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Geophysical methods are useful non-invasive means of collecting subsurface information on the environmental impacts of resource developments. Techniques such as seismic refraction, ground probing radar and magnetics are well established tools for environmental studies of waste disposal sites. Repeat resistivity surveys, gravity surveys, and infrared or multispectral remote sensing hold great promise for monitoring environmental changes. Examples from New Zealand include geothermal field monitoring, which may involve the use of geophysics for .detecting changes of surface thermal activity, hydrothermal eruptions, induced earthquakes, contamination or depletion of shallow groundwater, and subsurface fluid recharge. Other examples include resistivity monitoring of contained effluent disposal ponds, tailings dams and landfills. Experience has shown that care is necessary to identify the natural variability of the parameter measured before drawing conclusions regarding an observed change.

Jan 1, 1994

This paper describes the behaviour, under creep conditions, of a cast lead creep specimen consisting of five crystals, the boundaries of these crystals being substantially at right angles to the direction' of tension, i.e., across the long axis of the specimen. This particular specimen was obtained in an attempt to produce a single crystal in the manner described in the appendix of a previous paper (1).Thus, the specimen was of the same shape and size, was composed of the same purity lead and received the same preliminary treatment as the single crystal test-pieces.The object of the experiment was mainly to observe the effect of the crystal boundaries on both the deformation of the test piece and the process of recrystallisation and to compare the creep rate of the test-piece with that of a specimen consisting of one crystal only.EXPERIMENTAL METHODThe specimen had an effective test length of 10 cms. and a cross $ection of 0·5 in. x 0·25 in. In Fig. 1 is given a sketch of the specimen to scale showing the positions of the crystal boundaries on all four surfaces. Except for those of crystal No. 4, which was confined to approximately one-half the cross section of the specimen, the boundaries of each crystal traversed the four faces.The specimen was mounted in exactly the same manner as the single crystal specimens. During the creep test, it...

Jan 1, 1941

By Spooner H. W

The paper describes the search for mineral deposits in an area of 4,500 sq. miles of south-west Tasmania. The area is one of difficult access and the problem of speedy movement and maintenance of field parties was solved by the use of helicopters. The programme has followed a systematic pattern of the aerial photography of the exploration area with the preparation of photQmosaics and topographical base sheets from these mosaics. Geological maps were initially prepared by photogeological interpretation and making use where possible of pre-existing information. The maps produced were later checked by ground traverses. Geophysical maps were obtained by the use of airborne magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric methods. Geophysical and geological anomalies were checked on the ground by a campaign using ground geophysical equipment in the former case and geological and geochemical work in both instances. Audio Frequency Magnetic and Induced Polarization techniques were used in an area which was covered by several hundred feet of Tertiary sediments.The campaign has reached the stage of the drilling of specific targets.INTRODUCTIONThis paper describes the activities of Lyell-E.Z. Explorations (L.E.E.), an organization which was formed in 1956 by the Mt. Lyell Mining and Railway Co. Ltd. and the Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia Ltd. to explore for mineral deposits in an area of approximately 4,500 sq. miles in southwest and southern Tasmania. To provide the necessary personnel and equipment for this project the exploration resources of both Companies were pooled and augmented and a headquarters was established in Queenstown. The work was directed by a Committee of four made up of officials from both Companies; a review of this structure has recently been presented by Hall (1959).

Jan 1, 1960

By I M. Platten, C J. S Sangster, Y Xie

The Cononish gold-silver deposit is a steep, relatively narrow quartz-vein system, with a current total mineral resource of 154 000 oz Au and 589 000 oz Ag. The northeast-southwest trending system was emplaced into late Proterozoic metasediments, and postdates metamorphism and associated Caledonian Orogenic foliations. Assay and mineralogical data show that gold and silver is spatially associated with sulfides in quartz. The main sulfide is pyrite, but galena, chalcopyrite and sphalerite occur in small amounts. Gold occurs as electrum, with minor native gold, and silver occurs additionally as tellurides and native metal. The gold/electrum is fine-grained, generally less than 100 microns in size. The main ore shoots plunge 45¦ south-west, have a 40 m to 80 m intersection with the existing underground development and extend between 40 m and 260 m down plunge. Small-scale sulfide-bearing domains within the vein carry the highest gold grades. They collectively define the ore shoots, where one or two, and rarely three, of the domains are present at an individual site in the vein. Discontinuity of individual domains, variation in domain thickness and internal heterogeneity results in short scale variation in grade across the structure. Geological mapping along a 1.2 km exploration adit has provided critical æconditioningÆ data to support resource evaluation based on development and relatively wide spaced drilling. In addition, it has provided an indication of potential challenges that could be encountered during production.

