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By A. Bouvard, N. Hoteit, E. Boidy, F. Pellet

In the context of the construction of an Underground Research Laboratory devoted to the feasibility studies of radioactive waste deposits, it appears of the utmost importance to study the long-term behaviour of rock, over a long time period. In this paper, some results of tests performed on the argillite from the Meuse-Haute-Marne site test in Eastern France are presented. Then a numerical simulation of one of this test using the viscoplastic damaging constitutive law proposed by Lemaitre is presented. Finally, this law is used to simulate numerically the behaviour of the rock at the wall of a circular tunnel in order to determine the extension and the change along the time of the Excavated Damaged Zone (EDZ). Advantages and limitations of the model are discussed. Dans le cadre de la réalisation d’un laboratoire de recherche souterrain conçu pour étudier la faisabilité d’installations de stockage de déchets radioactifs, il apparaît fondamental de caractériser non seulement le comportement viscoplastique à très long terme des matériaux mais aussi les phénomènes d’endommagement consécutif à la redistribution de contraintes provoquées par l’excavation des cavités. On présente ici les résultats d’essais réalisés sur les argilites du site de Meuse/Haute-Marne et destinés à caractériser leur comportement visco-endommageable. Il est ensuite procédé à une application de la loi viscoplastique endommageable de Lemaitre pour simuler l'un de ces tests. Les apports et les limites d'un tel modèle sont mis en évidence par des simulations numériques du comportement de la roche au pourtour d'une galerie circulaire permettant de suivre l’évolution au cours du temps de la zone endommagée (EDZ) à la paroi . Im Rahmen des Baus eines unterirdischen Forschungslabors für die Untersuchung der Machbarkeit von Deponien für radioaktive Abfälle erweist es sich als äußerst wichtig, das langfristige Verhalten von Gestein über einen langen Zeitraum zu untersuchen. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden einige Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen vorgestellt, die mit Tonschiefer aus der Meuse-Haute-Marne in Frankreich durchgeführt wurden. Anschließend wird eine numerische Simulation der Untersuchungen unter Verwendung des von Lemaitre vorgeschlagenen viskoplastischen Verformungsgesetzes vorgestellt. Schließlich wird dieses Gesetz auf die numerische Simulation eines Kreistunnels angewandt, um die Ausdehnung und die zeitliche Entwicklung der Auflockerungszone (EDZ) zu bestimmen. Es werden die Vorteile und Grenzen des Modells diskutiert.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. Janicijevic

This paper describes the process of scraper winch pull force measurement and shows the results of the actual winch pull force in extreme stall situations as well as during the face and gulley cleaning. It was found that by slowing down the motor and causing it to slip, torque up to 3.5 times higher than the nominal can be developed, resulting in the same increase of winch pull force. On the other hand, measurements of the actual force needed for cleaning of the face and the gully have shown that the currently used winches are too powerful. The extra torque that can be developed by the already too powerful winch motor poses a significant danger and necessitates the implementation of measures that will eliminate this risk.

Jan 1, 2008

By G. Westcott

Impala Platinum, the second largest platinum producer in the world, is embarking on a major expansion strategy to increase its platinum output from 1.95 moz to 2.8 moz by the year 2008. The smelter complex, situated in Rustenburg, will undergo substantial modifications, and will require a solution to the capture and treatment of the smelter off-gases and dust produced during smelting and converting operations. One of the solutions explored was an integrated approach, where all the off-gases from both the primary smelting electric furnaces and the converter operations are routed to a large central gas cleaning and double catalysis, double absorption acid plant. In-line sulphur burning, utilizing a highly flexible LURO1spin cup burner with a turn down ratio of 50%, ensures that the acid plant operates independently of operating conditions at the smelter complex.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Grgic, A. Giraud, F. Homand

