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By Messenger A. J, Miles J. G

A thermal neutron irradiation technique using a mCf neutron source has been developed and applied to thp.simultaneous determination of iron and aluminium (expressed as AI2O3) in iron ore fines (-6 mm particle size) on a moving rubber conveyor belt.While the determination of iron with this technique is based on the use of a NaI(TI) detector to monitor the characteristic prompt gamma rays (7.64 MeV) emitted by thermal neutron capture reactions in the iron, the etermination of AI2O3 is based on the use of a second Nal(Tl) detector to monitor the characteristic gamma rays (1.78 MeV) emitted after thermal neutron activation of the aluminium. The second detector is located downstream from the first. Although the speed of the conveyor belt has no direct effect on the iron measurements, it must not exceed about 3 m/min if good accuracy is required for the AI2O3 measurements. Consequently an auxiliary conveyor belt is required in order to avoid interference with normal ore processing.Dynamic trials of the technique, using 1500 kg samples of ore on a 460 mm-wide rubber conveyor belt moving at 1.7 m/min, have demonstrated that the method can achieve accuracies of 0.7% Fe and 0.1% AI2O3. At the present stage of development, it is recommended that lump ore be crushed to a particle size of 6 mm before analysis.In addition to iron and AI2O3 determinations, measurements of total moisture content and bulk density are possible. The determination of Si02 is also feasible, but a separate fast neutron source (e.g., Am-Be) and a separate gamma ray detector are required.

Jan 1, 1980

By S Speed, N Corlis, A Goldstone, G N. Browne, M Fitzpatrick

In 2005, Solid Energy New Zealand Limited obtained non-notified consent for the disposal of 1Mt of coal ash at the Rotowaro minesite, forming part of a coal supply agreement with the Huntly Power Station. A non-notified resource consent was sought which necessitated that environmental effects be shown to be æless than minorÆ, and resulted from robust science and a pragmatic approach to design. As part of the assessment of environmental effects, there was a need to understand the effects of boron concentrations on aquatic organisms (ie algae, plankton, plants and invertebrates) in the receiving environment. Boron is a naturally occurring element that is found in the form of borates in the oceans, sedimentary rocks, coal, shale, and in some soils but Waikato coals and ashes have particularly high boron content. Boron is an essential micronutrient for higher plants with interspecies differences in the levels required for optimum growth. As aspects of the ANZECC (2000) derived boron limits are based on toxicity of aquatic algae and plants to boron it was important to assess these components in the environment. The effects on the receiving environment of the Awaroa Stream were assessed using predicted water chemistry and comparing actual boron concentrations in a comprehensive and multifaceted reference-condition approach of catchment ecological indicators. In addition a toxicological-based assessment of boron and a re-calculation of the ANZECC trigger levels were undertaken and applied to the ecological indicators. The reference-condition approach revealed that habitat and overall water quality attributes at and between sites was more influential in determining the aquatic biotic communities than boron concentrations alone. There was no evidence of any gradient of changes in ecological indicators with changing boron concentrations, nor evidence of any residual effect of high historic boron concentrations on the aquatic biota.

Jan 1, 2006

On the Role of Dixanthogen in Froth Flotation

Sep 13, 2010

By R A. Binns, S Murao

The PACMANUS and Jade deposits are two active hydrothermal fields that are forming massive sulphide deposits at the Pacific rim margin. Both are associated with felsic submarine volcanic rocks and both occur in back-arc settings. However, PACMANUS is associated with almost sediment-free dacites and lies on the crest of a volcanic ridge, whereas Jade occurs in a heavily-sedimented tectonic depression associated with a basement of pumiceous rhyolite. The PACMANUS deposit is richer in Cu and Au, and Jade in Pb. Zinc, Ag, As and Sb contents are similar. Sulfide textures at PACMANUS suggest formation of Cu and Zn sulfides by simultaneous double-diffusion involving inwards-moving seawater mixing with outwards-moving hydrothermal fluid. By contrast, at Jade there is a more complex history of formation where initial growth of barite on the sediment surface, probably associated with microbial activity, formed an impervious cap which trapped higher temperature hydrothermal solutions.  

