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The papers to be presented in this Session show an interesting range of subject matter. Three discuss specific problems associated with existing mines, one deals with hydrogeological risk evaluation and one uses the impact of mine drainage on an aquifer to analyse a large-scale hydraulic parameter. Paper 1. Environment studies to determine the impacts of re-opening Banska Stiavnica-Hodrusa ore district in Czechoslovakia - Dusan Cababla - Marian Skaviniak. Future developments in established mining areas may have significant hydrogeological implications, especially where the existing mines are to be deepened. In turn this may have an impact in the area of the disposal of ever larger quantities of mine water, particularly, as is often the case, where the quality of this water is poor.

Jan 1, 1988

From statistics on general and electrical fatalities in the Australian mineral industry, it could be said that the present approach to industrial safety is irrational. Deaths are few and decreasing in number, yet spend- ing on occupational safety is large and increasing. State mine safety inspec- torates are being expanded and a National Occupational Health and Safety Commission was recently established. Recent data are analysed in the paper and mining industry fatalities placed in perspective with deaths in other areas. Cost effectiveness of different strategies is discussed along with social implications. Strategies found successful are described and others suggested.,

Jan 1, 1988

By Roberts I. R

The movement of materials is normally associated with a number of problems, some more easily overcome than others. Orebodies are frequently located in remote areas to which transport lines have to be opened. In the case of Mount Isa Mines Limited, the geographical isolation from the major consumer areas necess- itates long lines of transport and communica- tion. The problems associated with transport of metals and minerals vary from time to time because of the changing industrial environment. The increased size of vessels, changes in handling methods, and the economic pressures brought on by increased costs of transport without any guarantee of aligned increase in metal prices all contribute to difficulties which have to be faced by the mining companies in their effort to reach the markets with their products.

Jan 1, 1974

By A D. Farmer

Power ultrasound may be used in a number of ways to enhance the processing of minerals. It is both technically and commercially feasible to apply ultrasound to leaching processes in order to enhance the removal of contaminating minerals, or the rate and ultimate recovery of valuable mineral. When applied to the production of synthetic rutile from reduced ilmenite produced by the Becher process, its use proved beneficial to both the aeration and the final acid leach process. The enhanced performance is achieved through the very localised high energy release at the mineral surface from the collapse of cavitation bubbles produced by power ultrasound. This gives rise to two effects: initially, the rapid cleaning of mineral surfaces û of oxidation products and coatings of fine adhering gangue minerals û and the attenuation of the boundary layer at the mineral surface during leaching, which allows fresh leachant to contact the surface more readily.

Jan 1, 2000

While I contemplate the formidable catalogue of bodies and organisations participating in this Conference and the impressive array of qualifications chalked up after the names of the representatives I am indeed honoured to be invited to address you. When I consider the theme you have chosen for your conference I am also somewhat daunted: "The Twenty First Century - Mining for Mankind". It is indeed dramatic, challenging. But what, I ask myself, can a mere KCMG say to all you professional fellows and doctors and academicians? It is not for me to stray on to the more esoteric areas that you will be covering, thereby running the risk of teaching my grandmother how to suck manganese nodules. On the other hand it seems to me that you deserve more than the courtesies, not to say banalities, that are sometimes - sadly, and unjustly - regarded as the stock in trade of diplomats.

Jan 1, 1986

The paper sets out the context for water and the challenges that have to be faced in the battle to alleviate global poverty. It acknowledges that the world has been blessed with abundant water but because of population and development pressures, and the projected changes in climate, avoiding serious water shortages in some places will be difficult. MiningÆs use of water is placed in context and the paper then considers the specific threats to the industry in terms of availability and price and the need to find mechanisms to deal with the issue of resource degradation caused by abandoned mines. Rio TintoÆs use of water is then set out and three examples are given of how different water challenges have been addressed. The paper goes on to consider each element of a water strategy designed to move Rio TintoÆs performance towards excellence. This strategy incorporates improved management procedures (policy, principles, standards and targets), performance enhancement (through use of the Rio Tinto Water diagnostic and technology changes) and working with others in the academic and NGO community who seek to address the same global issue.

Jan 1, 2003

By M A. Faizulin, N G. Stukalova

The present till now practice of averaging of ore by metal content at mining-dressing enterprises does not allow evaluating objectively really existing regularities of dressing process. The processing of large statistical data by specially designed methods has revealed the relationships of extracted mass of metals into concentrates when processing of ore at preparation plants. The analysis of the obtained relationships points to necessity of timely control by flows of ore with due account of different sorts of metal. For this problem solving it is offered to use specially designed methods on carrying out of calendar planning of a mining and shipment of ore at open casts, based on ranked arriving of flows of different sorts ores to preparation plant. The given methods includes economic-mathematical model forming and its implementing by worked out method. The formed model allows taking into account different technological and organisation limits, typical operation conditions of open cast and preparation plants. Using this methods of control of mining operations and designed on its basis the complex of software allows increasing volume of metals, extracting into concentrate, up to two per cent without any additional costs and saving of the existing technological schemes at preparation plant.

