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By T. Mapeta, S. M. Rupprecht

Discussions on reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction (RPEEE) include the CRIRSCO 2019 reporting template, JORC 2012, SAMREC 2016, CIM 2019 Guideline, and Regulation SK-1300. These reporting codes all conform to the principles of reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. To demonstrate that all mineral resources align with the RPEEE principles, the Competent Person is responsible for endorsing the mineral resource estimate. Moreover, establishing mineral resources and RPEEE requires technical input from numerous technical specialists, such as mining and geotechnical engineers, metallurgical engineers, social and environmental specialists, financial and governmental practitioners, and more. The aim is to improve the transparency of the disclosure of mineral resources and guarantee the investor or potential investor that the reporting of mineral resources is based on reliable technical, economic, environmental, social, and other relevant factors. This paper discusses the important protocols and definitions in some international reporting codes for the purposes of developing a guide memoire that will assist the Competent Person to interpret, establish and apply RPEEE appropriately and easily.

Jun 27, 2025

By Y. Yang, M. Zhang, X. Xia, S Shi, Z. Shen

A stepwise arrangement of flotation cells is the most common layout of a flotation circuit in the mineral processing industry. In such a design, slurry flows from upstream to downstream by means of gravity, and the middling products are returned to previous stages by pumps. This paper will introduce an alternative solution in which the forced-air and slurry-induced flotation cells are adopted so that all the flotation cells can be placed on the same horizontal platform and no pumps will be needed for middling product transferring. The technology of the forced-air and slurry-induced flotation cell will be described in detail, including unique features, the working principle and the related fundamental problems. The comparison of capital investment, operating cost and metallurgical performance will be made between the conventional stepwise arrangement and the samelevel arrangement technology based on industrial practice. Keywords: Forced-air and slurry-induced flotation cell, same-level arrangement, stepwise

Jan 1, 2020

By S. Schutte, J. Pelders

Worker participation in equipment development can result in improved user acceptance and product quality. This paper focuses on worker engagement in equipment development processes in the South African minerals sector. Qualitative data was gathered during interviews with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industry experts. A lack of inclusion in equipment design from workers from all organizational levels in mines was reported. Meanwhile, the historical context and workplace culture of the mining industry (including leadership, trust, training, performance, and remuneration factors) were evident barriers to the implementation of new technology. Worker engagement processes should include securing management commitment, creating multidisciplinary teams, effective facilitation, shared understanding of needs, training and development, and iterative design. Human-centred design approaches and independent platforms for engagement on equipment design requirements are recommended.

Feb 2, 2021

The May General Meeting of the Institute was held in Kelvin House, Johannesburg, on 21st May, 1969, at 4.30 p.m. Mr J. K. E. Douglas (Vice-President) was in the Chair. There were also present twenty-two Members, including Messrs F. P. Bath, M. Bareza, A. R. C. Fowler, D. M. Jamieson, C. M. Mavrocordatos, D. G. Maxwell and J. A. Nixon (Council Members), Messrs T. Davidson, G. L. Diering, E. T. Dunstan, D. E. H. French, K. Hodgson, O. A. E. Jackson, A. F. Lee, A. Louw, D. L. Starkey, R. K. Wheeler and M. Youngworth. Four Associate Members including Messrs D. Blair Hook and G. R. Still. One Student Mr N. A. Barcza. Thirteen Visitors, including Messrs S. H. Ash, D. L. G. Bayne, E. Bayne, S. Bell, W. S. Garrett, L. S. Gibbs, R. C. Hamilton, M. Maguire, D. Rose and J. D. van Niekerk. Total Present: Fourty-one. OBITUARY The Vice-President: "It is my sad duty to announce the death of the following member of the Institute: Thomas Spence Haldane, Member, who joined the Institute in 1924 and passed away on 21st December, 1968. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased and in sympathy with the bereaved, those present stood and observed silence for a few moments. MINUTES The Vice-President requested that confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting be held over as they would only be appearing in the Journal of the following month. He also requested that confirmation of the minutes of the 75th Anniversary Meeting be held over. MEMBERSHIP The Vice-President: "I have much pleasure in announcing that the names of the under-mentioned candidates have been published in accordance with By-Law 5.2.2, and Council has elected them to membership of the Institute in the following grades: Members: Gideon Jacob Haumann, Peter John Cumming, Ian Stanley Dudman, Roderick Goldston Murchison. Associate Members: Francois Alwyn Beyers Fouche, Alan Marsh, Johannes Petrus van der Westhuysen, Waldo Edmund Stumpf, Ian Nicholas Ridley. Affiliates: Lutgerus Kolver Jooste, Roger Ainsley Ralph Kebble, Edward John Wainwright, Lewis William Davies. Graduate: Clive Graham Knobbs. MEMBER TRANSFERED TO A HIGHER GRADE From Student to Associate Member: Diethard OUo Eduard Fahrbach. I welcome the newly elected members to the Institute and congratulate the member who has been transferred to a higher grade." (Applause).

