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By S. Durapraj, R. T. Masethe, U. Maqina, A. C. Adoko

This study investigates seismicity and rockburst control within the Merensky Reef and UG2 orebody of an intermediate-depth platinum mine located in South Africa's Bushveld Complex. Utilising a mine-wide seismic monitoring system, over 1,900 seismic events were recorded between April 2023 and May 2024, revealing complex seismic patterns driven by mining-induced stress changes. The largest event, with a magnitude of ML 2.0, underscores the seismic risks associated with mining at increasing depths. Key findings include the spatial and temporal variability of seismic events, with high seismic activity observed near pillars and geological structures. A significant portion of events correlated with pillar and foundation failures. Moment tensor analysis identified dominant failure modes, such as stress-driven fracture closures and dynamic pillar failures. To mitigate risks, the study emphasises advanced support system redesign and rockburst risk assessment using the rockburst damage potential (RDP) method. The research highlights the importance of monitoring, geotechnical compliance, and adaptive designs in enhancing safety and reducing seismic hazards in underground mining operations. The study applied the RDP framework, classifying damage across R1 to R5 scales, where most instances fell into low-risk categories (R1 and R3), indicating minor to moderate damage. However, data limitations and the tabular stoping method's complexity led to inconclusive results, highlighting the need for more robust data and customised risk assessment tools. Despite these challenges, the RDP approach provided valuable insights into rockburst mechanisms and the effectiveness of existing support systems.

Jan 12, 2025

By B. McFadzean, N. Patterson, M. Becker, S. Geldenhuys

The retreatment of secondary tailings for platinum group metals recovery presents a range of potential challenges, which vary depending on the nature of the original ore and the type of pretreatment it was subjected to. These challenges include the prevalence of ultrafine particles, which promote slimes coatings on valuable minerals, hinder bubble-particle attachment, increase pulp viscosity, and lead to higher gangue entrainment; surface oxidation of minerals, which alters their floatability; and the presence of deleterious gangue minerals and residual platinum group metal species that are inherently difficult to recover by flotation. This study compares the batch flotation performance across a range of tailings samples from the eastern and western limbs of the Bushveld Complex. A complementary mineralogical analysis was conducted to gain deeper insights into mineral behaviour. The paper evaluates these findings to identify the key factors contributing to poor platinum group metal performance.

Mar 6, 2026

By G. Popplewel

Commencing with the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) conclusions, the Orapa 3 process design evolved through a phase of value-engineering studies. An overall re-evaluation of the originally proposed process design was necessary both in order to address the interim increase in target throughput from 9.8 Mtpa to 12 Mtpa as well as to increase capital efficiency. In the interests of clarity, the PFS process design for Orapa 3 has been omitted from this paper, as it is no longer relevant. Recognition is however due to those engaged in earlier phases of the Orapa 3 project with respect to fundamental mass-balancing modelling; and ore and diamond characterization, which fanned the basis for the process design that has evolved from feasibility study activities.

Jan 1, 2010

By G. L. Dyer, R. D. Alorro, R. E. Browner

A potential new rare earth extraction process has been suggested (Lazo, et al., 2017) (Lazo, et al., 2018) based on converting the rare earth elements to solid phase rare earth oxalates in an oxalic acid leach. Oxalic acid consumption is a significant issue in the process, therefore to improve the viability of this proposed new extraction method, a process to recover oxalate from the leach solution and recycle oxalic acid is required. A review of the literature and confirmation through thermodynamic analysis of the potential options identified precipitation of calcium or ferrous oxalate as the best potential options. The use of metallic iron to both provide ferrous ions as a precipitant and reduce ferric ions in solution would provide the most economical option, however slow kinetics and unreacted iron created significant issues with this process. The direct use of ferrous ions, while faster and more efficient, produced a precipitate with relatively poor solid/liquid handling characteristics and would require an intermediate stage utilising calcium in regenerating the oxalate. Utilising calcium chloride and oxide created very similar precipitates with better physical properties than the ferrous oxalate and that a reasonable proportion of the oxalate could be recovered before neutralisation of the solution induced precipitation of other phases such as iron oxy-hydroxides and calcium phosphate. The produced calcium oxalate was easily converted to oxalic acid and gypsum via immersion in sulphuric acid. It was also found that there is a significant loss of oxalic acid due to factors other than rare earth oxalate precipitation during leaching. This leads to a maximum oxalate recovery in the range of 50 %.

