Search Documents

The BHP Billiton Cannington mine uses sequential flotation to treat a silver, lead and zinc ore supplied from an underground mine. The final products from the process plant are a silver rich lead concentrate and a zinc concentrate. Operational history of plant performance highlighted that the majority of valuable metal losses to final tailing occurred in the -5 ¦m fraction. Research completed on the flotation characteristics of this size fraction in plant feed resulted in the development of a split flotation process to improve the silver and lead mineral recoveries. Construction of a $A 9.5 million brownfield project to install the new split flotation circuit at Cannington was completed in July 2002. The circuit consists of three stages of cyclone classification to recover the ultra fine material to a final cyclone overflow stream, conditioning of this pulp to achieve optimal process conditions, and conventional rougher and three stage cleaner flotation to produce a silver rich lead concentrate. The rougher tail from the new circuit is recombined with the cyclone underflow streams and processed through the original lead-zinc flotation circuit. This paper discusses the circuit design, material properties, material selection for components of the circuit, operational practices and requirements to ensure the circuit succeeded in meeting production targets. The technology is subject of a number of patent applications including international application No PCT/AU02/00400.

Jan 1, 2003

About 3km2 of the central Luise Caldera, in which the Lihir orebody is located, is geothermally active wit.lj gas seeps and fumaroles, and in some areas, a water table at boiling point.The proposed mine, adjacent to Luise Harbor, will be excavated to more than 200m below sea level and will extend into the geothermal system to depths at which current rock temperatures are 170¦C.

Jan 1, 1994

By Aspinall T. O

Draglines have found wide application in strip mining coal seams down to 60m depth. A research Project funded through NERDDC has been underway during the past two years investigating the application of large draglines loading overburden into hoppers feeding into conveyor systems or off-highway trucks. This paper presents the preliminary results of these investigations and covers overburden characteristics, bucket spotting con- trol, bucket design, conceptual hopper systems, system application at representative mine sites, and broad process comparison. The studies have initiated new concepts in the extended use of draglines at deeper strip- ping depths. Alternate arrangements for dragline bucket rigging and bucket control aspects of dragline stripping operations offer productivity improvements. Extended use of existing draglines includes, draglines dumping into hoppers which feed large trucks or conveyors, trigger dump buckets rigging arrangements, and rear dump dragline buckets with integral grizzly bars. The paper details these suggestions, and points to specific areas where the most productive applied research is anticipated. Mine planning considerations detail the factors involved in selecting dragline bench heights in association with hopper operations.

Jan 1, 1989

By P M. Cepuritis

In hard rock mining, large-scale bulk mining methods such as block or panel caving (BC/PC) and sublevel caving (SLC) typically generate significant surface deformations such as subsidence. Surface deformations need to be considered in the project evaluation and planning stages of cave mines, for example, planning and location of critical underground mine planning infrastructure such as portals, haulage and vent shafts, access roads, or potential damage to existing infrastructure, changes to surface water management, waste dump, stockpile and tailings dam stability, and environmental impacts. Assessing the impact and risks associated with subsidence is a key component in robust mine planning and operations management.

Nov 29, 2022

As modern techniques of Petroleum Exploration and Development are rela-tively new in Australia,2 the alien terms "Mud Logging" and "Core Analysis" will bear explanation. Mud Logging and Core Analysis are two of the Petroleum. Industryts most useful "tools" in the successful search for, and development of, commercial oil and gas deposits. Modern Mud Logging could be more accu-xately termed "Drill Cuttings and Mud Gas Analysis". Presently, mud-logging has its greatest application in exploratory wells where subsurface geologic control is at a-minimum.

