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By B. B. Mamba, J Ndalamo

The existence of an impressive reserve of oxidized cobalt-copper bearing ores in the African copper belt area lead the GECAMINES (DRC) to develop specific and adapted mineral processing routes (Mulaba-Bafubiandi, 2001). During the conventional diluted sulphuric acid leaching of oxidized cobalt-copper bearing ores commonly referred to as ?heterogenite?, more than 10% cobalt dissolution yield increase was observed in a plant situation (Mwema et al., 2002) when SO2(g) was flushed into the acidified cobalt leaching solution. The present paper attempts to elucidate mechanisms involved which lead to the increase of total cobalt as SO2 is flushed during the leaching of oxidized cobalt bearing minerals. The kinetics of cobalt dissolution as SO2 is flushed into the acidic solution as well as a full characterization, using UV-Visible spectroscopy, of Co2+ and Co3+ species present in the collected leachate are presented while possible effects of the presence of Cu and Fe on the leachability of cobalt bearing minerals present in the oxidised ore will be discussed. In the view of speeding up the leaching process, the mixed cobalt-copper oxidised ores were microwaves pre-processed. Preliminary results were also discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By K. Harlow

"Zircon is a naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and as such is subject to a variety of regulations around the world. The regulatory processes and their implementation are summarized and the key issues affecting zircon and zirconia highlighted. Having absorbed the activities of the former Zircon Minerals Committee, the strategy of the Zircon Industry Association (ZIA) is to be the ‘go-to place’ for information on these matters, and its activities in the NORM space are described. Chemical industry regulations such as REACH are spreading around the world, and the paper provides an update of their status in the key jurisdictions. As mineral sands are transported to market in oceangoing vessels, they are subject to the regulations of the International Maritime Organization, which are summarized in the paper. IntroductionFrom a global perspective, zircon is generally not found in high concentrations other than in placer and dune deposits where it has been deposited along with other heavy minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, and monazite. Such deposits have been sorted and concentrated over geological time by the action of tides, waves, and wind to form concentrated deposits of heavy minerals along old coastlines and in river beds and deltas. Consequently, zircon is mostly found in association with the principal titanium minerals ilmenite and rutile. These secondary concentrations in placer deposits provide the commercial sources of zircon.All geological materials contain natural radioactivity, although the term NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) is mostly used for minerals and other materials with above-average uranium and thorium concentrations. Importantly, the radioactive nature of zircon has not changed, but the way in which radioactivity is viewed by regulators has, affecting the zircon industry throughout the value chain."

Jan 1, 2017

By N. Hanief

This research involves the investigation of phase transformations in the platinum-chromium coated system. Single-layer 0.1 µm platinum coatings were deposited via electron beam deposition on 99.98 percent pure chromium substrates. Specimens were subjected to systematic heat treatment in a vacuum furnace at 900°C for up to 20 hours. Phase formation and the changes in surface morphology were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Both CrPt and Cr3Pt phases are formed during heat treatment for different times at 900°C. Significant changes in the morphology of this coated system were detected after heat treatment at 900°C for 20 hours.

Jan 1, 2012

By L. H. W. Walker

As part of an overall design of a computer based mining managerial system, the geological and mineral estates management disciplines find themselves centrally placed in terms of producing fundamental data both before and during the mining operation. Computerisation of all aspects of these fields of endeavour has come to be seen as essential for complete integration with other mining orientated disciplines. Release 1 .l. of the Anglo American system of mineral estates management has been tested and is in the process of being implemented at several Anglo American Gold Division mines.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. Hoare

TSG Consulting works with many of the major global mining companies using simulation modelling as an integral component in their development team's 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 `total integrated system approach' 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

By M. Kumral, S. Hmoud

Optimising the configuration of infill drill holes is an important step during mineral exploration campaigns. However, this optimisation process encompassing all possible drilling configurations within a mineral deposit is highly combinatorial and hard to solve in a reasonable time. This paper proposes using spatial clustering algorithms to divide the orebody into contiguous zones and target the best zones with infill drilling in order to reduce the size of this optimisation problem. Several clustering algorithms are assessed in a spatial context on hypothetical datasets. This evaluation shows that the hierarchical density-based spatial clustering application with noise (HDBSCAN) algorithm can be used in combination with the uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction algorithm to identify contiguous zones in the orebody.

