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Nuclear power stations to be installed in Australia will be fuelled from Australian resources of raw materials.This will require the establishment of new manufacturing industries and the eventual expansion of established activities, especially in uranium mining and the preparation of precision metal products.This paper presents some predictions of the possible growth of nuclear power installations in Australia.These might amount to 4000 MWE by 1985 and 11,500 MWE by 1990 and towards the end of the century, about 50 per cent of new generating plant might be nuclear.Predictions are given of the demands for materials (uranium and zirconium) and fuel manufacturing services for four reactor systems which might be considered in the programme.The availability of raw materials and technical capability place Australia in a particularly good position to undertake the manufacture of nuclear fuel; in addition to satisfying the domestic demand we should actively seek export markets for these products.

Jan 1, 1971

The paper briefly discusses the benefits to proponents of a formal environmental assessment process. It is argued that any process should be fair, cost effective and efficient, involve all affected parties, and should identify important issues at an early stage. The paper outlines the procedure used in Victoria, and the ways in which it attempts to address the above criteria.In conclusion the paper discusses progress towards a national approach to Environmental Impact Assessment. This is currently being pursued by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council.

Jan 1, 1992

The output of Dexin Pit Copper is up to 33 million tonnes a year and the final depth is more than 500 m. As a cost reduction measure, the in-pit crushing and conveying system has was introduced to deliver ore from the pit to mills. This paper describes the in-pit crushing and conveying system, and highlights the optimum level where the shovel-truck haulage system transfers into In-pit Crushing and Conveying system, relocation of an in-pit crushing system, and includes the impact of the transferring point when the costs change.

Jan 1, 2003

Mid-ocean ridges host approximately 65 per cent of about 100 known sites of high-temperature venting and polymetallic sulfide deposits; most of them are located at the East Pacific Rise (EPR), while more diverse mineralisation styles occur at the Mid-Atlantic Rise (MAR). Seafloor hydrothermal activity at the EPR are related to MORB while different substrates, including MORB and ultramafic intrusive rocks, are associated with æblack smokersÆ at the MAR. Depth of hydrothermal activity ranges from 0.7 to 4.3 km. High-temperature vents precipitating Cu-Fe sulfides (chalcopyrite and isocubanite, rare bornite), pyrrhotite, pyrite (¦ marcasite), and sphalerite, and low-temperature edifices precipitating marcasite (with pyrite), sphalerite, barite, andsubordinate chalcopyrite (pyrrhotite and isocubanite are absent) occur in both environments. There are considerable differences in Fe, Zn, Cu, Ag, Au and trace element contents in ores and in theFeS contents in Zn-sulfides in these deposits. Acomparison with anhydrite and sulfide minerals precipitating from modern black smoker fluids sulfide reveals many similarities but also some important differences. Fluids with salinity values above and below that of seawater at 400¦C down to 130 - 170¦C deposited sulfide minerals. Mantle-derived He prevails in fluids trapped by sulfides in EPR 9¦N and 21¦N hydrothermal systems. Hydrothermal fluids in MAR and back-arc systems are richer in radiogenic 4He. The sulfur isotope composition varies in the different hydrothermal fields and within zones of a chimney. EPR sulfides display narrower range of d34S values, while MAR and back-arc sulfides can bedepleted and enriched in the heavier d34S isotope. The most important finding is that fluid temperature, salinity, R/Ra ratios and d34S values ranged more significantly in the polymetallic sulfide deposits than when measured directly on venting fluids. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

I trust you know now or will know by the time you havecompleted your degree and added a little on-the-job experience,how to make the product from the mine you are working for. Butyou may not know the process to turn it into dollars, which ofcourse will be the life blood of your company. I am not going topromise to turn you into super salesmen, but I hope I can takeyou beyond the level of believing that selling our mineralproducts is as simple as putting in it on to a train, waving itgoodbye and waiting for the cheque to turn up in the mailbox afew weeks later.

Jan 1, 1994

The majority of coke in Australia is made in by-product slot ovens at steelworks in Port Kembla, Newcastle and Whyalla. Most of the coals for these plants come from New South Wales but a regular proportion of Queensland coals may be introduced. The plants and the coals are reviewed in the paper.

Jan 1, 1975

The optimisation of human resources provides the path to improving productivity. British Coal has the goal of competitiveness with a quality product in ensured supply. High class skilled professional management teams will analyse job definition and selection procedures for posts, as well as objectives for and delivery of effective management training.Some fundamental changes in attitudes towards training as a means of achievement may be by managers at all levels self-examining their abilities to improve their styles, and by moving training more into the world of high technology techniques. The resulting improvements to management and training with attendant cost benefits will be enjoyed by the companies responding most effectively to these challenges.

Jan 1, 1991

By Shihui L, Lianfu Z, Llanming J

The paper considers the essence of the multi-objective decision-making issues for selecting an optimal mining plan, and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the multi-objective decision-making techniques commonly used for selecting an optimal mining plan. It presents the principle and practice of using a group-AHD with mixed factors to select an optimal plan.

Jan 1, 1995

Traditionally mill operators have been employed with varying educational backgrounds with little if any formal training in aspects of mineral processing. Pasminco Mining-Rosebery, in line with other organisations, saw the need for a prerequisite entry level for operators to enter the industry. After initial discussions between various West Coast Mines personnel, union and government representatives, an industry working group was formed in 1989 with the aim of developing a traineeship suitable for the mineral processing industry. Training and technical representatives from four of the West Coast Mines and TAFE were commissioned with the curriculum development. The resultant course, which is recognised under the Australian Traineeship system, involved an integrated on and off-the-job training program, including 13 weeks of formal off-the-job instruction.

