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By N. Patel

Many factors, from engineering and design to supply, installation, and operation affect the service lifespan of cast refractory linings. If a shortcoming occurs at any of these stages, the lining lifespan can be drastically reduced. Although not every aspect that can affect a cast refractory lining?s lifespan is outlined here, a few key points are highlighted, with an emphasis on the various installation parameters. Keywords cast linings, refractory lifespan, lining engineering and design, lining supply, lining installation, curing, dry-out.

Aug 1, 2013

By E. J. Magri, A. Couble

Kriging estimates of geological resources are sometimes conditionally biased because the kriging plan contains too few samples. This may be done purposely in order to match the variance of the estimates to the true block dispersion variance. This work aims at evaluating the influence of conditional bias over the ultimate optimum pit design in relation to its shape, size and NPV (Net Present Value of profits). It has been restricted to two real case studies: a ‘carrot shaped’ gold porphyry in northern Greece and a manto-typeexotic copper deposit located in northern Chile. The methodology applied to each deposit consisted of generating a ‘real block model’ and four resource estimates by the use of conditional simulation and the application of four different kriging plans to the drillhole databases respectively. The estimation models vary in smoothness and conditional bias. Ultimate optimum pits were determined for the ‘real’ and the four different kriging models. Pit comparisons lead to the following conclusions: •In the worst case, conditional bias overestimated the project's NPV by 32% and 5% for the gold and copper deposits respectively. •The overestimation of high grades is more relevant than the underestimation of low grades. This resulted in a tonnage over-extraction of 148% and 1% for the gold and copper deposit respectively. This difference was attributable to the vastly different geometry of the deposits. •The smoothing effect of kriging, without or very little conditional bias, produced open pits that were different to the ‘true’ (ideal) ones and furthermore, underestimated the project's NPV by 10% and 6% for the gold and the copper deposits respectively. •Other factors that influence the optimum open pit design and to some extent control the effect of conditional bias are: the cut-off grade, the orebody geometry and distribution of grades within it and the amount of over-burden. Keywords: conditional bias, ultimate pit design

Jan 1, 2003

By T. Orupold

This paper covers the commercial development of gravity separation of fine particles using a Lamella High Shear Rate REFLUX? Classifier (REFLUX? Classifier), focusing primarily on coal applications. The REFLUX? Classifier is a fluidized bed device that incorporates a system of closely spaced parallel inclined channels located above the fluidized bed. These channels make it possible to achieve a significant suppression of the effects of particle size, resulting in a highly effective separation on the basis of density. The improved gravity separation performance is shown to be remarkably high, with a significant reduction in the variation of separation density with particle size, and a significant reduction in the change in Ecart probable error (Ep) with size. The first full commercial-sized units of the REFLUX? Classifier were field-tested in late 2009 in coal applications. More recently, the technology has been applied in fine particle separation in minerals applications and there are a number of full-sized units operating in chrome applications in South Africa. Initially, pilot-scaled units (typically the RC?300) were trialled in iron ore, mineral sands, and manganese plants amongst other minerals, typically after other technologies failed to achieve the desired results. Currently a number of laboratories globally are carrying out more testing in minerals applications. More than 50 RC? units are now operating in coal and minerals applications. This paper introduces the REFLUX? Classifier technology, identifies commercial applications, and gives some commercial results.

