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By C. Deutsch

Resource estimation for the West Leeville deposit is prepared using a conventional explicit approach. The geologic model is developed using interpretive methods based on visual logging. Grade shells are then prepared at low and high grade cutoffs. The low grade shell includes material of interest (Au > 0.010opt), while the high grade shell is developed slightly below the economic cutoff grade for mining. Grade estimates are made within these boundaries. This paper documents a conditional simulation study to evaluate the uncertainty contributed by both the grade shells and grade estimates. Multiple realizations are generated for the grade shells and the grades. The full combinatorial of realizations are merged to assess the uncertainty and the relative contribution of the grade shell and grades.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. Luszczkiewicz

This paper presents the beneficial effects of non-oxidative leaching of final and intermediate copper sulfide concentrates with sulfuric acid prior to the final cleaning stage of flotation. This unique process, combining leaching and flotation, appears to be advantageous for difficult-to-treat carbonate-bearing Polish copper ores, such as those processed in copper concentrators at KGHM Polish Copper. It was shown that after the chemical decomposition of about 70 % of the total carbonates naturally present in the flotation feed, a considerable enhancement of subsequent flotation results (both grade and recovery). The resulting products of non-oxidative leaching are solid hydrated calcium sulfate (gypsum), soluble magnesium sulfate and gaseous carbon dioxide. The beneficial effect established by the laboratory leaching tests was subsequently confirmed during a pilot plant operation treating final copper concentrate and a problematic intermediate concentrate at the Lubin concentrator.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. J. Rigby

Computer generated, actual-scale furnace models have been imported into a rendering software application to provide for impressively realistic surface features and lighting. When these models are imported into a 3D engine framework, it is possible to create content-rich virtual environments allowing for complete interactivity and could provide for a powerful tool to conceptualize refractory lining designs. This technology has been applied to illustrate the optimized design concept of an anode-refining vessel, which can be expected to be completely relined in six days and to last for 4-5 years with minimal partial relining. This technology could easily be applied to other smelter furnace, converter and refining vessel designs.

Jan 1, 2007

By E. R. Dixon

Copper SX/EW plants often bleed part of their electrowinning electrolyte to control impurities and maintain consistent cathode quality. Depending on the specific situation at each site, the bleed is either returned to raffinate, to an SX extraction stage, to an SX wash stage, or to the PLS pond, to avoid losing the copper in the bleed. This practice can have undesirable effects on the overall process. An alternative is to electrowin all or most of the copper in the bleed, thus avoiding the recirculation of the copper in the bleed. In this manner, the bleed is converted to metallic copper without interfering with the SX circuit. This in turn reduces the copper concentration in the raffinate, improving global copper recovery because of improved leaching conditions.

Jan 1, 2007

By C. Ringas

Pipelines are used extensively in industry to convey various products. Internal corrosion of pipelines can lead to perforation and leakage of the product. A growing problem, not often accurately recognized, is internal corrosion of pipelines caused by bacteria. Microbiologically-induced corrosion (MIC) refers to corrosion caused by a variety of micro-organisms. This form of corrosion is not widely recognized in many industries, although it is widespread and causes many corrosion problems in pipelines, both internal and external. Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are responsible for the bulk of the corrosion problems caused by MIC. Corrosion caused by SRB is found extensively in water pipelines conveying raw, potable and waste water, as well as in pipelines conveying slurries. This problem also occurs in pipelines conveying crude oil. This paper describes internal corrosion problems of slurry pipelines caused by bacteria and outlines mitigation methods to improve slurry pipeline integrity, thereby extending the life of such pipeline

Jan 1, 2007

By Robert Hopler

Although electrical instruments were being widely introduced into the study of seismic tremors, attempts to understand and quantify shocks from blasting continued to use rather primitive methods well into the 19th century.