RESUME : Le comportement mécanique partiellement saturé du minerai de fer a été étudié à partir d’essais de compression simple sur des éprouvettes à pression capillaire imposée par les solutions salines. Les échantillons restent peu saturés (32 %) même pour une humidité relative de 94 %, du fait de la présence de mésopores. Jusqu’à 90 % d’humidité relative la résistance diminue régulièrement. De 90 % à 94 % une forte chute est observée et pourrait être liée à la fois aux effets capillaires et à l’hydratation de certains minéraux. Le cycle hydrique subit par la roche dans la mine a été modélisé en 1D à l’aide d’un code de calcul entièrement couplé pour les milieux poreux partiellement saturés. Les calculs ont montré notamment une diminution importante en paroi des contraintes totales au cours de la phase de désaturation et une augmentation importante au cours de la phase de resaturation. Ces variations pourraient induire un endommagement du massif et être à l’origine d’instabilités, et soulignent l’intérêt d’une modélisation avec une géométrie plus adaptée. MOTS-CLEFS : mines de fer, partiellement saturé, pression capillaire, résistance, modélisation. ABSTRACT : The partially saturated mechanical behavior of iron ore has been studied from uniaxial compression tests on samples in which the suction is imposed with aqueous solutions. Samples are little saturated (32 %) even for a 94 % relative humidity because pores are too large. Up to 90 % relative humidity the strength decreases regularly. From 90 % to 94 % a great decrease is observed ; it could be explained by the capillary effects and the moisturizing of some minerals. The hydrous cycle imposed to the rocks in the mine has been modeled with an 1D fully coupled code for partially saturated porous media. The computations have shown an important decrease in the total stresses at the wall during the desaturation stage and an important increase during the re-saturation stage. These variations could induce a rock mass damage and instabilities, and highlight the necessity of a modeling with a well-adapted geometry. KEY-WORDS : iron mines, partially saturated, suction, strength, modeling. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG : Das mechanische Verhalten von teilweise gesättigten Eisenerz wird durch einachsige Druckversuche untergesucht. Die Prüfkörper haben einen durch Salzlösungen gestimmten kapillarischen Druck. Sie bleiben kaum gesättigt (32 %), sogar bei einer relativen Feuchtigkeit von 94 %, aufgrund der Anwesenheit von Mesoporen. Bis eine relative Feuchtigkeit von 90 % verringert sich gleichmässig die Druckfestigkeit und zwischen 90 % und 94 % merkt man eine starke Abnahme in Verbindung, möglicherweise, mit kapillarischen Effekten und Hydratation von bestimmten Mineralen. Die nümerische 1D Modellisierung des gezwungenen Wasserzyklus im Stein der Mine ist mit einem für porösen Medien ganz vernetzten Rechnungcode geführt. Sie zeigt besonders ein bedeutendes Sinken der Gesamtspannung während der Entwässerung und eine bedeutende Steigerung während der Sättigung. Diese Veränderungen könnten die Beschädigung des Gesteines herbeiführen und die Grundlage von Unstabilität sein. Sie unterstreichen die Wichtigkeit eine Modellisierung mit einer gut geeigneten Geometrie. STICHWÖRTER : Eisenminen, teilweise gesättigt, kapillarischer Druck, Druckfestigkeit, Modellisierung.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. Montes

