Search Documents

By S L. Birch, M D. Raven

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a well-recognised, invaluable tool to provide detailed mineralogical analysis on a wide range of applications. However, despite the wide use of XRD in many industries, there are currently few recognised standard methods for quantitative XRD analysis and none for the analysis of iron ore materials. An initial step towards preparing a standard method for XRD analysis of iron ores was to assess the current level of precision achievable by practitioners of the technique by organising an international round robin. Six Australian chemically certified iron ore reference materials were distributed to over 100 international participants. A summary of over 120 data sets from more than 80 participants is presented. Results show that a bewildering array of techniques for sample preparation, data collection, phase identification and quantification were used. The reported values for the main components (ie hematite, goethite, quartz and amorphous content) show not only extensive variability between participants but also within participants’ results for those who submitted multiple data sets. The disappointing low level of precision exhibited for a relatively simple mineral phase system indicates a strong requirement for development of a standardised procedure.CITATION:Raven, M D and Birch, S L, 2017. Summary of results of an international X-ray diffraction round robin for mineralogical analysis of iron ores, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 599–604 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

By Douglas Banks

Construction for the new 2.5 MGPD raw water intake project commenced December 2002. The project, initially designed as a 12' Ø concrete lined intake shaft,145' deep, with two offset 24" lake taps, 520' and 470' long was subsequently “value engineered” running the two lake taps through a single conduit. The offset for summer and winter pools was accomplished via a second shaft located at the lakes edge. Construction involved the use of blind drilling techniques for the shaft development and drill and blast techniques for the tunneling. All works were completed through extremely hard crystallized sandstone. The project came online August 12, 2004.

Jan 1, 2005

By Alexander Malahoff

Six active Kermadec arc submarine volcanoes located between 34°S and 36°30’S were mapped and sampled by an interdisciplinary inter-institutional research team between April and July 2005 using submersibles Pisces V and Pisces IV aboard the mother ship the R/V Ka’imikai-o-Kanaloa. The purpose of the expedition was to study the relationship between hydrothermal activity, formation of hydrothermal mineral deposits, and the biodiversity of life associated with the hydrothermal vents. Of the volcanoes examined, all showed evidence of hydrothermal activity, including metal-rich plumes and helium anomalies. Only two of the volcanoes, namely Brothers and Clark, showed chimneys and surficial polymetallic sulfide deposition. Hydrothermal venting at a water depth of approximately 1,650 meters near the base of the northwest caldera wall of Brothers volcano has produced a field of chimneys, some of them seven metres high and discharging black smoker venting. Temperatures up to 300°C were measured from the active vents. Clark volcano has a double cone summit at a water depth of 875 meters. The shallowest cone has a near-summit hydrothermal vent field with five-meter tall venting chimneys with smaller structures around the periphery.

Aug 24, 2006

By Cornel E. J. de Ronde, Alexander Malahoff

Six active Kermadec arc submarine volcanoes, located between 34°S and 36°30'S were mapped and sampled between April and July 2005, using submersibles Pisces V and Pisces IV aboard the mothership R/V Ka'imikai-o-Kanaloa. The purpose was to study the relationship between hydrothermal activity, formation of hydrothermal mineral deposits, structure of the volcanoes, and the biodiversity of life associated with the hydrothermal vents. Of the volcanoes examined, all showed evidence of hydrothermal activity, including metal-rich plumes and helium anomalies. Only two of the volcanoes, namely Brothers and Clark, showed chimneys and surficial polymetallic sulfide deposition. Hydrothermal venting at a water depth of approximately 1,650 meters near the base of the northwest caldera wall of Brothers volcano has produced a field of chimneys, up to seven meters high and discharging black smoker venting. Temperatures up to 300°C were measured from the active vents. Clark volcano has a double cone summit at a water depth of 875 meters. The shallowest cone has a near-summit hydrothermal vent field with five-meter tall venting chimneys with smaller structures around the periphery. Water temperatures of 200°C were recorded for these chimneys.