Jan 1, 2020

By B. Nemutudi, X. Zhang, B. McFadzean, P. E. Ngoepe, P. P. Mkhonto, S. Pikinini

The comparison study on adsorption of potassium normal butyl xanthate (PNBX) and sodium (nbutyl) dithiocarbamate (SNBDTC) on sperrylite mineral forms a basis in understanding the floatability improvement and paves a way for the design of collectors that may impact on a wide range of arsenide minerals. This study used a computational density functional theory (DFT) and experimental microcalorimetry approach to determine the adsorption energies of PNBX and SNBDTC collectors onto a sperrylite mineral surface. From a computational aspect, we considered the most stable surface plane of (100) surface, which had been found to give the lowest surface energy, compared to the other surface planes. It was observed that the PNBX and SNBDTC preferred to bridge on the As and Pt atoms through the S atoms. These findings showed that the collector adsorbed on the surface through both Pt and As atoms and indicated that the As atoms were significantly active in the adsorptions. We found that the adsorption energies were in the order: SNBDTC (–278.38 kJ/mol) > PNBX (–270.92 kJ/mol), indicating that the dithiocarbamate had stronger exothermic adsorption than the xanthate. From the microcalorimetry test it was also found that the SNBDTC was more exothermic than the PNBX and the adsorption energies were: SNBDTC (–473.50 kJ/mol) > PNBX (–331.13 kJ/mol). These results showed that the nitrogen atom in the SNBDTC collector had a great influence on the adsorption strength of the collector on the mineral surface. This is due to the electron deposition behaviour of nitrogen atoms compared to the electron withdrawing character of oxygen and as such the SNBDTC showed better collecting ability than the PNBX. These results paved the way for the design of collectors for sperrylite and other arsenide minerals and suggested that nitrogen in a collector may significantly improve the ability of the collector for improved recovery. Keywords: Computational modelling, microcalorimetry, SNBDTC and PNBX collectors, adsorption energies

Jan 1, 2020

By W. L. Van Heerden

In situ complete stress-strain characteristics of large coal specimens by W. L. VAN HEERDEN, B.Sc. Hons. (Pret.) (Visitor) The significance of ;n situ tests on large coal specimens is briefly reviewed. Tests aimed at obtaining complete stress-strain characteristics of large coal specimens with high width-to-height ratios are described. A formula for the relationship between strength and width-to-height ratios of coal pillars is proposed, and the influence of width to- height ratios on the deformation characteristics of pillars is discussed.

By M. Bester, R. Carey, T. Russell, J. van Heerden

"In order to reach the goal of optimal and safe extraction of the mineral reserve, the mining industry is increasingly focusing on reconciliation across the mining value chain to ensure that the mining process occurs in a progressively more predictable manner. This will consequently improve the understanding of mine plans and their associated implementation risks, ultimately leading to increased investor confidence. In terms of geotechnical engineering, mine to design performance assessment is a critical aspect of mine to plan adherence focusing on the complex aspects influencing slope performance. A mine to design reconciliation process therefore needs to systematically track implementation and geotechnical aspects in order to review or update slope design criteria and pit layouts according to the mine planning cycle as the mine is developed. This paper describes the development and implementation of a standardized mine to design reconciliation system for operations utilizing laser scanning technology, analysis tools, as well as associated key performance indicators. Performance is evaluated on final pit boundaries in terms of geometry achieved as well as blast performance evaluation of face conditions. These aspects as well as the resulting catch berm capacity should be captured in an information system, enabling longer term trend analysis and detailed root cause analysis where unsatisfactory outcomes occur. Adverse outcomes should subsequently be incorporated into the mine’s risk management process informing risk mitigation measures including blast design adjustments, slope design changes, or rockfall protection measures. IntroductionIn order to reach the goal of optimal and safe extraction of the mineral reserve, the mining industry is increasingly focusing on reconciliation across the mining value chain to ensure that the mining process occurs in a progressively more predictable manner. This will consequently improve the understanding of mine plans and their associated implementation risks, ultimately leading to increased investor confidence. In terms of geotechnical engineering, mine to design performance assessment is a critical aspect of mine to plan adherence focusing on the complex aspects influencing slope performance. A mine to design reconciliation process therefore needs to systematically track implementation and geotechnical aspects in order to review or update slope design criteria and pit layouts according to the mine planning cycle as the mine is developed."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. A. Maritz, D. F. Malan