Jan 1, 2007

By Andrew Budek

Reinforced concrete piles are used to carry foundation loads through considerable depths of soil to provide superstructure stability under gravity loads and lateral forces. The creation of cast-in-place (or cast-in-drilled-hole, i.e., CIDH) piles begins with the auger-drilling of a hole of the appropriate depth, into which a cage of reinforcing steel is placed (the cage length is generally equal to the depth of the hole, a construction joint being used to connect the in-ground pile with the superstructure). The pile is then finished by casting with concrete, and the superstructure then appended. The superstructure may either be a column (denoting the structure a pile-column), a column and cap beam, or a footing. Typical pile-column configurations are shown in Fig. 1 (a CIDH pile used in a footing would be similar in overall configuration to Fig. 1(b), with H=0). CIDH piles are well-suited for alluvial soil profiles with a deep water table; such conditions generally allow the auguring of a clean and regular hole.

Jan 1, 2007

By R Kroukamp

Horizontal belt filters are typically used for separation of relatively free filtering solids where good post treatment is required. He horizontal belt filter is a continuous filter with an endless cloth supported on a grooved carrier belt. The belt and cloth are driven around two rollers across a series of evacuated suction boxes. The feed suspension is introduced at one end of the filter and deliquored to produce a cake at the other end. The benefits of using horizontal belt filters are good cake washing, continuous and visible processing, fully automatic operation, flexibility, high capacity and relative high speeds of operation. If required, horizontal belt filters enable efficient counter-current washings to minimize the usage of wash liquid. The horizontal belt filter has applications in the following: [? Metal concentrates ? Mineral sands ? Tailings ? Coal ? Iron ore ? Alumina ? Chloride processing ? Nickel and Cobalt refining ? Platinum group metals ? Zinc processing ? Many other applications in the Mining and Metallurgy industries ] 2. Operating Principle of a Horizontal Vacuum Belt Filter 2.1 Cake Forming The slurry to be dewatered is evenly distributed onto the filtering surface. Gravity assists the cake formation and the feed can be introduced in multiple stages. 2.2 Cake Washing Once the cake is formed, wash liquor/water can be introduced onto the top of the cake via a wash launder or sprays. Multiple wash stages, co-current, counter-current or direct washing can be added by increasing the length of the filter.

Jan 1, 2007

By Paul Miranda, Corby Anderson

"The Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) has recently obtained a Mineral Liberation Analyzer (MLA). CAMP has utilized the technology for several projects with excellent results. The MLA is able to both analyze size and quantify mineral phases. Therefore, the MLA is becoming the Sherlock Holmes of the mining and metallurgical industry. For this presentation, four projects have been evaluated and data was collected using the MLA. The first project involved tungsten mine. Previous mining practices have yielded poor tungsten results and recoveries. By using the MLA, tungsten mineral phases, along with possible contaminants, were verified and the results used to try to increase overall tungsten recoveries. The second project evaluated a molybdenite/chalcopyrite concentrate with surprising results. The third project is a silver project. Initial flotation scoping tests were performed by attempting to separate silver from gangue material. Because of the poor recovery results (less than 5%), MLA was used to determine possible scenarios for increasing silver recovery. Finally, the last project involves gold evaluation in tailings. For all projects, MLA application results will be presentedand discussed.INTRODUCTIONThe Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) has recently received a software add-on to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) located at Montana Tech. The Mineral Liberation Analyzer (MLA) technology was developed by Dr. Ying Gu of the JKTech Center of the University of Queensland. Since August 2006, CAMP has received and processed over 50 samples. These samples include a total mineralogy of tungsten ore samples, gold tailings, lead zinc tailings pile, molybdenite concentrates, copper concentrates, as well as others. During analysis of these received samples, the technology allows the samples to be quantified mineralogically with some surprising results.For analysis, the samples were initially sieved between 170 to 200 screen sized mesh. This ensures that received samples mineral size is fairly uniform. The samples are then placed into epoxy and allowed to harden. Next, the samples are polished and carbon coated for MLA analysis."

