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By T. G. Carter

Support system design for tunnels and underground excavations has for many years relied heavily on the use of rock mass classification systems and the Hoek-Brown failure criterion as a means for characterizing rock mass behaviour. Because of their development, both the GSI system and the Hoek-Brown criterion admirably characterize most ?normal? rockmasses from the viewpoint of their behaviour for rock excavations. They, however, run into difficulties when applied at the two ends of the rock competence scale. This is largely because block size and incipient strength are such that rockmass behaviour in these domains tends not to be controlled by interblock shear strength but rather by material strength. At the low end of the rock competence scale (UCSi <<15 MPa and GSI generally <30) discontinuities play less of a role and rock mass strength tends to matrix strength. Similarly, at the high end of the scale (GSI >>65, mi>>15), because discontinuities are now widely spaced, block size becomes so significant that again, intact material behaviour rather than the fracturing becomes the dominant factor controlling rock mass strength. In this paper several case examples are presented to illustrate the application of the high-end (spalling) and low-end (weak ground) transition Hoek-Brown relationships proposed by Carter, Diederichs and Carvalho (2007) as a basis for better defining rockmass behaviour at the extreme ends of the rock competence scale.

Jan 1, 2008

By G. Falalakis

The Perama Hill gold project is an environmentally friendly project designed with the principle of zero discharge to the environment. The main issues of the proposed mine that are addressed in this paper are the water management, the dam and tailings management facility parameters as well as the mine closure plan, which demonstrate the sustainable design of the project. The water plant circuit will operate using 87% of recycled water and rainfalls, while the pumped aquifer is completely unsuitable for any other use. The proposed water management plan is based on different meteorological conditions for every month and optimizes the external water needs. The tailings pond area that is sited on intensely argilized rocks, will be composite-lined resulting in a permeability value of less than 10-10 m/s, and will exceed the safety parameters for maximum earthquake intensity, flood conditions and seepage. Tailings will contain less than 1 ppm cyanides (almost potable water ranges) and will be free of heavy metals (oxide ore material). The proposed rehabilitation plan comprises of decommissioning and demolition of the plant and auxiliary facilities, open pit partial back-filling and recontouring, appropriate capping of the tailings impoundment, revegetation, maintenance of area drainage system and monitoring for 5 years after rehabilitation. The plan is fullycosted, will be prepaid and through the agreed final land uses with the local community and the proposed actions of the corporate responsibility will attribute to the sustainable development of the area. The design of the Perama Hill project according to new EU and UN legislation and practices ensures that it will be the best example of gold mining operations in Greece.

Jan 1, 2008

Anglo Platinum recognised with its expanded operations the need to change its evaluation strategy due to increased sample volumes and the pressure it created at laboratories. The sender/receiver analytical scenarios had to change in order to curb costs and to prevent substantial investments in new sampling and analytical facilities. Given the high cost associated with correct sampling systems and sampling protocols and the shortage of technical resources a strategy of single point sampling and analysis was introduced. The analysis was then done at an ISO17025 accredited laboratory with ten per cent checks, subjected to careful statistical scrutiny. Logistical problems increased with respect to weighbridge congestion, maintaining sampling quality, throughput of samples in the sample preparation areas, manual quality control systems in place, audit trails and analytical capacity throughout all operations. This required the expedited improvement of existing sampling practices and the development of new sampling methods and equipment. Anglo Platinum is classifying and standardising sampling equipment, sample preparation and analytical procedures for all process streams with the view to minimise overall uncertainties. Major investments were made into a customised LIMS and automated equipment for data management, reduction of manual transcription errors and streamlining of sample processing. Anglo Platinum is committed in rolling out the enhancements to all sites as priority dictates.

