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By M Bettison, R Marton, R Wright, M Lowry

Depending on the geological setting, waste rock from mining can present risks to achieving acceptable closure outcomes. In the Pilbara iron ore mines, the majority of waste rock is geochemically inert. However, small percentages of pyritic material with the potential to generate acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) require considered management within mine waste stockpiles designed to minimise AMD release to the environment. A larger percentage of waste rock has physical characteristics (e.g. erodibility) that may impact upon long-term landform stability. CITATION:Marton, R, Wright, R, Lowry, M and Bettison, M, 2018. The golden thread of waste characterisation from exploration drilling to waste rock placement, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2018, pp 90–92 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 25, 2018

By M L, G Maddocks, A Ferrier, ers, A Forbes

Evolution’s Mount Rawdon Operation (MRO) produces gold and silver through open pit mining methods. The mining operations are scheduled to be completed in FY24 (Financial Year 2024), after which low-grade stockpiles will be processed until the end of FY27. As part of MRO’s Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP), RGS Environmental Consultants (RGS) and Deswik were engaged to develop the final landform surface and a whole of site probabilistic water balance/water quality (WB/WQ) model to evaluate the viability of several closure options with respect to water quality in the various site water storages, particularly the final void which will form a pit lake. This case study details the closure option which included (amongst other things) covering the final landforms and directing water toward or away from the final void post closure. Closure and rehabilitation for MRO had previously been planned and evaluated on a ‘domain’ basis. Furthermore, the rehabilitation plans and final water management plans for the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), Waste Rock Storage Facility (WRSF) and other domains were not coordinated, possibly resulting in competitive rehabilitation material requirements at the commencement of closure activities. An assumption was that a legacy non-acid forming (NAF) stockpile would provide sufficient material to both supplement ex-pit material for the construction of the TSF embankment raises and to complete all closure activities, but the volumes available and the volumes required to complete the closure activities had not been quantified.

Aug 2, 2023

By J Light

Since 2019, the mine planning team at Olympic Dam has been establishing and maturing a shift from deterministic to probabilistic scheduling techniques. This paper outlines this journey undertaken by the mine planning team, key learnings from implementation and further work required to increase the level of planning maturity. Olympic Dam (OD) is a highly variable, polymetallic orebody with a vertically integrated value chain from operations to final product. The processing plant has a tight set of quality constraints which are managed through timing of stopes from varying parts of the orebody. Value is eroded for the operation when forecasted quality of the mine feed encounters disruptions from unplanned changes to the timing of stope starts. As production has moved from the historic Northern Mining Area into the more geologically complex Southern Mining Area, average stope size has reduced, resulting in increased mining fronts required to meet production targets. This has created a problem of increased schedule complexity and difficulties in identifying and communicating resource priorities within a large set of individual stope critical paths. The problem was approached by considering each stope as an individual project constructed by teams working across multiple projects at any one time. The operation could then be considered a multi-project environment with shared resources and enables the application of Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) to the mine plan. Key to CCPM is the addition of time buffers to protect the critical path of a project form upstream or downstream processes. Implementation of time buffers protects the stope start date against compliance to plan variance. The monitoring of each time buffer consumption, as a proportion of total construction activities completed enables proactive prioritisation of resources. This resulted in an increase in the number of stopes starting in accordance with the mine plan, simplified communication of priorities to all levels of the operation, increased compliance to plan and a clear measure of schedule risk during planning routines.

Mar 29, 2023

By D Duan

In this study, aimed at two kinds of ore (lump ore and iron ore fines) and four types of Australian iron ore resources (haematite iron ore, Mara Mamba iron ore, limonite iron ore, and mixed iron ore, such as Newman, MAC, Yandi and Pilbara iron ore), the physical and chemical properties and high-temperature properties were investigated in detail, to master their behaviour and effects in sintering, blast furnace, and non-blast furnace processes. Then, according to the individual properties of Australian iron ores, Chinese domestic iron ores and Brazilian iron ores, etc, the optimisation of ore-proportioning for sintering, blast furnace, and non-blast furnace processes was studied based on the interaction of the individual iron ores and their complementary properties, and the corresponding tests were carried out. The test work results indicated that this method not only improved the technical and economic indexes of sintering, blast furnace, and non-blast furnace processes, but also increased the addition of Australian iron ore. All of these provide the theoretical basis and technical support for highly effective use of Australian iron ore resources in iron and steel enterprises in China.

