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By Michael MacMillan

AI is already changing how mining companies are seen, judged, and trusted. This paper discusses “reputation engineering,” a structured way to build trust in a world where AI systems summarize and evaluate everything a company says publicly. Using mining examples, emerging AI search trends, and real communication work, the paper explains why the next 12–18 months are a crucial window for action. It also provides a practical framework to help mining companies improve their visibility, accuracy, and consistency across both human and machine channels.

Feb 22, 2026

By M S. Kizil, T OÆConnor

It is predicted that underground coal mines in the Bowen Basin will have a significant rise in heat problems as mines aim to increase production, depth of extraction and length of longwall panels. At an actual Bowen Basin mine, extended longwall panels greater than 4 km in length are planned to be mined at depths with a virgin rock temperature (VRT) of more than 40¦C. Research has been completed into the reasons for the substantial increase in temperature at the face for underground coal mines in the Bowen Basin. An analysis into heat loads produced at the Bowen Basin mine for the development and production phases shows a significant amount of additional cooling will be required to ensure safe working temperatures. All of the major sources of heat, which included both natural and mine induced heating, were considered for the analysis. Maximum heat loads were assessed, together with peak intake surface temperature to determine the maximum cooling capacity required at a Bowen Basin mine. These maximum heat loads were assessed for a specific longwall panel, Longwall A, which extends to over 4.1 km in length and at a maximum depth of over 330 m, resulting in a VRT above 40¦C. The cooling system positional efficiency was analysed, determining that underground cooling via an indirect heat exchanger was preferred to increasing the capacity of the current bulk air cooling (BAC) on the surface. A preliminary cost analysis was also detailed which compared the cost of additional BAC compared to implementing underground cooling.CITATION:OÆConnor, T, Kizil, M S and Belle, B, 2013. Required cooling system capacities for extended longwall panels at a Bowen Basin mine, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 249-256 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

By Sebastian Ernst Volkmann, Felix Lehnen

"INTRODUCTIONWhile today’s mine planning of land-based ore deposits follows methods, which are well established, mining standards for the deep-sea have not established. Having gained a basic understanding of geological settings, there is still a lack of tools and methods to assess and plan future mining projects in the deep-sea. In the framework of the “Blue Mining” research project (2014-2018) technologies and methods for the exploration and exploitation of deep-sea minerals are developed that will bring deep-sea mining a step closer. The “Blue Mining” project receives funding from the European Commission (EC; Framework Programme 7; GA No. 604500) and addresses all aspects of the value chain in the field of deep-sea mining. The project philosophy is that deep-sea mining is planned and executed in the most responsible manner: Ensuring societal benefits and profitability at acceptable resource utilization and lowest possible environmental footprint (Volkmann 2014).Inspired by the high-tech farming industry, a concept to mine seafloor manganese nodules (SMnN) was developed. Mining is considered to be similar to the potato harvest on land (Figure 1), which involves mining a field partitioned into long, narrow strips (Volkmann and Lehnen 2017). The proposed mining system composes of one mining support vessel (MSV), one or two self-propelled, crawler-type seafloor mining tools SMT(s) and different types of underwater vehicles. The MSV follows the mining route of the SMT(s), picking up the about potato-sized nodules from the seafloor. The ore is pre-processed in situ and is lifted on board of the MSV, where the ore is dewatered and loaded onto bulk carriers for transport to the purchaser. Processing and refining of ore is not subject of “Blue Mining” research."

Jan 1, 2017

By Peter Zhang

Pumpable cribs are being increasingly used in longwall tailgate entries and bleeders for roof support under abutment pressure. Their high peak capacity and confinement-controlled yield characteristics from reinforced-bags make them relatively safe and reliable standing supports for highly productive longwall panels. The pumpability of crib material over a long distance from the surface greatly reduces material handling and makes the underground installation more efficient and flexible. However, the performance of pumpable cribs is dependent upon crib properties, crib pattern, quality of installation, and geological and mining conditions. For proper crib selection and safe support design, it is critical to understand the basic technical requirements and performance of pumpable cribs in longwall tailgate entries and bleeders. Based on more than 10 years of experience using pumpable cribs for longwall standing support, the requirements and performance of pumpable cribs in longwall tailgate entries and bleeders under different mining conditions are presented. Experience shows that the load-displacement curve from full-scale lab testing is a good indicator of pumpable crib suitability for certain applications. Crib peak capacity, stiffness, and residual characteristics define its applicability to certain gate entries and bleeders under different cover depth. Crib pattern and spacing can be determined by abutment pressure level, roof, floor, and rib conditions, local roof stability, and ventilation requirements. To achieve proper in-situ performance, quality control of crib installation is also important.

