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I congratulate The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy on its decision to hold its Annual Conference here in Western Australia. Western Australia, with its abundant mineral and energy resources, plays a key role in the Australian mining industry... and Western Australia will continue to figure prominently in this vital industry for many years to come. The success of our gold, iron ore, bauxite, mineral sands and other primary industries has enabled Western Australia to contribute significantly to Australia's export revenue and, therefore, to the nation's economic strength. The State's mineral wealth has also provided the impetus for a recent surge in mining related activity, including a dramatic increase in downstream processing of our raw materials. Billions of dollars worth of new project investment is either committed or awaiting final approval - and most of this new investment is a direct result of a healthy and vibrant mining industry. The North West Shelf Project - which has been providing natural gas for homes and industry in Western Australia since 1984 - has also played a key role in stimulating industrial development. The availability of abundant, competitively-priced gas from the North West Shelf has - along with the availability of other raw materials - made Western Australia a more attractive proposition for industrial investment. The company I represent, Woodside Offshore Petroleum, is operator of the North West Shelf Project on behalf of the Project's six Joint Venture Participants - Woodside Petroleum Ltd, BHP Petroleum (North West Shelf) Pty Ltd, BP Developments Australia Ltd, Chevron Asiatic Limited, Japan Australia LNG (MIMI) Pty Ltd and Shell Development (Australia) Proprietary Limited. The theme for this Annual Conference: "Excellence - the key to the continued success of the Australasian mining industry" is appropriate to the North West Shelf Project. The pursuit of excellence has been a hallmark of the Project. The Joint Venture Participants have been conscious of the need for stringent quality control at all stages of development. Procurement and purchasing policies, for instance, have demanded strict adherence by contractors and suppliers to the highest standards and specifications.

Jan 1, 1989

As defined by both the Australian and New South Wales Governments the Illawarra consists of the Tablelands, the Local Government areas of WingecarribPe Shire, Bowral Municipality and Mittagong Shire, the Wollongong sub-region consisting of Wollongong City Council, Shellharbour Municipality and Kiama Municipality and finally the Shoalhaven Shire. I intend here to concentrate on community development in the Wollongong sub-region.

Jan 1, 1976

An attempt has been made in tftis paper to review the general situation regarding the needs of the Mining and Minerals Industry for skilled and qualified personnel. Having defined the behavioural objectives of the courses of study, reference is thereafter made to the factors influencing the effective design of courses for apprentices, technicians and Technologists.

Jan 1, 1981

By Runge IC

The mine planning process is reviewed and appropriate software considered in terms of "line process" or "support function". The mine planner's requirements of a geological model and the elements of and requirements of a computerised mine planning system are all discussed. The use of "support" software for mine planning is considered and general rules for its development are given. Important changes involved in implementing a computerised mine planning program are listed.

Jan 1, 1983

Fluidised Bed Combustion technology has expanded since the first fluidised bed boiler steamed in 1974 with 58 companies currently supplying units. In Australia the market has been in small boilers and the goal of a limited attendance coal fired boiler has been achieved. On the world scene, the major incentive for development has been emission control with sulphur capture and low NOX. The potential of significant reduction in plant size is encouraging development of pressurised fluidised bed combustion.

Jan 1, 1987

Environmental and amenity factors have introduced a new dimension to the technical problems of the mining industry in finding, extracting and processing the mineral and energy products on which we all depend. Intervention by outside regulatory bodies is restricting the production of minerals and denying the industry access to large areas in which the orebodies of the future may occur. The solution lies to a large extent within the industry itself and appropriate management techniques are necessary to ensure that exploration and mining are seen as an acceptable as well as a necessary land use. Close liaison between operators and the responsible authority is necessary to achieve these objectives and to make the best use of our land resources.

