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By M Nehring, M Kizil, P Knights

Mining and beneficiation can be described as sequential processes of separation of valuable minerals from waste. There is a great deal of interest in how the industry can be more effective – and efficient – with these processes. In particular, many mining companies are looking towards digital technologies to improve precision mining practices; that is, the targeted identification and separation of valuable ore from waste during the mining process. Greater precision will help unlock the value in many complex orebodies that are currently considered Tier 2 or 3 deposits. CITATION: Knights, P, Kizil, M and Nehring, M, 2018. Selection of precision surface mining methods for complex metalliferous orebodies, in Proceedings Complex Orebodies Conference 2018, pp 31–34 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 21, 2018

The papers to be presented in this Session show an interesting range of subject matter. Three discuss specific problems associated with existing mines, one deals with hydrogeological risk evaluation and one uses the impact of mine drainage on an aquifer to analyse a large-scale hydraulic parameter. Paper 1. Environment studies to determine the impacts of re-opening Banska Stiavnica-Hodrusa ore district in Czechoslovakia - Dusan Cababla - Marian Skaviniak. Future developments in established mining areas may have significant hydrogeological implications, especially where the existing mines are to be deepened. In turn this may have an impact in the area of the disposal of ever larger quantities of mine water, particularly, as is often the case, where the quality of this water is poor.

Jan 1, 1988

Mere recognition of the need for technic- ally strong human resources in the'extractive metallurgical industries has not prevented the decline in the education base for broad spec- trum metallurgists. The ability of chemical engineers to perform very effectively in many extractive metallurgical positions does not remove from the need for a general metallurgic- al education system. The intrusion of chemical engineers into extractive metallurgy is only symptomatic of the problems facing the minerals industry and its educators. The prospect of a career in the minerals base industries is unattractive to potential students by virtue of perceived inadequacies in the professional basis of the industry and ignorance of its sig- nificance to Australia's future, as assisted by excessive secrecy and a low profile public Image.

Jan 1, 1987

Comalco Aluminium Limited uses a computer system for cost, supply and maintenance reporting and control at its bauxite mine in Weipa, North Queensland. The system collects data on a daily basis at a high level of detail on both cost and maintenance history. This allows useful reporting to all levels of management from the shop floor to the General Manager. The most successful aspect of the system is that the information is available in all workshops on visual display units. This allows the real spenders of the Company's money, Foremen and Tradesmen, to make well informed decisions. The system has also decreased the time taken to find parts and information which gives the Foremana greater opportunity to do his real job of supervision and quality control.

Jan 1, 1983

Mount Isa mine is the largest underground mine in Australia and is located 2,000 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. This mine has been in continuous operation since 1931 and in 1986/87 the silver/lead/zinc stream achieved the peak annual mining rate of 4.7 million tonnes. At present about fifteen different steeply dipping stratiform orebodies are being mined to maintain an annual production rate of around 3.0 million tonnes. Out of these, only two orebodies (2 & 5) are amenable to sub level open stoping (SLOS) type bulk mining methods. This year only 150,000 tonnes are scheduled from pillars and remnant areas but in future, more sources will be required to meet the budget production targets.

Jan 1, 1990

The law relating to the Treaty of Waitangi is developing rapidly at present. A number of separate, but related, developments can be identified.

Jan 1, 1988

Brisbane based and listed on the ASX, Eastern Corp is pursuing the development of coal projects in New Zealand. There are various reasons why New Zealand coals are of interest û substantial resources, stable political/economic environment, close to Asian markets. In just over 12 months, Eastern has secured an operating coal mine (Cascade) and a prospective exploration area (Whareatea West), both on the Denniston plateau region, on the south islandÆs west coast. A key focus of activities is the development of relationships with key stakeholders and the promotion of the local economy.   Certain barriers may exist to the entrance by foreign companies into the New Zealand coal mining sector. These include geological challenges provided by the heavy faulting of the coals, port and rail infrastructure constraints, and the ægreenÆ factor.

