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By Stewart WJ

Australia's first offshsore well was spudded in on 27th December 1964 and resulted in the discovery of the Barracouta gas field. Further exploratory drilling led to the discovery of the Marlin gas field in December 1965, the Kingfish oil field in April 1967 and the Hblibut oil field in June. 1967. In September 1968, a small oil reservoir was found in a sand below the main Barracouta'gas reservoir. The Snapper gas field was discovered in May, 1968 Information on exploration activities associated with the discovery of oil and gas in the Bass Strait area may be found in the paper, "Exploration in the Gippsland, Bass and Otway Basins, Australia" by B. M. Hopkins. _ Development of the commercial fields is being undertaken on an equal participation basis by Hematite Petroleum Pty. Ltd. and Esso Exploration and Production Australia Inc. Esso Standard Oil (Australia) Ltd. is responsible for the design, construction and operation of the production facilities.

Jan 1, 1970

By DiStefano AB, Dale SG

This paper describes the laboratory study implemented to investigate the application of the subaerial technique to tailings disposal for the proposed Olympic Dam Mine. The results of the study and the resulting design parameters are presented. The subaerial technique of tailings disposal is described and the advantages of the method for disposal in arid climates highlighted.

Jan 1, 1984

By Reeves T. J, Hansen J. Y

Dense medium cyclone theory, supported by extensive experimental and plant-scale evidence, demonstrates that medium rheology (stability and viscosity) substantially affects cyclone performance in mineral applications.Two instruments have therefore been developed to allow medium stability and viscosity to be-monitored in the plant environment. The instruments are described, and examples are given of their application in full-scale plants.

Jan 1, 1989

By J Manuel, L Lu

Increasing bed depth is one of the main options sinter plants consider to increase production, since it is an incremental improvement and less expensive compared with a new plant. To maximise the benefits of increased bed depth, correct blend design and plant operation is critical. This paper discusses test work conducted to show the effects of ore type and bed depth on sintering performance and the adjustments required in both fuel rate and lime addition depending on ore type. The differences in sinter plug macro and microstructure were also examined to show the effect of bed depth on ore assimilation and matrix formation. Finally, the benefits of blending ores to achieve the best sintering performance as bed depth increases is discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By Rabie A. S, Fouad K. M, Ammar A. A

The existence of Gabal El Kahfa ring complex, located in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, has been ascertained from aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric survey data as well as by aerial photography. Two maps for -the net aerial radiometric measurements reduced to ground level and aerial magnetic data corrected for the regional normal gradient of the earth's magnetic field have been constructed. The aeroradioactivity data have been interpreted geologically and analyzed statistically to outline various radiometric units and compute their charac- teristic statistics. The ring complex showed a circular radiometric feature and yielded a radiometric mean background and a standard deviation of 6.48 and 0.89 pR/h respectively. Besides, the observations showed a normal distribution. The aeromagnetic data have been reduced to the north magnetic pole, then filtered to produce the regional-and residual-component maps. Statistical trend analysis was conducted for the tectonic linea- ments resulting from the three magnetic maps, to define the structural framework of the area under study. This statistical study proved the exis- tence of trends in the east-west, northwest-south- east, northeast-southwest and north-south directions. The ring complex is characterized by a circular magnetic feature, whose average relief is 2150 nT. It is included within a high east-west trending magnetic zone. The latter represents a deep-seated uplift or anticline which is bordered from all sides by some faults of different trends.

Jan 1, 1988

By Cunneen R. D, Murray A. M

Exploration in the vicinity of the abandoned Mt Coolon mine has shown that the shape and attitude of the quartz lode is controlled by the interaction between the lode and a converging syncline. Gold grades within the lode are enhanced along intersections with a welded ignimbrite, and decline rapidly where the lode intersects unwelded ignimbrite. Mineralogy and textures indicate the vein has an epithermal origin modified by a later intrusive event.

Jan 1, 1989

By Weller KR

A study of high pressure rolls grinding of a number of Australian ores and minerals has been carried out using a pilot-scale machine with rolls 300 mm diameter and 70 mm wide. The results from this study have been used in conjunction with plant survey data to construct computer simulation models of various comminution circuits and these have been used to investigate options for incorporating high pressure grinding rolls into these comminution circuits. Possible rolls options for three of these circuits are presented, and likely energy savings over the existing circuits are discussed together with potential improvements in plant throughput and/or product sizing. A scale-up procedure for predicting full-scale machine performance from small-scale testing is described, and the effects of rolls operating conditions are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1991