Mineral floatability is strongly connected with mineral structure and composition. The complexity of mineral surfaces has meant that few attempts have been made to understand the effect of impurities (trace elements) on the flotation process. Zeta potential technique has been extensively used to evaluate the surface charge of mineral particles. Nevertheless, those measurements consider only an average of mineral particles surface charge. The presence of fine particles and inclusions covering a mineral may influence the local reagent adsorption process, which will ultimately be reflected in the subsequent global response of the mineral froth flotation efficiency. The current work assesses the iron oxide mineral, haematite (Fe2O3). Zeta potential and streaming potential techniques were used to determine the surface charge of fine and coarser particles of haematite. Further analysis was performed to determine the point of zero charge (PZC) of the mineral. In addition, adsorption isotherms of alkyl ammonium chloride reagents with different lengths of carbon chains were carried out. It was found haematite floatability depends strongly on the isoelectric point (IEP) value, which is affected by other mineral species present at the mineral surface. Haematite floatability became significant only at relatively high tetradecyl ammonium chloride collector concentrations (concentration greater than 4 10-4M), which does not happen with other oxides such as quartz. Unlike quartz, haematite develops a low surface charge over a wide range of pH, disabling all long-range attractive interactions between the mineral and the collector. Therefore, hydrophobic chain interaction is probably the most likely mechanism acting to promote collector adsorption and enhance further floatability. Diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to suggest a possible mechanism to understand the sequence of collector adsorption and the effect of trace species on it. Keywords: floatability, haematite, adsorption, electrochemistry, zeta potential.

Jan 1, 2007

By H. Hurkchand

Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted in November2001 to establish the prevalence rates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea) in a coalmining town in Mpumalanga. Methods: 155 adults were recruited (79 males and 76 females), by holding community meetings, and by door-to-door recruitment. Saliva and urine specimens were collected for the analysis of HIV and STI prevalence, respectively. Results: The mean age for males was 31.35 years (min = 19 yrs and max = 50 yrs) and the mean age of the female participants was31.90 years (min = 17 yrs, max = 49 yrs). The prevalence of HIV was found to be 22.78% [95% CI (14.09?33.59)] in the males vs. 47.37%[95% CI (35.79?55.16)] in the females, [p = 0.001, OR = 3.05, 95%CI(1.49?6.26)]. The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 7.90% [95% CI(2.95?16.39)] in the males vs. 12.86% [95% CI (6.05?23.00)] in the females, p = 0.324. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoea was 3.79%[95% CI (0.79?1.08)] in the males vs. 9.86% [95% CI (4.06?19.26)]in the females, p = 0.137. HIV was significantly associated with C. trachomatis, [p = 0.032, OR = 3.18, 95% CI (1.04?9.72)], but was not significant when stratified by gender. HIV was not significantly associated with N. gonorrhoea (p = 0.072) but it was significantly associated when stratified by gender, p = 0.001 for females. There were no significant associations between HIV and age (p = 0.408), even upon stratification by gender. Conclusions: HIV prevalence in this community is high, and corresponds to national figures. However, the prevalence of STIs is surprisingly low as it would be expected to be high in a migrant population. Although communities are exposed to expanding peer-education activities that encourage behaviour change, the prevalence of HIV in this group. There is an urgent need for interventions designed to treat or prevent HIV infection in women generally and in women at high risk. Keywords: HIV prevalence, STI prevalence, antenatal, mining

Jan 1, 2005

By M. Olper

The zinc recycling is assuming more and more importance. A lot of zinc secondaries and wastes are ready to be collected and converted to zinc metal. The impurities present in these materials and the technical and economical problems that some traditional ways of treating these materials are facing, call for new technologies. The EZINEX Process, a fully hydrometallurgical process industrially proven to convert oxidised zinc bearing materials directly to zinc cathodes, is an innovative process that can deal with any kind of zinc waste/secondaries in a very powerful way. In this paper the highlights of this process will be shown and discussed to demonstrate the robustness of the process and its economic viability.

Jan 1, 2008

By R. L. Pienaar

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B Eng (Min. Eng.) degree A study was conducted to investigated and compare the feasibility of two single level extraction layouts for an intact part of theorebody of the De Beers diamond mine, Koffiefontein. Two layouts were chosen and the tonnage profile, development schedule and production ring blast layouts were calculated by applying the information acquired through a literature study. Current principles used on the mine were also applied. The first layout chosen is described as a simple straightforward layout with 6 production tunnels spaced 15 m apart, and is referred to as Layout A. The second layout, named Layout B, is described as a complex chevron layout with 9 production tunnels spaced 15 m apart. This layout has a rim tunnel situated in the kimberlite ground, which is called a chevron and this made the layout more complex than Layout A. By comparing the financial results of the two layouts, it was found that Layout B is a more feasible option than Layout A. Sensitivity analyses show that both layouts are extremely sensitive to the revenue of the projects. Therefore it is recommended that Layout B can prove to be a source of additional tonnage to add to the total tonnage profile of the mine and to extend the life of mine by 20 months, only if certain financial/economic factors improve. There is, however, still some areas of the project that need to be investigated.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. N. Van der Merwe