Pillar strength is affected by pillar shape, but this has largely been ignored in past research studies. Bord-and-pillar layouts are typically designed using empirical strength equations developed for square pillars. Owing to the poor quality of pillar cutting, many hard-rock pillars have an irregular shape and it is not clear how this affects pillar strength. Furthermore, the strength of rectangular pillars in comparison with square pillars is also difficult to quantify. The ‘perimeter rule’ is widely adopted for rectangular pillars, but its applicability for pillars with irregular shapes has never been tested. We used numerical modelling in this study to investigate the effect of pillar shape on strength. An analytical limit equilibrium model of a square and a strip pillar also provided useful insights. For slender pillars, the strength of a long rib pillar is essentially similar to that of a square pillar. In contrast, for rib pillars with a large width to height ratio, there is a substantial increase in strength. The study found that the perimeter rule should not be used for irregularly shaped pillars. Displacement discontinuity modelling, using a limit equilibrium approach, is proposed as an alternative to determine the strength of these pillars.

May 3, 2023

By J. W. Drelich, H. Zeng, L. Xie, X. Cui, Z. Gao, M. Tian, Y. Hu, W. Hu, W. Sun

Flotation is a mineral separation technology that uses the surface hydrophobic difference of valuable minerals and their associated gangue minerals to separate them. The flotation collector adsorbs on the valuable mineral surface to improve its hydrophobicity, and metal ions are usually used as activators to enhance the collector adsorption. Different mineral surfaces show different charging properties and adsorption behaviours with the collector or metal ions. Moreover, the order of adding metal ions and the collector also show significant and different flotation performance for the same mineral. The adsorption or flotation behaviour or both are governed by mineral surface chemistry, such as surface charging and reactivity. In our recent studies, force measurement using atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to study the surface charging and adsorption mechanism of metal ions and collectors. By preparing collector-functionalised AFM tips, AFM can directly measure the adsorption strength of the collector on the mineral surface to determine the anisotropy of mineral surface reactivity. The preparation of collector-functionalised AFM tips provides the foundation for further study of the activation role of metal ion in the collector adsorption. The application of AFM for force measurement in the surface chemistry of mineral flotation can provide important information on developing flotation reagents and lays the foundation for the specific regulation of mineral surface characteristics. Keywords: Scheelite; flotation; surface chemistry; AFM force measurement

Jan 1, 2020

Mr J. Meintjes (Chairman) was in the chair. There were also present: 7 Members: Messrs B. D. McNeice, A. Bain, G. E. Carlyon, C. H. Coxon, B. F. v. d. Merwe, A. C. Hofmeyer, H. J. R. Way. 4 Associate Members: Messrs E. J. Jackson, A. C. Melvill, W. Weber, R. E. Powell. 2 Visitors. It was decided to have the visit to ETC at Barberton on 20th March. A programme will be sent to all members who indicated that they wish to go on this visit. A talk on "Billet Casting of Ferrochrome" was given by Mr. B. F. van der Merwe. After question time the chairman thanked the speaker and asked for the talk to be forwarded for possible publication in the Journal. The meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.

By B. S. Xakalashe, M. I. Khama, Q. G. Reynolds

The carbonaceous reduction of manganese ore is an energy-intensive process that releases large amounts of pollutant gases. In an attempt to circumvent the greenhouse gas emissions, this research investigates hydrogen as an alternative reductant. The reduction of manganese ore with hydrogen results in the structural changes in the intermediate products, which might limit the diffusion of the reactant gases through the pores. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models capture the structural changes and predict the rate controlling mechanism and this is key in designing the prereduction reactors. The current work uses CFD models to predict the degree of reduction in a shaft furnace under hydrogen reducing conditions. Manganese ore is described as a collection of scalar and tensor fields such as thermal conductivity of the porous medium, density, and viscous resistance. The results indicate that advection contributes significantly towards the overall transport of hydrogen to the reaction sites. Porosity of the final product was found to be higher than porosity of the raw material.