Jan 1, 2008

By Aurelian Buzaianu, Cristian-Aurelian Popescu, Gabriela Popescu, Petru Moldovan

"A lot of scraps result in processing of composite materials which contain metallic phases that can be recovered and used again in different field. Considering this point of view the aim of the paper was to separate and recover aluminum from aluminum matrix/graphite composites. The separation and recovery of aluminum alloy from aluminum alloy/graphite composites was done by treatment with halide molten salts. As halide salts were used flux tablets that collect the ceramic particles in dross. After dross separation, was used filtration in order to separate the aluminum matrix from the other impurities.Samples from the recovered alloy were analyzed using chemical analysis, optical and electron microscopy, as well as X-ray diffraction. The desired composition of the aluminum alloy obtained from scraps could be reached by some addition of metals to the metallic phase. From optical microscopy it was obvious that the structure of the aluminum alloy obtained after composite reclamation consists large particle of silicon, eutectic, a-Al solid solution and other phases like Fe, Si, Mg and Ni, or some compounds like CuAl2. 1. IntroductionThe research on the recycling and reclamation of metal-matrix composites (MMCs) becomes active to preserve the natural environment, as environmental requirements become stricter, to save energy, and to reduce garbage. In case of recycled aluminum alloy ingot the production energy is about 3 pct of that of the new ingot. This evidence strongly supports the necessity to recycling of aluminum alloys. Among aluminum alloys, metal matrix composites have high strength and elastic modulus, and also good were resistance. These materials have been developed to meet the demand properties which exceeds that of the ordinary materials, and to save energy."

Jan 1, 2008

By J Steyn

Block Cave mining is one method used to extract ore from underground diamond mines as well as other massive orebodies such as copper. This necessitates the excavation of many kilometers of tunnel within the ore body. The integrity of these excavations needs to be maintained over a number of years. Most Kimberlites and weak orebodies are extremely susceptible to degradation when exposed to moisture and the atmosphere. It is therefore essential that some form of weathering protection is applied as soon as possible after exposure. Conventional methods of weathering protection such as shotcrete do not easily fit in with the production schedule, hence the need for a more efficient system that could be applied immediately after exposure and serve as a temporary support or even as a permanent support medium. The main advantages of thin sprayed liners (TSL) compared to shotcrete are the ease of application, speed of application, early strength, much reduced transportation of material, less labour intensive and cost effectiveness. Several Thin Sprayed Liners suitable for various mining environments and geotechnical conditions are available and could be well suited as additional support the undercut level development in a block cave where this may be required. TSL offer a cost effective support solution as an alternative to shotcrete in areas where the building of a support structure is not a requirement.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. A. Organiscak

Enclosed cabs are a primary means of reducing the silica dust exposure of equipment operators at surface mines. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has investigated various factor effects on enclosed cab air filtration system performance. Factors experimen­tally investigated were intake filter efficiency, intake air leakage, intake filter loading (filter flow resistance), recirculation filter use and wind velocity effects on cab penetra­tion (inside to outside cab concentration ratio). Adding an intake pressurizer fan to the filtration system was also investigated. Results indicate that the intake filter efficiency and recirculation filter were the two most influential factors on cab penetration .Use of a recirculation filter significantly reduced cab penetration over the intake air filter by itself due to the multiplicable filtration of the cab interior air. Cab penetration was also affected to a lesser extent by intake filter loading and air leakage. Adding an intake pressurizer fan notably increased intake airflow and cab pressure while providing only minor changes to cab penetration.