Recent work on computerised mineral resource databases at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited has concentrated on the development of the GERM, REGCHEM, and MINLIT databases, and their integration in a Geographic Information System using MapInfo software on an IBM-compatible microcomputer local area network. GERM (GEological Resource Map) is a mineral deposit inventory with national coverage and more than 10 300 entries. REGCHEM (REGional Exploration GeoCHEMistry) is a database of stream sediment analyses from open-file mining company reports, containing more than 14 000 sample sites from the Coromandel and west Nelson regions. MINLIT (MINeral LITerature bibliography) is an annotated bibliography of literature on topics relating to the exploration and geology of mineral deposits in New Zealand, and includes more than 5000 entries for published books and papers, and unpublished mining company reports, university theses, and government reports. Master sets of GERM and MINLIT continue to be maintained on a VAX mainframe network but REGCHEM is operated only in the PC environment using the Microsoft ACCESS database management system software.

Jan 1, 1993

By Garland W

Access to geoscience reference informa- tion including mining and mineral processing has increased considerably in the last five years in Australia. This has been due principally to the use of computer-based information storage and retrieval systems. The main reference data base for the mineral and petroleum industries and disciplines in Australia is the Australian Earth Sciences Information System (AESIS), cooperatively developed and coordinated by the Australian Mineral Foundation (AMF). AESIS is created on the CSIRO computing network (CSIRONET) which has a CYBER 76 host computer located at the CSIRO Division of Computing Research (DCR) at Canberra. Data entry was until recently carried out by AMF using a dedicated line through the Adelaide CSIRONET node to the CYBER 76 interactive system. Data entry is now done directly at the AMF on a DEC PDP 11/44 mini computer that is also a host work station on CSIRONET. Data collection via magnetic tape media input from other computer-based systems is under development. The software used for data entry and management of the data base was developed by CSIRO CILES Systems Development Group. For public interactive online use the AESIS data base is transferred by tape to AUSINET - the Australian information net- work run by ACI Computer Services, Melbourne, where the data base is converted to a form suitable for the IBM STAIRS software. CSIRO facilities at DCR Canberra are used to produce computer type-set camera ready products and output in microform, on magnetic tape or as graphic display. Keywords: Earth sciences information, Computer applications, Information storage and retrieval, AESIS, Data bases, Australia.

Jan 1, 1983

The ore deposits of the Oobar mining field are confined to sediments of the Early Devonian Cobar Supergroup. The mineralisation is discordant to bedding and parallel to cleavage. The structural association is variable with the deposits near the eastern margin of the Cobar Basin formed in zones of deformation and faulting. The Elura deposit located further to the west is in less deformed sediments within the core of a small anticline. There are wide variations in ore type fran lad sulphide chalcopyrite - pyrrhotite - pyrite to high sulphide sphalerite - galena - pyrrhotite - pyrite assemblages. The deposits ccnmonly contain an inner zone of quartz - sulphide - chlorite veining grading outwards into a chlorite halo containing quartz - carbonate veining. The Elura deposit differs in having an inner massive sulphide zone surrounded by a zone of big-Fe carbonate formation. The mineralisation probably formed during regional metamorphism and deformation in the Early Carboniferous. A possible genetic model involves the injection of metal bearing hydrothermal fluids formed in the upper mantle or lower crust up basement structures into the overlying Cobar Supergroup sediments. An alternate model proposes the leaching of metals from the sediments by brines formed during metamorphism and subsequent emplacement in favourable structural zones.

Jan 1, 1983

By J J. Campbell, G J. Wilkie

The ores of the Golden Mile exhibit considerable complexity. As a consequence, the operating company, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), considered it important to develop a coherent database of information describing the nature of the many ore lodes in terms of (1) rock properties and mineralogical content, including relative proportions, grain size, associations and deportment of key elements between minerals, (2) the relative behaviour of consituent minerals in various stages of processing and (3) the nature of the final products and key intermediate streams. The paper describes a sequence of metallurgical tests covering comminution, flotation, gravity concentration, leaching and calcining, carried out on three lodes of the Golden Mile. Key samples generated by the testing were subjected to comprehensive size-by-elemental assaying and QEM*SEM mineralogical determinations of sulphide and precious metal associations. Significant differences between lodes were identified, and the impact of these differences on processing is discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