Sep 1, 2021

The mathematical models of semivariograms can be classified according to whether or not they correspond to situations where the second order stationarity conditions are satisfied (§ 3.3.4). If second order stationarity exists, the a priori variance s2 of x (z) also exists and is finite. For large distances h such that x (z) and x (z + h) are not correlated, the semi- variogram ? (h) will reach a value equal to s2 [this is a consequence of (3.27) above]. This limiting value is called the sill C of the semivariogram, and the distance at which ? (h) reaches the sill is called the range. The range of the semi- variogram obtained from a given type of sample corresponds to the distance of influence of these samples. If only the intrinsic hypothesis is satisfied, the sample variance is an increasing function of the size of the area or volume in which the samples are located, and the semivariogram ? (h) will be a continuously increasing function of h. Remark: It will be shown in Chapter 7 that the variance s2 of x (z) in the ore body O is equal to the average value of ? (h) in O. If ? (h) is a non-decreasing function with sill C, the average value of ? (h) in O will be less than C. s2 and C will be equal only if for some values of h in O, ? (h) exceeds C. In practice, if the range of the semivariogram is small with respect to the dimensions of the ore body, the difference between C and s2 will be negligible.

Jan 1, 1978

By J. Petersen, T. Moyo

Waste Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are a metals-rich fraction of electronic waste (e-waste) streams, and globally it has been demonstrated that they can be recycled gainfully to recover the metals. Reported successful cases of PCB recycling are carried out in large volumes, using high-level technology and high capital investment smelter house operations. This presents entry barriers for recyclers in developing economies where capital may not be accessible, and the waste volumes are not sufficient to warrant large scale operations. Hydrometallurgical processes have the potential to provide an option for the scalable processing of smaller volumes of PCBs and can be set up at relatively lower capital costs. However, to date, the hydrometallurgical treatment options available rely on precursor communition and classification processes that also require high capital and energy costs. This paper presents an overview of the work done under the Minerals to Metals signature theme towards understanding e-waste recycling processes and developing pre-processing and characterisation of PCBs in order to unlock potential for local end processing in developing economies, using South Africa as a case study. The structure of PCBs is reviewed, and the current size reduction techniques and the subsequent leaching processes are discussed. Keywords: Printed circuit boards (PCBs), PCB structure, pre-treatment, liberation, ammoniacal leaching

Jan 1, 2020

'Gee Whiz', a nationwide schools' science and technology competition, is being screened on SATY1 on Friday evenings at 18:00. Twenty-seven schools from al over South Africa are taking part in the series, which will run for 13 weeks. The participating schools were selected on the basis of their performance in the National Youth Science Olympiad and in Mintek's Minsa science competition, which has been organized on an annual basis since 1988.

Jan 1, 1991

By P. R. Beeley

Metal founding - a modern perspective The recent development of metal founding is reviewed in the context of basic requirements for the successful manufacture of cil;5ti,ngs.Progress has been related to the two interdependent fields of process technology and product characteristics. . After a brief review of the growth of the traditional industry. various features of the modern industry are discussed. Reference IS made to current trends in process technology and to the introduction of new techniques affecting production engineering, product quality. and the general nature of the industry. Metallurgical aspects of metal founding are considered, and modern techniques for the control of casting conditions are examined. These aspects are related to the structure and quality of cast metal and to the development of newer types of cast material and product.