By G T. Kukla

A Seam deposit User oriented Mine Planning System (SUMPS) was developed by The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) at its head office in Melbourne. It is one of the computer mine planning systems developed by the Corporate Data Processing (CDP) section of BHP. To date it has been employed in the feasibility study of four coal prospects for the BHP Group, including Gregory in central Queensland û Ham and Van Hoorn (1978). It was also used in detailed short term mine planning for Gregory. A recent application was in the feasibility study of Saxonvale, a multi seam coal deposit in New South Wales with seams up to 20 m thick. The other two applications of SUMPS were also on thick multi seam coal deposits. Development of programs for the underground subsection of SUMPS is continuing. SUMPS was developed and implemented on mini computers with graphics and plotting peripherals. The company's philosophy towards computing is one of centralized development and project planning, with transfer of hardware and software to site once the mine becomes operational. Support of the site's system continues from head office which is continually involved in development of SUMPS and issuing revision updates to sites. The users, as well as programmers, were mostly geologists and mining engineers. This helped to ensure rapid, successful implementation. The broad approach of this system was to use interactively the specialist skills and interpretative abilities of the user mining engineers and geologists with the data manipulation abilities of the computer. It is an integrated system which covers geological exploration, deposit modelling, mine planning and production scheduling. An important feature of the system is that the user has full interactive control over each function through a graphics terminal where applicable.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. J. Martin, M. P. Hay

"A methodology was developed in the mid-1980’s to predict plant performance from standard laboratory flotation tests. The technique is based on a simple, empirical kinetics model, and is tailored for use by the practical metallurgist.To date the performance of more than 20 flotation plants has been predicted, including copper, lead, zinc, phosphate, pyrite, graphite, cassiterite, platinum, nickel and various slags. The method has successfully been used to predict and size four flotation plants directly from bench-scale laboratory flotation testwork. All have since been commissioned, and have performed as predicted.The technique has now received broad acceptance within the South African mining industry, for example in the last year alone it has been used to drive flowsheet development for at least seven new plants. It is also being used to assist in the optimisation of existing operating plants.The methodology is described in this paper and verification of the methodology is presented using case studies of porphyry, polymetallic and PGM operations.INTRODUCTIONThere is considerable interest these days in the use of modelling to simulate flotation circuits, for process design and plant optimisation purposes. Although these models are proving to be useful tools for plant design and optimisation, their complexity can make them cumbersome – expensive to use and difficult for metallurgists to visualise and mentally absorb, without a background in each specific technique. In “SUPASIM” no attempt is made to measure flotation fundamentals, rather to use empirical relationships between laboratory flotation kinetics and plant performance – relationships that hold up well to validation exercises as will be demonstrated later in this paper. Although not designed to be as comprehensive as other models, “SUPASIM” is easily understood by the operating metallurgist and can be quickly and easily applied."

Jan 1, 2004

By Stig O. Olofsson

The problem of overbreak in underground construction and mining is normally approached by a variety of smooth blasting methods. Numerous small diameter, low velocity explosives have been developed specifically for blasting the contour line. Increased mechanization in rock excavation has led to the development of several methods of mechanical explosive loading. A new mechanically loaded smooth blasting explosive was developed in Sweden . However, several limitations were realised, which after several trials resulted in a hybrid smooth blasting method, The Suaer Cautious Contour Blasting Method which will be discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 1994

By I Ross, C deWolfe

Block caving has been the favoured mining method for large underground hard rock mines for the last few decades. The orebody must be of a size large enough to cave and generally amenable to a caving method. Typically, these mines ranged from 15 000 to 50 000 tonnes per day (50 kt/d) and have been some of the largest and most productive underground mines in the world.Now mining companies, in the quest for improved shareholder return, are looking for higher production rates from new underground mines. Whether a ‘Greenfields’ development, or a replacement for ageing large open pit mines, minimising capital and maximising production has been a focus of project teams. These new block cave mines are what have become known as ‘super caves’. These caves range from 80 kt/d to over 150 kt/d and are being planned or constructed by several major mining companies including Codelco, Freeport-McMoRan, Newcrest and Rio Tinto.Issues facing these super caves include high initial capital costs, very long development periods and significant technical challenges. These issues tend to make it difficult to present an attractive business case for such a project.This paper will discuss some of the potential benefits as well as the technical challenges and risks of operating a mine with the block or panel caving method at these very high tonnage rates. Considerations including geotechnical conditions, development rates, panel widths and ore column heights are discussed. The risks associated with these technical challenges and potential benefits for successful approaches will also be discussed.CITATION:deWolfe, C and Ross, I, 2016. Super caves – benefits, considerations and risks, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 51–58 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Douglas B. Silver