Jan 1, 1979

By Gluch KD

The current Mining Act has been the mechanism for administering and encouraging the State's mining industry through the 1970's up to the present. Although it has been subjected to considerable amendment there continues to be judicial challenge as well as criticism in relation to ambiguity of interpretation. Expansion of the mining industry and pressures placed upon "it by the ever increasing interaction with other land users have highlighted deficiencies in the current legislation and the need for a strong and progressive Act covering the rights and obligations of miners and their relationships with those outside the industry. - It is considered that the most positive results can be achieved by a complete redrafting of Queensland's mining administrative legislation.

Jan 1, 1987

By Adamiak Z. P

A study has been made of the influence of bentonite type on the wet strengths, dry strengths and drying rates of pressed iron ore pellets. Measurements of the influence of bentonite on the kinetics of growth of pellets are also reported. The results show that bentonite decreases the rate of growth of pellets and the drying rates of pellets while increases are observed in both wet and dry strengths. The results have been interpreted in terms of the physical and chemical charact- istics of the bentonite and the suitability of a given bentonite for particular pelletising operations has been discussed.

Jan 1, 1973

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

P'his per describes the training and methods development programme in the Concen- trators at Isa Mine. The benefits of such a prosoo .n:e '.__-. _ 'ueen highlighted.

Jan 1, 1978

By B M. Moudgil

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become an important tool for understanding the nano- to molecular scale mechanisms predominant in multiphase systems. In flotation research, the use of AFM holds promise for unlocking and establishing fundamental mechanisms, ultimately leading to significant advances in process performance. From measuring and characterising surface forces, the structure of molecules at interfaces, and nanoscale features on flotation media, AFM is a powerful tool that has only begun to impact flotation research. Highlights of advances made in the utilisation of AFM for flotation research at the University of Florida are given with an emphasis on interpreting the mechanisms behind calcium activation in phosphate flotation and the impact of nanoscale asperities on collector-born surface hydrophobicity.

Jan 1, 2005

Seven papers have been reviewed and in this session. Broadly they can be grouped into three categories as follows: A Chemical Characterisation of Mine Waters Miller & Murray - Prediction of Time Dependent Factors in Acid Mine Drainage Jeffrey et. al. - Sulphide Oxidation in Pyritic Overburden; A Controlled Leach Column Study Sheridan et. al. - The Effect of Ore Type, Depth, and Leach Time on Cyanide Species in Column Tests using NaCN Leach Solutions B Mine Water Treatment Management Gilchrist & Hunt - The Recovery of Water from a Colloidally Stable Kimberlite Suspension Chapman, et. al. - Treatment and Utilisation of Hilton Mine Water

Jan 1, 1988

By Willey GJ

A brief test program was undertaken to assess the viability of air-sparged hydrocyclone beneficiation at the Cadjebut concentrator. Three different process streams were processed (lead rougher feed, lead scavenger tail and `mine water' solids) in a small scale ASH unit (one litre volume, feed rate 1000 to 1800 kg solids/hour). Analysis of the concentrates indicated that ASH based flotation was successful, selective and capable of achieving improvements to the overall metallurgical performance of the concentrator. The flow regime inside the device accentuates the selective flotation of the finest particle size ranges generally not recovered to any significant extent in conventional mechanical flotation devices. The testwork proved that the ASH is a viable alternative option for increasing the flotation capacity of the lead beneficiation stage of the Concentrator.

Jan 1, 1993

By L Ryan, S Halley

The use of a field spectrometer to systematically analyse drill samples from over 200 holes around the Permian-Carboniferous Ravenswood gold deposits in north-east Queensland has successfully identified both small and deposit-scale changes in the alteration mineral chemistry. Changes in chlorite composition within the tonalite host rocks are evident at the district scale, with Fe-rich chlorites seemingly more common in the vicinity of the deposits. Significant variations in white mica chemistry also occur, but mostly on the vein selvage scale, with no clear distinction between near-mine and distal compositions. The results indicate that chlorite compositional maps produced from regional field or airborne spectrometer data could potentially be used as a vector to ore in exploring for similar deposits in the area. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

By Watkins JR

The educational system is a dynamic; a flow resource that can be significantly shaped, changed and - refined by educationists. This paper analyses these various facets of geo- science education in Australia. The Australian educational philosophy is essentially a laissez- faire model, a free market approach without any real government or professional directive or stratagem. Students are therefore free to choose their own educational pathway dependent only upon their ability and the access to courses. Geological education at the tertiary level in Australia is described and critically analysed. There is a real need for a rationalisation of geological education in Australia, and this rationalisation should include not only the number of courses offered but should also aim to fully define both the philosophy and purpose of geological education and the accreditation procedures for the Students.