The results of over 900 coal strength tests done during the period 1993?1994 for the SIMRAC project COL021A were re-analysed with a view to find a method to delineate areas or seams that can be grouped together for analyses of coal strength and strength decay characteristics. It was confirmed that the strength of a coal specimen increases linearly with increasing diameter-to-length ratio and decreases exponentially with increasing size of specimen. However, by extrapolation of the data, it was shown that beyond a diameter of approximately 2 m, the size effect is insignificant. For larger specimens, the diameter-to-length ratio (referred to as the width-to-height ratio for full scale mine pillars) alone continues to influence the strength. The slope of the linear strength vs. diameter-to-length ratio relationship is independent of the size of the specimen and is not unique for coals from different mines. However, the intercept of that relationship is unique and is a function of specimen size. This offers a previously unknown method to distinguish between the coals from different mining areas and coal seams. Ranked from weakest to strongest, the samples tested from the different mines are in the order shown below, which roughly corresponds to the judgement of practising rock engineers in the field: ?Sigma ?ZAC ?Goedehoop ?Kriel ?Bank ?Blinkpan ?Secunda ?Greenside Arnot ?Khutala ?Delmas

Jan 1, 2003

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B. Eng (Mining Engineering) degree The stability of a ferrosilicon dense medium suspension is one of the most important parameters to keep under control since it determines the density gradient of the medium in the separation zone and thus directly influences separation sharpness. The stability of ferrosilicon suspensions were characterized using settling tests employing a differential pressure method. Particles smaller than 45 µm and especially the ore fines played an important role in the settling behaviour of the solids. High medium stability is favoured by ore fines, fine medium particles, and high medium densities. Keywords: dense media, ferrosilicon, dense medium stability, ore fines

Jan 1, 2002

After the closure of collieries, they naturally start to fill up with water. As a result, hydraulic gradients develop between them and different hydraulic pressures are exerted onto peripheral areas or compartments within mines. This results in water flow between mines, or onto the surface. This flow is referred to as intermine flow. The collieries in the Witbank Coalfield have geometries such that there are several areas where this intermine flow is possible. Since the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has declared intermine flow as one of its greatest concerns for granting closure to South African mines, much research into this phenomenon is required. The challenges in determining intermine flow are numerous, and attention has focused on identification of areas where these flows can take place. The quantification of these flows is problematic due to the uncertainties in exact geometric configurations and the variation in site-specific hydraulic properties of thecoal and overlying lithilogical layers. During this study, use has been made of numerical flow modelling and several analytic solutions to test the applicability of the flow models as well as to predict groundwater flow directions, filling times of voids and flow volumes. The numerical modelling methodology entailed a downscaling approach starting with a broad regional model covering the entire area, followed by modelling the interactions between interconnected mines, and finally looking in detail at the major areas of interaction.