Jul 11, 2011

By T Sprague, D Pateman

"The Gosowong Gold Project is owned and operated by PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (PT NHM), an Indonesian company 75 per cent owned by Newcrest. It is located on Halmahera Island, in the North Maluku Province of the Republic of Indonesia, approximately 2450 km north-east of the national capital, Jakarta (Newcrest, 2017).Kencana is one of two underground gold and silver mines at the Gosowong Operation where ground conditions vary from competent to very poor. Development headings occurring in poor rock mass conditions require high capacity ground support including long tendon cable bolts. Manual installation of cable bolts in these development headings has been a time consuming process due to borehole collapse, blockages requiring subsequent re-drilling and a minimum eight hour grout curing time interval. The installation of cable bolts including the setting, plating and tensioning can impact the critical path for development heading advance resulting in development cycle delays.A review was conducted by PT NHM on current industry practices for alternatives to manual cable bolting. PT NHM subsequently approached Minova to assist with the development and trialling of self drilling anchors (SDAs) installed using jumbos with a rapid setting pumpable resin, CARBOTHIXTM. A series of system development trials were conducted and a reliable bolting system was developed utilising the existing jumbo drilling fleet with minimal required modifications.The system developed was a ‘one pass’ bolting process to install and grout SDAs using a two component resin with a remote, mechanised system. Improvements achieved from the system include: eliminating hole closure issues and more immediate support in poor rock mass effectively reducing personnel exposure to poor ground conditions by removing the requirement to access the drive backs reducing grout set time with full installation times for 6 m SDAs averaging 25 min.The resin grouting system has now been successfully implemented to effectively manage areas of poor ground conditions and to accelerate advance rates in high priority headings.CITATION:Pateman, D and Sprague, T, 2017. Development and implementation of a long tendon bolting system utilising resin grouting technology, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2017, pp 79–84 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Oct 16, 2017

By B P. Voutharoj, R A. Dutch, M Paknezhad, T Ostersen

With the proliferation of new sensor technologies, acquiring multiple data sets over the same ground is becoming cheaper and easier than ever. This new, higher resolution multivariate data provides a significant resource for exploration and resource geologists but comes with the added complexity of effectively integrating the various data sets in useful and meaningful ways to elucidate new geological understanding. Both geophysical data sets and hyperspectral data are extensively used for exploration targeting, providing different information at different resolutions and crustal scales. One of the biggest challenges comes from trying to effectively integrate data sets that record very different physical properties, across the different scales these data are captured at, in a way which can allow for a data-driven analysis of these combined data sets.

Sep 1, 2024

By L B. Zhou, Q Wang

The present discussion focuses on the developmental directions of eco-restoration of acid mine waste rock dump, by using acid mine waste rock of Shuilong Mountain as an example. Based on the analysis of site factors, the current slope ecological restoration technologies of domestic and international and local practices have been integrated into the eco-restoration of acid mine waste rock in Shuilong Mountain. A set of suitable slope Eco-restoration technologies have been formulated locally for acid mine waste rock of Shuilong Mountain, which include establishing green barrier, implementing ecology buffer zones, selecting suitable plant species and combined seeding and tube-stock planting. It aims to restore the plant ecosystem to a near natural state, in couple with slope stabilisation and soil remediation.CITATION :Wang, Q and Zhou, L B, 2012. Projection of ecological restoration of acid mine waste rock of Shuilong Mountain at Dexing Copper Mine, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2012 , pp 305-308 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 10, 2012