Jan 1, 2014

By C. -I. Lee

Since the early 1970s, Korea has constructed many large-scale tunnels and underground storage caverns in response to the rapid industrial development. The rock mechanics engineers have accumulated valuable experiences in the area of underground space technologies. But they still face technical challenges in environmental and safety aspects. To discuss those challenges in Korea, a brief engineering description of underground space projects including oil and gas storage, food storage, pumped storage power plant, transportation tunnels, waterway tunnels, and radioactive waste disposal is presented. Mechanical and hydrological stability analyses of the storage caverns in Korea are also introduced. Depuis le début des années soixante-dix, le développement industriel rapide en Corée a entraîné la construction de nombreuses galeries et cavernes de stockage souterraines. Les ingénieurs de mécanique minière ont donc accumulé des expériences précieuses dans le domaine de la technologie de l’espace souterrain. Cependant, ils font toujours face à de nombreux défis techniques en ce qui concerne les aspects de l’environnement et de la sécurité. Pour présenter ces défis en Corée, l’étude présente décrit les projets d’espace souterrain, y compris le stockage de pétrole et de gaz, de nourriture, centrales de stockage pompé, tunnels de transport, tunnels navigables, et évacuation des déchets radioactifs. Des analyses de stabilité mécanique et hydrologique des cavernes de stockage en Corée sont aussi présentées. Seit Anfang der 70er-Jahre, baute Korea in Folge raschen Industriewachstums viele lange Tunnelsund unterirdische Lagerungsräume. Fachkräfte im Bereich Gesteinsmechanik sammeltenwertvolle Erfahrungen über unterirdische Raumtechnologien. Dennoch stehen sie auch heute nochvor technischen Herausforderungen im Bereich Umweltschutz und Sicherheit. Zur Erläuterungdieser Herausforderungen in Korea folgt eine kurze technische Beschreibung der Projekte zurSchaffung unterirdischen Raumes für beispielsweise Öl- und Gaslagerung,Nahrungsmittellagerung, Pumpspeicherwerke, Straßen- und Wasserstraßentunnels, als auchLagerung radioaktiven Mülls. Mechanische und hydrologische Stabilitätsanalysen derLagerungsräume in Korea werden ebenfalls dargestellt.

Jan 1, 2003

By Kevin Peacocke

The future of Gravity ? Primary mineral recovery ? Enhancement of existing process efficiency ? Pre-Concentration ? Alternative? or ?New? production

Jan 1, 2006

Primary roof support represents the first line of defence against rockrelated falls of ground in underground mines, and improper utilization or misunderstanding of the applicability and behaviour of primary support can be costly from a safety standpoint. This is a major concern for underground mines, as roof support is the single most costly expense from a mining operational perspective. This is further backed by the evidence that, in the USA, hundreds of injuries and fatalities still occur each year because of rib, roof, and massive roof falls. Additionally, the fully-grouted passive rebar, fully-grouted tension rebar, and resin-assisted mechanical anchor bolts, which constitute a large portion (89%) of the 68 million bolts installed each year in underground mines in the USA can vary in cost quite dramatically. To mitigate this concern a study was conducted in 2010 by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, in conjunction with Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, to assess the performance of primary roofbolts in underground coal mines for improved safety and cost. This was accomplished using underground roofbolt monitoring solutions, field data, and numerical modelling to better understand the quasi-static behaviour of underground coal mine roofs and the response behaviour of the bolts. In particular, over 170 instrumented extensometers, closure meters, shear meters, fully-grouted passive rebar, fully-grouted tension rebar, and resin-assisted mechanical roofbolts were installed at three coal mines across the USA. Of these three mines, two used the room and pillar extraction method and the other used the longwall extraction method. There was no evidence to indicate a difference in performance of the active primary roofbolts compared with the passive primary roofbolts. Additionally, in the initial loading phase, the active bolts showed no difference in loading, indicating that tension bleed-off is of more of a concern than originally thought. Lastly, for the initial computer modelling studies, challenges still remain in obtaining a good match to the in situ bolt measurements and replicating the discontinuous roof rock and in situ bolt behaviour over time.