Jan 1, 1995

The sedimentary basins of this region developed in the collision zone of thePacific Ocean plate and the continent. Stresses were transmitted thorough wedge-like lithospheric blocks, such as the Okotsk Sea, East Kamchatka, Aleutian and other smaller blocks. Compression and inversion were more active at the boundaries: ***INSERT EQ*** and ***INSERT EQ*** in places. Tension, rifting and the increase in the rate of sedimentation were marked in P1-2, P3, N12, and also in N2 û Q in places. Structural plan changes of the sedimentary basins and possible oil, gas and fluid migration occurred more actively at the boundaries: ***INSERT EQ***.

Jan 1, 1995

The mineralogy and textures of a portion oC ore from the 25 level northern orebody, North mine, Broken Hill are described. This ore, in places, contains up to 70 per cent cubanite (CuFe2S3 ) which has crystallized directly with other sulphides and associated gangue minerals.Several breakdown reactions involving the cubanite are also considered.

Jan 1, 1969

By W Russell, P Wighton, J Franke

Recent advances in ruggedised industrial control system technology and architecture in combination with latest technologies in the fast-evolving 3D LiDAR sensor sector becoming available have enabled the implementation of sophisticated automation algorithms for mining equipment such as bucket wheel reclaimers, as published by the authors in the peer reviewed AusIMM 2019 Iron Ore conference proceedings. This paper provides an overview of a second use case for such automation technology in bulk material ports integral to iron ore operations. The real-time 3D machine-vision based port automation system described in this paper was originally developed for the BHP-Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Hay Point port. The system has seen deployment at other major mining and general ports in Australia, such as at Dalrymple Bay Terminal (DBT) (shown in Figure 1) managed by Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Management (DBIM), Hay Point, Queensland. It has the following use cases:

Nov 8, 2021

By Brown H. R, Wright E. A

The authors identify the workable coal seams, their distribution in relation to quality and economic occurrence and relate their analytical characteristics to industrial use. The development of established collieries is also discussed with regard to increased production demand.The authors also indicate the potential of the coal resources of the Southern District and postulate their ultimate development.INTRODUCTIONThe Southern Coalfield yields 30 per cent of the total production of bituminous coal in New South Wales. The economic potential of the coalfield was examined last by Harper (1915). Since that time additional knowledge has been gained by prospectors, mining companies and public authorities. Expansion in the steel industry and the building of power stations on the coalfields together with improvements in fuel technology, mining methops and road transport have resulted in production of coal from seams mice thoughtto have no economic value.DESCRIPTION OF THE COALFIELDFor the purpose of this paper the term Southern Coalfield includes also the South-Western Coalfield which together comprise the following Coal Districts:IllawarraDouglas ParkWollondilly-NattaiMoss Vale-Berrima (Hanlon, 1953).Geographically the coalfield is contained by the Illawarra Range in the east, the Shoalhaven River to the south, the Wollondilly River to the west, and in the north by a line...

Jan 1, 1958

To form a true picture of the early history of Queensland, we must think of white settlement advancing like an incoming tide, wave by wave; each wave lapping ahead a little further than the last. The credit for opening up the country belongs to a large number of pioneers, each of whom pushed out just a little further than his predecessors.Contrary to what one might expect, Rockhampton district was settled by overlanders from the south and not from the ocean side. When the Archers, the pioneers of the Rockhampton district, reached Gracemere in 1853, settlement had already made its way down the valley of the Dawson River; for it was from Leith Hay's station at Rannes (a few miles below Mount Morgan) that the Archers advanced northward into the unknown, to find the river that the explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt, had told them must enter the sea somewhere near the Tropic of Capricorn.The Archers travelled northward from Rannes up the valley of the Dee, coming out on the edge of the Razorback Range not very far from the point at which the Dawson Valley Highway drops over into Poison Creek. (Their diary records the bearings from a lookout point to various peaks around Rockhampton, and to-day, by plotting back from these peaks, we can determine the exact spot at which they descended on to the Fitzroy Flats.) We can be certain, then, that they must have been the first white men to set eyes on Mount Morgan; though to them it would have seemed to be nothing more than an insignificant hill...