Mobile mining equipment presents only a small portion (ten per cent mining project costs but the selected technology will determine to a large extent the mining performance and mine profitability. The actual performance of the selected mobile equipment technology will rely on the support functions, infrastructure, user interface and user acceptance. Optimising the technology to match the circumstances is an increasingly important phase in a mine feasibility study. Smartly done feasibility studies include the possible future needs of changing or building-up of the selected technology. In massive mining applications the machinery faces quite different challenges than in selective or small-scale mining applications. In massive mining applications the efficient and continuous move of large amounts of material has led to the use of increasing degree of automation. This higher degree of automation in a mining application, on the other hand, will be best applied to a smooth and streamlined mining process and operation. Mining methods like block caving support automated operation. Automated mobile equipment needs supportive infrastructure, monitoring and information transfer systems as well as well established working procedures. Too often the user interface and human factor is disregarded during the consideration of automation. Through the available supplier programming tools it is possible to see how much the selected technology provides flexibility in changing production or economical situations, when major rebuilds or replacements are necessary, and view the effects of all these on the mine economy. When adequate technology is available from various sources, the difference becomes from preparing for the future, managing costs and combining the best layout with the most suitable technological solutions.

Jan 1, 2000

By B King

A large number of mineral deposits contain regions in which it is economically beneficial to extract ore both via open pit and underground mining techniques. Current industry practice lacks an effective means to establish the extent of the open pit and underground mining areas for an individual deposit. We present a mixed integer programming model for scheduling both the open pit and underground mine that can be used to create a holistic extraction sequence for a specific deposit. The model considers both spatial and temporal elements of the open pit and underground mines in order to maximise the net present value of the entire deposit, while adhering to its production, processing and block sequencing constraints. By doing so, we can schedule the open pit and underground in concert.CITATION:King, B, 2014. Modelling open pit and underground production scheduling in concert, in Proceedings Orebody Modelling and Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2014 , pp 369–374 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 24, 2014

Underground excavations are subjected to complex stress changes caused by nearby mining, but may also be affected by repeated dynamic loading from blasting and seismic events. In some cases, the combined, cumulative effects can lead to unforeseen damage, displacement and instability. Simulating dynamic loading of an underground excavation is a very complex task. The state of rock mass stress, damage and deformation must first be simulated sufficiently requiring small-scale structures to be explicitly modelled. Supporting elements must be represented with high similitude and then the dynamic event must be applied to the system in the case of blasts, or evolve as a consequence of rock mass instability for seismic events. A special case is for the effect of pit blasting on underground excavations - discontinuous rock phenomena at scales from mine, to bench, to pillar, to tunnel need to be captured and this represents one of the most computationally intensive tasks in mine simulation. Recent advances in computer power allow these tasks to be completed at a mine scale, incorporating discontinuities and geological detail matching the best practice for static Finite Element analyses. The results are a worthwhile contribution to mine decision-making, but require careful interpretation and thoughtful inputs - even more so than quasi-static analysis - as the cumulative effects of unfavourable modeling practices are greater. Some learnings from experiences with mine scale, discontinuum dynamic simulation are summarised, including a discussion of considerations of scale and similitude for this type of analysis.

Nov 25, 2010

By T E. Hayward, D H. English, S J. Smith

Gold mineralisation at Bendigo is exclusively associated with quartz reefs, commonly found within or near anticlinal fold hinges. The gold is typically coarse grained (0.5 mm to 5 mm), free milling and displays a complex, nuggetty distribution within the veins. This ore is highly amenable to gravity recovery processes. As the Bendigo operation is not permitted to treat whole ore by a cyanide leach/CIL circuit, the flow sheet is more complex than conventional gold recovery circuits. Primary gold recovery is from a gravity circuit closing the grinding circuit to a bulk gravity concentrate and from a flotation circuit treating cyclone overflow to a bulk float concentrate. The plant capacity is relatively low by current gold industry standards at 600 000 tpa. Re-establishing gold production at Bendigo has presented several challenging, and sometimes competing, issues in process design and operation. The mine, process plant, associated services and infrastructure are at Kangaroo Flat, a low density, semi-rural zone in the southern urbanisation of the Bendigo metropolitan area. One of the main processing challenges during the design was the competing comminution requirement to avoid over-grinding, which would flatten or smear the characteristic nugget gold and hinder effective gravity gold recovery, whilst also providing sufficiently well liberated particles that would respond well to flotation. Important, non-metallurgical challenges were to minimise impacts on the local community from noise, dust, air emissions, visual impact, water egress and off-site traffic.

