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By Woodcock J. T, Zhu T, Sparrow G. J

A lead-zinc-pyrite flotation middling was pressure oxidised to give residues containing iron hydroxy sulphates (a mixture of basic iron sulphate (BIS) and a hydrated iron sulphate (HIS)) and lead sulphate. Direct thiourea leaching of this residue gave over 90 per cent extraction of gold and silver, but thiourea consumption was high (56 kg/t) because of soluble iron(M) in the residue. Attempts were made to decrease the thiourea consumption by removing the water-soluble iron(M) or reducing it to iron(II). Water washing of the pressure oxidation residue removed most of the hydrated iron sulphate but little of the basic iron sulphate. Iron removal was only 12-20 per cent, depending on the number of washes, from one sample which was low in HIS, and 40-45 per cent in another which was high in HIS. Iron extraction was not appreciably increased by using dilute sulphuric acid (with or without additions of sodium sulphite), dilute phosphoric acid, or sodium chloride solution (150 g/L NaCI). Direct thiourea leaching of the water-washed residue gave over 90 per cent extraction of gold but only 49 per cent of silver, with a thiourea consumption of 27 kg/t. However, the application of a water wash followed by reduction of dissolved iron(III) with sodium sulphite in the presence of thiourea, and then thiourea leaching resulted in over 98 per cent extraction of gold and silver for a thiourea consumption of 26 kg/t.

Jan 1, 1991

By Morley I. W

In the year 1926, Edie Creek, in the Morobe District of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, saw the greatest gold rush of recent years. Situated 35 miles inland from the coast, and at an altitude of over 6000 feet, Edie Creek presented to the original prospectors a wet, jungle-clad uninhabited, and inhospitable region. There were no roads; and the only means of approach from the equally inhospitable coast was by an eight to ten days' tramp through coastal swamps and gorge-scarred mountains. All food supplies and equipment had to be carried on the backs of "kanakas," and in many cases through country occupied by hostile natives.Since the first discovery of payable gold at Edie Creek, mining on the Morobe Goldfield has shown remarkable progress, and in spite of the tremendous natural difficulties, the field today ranks as one of the most important in Australasia.Aeroplanes, more than any other factor, have been responsible for this rapid development. They provide the only means of transport from the coast, and at present serve the needs of over 600 Europeans and 3000 indentured native labourers engaged in the industry.

Jan 1, 1933

By Mahyera A, Sakashita B, Ahmed U, Abou-Sayed AS

Gas in U.S. coals is primarily composed of 90 to 99 percent methane and up to 10 per- cent carbon dioxide. In composition and heat- ing value, this coal-bed gas is similar to natural gas and can be introduced directly into commercial pipelines after standard condition- ing. The high permeability cleat system in the virgin coal can be exploited in order to drain the coal gas well in advance of mining. Two premining drainage methods have been extensive- ly evaluated in the U.S.; they are 1) horizon- tal boreholes collared from within the mine, and 2) vertical drilling from the surface with fracturing. Limited-size fracture treatments are advocated in order to prevent potential roof damage and the need for added support. An engineering approach to predicting gas flow for different drainage techniques near mining locations is presented. Results can be used in design, i.e. pipeline, compressor. Coal gas drainage from a horizontal borehole and a treated (contained fracture) vertical well for a 6 foot seam have been evaluated. Based on these results, it was concluded that selection of gas drainage techniques will depend primar

Jan 1, 1982

By E M. Jones

On 26 June 2000 a hydraulic fill retaining barricade failed at the Bronzewing mine in Western Australia. The barricade failure resulted in the release of 19 000 m3 of saturated hydraulic fill into the mine, which caused the deaths of three miners. Following this tragic accident, the practices and procedures of mines using hydraulic fills came under intense scrutiny by regulatory bodies and mining companies. At this time, the use of hydraulic fill at NormandyÆs zinc/copper Scuddles mine was suspended and waste rock became the sole backfill material in use underground. By 2003, development of the mine adjacent to Scuddles, Gossan Hill had progressed to a point where a self-supporting fill material was required to enable full recovery of high-grade ore. Cemented hydraulic fill (CHF) was identified as the optimal fill type and work began on designing appropriate management procedures and controls to ensure the safe implementation. This work included definition of the fill properties, plant design and construction, reticulation system design, design of stope barricades and drainage systems and fill placement control and monitoring practices. CHF placement began on 16 July 2004 and has continued to date. Significant operational experience has since been gained in areas including plant performance, fill product quality assurance, barricade construction, stope drainage and in situ performance.

