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Very little has been written about the discovery and early history of prospecting of ironstone deposits in the Iron Knob-Middleback Range area of South Australia, the main source of supply of ironstone (hematite) for the Australian steel industry, and scanty though the record is, much of it is wrong or misleading.With the help of several people, to whom acknowledgement is made at the end of the paper, the writer has unravelled some of the story, but not the whole story. It is hoped that publication of this paper will stimulate interest in others, who may be able to supplement this account from family records, from the files of newspapers, or from archives.

Jan 1, 1969

By G E. Ho, M Anda, S Dallas

Water auditing and water conservation measures are fast becoming the quantitative tools for water balance reporting in the mining and minerals processing sector. Therefore, this paper was written to describe the process of water auditing in a goldmining environment and to contribute towards building an appropriate water management framework for The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for sustainable resource processing (CSRP). The research will assist with the assessment of water balances in mining and hydrometallurgical processes and ongoing probabilistic modelling for Newmont Mining Corporation, its wholly owned gold mines, and its joint venture operation of Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM). Kalgold or KCGM are the managers of a joint venture project between Barrick Australia (50 per cent) and Newmont Mining Corporation (50 per cent) at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia (WA). Boddington Gold Mine (BGM), Western Australia, will commence operations this year and manage the new goldmine expansion project. BGM is 100 per cent Newmont owned and will operate to continue mining gold and copper from the existing (BGM) site that was decommissioned in 2001.

Jan 1, 2009

Large GDP increases in the Pacific Rim countries have been accompanied by similarly large increases in demand for oil products. In the case of residual fuels, this demand has been tempered by the substitution of other energy products such as coal or gas. In the region's developing and newly industrialised nations, it has not been possible to make the very large investments in infrastructure which allow other energy sources to be used for transportation. As a result, GDP growth has been mirrored in the demand growth for automotive fuels. Other non-substitutable products such as lubricants have also benefitted by the region's GDP growth.   The combination of a number of years of sustained growth, coupled with increasing quality requirements is now stretching the upgrading capacity of the region's refineries. IT, as seems likely, the region continues to enjoy a high GDP growth rate, then this will be accompanied by increasing reliance on finished products coming out of the Middle East.   The owners of the most simple form of refinery in which crude is simply distilled and the naphtha reformed into petrol will face major capital investments. If they decide not to bear this cost, they will face increasing problems in selling their surplus residual fuel oil at an economic price. Quality will become an increasingly important issue. Not only in the well publicised areas such as unleaded petrol, but also for products such as lubricants which play a major role in the efficiency of modem equipment. Quality of service such as hours of opening, ease of access, and service station facilities will also become increasingly important as the oil companies use these to attract customers and gain brand differentiation.

Jan 1, 1990

A major problem in open pit mine planning is to determine the optimum pit limit of the mine. The optimum pit limit is the one with maximum discounted net profit and satisfies technical conditions. A number of optimisation techniques have been proposed for determination of pit limits. Among these techniques, those based on graph theory are suitable to solve the three-dimensional (3D) problem. In this paper, two maximum flow methods named, Dinic's algorithm and Push-Relabel algorithm have been used to find the optimum pit limit of an iron ore mine. This method has been implemented in Gol-e-Gohar iron mine in south east of Iran in order to find the final pit limit. Issues, like properties of the mine and orebody, are studied. These properties include wall slope, sulfur and phosphor grade restrictions. The result shows that these properties have significant effect on the determined pit limit.

Dec 6, 2010

Much attention in controlling blast vibrations has been centred on the probability of causing damage to structures in the area adjacent to where blasting is carried out. In most cases these structures are residential properties and the effect of the vibrations on the occupiers has not been studied to any great extent. This paper looks at the sources of disturbance caused by blasting and their psychological effect. A comparison of ground vibration levels for compliance is examined within the framework of structural and human response.

Jan 1, 1998

The theme of this conference is æRediscover OtagoÆ and the conference occurs during a resurgence of economic activity in New Zealand, and in particular at a time when the Macraes Gold Project has had a significant effect on mining and business activity in Otago. The Macraes Gold Mine has implemented a Zero Accident Programme and this paper reviews some of the factors responsible for the implementation.