Mar 4, 2025

By Z. Luo, W. Chen, Y. Zhao, Y. Fu, L. Dong

The gas-solid dense-phase fluidised bed includes a complex multiphase fluid-particle system; different complex exchanges significantly affect the stability of the fluidised bed. To elucidate the characteristics of fluidisation in a gas-solid dense-phase fluidised bed, this study used experimental performance tests to obtain the static density characteristics, and the attachment and flow characteristic of the dense medium. The results indicate that the bulk density of the dense medium increases first and then decreases with the increase of particle size. The airflow rate difference is used to quantify the wall attachment characteristics of dense medium and the average pressure gradient in the axial direction of the bed is approximately 20 Pa/mm under the fluidisation results. At the same settlement location, with the decrease of fluidisation number, the settlement velocity of large and small particles becomes slower, the boundaries of settlement displacement and location probability are gradually disrupted, and the falling velocity of particles with a radius of 20 mm is faster than that of materials with a radius of 15 mm. This work also established a theoretical basis for regulating the stability and separation characteristics of gas-solid dense-phase fluidised bed. Keywords: Fluidised bed, different size particles, fluidisation characteristics, flotation bubbles, settling motion

Jan 1, 2020

By H. Zhong, S. Wang, Q. Lin

To improve the flotation performance of chalcopyrite collector, 2-(tert-butoxy)ethyl xanthate (TBEX) and its derivative O-(2-(tert-butoxy)ethyl)-N-ethyl-thionocarbamate (TBEETC) were designed and prepared by the introduction of a 2-(tert-butoxy) ethyl group into xanthate and thionocarbamate. TBEX and TBEETC were both prepared via the one-pot method with superior efficiency, which has significant commercial implications. The micro-flotation tests demonstrated that compared with sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX) and O-isopropyl-N-ethyl-thionocarbamate (Z-200), TBEX and TBEETC both possessed better collecting ability and selectivity for chalcopyrite. DFT calculations and XPS were utilised to investigate the flotation mechanism involving TBEX or TBEETC and chalcopyrite. The results demonstrate that although 2-(tert-butoxy) ethyl group does not interact with minerals directly, its introduction reduces the energy of HOMO, so that they can better accept electrons instead of donating electrons which leads to better interaction with copper atoms rather than iron atoms. Keywords: Chalcopyrite, flotation, thionocarbamate, xanthate, synthesis

Jan 1, 2020

By M. Asghari, R. Amiri, A. Haratian, S. Haji

The aim of this investigation is the evaluation of optimising the Shahroud copper ore beneficiation plant near the Iranian city of Shahroud, by means of a sensor-based ore sorter applying X-ray transmission technology. Currently, this plant’s feed capacity of 52t/h produces 0.5t/h copper concentrate with a grade of 30% and copper recovery of 85% from a feed grade of 0.36%. By applying an X-ray transmission-based (XRT) sorter, it is possible to preconcentrate the feed and remove the gangue materials before entering the plant, enabling the production rate of concentrate to be increased. In this study, the obtained representative sample from the plant was preconcentrated in particle size of - 75+10mm by using the X-ray sorter, thus the concentrate with Cu grade of 0.85% was obtained. Therefore, by using of X-ray sorter the Cu grade of plant feed was increased to 0.48%. By increasing the feed grade from 0.36% to 0.48%, and considering a Cu recovery of 85%, the production rate will be increased from 0.48t/h to 0.61t/h. Therefore, the preconcentration by using the XRT sorter increases the production rate by 27%. Keywords: Optimisation, preconcentration, copper, X-ray, sensor-based ore sorting

Jan 1, 2020

By M. Loots, E. Van Der Lingen, S. Grobbelaar

The increased adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may improve the productivity and costeffectiveness of remote sensing in the mining industry. This review’s objective is to enable stakeholders to identify possible application adoption, improvement, and innovation opportunities. The review merges a building block strategy and practical screening criteria to identify possible avenues of research to answer the review questions. After the screening process, 72 documents were included in the review. Papers were classified into four categories: exploration, development, exploitation, and reclamation. Fifteen applications were identified, the majority of which were in the exploration phase. The most often researched applications were topographic surveys, reclamation monitoring, and slope management. From the two UAV types identified, multi-rotor vehicles were the most favoured for all applications. From the eight remote sensing techniques identified, photogrammetry was the one most often used. Other techniques were limited because of complexity, cost, or the incompatibility of sensors and UAVs. The review was limited to published papers in academic journals. Future studies could aim to include empirical data on the latest UAV applications used in the mining industry.