Jan 1, 2003

By S M. Stewart

Industry, especially extractive industry, must now give serious attention to the impact its operations have on the natural environment and on the economic, social, and cultural context within which it operates.   While this obligation is statutorily managed, there has been a recent shift towards a culture of self responsibility. Industry is now talking about earning its ôsocial licence to operateö and the importance of maintaining the ôtriple bottom lineö, thus adding environmental and social performance to the usual financial criteria used to measure organisational performance. The social context within which companies operate has also become more sensitive with industry responding to a growing public expectation that it conduct itself in a way that strives for sustainability by operating and developing in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.   There are glowing accounts of industries engaging and collaborating with the communities within which they are based. In amongst these are also some disasters which result from cultural assumptions, industry created dependencies and the failure to attain community buy-in despite significant investment by the industry involved.   There are also remarkable stories of communities, and action groups within communities, being a significant catalyst for positive change of their natural, cultural and social environment. In amongst these stories there are also accounts of long and drawn out battles; adversarial situations where no one wins; a litany of mistrust, tricks and tactics, with the better resourced party ultimately achieving its primary objectives at the cost of the other (and at the cost of any potential fruitful, mutual relationships).   So what makes the difference in achieving the positive rather than negative outcomes? The answer lies in the way the outcomes are achieved. Building relationships based on good communication, respect for divergent views, mutual understanding, and the development of trust and empathy, makes it possible to identify shared goals and objectives that best meet the needs of all parties.   Research indicates the mining industry is making good progress in developing policy and commitment to community development and engagement but that, ætranslating commitments into improved practices at the site level remains one of the industryÆs toughest challengesÆ. (Australian Government - Community Engagement and Development Handbook October 2006 @ page 49.)   This paper considers the merits of a process of community collaboration and what it has to offer in terms of meeting that challenge.

Jan 1, 2007

By Cerutty L

To those who have been engaged in the construction of mining and metallurgical plants during the war and post-war periods, it is quite unnecessary to point out the large increases and violent fluctuations in prices of basic commodities and the steady and persistent rise in labour costs. It may, however, be of interest to present these facts in graphic form, and survey the relative heights of the various maxima and the lead and lag of individual waves. Since Descartes demonstrated for us moderns the analogy between geometric form and algebraic statements, the two-dimensional graph has found widespread application. Mathematicians have developed for our information, if not for our confusion, the triangular diagram and the solid three-dimensional figures, which have proved so useful, at least in the hands of the metallurgists at Port Pirie. The model (Plate 1.) which is exhibited here does not pretend however, to indicate the connection between any three inter-related variables, and it is not proposed to burden members with any abstruse mathematical expression for the irregular surface of the blocks. While time is an ordinate common to all sections of the model, each illustrates separately the variation in cost of some particular quantity between the years 1914 and 1922. It is an easy matter to record such individual variations, but it would be an impossible task to state any equation describing accurately the dependence ot the prices, say, of hardwood or of galvanized iron upon that of labour at any particular point of time. The cost of living curve, which has attained such prominence, if not notoriety, in the last few years, is the result of an attempt to show the mass-effect of the components. It is the difficulty found in "assigning the correct weight to the separate items which makes the aggregate curve somewhat misleading at times.Turning to the model, it will be noticed that each section consists of half a dozen pegs.. The first in each row,that coloured red, represents the cost of some particular quantity, such as bricks, timber or coal, at Broken Hill in 1914. The next peg, that coloured blue, represents proportionately prices for that quantity in Hobart during...

Jan 1, 1922

The new field of environmental investiga tions introduces new problems of ethics, res- ponsibility, conflict of interest and technical procedures. Such investigations involve four elements: developer, consultant, approving authority and the public. It is essential that the consultant provide technical competence, speed and efficiency, impartiality and credibi- lity. Despite allegations to the contrary, it is not in the consultant's own best interest to omit, ignore or obscure significant adverse en vironmental impacts.

Jan 1, 1975

The success of the In-Plant dust collection at the Albion Reid Quarry Plant situated at Para Hills, South Australia, is discussed in the light of co-operation at the design stage with particular emphasis on the duct- work and filter design. Other dust control facilities at the Plant are mentioned.

Jan 1, 1976

Consolidated Rutile Limited's (CRL) operations incorporate the exploration, mining, processing, marketing and distribution of mineral sands. This paper outlines the current scope of CRL operations in vegetated sand dunes on North Stradbroke Island (NSI), Queensland. Included are some specific comments relating to design and construction of high capacity dredges which float in artificial ponds and are an integral part of mining high dune ore reserves. Three floating cutter suction dredges with combined sand throughput capacity in excess of 7000 tph are used in mining operations on NSI. Initial processing is by gravity and magnetic methods on large wet concentrators also floating in the artificial ponds. Spiral sluices are used exclusively in the newest concentrator, which has the highest recovery of heavy minerals.