Jan 1, 2012

By Jean-Luc Cornet

Downhill, or regenerative conveyors have always been a challenge to the design engineer due to their natural instability under load. The last decade has seen the appearance of high tonnage, high negative lift conveyors with several hundred meters of drop. These conveyors have made necessary the development of new braking systems and intelligent drive controls to address their starting and stopping requirements under various load conditions. This paper describes the critical design criteria of large regenerative conveyors and some of the advances in mechanical braking systems and drive control technology developed by Conveyor Dynamics, Inc. (CDI) to address their specific requirements.

Jan 1, 1993

Japanese pig iron production in 1973 registered about 90 million tons. As clearly seen from the productivity (2.04 t/m3/D), and fuel ratio (494 kg/t-pig), the Japanese steel industry has maintained quite high levels of efficiency in blast-furnace (BF) operations. Among the many factors which have contributed toward these high levels of efficiency, the use of high quality coke is very important. The Japanese steel industry imports about 85% of its metallurgical coals from various countries of the world, including Australia. The effective use of these metallurgical coals of various origins in accordance with their re- spective properties is most essential for maintaining coke quality. This paper describes coking properties of various metallurgical coals and blending techniques based on these coking properties, in relation to the specifications of coke quality required for efficient BF operations. This paper also describes briefly new technology for expanding the scope of the use of coking coals.

Jan 1, 1975

By R. L. Pascual, W. J. Whiten

"The froth flotation process is not well understood. Both flotation models, and the parameters used to describe the stream flows are not well defined. They in fact vary considerably in different applications. This creates difficulties is designing a simulation program suitable for use by plant personnel, consultants, and researchers. In addition to simulation, an effective simulation program can be expected to provide a range of other services.This paper shows how a process circuit simulator can be designed with sufficient flexibility to satisfy these needs, and discusses some of the additional services.OVERVIEWThe development of a simulation program for froth flotation circuits faces several challenges as flotation models and the associated stream descriptions are not well defined. There is little agreement on the best form for a flotation model, or on how the plant streams should be defined.In addition to simulation, a flotation simulator is generally expected to provide other services such as data input, data reconciliation, model fitting, and accuracy estimation. Additional services may also be needed beyond what might initially be envisaged. A summary of some of these possibilities is included.To apply simulation to a flotation circuit it is necessary to develop a flotation cell model, for instance based on the general outline given in the appendices. Experimental data, usually from the plant, is needed to determine cell model parameters. This is generally done by first undertaking data reconciliation to determine if mass flow constraints are sufficiently closely satisfied. At the same time the data is inspected for outliers that might bias subsequent calculations. Next the data is fitted to a model to back calculate ore characteristics. If there is sufficient agreement between the fitted model and the data, the model can then used to make predictions of the effect of changes to the plant. The changes, that the simulation shows are beneficial, can be applied to improve plant performance"

Jan 1, 2003

By David O. DeGagné

While mine backfill plants are becoming increasingly more automated and instrumented, especially with paste fill operations, underground backfill distribution systems have hardly changed over the years. While fill properties are appropriately measured in the preparation plants, as backfill enters the mine borehole, the technology for control, data gathering and reporting is somewhat lacking. Mines typically experience problems with borehole and pipeline plugging, pipeline bursting, bulkhead failure and exposed fill sloughing. With adequate instrumentation of the backfill system it is possible to obtain a complete, continuous and detailed picture of the entire filling operation from preparation to post-pour. Good data will, over time, provide the basis for needed improvements of backfill systems and will be essential to safer, more efficient and less costly fill practices. This paper will review the areas of the filling operations where monitoring would prove critical to eliminate failures such as pipelines, bulkheads, fill exposures, stope walls, etc. The types of monitoring systems currently available will be reviewed and potential areas for development will be highlighted.