Jan 1, 2005

Sasol Roche Blasting Services (SRBS) and its former owners have been in the process of developing and utilising low-density explosives over the last ten years. Many blasts have been fired in varying strata types in a number of mining operations. This has led to a good understanding of the product and the best methods to exploit its characteristics when designing blasts. Unlike some other low-density products, SoftLOAD« is a homogeneous mix that is easily handled and able to be loaded at high load rates. This paper discusses the physics of SoftLOAD« low-density explosives and how through correct utilisation, blasting outcomes can be significantly improved. It also touches on the various side benefits that can provide the blast designer with a more controlled blast.

Jan 1, 2004

By M Vavro, V Slivka, J èterba

In the course of the last ten years the development of the mining industry in the Czech Republic has been influenced by the pushing through of economic and ecological criteria. Due to this coal mining was ended in the whole series of the underground coal mines. These mines become the source of ecological and safety risks û methane leakage, surface deformation, etc. The way of solving of these problems is by stowing of underground spaces, and also surface fault basins with the help of mixtures produced from industrial wastes. The presupposition of this procedure is knowledge of prescriptions for production of the mixtures, and of the economic advantageousness of carrying out these activities. This contribution pays attention to the utilisation of power-gypsum as a raw material in the production of mining-construction materials.

Jan 1, 2003

By Hall ST, Miles NJ

Recently an inorganic salt, sodium polytungstate (SPT), has become available that allows the preparation of non-toxic solutions of relative densities up to 3.1. It is relatively expensive and at the higher relative densities achievable, highly viscous. Alternative inorganic compounds may in the future be identified that overcome these limitations. The Australian Mineral Industries Research Association Ltd (AMIRA) has initiated a project to examine possible alternatives. However, it has been found that by the addition of finely divided ferrosilicon to solutions of SPT, relative densities of up to 4.0 can be achieved. A laboratory technique for density fractionation of sized mineral samples utilising this finding has been developed. This is currently being extended to study the potential applications of such liquids and suspensions in dynamic systems for mineral, coal and recycled waste separations.

Jan 1, 1993

By R F. Weinberg, R A. Armstrong, A G. Tomkins

We investigated the duration of formation of the giant Ok Tedi porphyry copper-gold deposit in Papua New Guinea using zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating. The intrusions that host the Cu-Au mineralisation have a maximum age of 1.43 ¦ 0.22 Ma. Since previously published K-Ar dates on the same intrusion constrain the last thermal event at 1.11 ¦ 0.05 Ma, we conclude that the magmatic-hydrothermal event that produced the deposit lasted ~0.45 million years (Myr). A comparison of Ok TediÆs calculated volatile fluxes with those from arc volcanoes and active mineralising hydrothermal systems suggests that the efficiency of metal deposition is a key factor in determining the duration of deposit formation. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

The mineral resources of Hamersley Iron are structurally complex with fluctuations in mineral chemistry. Besides orebody charact- eristics, mineral recovery is also affected by stringent product quality demands from the competititve steel industry. Under such conditions, a geological ore reserve estimate has little meaning because it is unqualified and presupposes the defini- tion of ore. A system was developed in Hamersley - the Mine Planning Technique - to optimise recovery from available resources. This incremental planning method reduces a geological reserve statement into a simple, logical sequence of events. While there are limitations in the method used, the benefits are enormous. Among its' numerous applications, the schedule - the end product of the technique - plays an important role at Management level in decision making and policy formulation on all aspects of resource exploitation.

Jan 1, 1979

By Anderson D

Investigation of a water inflow into Wongawilli Mine in the Southern Coalfield of New South Wales included algal analysis. The determination of algae in the water suggested an external water source. An alternative hypothesis proposed that algae are inherent in a coal mine environment. Investigations to determine the validity of these hypotheses and provide information on the viability and longevity of algae under adverse conditions were conducted in the mine and the laboratory. Results indicated that a mine environment is not natural to algae and is not conducive to their growth. These findings support the hypothesis of introduction of surface water to the mine workings. They indicate that, in the absence of other available techniques, algae can be an effective tracer for use in the determination of a water source.