Jan 1, 2008

By Tarek M. Abd El Hamid, Suzane Ali

"Treatment of industrial waste materials is created serious problem in Egypt. Aluminium sludge is generated as a by-product from aluminium household industry which contains significantly high alumina content exceeding 90%. This by-product randomly disposed and creates serious environment problems to locate community. To develop the treatment process of this material, the recovery of high purity alumina and identify the potential application is being the primary objective, This paper represents the recovery process of alumina process waste sludge High purity alumina material <99.8% aluminium oxide with originate particle size 0.125-0.420mm and apparent density 0.39g/cm3 was obtained with a specific surface area 139m2/g. Alumina produced was modified by cerium oxide doped alumina. The catalytic activity and selectivity was investigated in conversion of iso-propanol via dehydrogenation reaction yielding only acetone indicating an excellent selectivity the dehydrogenation. The presence of 10% CeO2 increase in the catalytic activity of 82% for the originated alumina. Introduction Approximately 20 thousand tons of aluminium waste produced in Egypt in 2006 with increasing amounts expected in succeeding years. A part of this waste contains organics impurities which coexisted with aluminium waste as a result of manufacture final aluminium products, waste usually content <1 to 2 wt% of organic carbon. It's generally admitted that the organic species are present in the form of lubricant oils used in rolling and pressing equipments for aluminium sheet. Both industry and government face possible high-cost disposal problems that more magnified by large volume of waste produced. The alumina recovery leachable study conduct in this paper had the following objectives: 1- Develop a process that can provide an environmentally acceptable residue and also recover the available alumina. 2- Evaluate the alumina produced in terms of grade and catalytic application."

Jan 1, 2008

By M. Sokoto, H. Hata, K. Nishina, K. Haiki

Fluoride ions in zinc electrolyte cause corrosion to aluminum cathode plates at zinc electrowinning process, so we have developed an iron compound as a fluoride ion adsorbent used in zinc sulfate solution. The iron compound is synthesized from FeC13 solution with a small amount of sulfate ion by neutralizing reaction with Na2CO3 solution. The fluoride ions adsorbed on the surface of the iron compound are desorbed in alkaline solution and the iron compound can be reuse as a fluoride ion adsorbent. Moreover, if adsorption capacity of the iron compound decreases, it can be dissolved in HCl solution and re-synthesized.

Jan 1, 2008

By Colin Hardie, Erik Bartsch, Guy Comeau

"The Xstrata Nickel Raglan Concentrator, located at the northern limit of Quebec’s Nunavik region has been in operation since 1997. Originally designed to process 800,000 tonnes per year of high grade nickel ore, plant capacity is currently approaching 1,200,000 tonnes per year due to an Optimization Project (FAG to SAG conversion) in 2005 and many recent processimprovements.In 2006, the Raglan Metallurgical Group with assistance from the Xstrata Process Support group decided to make SAG control one of its priorities in order to further increase throughput and improve stability. The original primary mill control logic delivered by the Optimisation Project in 2005 consisted of a simple PID loop controlling the mill charge (bearing pressure) through feed rate changes. Due to the multivariable, non-linear and disturbance dominated nature of the SAG circuit it was quickly found that this traditional PID control strategy was not able to adequately control the mill; resulting in poor stability, frequent operator interventions and less than optimum performance.This paper describes the successful integration of advanced field systems such as mill feed image analysis (Wipfrag) and crusher gap controller (ASRi), into a multi-variable fuzzy logic SAG mill controller. The process of how a strategy for control was developed and implemented directly in the existing control system (exploiting standard system capabilities) is discussed. It is also shown how this approach has provided mill automation which is simple, robust (despite erratic feed characteristics), and delivers both an increase in throughput and a reduction of variability.INTRODUCTIONOriginally commissioned as a Fully Autogenous Grinding (FAG) circuit in 1997, preparations to convert the Katinniq Concentrator Mill to SAG had in fact commenced as early as 1999, but were halted owing to alternative process improvements which achieved up to 1Mtpa as early as 2000. Up until this time, plant process controls had remained more or less static; modifications having been limited to those required by new equipment. Primary mill process controls and related measurements were at this stage limited to:"