Jan 1, 2009

A modified liquation technique was developed for recovering tin from tinhouse scruff metal or hardhead containing about 10 per cent iron and 15 per cent occluded flux, palm oil, and moisture. This was effectedby heating the scruff metal to 950°C followed by rapid cooling to suppress the formation of FeSn2 and FeSn, and then subjecting it to the ordinary liquation and drossing processes of refining. By this method it was possible to recover about 83 per cent of the original tin content and, with subsequent smelting of the irony drosses, an overall recovery of 92 per cent was obtained.

Jan 1, 1969

The iron ore deposits of the Port Hedland district of North Western Australia are associated with band'ed sedimentary iron formations that form part of the local succession of folded and faulted Archaean volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The iron formations are regarded as the protore beds or sources of the iron which became concentrated by supergene processes to form commercial grade iron ore deposits.Iron oxide deposits occurring in situ within the protore beds are considered to be of residual-replacement origin, due to supergene leaching of gangue minerals and' deposition of secondary iron oxides in their place, Two types of deposit have been recognized. Lode deposits are deep lenses of massive hematite located adjacent to major faults. These deposits are thought to be very old and to have originated by supergene processes during the long period of erosion represented by the major unconformity between the Archaean rocks and the overlying Proterozoic beds. The other type, known as crust ore deposits, are shallow cappings of hematite and goethite on hills formed by the outcrops of steeply dipping protore beds. These deposits could have originated as far back as the early Mesozoic and it is possible that the ore-forming process is continuing at a slow rate at the present day.Deposits formed by erosion and re-deposition of material derived from pre-existing residual-type deposits are known as derived deposits. These include conglomerates and scree accumulations of various types and ages and pisolitic deposits formed by supergene leaching of transported detritus. Derived deposits range in age from early Proterozoic to Recent. The presence of pebble accumulatio,ns of lode-type hematite in the Proterozoic basal conglomerate provides good evidence that lode hematite deposits existed in pre-Proterozoic times.INTRODUCTIONThe existence of iron ore deposits in the Port Hedland district of Western Australia has been known since the beginning of the century, but little attention was paid to them untIl the 1930's, when the Commonwealth Aerial, Geological and Geophysical Survey of Northern Australia carried out investigations of most of the then known mining fields of the Northwest Division. The only iron...

Jan 1, 1964

The difficulty of accurately sampling cyanide gold bullion for valuation is well known, and nothing new or original is claimed in presenting this paper, but it was thought that a record of differences in the composition of bullion bars found here may be of interest to others, and perhaps helpful to those who have to do with theevaluation of cyanide bullion. This investigation was made after reading Mr. Sydney W. Smith's interesting paper on the Liquidation in Molten Alloys.*A method was in use of boring each ingot in two places and mixing the two borings for the sample. More accurate values were obtained, however, when the bullion was sampled in a molten condition immediately before casting into the ingot; the sample being so taken as to preclude oxidation of base metals before solidification of the sample.In all, samples from 32 ingots were assayed, and comparisons made between the existing boring sample and the proposed dip sample. Assays were also made of two other portions of the borings from each ingot, and the results show that in the majority of cases the borings sample assays higher in gold than the dip sample of the same ingot.The largest ingot cast weighs approximately 920 troy ounces, and has the dimensions shown in the attached sketch (Fig. 1). Ingots are cast in 0.1. moulds i in. thick, smoked and heated.METHOD OF TAKING BORING SAMPLES OF BULLION BARSThe bar is cleaned from adhering slag and drilled in two places only, to a depth of i-in., one hole on the top near one end and the other in the bottom at the opposite end of the bar.

Jan 1, 1931

To the industrial geologist, as wen as to the general or historic geologist, the possession of a reliable key to the true order or sequence of the stratigraphy or position of the various upper rocky envelopes of the earth's crust, is, equally, a desideratum of the utmost importance. Of similar value to the two groups of students is the possession of facts which throw light upon the relationships which subsist between the puccessive rock formation of different countries, especially between countries lying close to each other, or within the same great geographical division.But there is necessarily a fundamental distinction which marks the respective limits of the field of observations of the industrial geologist, and the purely historic interest of the general geologist. The former has a more definite though less extensive scope. The scope of the latter is wide and indeterminate. In short, the observations of the industrial geologist are, 'from a commercial or economic point of view, of a more practical character, and are, therefore, intentionally restricted to the study of all geological questions which throw light upon the rocks which yield products of economic value and only include the study of the character and history of other rocks, in so far, as they afford aid to the more perfect comprehension of the best manner in which materials of economic value are likely to be sought, and the best means whereby these products may be secured for the material advantage of the community. The motive of the general geologist-in most cases-is a love of the study of some particular branch or province of the geological field, and the fascination of opening a new volume in nature's library, and the hope of extending the realm of knowledge, however slight, are often sufficient, as a motive, to enlist the energy and life's devotion of the true brethren of the hammer, irrespective of considerations regarding the commercial utility of the pursuit.

