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By H Bao, M Nehring, M Kizil, P Knights

The mining sector, a notably energy-intensive industry worldwide, is a major consumer of fossil fuels, leading to significant carbon emissions globally. The move towards electrification, coupled with advancements in battery technology, has redirected focus from traditional diesel-powered solutions to battery-powered alternatives. This paper introduces a novel mining haulage system, termed the Battery Trolley system, and examines its theoretical foundations, configurations, and operational processes. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the system’s characteristics and limitations. Through a hypothetical road simulation, the study analyses various battery mining trucks, calculating energy consumption based on force parameters and tailoring battery sizes to contemporary materials and technology. When assessing various battery truck alternatives—considering aspects such as battery size, effective payload, duty cycle, energy efficiency, productivity, and single-shift production—a range of performance outcomes and characters become apparent within the mining context. The findings indicate that Battery Trolley configurations, requiring smaller battery capacities, entail lesser compromises on effective payload. Consequently, these configurations achieve a higher duty cycle, reduced energy consumption per tonne, heightened productivity, and enhanced singleshift production capabilities compared to Battery-only alternatives. The comparative analysis of Battery Trolley with stationary charging (BT-S) and Battery Trolley – dynamic charging (BT-D) underlines that battery Trolley systems are capable of overcoming the challenges associated with battery size, thus successfully fulfilling the production demands of large truck applications in mining. This positions Battery Trolley systems as a more advantageous option for the decarbonisation of mining fleets, underscoring their potential in contributing to the sector’s sustainable evolution.

Sep 1, 2024

By J Stipcevich, N Patel, J Faithful5, S Narendranathan, L Tatnell4

ENGIE, the current owner and operator of the Hazelwood Open Cut coalmine, are in the process of rehabilitating the mine site in preparation for mine closure. Bucket wheel excavators (dredgers) used during coal mining operations are in the process of being demolished, which involves the controlled felling of dredger components using explosives. With the mine located in close proximity to the Morwell township and other critical public infrastructure, it is crucial that the use of explosives and the possible implications for mine stability is well understood. The felling of Large Mining Equipment (LME) will apply an impact load immediately to the underlying coal benches with the adjacent coal batters potentially at risk also of adverse slope stability impacts. This paper presents the 3D stability modelling methods employed to successfully assess the potentially adverse stability implications associated with LME collapse.

Jun 21, 2022

Incidental to the progress of a geological survey of the Kalgoorlie goldfield during 1927 - 1928 a number of specimens of telluride minerals were obtained, chiefly with the help of Mr F G Brinsden, general manager of the South Kalgoorlie mine, and Mr Ernest Williams, general manager of the Boulder Perseverance mine. This collection was supplemented by a number of small specimens, including the rare copper telluride, which were collected and preserved from the Kalgoorlie mine by Mr A E Paton, and also by a few miscellaneous specimens from the collection of MrS F C Cook, of the Palace Hotel, Kalgoorlie.An extensive knowledge of the rare tellurium-bearing minerals was compiled during the last century from occurrences in Transylvania and Colorado. The recognition of different species has been based on chemical analyses and crystallographic measurements. In a few species there has been an absence of crystalline form, and these, together with the discoveries in this century of rickardite and 'weissite', muthmannite and empressite, have depended chiefly on the chemical analysis for identification. On the other hand, the crystalline form of nagyagite and stiitzite has been described in detail, while their precise chemical formulae were doubtfully defined.The announcement of the occurrence of tellurides at Kalgoorlie by A G Holroyd in the Kalgoorlie Mine on 29 May 1896, followed by their discovery in comparative abundance, stimulated the further study of these minerals. In this locality there is a general absence of well-formed crystals, and the knowledge gained has been confined to the record and description of previously known, but exceedingly rare, species.No new species has been recorded, but the intimate association of various species resulted in early description of two supposedly new species, kalgoorlite and coolgardite. These have been discredited since the investigation by L J Spencer in 1903, based on a collection of specimens donated to the British Museum.Spencer's list of species at Kalgoorlie comprises calaverite, sylvanite (or krennnerite), petzite, coloradoite, 'and altaite, and does not include hessite, previously mentioned by Krusch. In 1912 melonite and a copper telluride were added by J A Thomson and the presence of hessite confirmed. In 1912 there also appeared a full and detailed account by E S Simpson on behalf of the WA Geological Survey, which embraced his earlier notes on the tellurides, and which represents the state of our knowledge of the Kalgoorlie minerals, practically as far as can be attained without the use of the reflecting microscope.The position has been stationary for about 18 years, and it was thought. that the best use to which the present collection of tellurides could be devoted was an attempt by mineragraphic methods to study the mineral relationships, not only of the tellurides among themselves, but also to gold and other associated minerals. The precise mineral content and relationships become a factor of added importance with the development of flotation methods of treatment at Kalgoorlie.Moreover, the study would supplement the description of the ore deposits of the Boulder Belt that has recently been published.