Jan 1, 2014

By P. van der Westhuyzen

Gone are the days of stock-standard diamond beneficiation and final recovery circuits that could, with minor modifications, be adapted to treat any diamond-bearing ore source. A new era has dawned, offering the opportunity to streamline existing diamond processing operations or develop simpler, more efficient, and economical diamond processing plants, with the focus on more efficient comminution, beneficiation, and final recovery. This change in scene has been brought about by: ? The introduction, rapid development, and maturation of multiple comminution, sorting, and recovery technologies ? The need to adapt to a new standard of project approach post the commodity super-cycle phase, where optimizing existing operations and developing scalable, ?fit for purpose? new mines are fast becoming the norm in diamond processing plants in both primary and alluvial operations ? The quest for energy efficiency and lower labour costs ? More remote and inaccessible reserves (under lakes, tops of mountains etc.). This paper serves to identify some technology advances and demonstrates how these could be considered as replacements for or in combination with conventional technologies to arrive at an optimum techno-economic solution. To name a few applications/technologies: ? Comminution: conventional cone crusher, modified/specialized cone crusher, and the high-pressure grinding roll (HPGR). Although significant advances have been made in recent years, this paper only briefly covers comminution within the beneficiation circuit design ? Waste sorting: NIR (near-infrared) sorting, optical (colour) sorting, XRF (X-ray fluorescence) ? Primary concentration by combining dense media separation (DMS) with either XRT (X-ray transmissive), pulsed X-ray, jigs, or pan plants depending on the application, scale, and economics ? Final recovery of diamonds with either conventional X-ray technology, pulsed X-ray technology, or XRT. From recent studies, it can be concluded that there is no longer a standard solution, but rather the ?right? or appropriate solution. Through combining a sound knowledge of the ore source (ore dressing studies or onmine data gathering) and leveraging off the advances in technologies, one is able, through trade-off studies, to arrive at the ultimate techno-economic configuration, the ?right? solution. Emphasis is placed on maximizing diamond recoveries through appropriate technology selection and minimizing the associated costs in an effort to de-bottleneck or improve efficiencies of existing diamond processing plants, or to arrive at the ideal new diamond process plant design..

Jan 1, 2014

By N. Naude, R. Foisy, F. Bornman

Spiral separators have been widely accepted as one of the most flexible gravity separation devices for several decades. The International Journal of Mineral Processing, 84, pp. 118 – 132 mentioned that spirals are for treating material too coarse for flotation and too fine for dense-media separation. Powder Technology V 102, pp 244 – 252, 1999 stated that there exists a genuine need for extending the performance envelope of spirals – whether to treat finer or coarser material than the traditional size ranges. In recent times there has been an upsurge in interest, particularly in the development of newer fine gravity separators. Spiral separators for the recovery of ultra-fine particles have a unique profile, pitch and features to ensure efficient performance. The flow on the spiral trough must be controlled to minimise turbulence that will entrain fine particles in the outer section of the trough. The experimental test work showed a movement of mass from the outer region towards the centre column of the spiral, i.e., from the fine tailings band towards the concentrate. As recovery on the spiral trough is a function of mass yield and grade, the ultra-fine 7 spiral had a better recovery than the HX5. This makes the UF7 an ideal rougher spiral. Keywords: Ultra-fine particles, spiral, design, recovery