Jan 1, 1939

Ecological Fuel from High-Sulfur-Content Coal

Sep 13, 2010

By Wilson D, Kirkland J

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) uses low cost off-peak energy to compress air and pump it into pressurised underground storage. Expanding the air through a modified form of gas turbine generates electrical energy when required. While generating power, a CAES station consumes approximately one-third of the gas required for the equivalent installed capacity of a conventional gas turbine. Air can be stored in underground rock caverns, caverns in salt domes, or in aquifers. Existing CAES power stations use caverns mined out of salt domes. Aquifer storage for CAES has been proposed, but not yet implemented. The groundwater in the aquifer would be displaced during air injection and when required the air would be extracted using the natural hydro-static pressure. Victoria has no salt domes, but has aquifers onshore in the Gippsland Basin with geological dome structures of suitable depth, discovery pressure, porosity, permeability and caprock for CAES development. Field tests costing several million dollars would be required to prove the suitability. The most suitable aquifer is near Seaspray, where several dome structures exist. The aquifer, comprising of coarse sands capped by coal and mudstone, is some 600 metres deep with a hydrostatic pressure of 6.3 MPa. Computer simulation of injection and extraction of air from the aquifer under various combinations of horizontal and vertical wells, permeability and tubing head pressures indicated the largest aquifer structure had the capacity to sustain a 300 MW station. A well field comprising of 24 directionally driven wells with a horizontal exposure to the aquifer would achieve the air flow rates required. Using plant similar to that recently installed at McIntosh Alabama USA, would mean high capital costs compared to standard gas turbine plant. However, a review of modem gas turbines indicated that they could be easily and economically adaptated to CAES duty. Adapting a 120 MW gas turbine would give 344 MW output. A separate air compression plant would be used. Economic evaluations indicate that, for gas prices above $1.95 per GJ, a 344 MW CAES plant is more economic for intermediate/reserve load duty than simple cycle gas turbines.

Jan 1, 1992

Large GDP increases in the Pacific Rim countries have been accompanied by similarly large increases in demand for oil products. In the case of residual fuels, this demand has been tempered by the substitution of other energy products such as coal or gas. In the region's developing and newly industrialised nations, it has not been possible to make the very large investments in infrastructure which allow other energy sources to be used for transportation. As a result, GDP growth has been mirrored in the demand growth for automotive fuels. Other non-substitutable products such as lubricants have also benefitted by the region's GDP growth.   The combination of a number of years of sustained growth, coupled with increasing quality requirements is now stretching the upgrading capacity of the region's refineries. IT, as seems likely, the region continues to enjoy a high GDP growth rate, then this will be accompanied by increasing reliance on finished products coming out of the Middle East.   The owners of the most simple form of refinery in which crude is simply distilled and the naphtha reformed into petrol will face major capital investments. If they decide not to bear this cost, they will face increasing problems in selling their surplus residual fuel oil at an economic price. Quality will become an increasingly important issue. Not only in the well publicised areas such as unleaded petrol, but also for products such as lubricants which play a major role in the efficiency of modem equipment. Quality of service such as hours of opening, ease of access, and service station facilities will also become increasingly important as the oil companies use these to attract customers and gain brand differentiation.

Jan 1, 1990

By G Tripp, G Lorusso

The Velvet gold orebody (153 Koz Au) is located near the Kanowna Belle gold deposit in the Boorara Domain of the Kalgoorlie Terrane, a subdivision of the Archaean Eastern Goldfields Superterrane (Swager et al, 1990). Gold mineralisation at Velvet is hosted within an intrusion of intermediate composition that broadly follows a sub vertical hanging wall splay of the Fitzroy Shear Zone.Velvet was discovered in 2003 during an underground exploration drilling program targeting potential strike extensions to the Kanowna Belle deposit. Diamond drill hole KDU1595 returned a downhole intercept of 36 m grading 4.6 ppm Au approximately 500 m west of the deposit and at a vertical depth of 700 m below surface in the immediate hanging wall of the primary Kanowna Belle host structure, the Fitzroy Shear Zone. Subsequent drilling completed following the initial discovery, from both surface and underground collar positions, failed to replicate this result.In 2014, KDU1595 was resurveyed gyroscopically and the mineralised intercept correctly located. Additional drilling was undertaken to follow-up the repositioned discovery hole. Challenges included poor drilling angles through the Fitzroy Shear Zone, excessive deviation during drilling and the unknown geometry of the target. Navigational drilling helped to successfully penetrate the Fitzroy Shear Zone and in April 2015, drill hole KDU3234 returned a significant downhole intercept of 45 m grading 5.6 ppm Au.Additional drilling success resulted in a decision to develop a 600 m drive to serve as a dual-purpose access for further exploration and mining. This was a potential risk considering that the orebody geometry was unknown and all significant drilling results were clustered within a 50 m × 50 m panel. Development commenced in June 2015 and the first ore cut taken in April 2016. Geological mapping and structural interpretation, together with multi-element and spectral analysis of drill samples has enabled several other target areas to be identified for exploration. The Velvet mining area is critical to continued production at Kanowna Belle. Geological understanding must advance as mining progresses to ensure continued resource growth and optimal extraction of reserves.CITATION:Lorusso, G, Rogers, J and Tripp, G, 2017. Velvet underground exhumed – discovery and development of a new mining front at the Kanowna Belle gold mine, in Proceedings Tenth International Mining Geology Conference 2017, pp 169–174 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 20, 2017

