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By P. H. Morris

To achieve the full potential of sub-aerial co-disposal the properties of the co-disposed wastes must be known and understood. A description is given of the morphology and properties of waste deposits that were formed during 19 field trials of sub-aerial co-disposal at the dual Goonyella-Riverside mine in Queensland and at Hunter Valley No.1 and Warkworth mines in New South Wales

Jun 19, 1905

By R. G. Kidel, S. C. Doming

The project has shown that it is feasible for a junior company to reopen a narrow vein-style gold mine and successfully take it into production. An intimate understanding of the mineralisation and a flexible approach to mining are crucial, as are stringent cost control and efforts to keep overheads low. The project has confirmed the geological complexity of the Main Lodes, which consist of highly sheared quartz-sulphide infill in strongly sericitised granodiorite. The existence of discrete high-grade zones within the Hangingwall Lodes has also been confirmed. Broad low-grade zones continue to be recognised and require the local application of bulk longhole mining methods. The initial mine plan called for predominantly longhole stoping, but adverse ground conditions have meant that a switch to air-leg mining has produced higher run-of-mine grades. The excess capacity at the processing plant can best be used by batch processing, with its reduced maintenance requirements

Jun 21, 1905

By V. Krupa, E. Lazarova

A method is proposed for the continuous calulation of a rock mass in real time while tunnelling with a TBM. Rock properties are investigated through models of the fracture stress under the disc cutters, the quasi-shear stress between the disc cutters and the specific energy of cutting under the disc cutters. Comparison of theoretical and monitored data of cutting specific energy can be used to determine theoretically the prevailing shape and size of the bulk debris. The shape and size of the chips from a given rock vary with the boring parameters. Introducing shape and volume corrections into the models of the evaluated stresses suppresses the influence of the boring regime and allows the rock properties to become dominant

Dec 1, 1996

By P. Varona, L. Lorig, M. Board, E. Chacon

Geomechanical factors at the mine are important and will become even more relevant as the pit expands and deepens. To address these demands a team was assembled to collect geomechanical information and perform numerical analysis. The west wall is the largest and flattest of all the design sectors in the pit and rigorous studies were carried out on this wall. The wall behaviour is controlled mainly by a set of steeply dipping joints within the slope in the Fortuna Granodiorite and a weak zone, the Zona Plastica, that extends vertically near the pit bottom. These features lead to large toppling displacements in the upper portions of the wall. Two numerical models were used to reproduce the general features of failure observed in the wall. The modelling indicated that a toppling mode of failure results from shear on the steeply dipping joints. The toppling leads to slumping or landslides whereby the west wall flows slowly downslope as the Zona Plastica compresses

Apr 1, 1996

By G. D. Schena, C Chiaruttini

The feasibility is demonstrated of reconstructing the volumetric distribution of liberated particles and middlings by use of a damped, weighted least-square regularisation method. This allows a precise mass balance to be obtained around a separation/concentration unit, permitting evaluation of the partition curve (Tromp curve) of the separator. Areal grade measurements are made on polished sections of feed, concentrate and tailings and a kernel-based inversion technique is then used to obtain the volumetric grade distribution of the three assemblages. A plain kernel (number of occurrences) and a weighted kernel (each occurrence counted with its area) are used for the solution. Testing of the method on computer-generated synthetic areal grade measurements indicates that it offers a valid alternative to the tedious conventional procedure of conducting experiments with heavy liquids