Traditional cycle theory would postulate that if you have a supply shortage relative to demand, the price will increase because buyers will incrementally increase the price they are willing to pay to ensure that their needs are fulfilled. As prices rise, more supply will be brought on and will eventually exceed demand. This supply excess will cause the price to decline as producers have to lower their prices to sell their goods. What is interesting is that cycles are simply volatility over time. Without the time factor, volatility simply goes up and down. When we add the time element, a cycle is created. This cycle can be big or small. In mining?s case, we are talking about a Super Cycle ? a big cycle. But a Su-per Cycle can be formed in two ways. It can form by either increasing the wavelength or the volatility. If these two elements are combined, a Super Cycle is formed. It is bigger than the normal cycle in terms of time duration and extent of volatility. A recent study (Fig. 1) conducted by Cuddington and Jarrett showed an interesting proof of Super Cycles and suggests that these cycles last between 15 and 30 years. So, what causes a Su-per Cycle? Is it a convergence of unrelated events or a consequence of related events? In a global community everything is related. Equilibrium theory would also take the position that a Super Cycle is a consequence of events.

Jan 1, 2008

By Douglas B. Silver

Super Cycle future The final topic is mining?s future. The most important questions are ?How much longer is the Super Cycle going to last? What should we expect to see going forward? How will the Super Cycle end?? Three possible scenarios follow. Scenario one: Super Cycle has peaked Kathy Casey-Kirschling is officially the first Baby Boomer. She was born Jan. 1st, 1946. If you google ?first baby boomer,? she?s the one that shows up. A Baby Boomer is anybody born between 1946 and 1964. In the United States, it represents about a quarter of the population ? approximately 76 million people. The Baby Boomer generation is going to change the economics of the world because there are so many in the generation. A review of spending patterns indicates that the largest amount of discretionary spending occurs between the ages of 49 and 52. Retired people tend to live on fixed incomes so they have less discretionary income. They also tend to downsize their house, which may contribute to the housing glut and the need for a lot less metal. Therefore, the upcoming retirement of the Baby Boomer generation could result in a massive shift in economic spending resulting in the peaking of the Super Cycle. Figure 1 is an index graph from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The index has recently peaked. A lot of people see that as a sign that bad things coming our way. A careful review of different commodity prices also suggest that the peak has occurred and it does not seem to matter which commodity prices are considered. Copper prices have seen a peak as have nickel prices. Nickel and molybdenum displayed the same trend with a peak in 2005 as did zinc. Uranium, which has single-handedly tried to behave like the dot com craze, has also peaked.

Jan 1, 2008

By Peter Rubie, Toni Kojovic, Fengnian Shi

"Mining companies have recognized that characterization of ore breakage plays an essential role in the design and optimization of comminution circuits.Recently the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) has developed a new breakage model incorporating the effect of particle size, and a new breakage characterization testing device, called the JK Rotary Breakage Tester (JKRBT), which allows rapid testing of particle breakage under high energy single impact and low energy repetitive impact conditions.Positive feedback received from mining company sponsors to the new technology has prompted the JKMRC to further validate the device and the model through a formalized validation program using machines designed and manufactured by Russell Mineral Equipment (RME). The first unit was installed and commissioned at the Anglo Platinum laboratory in Johannesburg in March 2007 and four more major mining companies will participate in the validation program in 2008, including Barrick, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Teck Cominco. The results from validation tests at the JKMRC and Anglo Research have shown that the JKRBT generates statistically similar breakage parameters to the traditional Drop Weight Test, but with significant advantages over its predecessor. Application of the JKRBT in geometallurgical testing with the AMIRA P843 GeM project has confirmed the JKRBT device offers a rapid and consistent method for determining the hardness of drill core samples. The JKRBT has the potential to revolutionize ore testing, with applications in laboratory impact breakage characterization of rock samples, drill cores, coal and other materials. It also stands poised to significantly advance the process control and management of comminution circuits since the concept is readily adaptable to on-line ore hardness measurement.INTRODUCTIONMining companies have long recognized that the performance of a comminution machine such as a crusher or an autogenous / semi-autogenous grinding (AG/SAG) mill depends not only on the machine operating conditions, but also on the “hardness” of the feed material to be broken. This recognition has driven significant interest in laboratory particle breakage characterisation and testing. The laboratory breakage characterization tests can be roughly classified in two broad groups based on their primary breakage modes: tumbling and impact/compression. The famous Bond ball/rod mill tests (Bond, 1952 and 1961) represent the typical tumbling test and have become the industry standard for estimating the specific energy (kWh/t) of rod and ball mills. However, as the energy application in the single particle impact tests can be well defined and controlled, the latter have received significant attention in the last 30 years. It was estimated that mining companies worldwide spent over three million US dollars on single particle impact breakage characterization testing in 2006."