Jan 1, 2008

By S Wellink, D Chalmers, D Adermann, C Martin

The practice of recording blasts for quality control purposes has been conducted for several decades. However, at the low frame rates of a standard video camera, essential data is frequently missed as it occurs when the shutter is closed between frames.The use of high-speed video for the research, development and monitoring of the performance of blasting procedures is a well proven but under-utilised practice.The recent development of low cost, easy to use high-speed digital cameras and user friendly software can deliver a capability into mine management as a day-to-day production tool that can greatly improve blasting performance and reduce costs.Digital high-speed video and image analysis software can accurately quantify each blast. Analysis of the images can facilitate the identification of causes of variance from design, geology changes, errors in blast practice and areas of poor performance. The use of high-speed video greatly enhances the audit and review processes so that future blast design can be quickly and appropriately modified to deliver improved blasting performance and reduced costs.The three videos demonstrate the differences between standard video and high-speed video and the detail that can be obtained from them. These videos of open cut blasts can be used to identify blast performance variances. Capturing images at 1000 frames per second allows the analysis on a millisecond timescale where detonator timings, fragmentation, venting, fume generation and flyrock can be accurately identified.CITATION:Adermann, D, Chalmers, D, Martin, C and Wellink, S, 2015. High-speed video – an essential blasting tool, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 471–476 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

By Todd S, Lam K, Hewitt A

A series of field experiments investigated the perfonnance of fine mesh curtain screens which were used to suppress coal dust in a transport roadway of a New South Wales colliery. Four types of screens were tested under dry and wet conditions. The screen materials consisted of flyscreen and garden "shadecloth" with single and double membranes of both materials. Personal dust samplers coupled to dust cyclones and filtration cassettes were used to collect the respirable and total components of dusts respectively. The procedure used for locating the samplers upstream and downstream of the screen was based on the roadway air velocity profiles. The number and configuration of the water sprays impinging onto these screens had significant influence on the results. The study showed that wet double layered flyscreen is the most effective of the four configurations tested.

Jan 1, 1991

The Acid Drainage Technology Initiative (ADTI) was initiated in 1995 by federal agencies, the National Mining Association (NMA) and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) to identify, evaluate and develop cost-effective and practical acid drainage technologies. In 1999, ADTI was expanded through the addition of the metal mining sector, which is focused on drainage quality issues related to metal mines. ADTI addresses drainage quality issues from abandoned, active, and future coal and metal mines. The guiding principle of ADTI is to build consensus among industry, federal and state regulatory agencies on acid drainage technology development and technology transfer issues. ADTI is focusing its efforts on mine drainage prediction, sampling/monitoring, modelling and avoidance/remediation. ADTI is not a regulatory or policy development program. ADTI includes the Coal Mining Sector (CMS) and the Metal Mining Sector (MMS) under the overall guidance of the ADTI Operations Committee. The Operations Committee consists of representatives from industry, state and federal government and academia. The Coal Mining Sector includes two committees; a prediction committee and an avoidance and remediation committee. The Metal Mining Sector includes steering committee and work groups on prediction, sampling and monitoring, modelling, mitigation, and pit lakes. The Coal Mining Sector has produced two publications on the prediction and prevention of acid drainage. The Metal Mining Sector has workbooks under preparation covering the work group topics. This past winter, the Metal Mining Sector, working with the US Bureau of Land Management, presented a satellite training session on acid drainage. ADTI has evolved in response to changing needs and technologies as evidenced by the addition of the Metal Mining Sector in 1999. The Operations Committee and the members of the Coal and Metal Mining Sectors will guide future direction in response to identified issues.

Jan 1, 2003

By Lee H. G, Li H, Hayes P

Slag from the smelting of lead can contain up to 20 per cent zinc as an oxide. An understanding of the lead smelting process and of the subsequent fuming process for the recovery of zinc is enhanced by a knowledge of the activity coefficient behaviour of zinc oxide in smelting slags. The literature presents a wide range of contradictory values. This paper critically reviews the published data and outlines new measurements being made by the authors. A consistent set of zinc oxide activity coefficient data is presented for liquid slags within the ZnO-'FeO'-CaO-A1203-SiO2 system, through a combination of present and previous measurements.

