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By J Bartlett, P Quigley

Historical research has played a significant role in the rebirth of the Bendigo Goldfield. The historical research undertaken by the company has been directed to specific areas such as verifying the total gold production of the field, the gold production from defined blocks on each of the major anticlines, the extent of workings of each mine which exceeded 200 m depth, the size and style of reefs mined in each shaft and also within specific domains of the field. Application of this data has assisted in the determination of possible dimensions of different reef styles and the location of mineralisation within each reef system. Description of grade variation, percentage of quartz and the amount and species of accessory sulphide minerals, as well as early geotechnical observations accompanying stoping methodologies, provides valuable analogues for reef structure being defined in the current program. Historical information on shafts on the two anticlines the company is exploring has allowed the postulation and recognition of repetition of reef development within the same stratigraphy in the hinge zones of the adjacent folds. The similarities of mineralisation styles across the field within both specific lithological units and structural setting has had important implications in respect to exploration drill targeting and the estimation of grade and tonnes.

Jan 1, 2003

The history of potential large scale development at Stawell in northwestern Victoria dates back to 1914, when Great Boulder Mines Limited, of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, took up options on some of the major mines in the Stawell Goldfield. Despite this and other attempts by various groups over the next thirty years, mining activity on the field gradually dwindled to the retreatment of old mill tailings.A static price for gold and indifferent drilling results prevented a major effort towards reopening the field until the late 1970's. A renewed exploration effort led to the discovery of sufficient reserves to justify installation of a carbon-in-leach gold treatment plant.

Jan 1, 1984

By S KandT

The FalTmT iron ore deposits are located in the so-called æBirrimianÆ volcano-sedimentary complex that extends in a general NE-SW direction across eastern Senegal and part of Mali and Guinea. The rocks underwent folding and greenschist facies metamorphism, as well as various events of granitoid emplacement. The deposits form part of the DialT-DalTma Series of the Birrimian Supergroup and were subjected to contact metamorphism. The Fe-mineralisation occurs as primary magnetite within the metamorphic aureole. Supergene oxidation (martitisation) of this mineralisation produced the hematite-rich iron deposits that can be seen as prominent hills across the plains of this south-eastern corner of Senegal. BRGM of France and Miferso (SociTtT des Mines de Fer du STnTgal-Oriental) have conducted several phases of prospecting since 1957. Their aim was to delineate the hematite deposits and to assess the grade, beneficiation characteristics and marketability of the iron ore. A feasibility study by Fluor Daniel was completed in 1992. Results indicated that, at the time, the resource could not compete in the international arena in terms of size and accessibility. The growing iron ore market and additional available resources in the area now challenge the 1992 feasibility study results and put the old kid back on the iron ore block. The project faces some mining challenges, such as the amount of magnetite in the hematite product that will be acceptable to the market. Previous project evaluations only considered the secondary hematite deposits as economically viable. It is therefore important to accurately delineate the magnetite/hematite contact zone to optimise the resource tonnage. Project logistic constraints also exist in terms of railway access and harbour facilities. The resource is, however, well situated for the European iron ore market and aims to find a place in the rapidly expanding iron ore seaborne trade.

Jan 1, 2005

By Nye P. B, Fisher N. H

At the second Empire Mining and Metallurgical Congress held in 1927, the Empire Council of Mining and Metallurgical Institutions was formed and it was proposed that the Council take steps to prepare a "Review of the Mineral Resources and Industries of the Empire." At the third congress in 1930, it was resolved that the proposal to institute the review should be submitted to the Imperial Conference held in 1930. This was done, and the Minerals Committee, of the Imperial Economic Committee compiled, an interimreport which was based on statistics of imports and exports, and did not consider resources and consumption.In 1942 the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, wrote to the Empire Council and stated that it was desirable that the Council should be in a position to take part in decisions affecting the future of the mining and metallurgical industries. The Council communicated with the constituent Institutions regarding the nominations of two members then in England. Subsequently the Mining, Geological and Metallurgical ,Institute of India prepared a review of the mineral resources and industries of India and their post-war development, and the Empire Council forwarded a copy to the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and asked if that Institute would submit a review on simjIar lines for Australia. The Australasian Institute arranged that the Australian review should be prepared by...