Jan 1, 2007

By Charles W. Axten

Since the mid-1970s, samples of airborne and waterborne fibrous particulates have been collected in the area of the Northshore Taconite Ore Processing Facility by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA), and the University of Minnesota. Indirect sample preparation has consistently been used although other aspects of the sampling methods and sites have varied and analytical procedures were altered over time as more accurate and precise microscopy methods were developed (i.e., phase contrast optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy). In the mid-1970s, levels of airborne fibrous particulate in the Silver Bay area averaged from 0.00030 to 0.03 f/ml. This level was significantly greater than levels of similar particulates in the St. Paul, MN area, although two of the Silver Bay sampling sites, considered individually, did not indicate levels of fibrous particulate markedly different than that seen in St. Paul. More recent sampling data (i.e., 1990?2001) indicate mean concentration of airborne fibrous particulates (amphibole-like fibrous particulates) of 0.0020 f/ml with a range of values from 0.0001 to 0.0140 f/ml. Such levels are not significantly different from those seen in other non-urban environments in the US and Europe. Concentrations of fibrous particulates in water samples were higher in the mid-1970 when iron ore tailings were being deposited in Lake Superior, but since the tailings have been deposited on land waterborne levels of fibrous particulate in the Beaver River have remained relatively constant averaging in the range of 7.5 MFL. This level is only slightly in excess of the current EPA drinking water standard for fibrous particulates. Review and consideration of this data is important in determining the potential health risks associated with airborne and waterborne fibrous particulates in the areas of the Northshore Taconite Ore Processing Facility. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Taconite; Asbestos; Asbestiform fibers; Fibrous particulates; Cleavage fragments; Phase contrast optical microscopy; Transmission electron microscopy

Jan 1, 2007

By R. von Bonsdorff

Electrochemical and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) methods were used to investigate the dissolution rate of gold in a solution similar to those utilized by the Outokumpu HydroCopper® process. The measurements were conducted in an electrolyte solution where [NaCl] = 2.8-280 g/L, pH = 1-2.5, [Cu2+] = 0-30 g/L and T = 70-95°C. According to these measurements, the solution flow has the greatest impact on the dissolution rate of gold in the HydroCopper® process. Under adequately acidic conditions (pH < 3), the dissolution rate of gold increases with increasing cupric concentration, increasing chloride concentration and increasing temperature. The results and trends observed compared well with the literature.

Jan 1, 2007

For resources projects with healthy net present value (NPV) and low cash flow volatility, conventional discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis will continue to provide the dominant investment decision-making criteria. However, DCF analysis can be biased because it often applies a single risk-adjusted discount rate (RADR) to compare the value of projects with different risk characteristics. Many of the difficulties with DCF modelling arise from analysts&apos; inability to determine appropriate risk discounts and to estimate expected spot prices inputs for the commodities produced over the life of the project. Modern asset pricing (MAP) is a very valuable complement to DCF analysis in addressing some of these issues. Most papers dealing with MAP, however, while academically rigorous, tend not to be explicit in terms of practical application of this methodology in routine project evaluation. This paper has the objective of reviewing the MAP methodology and of demystifying its complexity, by providing a simple but realistic step-by-step evaluation of a mining project, comparing its DCF and MAP NPV values. The paper concludes that MAP provides a minimum, risk-adjusted `floor&apos; value, thus representing a valuable complement to any DCF valuation.