Jun 21, 1905

By J. E. Misiewicz, A Rozendaal

Paper presented at Geofluids '93, held in Torquay, UK, 4-7 May 1993. The tin field consists of a fragment of Lower Proterozoic volcanosedimentary rocks surrounded by granitoids. Almost all the significant deposits are hosted by arkoses and are classified as replacement and space-filling types, with particular styles of mineralisation dominating at different mines. Petrological and geochemical investigation of borehole cores from four centres indicated the presence of a stratified zone 500-600 m thick and continuous over at least 20 km along strike, consisting of pervasively altered clastic arenitic sediments. The alteration is zoned into a grey-green sodic albitised footwall, an 80 m thick sericitised-tourmalinised sulphidic tin zone and a red haematitic potassic hanging-wall. The zoning and the localisation of three cassiterite phases are consistent with the tectonic history and with multiple pulses of stanniferous hydrothermal fluids derived from late differentiates of the granites over a prolonged period. Areas of high fracture density acted as conduits for the fluids, whose initially rapid ascent was retarded by decreasing pressure contrast, limited development of fracturing and/or impermeable shaly arkose to cause lateral spreading and pervasive alteration over a broad, stratified front. Lateral overlapping of local fronts at the various centres suggests a continuous zone, while the many petrological and geochemical similarities point to a shared fluid composition

Aug 1, 1995

By M. L. Leblanc, J. F. Burzynski, D. J. Mossman

A strong heterogeneity in the distribution of Sb+/-Au deposits exists within the North Atlantic Acadian-Hercynian domain. This is reflected in the regional disparity in Sb production among the various producing countries. This work focuses on the nature and distribution of Sb+/-Au occurrences in the Acadian-Hercynian domain. A summary listing of the general features of Sb-Au deposits found in this area is given

Dec 1, 1991

By D Macdougall, J Otto

The financing of large mining projects in developing countries is often achieved, at least in part, by limited-recourse financing methods. Financing agreements are affected by the basic accord that is struck between the host government and the sponsors of the project. It is concluded that governments and project sponsors should take into account the requirements of lenders when structuring such mineral development agreements to maximise the potential for attracting project financing. Lenders are likely to be most interested in aspects such as fiscal arrangements, calculation of taxable income and general accounting rules, royalties, transferability of payments/dividends overseas, corporate structure and control, staged development, financing, loan support and state guarantees/approvals, political risk, provisions for default, product marketing, settlement of disputes and environmental issues

Aug 1, 1994

By D. C. Kaliampakos, A. K. Moutsatsou, J. K. Skotaras

The wastes from marble extraction in the Thasos- Kavalla-Drama region of northeastern Greece could be utilised as a new source of high-quality white carbonate fillers for the European market. Large deposits, satisfactory properties, acceptable processing costs and environmental benefits are among the factors that would have a positive bearing on a proposal for their use in this way. DTH, the waste arising from dolomitic marble quarrying operations on the island of Thasos, appears to be the more suitable material than DA waste from Nikissiani on the mainland because of the lower cost of primary grinding and the higher production rate of ultrafines with a mean particle size of 5 micrometres (the optimum size for filler properties in the case of both DTH and DA), its superior whiteness, the benefits that such use would bring to a very severe and complex environmental problem and the lower transport cost

Jun 18, 1905

By P. H. Carr, G. G. Marino, K. A. Patel

Extensions to a correctional institution at Wabash Valley, Indiana, required development over abandoned coal-mine workings, at 90 m depth, where subsidence was possible at surface. Backfilling of the flooded mine in critical areas was determined to be the most cost-effective method of limiting the risk of damage to the buildings. Containment grout was first placed in selected entries and cross-cuts of each mine area; the remaining volume was then filled with a readily flowing infill grout. Where a high proportion of an area was taken up by rubble, calcium lignosulphonate was used as a retarder and plasticiser to increase penetration. Grout movement was monitored from adjacent boreholes with an electrical resistivity probe during grouting, while after the work was finished core samples were obtained from verification holes drilled in the backfilled areas

Jun 19, 1905

By A. E. Tercan, D. Mamurekli

Ordinary kriging on the assumption of a gaussian error distribution and indicator kriging were used to derive the probability that a given calorific value would or would not be exceeded by coal from an area of a deposit. The two techniques led to similar probability maps despite local differences; the lack of an absolute reference makes it impossible to judge which method is better for this particular application