Jan 1, 1946

Intensive exploration for iron ore in the banded iron-formations (BIF) of the Pilbara region of Western Australia began in the early sixties and almost immediately established the Hamersley area as a major iron province. The early genetic models for the BIF-hosted ores were based mainly on macroscopic examinations of ores from the "hardcap" zone, and generally accepted a direct relationship with weathering effects on a Mesozoic to Tertiary land surface. Brandt (1964) was the first to suggest a difference in age between the high-grade hematite ores and the more common hematite-goethite types. He initially accepted a supergene origin for both, but later opted for a hydrothermal origin for the hematite ores. Apart from MacLeod (1966), the published views of the next decade reflect a largely parochial interpretation of individual ore bodies, centred mainly on supergene models but with some support for hydrothermal concepts. Except for Ayres (1971), none of the models were backed by detailed mineragraphic data. In 1976, an AMIRA-sponsored CSIRO group began a Province-wide investigation of the wide variety of ore types and BIF, with emphasis on geochemical and textural studies. The resulting conceptual model for a world-wide unified supergene and supergene-metamorphic hypothesis is generally accepted in the Hamersleys.

Jan 1, 1986

Mr. Bradford said: - On assuming this chair, which has been oc- cupied by so many gentlemen of conspicuous ability, my first words must be an expression of the gratitude I feel for the honour you have done me in electing me to be your President for this year. When considering the subject matter of this address to you to- night, quite frankly may it be stated that for a long time I was on the horns of a very great dilemma, for while I could discourse on the modern political trend in relation to our industries at great length, it appeared to me that this was not the place for such a discussion.

Jan 1, 1987

The Ok Tedi open pit mine will have final wall heights in excess of 750m. The behaviour of these excavated slopes will be influenced by the presence of numerous defects. This paper discusses the identification of possible failure mechanisms within the pit walls based on mapped fault and joint data. Results from analyses using these data have formed the basis for the ultimate pit design.

Jan 1, 1994

By P Jago

KCGMÆs Fimiston Open Pit, located in the centre of the historic Golden Mile, is situated above some 3000 kilometres of old underground workings. These workings, both level and vertical, present significant safety and operational problems in the pit. One of these challenges is in safely drilling void areas so that they can be charged and blasted effectively. Current drilling practices in these areas require machines that can only drill 115 mm holes on a smaller pattern than the standard blast pattern. This results in more time and cost to both drill and charge these areas. Any other method currently available to drill out these areas involves putting operators in a potentially hazardous situation by being too close to the void area being drilled. Not effectively drilling and blasting these areas leads to hazardous situations further in the mining cycle including oversize, large toe and uncollapsed voids. Ineffective blasting also causes reductions in mining productivity and mine to mill performance. In response to these issues, KCGM has commissioned the implementation of a fully remote controlled DM45 blast hole drill rig to drill out selected void areas. The remote system, installed in conjunction with Ausdrill Ltd and GM Mining Electrics, is designed to operate similarly to a tele-remote bogging system with the operator controlling the drill rig from a separate control cabin via radio signals and video feed. This allows KCGM to drill in areas of higher risk without exposing the operators to voids. The drill rig will also be able to drill standard patterns through some specially selected void areas, reducing costs and extra time associated with drilling and charging void affected areas. The remote rig is expected to provide a number of benefits, both in the drilling process and in further downstream operations. Costs of drilling in void areas are expected to decrease with standard patterns instead of smaller patterns being drilled. Safety and operator comfort are also expected to increase through removing the operator from the pit floor. Blasting is also expected to see significant improvements through increased ease of charging void areas (because of larger holes and standard patterns), more consistent patterns resulting in less secondary blasting and toe and an overall improvement in the speed and cost of charge-up practices. This more consistent blasting will also improve shovel productivity, crusher performance and overall mine-to-mill efficiency. This paper presents an overview of the development of the remote controlled system, including modifications that have occurred since commissioning. It explains some of the problems encountered and how these have been solved. Key issues for operational success will be identified and explained with a view to making future implementations easier. Factors used to assess the performance of the remote controlled rig will also be explained in further detail and used in a preliminary assessment of the rigÆs feasibility.