Jan 1, 2020

By K. -C. Han, S. -Y. Kim

This study was carried out in a bid to survey Ganboke gold mine in Pala, Mayo-Kebbi Province, southwestern Chad. The Ganboke mine is now being prepared for investigation and development, and the research sought to perform rock properties tests of relevant rocks through its geological survey, rock mass evaluation, and in-situ and laboratory tests and analyze the stability by the means of limit equilibrium method, thereby suggest appropriate methods to design the pit slope and individual benches in Ganboke mine. Targenting GS1-GS1' section with the depth of 180 m and GS2-GS2' section with the depth of 150 m in the survey area, we set the height of the bench at 10 m and 15 m, and the angle of bench at 60o and 70o, respectively, and then reviewed the stability for dried condition and saturated condition. The result of examination indicated that it would be appropriate to set the bench height at 10m and the bench angle at 60o in developing the mine slopes concerned. Cette étude est réalisé dans le but de faire des recherches sur Ganboke mine d'or dans Pala, Mayo-Kebbi Provence, Tchad sud-ouest. La Ganboke mine est actuellement en train de étre disposé à la investigation et le développement, et la recherche a cherché à accomplir les tests de la propriétè des roches par l'intermédiaire de la étude géologique, la évaluation de la masse rocheuse, et in-situ et les tests de laboratoire et à faire l'analyse de la stabilité au moyen de la méthode d'équilibre limite, de ce fait à proposer le methodes propres à faire le plan de la pente et les gradins individuels dans la Ganboke mine. Concernant la section de GS1-GS1' avec la profondeur de 180 m et la section de GS2-GS2' avec la profondeur de 150 m dans l'aire d'étude, nous mîmes l'hauteur du gradin à 10 m et 15 m, et l'angle du gradin à 60o and 70o, respectivement, et alors nous avon reconsidéré la stabilité pour la condition sèche et la condition saturé. Le résultat d'examen a indiqué que il pourrait être propre de mettre l'hauteur du gradin à 10m et l'angle du gradin à 60o en développant les pentes de la mine concerné. Diese Forschung wurde um das Gold Bergwerk zu überschauen in Pala, Mayo-Kebbi Provinz, der Südwesten Chad ausgeführen. Das Ganboke Bergwerk ist jetzt zur Erforschung und Entwicklung vorgebereiten worden, und die Forschung suchte zu ausführen die Prüfungen der Felseigenschaft durch geologischen Überblick, Felsmassewertbestimmung, und In-situ und Lavorversuch auf, und analysieren die Stabilität mittelst der Grenzegleichgewichtsmethode, da-durch schlug die angemes-sen Methoden zu entwerfen die Böschungen und die einzelnen Bänke im Ganboke Bergwerk vor. Für den Abschnitt GS1-GS1' mit der Tiefe von 180 m und GS2-GS2' mit der Tiefe von 150 m in der Überblickfläche, wir setzten die Bankhöhe an 10 m und 15 m, und das Bankwinkel an 60o und 70o, beziehungsweise, und dann zurückblickten die Stabilität für die getrockneten Bedingungen und die gesättigten Bedingungen. Das Ergebnis der Untersuchung anzeigte daß es würde angemessen sein zu setzen die Bqnkhöhe an 10m und das Bankwinkel an 60o in der Entwickelungen vom Bergwerk be-teiligt.

Jan 1, 2003

By H. Matsuoka, M. Kawata, K. Mitsuhashi, C. Tokoro, T. Kato

Copper sulfide minerals generally have high floatability, but their floatability decreases when surfaces are oxidised under some conditions. Sodium hydrosulfide, NaHS, is known both as an activator and as a depressant for copper minerals. NaHS at low concentrations activates copper oxides by sulfurising surfaces, but at high concentrations depresses copper sulfides by interfering with the adsorption of collectors. In this paper, we applied NaHS to activate oxidised chalcocite and bornite and focused on the conditions of NaHS treatments such as dosages and pH, and the effect of these conditions on the floatability of those minerals. The pure minerals treated with NaHS were analysed using zeta potential analyser and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Analyses indicated that the reactions of NaHS and the products on the mineral surfaces after the reactions (i.e. oxidation, pH change) depended on whether NaHS reacted with copper or iron, and the reactions between NaHS and iron depend on NaHS concentration and pH. Flotation tests using a small column cell were performed with a single pure mineral, and using a Denver-type flotation machine with a copper sulfide ore. The results of each flotation test were utilised to clarify the floatability. The relation between flotation behaviours and analysis results were also discussed. Keywords: Chalcocite, bornite, NaHS activation, flotation, floatability