By J Dwyer, M Hill

Downer’s mining division has made an operational and financial commitment to developing engineered solutions that mitigate the risks associated with operator proximity to uncontrolled development drill boom movements, and unguarded rotating drill steels.With the potential for serious injury or fatality, these identified risks are categorised as critical. Previous attempts by the industry to engineer them out have produced limited success, with numerous incidents still occurring year on year. Ultimately, the industry (as a whole) remains reliant on procedural prevention for operator safety.Downer understood the success of such an initiative would largely depend on the effective collaboration between operational experience, technology experts and automation. With so many variables requiring consideration; such as physical operator movement, machine boom movements, variable machine positions, and underground environmental impacts – challenging traditional technologies was necessary to deliver an optimal solution.For that reason, discrete detection (similar to laser curtains or beams) was considered not fit for purpose. The use of situational mapping, using rotating lasers, however, provided the optimal solution. The lasers collect data that is then processed using a custom software application.The software application is specifically programmed for tracking and classifying objects within detection zones, using advanced algorithms and filtering. Recognition and removal of non-positive disturbances are possible without losing personnel detection capability. The detection of relevant classified objects (humans) is determined by analysis of object size, age, movement, and speed etc. When the relevant object is detected, an alarm and inhibit function is applied preventing drilling functions.Any breach of the safety zone (forward of the front jacks) will automatically disable the hydraulic boom function. This can only be reset in the cabin once the person or persons have returned past the front jacks of the development drill into the safety zone.Downer, in collaboration with partner YUMARR Automation, has successfully developed this reliable boom isolation system, and is called JumboGuard. The system has now been commissioned and installed across all Downer Mining development drill fleets, operating in Australia.CITATION:Hill, M and Dwyer, J, 2017. JumboGuard – automatic boom isolation system, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2017, pp 287–294 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 16, 2017

By P Paredes, T Leaño, D Gajardo, C Tramón, S Peñaloza

The definition of an ore handling system and its consequent layout design is of crucial importance in cave mining projects. It not only represents the main driver in the production capacity and reliability of the mining system, it is also a fundamental variable in the footprint’s development time and cost.In recent decades, load-haul-dump (LHD) tramming distance optimisation through the allocation of several orepasses inside the footprint has been the most common practice in ore handling system layout definition at Codelco’s operations. Today, the improvement of existing technology, such as higher-capacity LHDs and jaw-gyratory crushers, and intensive preconditioning techniques to improve fragmentation allow the conceptualisation of simple and highly productive ore handling system layouts for wide caving areas that avoid the complexity and high cost of developing numerous orepasses inside the footprint.The initial macroblocks of the Chuquicamata underground mine project (PMCHS) consider an ore handling system layout in which LHDs dump into orepasses located inside the footprint area. The ore is then transferred into crusher chambers located below the production level, where it is crushed by jaw crushers and then conveyed to surface. In an effort to reduce development time and costs, a new ore handling system layout for the PMCHS experimental macroblocks was engineered using improved technologies and techniques in a simpler mining system. This paper compares the new ore handling system layout for the project’s experimental macroblocks with the traditional LHD-orepass layout in terms of production capacity, reliability, development time and cost.CITATION:Paredes, P, Gajardo, D, Leaño, T, Peñaloza, S and Tramón, C, 2016. Simplifying the ore handling system through the use of current technology at Chuquicamata underground mine project, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 571–584 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By R Munoz, R González, J Vallejos, A Delonca

In panel caving in underground mines, it is essential to characterise and monitor the stress and stability state of production level pillars to ensure the extraction of the mineralised ore column and the safety of workers. Pilar Norte is a sector in the El Teniente mine that forms a pillar between the undercut fronts of the adjacent Esmeralda and Reservas Norte sectors. It exists in a high-stress environment, which may induce damage to the rock mass production pillars. Generally, numerical models are calibrated using observed damage in galleries. This procedure does not discriminate between the structural condition and/or the blasting damage effects. This paper proposes a technique that uses borehole cameras to measure stress-induced damage. This has the advantage of being at the intact rock scale, meaning that the effect of geological structures is negligible and the blasting damage factor is eliminated. Comprehensive geotechnical characterisation and tomography monitoring has been undertaken at Pilar Norte to describe and determine the rock mass behaviour of the production pillars. By combining analytical, empirical and numerical models, a correlation between the measured overbreak recorded by the borehole cameras and the stress level of the pillar was developed. The methodology can be routinely applied to estimate the stress state in the production pillars.CITATION:González, R, Munoz, R, Vallejos, J and Delonca, A, 2016. Characterisation and monitoring of the stress state of production pillars at El Teniente Mine, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 197–202 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