Jan 1, 1994

By Rosenblatt M, Gilroy J. A C Cunningham C V B

Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited operates one of the largest producing gold mines in the world. The annual production of 76 tons of gold from 12 million tons of ore treated is obtained mainly from underground sources. Daily some 6.6 km of stope face is blasted and 41 tons of explosives is used to break the rock. The mine employs 45 000 men of whom 35 000 work underground. The company operates nine large vertical shaft systems of which seven extend more than 2000 m below surface and an eighth, currently being sunk, will bottom at 3700 m below surface.

Jan 1, 1995

By Szymanski J

Although efforts towards producing a `total quality rockfill product' have allowed cemented rockfill costs to be reduced considerably, there is still tremendous potential for further cost reductions. Cemented rockfill costs range from approximately $7 to $12 (US) per tonne of fill placed. Approximately 50 per cent of the rockfill costs are associated with cement costs. A large portion of the remaining 50 per cent is associated with labour and materials handling costs. Several Canadian underground mines utilise haulage trucks and/or conventional belt conveyors to distribute the rockfill. However, due to the restrictive nature of the underground environment, these current materials handling systems have limitations (ie spillage from trucks, dust from conveyors). The Sicon conveyor system (developed in Sweden) has considerable potential for replacing these current methods. The Sicon conveyor utilises a revolutionary approach - the conveyor belt is folded over upon itself (forming a tear drop shape) so that the transported material is completely encased within the belt. The Sicon conveyor's ability to negotiate very tight comers (without transfer points) makes the conveyor very appealing for underground mining applications. An analysis comparing the pros and cons associated with the Sicon conveyor system versus conventional materials handling systems will be presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 1995

By S Serp, M Duchateau, P Chevreux

Molten salt reactor (MSR) is a promising advanced reactor system aiming to the transmutation of minor actinides such as americium in order to reduce the inventory of ultimate nuclear waste. The fuel is a molten salt in which actinides are homogeneously dissolved in the liquid phase. A chloride salt may be retained for this concept, as it provides low melting point, high solubility of actinides, harder neutron spectrum. To avoid corrosion and precipitation issues, molten salt composition has to be carefully controlled with impurity content as low as possible. Obtaining pure actinide chlorides without contaminants such as oxide, oxychloride, hydroxide and water is still a challenge. To prepare actinide-bearing salt, the chlorination of actinides oxides was investigated in an unstirred reactor under flowing gas as solid-gas reaction. The carbochlorination of PuO2 were performed in the temperature range of 600 to 800°C with chlorine gas as a chlorinating agent and the presence of solid carbon. PuCl3 was successfully synthesised by this method and characterised by X-ray diffraction measurements but some impurities such as oxide phase remain inside the formed product. Refinements of anhydrous and hydrated PuCl3 phases by Le Bail method were also performed for crystalline materials definition. Conversion mainly depends on the chlorinating temperature and the contact between the oxide and the chlorinating agent. A conversion value of 70–80 per cent was achieved at 700°C from PuO2 with quite high specific surface area. The conversion rate was not improved with increasing the chlorination time. The volatilisation of Pu was observed during the carbochlorination experiments. To avoid a loss of Pu caused by sublimation, the chlorination temperature should be limited to 650°C despite that the conversion of PuO2 to PuCl3 was enhanced by increasing temperature. Both carbochlorination and hydrochlorination of AmO2 were also carried out leading to the formation of AmCl3. These first results suggest that americium oxide was chlorinated more readily than plutonium oxide. The purity of produced PuCl3 and AmCl3 still deserves further investigations.