Jan 1, 2020

By M. Helm

Over the last 40 years, numerous investigations have focussed on the preg-robbing capacity of carbonaceous material during gold ore processing. Various techniques have been applied to characterize the physical and chemical properties of the carbonaceous material in efforts to predict its preg-robbing capacity. The present study, which forms part of an ongoing investigation, is specifically designed to increase the understanding of preg-robbing in ores containing carbonaceous material. In excess of 100 samples from 13 gold mines located in major gold provinces of the world have been incorporated into the present study. These samples were characterized using industry standard metallurgical techniques and were shown to have gold adsorption capacities ranging from a few grams to many hundreds of grams of gold per ton of ore. Further analysis showed that the crystalline nature of the carbonaceous material, which is related to its geological history, is important in determining the preg-robbing capacity of an ore. This finding builds on the common understanding that the preg-robbing behaviour of an ore is related to the amount (or abundance) of carbonaceous material present in that ore. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate the physical nature of carbonaceous material. This is a tool which has been successfully applied by researchers for the characterisation of carbon materials, with respect to crystallite size and lattice defects. Raman analysis of the samples included in this study showed varying degrees of disorder in the carbonaceous materials from the different deposits. Comparison of the Raman spectra with the gold loading capacities of the samples indicated a direct relationship between the structure of the carbonaceous material and its capacity to preg-rob gold. From this, a simple and robust method has been developed based on the Raman spectra of the sample and carbonaceous material content to predict the preg-robbing capacity of an ore. The potential exists to develop a predictive tool using Raman spectroscopy for characterising the preg-robbing capacity of an ore. Such a tool would have potential application in projects ranging from the early stage of exploration through to more detailed feasibility studies and mining operations. The result of applying the predictive method outlined in this paper would be the effective and proactive management of the deleterious influence of carbonaceous material on gold recovery in mining operations.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. C. R. van Schoor

In this study the applicability of a batch press to predict the energy consumption and particle size distributions for medium-pressure roller presses was investigated. The relationships between energy consumption, feed size and product size are discussed with reference to Hukki?s interpretation of Bond?s and Rittinger?s laws, as well as the particle size parameter used. It was found that the comminution laws have limited utility for the characterization of the performance of the medium-pressure roller crushers or the batch press used, and also depend on the particle size distribution indicator used. It was also found that the batch press is not a suitable simulator for medium-pressure roller mills as it was notable to predict the energy requirements, or to predict the size distributions that would be obtained for the ores evaluated.