Jan 1, 1988

By Elpatyevskaya VP, Arzhanova VS

Main geochemical problems concerning the environment and mining industry interrelation are connected with the transformation of natural water chemistry by mining wastes. The investigation of many mines in Primorye, the southern part of the Russian Far East, showed that their mining waters have high concentrations of heavy metals and aluminium. Water acidity is primarily connected with the amount of acid-forming sulphide minerals in ores and also depends on the neutralising capacity of rocks. Considerable quantity of metals occur in the waters in dissolved form. Metal concentrations in mining waters exceeds the natural levels by 2-5 orders of magnitude and can't be reduced to the background levels even after multiple dilution. It is necessary to develop and put into practice new technologies so that to reduce the geochemical impact upon the environment.

Jan 1, 1995

By K Kellett, A V. Metzner

From its discovery in 1845 ion exchange has continually improved technically to an extent where it is now in wide use commercially in many industries including mining and environmental. Purity Systems Inc. (PSI) has made advances in the development of metals capture materials such that metals recovery using the PSI patented technology is now a viable economic process for many previously rejected applications. PSI, in conjunction with Ammtec Limited, have developed cost effective advanced processes and systems.The presentation will introduce the chemistry behind the materials and its relevance to the chelation and ion exchange methods. The applicability of the PSI resin technology to copper, cobalt and nickel recovery and the engineered systems options available will be discussed as well as piloting at Titan Resources NL Radio Hill mine at Karratha in Western Australia.

Jan 1, 2002

The End of the Line for Roadway Development By Michael Kelly, CSIRO Exploration & Mining Michael Kelly highlighted that roadway development performance remains one of the threats to expansion of Australia underground coal exports to the growing Asian market. In a recent industry study, automation was highlighted as one of seven strategies for roadway development improvement. Growing Asian markets The expansion of the Asian coal market is a long term driver for expansion of the underground coal industry in Australia - if significant productivity improvements are made. Imports of steaming coal by Asian APEC members are predicted to rise by from 150 MT to 190 MT. Australia is one of the few countries which has a potential capacity larger than predicted internal needs. Predictions are for exports of black steaming coal from Australia to increase from 50.3 MT in 1992 to 106.3 MT in 2010. To meet this prediction, an investment of $10.7 billion (in 1992 dollars) will have to be made in mining and transport facilities. This is equivalent to the opening of a major new mine each year until 2010. Many of these mines will be underground operations. However, much of Australia's capacity to respond to increased Asian demand will depend on its ability to develop underground technologies and improve productivity. The inability to make sustained improvements in roadway development rates has to date been one of the main reasons why new underground projects have failed to deliver the expected returns.

Jan 1, 1997

By J H. Kyle

Cyanide is a significant cost in gold processing, as well as an environmentally sensitive issue. It has been suggested that precipitation of cyanide from leach liquors as copper-iron-cyanide compounds such as Cu2Fe(CN)6 may account for part of the total cyanide consumption. This may be especially true for ores that are rich in both copper and iron minerals. Ammonia addition has been shown to decrease the cyanide consumption by copper. Cu2Fe(CN)6.xNH3 precipitates have also been postulated to form during conventional cyanide detoxification processes, using oxidants such as SO2/air, with ammonia arising as a breakdown product from the oxidation of free cyanide. The present work has examined the conditions under which such precipitates may form, particularly in gold plant process and detoxification liquors. Ammonia and pH were found to have a large effect on the extent of precipitation. The compounds that were formed were found to comprise mainly Cu2Fe(CN)6.7H2O, as well as a range of NH3-bearing variants. The stabilities of the various precipitates are important from an environmental perspective. The long-term stability of copper ferrocyanide precipitates in tailings dams may be a problem under alkaline conditions and when some free cyanide is present, elevating the measured total cyanide in solution significantly. Case studies including data from actual plants are also considered, and the importance of these effects is reaffirmed from these results.