Jan 1, 2003

The Geograph is a revolutionary seismic system involving special techniques in combining the use of FIT magnetic tape with shock wave echoes created by a weight dropping system.The idea of- weight dropping as a- source of seismic energy is not a new,.,oxie. Records 'indicate òa pos'sihle use of falling weights as early as .1929. 'Dr. Burton McCollum began his experiments in 1938, but it wasn't until 1951 that the method was first proven useful.The first weight dropping crew began commercial operations in Edwards and Sutton .Counties of West Texas in 1953. By 1962, more than '40 weight drop-ping.crews have come into existence with operations in the United States, Canada, Algeria, Iraq, Argent na,òSpanish West Africa, Tunisia, Qatar, Niger Morocco and Libya by most major oil companies and larger independent oil companies. .

Jan 1, 1962

The sudden. explosion of relatively inexpensive digital process control computers has accelerated interest in the possibilities of economic savings by their use. In particular the metalliferous industries have shown that they are willing and capable 6f grasping this new technology and putting it to good use. These industries have a number of problems which need special attention. In many cases the process is difficult to measure and a reaction is often controlled by measuring a secondary effect, computing its relationship to the reaction and then applying the necessary corrective action. This creates problems in building the process model, designing the computer to process interface and in the subsequent system development. Environmentally the metalliferous industries create conditions which severely test sophisticated electronic equipment. Care taken in locating and housing this equipment is a major factor in ensuring reliability in Operation.

Jan 1, 1977

This presentation opens with a definition of technology and how it is implemented. The expenditure and progress on R&D in the mining industry is then investigated and found to be difficult to quantify. The needs and interests of that industry including contribution to this Congress are examined and it is concluded that short-term rather than long-term goals seem to be prevalent. The presentation concludes with the opinion that the answer to the question in the title is both affirmative and negative but overall there is a need for the mining industry to become more innovative.

Jan 1, 1990

Mining is claimed to be unique among industries owing to its dependence on exploration for its existence, the need to operate in remote, inhospitable areas, the vast capital sums required for development, the need to pay royalties regardless of profitabil- ity, the wide swings in prices for many of its products, the finite life of each-mineral deposit, its susceptibility to criticism by environmentalists, its dependence on export markets and sensitivity to' cost and exchange rate fluctuations, the uncertainties inherent in most mining legislation, pressures to grant mineral rights to aboriginal communities and the burden of having to finance its own infrastructure. The special problems of the industry have been recognised in the income tax laws which, generally speaking, allow for the deduction of all capital expenditure before tax is payable. Notable exceptions to this rule are the absence of special deductions for mineral processing facilities and the absence of any deductions for a large part of the expenditure on ports and port towns. The scope and extent of infrastructure expenditure is discussed. The consequences of the burden imposed on the industry include tax inequity, higher capital and operating costs, "high grading" and

Jan 1, 1974

The Professional Standards Act responds to the growing problem of professional liability by introducing a mechanism whereby professional associations can have schemes approved. Those schemes include a cap on liability; a requirement for compulsory insurance; the development of risk management strategies; and the establishment of a complaints and disciplinary system. The Act is also designed to support and develop the concept of self-regulation by the members of occupational associations who provide services to the community by providing them with those tools. It implicitly accepts that self-regulation is preferable to statutory regulation and that self-regulation serves the interest of the community and of the providers of services. The Act arose from a review of professional liability commenced in 1988. The Attorney General's Department produced an Issues Paper, released in September 1989, which outlined in detail the extent of the problem. This was widely circulated and an extensive number of comment were received.

Jan 1, 1995

By Wharton P, Voigt R

In order to do the discharge estimation better, it is valuable to find out appropriate formulas for estimating discharge in various pits, based on accumulating data, summarizing discharge patterns applying optimum seeking method and principle, by seeking redical exponent with help of the method of exhaustion, as well as testing and making statistics, in accordance with the quality standards established by our practical experience.

Jan 1, 1988

Any engineering firm hoping to do business in the modern world must understand-and take into account-the social and economic realities of client, country, culture, and community. If these considerations are ignored, any large-scale international development project is doomed to failure even before it begins. In this changing world, the distinctions between `developed', `developing', and `less developed' nations are more and more blurred. The so-called `less-developed' and `developing' nations are rapidly acquiring technology, an educated man- agerial and technical class, manufacturing capa- bilities, a growing spectrum of developed financial and raw materials resources, and a broad range of labour skills. These nations are establishing themselves as an integral part of the modern world, on an equal footing with other nations and with justifiable expectations for an ever higher standard of living and an ever better quality of Life.