Jan 1, 2007

By J Cronin, R Burgess-Limerick, T Horberry, L Steiner

"Automation offers the mining industry great potential for improvements in productivity and safety. However, the experience of introducing automation in other industries has been that the full potential of new technology is not always realised. Designers are surprised, for example, to find that automation does not eliminate human errors. Unwanted and unexpected consequences also arise if the introduction of automation fails to consider how people will adapt to the new technology. A focus on the technical aspects of automation is necessary but not sufficient for success. The potential for improvements in productivity and safety promised by automation will only be achieved if the joint cognitive system that emerges from the combination of humans and automation is designed to perform the functions required for system success. This case study describes the human factors issues associated with the introduction of automation generally, and describes a case study of the successful implementation of loader automation at Northparkes mine.Information obtained through a site visit and interviews with operators, safety staff and the project manager revealed the following strategies for successful design and implementation of the automation system: involve the people who will be impacted encourage constant communication between operators and designers provide operators with essential information avoid providing non-essential information provide the operators with flexibility empower operators to take action take advantage of the new possibilities automation provides.CITATION:Burgess-Limerick, R, Horberry, T, Steiner, L and Cronin, J, 2017. Mining automation human-systems integration – CMOC-Northparkes case study, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2017, pp 93–98 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Oct 16, 2017

By S Talu, E Savage, P Sturm, A van As

It is estimated that substandard ground support installations and elements cost the Rio Tinto Copper Group millions of dollars between 2000 and 2014. These issues have also created significant safety and financial risks in Rio Tinto mines. As a result, Rio Tinto Copper has developed CaveCAD, an integrated system to collect, store and analyse all ground support-related data. The CaveCAD system stores geotechnical data and has the ability to automatically import data, collect data through tablet applications, report processed/analysed data and present this data through 3D visualisation software.The CaveCAD Ground Support module closes the design–implementation–verification loop by providing a method of verifying the compliance of all installed ground support, recording manufacturer specifications, recording quality control test compliance and rectifying any non-conformant areas. The module uses innovative technology to create value through cost saving, safety improvements and data collection efficiency. Cost savings will be achieved by a decreased need for excavation rehabilitation, less ‘waste’ due to faulty installation and quality assurance checks reducing the likelihood of substandard support units being used. Data collection will be improved through the use of a mobile tablet application that can be used underground in ‘off-line’ environments.CITATION:Savage, E, Talu, S, Sturm, P and Van As, A, 2016. Development and implementation of the CaveCAD ground support module for cost and safety improvements in block cave mines, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 769–772 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By J J. L du Plessis, S Viviers, G Ratner

Escalating electricity costs are one of the biggest operational cost drivers in mining. The trend to use high-powered auxiliary fans delivering increased airflow to meet the dilution requirements of diesel equipment, together with the reliance on ducted systems rather than traditional flow-through systems to ventilate areas, increases the overall energy requirements of ventilation systems. To manage and reduce electricity costs energy management systems can be implemented, inefficient operating units can be replaced and the operation of energy-consuming components of ventilation systems can be optimised.This paper describes the process followed to design and develop an energy-efficient axial flow auxiliary fan. The fan-targeted design was based on static pressure and volume flow rate requirements incorporating higher overall fan efficiencies. A brief overview of the results is given, including the aerodynamic design procedure using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis. The mechanical design criteria used, including stress analysis on the rotor and designs to improve the vibration levels of the fan, are also presented. Through this study it was demonstrated that the aerodynamically designed rotors using profiled and twisted blades improve the total fan efficiency considerably when compared with some of the older-generation fans using cambered plates. The latter were typical in the mining sector in South Africa at the time of the study where average overall fan efficiencies of standard cambered fans less than 63 per cent and some of the older-generation cast aluminium blades have peak overall fan efficiencies of about 65 per cent. Peak overall fan efficiency of more than 80 per cent was achieved by using the described design and development process. Additional benefits are that the fans are quieter due to the better aerodynamic design and have a longer operating life due to reduced vibration levels.In conclusion, the use of CFD to develop fans to deliver the required volume flow at the required pressure allows quicker design turnaround time. It furthermore allows the ventilation engineer the option to specify a specific fan and is not limited to an off-the-shelf catalogue fan. It thus allows engineers to purchase a fit-for-purpose energy-efficient fan. The introduction of reliable fan control systems may, however, still result in the biggest cost benefit for underground mines.CITATION:du Plessis, J J L, Ratner, G and Viviers, S, 2015. Design and development of energy-efficient secondary axial flow fans, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference, pp 337–344 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 31, 2015