May 1, 2001

By L. M. Dyer

Various attempts have been made to build leadership and management expertise with little success. There are numerous reasons these attempts have failed. Three reasons, along with suggested solutions, will be explored: 1) lack of ownership of the development process by those affected; 2) lack of congruence of the development process used and the business strategies of the organization; and 3) a comprehensive development process. We will discuss a development model applied inside a smelter and refining complex over one year involving all levels of management. The process was credited with helping to substantially reduce cost and enable breakthroughs in production, quality and safety results.

Jan 1, 2000

By P. M. Dranchuk

"""PLANET EARTH seen from space appears as a fragile and limited life-supporting system in a vast emptiness. That such a view is, in fact, an accurate one is now more widely accepted than it was not long ago, before Earth's problems of over-population, overconsumption, limited resources and environmental degradation attained the limelight. The danger is that a government and public now deluged by doomsday prophecies and bemused by equally confident reiterations that technology will cure all may hesitate in coming to grips with the problem, in the hope that, given time, it will go away."" With these words, Preston Cloud begins a recent editorial, in Science(l), in which he presents a brief resume of some of the findings of the Committee on Resources and Man of the National Academy of Science-National Research Council(20.Their report, which is based on a two-year study by an extremely competent group and consists of some 250 pages of text, is even more far-reaching and sobering than the report on Energy Resources(3). It begins by quoting Sir Macfarlane Burnet as follows:""There are three imperatives: to reduce war to a minimum; to stabilize human population, and to pre-vent the progressive destruction of the earth's irreplaceable resources.(4)"

Jan 1, 1971

By Guo H. Lei

Over the last four decades, barrettes have been ever-increasingly adopted as the foundations for tall buildings and heavy infrastructure projects all over the world. Many findings have been gained from practical applications and theoretical researches. In this article, a collection of literature is reviewed on the installation effects and load-carrying behaviour of barrettes derived from field and laboratory tests and theoretical studies. It covers many aspects, such as the ground deformations and stress changes caused by the installation of barrettes, the shaft resistance mobilisation behaviour, the construction effects on the shaft resistance, and the effects of pile spacing, pile shape and pile group layout on the load-carrying behaviour of barrettes.

Jan 1, 2006

By S Wangchai, D B. Hastie, P W. Wypych, A P. Grima

Industries that handle and process ‘dusty’ ores are facing increasingly difficult challenges to ensure sustainable operation and development. Most existing dust-control measures treat only the symptoms of dust generation and do not deal with the root cause/s of the problem. Many of these methods are also relatively inefficient in terms of controlling dust emissions. This paper summarises the various existing options available for dust control and some of their features, advantages and disadvantages. It then describes some of the new technologies that are being researched, developed and employed to minimise dust emissions by addressing dustability or dustiness and the dust generation mechanisms found in industry. Recent research results and case studies are presented to demonstrate some interesting findings obtained from this work. With improved understanding and modelling of dust generation mechanisms and bulk material dustiness, it is possible to achieve a step-change improvement in the design, troubleshooting and application of more efficient dust-control technologies.CITATION:Wypych, P W, Hastie, D B, Wangchai, S and Grima, A P, 2015. Research and application of new dust control technologies for the iron ore industry, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 529–536 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By L. Cheng, Y. Liu, Z. Shen, H. Shang, Y. Li

The pre-concentration process of magnetic coarse particles can discharge waste rock or liberated gangue before milling, which is an effective means to reduce cost and increase the efficiency of the concentrator, but the weakly magnetic ore doesn’t have the effective separation method of coarse particle such as hematite, limonite, ilmenite and so on, Because the composite iron minerals contain both strong and weak magnetic elements, the pre-concentration process cannot be applied, or the existing pre-concentration process has problems of complicated configuration and high operation cost. By researching a new type of external magnetic separation technology, the pre-concentration process of composite iron ore was realised by single equipment, which can have a good recovery rate with simple arrangement. In this paper, the separation principle and structure characteristics of the external magnetic separator were researched, and the magnetic circuit characteristics of the external magnet were analysed. The laboratory tests of vanadium titanium magnetite were conducted, and the test results proved that the external magnetic separator can be applied for the pre-concentration process. The industrial application shows that a product of TFe 24.76% with 90.08% recovery, TiO2 10.10% with 91.78% recovery can be achieved from the feed of TFe 20.67%, TiO2 8.33%. Keywords: Coarse particle pre-concentration, composite iron ore, external magnet, magnetic separator