Jan 1, 1986

By Floyd JM

Conventional smelting reactor systems were designed to recover only one main element from their feedstocks. They did not possess sufficient flexibility to allow optimisation of co-production of multiple values from a complex feed.New reactors such as Sirosmelt and Top Blown Rotary Converters are providing new possibilities for making separation between components and this is of great significance for the complex feeds which are becoming prevalent in the metal extraction industry.Process routes using chemical procedures which take advantage of the flexibility of these reactors will be discussed in relation to a number of possible feedstocks.

Jan 1, 1985

Geochemical investigations carried out in the Woodcutters area, Rum Jungle district, NT., consisted of a programme of C-horizon soil geochemical sampling followed by rotary-percussion and diamond drilling.Comparison of detailed geochemical sampling with the original broadly-spaced sampling showed that the structures along which the orebodies occur are reflected very closely by the detailed sampling.A series of vertical rotary-percussion drill holes put down adjacent to a gossan revealed a broad layered dispersion of lead and zinc in the deep lateritic weathering profile, while primary dispersion haloes are only very narrow. The layering appears to be related to the weathering profile.

Jan 1, 1978

By Bailey DJ

Loader cut and fill stoping was first used at New Broken Hill Consolidated Limited mine in 1966. The equipment used included single boom pneumatic jumbos for drilling up- holes, diesel loaders for ore removal and diesel utility vehicles for rockbolting and servicing. Since 1966, there have been many modifi- cations and changes both in the equipment and stoping method. Twin boom pneumatic or hy- draulic drilling jumbos have replaced single boom pneumatic jumbos, electric loaders have replaced diesel loaders, diesel forklifts have replaced utility vehicles and "'flatbacking" has superseded uphole stoping. Concurrent with this has been the introduction of cable dowels in stope backs which has enabled loader cut and fill stoping to be used more extensiv- ely than in the past. There are now six loader cut and fill stopes at both mines and this paper traces the evolution of this method outlining the reasons for changes in technique and equipment.

Jan 1, 1982

By N Vagias, R Shaw, M Coghill, W Easman

Rio Tinto Technology and the Rio Tinto Foundation for a Sustainable Minerals Industry have funded the development of a practical floating module that can reduce water losses through evaporation from water dams at mining and mineral processing facilities by about 75 per cent. The modules, which are also suitable for use by farmers and communities, were designed for easy deployment, to allow the water to æbreatheÆ, harvest rainfall and resist wind speeds of more than 100 km/h. A large-scale demonstration trial will be conducted at the Northparkes Mine, located near Parkes (New South Wales, Australia). The objective of the trial is to demonstrate to Rio Tinto business units, community, farming and government groups the moduleÆs operating costs and water saving potential.

Jan 1, 2006

Natural gas was introduced to the Melbourne reticulation system in April 1969 and since that date sales to industrial consumers in the Gas & Fuel Corporation of Victoria area of supply, have increased by over 50% This increase has occurred despite the fact that the areas in which the new fuel is available have been dependent on the progress of the conversion operation from manufactured gas. The half way mark for conversion was reached in May 1970. The reason for the adoption of natural gas by industrial users is usually the result of objective financial analysis leading to the conclusion that the new fuel will give the lowest overall production cost. Many factors are involved in such an analysis of which the price of the fuel is only one. Amongst other important elements in the cost calculation are:- -ò òò -(1) The effect of fuel on product quality (2) Maintenance and handling costs for alternative fuel. In addition to economic gains for the individual user, the use of natural gas should benefit the whole community through its effect on such things as, air pollution and overseas balance of payments.

Jan 1, 1970