Jan 1, 1992

This Institute, by nature of its charter, draws on various persons in the mining and metallurgical world of Australasia for its President from year to year, and consequently when the presidential address is given by one of these people the topic. which they generally select is a topic to which they are accustomed and on which they are able to speak with authority.As most of you know, my prime object in life has been concerned with steelmaking, so tonight you can steel yourself to the thought that you are going to be spoken to about steelmaking.Even if that were not the case, and were I not particularly interested in steelmaking, I think it would be appropriate to look at steelmaking in a broad sense on a basis of pure metallurgical interest, because the steel industry is going through as big a revolution today as it went through something over one hundred years ago when Bessemer made a theory become a fact.Bessemer, and as the Americans prefer to think Kelly, separately conceived the idea of blowing cold air through molten pig iron, and, contrary to the then general belief, this did not result in cooling of the metal but succeeded rather in heating it, and in burning out of the rather crude pig iron the impurities which prevented it from becoming a ductile metal.For many years before this, steel had been made in a very small painstaking way by what was known as the crucible process. Benjamin Huntsman is credited with having developed the crucible steel making process to a stage where it could make a reliable and trustworthy product, but he...

Jan 1, 1961

Integrated Utilisation of Desulfurisation and Skimming Slag

Sep 13, 2010

The Upper Waimangaroa mining permit is part of the Buller Coalfield and lies on the eastern side of the Stockton-Denniston Plateau. The mining permit area is estimated to contain a total in-ground coal resource of 58 million tonnes, contained within 13 separate coal resource .blocks. The coal is Bituminous High Volatile B rank with export potential as semi soft coking or thermal coal. The Northern Opencast mine is the first mine proposed for Upper Waimangaroa and consists of the three resource blocks at the northern end of the permit area. The highwall of the mine will cut into the Mt William Range resulting in overburden cover of up to 150 metres in some areas. The ability to rehabilitate the area after mining was a major consideration in the design of the mine. The Northern Opencast area has been geologically mapped, extensively drilled and effectively modelled using Vulcan software. Three distinct coal seams are present and the mineable in situ resource is estimated at 8.7 million tonnes of which approximately 7.1 million tonnes is likely to be recoverable. It is proposed that this resource will be mined using opencast methods and the void will be backfilled with overburden. The life of the mine is at this stage estimated at 19 years based on an annual production of 500,000 tonnes at 1.8% sulphur and the Upper Waimangaroacoal will be blended with low sulphur coal from the Greymouth Coalfield to meet export specifications. The Northern Opencast area contains a range of native flora and fauna and physical features which make it an environmentally significant area. Mining will totally modify the area, thus an effective rehabilitation scheme is an integral part of the mine plan. Various rehabilitation methods will be used, and wherever possible, the backfilled areas will be rehabilitated so as to resemble the original area as closely as possible.

Jan 1, 1998

By R Soong

The Wharekirauponga (WKP) epithermal gold-silver deposit is located about 10 km north of Waihi in the Hauraki Goldfield east of Auckland. WKP is notable for its sheeted to stockwork quartz veins hosted in rhyolitic rocks, that have attracted exploration interest as a low grade, bulk tonnage exploration target. Exploration between 1978 and 1993 included 23 diamond drill holes totalling 5505 m. The mineralisation occurs in a rhyolite dome complex (Miocene), consisting of flow-banded rhyolite and rhyolitic pyroclastic rocks, with minor andesite. Fifty four drill core samples were collected from six exploration drill holes and analysed by semiquantitative XRD techniques. Hydrothermal alteration of the rhyolitic and andesitic rocks has developed secondary mineral assemblages of quartz, adularia, albite, chlorite, illite, sericite, interlayered illite-smectite, carbonate, halloysite and pyrite. The main zone of mineralisation is characterised by quartzadularia alteration, which grades oiItward to quartz-clay (illite, local halloysite and/or interlayered illite-smectite) alteration. Propylitic alteration is present at the southern end of the drilled area of the prospect. Depth-related changes in mineralogy include a decrease in illite and appearance and increase in quantity of chlorite with increasing depth, and the localisation of halloysite and interlayered illite-smectite in the shallow parts of some drill holes.