Jan 1, 1962

By Higuchi K, Sekimoto Y

In this report,the results of the large diameter drilling tests in coal seams assisted with water jet are described. The stress relief in coal seams by this new method is as effective as by the conventional method and the penetration speed by this method is 1.5 times as fast as by the other method. 1 Introduction The average mining depth of Japanese coal mines has already attained about 700m from the surface. Almost all coal mines are suffered from occurrence of coal and gas outbursts. To prevent outbursts, some countermeasures are taken generally. In particular, large diameter stress relief borings have been carried out quite often at Akabira coal mine located in the northern part of the Ishikari coal field in Hokkaido,JAPAN. These borings have had successful results but the drilling work of such large diameter

Jan 1, 1987

By C Fenton

The mining industry is a relatively minor user of water, which has historically been largely soured from private schemes. Frequently mines are often located in areas with limited available water resources. Water reform is increasingly affecting access to water for new mining projects and mining companies are being required to consider the value of water and the implications of reliability in their planning. This paper seeks to briefly review the water reform process in Australia and how it is affecting the mining industry with reference to some recent project experience.

Jan 1, 2003

It is no longer adequate when starting a new mine to simply select the best equipment. Today's competitive international commodity markets demand superior efficiency which requires systematic involvement of people in continual improvement of production and commercial processes. True Total Quality of Management (True TQM) principles provide an operating philosophy for maximising productivity and minimising unit costs of output. The presentation will show the practical and successful use of these principles. This paper will introduce the case study and provide background material on True TQM.

Jan 1, 1995

It is no longer adequate when starting a new mine to simply select the best equipment. Today's competitive international commodity markets demand superior efficiency which requires systematic involvement of people in continual improvement of production and commercial processes. True Total Quality of Management (True TQM) principles provide an operating philosophy for maximising productivity and minimising unit costs of output. The presentation will show the practical and successful use of these principles. This paper will introduce the case study and provide background material on True TQM.

Jan 1, 1995

By M Grigorescu, S Crimp, J H. Hodgkinson, P Kokic, W Jin

Mines are typically located in remote, inhospitable locations and movement of materials between site, processor and port are often at risk from extreme weather events. Mining companies have recorded multiple supply chain, production and logistics delays caused by climatic events. Recent analyses of extreme temperature and rainfall events (90th and 99th percentile values) for 1960 to 1985 and 1986 highlighted regionalised increases in the frequency and intensity of extremes. The trajectory of this change is likely to be maintained (IPCC, 2014) in regions where increases have occurred historically, suggesting that some parts of the industry may be faced with management challenges beyond current experience (Hodgkinson et al, 2010; Loechel, Hodgkinson and Moffat, 2012). Reliance on historical data to plan for extremes (such as scheduling production downtime to reduce impact) will become increasingly ineffective as the data become less representative of future conditions. Importantly, mine site remediation and closure management need to consider the future climate to ensure rehabilitation is sustainable under changing conditions.Vulnerability assessments and risk-reducing adaptation will become more common as the industry reaches to secure both a mine’s longevity and the industry’s reputation as shareholders and clients become less tolerant of repeated or prolonged interruptions (Hodgkinson, Hobday and Pinkard, 2014). Climate-resilient new mines may be planned using site planning tools combined with knowledge of future climate scenarios. Scenario tools are valuable for developing a gated risk management approach to reducing climate-risk during a mine’s life, through to the rehabilitation process and for managing care and maintenance or closed mines.CITATION:Hodgkinson, J H, Crimp, S, Jin, W, Kokic, P and Grigorescu, M, 2016. Life-of-mine planning tools for a changing climate – intuitive, interrogative, iterative, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2016 Conference, pp 71–74 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 28, 2016

Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited has maintained an interest in the screening of iron ore fines (nominally -6 mm). However, no dry screening process had successfully demonstrated acceptable separating efficiencies at high tonnage rates, low operating costs, and mechanical reliability when screening iron ore fines (containing up to 6% free moisture) at sizes of around 1 to 2 mm. A new type of vibrating inclined screen has recently been developed which is claimed to have a non-blinding screening surface. It was decided to test a pilot scale unit in an existing pilot plant located at Hamersley's facilities at Dampier, Western Australia. The appropriate operating parameters such as vibration speed and feed rate were determined using one fine ore type. Mats with different aperture sizes, and different feed moisture contents were also tested. Trials were then conducted on various fine ore types to indicate the effect of different size distributions on separating efficiencies. The effects of feed moisture content were determined with these ore types, and a blend of lump (nominally -30+6 mm) and fines was tested to compare the screen's performance with that of the bottom deck of the minesite product Screens.