Jun 19, 1905

By D. M. Milne, P. J. Lunder, R. C. Pakalnis

During the mining of an open stope, deformation of the hanging-wall and the potential for dilution generally increase with the size of the exposed hanging-wall. Excluding discrete structures that may delineate unstable blocks, the mechanisms that drive hanging-wall deformation and possible dilution comprise several factors which can include elastic, plastic and discontinuum deformation. These stages of deformation are not mutually exclusive and at any point during mining all three of these mechanisms may be acting on the hanging-wall rock mass. Computer modelling techniques are available to analyse the three stages of deformation, but the difficulty lies in trying to obtain realistic rock mass properties for input and in determining when each stage of deformation is acting. Instrumentation data can be used to predict the effect of continued mining. However, it is often difficult to calibrate numerical models against field data owing to the large number of input parameters required. An empirical approach is recommended that uses two new parameters, the radius factor and the effective radius factor. A method is proposed for predicting the effect of continued mining from existing deformation and dilution data for a given hanging-wall

Apr 1, 1996

By L. T. Isaacs, W. H. Traves

A numerical model for analysing the drainage of fill in mine stopes has been described. The model can be used to analyse the process of fill drainage in existing and proposed mine stopes. The validity and potential value of the model have been established by experience with a simpler, 2-dimensional numerical model and by testing the new model against the earlier model. The new model is more useful than the 2-dimensional model because it allows for heterogeneity of fill material within the stope - a factor that has been demonstrated to affect drainage characteristics significantly. The 3-dimensional model is also capable of predicting pore pressures and drainage rates at specific locations in the stope without the need to resort to 2-dimensional generalisations. Such information, integrated with relevant field data as they become available, will provide valuable mine planning information for the scheduling of filling operations and design of fill mixes

May 1, 1991

By E. O. Afreh, R. J. Bowell, E. Hanssen, D. Pohl, S. Abe, R. K. Yao, N. d'A. Laffoley

In the largely preserved laterite profiles at Syama mine, in the savanna region of southern Mali, element geochemistry in the mottled-clay horizon and below can be related directly back to the protolith, but above this, in the ferricrete and cuirasse horizons, the hypogene signature is much modified by pedogenic processes. In tropical rainforest terrains extensive remobilisation can result in wide but weak geochemical targets for gold and pathfinder elements. At the Hire concession in central Ivory Coast, intense recent alteration of the largely intact laterite sequences has modified soil-geochemical dispersion patterns extensively, producing Fe-rich nodular stone lines and obliterating previous patterns and features. Where the upper horizons of the laterite profile have been removed or reworked, as at the Senoufo concession in northern Ivory Coast (savanna) or the Kubi prospect in Ghana (rainforest), all soil horizons can be related directly to hypogene geochemistry. In these truncated profiles, gold and base metal anomalies are essentially those of the lower weathering profile and form narrow but strong dispersion haloes. A good understanding of the geochemical processes active in deeply weathered profiles is required if targets are to be recognised effectively

Apr 1, 1996

By A. Berckmans

The key variables in the financial analysis of a mining project include the metal price and the quantities of ore and metal. In general, if the metal price drops, the cutoff grade is increased so as to increase the average grade. This causes recovered tonnages of ore and metal to drop. Discussion is presented of the development of a new method to evaluate the relationship between the cutoff grade, z, the ore tonnage above cutoff, T, and the metal quantity above cutoff, Q. Detailed information is provided on the QTz curves for lognormal and inverse gaussian (Sichel's) distributions. Both these distributions are used as models for the grades in different types of ore bodies, and they are both T-symmetric. The geometry of the QTz curves is simplified, making it easier to work out the impact of minor variation in the parameter values for each distribution

Dec 1, 1996

By R D. Lama, A Misra

One of the major factors restricting an increase in the productivity of a longwall mine is lower productivity obtained in a development panel. There has been a significant improvement in gate road development, particularly in mines requiring high density roof and rib bolting within 2 m of the face. Advance rates have increased from an average of 3 m to 5 m per shift in 1985 up to an average of 5 m to 10 m per shift in 1991. In mines at shallow depths with reasonably good conditions the increase has not been that significant. Advance rates have increased from an average of 7 m to 12 ni per shift in 1985 to an average of 12 m to 15 m per shift in 1991. Compared to the United States' (US) development rates, these are much lower. Extensive research work has been carried out to minimise cutting, wheeling, support setting time, and to optimise pillar length to achieve maximum advance rates. Pillar optimisation is very important in order to expedite adverse rates. This paper investigates various development rate technologies, both present and future, and optimises pillars to improve these dev elupment rates. Pillar optimisation is based upon time and motion studies conducted at mines in the Illawara region of New' South Wales, Australia, and the basic tools of arithmetic.