Jun 19, 2024

By V Pere

A geotechnical data management system has been developed to manage drillhole and mapping data generated from in house and consultant administered field programs. This system comprises a data collection interface with integrated validation, processing and reporting functionality. Development of the database required careful consideration of how and what geotechnical information is gathered in the field, a clear understanding of the interdependency of the parameters, and the outputs required to support geotechnical design.The acQuire Geoscientific Information Management System was selected as the preferred software to support the process because of its ability to easily manage data from capture in the field through to quality reviews and ultimately into reports. Initially only geotechnical logging of diamond core was considered, subsequently the system has been expanded to support additional geotechnical data sources such as laboratory test results, traverse and window mapping data. This paper focuses on the core logging data acquisition, validation, analysis and presentation of data.The acQuire Geoscientific Information Management System has proven to be a robust platform for the capture, interrogation, and reporting of geotechnical data. Data entry objects have been created to manage seven different areas of geotechnical data collection ranging from core logging to mapping to automated reports for falls of ground.

Aug 22, 2011

By H Lemos, E Nunes, D Jacobson, R Costa, L Ono, A Alves, H Delboni Jr

Oversize rock breaking and metal tramp removal are key issues for reducing primary crusher downtime, as well as improving the safety associated with its operation. Remote operation of such tasks would thus not only increase productivity, but also reduce the risks related to work in confined spaces, fall risks, and overhead hazards. These issues are particularly relevant in high-capacity operations such as iron ore mining, where large machines are in continuous operation. This article describes the architecture, construction and advanced testing of a novel remotely operated robotic mechanism for assessment and removal of metal tramp from primary crusher chambers. The system essentially includes a robotic-arm equipped with a hydraulic clamp tool for handling oversize material, as well as an oxy-flame module for cutting metal pieces entrapped within the primary crusher cavity. The first industrial unit was delivered to a large iron ore mine in Brazil, where the installation and testing is scheduled within the coming months.

Nov 8, 2021

This work was instituted to investigate the microscopic structure of brown coals by means of microtome sections cut from them. It was found to be essential to impregnate the coal with some material prior to cutting, because of its powdery and crumbly nature. Of a number of impregnating materials tried, e.g., glycerine gum, gelatine, by far the most satisfactory was paraffin wax. Samples of brown coals for section cutting must be moist. When obtained, they should be put immediately into air-tight tins, and, if they are not to be used for some time, it is desirable to keep them under water containing a small amount of formalin. If the sample is allowed to dry in air, it becomes too hard to be cut. It cannot be softened again even by prolonged soaking in water.PREPARATION OF COALSmall rectangular, blocks were cut from the sample with a chisel and a strong scalpel. The largest block prepared was 3·2 x 2·5 x 0·6 cm. The faces of the block from which sections were to be cut were approximately levelled before treatment. The block was then painted carefully on all sides with two coats of warm aqueous agar, approximately 2 %. This prevented crumbling and breakage of the block during treatment. When the agar was set, the block was placed in water, and all the air removed with a vacuum pump. The water was replaced first by alcohol, then by chloroform, by the usual step transference of a series of liquids, in each of which the block was placed for 24 hours: Ethanol %, 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, 85, 95, 100 (three changes); Ethanol-chloroform, 3: 1, 1: 1, 1 : 3, chloroform pure (three changes) '. The blocks were then embedded in paraffin of melting point 56-58°C. Fresh...

Jan 1, 1947

By S Dykes, R J. McCarthy, B Klein

There is growing interest in the mining industry on the application of ore sorting. While many are familiar with particle sorting, including the limitations that technology presents (e.g. throughput), bulk sorting, with its higher throughput potential, is less understood. Despite the potential to sort at higher throughputs, few operations have adopted bulk sorting processes, certainly not at large scale. It is suggested that the inability to reliably predict outcomes from bulk sorting may be limiting its adoption in mining projects. Consequently, an evaluation approach for bulk ore sorting has been developed such that mass pulls and grade upgrades can be predicted in the context of a mining study. The approach allows for evaluation of drill core assays and application of the consequently derived heterogeneity relationships to the block model for estimation of sorting outcomes. These processes were applied to conveyor-based bulk sorting for the CuMo project in Idaho, USA and are described in this paper.