Jan 1, 2012

Ninth International Symposium TECHNIQUES FOR DECISION MAKING IN THE MINERAL INDUSTRY The Symposium which is to be held in Montreal during the week of 14th to 19th June, 1970, follows the Computer Symposium held in Salt Lake City in September, 1969. The purpose of the Symposium is to define the role of decision-making techniques within the mineral industry and to stimulate the development of specific applications. The subject of the Symposium-mathematics, operations research and computers as applied to the mineral industry-have permitted us to structure it in such a way that a complete picture of the mineral industry in its public policy, corporate, financial and technological environment emerges. Topics for the sessions are: . The Public Policy Environment;. The role of Decision Making Techniques in the Mining Company; . Information Storage and Retrieval; . Markets-Forecasting, Patterns and Strategies;. Search for Mineral Deposits;. Quantification of Geological Variables;. The Mine Development Decision; Production Systems;. Planning, Scheduling and Control Systems. The sessions will be directed energetically by chairmen who have been in continuous contact with the authors, providing them with information about related papers and sessions. This symposium is sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, McGill University and Ecole Polytechnique. Further information may be obtained from: The 9th International Symposium. W. H. Gauvin, General Chairman, J. Elbrond, Programme Chairman. Department of Mining Engineering, Ecole Poly technique, P.O. Box 501, Snowdon, Montreal 248, Quebec, Canada. ACHEMA 1970 The European meeting of Chemical Engineering and the Achema Congress 1970 is being held at Frankfurt/Maine, from 17th to 24th June, 1970. The programme includes some 110 plenary and specialised lectures, numerous technical films, excursions, and technical discussions in front of the exhibits which form the central feature of the Achema-Exhibition Congress. Further information may be obtained from the honorary representative of Achema in South Africa, Mr F. Schilling, P.O. Box 31274, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. NINTH COMMONWEALTH CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS Publication of the proceedings of the Ninth Commonwealth Mining and Metallurgical Congress, 1969, is being undertaken by the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London. There will be four volumes covering papers presented at the Congress together with the discussion and author's replies, and the addresses by Sir Duncan and Sir Ronald Prain. These will be available April-June 1970. Special pre-publication prices apply to orders received before 1st April, 1970. Order forms may be obtained from Secretary S.A.I.M.M., P.O. Box 1183, Johannesburg. 6th World Congress on the Prevention of Occupational Risks This Congress, dealing with industrial accidents and occupational diseases, will be held in Vienna from 10th to 15th May, 1971. Further information may be obtained from: VI Weltkongress für Unfallverhütung, Postfach 745, A-1015 Wien, ÖSTERREICH. International Vacuum Metallurgy Conference 1970 The Vacuum Metallurgy Division of the American Vacuum Society is organizing an international meeting that will be held at the Convention Center in Aanaheim, California from 15th to 19th June, 1970. Enquiries should be directed to the Arrangement's Chairman, L. M. Bianchi, TRW Inc., 23555 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44117, Tel. No. (216) 383-2111. AIME WORLD LEAD-ZINC SYMPOSIUM This symposium is being held from 21st to 23rd October, 1970, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., in conjunction with the Fall Meeting of the Society of Mining Engineers, and a Rapid Excavation Conference. In addition to local field trips to smelter and refinery operations there will be a number of extended trips of six to eight days. Information may be obtained from: Mr. John C. Fox, Secretary, Society of Mining Engineers of AI.M.E., 354 East 47th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017, U.S.A. NEW SUBSCRIPTION RATE TO THE JOURNAL As from 1st JANUARY, 1970, the subscription rate for the Journal has been increased from R12.00 to R18.00 per annum, i.e. R1.50 per issue instead of R1.00. The discount to booksellers is 15 per cent. COURSEOF THE THEORYOF THE UNIT OPERATION OF GRINDING The South African Institute of Chemical Engineers is arranging for Prof. L. G. Austen to conduct a course on the above subject in September, 1970. Interested persons should contact Dr G. S. Harrison, S.A. Institution of Chemical Engineers, A.E. & C.I., 15 Anderson Street, Johannesburg. METRICATION The S.A. Bureau of Standards has published a document entitled "Metric Scales and Units for use in the Building and Construction Industry." It has been compiled by the Metrication Committee of the National Building and Construction Advisory Council and is the first of the series of informatory documents relating to the programme for the metrication of the Building Act Construction Industry. This document is obtainable from the South African Bureau of Standards, Private Bag 191, Pretoria at 50c per copy.

By Y. Jiao, V. S. Thompson, D. W. Reed, Y. Fujita, J. E. Aston

Rare earth elements (REE) are vital components in modern electronics and green technology products. Supply is tight and global demand is expected to increase, leading to high risk for the economic and national security of countries largely dependent upon foreign supplies. Recycling of REE from consumer and industrial waste materials is a possible way to help meet demand. We have shown previously that biohydrometallurgy can play an economically and environmentally sustainable role in REE recycling, particularly if agriculture or food wastes are used to produce organic acid bioleaching agents. A challenge for organic acid-based bioleaching is the incomplete conversion of the carbon substrate to an optimal organic acid biolixiviant with high REE extraction capability from a variety of REE-containing feedstocks (e.g., mining wastes, magnets from end of life products, spent batteries, etc.). To help meet this challenge a metabolic model was developed for Gluconobacter oxydans to identify options for improving sugar conversion to organic acids. Model predictions were consistent with laboratory data for the microbial consumption of glucose and production of gluconic acid, and suggested that providing growth conditions with relatively high C:N molar ratios could result in lower pH biolixiviant production and thus improve bioleaching. Keywords: Gluconobacter oxydans, bioleaching, metabolic modelling, rare earth elements summaries 2019: U.S. Geological Survey, 200 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/70202434.