Jan 9, 1996

By J Hadijigeorgiou, R. W. Lawrence, R Pouling

The layered co-mingling method involves the disposal of waste rock with the addition, at predefined construction stages, of layers of dewatered mine tailings. The resulting waste structure displays bulk properties that are more favourable to acid rock drainage (ARD) control than the constituent materials alone. A laboratory test programme was conducted to examine the potential of this method. Columns containing different configurations of waste rock and tailings were percolation leached for 40 weeks and the leachates examined for various parameters. In the short term the chemical reactions that result from the introduction of dewatered tailings into rock waste can significantly improve the quality of the drainage. Columns with co-mingled material produced leachate with pH levels of 8, whereas leachate from the control column containing waste rock alone had a pH of 4. Larger-scale field tests are planned to determine the effect of the disposal method over the longer term

Apr 1, 1996

By S. A. Sayed, M. N. M. Ahmed, M. A. Doheim

The performance of a 12.7 cm hydrocyclone was investigated by considering the effect of design variables (diameters of the vortex finder and apex) and operating variables (pressure drop and solids content of the feed) at a medium feed solids concentration of mixed minerals. Cut-size was found to be the most important parameter in hydrocyclone design and operation. The effect of feed pressure in reducing hydrocyclone cut-size is less pronounced at medium feed solids concentration with a mixed mineral feed. The choice of vortex finder diameter and apex diameter becomes more sensitive at medium feed solids concentrations. The effect of feed solids concentration in increasing the cut-size becomes less marked at higher concentrations. Predictions of an empirical model were found to be in good agreement with experimental data. Comparison of results obtained from the model with those predicted by theoretically derived models showed the latter to be more promising, with the turbulent two-phase model giving closer agreement with the experimental data

Apr 1, 1995

By A. M. R. Neiva

The WNW-ESE-trending hydrothermal veins cut alternating mica schists and quartzites of mainly Ordovician age and, to the west, a Hercynian muscovite-biotite granite. They have been prospected and developed to a depth of 300 m and reserves of 20 t Au estimated. The paragenetic sequence and chemical compositions of the ore minerals are generally similar to those at Jales to the south. Gold, electrum and aurian silver form inclusions in arsenopyrite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrrhotite and quartz and also occur in veinlets that cut these minerals. Silver has been found in gold, electrum, aurian silver, tetrahedrite, freibergite and the Ag-Pb-Sb sulphide owyheeite. Early arsenopyrite crystallised at an estimated 480 degrees C and the more common, later arsenopyrite in which Au and Ag are generally included at 430-300 degrees C. Sphalerite crystallised at 307-100 degrees C. Monoclinic pyrrhotite may have been formed by the inversion of hexagonal pyrrhotite at 248 degrees C

Jun 16, 1905

By P. H. Morris

The exponential delta profile equation matches the profiles of a wide range of coal and metalliferous subaerial tailings deltas well, but the original model implies unrepresentatively low solids concentrations. A revision, based on analysis of the governing equations of mobile bed flows with high concentration values, has shown that for exponential delta profiles to form there must be quasi-steady, slowly varying flow and slow deposition as well as tailings with a log-uniform sorting-parameter distribution. Deposition on tailings deltas is slow and the flow in many natural streams and, by analogy, tailings deltas is quasi-steady and slowly varying; the assumption of such flow is justified by the strong congruence of the revised model and the available data. The predictions of the theoretical model are essentially unchanged but concentration and flow Froude number are now not explicitly limited

Jun 19, 1905