Jan 1, 1993

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the Council and Administration, to this University and extend to you our very best wishes for a most successful and stimulating symposium. We as a College of the University of N.S.W. were always proud of the excellent support we received from your Institute members and the close association that existed between our organisations. Now we have matured into the University of Wollongong and have to stand on our own feet, we will need all the support we can get from such bodies as yours to ensure that we are not only producing graduates but are also playing a vital role in the community. Although there is no planning for a school of Mining Engineering in the near future, we do look forward to this being a viable proposition eventually and we will then be able to offer to your Institute wider facilities for your activities and ones which will embrace both the Mining and Metallurgy phases. Thank you Mr. President.

Jan 1, 1975

Firedamp drainage has become an essential part of many mine environmental systems, and new applications are arising. Installations are evolving further to satisfy ever changing basic requirements, standards, and iniilny needs. In this paper, water seal, vacuum based installations are considered, as well as moni- toring, protective and control systems which have been developed for continuous, manless, and trouble free operation. Some factors affecting plant capacity and extractor per- formance are identified and assessed. INTRODUCTION Firedamp drainage applications are incr- easing world wide as mining engineers strive for improved safety and security, and further concentration of coal output. Fewer and fewer mines are able nowadays to satisfy coal prod- uction and firedamp control requirements solely by air dilution or by air dilution and underground firedamp extraction plants. As a result, dependence on surface extraction plants is increasing. This paper deals with som requirements and applications of such installations. I. DEVELOPMENT AND PRACTICE Firedamp drainage has existed for over 250 years following the early work of Carlisle Spedding at Whitehaven (1730). Some fundamentals of current firedamp drainage systems can be recognised in the

Jan 1, 1982

By Nakajima A

Some attempts were made to recover uranium from aqueous systems by using various biosubstances including microbial biomass. Of hundreds species of microorganisms tested, extremely high uranium absorbing ability was found in Pseudomonas stutzeri, Neurospora sitophila, Streptomyces albus and Streptomyces viridochromogenes. In parallel to this research, various kinds of biomass and commercially available crude drugs were screened to measure their abilities to adsorb uranium. Of these biosubstances tested, high uranium adsorbing ability was observed in chestnut skin, Comi fructus, Geranii herba and Chaenomelis fructus. From these results it may be considered that the uranium adsorbing ability of these biosubstances is due to the following; the uranyl ion is co-ordinated by the polyphenolic compounds such as tannin existing in the biosubstances. Along with these fundamental researches, we have developed a new adsorbent, the immobilised persimmon tannin (kakishibu tannin), for uranium and thorium. This adsorbent can accumulate 1.71 g of uranium per gram of the adsorbent (14 mEq/g), and the uranium adsorbing capacity of this adsorbent exceeds by several times that of commercially available chelating resins (2 - 3 mEq/g). We attempted to recover uranium from uranium refining waste water by using the immobilised persimmon tannin. As a result, the immobilised persimmon tannin can recover trace amounts of uranium from uranium refining waste water containing 10 - 15 ppb uranium with high efficiency. Almost all of the uranium adsorbed onto the adsorbent can be desorbed by washing with 0.05 - 0.1 M HCl or H2SO4. Thus, the immobilised persimmon tannin can be used repeatedly in the adsorption-desorption Cycle.

Jan 1, 1993

By MacLean L

In 1975 the Commonwealth Government established import parity pricing for all liquid hydrocarbons discovered after the 16th September, 1975. These discoveries were termed "new oil" to differentiate them from existing discoveries and production. Overnight the price of the product being sought trebled, resulting in greatly enhanced economics by increasing the potential returns on existing prospects and by making smaller plays economically viable. After 18 years of drilling, the offshore Gippsland Basin has attained a moderate level of exploration for a basin of its size. Fifty seven prospects have been drilled within the basin but only a few of these were drilled along the southern and northern margins, while the deep water areas along the eastern margin have remained virtually undrilled following the Hapuku-1 oil discovery. The major hydrocarbon accumulations within the basin are trapped beneath the Latrobe Unconformity surface and exploration has largely concentrated on this single play in areas immediately adjacent to the major producing fields.