Jan 1, 1991

By Floyd J. M

The recovery of gold from refractory ores and concentrates can be achieved in a number of ways using roasting and leaching procedures. The Sirosmelt system introduces a new approach to the recovery of gold from these materials using smelting procedures. Laboratory studies were carried out to establish procedures for operating the Sirosmelt system for recovery of gold and associated valuable elements from an ore containing 17.5 g/t gold and a concentrate containing 22 g/t gold as well as substantial copper levels. Copper, iron, lead and matte were evaluated as collecting phases for the gold. The ore smelting procedure recovered 80-90% of the gold whilst smelting concentrate gave 98-99% gold recovery.

Jan 1, 1987

By L Mackinlay

The Apeketon Business Hub in Lihir, Papua New Guinea, emerged in 2019 through a partnership between Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) and Lihir Gold Limited (LGL), a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation. This development was driven by a shared vision for the Lihir gold mining operation to further enhance opportunities for the local community and strengthen the economy’s resilience post-mine. At its core, the business hub serves as the epicentre of ABV’s operations in the region. It includes a drop-in resource centre which provides the community with mentoring and consulting services, and access to a range of impactful workshops facilitated by ABV’s local staff and skilled volunteers. These workshops focus on local Lihirians but are open to the entire community, including Newmont employees. We design and continually refine Apeketon Business Hub support programs and offerings driven by community priorities, building trust through long-term relationships, and working side-by-side on real-time challenges. We offer three core programs to different levels of the community, from individuals and families to start-ups, large corporations, and landowner groups. There is significant demand for the support services provided by ABV, with over 350 Lihirians participating in our workshops over the 2023 calendar year. One of the hub’s core offerings is the Family Money Management Program, which addresses crucial challenges faced by Lihir households, particularly in terms of financial resilience. The program takes a comprehensive approach, assisting families in long-term planning and developing skills to effectively manage the income they derive from their employment with LGL and other enterprises. Significantly, the program also addresses financial stress, a factor often associated with domestic violence (Fox et al, 2002). By empowering women and promoting joint financial decision-making, the Family Money Management Program fosters a culture of savings and improved financial management, ultimately enhancing economic resilience within the community.

Sep 1, 2024

By C van Wyk, I Reeves, J Webber, G B. Gnoinski

The minerals industry has been given an opportunity to grow and continue to advance again in an environment where there is the potential to reap big rewards for efficiency improvements due to buoyant metal prices and the growing demand of markets in Asia. Improving efficiency may also provide a better return compared to risks of expansions and bringing new projects online due to limited human and financial capital.An opportunity for improvement presents itself in the area of mine-mill reconciliation, which entails the quantification of the variance between measurement points along the mining value chain. Reconciliation factors are calculated from the variance between respective sections within the mining sequence. These factors are commonly used as key performance indicators to provide a check on the performance of the operations. Over parts of the mining value chain, there is a fair understanding of the reconciliation between the Resource and Reserve estimates and the measured metallurgical plant inputs and product outputs through understanding of the mine-mill interface. The quality of reconciliation data gathered across the mine and plant is generally not well established due to practices employed in generating the data. The reconciliation variances are often a function of data accuracy and quality used in the comparison. In general, the sources and magnitude of measurement and sampling errors and their impact on reconciliation are not that well understood. Examples of the current practices of mass measurement, sampling, sample preparation, chemical analysis and quality assurance for broken ore and across the metallurgical process stream are considered. Guidelines are given for those reconciliation elements that are identified as requiring a high degree of confidence for Mineral Resource/Reserve and metal accounting reporting. These guidelines are presented and practices are demonstrated to improve mine to mill reconciliation and support increased resource to product efficiency and value.CITATION:Gnoinski, G B, van Wyk, C, Webber, J and Reeves, I, 2012. Guidelines and practical applications for continuous improvement in mine to mill reconciliation, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 309-316 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

It is no longer possible to establish a quarry on the most convenient hill then abandon the site, leaving a scar if the stone or sand in the deposit is found to be unsatisfactory. Before approval is given to operate a new quarry, the relevant authorities require a detailed plan of operations from commencement to final rehabilitation. To prepare this plan, a thorough know- ledge of the quality and size of the deposit is required. To obtain this information, the industry must use the most modern techniques available. Many examples can be given showing problems which have affected the smooth operation of a quarry for many years because the initial exploration was poorly carried out. The factors which must-be considered when exploring a deposit are detailed in this Paper.