Study on Mineral Processing of Refractory Copper-Nickel Ore

Sep 13, 2010

Valuable Components Recovery from Lead-Zinc Metallurgical Slag

Sep 13, 2010

Common brattice cloths in use in Australian coal mines are compared by permeability measurements. The respective advantages of twill weave and tarpauling* weave cloths are listed, and the improvements to be obtained in the ventilation of a mine by using tarpauling cloths instead of the commonly used twill cloths are stressed. Plastic cloths are widely used overseas and are briefly discussed.INTRODUCTIONThe onset of extensive full-scale mechanization in Australian coal mines during the past few years has increased attention given to the ventilation of working places. Many inadequacies of the present system have been brought to light and not the least of these is connected with the use of brattice cloth, both in directing the flow of air around the face and in acting as a temporary sealing mechanism. A well-constructed line of brattice will only provide fair ventilation for a distance of 100 ft. Beyond this point the volume or air reaching the face falls off rapidly.Some of the shortcomings associated' with the use of brattice cloths are:1. Hurried installation, necessitated by a rapid advance, often results in poor workmanship with, consequently, an excessively high leakage rate.2. High places caused by falls of roof are difficult and time-consuming to seal.3. Curtains, in lines of brattice crossing transport routes, are difficult to maintain.4. Lines of brattice interfere with rock-dusting and clean-up of fine coal.5. Repair and maintenance of brattice consumes much...

Jan 1, 1959

Power Plant. The power for the metallurgical operations is supplied by the company's own power plant, which is centrally situated. Power is also supplied to Metal Manufactures Ltd. and Australian Fertilizers Ltd., both being adjacently situated to this company'sworks.The power supplied is direct current, 250 volts, and is obtained from direct-current generators coupled to turbines and to Belliss & Morcom triple expansion engines.The steam supply is obtained from Babcock & Wilcox water tubular boilers, the fuel used being drawn from the South Coast coal mines.Transport. - The works are connected by standard broad gauge railway to both the jetties and the Government railway. Two steam and three electric locomotives are employed in this service.In addition to its own requirements, transport is provided to Metal Manufactures Ltd. and Australian Fertilizers Ltd.The various operating departments are connected by a 2-ft. gauge railway operated by Jeffrey electric locomotives.Ore Storage and Sample Mill - These departments are connected by broad gauge line to the Government railway and jetties. All material which is railed or shipped to the works from the various centres is weighed, sampled and placed in the ore store, or outside gantries, before being treated.Since the whole of the material received is either purchased or treated on a toll charge, great care is necessary in the weighing and sampling of all the receipts.Assay Oflice--The assay office is divided into several laboratories, where analyses of the various purchased materials and works samples are carried out.

Jan 1, 1938

By Silver EA

The Finisterre Range on the north coast of Papua New Guinea is the uplifted forearc riagio.n. of a modern arc-continent collision. The core of the range is composed of the P- nisterre Volcanics, an Oligocene''-arc terrane. The southern flank of the range consists of a clastic sedimentary sequence which is an uplifted accretionary wedge and collision complex. This clastic sequence can be subdivided into three distinct units. To the south of aiid structurally below the Finisterre Valcanics are the Mebu beds, an Oligocene- $arly Miocene sequence of volcanolithic turbidites. The Erap Structural Complex is south of, and structurally below the Mebu 43eds. , It consists of three subunits; the 3rly Pliocene micaceous turbidites of the Sukurum unit, contemporaneous pillow basalts AF{ the Basalt unit, and Late Pliocene to Pleistocene volcanolithic turbidites of the -Nariawang unit. The Quaternary Leron Formation, a fluvial to shallow marine 'clastic unit, is the southernmdst. and structurally lowest unit of the clastic -sequence The Finisterre Range is dominated by a fold-and-thrust belt with most thrusts "dipping steeply N. Melange fabric _ is developed in the vicinity of major thrusts. "ffle thrust belt strikes NW, oblique to the regional convergence direction, but no strike-slip motion is observed along NW striking faults.