Jan 9, 1976

By V. Korobko, M. Byantogtokh, N. Byambadorzh, V. Bysov

A three-stage operative planning of mining operations in ore opencasts is considered. The hierarchy of monthly-weekly, weekly-daily, daily-shift planning is offered. For the fastest elimination and deviations in problematic situations a level is analysed and weekly-daily or monthly-weekly operative plans are being constantly updated. Operative planning is formulated on information received of preparation and working of mining panels. The electronic maps of these panels are considered for automated operative planning. On the data of the registration of blasthole drillings on a panel, the position of blasthole entry, their depth and the number of a line are determined. The geologist specifies boundaries of ore grades by the bored silt. The qualitative characteristics of ores are determined by the chemical analysis of slime or magnetic logging of blastholes. The missing geologic information is obtained by interpolation on the data of detailed and operational explorations. During working of the mining panel the technologists mark the movement of shovels, associating this movement to blastholes. For this purpose technological attributes are used: when was the blasthole drilled, what drill-rig participated in drilling, what shovel was used and when was it worked? Around each blasthole the zone of its influence is built up. It represents a discrete, elementary volume of ore or waste. The discrete form of the data is most convenient, as it allows step-by-step methods to be employed of the scheduled tasks in many and various combinations. The account panel working technology avoids ‘combination’ explosions. The elementary blocks should be placed in a trajectory of shovel movement and the trajectory can not be arbitrary. It’s determined by the technological rules of extracting and loading of mine mass. In linking to blastholes, the trajectory of shovels is simulated by the sum of step-by-step moving from one elementary block to another. For this purpose a geometrical linkage of blastholes is used. At a railway haulage, or complete mining with truck haulage, the trajectory of movement is a shuttle along the front of operations in the panel. At a selective mining of ores the number of possible directions is limited to three: moving of a shovel by idle running along the front of operations in the panel, frontal pull all the way down of the panel, and withdrawal. The technologically acceptable trajectories of shovel movement are stored for the following estimation and selection of the best. The estimation is carried out on mathematical models with criteria on the method of the least squares of deviations based on preset parameters from the plan, uniform loading of shovels, and mixing of ore at unloading points. The equations of balance type and directive parameters of the plan, as well as technological restrictions of solid and of elementary blocks within the limits of a trajectory are the restrictions of the model. Depending on an industrial situation it is possible to choose one of the predetermined models. The presented technique is used for longitudinal shovel bench at the Erdenet ore-dressing company.

Jan 1, 2003

By B. Orgilbayar, B. Unursaikhan, S. Sukhbat, Ts. Zagarzusem, D. Baasanjav, L. Jargalsaikhan, E. Otgonjargal, N. Sugir-Erdene, Ts. Soyolmaa

This study has investigated the efficacy of the gravity beneficiation method based on gravitation and centrifugal forces for manganese ore. Powdered samples of manganese ores from the Unagad deposit in Mongolia were analysed for their element and mineralogical composition using ICP-MS and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The analysis presented the mineralogical compositions of the ores as hydro goethite, manganese minerals and magnetite, gangue minerals as quartz, albite, orthoclase and microcline of manganese ore. Manganese minerals are white in colour and have micro-veinlet, fine grained-aggregates associated with gangue minerals. The most important manganese minerals are hausmannite, pyrolusite, rhodochrosite, and manganosite. The composite of feed containing 17.31 % Mn and 36.3 % SiO2 was processed in a shaking table. In the experiment, a concentrate assaying 41.37% Mn was obtained from this composite with 65% recovery. In another experiment, f80=0.074 mm particle size ore was used in the MGS concentration test. A concentrate containing 38.34 % Mn with 75.2% recovery was produced in this experiment. The results showed that it is possible to obtain concentrate through gravity processing of manganese ore, which is an economically beneficial process for producing a product of a standard requirement. Keywords: Manganese ore, gravity separator, centrifuge, shaking table 1. Introduction

Jan 1, 2020

By J. H. E. Perry, V. H. Wiik

"The ore deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt occur in sedimentary strata that have been subjected to relatively mild, flexure-type folding. Unrolling serves to reconstruct the original depositional geometry of the folded sedimentary strata and is in common usage on the Copperbelt both for geological analysis of drill hole data and in routine ore reserve estimation.A computerized method of unrolling was introduced at Roan Consolidated Mines in 1969 based on a standard contouring program. A contour map of the geological structure is drawn from a regular grid of elevations, interpolated from the original, irregularly-spaced intersections. Unrolling is performed across this grid, perpendicular to one or two axes specified by the geologist. Each intersection is unrolled independently, and the new co-ordinates are subsequently processed to produce unrolled maps.The technique has been used successfully at RCM over the last two years in both the estimation of ore reserves and exploration planning."

Jan 1, 2014

By J. C. D. Gush

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of Laboratory-scale testwork was undertaken to recover oxidic copper-cobalt minerals by froth flotation, which requires maintaining a certain sulphide level in the pulp. To improve control of the sulphide concentration, an electronic closed-loop system was designed that responds to the potential output of an ion-selective electrode. The PID control was improved by adding a pre-emptive control and a self-calibration feature; a data logging facility is also included. An inexpensive valve design was incorporated using locally available parts. The operating results of this control design are presented.