Jan 1, 2020

Orange Free State Branch Minutes of a General Meeting held at the Welkom Mine Canteen on Wednesday, 21st November, 1973, at 4-.00 p.m. Present Mr E. T. Wilson (Chairman) in the Chair, 15 Fellows and Members, 12 Associates, Graduates, and Students, and 11 Visitors (Total 38). Book review Symposium on Environmental Engineering in Coal Mining The 20 papers presented at the symposium cover some 14 subjects related to environmental engineering in coal mines, such as dust, heat, gas emissions, ventilation, noise, and lighting. Competition for students Each year the Institute offers a prize (or prizes should the entries warrant it) of up to Rl00 for the best paper or dissertation on a topic appropriate to the interests of the Institute. A.8. & T.8. Trust The A.S. & T.S. Trust has been formed with the specific object of establishing a worthwhile source of funds which can be used to further the progress of science and technology in South Africa. Nim reports Report No. 1573 A pilot-plant investigation of a flotation model. Report No. 1597 The role of sulphur in the flotation of sulphide minerals. Report No. 1599 The analysis of silicate rocks and metallurgical slags by X -ray-fluorescence spectrometry. Report No. 1607 The analysis of ion-exchange resins by X-ray- fluorescence spectrometry. Report No. 1617 An electronic differential precision thermometer.

Jan 6, 1974

By A. J. Barrett

Backfilling at Vaal Reefs during the experimental phase has been carried out using cyclone-separated tailings which are transported underground hydraulically by means of a borehole. The selected tailings are piped from the borehole to the stope and then, after the addition of a flocculant, deposited in place via single or multiple nozzles. The successful performance of the backfill/stope system relies not only on the actual quality of the placed material, but also on the effective operation of stope filling. The success of stope filling relates to the complex, time- dependent interaction of backfill, stope and barricade materials, and the transport and placement procedures used. A comprehensive laboratory testing programme was carried out on backfill materials at Vaal Reefs in conjunction with the experimental stope- filling operation. The range of testing techniques corresponds to the requirements of each stage of the backfilling process. Where necessary, new or alternative techniques were sought during the course of the experiment to satisfy and facilitate better understanding of the different processes. These techniques comprise both routine quality control testing and research-oriented testing. The laboratory testing techniques appropriate to each stage of the backfill process are briefly discussed. This paper presents the main conclusions of the study and identifies areas for further research.

Jan 1, 1988

By K. Moxham, B. McKeown

The South African gold and platinum deposits were formed in very different ways and yet both have many similarities. They are flat dipping tabular orebodies, extremely narrow and located in hard abrasive country rock. The mining methods employed are also similar. Primary access is via shafts or declines; secondary access is via haulages and cross-cuts; and tertiary access is from raises. The proposed solution for rapid access described in this paper is focused on the haulages and cross-cuts.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. M. Eriksen, T. Rosenqvist, H. Elstad, S. Seim, A. Hildal