Jan 1, 2005

A single aggregate mix design was developed based on a slag/Portland binder blend and crusher sand. The primary design criterion, after performance, was the fluidity of the shotcrete and concrete product to ensure compatibility with existing manufacturing and shotcrete equipment as well as the pipeline transport system Cullinan Diamond Mine was investigating. Initial work had determined an optimum slag/Portland to aggregate ratio while retaining a water to slag/Portland binder ratio of approximately 0.4 to maintain the flowability of the product. A super-plasticizer was used to further increase the flowability of the product as opposed to increasing the water content. Finally a polypropylene reinforcement fibre was included in the wet shotcrete product to improve the energy absorption characteristics of the shotcrete. Previous work on the strength development of the slag/Portland based shotcretes and concretes suggests that strength class based on the EN 206 specification is C40/50 while the toughness classification based on the EFNARC plate test is c, or greater than 1000 joules1. Typically, Cullinan Diamond Mine wanted a shotcrete with a uniaxial compressive cube strength of 45 MPa and an energy absorption, based on the EFNARC plate test, in excess of 700 joules. This is an EN 206 strength class of C36/45 requiring a uniaxial compressive core strength of 30.5 MPa and a toughness classification of b1. In addition to the shotcrete development, Cullinan Diamond Mine required concrete products with a compressive strength range of between 25 and 60 Mpa for differing construction operations underground to be manufactured from the same mix design and raw materials as for the shotcrete. Finally, Cullinan Diamond Mine carries out extensive dry shotcrete operations and an investigation into the possibility of using the single aggregate mix design for dry shotcreting was also entered into. This paper presents data that indicates that, under the terms of reference, a wet and dry shotcrete and concrete product appears to be possible from a single aggregate less than 6.7 mm in size, and that a slag/Portland binder is suitable for use as the hydraulic binder in all the products, and that the necessary performance parameters of strength and energy absorption can be achieved.

Jan 1, 2006

By Kurt RP Petersen, Hendriena van der Walt

With the decline in fine diamond production from the Argyle mine in Australia, there is a greater emphasis on efficiently treating the finer size fractions through a DMS circuit. Although it is generally well understood that smaller diameter cyclones are more appropriate for this application, practical results do not necessarily meet this expectation. In this paper the operational performance of particular sized cyclones throughout the group was compared. Based on the results there is evidence that under certain practical operating conditions, small cyclones are not necessarily best for fine size particle treatment, particularly given the production pressures faced by all mines. However, there seems to be considerable merit in using larger sized cyclones, which tend to exhibit less performance variability, irrespective of operation conditions.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. P. Jensen

This is a sampling of the papers presented at the conference, the proceedings can be bought from the SAIMM Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) computational techniques allow treatment of gases, liquids and solids in the same simulation. ALE methods include the ability to treat shock waves in gases, liquids and solids and the interaction of shock waves with each other and with media from one of the other categories. ALE codes can also treat explosive detonation and the expansion of the explosive gases and their interaction with air and solids. ALEGRA is a 3-D ALE code that has been developed at Sandia National Laboratories over the past few years. ALEGRA has been applied to a 2-D simulation of presplitting using decoupled explosives in rock blasting with very interesting results. The detonation of the explosive at the bottom of the hole sends a shock wave up the borehole driven by the explosive gas expanding into air. The explosive gas compresses the air against the stemming column where it rebounds and recompresses at the bottom of the borehole. This type of ringing takes several cycles to damp out. The explosively induced expansion of the borehole is also treated by ALEGRA as well as the shock wave imparted to the rock. The presentation of this paper will include several computer animations to aid in understanding this complex phenomenon.

Jan 1, 2000

By J. Golamnejad

This paper attempts to model long-term production scheduling problems by chance constrained binary integer programming in a stochastic environment. This stochastic model is set up to account for ore block grade uncertainty. The probability distribution function of grade in each block is used as a stochastic input to the optimization model. This distribution function in each block should be determined using a Geostatistical Simulation approach. The deterministic equivalents of these chance constraints are then achieved, which are in the form of nonlinear in binary variables. A confidence level at which it is desired that the uncertain constraints holds, is specified in each scheduling period. Rather than the previous risk-based model, this formulation will yield schedules with a high chance of achieving planned production targets while maximizes the expectation of net present value and minimizing the variance function simultaneously. Using this method, the grade uncertainty is integrated explicitly into the optimization process.