Mt. Whaleback is in the Pilbara region of Western Australia approximately 1200 kilometers north of Perth, the State capital. In this deposit the Mt. Newman Joint Venturers are mining ore reserves totalling 1500 million tonnes of high grade hematite averaging 64.0% Fe. In addition to Mt. Whaleback, 38 ore bodies have so far been identified outside Mt. Whaleback on the Company's remaining 75,000 hectares of lease area. These ore bodies contain major tonnages of iron ore. Extraction at present is planned at a rate of 37 million tonnes per annum at an ore-to-waste ratio of approximately 1 to 1.4. The ore is railed north to Port Hedland on the Indian Ocean where the different products are screened, crushed and blended prior to shipping. The purpose of this paper is to acquaint the reader with the facilities installed in the Mt. Newman operation to form a background to the sampling techniques employed, describe the precisions which were achieved in experiments conducted February through June, 1976 and also to assess the degree of blending which takes place during the various processes and to put a quantitative measure to the degree of blending. There have been many excellent papers written on the more theoretical aspects

Jan 1, 1976

Two significant TBM boreability predic- tion models are outlined. Predicted advance rates are compared with actual advance rates taken from twenty case histories. The results show that a simple low cost method that uses one machine parameter and one rock parameter compares very favourably with a high cost sophisticated method which also includes information regarding discontinuities in the rock mass. The effect of rock texture on drillability is also examined. A method of quantifying rock texture has been developed and is outlined. Experimental results show that the developed TEXTURE COEFFICIENT returns highly statisti- cally significant correlations with drilla- bility data in a wide range of rock types.

Jan 1, 1987

By Holliday R, Floyd JM

A laboratory investigation was carried out to determine the distribution of gold between the products of lead-zinc concentrate smelting in the Imperial Smelting Furnace (ISF). Bullion, speiss and slag from the ISF at Cockle Creek were used as the starting materials to evaluate the effect of gold and copper content of products on the distribution of gold between phases under conditions simulating those in the ISF hearth. The ratio of gold in bullion to gold in speiss has a mean value of approximately 1.6 and is independent of the gold content of the bullion. The distribution coefficient of gold between bullion and speiss is dependent on the copper level in speiss and is lowered by increasing copper content in speiss. The ratio of gold in bullion to gold in slag is in the range 25 to 5700 and dependent on the gold content of the bullion. For low gold concentrations in bullion of the order of 1 g/t and a bullion to slag ratio of 1:3 the gold loss to slag is expected to be approx- imately 23%. In all tests the gold in slag remained low, in the range 0.05 to 0.5 ppm provided metal prills were not suspended in Slag.

Jan 1, 1986

Environmental management of minesites in general, and management of water discharges in particular, is receiving ever-increasing attention. One key component in the successful design and operation of water management systems is to address the presence of sediment in the water being conveyed. Sediment erosion in the mining environment is often greatly exacerbated by disturbing the ground surface of vast areas of catchment. If sediment avoidance, transport, deposition or release are not adequately addressed, the impact on water management facilities can include loss of storage and hydraulic capacity, more frequent equipment replacement, increased operational costs and potentially environmentally unacceptable sediment discharges to receiving waters. An overview of sediment management within water facilities is presented here, and design of one particular approach, the use of settling basins for sediment removal, is discussed in detail. Examples are used to illustrate lessons learnt where particular approaches to sediment management have been found to be lacking. The common themes in the lessons learnt include the need to characterise hydrodynamic conditions and sediment properties in the water source, to set performance targets for sediment management, and to develop operating procedures to meet these targets under a realistic range of scenarios. The examples show how analysis of expected performance of sediment management can help with planning of operation and maintenance strategies. For settling basins, use of a simulation model that includes the effects of turbulence on settling can provide considerable benefits in optimising basin design and evaluating performance. Even in the most basic approach to sediment settling, establishing performance targets based on design flow and sediment characteristics is critical.

Jan 1, 2003

By A Jurg, F Leclercq

The total drill and blast concept is widely known in the mining industry. On the contrary, the quarry industry rarely adopts such working methods. Based on the experience of the CBS quarry in the North of France, this paper shows how up-to-date blasting technology and simple control methods can significantly improve the overall Mine to Mill efficiency of a quarry. The CBS quarry, in partnership with the EPC group and Nitro- Bickford Company, adopted a new working process three years ago aimed at increasing blast performance and related productivity of the downstream process (loading, hauling and crushing). The pattern geometry of each blast is controlled and explosive charging is carried out following the æconstant specific energyÆ CSE concept. This method provides a homogeneous fragmentation distribution and reduces vibration peak-particle-velocities. The impact on downstream productivity is controlled by means of a simple information management system, which collects and measures key parameters of the production process such as; hauling cycles, crusher throughput, secondary breaking and vibration peak particle velocity. This information system has clearly proved over time that consistent blast quality could be achieved, leading to a 30 per cent improvement in quarry productivity. Improved energy control of blasting through optimisation with electronic detonators, allowed a significant reduction in vibration impact on the environment. Improvement in blasting security, reduction in the environmental impact and productivity enhancement are major benefits that quarries can obtain from these CSE optimisation blasting methods.