The southern portion of the Swan Coastal Plain, a geomorphological element formed since late Tertiary times, contains commercially exploitable accumulations of ilmenite, zircon, rutile and monazite associated with a series of raised shorelines. The location of the deposits is controlled by a locally outcropping Archaen granite/ granulite complex and a sea current pattern determined by local geography and a prevailing wind direction. A progression from medium to high titanium ilmenite is evident parallelled by progressive leucoxenisation as the age of the deposits increases. Variations in trace element content accompany this process. Circulating groundwater has caused vertical mineralogical variations within individual deposits and by precipitation of iron has formed layers of hardpan.The Geographe Bay deposits are of important economic significance.INTRODUCTIONObservations made during the course of a brief survey of the southern portion of the Swan Coastal Plain provide an outline of the geology and mineralogy of the mineral sand deposits of the area. This preliminary study will require considerable modification in the light of more detailed work in the future.REGIONAL GEOLOGYThe Geographe Bay area is situated in the south-west corner of Western Australia between longitudes 115° O'W. and 116° O'W. and latitudes 33° 15'S. and 33° 45'S.The general geology of the area is shown in Fig. 1 where the control of the physiography exercised by the Cape Leeuwin-Cape Naturaliste basement ridge is readily apparent. Between this ridge and the Precambrian east of the Darling fault lies the southern part of the Perth basin which contains outcropping Jurassic to Recent sediments and lavas (McWhae, et al., 1958).The Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge is the exposed portion of L Assistant Production Managcr. Laporte Titanium (Aust.) Ltd.

Jan 1, 1964

IT has often been stated in the past that the materials known as inert fillers were merely adulterants nsed in the manufacture of paint, and that their purpose was to cheapen paints made from more expensive pigments, such as zinc oxide or white lead. In recent years, however, practical tests in various parts of the world have proved that many of the inert fillers, when used with wisdom, possess very definite and advantageous properties.Another oft-repeated statement which had a far-reaching effect in the past, and which is not without influence to-day, is that the very best paint must always be made from a pure pigment, without admixture with either a fellow pigment or an inert filler. Both or either of these statements may be true in a few isolated instances, but for the vast majority of ordinary painting conditions there is an abundance of experimental evidence to prove that neither is true.With the desire to further investigate these points and po 'determine the best combination of pigments and fillers for use as an outside white paint on plant buildings, a number of panels were prepared in the laboratory of this company.

Jan 1, 1924

By W Akpan

The Royal Bafokeng community in South AfricaÆs North West Province represents a unique case in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of its positioning in the natural resource economy. It receives royalties directly from mining firms for the extraction of Platinum Group Metals, which include platinum, ferrochrome, rhodium and palladium. In 2007, royalty income of about R290 million (approximately US$32.2 million) was reported. Such direct revenues have enabled the community to invest in educational, medical and other social infrastructure, thus complementing governmentÆs social provisioning efforts. Indeed, the Bafokeng community owes its present-day modernisation efforts to mineral rights, and in particular, the legal-institutional arrangement that has enabled it to play an active role in South AfricaÆs lucrative extractive economy. However, the distribution of platinum wealth in this community is not only uneven, but also appears to have had little impact on the broader socio-economic conditions in the community. Despite claims by community leaders of heavy investment in education and skills development, the community continues to be faced with very high levels of unemployment, illiteracy, sprawling informal settlements, poor access to medical facilities and malnutrition. This paper examines the sociological paradoxes and contradictions thrown up by the approach adopted to involve community members in the mobilisation of mining royalties for developmental ends. The central argument is that the current æmodelÆ contradicts the communityÆs stated goals of using platinum wealth to drive up broad-based development and modernisation. This is mainly because it leaves out the vast majority of community members, who are uneducated and unskilled. The core analysis is based on pilot data from an ongoing study in the Royal Bafokeng community.