Jan 1, 2005

The aspect ratio (mill diameter/mill length) of autogenous and semi autogenous mills varies widely and can be as high as three or as low as 0.5. The literature on the subject of what effect aspect ratio has on grinding mill performance or energy efficiency is almost non-existent. However, at the design stage of many grinding circuits the subject is often vigorously debated amongst metallurgists. In this paper the performance characteristics of mills with different aspect ratios are examined to determine whether process performance characteristics are a function of aspect ratio and whether high aspect ratio mills are any more or less energy efficient than low aspect ratio units. Data from both pilot and full-scale mills are used for this purpose in open and closed circuit configurations.

Jan 1, 2007

By JOURNAL SAIMM

SYMPOSIUM ON PELLETS AND GRANULES During October 1974, the Newcastle branch of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy is to hold a symposium on pelletizing and granulation, with particular reference to the iron ore, fertilizer, and cement industries.

Jan 12, 1973

By Z. Song

Real-time monitoring makes it possible to detect any disturbance occurring in production, while decision instruments can efficiently assist decision-makers to optimize production, reduce iterative workload, obtain better solutions, and preview possible results. Technologies for the above already exist and have been proven in the process industry, i.e. refining and smelting. Optimization is also essential for profitable and stable mining production. Real-time monitoring has already taken hold in mining operations, especially in surface mining, while optimization techniques have also been widely used in underground mining, particularly for planning and scheduling. This review is limited to the hard-rock mining production of metallic ores such as gold and copper. It reviews optimization techniques developed for mine planning and scheduling, and communication technologies suitable for underground applications. It also presents control features for individual operation units, and discusses the technical viability of a mining production real-time optimization (MPRTO) system for underground mines, with possible benefits and challenges. Operational disturbances always occur in mine production. An MPRTO system can be useful to maintain operational effectiveness and efficiency by allowing quick changes to short-term plans. This paper briefly describes the MPRTO system, including the input, output, and basic algorithms. The technical prerequisites for the system specified here are already available. Further studies that are required to improve the system are discussed. Keywords real-time optimization, underground mining, production, operation.

Dec 1, 2013

By K. M. Seiler

Automation in mining requires accurate maps of road networks on site. Because roads on open-cut mines are dynamic in nature and continuously changing, manually updating road maps is tedious and error-prone. This paper investigates the possibility of automatically deriving an accurate representation of the road network using GPS data available from haul trucks operating on site. We present an overview of approaches proposed in literature and test the performance of publicly available methods on GPS data collected from trucks operating on site. Based on shortcomings seen in all tested algorithms, a post-processing step is developed which geometrically analyses the created road map for artefacts typical of free-drive areas on mine sites and significantly improves the quality of the final road network graph.

Sep 1, 2021

By K. Shame, H. H. Thiele

South Africa holds approximately 70% of the world’s total chrome reserves. Chromium is an important raw material for the production of stainless steel and ferrochrome alloys. Over the years, China’s ferrochrome market has been dependent on chrome ore imports from South Africa. In 2018, China imported about 75% of its chrome ore from South Africa. With the low platinum price and the rising demand for stainless steel, a growing demand to evaluate new beneficiation technologies for fine chromite was identified. Gravity separation of fine chromite (<75 μm) is inefficient, due to the limitations of the technology to upgrade fine particle size distributions. Potential for the recovery of chromite, specifically fines (<75μm), lost to UG2 PGM flotation tails, but also from MG and LG6 spiral circuit tailings exist. Flotation of podiform chromite ores from India and Kazhkhstan is successful in generating saleable product grade, following acid or alkaline flotation routes. Application to South African stratiform chromite is being evaluated, with the emphasis on evaluating reagent type, optimising dosages and the effect of pH in optimising flotation performance. Flotation can unlock additional value from chromite tailings material. The effect of ore characteristics such as gangue mineralogy, particle size distribution and headgrade are reported. The performance in terms of product quality and yield are evaluated and compared. The impact of this paper will not only prolong life of mine and increase revenue but will also alleviate environmental burdens associated with tailings dams. Keywords: Chromite, flotation, fine material, performance optimisation

Jan 1, 2020

By A. Morley

It is difficult to evaluate exploration properties in a manner that is transparent, repeatable and easily re-calculated to cater for different geological interpretations, but the risk-based assessment methodology, the Geological Risk Method, developed and described by Lord et al (2001) attempts to satisfy all these criteria. This paper examines a case study example based on valuations of exploration projects conducted by SRK Consulting using this methodology, and describes some of the advantages and limitations of the method.

Jan 1, 2007