Jan 1, 2020

By Shengli Wu, Yuandong Pei, Zhixing Zhao, Shuhai Ou, Jiangshan Shi, Huaiying Ma, Jun Xiong

Spraying technology on sintering surface bed after ignition has become a hot research topic, with the purpose of achieving energy-saving, emission reduction and improvement of sintering indexes. In this paper spraying steam technology was researched from theory, experiment and practice. First of all, from the thermody- namic and kinetic analysis, the mechanism of sintering surface spraying steam was analyzed and its advantageous effect was con firmed. Based on this, sintering pot test and commercial trial were carried out respectively. The results shown that spraying steam is bene ficial for increasing coke combustion ef ficiency with improving CO 2/(CO+CO2) in the exhaust gas from 80% to about 85% level, through decreasing CO content of flue gas by more than 1000 –2000 ppm. There was a suitable spraying amount to improve the quality of the sinter, and the spraying position of the steam cannot be excessively front and rear. Due to the low steam pressure (1 kg) and temperature (about 100 °C) compared with industrial steam (3 kg and 130 °C, respectively), the sinter quality such as yield index was affected by spraying steam in sintering pot test to a certain extent, and proper spraying amount (0.008 m 3, 50 kg sinter) in sinter pot test is far smaller than application amount in commercial trial (2t/h). It is thought that suitable spraying steam parameters has a comprehensive effect of energy saving and quality improvement.

Mar 1, 2018

By Aiming Z, Shenyi S, Xialei W

Zhangmatun Iron Mine is situated in the suburbs of Jinan city. Shandong, China. Because of surface environmental constraints, no suitable site can he selected to dispose of mill waste. The full mill tailings must be disposed of underground. This paper deals with the work conducted at Zhangmatun mine to develop a total tailings backfill system, taking advantage of a double- shaft blade mixer and an activating agitator to prepare backfill. Cement and ground slag are added to tailings for strength development. Two scopes have been filled and the pillars have been effectively mined out during the field trial. The application of innovative total tailings backfill technology is a new concept at the mine. Detailed planning has achieved a close integration of mining, milling and backfilling. Full mill tailings, with or without rock, are disposed of underground in a continuous process to fill, totally and systematically, the cavities formed by mining.

Jan 1, 1998

Research and Application of Vertical Screw Stirred Mill

Sep 13, 2010

By N. I. Tyushkova

On the basis of detailed studying of mineral structure of ore and treatment products it is established that the given ore refers to oxidized Pb-Zn vein-disseminated ores. Technological special features of the basic ore minerals and the reasons causing their obstinateness that is defined by following features are revealed, presence at dominating quantity difficult to float lead minerals: mimetesite (9.67%), green lead ore(0.48%); non float: bindheimite (2.16%) and plumbojarosite (0.36%) and high assay of oxides and hydrous ferric oxides; also thin, emulsive and submicroscopic segregations of the defined minerals in swamp ore. As a result of researches the scheme of gravitational-flotation treatment was conducted in semi-industrial scale. It allows to receive two concentrates from ore: a lead gravitational concentrate of mark ??-4 with the assay of 55.5 % of Pb and 0.77 % of Zn; and a Pb concentrate of mark ??-7 with assay of Pb of 40.97 % and Zn of 1.39 %. The total assay of Pb in concentrates makes 81 %. The efficiency offered by gravitational-flotation schemes is defined by possibility for recovery of big impregnated lead minerals under gravitation. The use of this method of gravitation has allowed to recover such mineral as beudantide and to exclude irrevocable losses of lead in tails which are connected with this mineral. Scientific value of the presented researches is connected with the fact the problem of extraction of the oxidized minerals of Bb and Zn is rather difficult and insufficiently studied. Keywords: flotation, oxidized forms of Pb and Zn