Jan 1, 2008

By P Fuller, A R. Penney

Re-commencement of mining in the Western Zone of Beaconsfield Gold Mine following a seismically-induced rockfall fatality in April 2006 required a change of mining method involving drilling and blasting from specially developed drives in the footwall of the orebody. Broken ore is mucked remotely from ore drives on each level. Support in the footwall drives is required to maintain stability during their development and as stopes are retreated, which increases induced stresses and further seismic events are triggered. The paper outlines the challenges involved and methods used to select the footwall drive support to handle both static and dynamic load demand. The importance of load development in the support system, its displacement capacity, the compatibility of support elements and energy absorption capacity of the support system are highlighted. It is usual in any support selection process to ensure that capacity exceeds demand to create a factor of safety. In this case the demands on the system relate to load, displacement and energy absorption and the support system capacity for each must ensure that appropriate factors of safety for each are achieved. The paper shows how these factors are not independent and that selecting a high factor of safety for load can lead to compatibility problems with support elements in the support system.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. J. Sammarco

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are emerging as viable replacements for incandescent-based cap lamps used in mining. The photometric and energy characteristics of these light sources differ in important ways. The present paper describes the performance of LED and incandescent sources in cap lamps in terms of correlated color temperature, color rendering, light output, electric power, ambient temperature and airflow, and light source aging. Importantly, these characteristics can influence a miner?s ability to spot mining hazards thus impacting safety. Secondly, some of these characteristics interact with the operating life of the cap lamp?s battery power, such that differences between LED and incandescent sources can be magnified toward the end of a 10­hour battery discharge cycle. Empirically, we have determined that after 8 hours at an ambient temperature of 25 °C, the average light output of an incandescent cap lamp can decrease to about 69% of its initial value when powered by a lead-acid battery and it can decrease to about 65% of its initial value when powered by a nickel-hydride battery. An LED-based cap lamp using a constant current drive circuit can maintain about 96% of its initial value when powered by a nickel-hydride battery. Real-world tests addressing the effects of ambient temperature and airflow on the light output of an LED and incandescent cap lamp were conducted in the NIOSH Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM). The LED cap lamp yielded a vertical average illuminance improvement of approximately 9.5% and the INC cap lamp yielded a vertical average illuminance degradation o f approximately 4%. The differences between LED and incandescent cap lamps were further quantified by the calculation of ?mesopic luminance? data that indicated for the same photopic luminance (i.e., as measured using a conventional light meter) the LED cap lamp could be up to 38 % more efficient than the incandescent cap lamp with a lead-acid battery at the end of the 10-hour driving cycle. Lastly, accelerated life tests were used to empirically determine light output depreciation as the incandescent light source age approached its useful life. There was about a 35% decrease in light output. This is quite considerable, especially given that the light output will decrease an additional 30% to 45% over the period of a 10-hour shift. The implications of the differences between LED and incandescent sources are discussed. This information is crucial in determining how visual performance could be affected for real-world conditions where batteries discharge during the work shift and as the light source ages. To date, only idealized conditions have been used for LED and incandescent cap lamp visual performance research.

Jan 1, 2008

By W Zirima

A detailed, mine scale non-linear numerical model of Rosebery mine has been built for the purpose of simulating life-of-mine global deformations. The model was calibrated using observations of displacement and damage, and was then used to investigate the correlation between dissipated plastic energy (DPE) and seismic event occurrence. The study is unique because the seismic data was collected over a relatively short period using a temporary portable seismic system. It is the intent to undertake significantly more work, but the analysis of limited data shows that a very good, non-linear relation between DPE and event probability is present. The observed correlation is consistent with measurements from other mines where more data was available. With more data, the strength of the correlation will allow the DPE analysis to be used during the design and sequencing phase of planning to better design the mine to minimise seismic hazards.