Jan 1, 1979

By M Fuchs

Roadheaders were introduced to mining and tunnelling in the early-1960s. Since this period their main field of application has been for roadway drivages in coal mines and for mineral production, for instance in coal, rocksalt, potash and gypsum mines. Their main field of application in tunnelling is in softer and partly friable rock formations, a suitable area for non-blasting excavation. However, in longer tunnel sections excavators with high ripping forces have replaced roadheaders in many situations. The main arguments against roadheaders have been and still are:a sharp increase in excavation cost with increasing rock strength and increasing abrasivity; and greater risks in conditions which have not been, or could not be, investigated to a sufficient extent. These arguments have, to a great extent, restricted practical roadheader application in production mining and in a lot of æstandardÆ tunnel projects. To address these limitations, factors which could make roadheaders attractive for such conditions and could overcome existing technological difficulties have been investigated. Extension of the economic field of application in hard rock was found to be the most important and the most effective step forward.

Jan 1, 2002

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a major mining development typically has to address various aspects of surface water management, including some which generally tend to be the more contentious: the diversion of rivers and creeks from areas disturbed by mining, and their rehabilitation; the effective management of disturbed area run-off via the collection, containment and treatment of contaminated water on site in sedimentation dams; the collection, containment and treatment of mine pit water; the decommissioning of surface water storages; final void water quality; and water discharge criteria. Environmental Impact Assessment processes for proposed mining developments in Australia at the state and commonwealth level usually involve a form of Initial Advice Statement (or Notice of Intent), Terms of Reference, an EIS, and a Supplementary Report (or similar) which responds to agency and public comment on the EIS. The EIS is used by approval agencies to decide the acceptability of the Project, and to set the conditions of approval. The conditions are often in the form of a state-issued æOperational LicenceÆ or similar. With mining, the initial approval at the EIS stage is often just a pre-cursor to various other planning related approvals, including obtaining a mining lease. Afterwards, mine plans and plans of operations must be submitted to government at various stages of the mineÆs life, ostensibly to provide the detailed mine planning over periods of one û five years. Despite all this additional planning and documentation beyond the submission of the EIS, government approval agencies are increasingly not satisfied with conceptual water management designs and commitments to an outcome (such as meeting a specified water quality standard) in the EIS. Agencies are also requiring sufficient water management design information to be convinced that the outcomes are achievable. To assist proponents of major mining developments, the Queensland Government has published Technical Guidelines for water management, and Environment Australia has published a æBest Practice Environmental Management in MiningÆ booklet on water management. In addition, the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC. 2000) has published Water Quality Guidelines which provide an approach to water management, and provide receiving water investigation trigger criteria. So, what are the water management issues that are likely to be the subject of comment, debate and negotiation prior to the EIS being approved? and what commitments may a mining proponent have to make in order to convince the approval agencies that sufficient investigation and design has been provided? This paper provides some answers to this question, by reference to recent major mining proposals which the author has managed through state and commonwealth Environmental Impact Assessment processes.

Jan 1, 2003

The causes and impact of stability problems associated with longhole open stoping (LHOS) at The Zinc Corporation, Limited (ZC) and New Broken Hill Consolidated Limited (NBHC) are discussed and LHOS stability objectives presented. The development of appropriate rock mechanics techniques is discussed and the reasons for using contract research are explained. Reference is made to the rock mechanics techniques developed and in use. The requirements to effectively use these techniques are discussed. Features of the staffing policy which has been adopted to develop and apply the LHOS stability assessment and control techniques are Outlined.