Nov 10, 2020

By Schofield D

The problem of production scheduling is sufficiently complex to negate the use of many conventional optimising techniques as there are numerous and diverse factors that must be considered when trying to produce an optimal schedule. These factors include: grade distribution, orebody geometry, production rate capacity, processing constraints and market price of the minerals amongst a variety of others. In addition it may be observed that many of these factors incorporate a degree of uncertainty and any schedule produced must inevitably consider risk as a primary consideration. The very nature of the problem has limited the use of conventional optimisers. Genetic algorithms use methods based upon evolution and natural selection to produce `optimal' solutions to complex system problems. They are extremely flexible and robust in their nature and it is these characteristics that are important in this particular problem domain. A particular strength of the genetic optimisation approach is the ability to handle the multiple and non-linear constraints that are typically encountered in mine scheduling problems. This paper concentrates on the development of a prototype application of a genetic algorithm to the problem of scheduling the output from multiple production points in an underground mining operation. In particular it.describes a system (GO-SCHED) that can be customised to handle a wide variety of underground scheduling problems. GO-SCHED, a Windows-based system, can interface with a variety of databases and spreadsheets for data input and output and provides a simple intuitive approach to the solution of the scheduling problem.

Jan 1, 1995

The preamble to the mining Act sets out that such Act is to provide for the encouragement and regulation of mining within the State of Queensland. This paper will attempt to follow the legislative path of such aim and in particular to show what part Mining Wardens play in the administration of the Mining Act.The Mining Act empowers the Governor in Council to constitute Mining Districts and Mining Fields and to appoint any duly qualified officer of the Public Service of Queensland to be a Warden or a Mining Registrar. As a matter of practice Stipendiary Magistrates who hold office in the major centre within a Mining District are appointed Wardens and Clerks of the Court are appointed Mining Registrars. In some districts where there is no Stipendiary Magistrate the Clerk of the Court is appointed an Acting Warden with all the powers of a Warden. Every Warden so appointed is a Warden for the whole State.To achieve impartiality Section 74 of the Mining Act provides that a Warden shall not hold or be entitled (directly or indirectly) to the benefits of any share or interest in a mining tenement or mining venture and provides a penalty of $1000 or imprisonment for six months or both, for contravention of such section.

Jan 1, 1986

By Morrell S

As more and more autogenous and semi-autogenous mills are run in closed circuit with cyclones the limitations that can be imposed by poor grate and pulp lifter design are becoming increasingly apparent. Relevant literature on the subject is al

Jan 1, 1997

The Sons of Gwalia Mine in Western Australia is situated about 140 miles north from Kalgoorlie in arid country, where supplies of fresh water are difficult to obtain.Mine salt water is used throughout the treatment plant, whilst fresh water for domestic, boiler, and power purposes is pumped from a number of shallow outlying wells. The waters from all wells are constant in character, although they vary in the quantities of salts contained.An average sample of mixed waters gave the following analysis (Gr. per gal.):Sodium chloride 70.82Magnesium chloride 33.03Calcium chloride 26.98Calcium carbonate .. 11.57Calcium sulphate 22.71Iron oxide and alumina 2.10Silica and insoluble 4.58When this water is used in the boilers in its natural state it is scale-forming and intensely corrosive.

Jan 1, 1927

By Brown N. R

This paper attempts to highlight some of the problems encountered in the economic exploitation of the deeper coal seams by opencast mining methods. The major cost elements of three methods of overburden removal are examined in relation to the overall cost of winning coal from deeper-lying coal seams. The three overburden removal methods examined are dragline stripping and two systems combining dragline stripping with shovels and trucks at varying depths of overburden. A dragline is, undoubtedly, the most cost effective system of overburden removal for depths of up to 30 metres but it is suggested that, when dealing with incremental overburden depths in excess of 30 metres, engineers should consider carefully the possibility of using a shovel and truck operation, or other system, to augment the use of a dragline.

Jan 1, 1986

In mid-1998 Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB introduced the first member of a new family of drill rigs. This new family, Rocket Boomer L1C/L2C/L3C, is based on modern computer technology and also on what is characterised as information technology. The design of the drill rigs are modularised both in hardware as in the software. This means that the functionality of the drill rigs is upgradable step by step. Added upon the basic drill rig functions are the new options as ABC Regular (known also as Contour Control), ABC Total, drillplan generator and communication products. The main objectives of these functions are to facilitate real quality drilling.