Jan 1, 2006

By C. F. Vos, J. D. Miller, J. C. Davidtz

Small replacements of C12-trithiocarbonate (C12-TTC) for dithiocarbonate (DTC)/dithiophosphate(DTP) in a reagent suite for the flotation of platinum group metals (PGM) have significantly improved the rejection of gangue. Coupled to this is an improvement in kinetics, grade and recovery of PGMs. In a pilot-plant trial, after a 5 mole per cent replacement of the current DTC/DTP collector combination by C12-TTC, large opaque bubbles were replaced by small clear ones. In addition, a similar flotation response was realized with one-third of the current depressant dosage. During a preliminary plant trial on underground UG2 ore, the initial rougher concentrates were characterized by higher PGM concentrate grades and this was in part due to improved chromite rejection. The concentrate produced from the TTC trial also exhibited a much finer particle size distribution. The overall circuit performance, which included secondary regrind and flotation, showed an increase in concentrate grade of approximately 44% while the tailings grade remained unchanged

Jan 1, 2006

By SDN Wessels, WA Naismith

On 16 July 2004, at 07:10 a collapse of about 1.8 million m3 (about 4 ½ million tonnes) took place on the north wall on Nchanga Open Pit This collapse was the result of a developing instability that was first identified when the benches in this area were exposed during September 2002. The NOP Geotechnical and Survey Departments closely monitored the development of the failure. Control measures were implemented to reduce risk to men and equipment. These measures were continually improved and adjusted in reaction to observations and changing conditions. The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail the monitoring results that were obtained both by traditional methods and the novel Slope Stability Radar System (SSR). Difficulties encountered in establishing critical deformation levels and deformation rates that can be used to predict the onset of collapse are described. Details of the monitoring and control measures, which led to the successful completion of mining in the area, are also described in this paper.

Jan 1, 2005

By G. Taylor

A 21st Century worker is one who works less with his physical power and more with mental ability. Such a worker is more skilled than a labourer and is consequently rewarded accordingly. A21st Century supervisor is one who ensures that workers are constantly supported so that they can maximize safety and productivity. A 21st Century manager is one who constantly searches for ways to maximize returns for the various stakeholders. Given the well-known constraints in narrow reef mining, all of the above is meaningless unless a mining method is found which provides conditions which support the 21st Century initiatives. [ ] The identified mining method is a continuous non-explosive stope breaking system using rocksplitter technology. Rocksplitting is defined as: The fragmentation of rock through high energy pulse wave transmission in a fluid-filled hole or hydro fracturing. Shotholes are effectively filled with a water-based geland 30 grams of explosive after which the hole is closed off with a ?rocksplitting gun?.

Jan 1, 2000

Control of flotation processes is mostly managed by plant operators, who assess the performance of the plant based on their own experience and other heuristic rules. These rules tend to be subjective or ill-defined, since most of them are concerned with the structure of the flotation froth, such as colour, bubble size and shape distributions, froth mobility and froth stability. These phenomena are very difficult to quantify objectively, and inexperience on the part of the operators, human error, etc., can lead to significant inefficiencies in plant operation. In this paper the development of a fuzzy system to support the control decisions of plant operators is described, which leads to significantly smoother control action and more stable plant operation than could be obtained with crisp sets of rules or manual control strategies. Keywords: flotation, fuzzy logic, image analysis, genetic algorithms, rule induction

Jan 1, 2000

By J. H. Potgieter

This paper describes two cases of corrosion that occurred in dry-process, rotary, cement-clinker kilns. In the case of the kiln with five pre-heater stages, the attack occurred primarily from sulphates that probably originated in the raw feed and fuel being used in the plant and that penetrated the refractory lining. The corrosion was similar to ash-deposit corrosion often observed in steam boilers. In the second case the plant consisted of a long dry kiln with a single pre-heater fitted to the feed-end. In this case the corrosion could be ascribed to alkali chloride penetration through the refractory-brick lining and subsequent hot corrosion of the kiln shell.

Jan 1, 2004