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The availability of three-dimensional computer hardware and software makes the solid modelling of geological entities a realistic and logical alternative to previous sectional and plan 'models'.The success of underground mining operations depends largely on the ability to accurately predict the three-dimensional location and grade of mineralisation in order to maximise the extraction of resources and minimise mining dilution. The integration of lithological, geotechnical and grade models into three-dimensional solid models provides an excellent basis for underground mine planning and operation

Jan 1, 1993

When mining of ilmenite deposits wet process of preparation is traditionally used. But this method needs large volume of water. The problem of water deficiency is characteristic of many regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Satpayevskoye ilmenite deposit is situated in the East Kazakhstan, its location has problems with water, and the mineralogical composition of rock is unfavourable: rocks contain up to 40 per cent of clays. That is why designers made a decision to use dry process of preparation for processing of these ores. Offered scheme and equipment selection are presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 2003

The valuation of resources companies is open to a huge amount of subjectivity. Not only are valuations subject to fast changing assumptions, such as commodity prices, exchange rates, ore grades, etc., but there is also no common agreement on the methodology to be used. To borrow from Malcolm Fraser, life wasn't meant to be easy for the resource company valuer. I will demonstrate three recent examples of valuations carried out but where the market or actual transactions done show very different results.

Jan 1, 1989

INDEX OF CONTENTSIntroduction.Systems of classification of coals.RankClassification of Australian coals.Defects of systems in use in other countries.Indexing by Fuel Ratio.Classification by Ultimate Carbon/Ultimate Hydrogen.Relationship between Fuel Ratio and ultimate composition.Suggested convention for classification.Origin and Evolution.Notes on directions of change of composition on Carbon Hydrogen chart.Summary and conclusion.Acknowledgments.Bibliography.Appendix.

Jan 1, 1948

The north-eastern half of the Yilgarn Block of Archaean Rocks lies in the and zone of Western Australia. In recent years a large number of gold mines have been established there, all requiring water supplies from local groundwater. The groundwater sources that have been utilised canprise bedrock, pre-Quaternary channel deposits, and Quaternary alluvium. In the search for groundwater each type of occurrence is considered, and the choice is made on the supply potential and logistics. This paper deals with groundwater in bedrock. Using examples, sane principles of the geology of groundwater occurrence are illustrated.

Jan 1, 1988

In 1975 the US Bureau of Mines (BOM) under contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), began a systematic mineral resource evaluation of Indian reservations in the United States. The purpose of the BIA/BOM program was to stimulate economic development on Indian lands through exploration and mining ventures with the mining industry. Since that time, 109 phase I reports (literature studies) and nearly 45 phase II and phase III (field studies) reports have been written by the BOM. The various tribes in conjunction with the BIA have access to these reports for decision making regarding mineral resource development.

Jan 1, 1990

The history of civilisation continues to register a steady tide towards the urban life as the basis of its social organisation. The manifestation of this movement is a continuous growth and increasing density of population in our towns and cities, as the favourite space for the development of humanity. Naturally, this trend raises a certain number of problems which grow proportionally with the size of the city. The use of the underground space has an important role to play in solving such urban problems. But various issues must be taken into account when developing urban underground space.

Jan 1, 1999

The competitiveness and future growth of the Australian mineral resources industry face a number of challenges. The paper addresses key factors likely to influence the attainment of high performance and continuous improvement including organisational leadership, management/employee relations, technology, safety, health and the environment. Business practices such as benchmarking, Total Quality Management and re-engineering to achieve process and performance improvements are commented on. Future success for the industry will largely hinge on global business skills, a sustained focus on Quality principles and achieving performance through people.

Jan 1, 1997

The mining industry in common with the rest of Australian industry is in the critical situation of facing a rapidly diminishing insurance market. Huge industrial complexes and massive mining risks with limits of liability of millions upon millions of dollars are becoming increasingly difficult to insure. Insurance underwriters are still reeling from the financial shocks of cyclones, floods and fires in Australia over the past couple of years. Risk Management which calls for manage- ment involvement in the control of losses offers a serious challenge to miners, industrialists and insurance underwriters alike. Without it the insurance market could disappear altogether.

Jan 1, 1975

By Collins L

The commercial success of a mining project can be strongly influenced by the business activity which takes place away from the mine site. The project revenue is determined by marketing success which results from persistent research and full realisation of suitable products and by-products and appropriate upgrading achieved in conjunction with proper material security and insurance. Significant costs of transport can be optimised, protection of the environment carefully managed and skilled employees acquired as a valuable asset. Working capital requirements are often substantial and should be carefully established and financed, possibly by special contractual arrangements for product sales.