Jul 2, 2022

Council and Standing Committees, 1979-1980 President: D. A. Viljoen. Senior Vice-President: Dr P. R. Jochens. Junior Vice-President: G. Y. Nisbet. Honorary Treasurer: Dr D. G. Krige. Immediate Past President: Dr M. G. Atmore. Members of Council: J. D. Austin, A. N. Brown, J. A. Cruise, C. E. Fivaz, J. S. Freer, P. N. Harris, H. E. James, Dr R. P. King, Prof. F. Q. P. Leiding, Dr B. K. Love¬day, D. G. Malan, C. S. Macphail, J. C. Mostert, H. G. M. Rose, G. C. Thompson, R. A. von Maltitz, Dr H. Wagner. Past Presidents Serving on Council: R. J. Adamson, H. Britten, J. K. E. Douglas, Prof. D. D. Howat, Dr J. P. Hugo, D. G. Maxwell, Prof. R. P. Plowman, Dr R. E. Robinson, Dr M. D. G. Salamon, P. W. J. van Rensburg, P. A. von Wielligh. Chairman, Witbank-Middelburg Branch: R. B. Smith. Chairman, Orange Free State-Klerksdorp Branch: W. C. Mather. Materials Engineering Division, Chairman: Dr J. P. Hugo. Secretary: G. Pienaar. Standing Committee Chairmen: Membership, G. Y. Nisbet; Technical Programme Metallurgy, H. E. James, (Prof. R. P. King) ; Technical Programme Mining, H. G. M. Rose; Vacation School Metallurgy, J. C. Mos¬tert; Vacation School Mining, J. D. Austin; Awards, Dr M. G. Atmore ; Excursions, A. N. Brown ; Adjudications, Dr M. G. Atmore ; Constitution, Rules, and Policy, Dr M. G. Atmore ; Monograph Series, Dr M. G. Atmore ; Training and Career Guidance, P. A. von Wielligh (D. G. Malan) ; National Phoenix Committee, Dr R. E. Robin¬son; 1982 Council of Mining and Metallurgical Congress, Dr M. G. Atmore ; Mines and Works, Dr M. G. Atmore.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. Hadjigeorgiou, Y. Potvin

In a benchmarking paper published in the SAIMM Journal, Potvin and Hadjigeorgiou (2008) reviewed ground control strategies to manage large deformations in underground hard rock mines. Significant differences were identified in the design and acceptable tolerance between civil and mining engineering practice for squeezing ground conditions. Variations were also noted in ground support strategies between Australian and Canadian mines. In this paper we review progress in design methodology and ground support practice since 2008, including the availability of more effective deformation monitoring, new design tools, greater access to yielding ground support elements, and better installation practices. An improved understanding of technical and practical issues associated with squeezing conditions has led to the development of ground support guidelines for a range of squeezing ground conditions in hard rock mines.

Jul 5, 2023

Council for 1998/99 President R.P. Mohring President Elect J.R. Dixon Vice Presidents Senior junior M.H. Rogers Dr L.A. Cramer Immediate Past President Honorary Treasurer Dr N.A. Barcza J.A. Cruise

Jan 1, 1985

The FSPE Award for Services to the Engineering Profession was awarded to Or Francis George Hill at a ceremony held in January of this year by the Federation of Societies of Professional Engineers. The following is an abridged version of the citation made by Professor A.N. Brown, President of FSPE, and of Or Hill?s reply. Achievements. It is indeed fitting that such a distinguished group of people have gathered on this special occasion to honour and pay tribute to Or Pinkey Hill

Jan 1, 1988

Council Members 1988/1989, left to right: Row 1 (seated): H.E. James, P.W.J. van Rensburg, Dr H. Wagner, B.C. Alberts, C.E. Flvaz (President), H.G. Mosenthal, R.D. Beck, Professor A.N. Brown, Dr P.R. Jochens Row 2 (standing): P.C. van Aswegen, J.P. Hoftman, D. Wllson, P.M.T. White, K.A. van Gessel, Dr LA. Cramer, J.S. Freer, V.J. Moore, G.A. Brown, R.A. Snodgrass, J.D. Austin Row 3 (standing): Dr G.A. Fourle, Dr J. Lurle, A.M.P. Henderson, R.P. Mohring, J.A. Cruise, J.L. Nel, H. Scott Russell, J.P. Deetlefs, D.A.J. Ross-Watt Inserts, top row: K.R. Beard, N.J. De~ine, R.J. Dlppenaar, G.T.G. Emere, Dr J-P. Franzidls, Professor R.P. King, J.G. McCallum. Bottom row: G.Y. Nisblt, Professor R.P. Plewman, Dr R.E. Roblnson, Dr O.K.H. Steften, P.A. van Wlelllgh

Jan 1, 1989