Jan 1, 1978

By Leigh J. H

A history is given of the dust control techniques developed and applied by the mining companies at Broken Hill. A history of the regeneration works undertaken since 1936 is out- lined. Particular emphasis is placed on the stabilization of mine residue dumps which are located throughout a belt of mining leases in the middle of the city and which began in 1937. The establishment of vegetation for dust control techniques is discussed in detail and a case study is given of the successful revegetation of the sides of a 650 metre long, 350 metre wide and 35 metre high residue dump.

Jan 1, 1976

The stratigraphy of the Singleton Coal Measures is reviewed and a revised stratigrapixy which has been ratified by the N.S.W. Standing Committee for Coalfield geology is nominated and defined by a selected type section. Withir the type section the occurrence of repetitive phases are illustrated and described. Coal. Measure units within the Singleton Coal Mean sures, termed the Wollombi and Wittingham Coal Measures respectively, are correlated with the Newcastle and Tomago Coal Measures. In formal nomenclature the Singleton Coal Measures are designated the Singleton Super Group. The major depositional cycles within the Coal Mea- sures are outlined together with those lesser phases within the Coal bearing sequences that influence the mining conditions likely to be encountered. Both tectonic and sedimentary features of the Singleton Coal Measures are considered and the localized post depositional effects on the coal seams and roof strata in- duced by differential, compactions are emphar Sized.

Jan 1, 1972

By Mowat B. A

I lamata is within the Morobe Goldfield (7¦ 25' S, 146¦ 39' E) on the Wau (SB 55-14),1:250,000 scale map sheet (Fig 1). The deposit is 13 km SW of Wau, within the headwaters of the Upper Watut River, at an average elevation of 2000 m. The steep mountainous terrain is covered by dense tropical rainforest and access is by helicopter or by foot track. The deposit has been described previously by Wells and Young (1991) and 1)enwer. Leach and Mowat (1995). Data collected to late 1996 have been used to estimate an Inferred Resource of 9.2 Mt at 3.1 g/t gold using a cutoff of 0.5 g/t. This contains a high grade portion for which an Inferred Resource of 1.2 Mt at 9.7 grt gold has been estimated using a 5.0 g/t cutoff.

Jan 1, 1997

By Mason D. O, Tuckwell K. D

Whole rock geodhemical analyses from samples of Potosi gneiss within the Willyama Supergroup have been utilised to identify geochemical trends towards Pb/Zn ore positions. Although the analyses come from disparate sources they have been incorporated in the data base only if locational, sampling, analytical, lithological and stratigraphic descriptors were reliable. These data have been statistically analysed using programmes of the GASP software package. A discriminant function has been derived which permits Potosi gneiss associated with the Pb/Zn lode horizons in the Broken Hill domain to be distinguished from Potosi gneiss in a similar stratigraphic position in the Maybell Domain. In the "near ore" position the Potosi gneiss has significantly lower mean Na2O and significantly higher mean MnO. Also mean Rb, CaO and K20 are higher and mean Sr lower. This discriminant function serves to identify areas prospective for Pb/Zn mineralisation. A second discriminant function based on MnO, Si02 and K20/Na20 gives a semi- quantitative indication of proximity to ore.

Jan 1, 1983

The Japanese Government promulgated the æLaw Concerning Special Measures Against DioxinsÆ on 16 July 1999 and it was enforced on 15 January 2000. This is a unique law specialised to protect the environment by the control of dioxin emissions from waste incinerators and several industrial processes. In this law, a few metallurgical processes other than waste incinerators are designated as æspecified facilitiesÆ emitting certain dioxins. Thus, emission standards for dioxins to the air were set for electric arc furnaces (EAF) for steelmaking, iron ore sintering, zinc recovery from EAF dust and aluminum recycle processes. In this paper, the inventory of dioxin emissions for Japan and the recent research and development to reduce emissions from those processes are introduced. Further, some details on the formation mechanism of dioxins and future subjects for effective control of their emissions are discussed.

Jan 1, 2002