Jan 1, 1997

The detailed engineering of a coal preparation plant is important from the point of view of optimum constructibility, operational security, ease of maintenance, operating costs, meeting environmental goals, safety, plant housekeeping and reduced corrosion and erosion. This paper reviews the several large coking coal preparation plants engineered by Fluor Australia in the past 10 years, and changes and trends apparent for detailed engineering of future plants. Areas of engineering to be covered are coal feed preparation, conveyor design, plant layout, electrics and instrumentation, noise attenuation, erosion and corrosion protection, magnetite handling, rejects and tailings disposal and coal stockpiling and blending.

Jan 1, 1982

By Gadsden R. W

Physical and chemical requirements are defined for coke and ferrous materials used in modern high productivity blast furnaces operating in Australian conditions. Recent developments in the type of equipment required to be installed at the steelworks to ensure these requirements are described with illustrations from current plant practice provided.

Jan 1, 1976

The smaller mining company with full ownership of, or participation in, a mining project is generally unable to obtain funding as easily as the major mining house. While the equity market remains the main funding source for small projects, debt fund- ing options are becoming more available. Many international banks possess in-house mine fin- ancing expertise which can assist the smaller company in financing its share of project development. A clear understanding is necessary of both the benefits and limitations of bank funding, to ensure that all potential sources of funds are properly considered and integ- rated into the financial plans of the smaller mining companies.

Jan 1, 1984

Two recently published studies have considered whether and how robots, which have been designed for manufacturing applications, could find use in mining. The conclusions of both studies, if not identical, are compatible. Automation of mining activities will continue. Robots, at least in the short term, will have little application in mining. However, robotic concepts, both hardware and software, are of considerable relevance to mining automation, and can be anticipated to diffuse gradually into mine environments. The present paper is intended to convey the current state of thought on this subject to IFAC Symposium participants who may be unfamiliar with the referenced studies, and is not intended to report previously unpublished research.

Jan 1, 1985

By Xin J

In China, the State-run mines are currently practising an information card management system, to collect data about mine production and safety condition. Since large volumes of data will be obtained every day, efficiently and effectively processing data and sorting out valuable information will take enormous resources of manpower, if by hand. Therefore, an intelligent database system with easy data inputting was developed to assist information processors in data classifying, filing and retrieving. For analyzing and improving production performances, reliability models and production functions were embodied. The system was implemented on AST-286 in DBASE M. Preliminary applications have proved effective and successful.

Jan 1, 1991

This paper suggests the models for determination the optimum life of machines on the basis of sum and difference of investment and maintenance costs. The economic-mathematical models are based on complex percentage method taking into account the time factor of referring cost. The following strategies of maintenance policy have been considered in machines repair: a strategy without investment, a strategy with continuous investment and a strategy with step-like investment. The effect of value of investment in repairing and time interval of investment on optimum machine exploitation life has also been considered. An illustrative example is presented.

Jan 1, 2003

By Adamiak Z. P

A study has been made of the influence of bentonite type on the wet strengths, dry strengths and drying rates of pressed iron ore pellets. Measurements of the influence of bentonite on the kinetics of growth of pellets are also reported. The results show that bentonite decreases the rate of growth of pellets and the drying rates of pellets while increases are observed in both wet and dry strengths. The results have been interpreted in terms of the physical and chemical charact- istics of the bentonite and the suitability of a given bentonite for particular pelletising operations has been discussed.

Jan 1, 1973

By W F. Bawden, J T. Paynter

This investigation involves laboratory testing and stability analysis of paste fill at the Golden Giant Mine. Site-cast samples are tested in unconfined, confined, and consolidated-undrained triaxial compression. Pore pressures during shear and consolidation characteristics are measured to determine both drained and undrained shear strength parameters and assess the potential for undrained loading. Liquefaction potential is also considered. A limit equilibrium solution is used to obtain factors of safety against failure of the fill during mining of adjacent stopes.

Jan 1, 1998

This paper examines the properties of Australian indigenous crude oil and the changes to Australian refinery process- ing required after the Gippsland crude finds in the late '60s. In addition the paper details the dif- ferent crudes available to Australian ref ineries and the relative product yields in relation to Australian crudes. Market demand for petroleum products both now and in the future is then related to the products yields. The paper also examines the impact of the OPEC induced crude price spiral and the subsequent changes in refinery engineering, current and projected market demands, and energy conservation measures both inside and outside the industry.

Jan 1, 1982

Although most N.S.W. coal mines contain large amounts of combustible materials such as coal and timber, the introduction of mechanisation has extended the range of combustible materials now found underground. The role of combustible material in a fire is not clearly understood and as a result the assessment of these materials for flammability by small and large scale tests is doubtful. Extensive research has been carried out on the toxic and irritating gases evolved during the combustion of plastics. However, most autopsies report death due to carbon monoxide inhalation because the combined toxicity of smoke and fire gases is unknown.

Jan 1, 1981