The May General Meeting of the Institute was held in Kelvin House, Johannesburg, on 21st May, 1969, at 4.30 p.m. Mr J. K. E. Douglas (Vice-President) was in the Chair. There were also present twenty-two Members, including Messrs F. P. Bath, M. Bareza, A. R. C. Fowler, D. M. Jamieson, C. M. Mavrocordatos, D. G. Maxwell and J. A. Nixon (Council Members), Messrs T. Davidson, G. L. Diering, E. T. Dunstan, D. E. H. French, K. Hodgson, O. A. E. Jackson, A. F. Lee, A. Louw, D. L. Starkey, R. K. Wheeler and M. Youngworth. Four Associate Members including Messrs D. Blair Hook and G. R. Still. One Student Mr N. A. Barcza. Thirteen Visitors, including Messrs S. H. Ash, D. L. G. Bayne, E. Bayne, S. Bell, W. S. Garrett, L. S. Gibbs, R. C. Hamilton, M. Maguire, D. Rose and J. D. van Niekerk. Total Present: Fourty-one. OBITUARY The Vice-President: "It is my sad duty to announce the death of the following member of the Institute: Thomas Spence Haldane, Member, who joined the Institute in 1924 and passed away on 21st December, 1968. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased and in sympathy with the bereaved, those present stood and observed silence for a few moments. MINUTES The Vice-President requested that confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting be held over as they would only be appearing in the Journal of the following month. He also requested that confirmation of the minutes of the 75th Anniversary Meeting be held over. MEMBERSHIP The Vice-President: "I have much pleasure in announcing that the names of the under-mentioned candidates have been published in accordance with By-Law 5.2.2, and Council has elected them to membership of the Institute in the following grades: Members: Gideon Jacob Haumann, Peter John Cumming, Ian Stanley Dudman, Roderick Goldston Murchison. Associate Members: Francois Alwyn Beyers Fouche, Alan Marsh, Johannes Petrus van der Westhuysen, Waldo Edmund Stumpf, Ian Nicholas Ridley. Affiliates: Lutgerus Kolver Jooste, Roger Ainsley Ralph Kebble, Edward John Wainwright, Lewis William Davies. Graduate: Clive Graham Knobbs. MEMBER TRANSFERED TO A HIGHER GRADE From Student to Associate Member: Diethard Otto Eduard Fahrbach. I welcome the newly elected members to the Institute and congratulate the member who has been transferred to a higher grade." (Applause).

COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEES - 1973-1974 Office Bearers: P. W. J. van Rensburg (President), Professor R. P. Plewman and Dr R. E. Robinson (Vice Presidents), J. K. E. Douglas (Honorary Treasurer), and Dr J. P. Hugo (Immediate Past President). Elected Members of Council: Dr M. G. Atmore, G. H. Grange, Dr P. R. Jochens, J. G. Kirchner, Dr D. I. Legge, W. W. Malan, Dr M. D. G. Salamon, L. W. P. van den Bosch, D. A. Viljoen, P. A. von Wielligh. Branch Chairmen: B. T. Hosking (Witbank-Middelburg Branch), E. T. Wilson (Orange Free State Branch). Past Presidents Serving on Council: R. J. Adamson, M. Barcza, H. Britten, H. E. Cross, Professor J. de V. Lambrechts, R. C. J. Goode, Professor D. D. Howat, D. M. Jamieson, D. G. Maxwell, Dr J. T. McIntyre, V. C. Robinson. Ten Council meetings were held during the year, with an average attendance of 19, and the standing committees held 30 meetings. COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Membership, Dr R. E. Robinson ; Metallurgical Colloquia, Dr R. E. Robinson ; Mining Colloquia, L. W. P. van den Bosch; Awards, P. W. J. van Rensburg; Excursions, P. A. von Wielligh; Dinner, G. H. Grange ; Constitution, Rules and Policy, Dr J. P. Hugo; Adjudicating, P. W. J. van Rensburg; Mines and Works, W. W. Malan; Education, Dr J. P. Hugo. REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES Associated Scientific and Technical Societies: Members : V. C. Robinson and D. G. Maxwell Alternates : P. W. J. van Rensburg and Dr J. P. Hugo. Federation of Societies of Professional Engineers Members : J. K. E. Douglas and P. W. J. van Rensburg Alternates : Dr J. P. Hugo and G. H. Grange. South African Council for Professional Engineers Members : R. C. J. Goode and J. K. E. Douglas Alternates: G. H. Grange and Dr R. E. Robinson. Engineers' Liaison Committee (Pretoria): Member: Professor J. de V. Lambrechts Alternate : Dr J. P. Hugo. MEMBERSHIP Seventeen Fellows and Members, twenty-three Graduates, ten Associate Members, twenty-two Associates, thirty-four Students, and seven Company Affiliates were elected during the year. Eleven Fellows and four Members were admitted to retired membership. Five Fellows were elected to Honorary Life Membership. Four Members, two Graduates, and one Student were transferred to Fellows ; eleven Graduates and Students were transferred to Members ; eight Students to Graduates; and four Students to Associates. A statement of membership as at June 30th 1974 and the end of the previous year is given in the following tabulation 30th - 30th June, - June, 1973 - 1974 Honorary Life Fellows 4 - 9 Honorary Fellows 9 - 8 Life Fellows 177 - 170 Fellows 536 - 544 Members 487 - 512 Associate Members - - 10 Graduates 128 - 130 Associates 186 - 194 Students 183 - 173 Company Affiliates 64 - 70 1 774 - 1 820 OBITUARIES Your Council records with deep regret the death during the year of the following members : Dr P. N. Lategan and Dr O. A. Jackson, Honorary Life Fellows and Past Presidents; C. Airth, T. L. Blunt, J. B. Dennison, A. E. Frazer, C. L. Lamb, V. O. Reid, K. Richardson and D. G. Roberts, Life Fellows ; H. F. Allan, J. T. Beaumont, M. Eisenstein, J. C. Hall, C. F. Louw, H. H. McGregor, R. Murchison, and J. E. Williamson, Fellows; and R. B. Miles, Associate. FINANCE The annual accounts, which follow this report, reflect a healthy position and show that measures taken by Council over the last few years to boost income have been successful. A higher income was needed not only to meet rising costs but also so that the services provided by the Institute for its members could be expanded. This year's income of R55 025 showed a further increase compared with last year's figure of R48 307. Income from subscriptions was higher mainly owing to an increased number of Company Affiliates, and this is indicative of the support given by mining and metallurgical companies to the good work being done by the Institute. Further sales of publications of the symposia held over the last few years again made a useful contribution to income of R4560. The first Winter School held in 1973 yielded a surplus of R7495 after the expenses had been deducted from the income received from registration fees. The cost of administering the Institute increased by R2212 compared with the previous year. Included in this was a donation of R1000 to the A.S. & T.S. Trust Fund. The cost of publishing and printing the Journal increased by R2034, but advertising and extraneous sales of the Journal were higher, with the result that the net cost of the