Jan 1, 1982

By English W, Poppit I

COALEX Pry Limited operates two underground steaming coal mines on the western edge of the Sydney Basin near Lithgow, New South Wales. Baal Bone Colliery uses longwall technology for an output of over two million tonne/year while Clarence Colliery currently uses continuous miners and breaker line supports for an output of two million tonnelyear.A computerised geological database and modelling system has been implemented to service these mines routinely, as well as several outlying prospects. The database is constantly upgraded for drillhole information, surveyed spot levels on the surface and underground, quality sampling details, surveyed mine workings and geological mapping. This information is edited on a routine basis, allowing dynamic modelling of key aspects of geology for ongoing operations.

Jan 1, 1991

The reasons for and the methods of inte- gration of the gold treatment plant with the existing nickel concentrator are discussed. The integration was accomplished in three stages commencing in May 1980 and attain- ing current throughput in December 1982. The problems encountered and their solution, including the design and construction of a new tailings dam are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1984

By Rayner J. G, Leckie J. F, Moorehead C. F

The Coronation Hill gold-platinum-palladium prospect is located in the valley of the South Alligator River (latitude 13'35'S, longitude 132'36'E), about 80 kilometres east of Pine Creek in the Northern Territory. Coronation Hill was one of thirteen sites in the South Alligator Valley at which uranium was mined between 1955 and 1964 after initial discovery by the Bureau of Mineral Resources in 1953. Most of the mines were operated by United Uranium No Liability. The Sleisbeck mine 25 kilometres south of Coronation Hill was operated by North Australian Uranium Corporation and the group of mines at Rockhole about 20 kilometres to the north-west of Coronation Hill was operated by South Alligator Uranium No Liability. The uranium mine at Coronation Hill produced about 26000 tonnes of ore averaging 2.6 kg/t U308 with an estimated average gold grade of 10.4 g/ gold. Gold was commonly associated with the uranium mineralisation and was recovered at the gravity treatment plant at El Sherana. Gold was also recovered in 1986 by Pacific Gold Mines Limited by treating the tailings from the Moline and Rockhole uranium leach plants at a CIP plant at Moline. With the completion of uranium contracts in 1964 mining in the South Alligator Valley ceased. Exploration for uranium continued in the area during the 1960s and 1970s with no success. The Coronation Hill Joint Venture (BHP Gold Mines Limited 45 per cent, Pioneer Minerals (Gold) Pry Ltd 45 per cent, Notgold Limited 10 per cent)carried out the first exploration specifically targetted at gold in 1984 with the drilling of five vertical drill holes which indicated high potential for a substantial gold resource at Coronation Hill with no associated uranium. The Joint Venture has sub- sequently drilled about 25000 metres of diamond drill holes at Coronation Hill alone. Analytical results from 1985 drilling established that platinum and palladium were associated with gold. An indicated resource of 3.49Mt at 5.12g/t Au, 0.21g/t Pt and 0.56g/t Pd has been calculated using a lg/t Au cut off.

Jan 1, 1991

By Hartley JS, Wills KJA

The Thalanga massive sulphide deposit is hosted by Upper Cambrian rhyolites and volcaniclastics of the Mt. Windsor Volcanics near their contact with overlying dacites, rhyolites and sediments of the Trooper Creek Formation. The ores and host rocks have been subjected to a single strong deformation and to lower to middle greenschist facies metamorphism. A main lens with surface gossan dimensions of 55U m x 6 m dips steeply, plunges shallowly to the west and is offset by a series of normal faults. It is flanked by smaller lenses to the east where the mineralized horizon is stopea out by granite. The area to the east and south of the gossan is masked by Tertiary cover. A complex exhalite package is represented by banded sphalerite-pyrite- galena-chalcopyrite, massive pyrite and chalcopyrite and assemblages dominated by dolomite, chlorite-actinolite, tremolite, talc, barite and rare gypsum. Accessory tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite, bismuthinite, magnetite and native gold are associated locally. Pods of quartz-magnetite formed distally. The ores are underlain by strongly to moderately pyrite-silica-sericite altered rhyolites with the strongest alteration closest to an interred synvolcanic fault. This alteration is characterised by an enrichment in MgO, Na2O, FeS2 and base metals with a depletion in CaO and Na2O. There is a general enrichment in Pb and Zn towards the hanging wall with some enrichment of Cu near the base of the main lens due to replacement by ore tiuias near vent discharge sites. Zonation of Cu to 2n-Pb in also evident over narrow intervals