Jan 1, 1991

Detailed petrographic analyses of coal seams from the Newcastle, Illawarra, and Lithgow Coal Measures were made for a number of localities for each of twelve seams. From these analyses characteristic standardprofiles were derived for each seam. Two broad types of profile were found; one in which vitrite-poor and vitrite-rich layers alternate, and another in which there is a steady decrease in vitrite from the base to the top of the seam. From comparison of the petrographic profiles it was concluded that the Great Northern Seam in the Northern Coalfield is a possible equivalent to the BulIi in the Southern; and likewise the Fassifern to the Balgowni...

Jan 1, 1967

Working in thick coal seams presents many problems, included in these is obtaining the maximum recovery of coal under safe working conditions. In order to obtain maximum extraction it is important to understand the behaviour of pillars left for support purposes. However it is not always the practice to maintain pillar stability it is often required to design for pillar failure. The greatest hazard of pillar mining is uncontrolled pillar collapse. Many major and relatively minor collapses of pillar workings have been recorded in the history of mining. Notable among the collapses was that at Coalbrook Colliery in South Africa in 1960 (Bryan et al 1964). This led to recommendations on the design of bard and pillar workings in South Africa. (Salamon 1967) These design recommendations were based on the statistical analysis of stable and unstable pillar workings and introduced the concept of probability of pillar failure and safety factor. On the basis of this study a safety factor of 1.6 was prescribed for production panels in South Africa. A general review of pillar design procedures, reveals that a new phase of reinterpretation and modification is in progress. This takes into account for instance the effect method of working, whether by conventional drilling and blasting or continuous miner, has on coal pillar strength, and the necessity to review the methods for increasing depth of working. Also, as more is being understood about overall rock mass properties and advanced computer modelling techniques become more readily available, the mine planning engineer is faced with numerous approaches to pillar design.

Jan 1, 1989

Flat jack stress determinations in selected colliery roadways have revealed a range of measured stress from 330 lb/sq. in. tension to 3,750 lb/sq. in. compression. Photoelastic examination of loaded plastic and actual rock model mine openings has shown that the primary horizontal stress required to attain these measured stresses would be from one to three times the superincumbent vertical load.Examination of roof movement with a borehole extensometer and a series of anchors at various horizons to 30 feet in a vertical roof borehole showed that when a standing face was advanced the roof movement was practically confined to the lower two feet. The majority of this movement occurred during the 36 hours after mining at this face commenced.The use of a radioactive isotope and a scintillation counter in a pair of parallel boreholes is a sensitive and accurate method of roof bedding plane crack detection.INTRODUCTIONA knowledge of strata stresses is required to understand the deformation of an underground opening and, in particular, the roof behaviour. It is the aim of investigations currently being conducted by Australian Coal Association (Research) Ltd. to determine the stress existing around mine openings and the location and magnitude of roof movement.STRATA PRESSURE MEASUREMENTMost measurements of strata stress are performed at the surface of underground openings and the majority measure the change of strain resulting from stress relief. The accuracy of the measured value of stress depends upon knowledge of the rock modulus of elasticity. The flat jack method has the advantage that strain relief is restored by a measured stress applied directly by the jack. The rock modulus of elasticity can also be determined.

Jan 1, 1963

The Tertiary gold deposits of the Hauraki area are predominantly epithermal vein types containing mineral assemblages of quartz, calcite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, acanthite and native gold (electrum). Sulphosalt, telluride (eg hessite), seleniferous sulphide and selenide minerals are important locally. Studies of wall rock alteration mineralogy, fluid inclusions in gangue minerals, and sulphur isotopes of sulphide minerals indicate that the ore forming fluids had the following parameters: pH, near neutral at depth but acidic near surface; temperature, predominantly 320 - 270¦C for base metal dominated assemblages, 280 - 200¦C for precious metal dominated assemblages and generally below 200¦C for late stage barite; apparent salinity, six to zero equivalent weight per cent NaCl; and CO2 concentration, generally around one mole per cent CO2. There is fluid inclusion evidence for boiling during mineralisation in some deposits. Moderate values off S2 and FO2 are indicated for base metal and mixed base metal û precious metal assemblages of most deposits by the predominance of pyrite + chalcopyrite over other iron-bearing phases; primary bornite is absent, whereas pyrrhotite, hematite and magnetite rarely occur in the veins. The largest gold û silver deposits formed from solutions in which the sulphur species in solution were predominantly reduced. Near surface environments and some deep, predominantly base metal, deposits were formed from solutions with approximately equal concentrations of oxidised and reduced sulphur species.

Jan 1, 1984