Jan 10, 1974

By U. König, N. Norberg

Ore mineralogy defines the properties during processing and metal extraction. Fast and frequent monitoring of the mineral content and related process parameters brings value to the mining operation and material processing. Decreasing ore qualities and increasing prices for raw materials require a better control of processed ore and a more efficient use of energy. Traditionally quality control in mining industries has relied on time consuming wet chemistry or the analysis of the elemental composition. The mineralogy that defines the physical properties is often monitored infrequently, if at all. The use of highspeed detectors has turned X-ray diffraction (XRD) into an important tool for fast and accurate process control. XRD data and their interpretation make the difference in the identification of minerals, in describing their distribution in ore bodies and in their beneficiation during processing. The use of statistical techniques such as Partial Least-Squares Regression (PLSR) or Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on XRD raw data has been successfully trialled to determine raw materials and processed ores, in addition to well established methods for mineral identification and quantification. PLSR can be used to correlate process parameters directly from the XRD pattern without investigating the mineral content. Hidden information present in the XRD pattern but not determined with traditional methods can be used to improve the characterisation of the analysed materials. The practical use for the direct determination of process relevant parameters during exploration and ore beneficiation will be illustrated in several case studies from mining and ore processing. Keywords: Geometallurgy, mineral monitoring, X-ray diffraction, process efficiency

Jan 1, 2020

By R. Rumpold

The platinum group metals (PGMs) palladium, platinum, and rhodium represent the key materials for automotive exhaust gas treatment. Since there are currently no adequate alternatives, the importance of these metals for the automotive industry is steadily rising. The high value of PGMs in spent catalysts justifies their recycling. The state-of the-art technology is to melt the ceramic carrier and collect the precious fraction in a liquid metal bath. As the feed material has quite high melting points, huge amounts of energy are required for this process. Hydrometallurgical treatments of the spent catalysts offer the possibility to recycle the PGMs with less energy and time demands. Moreover, automotive catalysts contain further valuable materials to improve the exhaust gas treatment. These compounds, like cerium oxide, cannot be recovered in pyrometallurgical processes. This paper deals with a special process that uses hydrometallurgical principles to recycle the valuable metal fraction from spent automotive catalytic converters. Hydrochloric acid in combination with hydrogen peroxide is used as leaching agent. This combination selectively dissolves the PGMs and the cerium, which can be recovered in separate steps. As the leaching solution is regenerated and reused, wastewater generation is minimized. Furthermore, the process residues constitute potential byproducts.

Jan 1, 2012

By G. Coetzer

"Prior to operating a non-recovery coke pilot plant oven, it was essential to ascertain coal cake stability during the loading of a 1 m3 (1 m × 1 m × 1 m) coal cake into the cold pilot-plant oven by a pusher mechanism. Previously established laboratory-scale compaction parameters, to obtain coal cakes with sufficient stability, were employed during the loading tests of the coal cakes. Two different coals were evaluated, namely Waterberg semi-soft coking coal (sscc) and Oaky North hard coking coal.It was demonstrated that lower applied compaction forces (14%) can be utilized during 1 m3 compaction, in comparison to laboratory-scale tests, to obtain similar wet cake densities, owing to differences in the effect of frictional forces. Wet cake densities for Waterberg sscc improved slightly (3%) to 1.13 t/m3 when utilizing 79 t/m2 applied force for a 1 m3 coal cake, in comparison to laboratory-scale tests. Similar results were obtained for Oaky North hard coking coal, with a 6% density increase to 1.27 t/m3 at a similar applied force. Porosities decreased by 13% and 32% for Waterberg sscc and Oaky North coal, respectively, when 1 m3 compaction was compared to laboratory-scale tests. An opportunity exists to further decrease the porosities of Waterberg sscc during compaction, whereas acceptable compaction parameters were achieved for Oaky North hard coking coal. Most major vertical cracks and the partial collapse of coal cakes were mitigated, and high-stability coal cakes were obtained that could be successfully loaded into the pilot-plant coke oven by a pusher mechanism.Factors contributing to the instability of the coal cake during loading into the oven, such as vertical cracks, are (i) the cubic geometry (1 m3) of the coal cake, (ii) friction exerted by the oven floor, and (iii) mechanical problems, such as a misalignment between the pusher machine feeder plate and the oven floor. IntroductionOperation of the stamp-charging horizontal 1 t electrically heated coke pilot-plant oven at Exxaro Resources requires coal cake stability during the loading of a 1 m3 compacted coal cake into the oven. In this case, a pusher plate is utilized to push the coal cake into the oven over the oven floor. This is in contrast to a ‘spoon’ or bottom plate feeding mechanism as found in industrial horizontal coke ovens. The pusher plate loading mechanism dictates that the coal cake should possess high stability and inherent strength owing to frictional forces exerted by the oven floor. In order to obtain a coal cake of acceptable stability for the 1 t coke oven, various compaction parameters need to be verified and established."