Jan 1, 2007

FOR some time past keen interest has been shown in both America and South Africa in the mining drill-steel problem. This interest has extended to Australian mining fields, and Australian drill users, ever desirous of increasing efficiency, are vigorously attacking the problem. The writer has recently been engaged in the investigation of the problem on two of ,the biggest mining fields in Australia, and has formed very definite conclusions concerning the causes of many drill-steel casualties. He puts these views forward in the hope that they may be of interest to, both drill manufacturers and drill users. The subject is here dealt with mainly from the aspect of the properties of the steel and the modifications of these properties whensubjected to various manipulations. It is generally admitted that the drilling machine has greatly increased in power and efficiency during recent years, and the consequence is that the machine is demanding better service from the steel. This is being impressed on the drill users by an increase in steel casualties. This fact has led many mining people to the view that the machine has developed so rapidly that the steel maker has not been able to keep pace, and that consequently the steel isfailing by fatigue 0:1; so-called crystallization. This view is rather depressing. The writer, on the other hand, is inclined to discountenance fatigue as a serious factor under good normal working conditions where the steel is carefully manufactured and supplied to the user under suitable structural and sound conditions, and has subsequently received kind treatment at the hands of the drill sharpener and the drill user.It is not reasonable to attribute failures to fatigue until it has definitely been proved that the steel is fundamentally sound and is in the best structural condition to resist the stresses it is called upon to withstand, and, this being so, that all fundamental principles of...

Jan 1, 1923

By Johns A. L

The concept of the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop and the organ- isation to achieve its construction are covered in the companion papers (Reference 1, 2) and will not be repeated here. The Victorian Railways, as well as being the eventual operator of the Loop when it is completed by MURLA, have also been responsible as "Contractors" to MURLA for the construction of the "cut and cover" or "box" tunnels and related approach works located on existing Railway property. These tunnel connections link the existing suburban system to the new underground works. The following tabulation indicates the significant work volume involved in this cut and cover tunnelling exercise and which is covered in some detail by this paper.

Jan 1, 1981

The elements of consistent structural de sign models for underground structures are explained. Such models should comprise at least ground properties, excavation and support methods, computational models for analysis, failure hypotheses, and in-situ monitoring. The fundamental characteristics of the interaction between ground and support are investigated. Then, plane strain models for soft ground tun- nelling and design models for rock tunnelling employing stress release at the tunnel face are elaborated. Some numerical evaluations are gi- ven in diagrams, comparing approaches of dif- ferent authors. Comments are presented on nume- rical three-dimensional models (visualized by structural models for mining in rock salt), on the interaction of in-situ monitoring and design, on structural safety for underground structures, and finally on the general develop- ment of structural design models in geo- Techniques.

Jan 1, 1987

By E ¦iftti, A Koenig

Natural sphalerite associated with copper, silver, lead-zinc, tin and tungsten deposits from various world-famous mineral deposits have been studied by cathodoluminescence (CL), laser ablasion inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to determine the relationship between trace element type and content and the CL properties of sphalerite. In general, sphalerite produces a spectrum of CL colour under electron bombardment that includes deep blue, turquoise, lime green, yellow-orange, orange-red and dull dark red depending on the type and concentration of trace quantities of activator ions. Sphalerite from most deposits shows a bright yellow-orange CL colour with lmax centred at 585 nm due to Mn2+ ion, and the intensity of CL is strongly dependent primarily on Fe2+ concentration. The blue emission band with lmax centred at 470 - 490 nm correlates with Ga and Ag at the Tsumeb, Horn Silver, Balmat and Kankoy mines. Colloform sphalerite from older well-known European lead-zinc deposits and late Cretaceous Kuroko-type VMS deposits of Turkey shows intense yellowish CL colour and their CL spectra are characterised by extremely broad emission bands ranging from 450 to 750 nm. These samples are characterised by low Mn (<10 ppm) and Ag (<1 ppm), and they are enriched in Tl (1 - 30 ppm) and Pb (80 - 1500 ppm). Strong green CL is produced by sphalerite from the Balmat-Edwards district. Amber, lime-green and red-orange sphalerite produced weak orange-red CL at room temperatures, with several emission bands centred at 490, 580, 630, 680, 745, with lmax at 630 nm being the strongest. These emission bands are well correlated with trace quantities of Sn, In, Cu and Mn activators. Sphalerite from the famous Ogdensburg and Franklin mines exhibited brilliant deep blue and orange CL colours and the blue CL may be related to Se. Cathodoluminescence behaviour of sphalerite serves to characterise ore types and help detect technologically important trace elements.

Jan 1, 2008