Jan 1, 2009

By R Riquelme

The El Salvador porphyry Cu deposit (26¦ 15Æ Lat S, ~2700 masl) and associated exotic mineralisation is situated at the back-scarp of the late middle Miocene Atacama pediplain in the western Precordillera. New, together with published 40Ar-39Ar data from El Salvador combined with morphologic analysis reveal that the palaeospring plumbing system related to exotic mineralisation at the Damiana exotic Cu deposit and the local geomorphology has not changed fundamentally between the late Eocene and late Miocene. Stable H/D isotope data on supergene alunite from El Salvador indicate an overall increase in dD values (VSMOW) from -74ë at 35.82 ¦ 0.95 Ma to -23ë at ~11 Ma. The transition from strongly to moderately negative deuterium values occurred between ~16 and ~13.5 Ma. Supergene alunite from the El Hueso (3950 masl) sedimentary rock-hosted epithermal deposit ca 35 km SE from El Salvador was dated at 8.19 ¦ 0.01 Ma and yielded a dD value of -25ë. We interpret the increasing deuterium excess as the result of strong evaporation and recycling of meteoric water after ~15 Ma and as indicative for a change in precipitation patterns and climate desiccation. In contrast, the strongly negative dD value for late Eocene supergene alunite points to a more humid climate and an elevation similar to the present. The late Miocene supergene activity at El Hueso is probably related to an uplift of the Precordillera to elevations sufficient for capture of orographically controlled precipitation. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

The Khanong supergene-enriched copper resource, (~23 Mt at 3.0 per cent Cu), is one of several resources recently discovered in the intrusive-centred, sediment-hosted Au-Cu Sepon mineral field located in southern Lao PDR. The unusual style of hypogene mineralisation and unique set of conditions have resulted in the development and preservation of a supergene-enriched profile in this subtropical climate. Hypogene sulphide-rich mineralisation replaced calcareous cataclastite (fault rock) developed in the flat-lying, extensional, Khanong Fault. Spatially, the hypogene mineralisation was immediately out board of the skarn û hornfels Cu-Bi front and in board of sediment hosted Au-(As-Sb) mineralisation in a zoned intrusive-centred hydrothermal system. In situ supergene enrichment of the sulphide protore has resulted in a high-grade chalcocite-clay zone (~10.3 Mt at 4.6 per cent Cu) overlain by leached limonite-clay. A very high-grade in situ to exotic limonite-clay Cu-oxide-mineral zone is locally developed above impermeable dolomite at the base of chalcocite-clay zone. Exotic Cu-Mn-wad mineralisation developed for up to 1 km down the hydraulic gradient from the chalcocite-clay zone. Unique supergene enrichment conditions have resulted in the high-grade Khanong Cu resource in a subtropical weathering environment. The base of the currently active supergene profile coincides with the base of a flat-lying, pyrite-rich fault rock, dipping parallel to the hill slope, maximising Cu enrichment. Meteoric water has been channelled along subvertical faults and narrow horizontal subsurface zones. Low permeability of the fault host rock and footwall rocks has controlled the low volume and slow movement of groundwater required for supergene enrichment. Erosion has been slowed by the resistive ironstone and limonite-clay layer at surface, which assists in preserving the gentle slope over the chalcocite-clay zone.