Jan 1, 1987

By T Bednarz

The present work proposes a distributed collaborative immersive virtual reality framework for prospective applications in the mining industry. A human-centered approach is described, with people being placed in the central position and surrounded by tasks that are to be carried out. Those tasks can be then achieved through synchronous or asynchronous communication, interactions using properly constructed user interfaces, virtual and/or augmented realities and computer vision. Several examples of such arrangements are presented. One of the applications facilitates an e-learning experience by providing a very familiar object – a book – as a target for users to interact with. Importantly, this system has the potential to provide an ‘enhanced’ teaching medium, as humans tend to remember events/situations better when they experience those events in person, when the immersive factor is involved. The immersive virtual reality environment enables a user to interact physically with various 3D objects and experience behaviours, which in turn reinforces the idea that doing leads to learning. This prototype system can be implemented as an efficient and cost effective e-learning and training platform for different engineering domains. At another level, the same technology can be used in the tele-operation of mining equipment for the future mine.

Nov 22, 2011

By Y Zhu, W Liang, P Knights

In recent years, Chinese companies have invested billions in Australian mineral exploration, development and processing. In 2008 - 2009 alone, the Foreign Investment Review Board approved $26.4 B of investment. Much of this investment has been by merger and acquisition (M&A) of Australian resources companies. This paper sets out to investigate how Australian CEOs perceive the cultural and institutional challenges in operating Australia mining companies recently acquired by Chinese interests. HofstedeÆs cultural dimensions and institutional theory from management science were used to develop a structured questionnaire, which was subsequently used to conduct telephone interview of the CEOs of six recently acquired mining companies. Analysis of the survey results indicated that, in all cases, few changes were made to the operational management of the Australian companies post-M&A. The three major benefits for Australian companies as a result of the M&A are the ability to; access long-term debt at lower cost; secure finance for growth plans in financially volatile times; and maintain existing management structures. Some perceived negatives involved longer and more convoluted decision-making as a result of Chinese state approval required for investment decisions. The study identified building æGuanxiÆ and an aversion to losing æfaceÆ as important cultural learnings for Australian CEOs. Maintaining effective communications is regarded as key for successful cultural integration.CITATION:Liang, W, Zhu, Y and Knights, P, 2012. Cultural challenges in Chinese/Australian mining mergers and acquisitions - A CEOÆs perspective, in Proceedings International Mine Management 2012, pp 251-260 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 20, 2012

By Phillips J. T, Hutton W. A

This paper discusses why Argyle Diamonds adopted thickened tailings disposal in 1985 and how the system was developed over the next seven years. A wide ranging review of the thickened tailings disposal system and the tailings deposit it was producing was carried out during 1992 and 1993. The results of that review led to the abandonment of thickened tailings disposal at Argyle because of serious concerns about the stability of the resultant tailings deposit. The exposure to the risk of liquefaction and an assessment of the consequences if this happened to the thickened tailings deposit are shown. The criteria for selecting the new tailings disposal strategy are then described. The final section of the paper discusses the management strategies that have been put in place. These are designed to: ò reduce the risk posed by the thickened tailings deposit to an acceptable level; ò safely store tailings to the end of mine life; ò produce a land form that can be decommissioned to the satisfaction of Government regulatory bodies.

Jan 1, 1996

By Jansen N

Production from the narrow, high grade silver-lead-zinc orebodies below 15 level commenced in mid 1985.Geological, mining research and recent mining experience determined that a mechanised drill, fire and muck cycle would be the most suitable method.Ground conditions are predicted to be worse than in other cut and fill (MICAF) areas at Isa Mine, owing to the increased depth, more variable dip of the orebodies and the increased effect of major geological structures.Mechanised ground support and tight filling techniques feature in controlling these expected adverse ground conditions.

Jan 1, 1985