Jan 1, 2000

Mining is a high risk industry where miners seek to secure certainty in all of their dealings. The introduction of native title to the Australian legal system with the High CourtÆs 1992 Mabo decision and subsequent Native Title Act 1993 has added to the risks associated with implementation and the ongoing operation of exploration and mining projects. The High CourtÆs Ward case in August 2002 confirmed Crown ownership of minerals and petroleum. But the Court also found that a mining lease that allowed an exclusive possession for mining purposes did not extinguish all native title rights and interests. Although the Court was specifically considering WA mining tenements, the WA mining lease is very similar to the mining leases and licences that exist across Australia, meaning that these tenements are unlikely to fully extinguish native title. The Ward case means that native title remains squarely on the table now and into the future for those involved in developing exploration and mining projects. However, certainty and workability is capable of being secured and this paper discusses some means by which this may be achieved. The paper starts by considering two of the many 1998 amendments to the æfuture actsÆ regime under the Native Title Act, Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) and the application of ægood faithÆ negotiation to all negotiating parties. It then looks at native title agreements, other issues affecting negotiations and tips for negotiation technique.

Jan 1, 2003

By T Ye Koltunova an, L A. Otrozhdyonnova

This paper presents the results of studies on the development of an efficient non-cyanide technology for processing massive, finely disseminated, copper-zinc ores of the Urals deposits. Copper is mainly represented by chalcopyrite and zinc û by sphalerite. The main ore mineral is pyrite, with its content in ores varying from 50 to 80 per cent. At the present time, separation of copper concentrate at the Urals concentrating plants is achieved in a lime medium by non-cyanide technology using sodium sulfide and zinc sulfite as depressors of zinc and iron sulfides and butyl xanthate as the collector. Copper content in copper concentrates amounts to 15 - 17 per cent; considerable losses of zinc are associated with copper concentrate and final tailings. Various collectors were tested during the studies: xanthates and aerofloats with different lengths of hydrocarbon radicals, thionocarbamates, Aerofine 3418A of Cytec Industries, reagent S-703G of Mineral Reagents Int, and modifiers û sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfide and zinc sulfite, with a pH of the medium varying from 5 to 12. Optimum results of copper concentrate separation were achieved in a weakly acidic medium using S-703G as the collector and sulfur dioxide and zinc sulfite as modifiers. The copper content in the copper concentrate was increased by 4.8 per cent. Total copper recovery into the copper concentrate and zinc recovery into the zinc concentrate exceeded five per cent.

Jan 1, 2005

TSG Consulting works with many of the major global mining companies using simulation modelling as an integral component in their development teamÆs processes to determine which combination of infrastructure options, operating performance and operating rules best achieve project goals. All systems can be divided into a series of subprocesses. Conventional management and design practices focus on the optimisation of these system components. However, the interaction between subprocesses means that improvements made to the individual components do not necessarily translate into total system performance improvement.TSG Consulting advocates a ætotal integrated system approachÆ to understanding the behaviour and performance of complex interacting systems. In a constraint-based integrated set of processes, the instantaneous system capacity is limited by the subsystem component capacity that is the bottleneck at that point in time. Additionally, real world stochastic and dynamic influences tend to have knock-on effects across subsystem boundaries. This necessitates the requirement for simulation modelling to develop and validate solutions that are sufficiently robust to deliver sustainable outcomes. The key to maximising production is to understand the causes and effects the inherent variability has on component performance, subprocess performance and most importantly, the total integrated system performance. The correct use of simulation modelling techniques allows study teams to evaluate the relative merits of different capacity enhancement proposals. Put simply, when done well, simulation modelling provides a quantitative and rational process to enhance the knowledge and insight needed to make informed decisions.

Jan 1, 2007