Jan 1, 2009

By P Grieve, J L. Mauk

The Central Maratoto Valley in the Coromandel Peninsula contains a sequence of veins in pervasively altered dacite + andesites of the Waipupu Formation. We recognise at least eight different vein types: (1) pyrite stringers, (2) quartz + carbonate veins, (3) crystalline quartz veins, (4) carbonate veins, (5) chlorite + carbonate veins, (6) siderite veinlets, (7) siderite + carbonate veins and (8) carbonate + pyrite veins. The overall temporal trend of the veins is from early pyrite to quartz and then to late carbonate veins. Carbonate veins and pyrite stringers both form planar and irregular veins, whereas some carbonate veins have diffuse contacts with the wall rock. Gold and base metal sulphides are associated with some of the quartz + carbonate veins. Textures within the veins reflect open space filling and multi-phase reopening. A partial record of hydrothermal activity has been preserved by vein crosscutting relationships, hydrothermal alteration minerals and fluid inclusions. Hydrothermal alteration minerals display zonation from south to north. The alteration increases from unaltered to weak propylitic alteration of andesite in the south (MVRCDC1), to sericitic alteration of andesite and dacite in the north (MVRCDC3). The alteration assemblage is dominantly sericitic, with no adularia present, drawing parallels to the Thames region where there is no adularia.

Jan 1, 1999

The Northland region of New Zealand has a complex geological history which has long been the subject of considerable controversy. Small mineral deposits have been discovered in the past, and some have been mined. Except for aggregates and very high quality china clay, mining is virtually nonexistent at present. Mercury mining is proposed from small deposits in the Kaeo area. Intensive exploration for epithermal precious metals deposits in the past seven years, combined with some recent geological mapping undertaken by the Geological Survey and University thesis students has added greatly to an understanding of Northland's geology. Mapping of the Whangaroa-Kaikohe map sheet at a scale of 1:100 000 by Brown and Laurenson Limited has enabled new geological information to be collated for the first time since 1961, when the last geological map was published. The 'Northland Allochthon' is now observed to be a series of four or more thrust sheets each containing predictable formations. High angle faulting contemporaneous with overthrusting has modified the thrust sheets, and established a series of horsts and grabens. The Pirau Fault is considered to be a major earth fracture.

Jan 1, 1987

High Pressure Grinding Rolls Scale-Up and Experiences

Sep 13, 2010

Factors leading to the necessity for some individual testwork in solving most specific hydraulic transportation problems are listed and a description is given of a method used in determining critical flow conditions. An outline is given of the basic theory of the purpose of the testwork, and a means of applying test results for varied pipeline diamet.er and material conditions follows. Engineering and economic factors are applied to the solution of a specific hydraulic transportation problem and the use of the test results in plant practice is illustrated. The advantages of connecting pumps in series in centralised pumping stations rather than individually along the pipeline are stressed. Some notes are added on the future possibilities and economies of post pump injection of solids into high pressure pipelines.THE HYDRAULIC TRANSPORTATION OF SANDSAs well as all the classical variables involved in a pipeline installation, one must consider, when solids are to be transported, the effects of such variables as:(i) Proportion of solids in the pulp.(ii) The average specific gravity of the pulp.(iii) Specific gravity of the solid material.(iv) Solid particle average sizing and possibly shape.(v) Solids particle grading.(vi) Pipeline diameter for effects other than classically hydraulic.(vii) Pipeline material.(viii) Fluid viscosity.(ix) Pump characteristics.(x) Abrasive or corrosive properties of the pulp.Not surprisingly, the application of published data to the hydraulic transportation of a specific material is difficult if not well nigh impossible. Most hydraulic transportation investigations also involve economic and site factors vary...

Jan 1, 1959