Sep 1, 2012

By N. J. Themelis, W. H. Dresher

Research is probably the least understood and the most underrated or overrated, depending on the circumstances, function of the corporate enterprise. Some companies become engaged in research because they consider it to be vital to their very existence, others in order to develop new business, and some with no clearer objective than to keep up with the competition. Whole new industries have resulted from research activities, such as the Xerox copier, the transistor, the computer, and have affected considerably our way of life. Companies have prospered or perished by pursuing the successes or failures of their research organizations. However. despite the tremendous effect that research has had on our modern civilization and the billions which are spent on it annually, we have not as yet been able to develop many hard and fast rules as to how to conduct it effectively and to a successful end.1 This section discusses the role of research in the United States and in the mineral industry and describes a few of the criteria and guidelines which have been developed to assist in increasing the probability for success in industrial research. Broadly speaking, the purpose of industrial research is to make a significant contribution to the long-term viability and the profitability of the sponsoring company. The sum total of technological developments has been a principal factor in establishing the United States as a world leader and the controlling element in the nation's balance of trade with foreign powers. The international aspect of most mineral commodities is a significant factor in the business decision-making of most domestic mining companies and should be an important factor in the operation of research and development (R & D) programs in these companies. The National Science Board has reported that in recent yean other nations have been gaining on the United States over practically the entire range of science. 2,3 On the positive side, the NSB reported a strong position for the US in the results derived from its investment in R & D. If the United States is to maintain a favorable trade balance, it must create new know-how through technological innovation in order to create new industrial products, processes, and services for which there is a global demand. As expressed by Chauncey Starr, president of the Electric Power Research Institute, "Unlike resources found in nature, technology is a man-made resource whose abundance can be continuously increased, and whose importance in determining the world's future is also increasing."' In recent years, the greatly in- creased pressures for environmental quality and energy conservation have enhanced further the role of technical innovation in insuring the future survival of the domestic industry. Technology is the challenge of American industry, and it is a challenge which the mineral industry must also accept, for processed minerals are the very raw materials and energy on which all of industry is based, it is technology which makes a mineral deposit into an ore reserve. The Natural of Industrial R D Research is usually thought of as being either basic or applied. Basic or fundamental research is the quest for knowledge and need not have any practical objective. Applied research is the search for a solution to a particular problem and therefore has a specific objective beyond the acquisition of new knowledge. Development is the next stage to the applied research experimentation and it generally consists of larger-scale tests to establish the technical and economic feasibility of the new process or product and to provide design information for its industrial implementation. The terms research and development are usually interconnected for the good reason that in many cases it is difficult to define where one ends and the other begins. For instance, in many cases, thermodynamic, kinetic, corrosion, and other research studies, which are needed to provide design data for an industrial plant, may prod in parallel with the pilot plant activities preparatory for this plant in order to conserve time. Often the final stages of a development project may involve the trial production of a new product for markeing tests or the trial operation of a new process on a "semi-industrial" scale pilot plant. Such operations may be termed "demonstrations"; hence, more

Jan 1, 1985

By Thomas C. Atchison, James J. Olson

INTRODUCTION Technologic progress depends on new and innovative ideas, the practical application of these ideas, and finally as the technology is developed and demonstrated, the engineering improvement or replacement of existing capabilities. In many areas the new ideas, although known, are not immediately put to practical use in all applicable fields. Good technologic forecasting for research and development within the excavation field coupled with adequate technology transfer is necessary to ensure timely application of innovative ideas to remove bottlenecks in the total system. The purposes of this paper are (1) to show the potential ability of technologic forecasting to meet future demands in rapid excavation through the acceleration of excavation rates by research and development in several related technologic fields, (2) to provide a brief review of the initial development of the ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) Rock Mechanics and Rapid Excavation Program, (3) to draw attention to the research projects completed or underway in the FY 1970-1972 ARPA program and explain where information or program results can be obtained, (4) to summarize the progress and accomplishments of applied research contracts in the rock disintegration element of the ARPA program, and (5) to discuss the research directions planned for the remaining years of the program. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) is a group within the Defense Department responsible for conducting basic and applied research and development for advanced projects assigned by the Director

Jan 1, 1997

By Dennis E. Mitchell

The need to develop and field explosive, pyrotechnic and propellant initiating systems that have high reliability and extraordinary safety requirements has led to the exploration and development of several materials and initiation systems at our laboratories. Our approach to initiating device development encompasses five main areas; energetic materials development , device physics, theoretical analysis and model development and experimental verifications

Jan 1, 1995