Jan 1, 2007

By D C. S M, J Skudder, R F. Sandenbergh

Metallic sulfide minerals present in most gold ores, Morila gold ore included, often decompose under typical gold leaching conditions. The reactions and their products consume oxygen and sodium cyanide, consequently competing for oxygen and cyanide used in gold dissolution. The resultant effect is to reduce both the kinetics of gold dissolution and overall extraction efficiencies. The present paper discusses results obtained from plant data analysis and laboratory work investigating the problem of higher than expected consumption of sodium cyanide at Morila Mine Gold Plant. Cyanide consumption at the Morila Mine Gold Plant had been consistently running at 46 per cent higher than the expected value without any corresponding increase in gold recovery. In fact, plant data analysis showed an inverse relationship between cyanide consumption and grind, as well as cyanide consumption and gold recovery. Experimental and plant data analysis indicated that better control of the [CN-]/[O2] ratio is necessary for the efficient use of reagents and achievement of higher gold recoveries. Careful control of this ratio at a minimum of eight enabled the reduction of sodium cyanide consumption by 200 g/t, that is, from 650 g/t to 450 g/t. Coupling these experimental conditions with the addition of lead nitrate at 100 g/t improved the overall gold recovery to 93 per cent compared to the average plant recovery of 90.2 per cent over a six-month period. This improvement was also reflected in the leaching kinetics where 70 per cent gold extraction was achieved after four hours, as compared to 59 per cent in the absence of lead nitrate addition. Also of great importance is the fact that the combination of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen gave inferior performance relative to either of the two reagents used separately. This scenario presents an opportunity for excluding hydrogen peroxide, an expensive reagent, and focusing on improving the oxygen addition system to boost dissolved oxygen concentration in the plant.

Jan 1, 2007

The borehole televiewer is a downhole geophysical logging device that produces continuous, oriented, 360¦ images of the drill hole wall. Two types of borehole images are currently being generated at the BHP Billiton Mount Whaleback deposit. The optical televiewer (OTV) tool captures a ærealÆ image of the borehole wall whereas an acoustic televiewer (ATV) generates an image through variations in physical borehole size, scattering the energy from an acoustic beam. Orientation of the resulting ævirtual coreÆ is derived through magnetometers and accelerometers, providing values within one degree for both inclination and azimuth. Downhole structures such as fractures, joints, foliations and bedding planes are selected directly off the borehole image, recorded and displayed in a 3D modelling package along side adjacent drill holes. Measurements are corrected from apparent to true dip and magnetic to true north. Strata-bound magnetic anomalies are identified and corresponding measurements excluded. The importance of borehole imaging increases substantially with its ability to integrate the OTV and/or ATV data with other forms of lithological and structural data. At Mount Whaleback, the borehole televiewer has been implemented to provide information for geotechnical exploration including structural analysis, lithological characterisation and rock-mass conditions. Within the large area in and around Mount Whaleback, drilling may intersect a number of different geological formations with various rock types and conditions. With the application of the borehole televiewer, reverse circulation drilling can provide information traditionally obtained by diamond drilling.

Jan 1, 2007

By D Kotzen

Online cyanide analysers have been successfully used to control free cyanide in the gold/silver leach process for over 15 years. Use of such analysers leads to cyanide savings and improvement in recoveries. Plants with leach cyanide analysers show both lower and more consistent cyanide levels in tailings. Cyanide code compliance requires meeting residual cyanide targets in tailings. Monitoring and logging of the residual cyanide in plant tailings and effluent is required. Meeting targets may require cyanide recovery/destruction processes to be implemented. The operating cost of destroying cyanide is often the same order of magnitude as the cyanidation cost. Various cyanide destruction and/or recovery processes are reviewed. Choice of a process consistent with the environmental and operational requirements is illustrated. Online weak acid dissociable cyanide (CNWAD) analysers have recently been developed and introduced on gold plants. The application of a WAD 1000 online CNWAD analyser at a large gold plant is presented. The analyser ensures code compliance, reduces cyanide destruction process operating costs and forms a historical record of CNWAD values in tailings.

Jan 1, 2007

By M. Zuckerberg, E. Mader, R. Pasyar

We describe a new software product designed for the net present value optimization of multi-open-pit blended ore operations in which it is desired and/or necessary to dump some or all of the waste rock produced in the course of operations back into the voids created in the process of ore extraction. The software product simultaneously decides over the entire life-of-mine which material to mine in which year, once mined what to do with it, and where to put that material which it has decided to waste, all subject to annual blend and capacity constraints.

Jan 1, 2007

By I. Cifuentes

Chemical and physical characterization of copper electrodeposits obtained on mesh and plate cathodes in conventional and reactive electrodialysis lab-scale cells have been carried out. The effect of Fe, Mn, Cl and guar on electrodeposit composition and morphology were determined by means of metallographies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Each impurity influenced the deposit morphology in a different way (e. g. grain size, surface roughness). AFM proved to be a very effective tool for quantifiying and classifiying surface quality.