Apr 1, 2019

By G. W. Holl, E. G. Fairon

A review of some aspects of shaft design by G. W. HOLL, Pr. Eng., Associate of the Mine Managers Association of South Africa (Fellow)- and E. G. FAIRON, Pr. Eng., F.S.A.I.E.E., M.I. Cert. M.E.E., M.I.Mech. E., (Visitor) The reasons for the choice of vertical shafts in preference to inclined shafts of comparable capacity are set out, and the conclusion that the former are superior in virtually all circumstances is substantiated. The shapes of vertical shafts sunk during the past sixty years are recorded, and the shapes of those sunk during the past decade are analysed. From this analysis it is clear that circular and elliptical (and quasi-elliptical) shafts are the shafts of the future and that the rectangular shape will conceivably become obsolete. The determination of the size of shaft is discussed and it is forecast that shafts of a diameter of 13 metres and over will probably be sunk without difficulty in the years to come. The depth of the shaft is determined intrinsically by the Mines and Works Regulations applicable to factors pf safety of winding ropes and the design of the winding system. The Blair winder is the most suitable winder for hoisting rock, men, and material from a depth of, say, 3000 metres on an economic basis. Tertiary shafts will, therefore, be unnecessary in future deep-level mining projects at the limit of depth now envisaged. A few other factors relating to shaft design are described.

By M. Izadi Yazdan-Abadi, S. H. Amiri, M. Ramezanizadeh, M. Bazmandeh

Iron ore concentrate is used as the fresh feed of pelletising plants. The green pellet properties depend on iron concentrate characteristics such as particle size distribution (PSD), specific surface area (Blaine value), iron grade, moisture content and grinding methods. The grinding methods affects particle size distribution and Blaine value. To find out the effects of grinding methods on pelletising process, green pellets were produced with concentrates that were reground by means of HPGR (high pressure grinding rolls) and ball mill. The Blaine values of ground concentrates in both types of milling were approximately 1400, 1600 and 1800 cm2/gr. The results of green pelletising tests on a pilot plant scale showed that at the same Blaine values, drop numbers of green pellets produced by ground concentrate inside HPGR were higher than the green pellets produced by ground concentrate inside a ball mill. Also, reground concentrates by means of HPGR, in comparison with ball mill, caused the production of green pellets, at higher wet and dry compression strengths. As a result, it was found that preparing the pelletising feed by means of HPGR led to more positive effects on the properties of green pellets. Keywords: Ball mill, HPGR, green pellet, drop number, wet and dry compression strengths

Jan 1, 2020

By M. Onifade, O. S. Otuogbai, A. F. Mulaba-Bafubiandi, O. D. Eniowo, H. Grobler

Artisanal and small-scale miners in Nigeria struggle to attract formal financing to upgrade their operations to a more sustainable form of small-scale mining operation. Literature shows that for an investment to attract formal sources of financing; the business must be considered creditworthy by potential lenders. This means that the credit risks associated with the investment must be bearable for the potential lender. This study looks at how artisanal and small-scale miners can attract formal funding, which will help them take the leap from artisanal state to a form of sustainable small-scale mining operation. This study evaluates the creditworthiness of artisanal and small-scale mining operators using key credit risk parameters identified in the literature and through primary investigation. A quantitative study is conducted on a sample of 100 artisanal and small-scale miner establishments in Nigeria to evaluate the effect of these identified credit risk parameters on creditworthiness. It is shown in this study that being a member of a mining cooperative society, which is a form of social collateral, best improves the chances of access to formal financing for miners within the sample group. This underpins the role of social collateral, in both the formal and informal economy, and its influence in improving the creditworthiness of a typical artisanal and small-scale miner.