Jan 1, 2008

By Mazin Adnan

The 80m high dam at the Peribonka river in the Canadian province of Quebec was designed for the generation of 385 MW of hydro electrical power (Fig.1). The complex ground conditions required the employment of a variety of geotechnical construction methods stretched to limits never experienced before. Innovative grouting and trenching techniques were used for the construction of a plastic concrete cut-off wall down to a depth of about 116m, to cut hydraulic seepage through alluvial deposits forming the dam foundation. The bedrock where the cut-off wall is embedded forms a glacial gully with steeply sloped flanks, which created further challenging conditions. [ ]

Jan 1, 2008

By G. Konstantopoulou

Environmental degradation due to abandoned quarries is an international problem, more intense when these sites are found in urban or suburban zones, in environmentally sensitive areas or are visible from sites of special interest. Rehabilitation solutions applied worldwide, range from simple relief restoration and planting to more sophisticated site exploitation in order to serve specific social needs. The elaboration of rational rehabilitation plans for every site presupposes deep knowledge and comparative evaluation of all the parameters of the problem. In this paper, a methodological approach of rehabilitation solutions for abandoned quarry sites is elaborated, based on domestic and international experience and practice. Solutions are grouped in eight main categories. In every category the framework of prerequisites and confinements (environmental, technical, social, economic, legal) for their application in Greek quarry site is investigated. A comparative assessment of alternative restoration solutions is introduced, using tools supplied by environmental economics, cost-benefit analysis, G.I.S. and multi-criteria analysis and follows in two stages: 1) Establishment of a set of criteria aiming at a priority list for a number of quarry sites located in a geographical or administrative district. 2) Assessment of alternative solutions for every single quarry from the previous priority list for the selection of the most adequate using technical, economical, social and environmental criteria.

Jan 1, 2008

By William A. Hustrulid

The subject of surface mine development is large. This section covers the fundamental concepts involved in both the open pit mining of thick or steeply dipping deposits as well as the strip mining of thin, shallow, and relatively flat-lying seams or beds. Design involves the marrying of geometries, ore and waste characteristics, equipment, and economics so that the desired result is achieved. Generally, there are many possible combinations from which to choose. For example, extraction over a short time period requires one strategy while quite another is applied for longer times. Variations in supply and demand require some flexibility of operation. Customer requirements impose certain constraints regarding the set of possible designs. Over recent years, planning and operating considerations for surface mining imposed by environmental requirements have increased markedly. There have, at the same time, been enormous advances made in the design aids available to the mine planner. Computer simulation of the various options, whether it be for mine design or equipment selection, provides detailed information for decision making in real time. A significant challenge to the engineer/planner is how to best use the aids avail-able. Because of the widespread use of commercially available and in-house computer software by industry, this section does not deal with the details of planning (for basic coverage of mine development, see Section 7). Rather, some of the basic concepts are stressed. The principles involved in equipment sizing and selection are discussed. A highly important but sometimes over-looked aspect of planning, haul road design, is also covered. For surface mining operations of the future, in-pit crushing and conveying will become even more important. Some of the considerations for application evaluation are included. The section concludes with some future concepts for surface mining.

Jan 1, 2008

By Kurt Oakes, Paul Worsey, Braden Lusk, Tony Brasier, Scott Crabtree, Randy Wheeler

Theoretical description of destructive wave interference and the use of sacrifi cial holes is included and is supported by data collected at Springfi eld Underground. Finally, the process by which the reduction in vibration was achieved in practice is described. Results are discussed for several production blasts taking place over a one year period.

Jan 1, 2008

By N Javati, G D. Carman, D Kikiha, B Likia, K Dala, J McPhie, R Johnstone, D R. Cooke, J L. Blackwell