Jan 1, 2007

By Steven K. Duke, Jay Arabshahi

An economic, real-time probe drill monitoring system was developed for Metropolitan Water District’s Arrowhead Tunnels project to quantitatively evaluate ground conditions ahead of a TBM. This system digitally records hydraulic feed, rotation, and percussion pressures and calculates drill advance rates during drilling. These data are computer synthesized to develop a digital representation of the ground ahead, and the resulting “picture” of the ground is distributed to the project team to assist with tunnel construction decisions (i.e., targeting grout holes, optimizing mine-cycle lengths, and avoiding becoming stuck). The analysis and interpretation procedure has now been calibrated and refined using over 5,000 m (3 miles) of geologic face mapping data.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. H. Mumin, A. K. Somarin, K. S. Oran

"Synvolcanic structures played a fundamental role in the genesis, morphology, and siting of volcanogenic massive sulfide ores and associated hydrothermal alteration in the Archean South Sturgeon Lake caldera complex. The most voluminous and persistent hydrothermal venting and massive sulfide deposition occurred along synvolcanic rifts and grabens associated with faults and tectonic fissures that created permeable fracture zones deep enough to access the underlying hydrothermal reservoir. The type of fracturing is highly variable and changes with the composition, competency, degree of consolidation, and alteration of host rocks. Synvolcanic structures and fracture styles also vary according to the amount and type of tectonic movement, including extension-related collapse, shearing and faulting perpendicular to the principal direction of extension, and orthogonal faulting and shearing. Permeable conduits were created by tension fracturing along fault zones, brittle deformation at the intersections of orthogonal faults, and by extensional fractures in stockworks. In texturally uniform footwall rocks, the distribution of alteration zones was controlled by the morphology of the structural conduit. In rocks with vertical and/or lateral facies, permeability, and competency changes (e.g., Lyon Lake graben), there was an additional stratigraphic control over fluid migration. Some crosscutting synvolcanic structures, alteration zones, and intrusions appear as stratiform units at the present erosion surface due to regional deformation and the present attitude of the volcanic stratigraphy.Hydrothermal mineral assemblages (e.g., quartz, carbonates, chlorite, pyrite, chalcopyrite) infilling structurally induced fractures provide good evidence of fluid migration pathways. However, mineralogy can vary significantly according to the fluid characteristics, host rock geochemistry, and subsequent metamorphic history of the area.Clearly, one of the best methods for locating volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits is to delineate the attitudes of synvolcanic structures, and explore those that show evidence of associated high-temperature hydrothermal mineral assemblages. Excellent exploration targets occur where synvolcanic structures with hydrothermal alteration intersect paleo-seafloor horizons."

Jan 1, 2007

By S. Gößling-Reisemann

Most copper ores contain valuable co-products such as molybdenum, gold, silver, nickel, etc. Sulphuric acid and steam are valuable by-products, which are generated dur¬ing copper production. The environmental impacts from mining and refining therefore need to be shared between these by-products and co-products, an issue in Life Cycle As¬sessment (LCA) referred to as allocation. There are different, recognised methodologies for doing so: burdens can be allocated based on the market values of these commodities, they can be allocated by mass, volume, molar amount, functionality, or other physical, technical or economic factors. All of these methodologies have their respective merits and restrictions, and the choice is usually case specific. Nevertheless, the choice between alternative methodologies can have dramatic effects on the LCA results. Recycling in LCA has to be handled in a similar way, as it essentially constitutes a special case of co¬production. The existing standards (ISO 14040 ff.) allow different methods for imple¬menting recycling and allocation into metal LCAs (open loop, closed loop, value cor-rected substitution, etc.), which are still a subject of discussion in the scientific community. However, the methodology used can significantly influence the ecological profile of copper and copper products. We will present an overview of the different methodologies available for including recycling and allocation and give an analysis of how the meth¬odological choice affects the final LCA results. This work will be followed up by quantitative case studies.

Jan 1, 2007