Jul 23, 2025

By Z. Gxowa, L. H. Chown, U. Curle, G. Govender

This work evaluates the deformation behaviour, at warm working temperatures, of green particle-reinforced aluminium composites produced by powder blending in a high-energy ball mill. The work focuses on metal matrix composites (MMCs) based on the 2124-Al alloy, reinforced with 10 or 15 vol.% SiC and metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) based on the 2124-Al alloy, reinforced with 5 or 10 vol.% Al2O3. Three batches for each powder were blended and powder properties such as particle size distribution (PSD) and shape were consistent after blending. It was observed that a more uniform distribution of the reinforcement phase in the aluminium alloy matrix was achieved in 2124-Al/Al2O3 than in 2124- Al/SiC composites. The powders (unreinforced 2124-Al and blended) were initially over-aged at 350°C for 2 hours to reverse any natural ageing that may have occurred prior to use. The over-ageing was incorporated to improve compressibility of the powders with the aim of achieving green compacts with higher integrity. Uniaxial compression tests performed at ambient temperature on a Gleeble® 3500 thermomechanical simulator were unsuccessful as the green compacts fragmented. Engineering stress-strain curves showed that green compacts of unreinforced 2124-Al, 10%SiC MMC and 5%Al2O3 MMNC deformed in a similar manner at ambient temperature and had the same compressive fracture stress of approximately 170 MPa. When the deformation temperature was increased from ambient to warm working temperatures (170–280°C) it was observed that electrical resistance heating (the heating mode of the Gleeble®) of unreinforced Al alloy, MMC and MMNC green compacts did not occur. This was attributed to the high electrical conductivity of aluminium, which resulted in poor heat generation due to the low electrical resistance in the samples. It was presumed that the small sample size (d=8 mm, h=12 mm) also caused rapid heat loss. After further experimentation, the green compacts were heated successfully by insulating the samples to retain heat. It was found that at 280°C, increasing the soaking time from 6 to 20 minutes decreased flow stress and improved plastic flow in the 2124-Al/10%SiC green compact.

Jan 1, 2016

1. Book review Respiratory protection - principles and applications by B. Ballantyne and P. H. Schwa be (Editors). London, Chapman Hall, 1981. (Reviewer: M. J. Martinson) 2. New manual Swedish steel manual, 1981. Available from Jernkontoret, P.O. Box 1721, S-I11 87 Stockholm, Sweden. SEK 85. 3. Publications of the Mineral Policy and Energy Sectors, Canada General review by L. Tibbo. 10 pp. Columbium (niobium) and tantalum by D. G. Fong. 6 pp. Sulphur by B. W. Boyd. 13 pp. Statistical summary of the mineral industry in Canada. 66 tables. Uranium by R. M. Williams. 16 pp. 4. Mintek reports Report 2126 The determination, by microwave techniques, of the interface between pulp and froth. Report 2129 An electrode controller for submerged-arc furnaces. Report 2131 The separation of trace elements in manganese dioxide. Report 2132 The assessment of pellicular anion-exchange resins for the determination of anions by ion chromatography. Report M2 The preparation of two reference materials of South African fluorspar. Report M3 The platinum-group minerals in the UG-2 Layer of the Bushveld Complex at Maandagshoek 254KT.