Jan 1, 2001

Improving Pelletisation of Pyrite Cinder by High Pressure Roller Grinding As an important secondary resource for ironmaking, pyrite cinder is characterised by coarse particle size, low specific surface area, high porosity and poor surface activity, which leads to high bentonite dosage, low strength and too high moisture of green balls and high roasting temperature. In this paper, a study of improving the pelletisation of pyrite cinder containing feed by using high pressure roll grinding (HPRG) was presented, which aimed to improve the quality of green pellets and reinforce roasting performance pellets. It is shown that pyrite cinder is characterised by complicated mineral compositions dominated by haematite and metal sulfides, porous surface and middle class ballability, leading to higher balling moisture, higher bentonite dosage and higher firing temperature for pellet hardening. The pelletisation of pyrite cinder can be improved by high pressure roller grinding and blending with magnetite in the pellet feed. The former is probably ascribed to the increase in specific surface areas of pellet feed from 850 cm2+g to 1690 cm2+g when the pellet feed passes through roller twice. Good quality green balls and fired pellets can be made from feed comprising 40 - 60 per cent pyrite cinder and 60 - 40 per cent magnetite concentrate at small scale under the following conditions: 1.2 per cent bentonite, feed passing through roller twice at 7 per cent moisture at 1.5 ton pressure, balling at 13 per cent moisture for 13 min, preheating at 1050¦C for 12 min and firing at 1300¦C for 8 min. Green balls possess such properties as drop numbers of 6.5 times, compressive strength of 19.1 Newton and thermal shock temperature of 533¦C. Fired pellets are imparted high compressive strength of over 3000 Newton per pellet. Small scale tests have been proven by pilot scale tests that high grade fired pellets are made, assaying 63 per cent Fe and minor other impurities, such as sulfur and phosphorus except for copper content. The fired pellets made of three blends possess excellent metallurgical performance, such as reducibility index higher than 65 per cent, reduction swelling index lower than 15 per cent and low temperature reduction degradation lower than2 per cent. Especially the compressive strength after reduction is higher 719Newton per pellet.

Sep 13, 2010

Experiments on High Efficiency Separation of Mixed Plastic Wastes by Vortex-Tube Separator

Sep 13, 2010

Consents Required for Overseas Persons Overseas Investment Regulations 1974 Foreign investment proposals must be reviewed by the Overseas Investment Commission to ensure that these are in accord with national interests. Consent must be obtained from the Commission for: 1. New investment proposals which include: a. An overseas person acquiring 25 per cent or more of any class of share in a company. b. A New Zealand company issuing shares to an overseas person where this will result in that person owning 25 per cent or more of the company. c. An overseas person acquiring business assets for consideration in excess of $100 000. d. An overseas person commencing business in New Zealand. 2. Borrowing in New Zealand: An overseas person must obtain consent to raise funds in excess of $300 000 in New Zealand. 3. Borrowing Overseas: New Zealand incorporated companies must obtain consent to borrow overseas. Current policy is borrowing will be approved where the loan is for a specified fixed term of one year or more.

Jan 1, 1982

The Hill 50 Gold Mine is situated at Boogardie, 3 miles on a bearing of 295 degrees from; Mount Magnet township. Mount Magnet lies 300 miles north-north-east of Perth, Western Australia (Fig. 1).The older workings of the mine may be identified with those of Sirdar, Gold Mining Lease 696M The Sirdar had been worked before 1902 though no records remain, and irom 1903 to 1912 about a thousana tons at a grade of 6' 2 dwt. was extracted annually; by the end of 1918 6,225 oz. of gold had been obtained from the milling of 17,852 tons of ore. In view of these yields, and the length and width of the lode, this mine was early recognized as one of the most promising in the district. From 1919 to 1924 the ground,including G.M.L. 1282M, was held as Mt. Zion G.M.L. 1183M.The Hill 50 Gold Mine N.L. company took up the workings as Hill 50 G.M.L. 1282M in 1934 and have continued operations to the date of writing. To the end of 1956 the Hill 50 Gold Mine had yielded 982,106 tons of ore for a return of 448,'602 fine oz. of gold.The mine has been described by: J utson (1915), Feldtmann (1920), Johnson (1949), and Finucane (1953). Finucane (1953) details the mine structure to a depth of 414 ft. The author was able to examine the mine to a depth of 1305 ft. Detailed main level mapping to the 1060 level and a detailed surface examination have revealed aspects of the structure which were previously obscure.