The borehole televiewer is a downhole geophysical logging device that produces continuous, oriented, 360¦ images of the drill hole wall. Two types of borehole images are currently being generated at the BHP Billiton Mount Whaleback deposit. The optical televiewer (OTV) tool captures a ærealÆ image of the borehole wall whereas an acoustic televiewer (ATV) generates an image through variations in physical borehole size, scattering the energy from an acoustic beam. Orientation of the resulting ævirtual coreÆ is derived through magnetometers and accelerometers, providing values within one degree for both inclination and azimuth. Downhole structures such as fractures, joints, foliations and bedding planes are selected directly off the borehole image, recorded and displayed in a 3D modelling package along side adjacent drill holes. Measurements are corrected from apparent to true dip and magnetic to true north. Strata-bound magnetic anomalies are identified and corresponding measurements excluded. The importance of borehole imaging increases substantially with its ability to integrate the OTV and/or ATV data with other forms of lithological and structural data. At Mount Whaleback, the borehole televiewer has been implemented to provide information for geotechnical exploration including structural analysis, lithological characterisation and rock-mass conditions. Within the large area in and around Mount Whaleback, drilling may intersect a number of different geological formations with various rock types and conditions. With the application of the borehole televiewer, reverse circulation drilling can provide information traditionally obtained by diamond drilling.

Jan 1, 2007

By JSrvinen A, Yll÷ E

At Cominco's Zinc Refinery at Trail, British Columbia impurities are removed from zinc sulphate electrolyte by a two-stage purification process using zinc dust. Copper, cadmium and thallium are removed in the first stage whereas cobalt is removed in the second stage. Cobalt removal kinetics are affected by soluble antimony and copper additions to the electrolyte. This study was focused on the kinetics of cobalt removal by zinc powder cementation. Experimental variables included copper and antimony concentrations, pH and temperature. Common organic additives employed in zinc plants were studied to determine potential interactions with the cobalt removal process. Cementation products obtained from laboratory experiments and plant practice were studied using SEM. A number of significant results were obtained: 1. Copper and antimony ions were sustantially removed from solution during the early stages of the cementation reaction (within the first 15 minutes). Cobalt cementation kinetics are slow and follow a first order kinetic regime. 2. A drop in the cobalt removal rates can be correlated with a rise in the Eh of the slurry. 3. Ligninsulphonate, Percol 351 and animal glue at levels of 2 mg/L significantly impede cobalt cementation.