Jan 1, 1982

By E. Isokangas

A mine is essentially a series of operations, including drilling and blasting, crushing, milling, flotation, and leaching, that are interconnected and therefore interrelated, with the performance of one operation affecting the performance of another. Optimizing each stage separately without considering the whole system often causes potential economic benefits and energy savings to be missed. However, the PIO methodology is a thorough approach which considers these individual process activities within the context of the whole process. The basic principle is to optimize the process as a whole, rather than each process step in isolation from the others. Metso?s Process Technology and Innovation (PTI) group offers a global consulting service for the mining and construction industries. A significant amount of this consulting work involves process integration and optimization (PIO) studies. When conducting a PIO study, every aspect of the process is considered. In addition to drilling and blasting, transportation, handling and storage, crushing, screening, grinding, flotation, separation, and recovery, other aspects including equipment utilization and energy consumption and even greenhouse gas emissions are also included if necessary. In a PIO project, it is very important to understand what type of material is being processed at any point in time. That is, which domain or domains is the material part of? This is necessary in order to observe the effect of different ore sources (and the blending of sources) on concentrator performance. Linking the ore from the pit to the concentrator required the development of an ore tracking system. As a result, PTI developed a radio-frequency based material tracking system called SmartTag?. This system allows tracking of ore from its source through blasting, run-of-mine (ROM) pads, crushers, intermediate stockpiles, and finally into the concentrator. Using the SmartTag? system, definitive correlations can be made between the performance of the plant and the plant feed characteristics, including the domain from which the feed ore originated. Since its commercialization in 2007, SmartTag? has been used in the majority of PTI?s consulting projects and several permanent systems have been installed worldwide1. Successful applications of the SmartTag? system have encouraged development to allow the system to be used in a wider variety of plants, in particular plants with finer crushing and screening stages. This paper describes how the SmartTag? system is being utilized by PTI and the benefits being gained by its use in PIO projects, as well as presenting some case studies.

Jan 1, 2012

By G. R. J. Cooper

In recent years attempts have been made to develop software packages for shallow seismic refraction data analysis. In most cases, mainframe computers were used which were generally non-interactive, did not support graphics and were unfriendly to operate. With these facts in mind, a user-friendly interactive processing package written in PASCAL has been developed for the IBM PC. The package allows the following operations to be performed. (1) data tying, equalisation of reciprocal and common shot times; (2) overburden velocity analysis; (3) refraction leg identification on time-distance plots; (4) elevation correction of refractor data; (5) forward and backward phantoming; refraction leg extrapolation; (6) 'bedrock' velocity analysis; (7) 'time-depth' plot computation; (8) depth calculation. Numbers (6) - (8) above involve Palmer's generalised reciprocal technique of refraction data interpretation. The program is extremely flexible and makes much use of interactive high resolution graphics and 'popup' onscreen menus. The velocity analysis sections have statistical routines built in to provide error estimation. The programs allow data interpretation to take place in the field with a portable microcomputer while the data are still being collected; this is obviously not possible with any cumbersome mainframe-based software. Hence it becomes possible to see the effects of varying the data collection parameters (such as geophone spacing) upon the resulting interpretation and so enable adjustments to be made where necessary. Hard copies of the data may be obtained at all stages of the interpretation process using a small (A3) plotter, or the graphics may be dumped to a dot- matrix printer if a suitable plotter is not available.

Jan 1, 1987

By J. L. Taylor, E. B. Viljoen, W. M. Craig, A. M. McIntosh

The Chemwes uranium plant treats old gold-plant residues from the Sttifontein and Buffelsfontein Gold Mines by acid leaching, belt filtration, countercurrent ion exchange (ClX), and Bufflex solvent extraction (SX). The uranium is recovered by precipitation as ammonium diuranate. Absorption and elution in the CIX section are achieved in four NIMCIX columns operating as two parallel streams. Each loading column is 4,85 m in diameter and contains 12 absorption stages. The elution columns are 3 m in diameter and contain 8 stages. The eluant used is 10 per cent sulphuric acid at ambient temperature. During the commissioning and initial operating periods reported here, the plant yielded an average barren solution of 1,6 p.p.m. of U3O8 from a feed with a mean U3O8 concentration of 132 p.p.m. The U3O8 concentrations in the barren solution were better than 2 p.p.m. some 85 per cent of the time, and better than I p.p.m.73 per cent of the time. Investigations are underway to institute an automatic control system that will result in the U3O8 values on the resin and in the barren solution being maintained at or near the target values in spite of changes in the concentration of uranium in the feed solution.