Jan 1, 1983

This is the seventh major symposium organised by Illawarra Branch over the past five years and the fifth dealing with various aspects of coal. It is clear that all of you here need no convincing that black is beautiful! This symposium is on a broader canvas, covering the overall field of occurrence, preparation and utilization of black coal throughout Australia. It is thus the most comprehensive treatment of the subject by the Institute since the symposium organized in 1950 by the Sydney Branch with the co-operation of the then newly formed branches in Newcastle, Illawarra, Central Western N.S.W. and Southern Queensland, all of which shared coal as a major interest. The 1950 symposium was adopted as a volume in the series of seven published by the Fifth Empire Mining and Metallurgical Congress in 1953. This historical reminiscence brings to our minds the circumstances in which these new Institute branches were formed. This happened in the year of the presidency of the late Frank Hockey, and at the time the Australian black coal industry was in many ways at a very low ebb. It was the time of extreme shortage of coal following World War II, and the industry was beset by industrial unrest on such a scale that daily bulletins were posted listing the number of idle pits, of idle miners and of tons of lost production. There could not, of course, be any thought of export marketing. Some of the more picturesque bulletins recorded the number of pits at which the ceremonial emptying of billies took place, and the number of pits at which the aroma of the horses' breath was insupportable. At an Institute conference at the time it is on record that the late lamented Austin Edwards, that tireless mineral researcher, author and editor, in his gentle way chided the personnel of the industry and the members of the Institute for having allowed a situation to develop in which a whole generation of Australian children could grow up without ever having seen coal or knowing what it was. It is sad that most children and most Australians have still never seen coal, and think of it as something dirty and uninteresting. The desperate situation of the black coal industry inspired moves by people in industry and in governments, whose plans and efforts have been recorded elsewhere, to modernize coal mining methods, to introduce coal preparation, and generally to restore the mines and the mining communities and to re-cast the steel industry and electricity generation. Amelioration of the traditionally troubled industrial relations was an integral part of this overall programme, and whilst one would wish this aspect had progressed further the situation has, in fact, improved immensely. New investment in exploration, mining, preparation, transport and utilization both by the existing coal mining groups and by new entrants, Australian and overseas, have played a large part in bringing about the transformation of the industry to such a point that Australian needs are being fully met and a large export market is being supplied - a situation that few would have dared to hope for in those dark post-war days. Forecasts of exports from New South Wales and Queensland show coal becoming a dominant foreign exchange earner for an indefinite term. Old King Cole may have vanished from our children's nursery rhymes but King Coal is here to stay, providingthat costs in the industry can be kept within competitive limits. It is all too easy for an industry to price itself out of the export market by inflation, by increased costs for a variety of reasons, and through currency readjustments. A second proviso is that we must continue to encourage a balanced attitude to environmental matters.

Jan 1, 1975

Water is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity in Australia and the mining community is finding itself competing with pastoralists, domestic consumers and industry for access to what is an essential but finite resource. This paper will provide an overview of various legislative regimes in Australia governing water resources, and will review some of the fundamental issues which should be considered by mining companies when contracting with other parties for the supply of water. The paper will focus on mechanisms to secure access to water for mining purposes, and will deal with the following issues: Grants of water entitlements under legislation û (navigating the legislative requirements necessary to facilitate the taking and use of water for mining activities) The paper will focus on the key legislative requirements for securing access to water in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, and will examine: compliance with regulatory processes for securing water entitlements through the grant of water allocations, licences and permits, etc; and dealings with water entitlements (ie statutory mechanisms for transferring water entitlements on a temporary or permanent basis). Securing access to water under water entitlements through contractual means. The paper will also review of some of the fundamental issues which should be considered by mining companies when contracting with holders of water entitlements for the supply of water from both groundwater and surface water sources. These issues include (inter alia): securing appropriate rights to take and use water in compliance with relevant legislation, the necessity to protect the validity of underlying water entitlements, ensuring the security of supply for the contract term, access rights affecting water entitlements and other important issues relating to the security of water entitlements for miners.

Jan 1, 2003