Jan 1, 1993

By M L. Muller, A R. O’Donnell

The Mount Isa Mines (MIM) Copper Concentrator has an extensive history of reagent trials, with different reagents coming in and out of favour over the years. The research and use of carbon depressants is particularly prevalent, as carbonaceous pyrite is a major source of concentrate dilution. Years of research led to the use of naphthalene sulphonate due to its excellent carbon depression properties. However, due to rising reagent costs carbon depression ceased in the late 1990s. This led to the loss of knowledge about the use and value of naphthalene sulphonate. Cyanide is used at the Copper Concentrator for the sole purpose of pyrite depression and over the years multiple projects have been devoted to finding alternatives to it. In 2012 the neighbouring MIM Lead-Zinc Concentrator replaced cyanide with naphthalene sulphonate which resulted in cost savings and the elimination of a hazardous reagent. In 2013, plant trials were conducted at the Copper Concentrator in hopes to replicate the outcomes obtained at the Lead-Zinc Concentrator. The results of the trials conducted at the Copper Concentrator showed that naphthalene sulphonate could not replace cyanide and this work was set aside to pursue more promising projects. Further research conducted in 2014 found that mineralogy and a better understanding of the depressing mechanism of naphthalene sulphonate held the key to improved pyrite depression at the Copper Concentrator. The findings showed that Mount Isa copper ore contains two forms of pyrite; euhedral pyrite (cubic pyrite) and framboidal pyrite (carbon rimmed spheres of pyrite), both of which require different reagents to sufficiently depress them. Naphthalene sulphonate was found to be an excellent carbon depressant, suitable for depressing graphite and framboidal pyrite, whilst cyanide specifically targets euhedral pyrite.In 2015 laboratory test work was conducted to examine the use of naphthalene sulphonate in conjunction with cyanide to selectively target both forms of pyrite. This work led to a full plant trial, the results of which showed a significant increase in plant performance, with higher copper concentrate grades and recoveries being achieved. This paper aims to focus on the benefits and importance of understanding past work and linking a detailed knowledge of feed mineralogy to reagent selection for improved plant outcomes.CITATION:O’Donnell, A R and Muller, M L, 2018. Selectively targeting hydrophobic gangue minerals at the Mount Isa Mines Copper Concentrator, in Proceedings 14th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2018, pp 413–421 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 29, 2018

By D H. Laubscher

The in situ rock mass rating system û IRMR - leading to the mining rock mass rating system - MRMR - for jointed rock masses has been used (and abused) in mining operations around the world for the past 27 years. Despite the recent development of elaborate design procedures and computer-aided design packages, MRMR remains one of the most versatile and practical mine design systems available. It is important to realise that the rock mass classification system should not be replaced but rather complemented by more sophisticated and detailed design procedures. The classification system is not only the æcrudeÆ method used for initial assessment (as described in some geotechnical literature) but also in many respects a very effective and practical engineering tool. MRMR could, and should be used during the entire stage of mine life as an integral part of the design process. The objectives of this paper are to illustrate using practical case histories from the past decade, some of the pitfalls of the MRMR classification system, to clarify certain misconceptions in its application and update its mining application.

Jan 1, 2000

By A Murphy, I Samsonova, N Eastwood, D Whittle

Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS or the Convention) (United Nations (UN) Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, 1982) establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the conduct of deep seabed mining (DSM) activities of mineral resources in the Area (defined in Article 1(1) of UNCLOS as ‘the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction’). Under that framework, DSM activities can only take place in the Area pursuant to an approved Plan of Work in the form of a contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) (the Authority), a 168-member international body created under UNCLOS to administer the Area. Private contractors can undertake DSM activities if they are sponsored by Member States of UNCLOS, providing a dual system of international and domestic regulatory control and oversight for activities in the Area.

Sep 1, 2024

By S Rogers, D Stead, E Eberhardt

The last decade has seen a major increase in use of the discrete fracture network (DFN) approach applied to cave mining problems, often integrated within more complex geomechanical simulations. Because the value of the DFN model directly depends on the quality and quantity of available field data, there is the need to apply dedicated mapping procedures to collect sufficient structural data at the required engineering scale. This paper attempts to address several key questions about DFN modelling; for example: are current methods for fracture mapping suitable for DFN modelling? What are the critical parameters that we need to measure and what do we need to change in the current practice? Particularly at the earlier stages of a cave project, engineers may have to account for the lack of appropriate data, which manifests itself in the form of increased uncertainty and the difficulty to characterise variability in an objective manner using a limited set of data. DFN models could in principle be generated using limited data by assuming statistical distributions for the sampled parameters; however, engineers would need to be aware of the implications that such limited knowledge (and increased uncertainty) would have on stability analysis, fragmentation analysis and mine design. When used correctly, a DFN approach offers practitioners the opportunity to:maximise the use of fracture data collected from mapping of rock exposuresgenerate more realistic synthetic rock mass modelsprovide estimates of natural fragmentation that also account for rock mass variability.CITATION:Elmo, D, Eberhardt, E, Stead, D and Rogers, S, 2016. Discrete fracture network modelling – importance of accounting for data uncertainty and variability, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 845–852 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016