Jan 1, 1999

Confirmation of significant mineable reserves of high grade silver ore at Elura Mine has led to the development of a high cost, high recovery mining system. At the contact of oxidised and sulphide ores lies a supergene zone of enrichment which has provided a contrast, not formerly imagined, to Elura's primary development and stoping operations. Because of the soft nature of the ore, intense ground support practice has been combined with a panel cut and fill continuous mining system to extract a reserve of small, but most valuable Proportions.

Jan 1, 1988

Maximising margins in today's competitive international commodity markets demands superior productivity. This requires more than simply selecting the best equipment. It requires efficient production and commercial processes together with management systems recognised as international best practice. This paper introduces an integrated way of working that includes management systems for successfully changing work practices and attitudes, developing managers and increasing accountability. It provides an improvement methodology that includes systematic involvement of people in true continuous improvement of processes for maximising productivity and safety while minimising costs. Even though the principles are proven in all industry sectors worldwide, they are not always used correctly. This paper provides examples of traditional performance measurement systems to show how managers miss opportunities to control and improve both production and supporting service processes. It also describes the basic methodology for correct use of the principles and provides examples of correct implementation of modem systems in mining. The charts from actual mining case studies will be elaborated upon in the conference presentation. This paper's main aim is to provide background material for the presentation by introducing integrated principles for building best practice management systems for superior productivity and safety - for higher margins.

Jan 1, 1996

To preserve Washington Group International's quality of service in the mine operations area, the company has established a Supervisor Training Program to provide all levels of supervision with the required skills to meet objectives and guarantee consistent, excellent performance for each of our projects. A need developed to establish this training program internationally. The first international training session was held at the APEX San Cristóbal Mine in Bolivia. This paper discusses the program’s development, execution, results, and lessons learned with an emphasis on multicultural environments.

Jan 1, 2007

Esso-BHP have installed a Production Supervisory Control System that is presently controlling the offshore oil and gas facilities on the Barracouta and Marlin platforms from an onshore master station. This control is achieved with a computerized master station onshore which uses a UHF radio system for telemetry and control. The system is designed to control, monitor, and gather data from a large number of oil and gas production platforms and has flexability to handle future variations in operating conditions. Thn -etom ..ill kn nvt,,ndnd to thn I-lalihn+ rJ,+f, rr , Into +hie -- -A +n the lei...,fieh .,lo+fnrmc A.,;- 1071

Jan 1, 1970

Esso-BHP have installed a production supervisory control system that is presently controlling the offshore oil and gas facilities on the Barracouta and Marlin platforms from an onshore master station. This control is achieved with a computerized master station onshore which uses a UHF radio system for telemetry and control.The system is designed to control, monitor, and gather data from a large number of oil and gas production platforms and has flexibility to handle future variations in operating conditions.The system will be extended to the Halibut platform late in 1970 and to the Kirlgfish platforms during 1971.

Jan 1, 1971

By P. Hickey

"The object of this paper is to describe how the Iron Ore Company of Canada develops its management personnel. It will elaborate on the practical application of Supervisory Training and Management Development.Why are Supervisory Training and Management Development important? The answer has been the subject of many textbooks. Dr. Ken Blanchard, author and consultant, addressed this issue concisely when he said that effective managers and organizations must do two things, ""get results and develop people"". lPeople development at IOC is best illustrated through its supervisory training and management development programs. For the past twenty-five years IOC has been recognized as an industry leader in the training field. Periodic studies have played their role in establishing and maintaining this distinction. For example, in 1974, the company decided to review and up-date all its training programs. At this time, it established its own Task Force on Training and this resulted in the development of many of our present programs. Today, Supervisory Training (i.e. for first and second level management) at the Carol Project in the Labrador City area consists of various programs including: New Foreman Induction, Foreman Entrance School, Basic Management Skills, Management II, and Effective Presentations."

Jan 1, 1983

Supplement to Proceedings Number 120, December, 1940. Drawings accompanying paper by T M Carey 'The Surface Plant at the Zinc Corporation Mine, Broken Hill'

Jan 1, 1940