Jan 1, 1982

The Institute of Lighting Engineers of South Africa The Institute of Lighting Engineers of South Africa (ILESA) was constituted in May 1972 and now has over 70 members. The first Annual General Meeting was held on 15th August, 1973, at the Philips Auditorium, when the first presentation of membership certificates was made. Book Reviews Der Hochofenprozess. Das kinetischdynamische Simulationsmodell des Vereins Deutscher Eisenhiittenleute.Diisseldorf, Verlag Stahleisen M.B.H., 1973. Jones, M. H. and Woodcock, J. T. Ultraviolet spectrophotometry of flotation agents with special reference to the determination of xanthate in flotation liquors. London, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. 1973. 25 pp. £2,50. Notice VI INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ENGINEERS The above congress is to be held in Barcelona from 6th to 10th October, 1974. NIM reports Report No. 1568 A computer programme for the estimation of parameters in flotation. Report No. 1571 The commissioning of a direct-reading spectrometer for the analysis of silicate rocks by use of the graphite-pellet technique. Report No. 1579 The determination of tin tn geochemical- survey samples. Report No. 1587 A preliminary investigation of the flotation of copper-activated sphalerite without the use of collectors. Report No. 1589 Preliminary investigations into the flotation of tin dioxide, cassiterite, and some related gangue minerals. Professional . engineers Reference (18/19/1) 22nd November, 1973 Dear Sir/Madam, From time to time questions are being asked publicly concerning registration of professional engineers. These questions mainly concern the time it takes to finalise applications, especially those of applicants who do not hold a recognised engineering qualification. Professionele . . Ingenleors Verwysing (18/19/1) 22 November 1973 Geagte heer/dame, Van tyd tot tyd word daar vrae in die openbaar gestel oor die registrasie van Professionele Ingenieurs. Vrae gaan veral oor waarom dit so lank neem om aansoeke af te handel, veral van aansoekers wat nie 'n erkende ingenieurskwalifikasie besit nie.

Jan 3, 1974

By J. K. Williams, M. P. Wells

"As part of the planning system at each division of Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines, Limited, the Mine Planning Department is required to produce a detailed production schedule for each shaft.Because of the difficulties in producing a schedule which satisfies all the mining constraints, and because of the large clerical effort involved, the full range of possible schedules can never be considered.It has been found possible to produce a schedule using linear programming which satisfies the majority of the many varied mining constraints. Computer programs have been written to enable the mine planning department to use this mathematical system without assistance.The system has a large degree of flexibility to enable the planner to include conditions which cannot be incorporated readily in the linear program. This system permits the more efficient production and evaluation of schedules and reduces the amount of clerical effort."

Jan 1, 2014

By A. Tello

Variography was introduced by Dr. Pierre Gy to monitor a process, in the sixties. Later on, Francis Pitard extended this concept, building a complete system of variographic controls for different applications. Nevertheless, the existence of information about its use as a way to effectively control plants has been limited. There are infinite areas where variography and chronostatistics can be used. In this paper, two different cases related to gold and silver recovery, through well known but complex metallurgical routes are studied. The use of effective management of process variability software (EMPV) has shown to be a suitable solution to clarify problems at the plant and, consequently, a solution to the encountered problems has been proposed. Chronostatistics is like opening a new world to the metallurgist, making the process variability speak in a more comprehensive and in depth way. Once the ore has been extracted from the mine, sampling is necessary at each sequence of the metallurgical process involved. As a first example, leaching of the ore with cyanide in agitated tanks is another case of a complex metallurgy. The aim of the process is to know about residual values in the tailings in order to optimize process. As a second example, leaching of gold and silver in ore heaps, has to be optimized in terms of time, reagents consumption and, of course, in predicting a reasonable recovery. This last issue appears to be crucial. After cyanide leaching at the heaps, a carbon in columns process is involved, where there are a series of carbon loaded columns that are submitted to a dynamic process of load and unload, to finally deliver an enriched solution to the precious metal electrowinning plant. In both cases, variography has been a good approach to show metallurgists ways to improve the operation.

Jan 1, 2009