (3) reflections with close to zero amplitude at the bottom of Ca1 dolomites - for the porous and fractured deep-water zone of the Rudna mine.

Washing is very popular technological operation removing clay particles from aggregates. The amount of mineral washing sludges increases. Besides filling the excavations, there is no common method of their utilization. The usage of sludges from washing aggregates in building ceramics might be environmentally friendly way to utilize them.

This paper presents laboratory research on two type of sludges: from dolomite and limestone aggregates washing. Selected properties of sludges such as water content, particle size distribution (sieve and areometric method), chemical composition (XRF), mineral composition (XRD), thermal properties (STA/EGA, dilatometry, heating microscopy) and stability of fired materials during steam exposure were determined.

It was found that dolomite sludge contains more clay minerals and less carbonates, it is more finely grained than limestone sludge. Limestone sludge has large fluctuations in water content and has high content of potentially hazardous calcite grains. During heating up to 1300°C of both dried sludges decarbonation and sintering take place. Dolomite sludge softens, melts and flows below 1300°C. After firing sludges at 1000°C material made of limestone sludge is not resistant to steam.

The obtained result suggests that dolomite sludge can be used in building ceramics technology without processing as main component of ceramic mass. Limestone sludge have to be ground before its application in building ceramic materials. Results suggest that it can not be used as the main raw material in ceramic masses, but only as an additive.

Blasting cost prediction and optimization is of great importance and significance to achieve optimal fragmentation through controlling the adverse consequences of the blasting process. By gathering explosive data from six limestone mines in Iran, the present study aimed to develop a model to predict blasting cost, by gene expression programming method. The model presented a higher correlation coefficient (0.933) and a lower root mean square error (1088) comparing to the linear and nonlinear multivariate regression models. Based on the sensitivity analysis, spacing and ANFO value had the most and least impact on blasting cost, respectively. In addition to achieving blasting cost equation, the constraints such as fragmentation, fly rock, and back break were considered and analyzed by the gene expression programming method for blasting cost optimization. The results showed that the ANFO value was 9634 kg, hole diameter 76 mm, hole number 398, hole length 8.8 m, burden 2.8 m, spacing 3.4 m, hardness 3 Mhos, and uniaxial compressive strength 530 kg/cm2 as the blast design parameters, and blasting cost was obtained as 6072 Rials/ton, by taking into account all the constraints. Compared to the lowest blasting cost among the 146-research data (7157 Rials/ton), this cost led to a 15.2% reduction in the blasting cost and optimal control of the adverse consequences of the blasting process.