Jan 1, 1986

By D Manhire, G Hogan, M Ryan, S Whiteley

Site restoration at the L&M Mining Limited alluvial gold mining project at Waikaka near Gore, Southland is described. In 2000 mining operations started to recover alluvial gold beneath historical dredge tailings over 244 hectares in the flood plain of the Waikaka Stream. The project had an eight to nine year mine life but was prematurely closed in 2002 because of economic considerations. Restoration of the site back to pastoral farming, with shelter-belt and amenity tree, shrub, and wetland plantings is described. Dealings with the landowners and regulating authorities are addressed in the paper.

Jan 1, 2003

By Goldie R

The use of options theory in business has become well established in recent years and is currently one of the most exciting areas of current finance research. The theory can be used to value levered firms, and streams of contingent payments. This technique also has very practical applications in the areas of capital investment analysis and the valuation of equities in the natural resource industry. The use of options theory has been well accepted and used for many years in the trading of commodity options and futures contracts, in banking and insurance and in other industries. It also can be used to value such diverse contingent claims problems as the income tax liabilities of the firm and share underwriting agreements.Its application to the more complex options, such as those present in the resource industry, is only now becoming known. This lag is, at least partially, due to the difficult mathematics involved in solving complex options problems. Another factor is the almost overwhelming abundance of uncertainties, such as grade, tons and other natural risks, which must be considered in the evaluation mining projects.

Jan 1, 1990

The optimization of management structure systems for coal mines is undertaken with the use of economic and mathematical models of the monitoring, manufacturing, and functional subdivisions of the systems. The main para- meter to be minimized is economic loss result ing from organization faults and this is achieved, in part, by optimum distribution of both technological objects and engineering and technical personnel. Models used are of the "gated" type, parameters for which are derived from analysis of manufacturing processes and from automatic information systems. The use of these models ofmanagement structures is only part of the process of optimization of those structures for coal mining operations.

Jan 1, 1977

Before any accident prevention and total safety programme can succeed, a safety concientiousness or attitude needs to be implanted in the employees' minds. Psycholog- ical and physiological conditions play a vital role in accident causation and prevention. Both need attention in a good safety programme, but working place conditions and environment are more easily corrected. However, the challenge is to change attitudes in the minds of men - psychological factors in accidents. To do this does not require a Safety Officer, but does require a Safety Adviser. At Blackwater mine a Safety Adviser is available to all sections of the organisation to guide and assist, to provide data and material to use at meetings, to help in accident investi- gations and to help organise training. To eventually achieve total commitment requires every member of the management team to be a salesman towards all around selling an attitude to safe working, a way of life. At Blackwater mine the workforce is young overall with most employees being under 40 years old. Psychologically this is a quite different problem to a balanced ages working group. A great deal of effort is needed to communicate with the younger, articulate, better educated employee who is also generally a skilled operator in the capital intensive

Jan 1, 1975

By Coronel PT

Like companies in other sectors of industry, mining companies are experiencing significant problems with low labour productivity, high labour turnover, and accidents. Increasingly, companies are recognising that good training is a vital factor in dealing with these problems. One such company is Aberfoyle Tin Limited. Early in 1979 the company engaged P.A. Consulting Services Pty. Ltd. (P.A.) to upgrade and formalize its miner training procedures. P.A. developed a programme using their Process Analysis Method of Training (P.A.M.T.) and trained a company trainer in its use. As a result of its application and the establishment of a formal training school, the rate of production of trained miners has been greatly increased. Despite some problems caused by lack of resources at the mine, the trainees graduating under the new scheme have been shown to be of comparable standard to those produced by the previously used "on the job" training method.

Jan 1, 1980

Information obtained from a reconciliation system provides fundamental indicators to an operations performance and is often neglected as a key performance indicator when developing a business plan or mining schedule. The cycle of exploration, ore definition, mining and processing within a company is constantly scrutinised both internally and externally as to the safety, environmental and financial performance of these activities with the operators judged on their performance on a periodic basis. However, it is not unusual for the reconciliation process to be given scant attention until a serious issue (usually a shortfall) occurs, at which point short-term solutions may be implemented which only serve to compound the original problem. A robust reconciliation system takes time to develop and implement initially and must continue to evolve with time. The best systems are those where all the stakeholders in the ultimate outcome are involved in the design and accept responsibility for the validity of their component inputs. Output from the reconciliation process can be utilised to fine-tune all aspects of an operation once the underlying issues leading to a particular result are understood.

Jan 1, 2002

By Longtin Z, Jin C, Zixin C

This paper proposes a new idea of disintegrating mode (division into simpler sub-problems) for complex problems, and based on -it, a study of the structure and the design of a knowledge base and inference engine for layout design of mineral concentrator expert systems. There is also a study of the formalisation method for describing the layout picture, and the work derived therefore found a formalisation method for expressing the knowledge and experience of layout design. There is also a study of the general characteristics of layout design knowledge.

Jan 1, 1993

By Hunter M. M

The present value of the future profits of a mining operation, using a discount factor which represents the effective cost of venture capital, provides a measure of the projected success of the operation. The present value can be maximised by appropriate selection of cut-off grades successively through the life of the operation. A case study is presented in which detailed optimisation of cut-off grade results in a worthwhile increase in profitability compared with the use of a constant, break even, cut-off grade.Some implications of this approach to profit optimisation are discussed.

Jan 1, 1992