Jan 1, 1991

By J P. Hsi

Recent increase in the development of underground space in urban areas in Australia has included soft ground tunnel construction. The ground movements associated with soft ground tunnel construction may present risk to other existing and proposed structures in the nearby vicinity. Much experience has been gained both in the UK and Asia in recent years in the engineering evaluation of this risk. The paper presents a procedure to assess these aspects of soft ground tunnel construction with reference to recent projects.

Jan 1, 1999

Successfully managing project development and construction has often been a challenge in the mining industry. This is reflected in the number of projects that have taken longer to build, exceeded their budgets and then struggled to achieve the performance targets so confidently predicted beforehand. This paper outlines the fundamental elements of project management necessary to deliver mining projects on time and on budget, and performing as originally intended. It looks at areas such as the study process, project planning, team selection and structure, project controls, types of contracts used and approaches to contract management.

Jan 1, 2006

By C R. Headley, S O. Hille, N P. Jacob

The redevelopment of the Telfer Gold Mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia was primarily based on the construction of a 17 Mtpa dual train concentrator coupled with open pit and underground mining operations. The unique copper-gold orebody at Telfer requires the application of complex flotation conditions normally reserved for base metal concentrators, where two competing minerals are managed into separate products. This paper describes the commissioning of the flotation circuit, the process modes and the master/slave relationship that flotation has with a variable orebody.

Jan 1, 2007

An Ore Reserves and Exploration System has been under continuous development at Mount Isa Mines Limited since 1970. The task of re-engineering the system has now begun, and the first stage is operational. This paper describes how the application of data base concepts, and table driving techniques has resulted in a design in which the input documents, validation procedures and file data content are redefinable by parameters, thus allowing the system to be tailored to suit varying geological Environments.

Jan 1, 1977

Contractors have penetrated all areas of the Australian mining industry over the last 15 years. The process started in the WA gold and nickel mines and has since spread around the nation to iron ore, base metals and coal mines.The mine contracting industry has progressed from tentative beginnings in the 80s to the current situation where it is now providing high standards of professional management, safety and workmanship with competent people and high quality plant and equipment.

Jan 1, 1998

Because the Australian resource industry differs from the resource industries of other countries, direct application of manpower planning processes derived from overseas experience may be singularly inappropriate for Australian projects. Too often in Australia, project manpower planning has been undertaken as an afterthought to technical and financial analysis. A wide variety of complex and interrelated manpower considerations should be evaluated from the beginning of project planning, even at feasibility study stage, and relevant deductions should be incorporated into all other planning. Many manpower factors can be considered sequentially but it is probably necessary to undertake critical path analysis for manpower planning. The paper highlights some key factors involved in project manpower planning and suggests a simple linear planning sequence which integrates the analysis of factors and can in turn be integrated into technical and financial planning.

Jan 1, 1983

Cordeaux Colliery is more logically sited than the historic escarpment Corrimal Colliery, on the same reserve. At Cordeaux the modernisation of mine plans and equipment and the introduction of high production longwalls have created a record achieving producer of both steelmaking and export coals.Further changes achieved have been in employee related attitudes and performance, enhanced by business strategies and total quality control and particularly benefiting from innovative employee input With this present example of co-operative effort Cordeaux Colliery will continue to improve through management of total quality. resources, development rates and customer satisfaction.

Jan 1, 1991

Australia had been enjoying a market boom led by the mining sector and West Australian mines were leading the way to satisfy the massive demand for our natural resources, especially from China. However, the Apache gas explosion on Varanus Island, 97 km off the west coast, has clearly demonstrated how the unexpected can suddenly impact on profitability and investor confidence for the mining industry. Risk management with contingency planning can provide the most cost-effective solution to help ensure mining projects are successful. For this discussion we will focus primarily on contingency planning, CP for mining projects à and how to plan for the unexpected. The Apache gas explosion will be our example æUnexpected EventÆ. Insurance may provide financial compensation but it will not protect your reputation as a reliable supplier or prevent damage to investor confidence and future mine projects. However, contingency planning can provide real protection for mining projects à to survive the unexpected.

Jan 1, 2009

By Johnson M, Gaudin A

With the advent of Computer aided mapping and surface modelling techniques Geologists and Engineers have had to become familiar with the capabilities and limitations of these systems to effectively use them. In this paper we will trace a short history of the rather rapid progress in this area. From this historical perspective we will make some observations and use these to guess at what the future holds. We hope that this paper will assist in clarifying the develop- ments in computer assisted mapping and modelling and promote thought on how these techniques may be best applied to the problems of the Mineral Industry.

Jan 1, 1983

By P Vix

A thermodynamic model of the copper Peirce-Smith (P-S) converter has been developed to predict the behaviour of magnetite in the converter slag, the amounts of slag and matte, the compositions of slag and matte, the volume of the bath, the bath temperature and the SEMTECH OPC signals. The predictions of bath temperature, slag and matte compositions and magnetite content in the slag have been validated by the industrial data. The effects of fluxing strategy, returns and skim charges, oxygen enrichment and temperature on the magnetite formation in the slag have been predicted and discussed. Some industrial applications of this model have been presented.

Jan 1, 2005

Australia has a long and successful record in mineral processing technology extending over 100 years. This has included the development of new processes and equipment and new analytical techniques. These developments have added greatly to the efficiency of mineral processing and thereby to Australia's national wealth. Demands on mineral processing engineers in the future show no signs of diminishing, in fact they will increase considerably as more difficult areas must be treated and the requirements for quality control become more stringent. These demands must be met successfully since mineral processing must continue to be one of the most important technologies in Australia's economic future.

Jan 1, 1989