Jan 1, 1960

Inhibition of Bubble Coalescence by Salts and Sugars

Sep 13, 2010

The early development patterns of both Australia and New Zealand were substantially in parallel and both were heavily indebted to gold mining for, providing the stimulus to growth. However, since the mining boom, of 1895 - 1899, the mining sector in New Zealand has progressively declined, while in Australia it has assumed an increasing importance in the economy. The continued dominance of minerals in Australian trade, and the fact that eight out of the top ten companies in Australia are directly involved in mineral exploration and production, has strongly influenced government and public attitude's to the minerals sector. Although the legal framework of mining and exploration Acts and Regulations are similar it is in, the method of administration, particularly in regard to exploration and prospecting licences, that the gulf across, the Tasman is apparent. Despite the relative ease of application and granting of licences in Australia, in the more settled south eastern part of the continent we are finding more and more land is being zoned unavailable for exploration. In the remote areas, the Aboriginals now control nearly ten per cent of the land area of Australia, virtually with drawing that portion from exploration. The concept of 'Australianisation' has softened a hardening attitude against foreign investment in mining on the part of the bureaucracy. This anti-mining attitude is fortunately, not shared by the public, and we can but hope that the will of the Australian people can filter through to our masters in Canberra, and ease the rapid increase in the number of regulatory bodies which does so much to inhibit the normal conduct of business. The delays caused by interminable hearings and committee investigations all cost money. This cost can only rebound back on the end consumer, who after all is a voter.

Jan 1, 1982

The structure and tectonic setting has had a strong influence on gold mineralisation at the Porgera gold deposit. Here, the structural controls on the mineralisation at Porgera are discussed and placed in a regional tectonic context. The Porgera gold deposit is related to the emplacement of the Porgera Intrusive Complex. Prior to intrusive emplacement at Porgera,Papua New Guinea was affected by a major fold and thrust episode which occurred in response to arc-continent collision in the Late Miocene. After crustal shortening the region experienced a relaxation of compression which is expressed in the deformation accompanying mineralisation at Porgera. The first stage of mineralisation (stage I) is hosted by extension fractures, and is spatially associated with exposed intrusive stocks. A later episode of mineralisation (stage II) is hosted by the faults and fractures of the Roamane Fault Zone, which was active as a dip-slip normal fault during stage II mineralisation. Therefore a change in the tectonic environment from shortening to extensional tectonics can be seen at Porgera before and during mineralisation. Rapid fault-slip during stage II mineralisation may have aided high-grade gold mineralisation by subjecting hydrothermal fluids to changes in pressure, temperature, fluid-fluid and fluid-rock interaction. Uplift to form the highlands of Papua New Guinea occurred after mineralisation and was largely complete by 4.0 Ma.

Jan 1, 1995

By Walker G. S

A study of the crystalline materials on or near the surface of freshly made or "green" superphosphate granules and mature, "set" superphosphate granules was undertaken using X-ray diffraction, X-ray mapping, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe micro analysis techniques. Calcium sulphate (CaSO4), calcium sulphate hemihydrate (CaSO4 1/2H20), and mono calcium phosphate monohydrate (Ca(H2PO4)2H2O), were the only crystalline species present in the "green" superphosphate.In the set superphosphate however, additional compounds were present, namely complex iron and aluminium phosphates Ca(Fe,AI) H(HPO4hF2)2H2O, (Fe)3(H3O)H8 (PO4)6H2O and calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO4.2H2O).The complex phosphates tied up the major part of the Fe and Al in the system and were concentrated on or near the surface of the granule. An intimate mixture of CaSO4.2H2O, and CaSO4, along with the above mentioned complex Fe-AI compounds, crystallize close to the surface of the granule and cause the setting of superphosphate that takes place during storage.

Jan 1, 1980

Continuous pH and Pulp Potential Measurements During Complex Sulfide Ore Flotation

Sep 13, 2010

By S J. Loach

Geological reconciliation is an indispensable part of BHP Billiton’s Western Australian Iron Ore (WAIO) operations. Since 2009 our reconciliations have been calculated in a single, centralised sequel-server database. This system draws data from across our operations and calculates a hierarchical sequence of reconciliation factors that span the company from the smallest grade control (GC) block to the whole of WAIO. It then presents the results using sophisticated graphical reporting tools.The initial motive for developing WAIO’s reconciliation system was to meet corporate compliance and public reporting requirements. The ability to validate our resource and reserve models by comparing their estimates of tonnes and grade with production figures remains the system’s principal function; however, as the system has matured, we have significantly developed its ability to support the improvement of various technical activities within the business. For example, the system can now calculate and report reconciliation factors for different resource classifications, short-term planning models and geometallurgical estimates.More recently, great emphasis has fallen on the system’s ability to detect and warn of possible geological issues that may pose a risk to either production schedules or product quality. We envisage a future where automated analysis of our large historical data set will enable high-risk conditions within future mine plans to be detected and highlighted.In all of these ways geological reconciliation plays an important role in contributing to this company’s financial and operational resilience.CITATION:Loach, S J, 2017. The development and future of BHP Billiton’s Western Australian iron ore geological reconciliation system, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 415–422 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017