Jan 1, 2003

By D W. Evans

Research into the dynamic properties of ground support elements continues to grow at a global level, given the increasing importance of this field of application within underground hard rock mining. Measuring the mechanical response of such elements under the rapid onset of simulated rock burst loads forms the basis for this experimental work, typically utilising gravitational drop testing methods. This field of research is fundamentally driven by an increasing need for dynamic performance data, given the constant evolution of rock bolting product designs, materials selection, combination testing and specific application needs based on ground types and loading scenarios. A smaller number of globally recognised dynamic test facilities have predominantly lead research within this arena, typically in association with academic institutes, larger industry groups and government research institutes. However, due to the increasing requirement for dynamic performance data, additional facilities have now emerged in order to satisfy the overall demand for test work. These newer facilities are more typically associated with suppliers to the underground hard rock industry, with experimental designs looking to replicate, at least in part, the work of the primary facilities. For standardisation, repeatability and calibration purposes, the cross validation of test data between primary and secondary facilities becomes an obvious and important consideration across this field of research. This paper outlines the development of a new dynamic drop test facility for testing rock bolts, including the structural design and associated high speed data capture system. Based on the utilisation of identical bolt types, material grades, anchoring systems and decoupled ‘free-lengths’, comparative data has been generated to provide cross validation of the new test facility against data generated by a globally recognised primary facility. The cross validation of data provides increasing confidence in the repeatability and accuracy of the new facility as activity continues towards the provision of further experimental test work.

Nov 29, 2022

By J Kwak

Driving sustainability concepts and practices into the heart of the design process is the key to achieving a successful, sustainable plant design. Engineering design practices, tools, systems and methodologies should be prepared around true eco-efficiency parameters, adopt wholesystems-thinking and consider life-cycle impacts for the design task. Experience dictates that the application of sustainable plant design practices is most likely to succeed if: The principles are well documented and explained. All stakeholders agree on what sustainability means. Sustainable plant design is treated as a core process. The principals of sustainable plant design are equally applicable in brownfield and Greenfield environments. Although brownfield situations provide the designer with less latitude for change, these types of projects do allow easier measurement and demonstration of relative impacts. This paper further develops the above points by drawing on case studies from HatchÆs repertoire.

Jan 1, 2004

By S Mundell, A Atkins, S van de Water

Geoscientific information management enables the capture, management and delivery of the original geoscientific observations and measurements of the earth’s natural resources. However, original observations and measurements are worth nothing if the quality and integrity of the data can’t be guaranteed. Geoscientific information is one of the fundamental assets enabling miners to make confident and accurate business decisions, whether that is defining a resource model, performing reconciliation, delivering ore reserve reports or meeting environmental compliance requirements. Without access to reliable, validated or verified data it increases the risk of miners using incorrect information for reporting and compliance. Industry codes, such as JORC, or government regulations, such as environmental compliance requirements, must be adhered to and companies should be able to confidently report to these standards. Without having a robust information management framework in place, it becomes a challenge to make trustworthy decisions, report confidently and reduce the risk of non-compliance. As a key initiative, good data governance should form one part of a miner’s information management strategy. Within the mining industry it is common for companies to only consider technology tools as the key focus for compliance whereas a mature information management focus will additionally consider people and process. All three pillars are critical for a miner to have confidence in their data driven decisions. This paper discusses an industry framework for best-practice geoscientific information management based on the observations gathered from analysing data management practices within the mining industry. It focuses on how the three pillars of people, process and technology are crucial elements to improve operational decisions and ensure companies are compliant.

Nov 8, 2021

By Emerson J

Drilling has always been one of the most important parts of the exploration process with most companies spending around 25% of their budget on drilling. Although superficially there appears to be little difference in drills and drilling practice a number of major refinements have taken place over the last decade that have significantly changed the drilling scene. One of the most important advances has been in hydraulic engineering giving rise to the Dual Purpose top drive drilling rigs. These have led to significant productivity increases with the high rotation speeds and longer fleets. Downhole technology has also advanced with better hammers, stronger drill rods, impregnated coring bits and improved drilling fluids. Although geologists continue to measure drilling performance on a cost per metre basis, greater consideration is at last being paid to the quality of sample produced. This is particularly the case with RC drilling where quite sophisticated automatic and semi automatic splitting devices have been developed. Drill operators are now required to be experienced in both Diamond coring and air drilling and be better qualified to maintain the more sophisticated machinery. Management of drilling companies or drilling divisions has also had to change to accommodate both the high capital cost of equipment and the demands of keeping drilling a cost effective exercise.

Jan 1, 1987