The 40 Moz Ladolam gold deposit on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea is the worldÆs largest, low-sulfidation, epithermal gold deposit, in terms of contained gold. The deposit has average grades of 2.42 g/t Au (LGL Resources Reserves Update, 2008) and gold is hosted primarily in refractory pyrite. Lihir Island is part of the 150 km long, Tabar-Lihir-Tanga-Feni, alkalic, volcanic island chain located in the New Ireland basin. Five volcanic blocks comprise Lihir; Plio-Pliestocene Huniho, Kinami and Luise volcanic edifices are built on top of remnant Pleistocene Wurtol Wedge and Londolovit Block (Wallace et al, 1983). The Ladolam gold deposit is located in the central portion of the dissected Luise volcanic edifice and is composed of four main orebodies: 1. Minifie, 2. Lienetz, 3. Coastal, and 4. Kapit. An active geothermal system is overprinted on the ore deposit, localised along north-trending lineaments, and is expressed as hot mud pools and fumaroles. The focus of open pit mapping and drill core logging, as part of ongoing PhD research, has been in the Minifie and Lienetz orebodies. The deposit geology is grouped into four main phases: 1. volcano-sedimentary host rocks, 2. porphyry-style biotite alteration and related hydrothermal breccias and veins, 3. epithermal-style breccias and veins, and 4. modern geothermal alteration. Gold is associated with epithermal-style alteration and mineralisation. Ongoing observations of the Minifie and Lienetz orebodies are highlighting differences in the geology and paragenetic histories. An&nbsp;EXTENDED ABSTRACT&nbsp;is available for download. A full-length paper was not&nbsp;prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

By A van Jaarsveld

Environmentally-friendly, safe and cost-effective technology for stope drilling has successfully been introduced at TauTona mine. It has enabled the problem of inadequate compressed air pressure and its downgrading impact on production capability to be overcome. The paper traces the development process which culminated in the conversion of the entire stoping operation at TauTona to electric drilling. Background work which took place at other mines is also described. Statistics of performance improvements are provided. 1. Introduction Holman?s Silver series and the Seco S215 were drills that had a measurable impact on the South African gold mining industry. It is too soon to say whether Hilti will join those great names. However, there is no doubt that the introduction of electric drills into the harsh and unforgiving world of deep level gold mining is a significant development. History has shown that being the first to enter a new technology is no guarantee of long-term success. The pain and suffering which accompany the birth of anything new can deplete the energy of the innovator while at the same time creating opportunities for competitors to leapfrog him. In addition to commitment and enthusiasm, the innovator must therefore also possess, or have access to stamina and resourcefulness to overcome the unexpected difficulties which will inevitably arise. All of these were needed for the Hilti project.

Jan 1, 2008

By G. P. Dyke

The MRMR classification system was developed specifically for mining applications, namely caving operations, and is one of three rock mass classification systems used in the South African mining industry today. Increased usage of the MRMR classification system has raised concerns that it does not adequately address the role played by discontinuities, veins and cemented joints in a jointed rock mass. To address these concerns, Laubscher and Jakubec introduced the In-Situ Rock Mass Classification System (IRMR) in the year 2000. Although the IRMR system is more applicable to a jointed rock mass than the MRMR system, a quantitative comparison of the MRMR and IRMR classification systems indicates that there is not a significant difference between the resultant rock mass rating values derived from the two classification systems.

Jan 1, 2008

By L. A. Sandham

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) in South Africa is administered by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) for the mining industry, and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) for all other sectors. Thus far, EIA research has focused on the process under the auspices of DEAT but none has focused on the EIA process that has been mandatory in the South African mining industry since 2004. Using the Lee and Colley(Lee et al.13) review package as a basis, a review model specifically tailored to the needs of the mining industry was applied to review the quality of a sample of 20 environmental impact reports (EIRs)approved by the DME. Results reveal that 85% of the EIRs are of a satisfactory quality. Presentational and descriptive components generally achieved higher quality grades than the analytical components such as impact magnitude and alternatives. The results show that in spite of some areas of weakness, and in spite of being conducted in terms of different legislation, EIR quality in the mining sectors appears to conform to the overall standard of quality of EIRs in other sectors in South Africa, and is also on a par with quality abroad. Hence, despite the criticism that DME is usurping the role of DEAT, it is concluded that EIRs of comparable standard are being produced, and that the quality of EIRs in the mining sector do not provide supporting evidence for this criticism. However, EIR quality is only a single aspect of EIA effectiveness, others including action and implementation of EIA proposals and mitigation measures.

Jan 1, 2008