The titanium industry demands high titanium feedstock for their processes. As rutile resources are limited, ilmenite has become the most important titanium source. Ilmenite smelting is an important part of upgrading ilmenite to high titanium feedstock. In the year 2005, upgrading of ilmenite by smelting, producing a slag with 80-90% Ti02, accounted for approximately 40% of the feedstock to the Ti02 pigment industry. In ilmenite smelting molten iron is produced together with a slag, which in addition to titanium oxide contains iron oxide as well as various impurity oxides of manganese, magnesium, silicon, aluminium, etc. Titanium is present mainly as Ti02 but partly also as Ti203. It is known that the concentration of Ti203 increases with decreasing concentration of FeO, but this dependency is affected by the nature of the impurity oxides. Sigurdson and Moore1 showed that slags high in CaO and MgO had a lower concentration of Ti203 than slags high in Si02 for the same amount of FeO. Pistorius2 showed in 2002 that if the impurity oxides MnO and MgO are counted, on a molar basis, as FeO, and Cr203, V203 and part of the A1203*), as Ti203, industrial slags will have a composition close to that of the M305 phase, where M denotes the elements Ti, Fe, Mn, etc, and which has the pseudobrookite structure. However, for equilibrium with liquid metallic iron he computed, by means of a computer program FACT, that the slag equilibrium composition is represented by a curved line in the ternary phase diagram FeTi03-TiO2-Ti2O3, but with a significantly higher concentration of trivalent titanium than actually observed in the industrial slags, and he discussed various mechanisms by which the slag during solidification could change its composition to a lower Ti203 content, but the possibility that the computed compositions might be wrong was not mentioned. Trane113 found in her research on titaniferous silicate slags a lower Ti3+/ Ti4+ ratio than that which is computed by the FACT program. The purpose of the present investigation was to study the equilibrium composition of Fe-Ti-O slag in equilibrium with liquid metallic iron, as well as the effects of impurities such as Si02, CaO and MgO on the slag composition. Industrial slags from TINFOS Titan and Iron KS (TTI) will also be discussed and their compositions will be plotted in the ternary phase diagram. These are slags produced from Tellnes ilmenite, quite high in magnesium and iron. Experimental In the past, equilibrium studies of the Fe-Ti-O slag system were difficult when it came to producing the slag. It was difficult to find a suitable crucible for the meltings. The highly corrosive slag would attack all known refractories, and the metal would attack metallic crucibles such as those made of platinum and molybdenum. In the present investigations the slag-metal combination was prepared in a high-frequency induction furnace with a vertically segmented water-cooled copper crucible. The crucible is shown in Figures 1 a and 1b. It was designed by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) with power from a 75 kVA high-frequency generator (750 kHz) supplied by Farfield Electronics Pty, Ltd, Australia. This enabled the slag-metal combination to be melted with turbulent stirring and is expected to be isothermal. The entire temperature gradient

Jan 1, 2007

A wide range of drill holes and process streams are sampled for resource estimation, grade control and contractual purposes in the minerals industry. However, despite the availability of training courses, conferences and both national and international standards on correct sampling practices, it is still surprising how often little attention is given to ensuring that representative samples are collected for analysis. The reason for this is that the responsibility for sampling is often entrusted to personnel who do not appreciate the significance and importance of sampling, with cost being the main driving force rather than whether the sample is representative of the material from which it was extracted. This seriously undermines the precision and accuracy of the analyses subsequently generated and can render the analysis process a total waste of time and money and expose mining companies to serious, potential, financial losses. Company management needs to reverse this situation and ensure that sampling is given the attention it deserves to generate representative samples for analysis.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. L. Havenga

South Africa produces about 400 Kt zircon (ZrSiO4) per annum. This represents about 30 percent of the global demand. However, very little is beneficiated locally and more than 95 percent is exported with little or no value addition. Zircon is a very inert material and needs to undergo high-temperature alkaline melting processes to produce valuable zirconium products. The conversion of zircon to plasma-dissociated zircon (PDZ) produces a chemically reactive species (ZrO2.SiO2) which consist of finely divided submicron monoclinic ZrO2 crystals dispersed in a SiO2 matrix. In this paper, an in-flight, non-transferred arc pilot plasma plant with a capacity of 100 kg/h and which consists of three 150 kW DC plasma torches, is described. The optimization of the plant, which includes the use of different zircon concentrates, the influence of particle size, feed rates, plasma gas, and energy utilization, is discussed.

Jan 1, 2012