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By G. C. Thompson

'Increased underground extraction of coal' was the theme selected for the 1981 mining vacation school, which was held at the University of the Witwatersrand in January and February. The response of the industry to the invitation to register was so good that three separate schools of one week each were arranged between 26th January and 13th February. In terms of the total number of delegates, some 225 actually attending, the school can be described as the most successful ever organized by the Institute.

Jan 1, 1981

By C. W. P. Finn

INFACON is of special significance to people in South Africa who are interested in ferro-alloys, because it was in South Africa that the idea of regular international congresses on ferro-alloys was conceived and developed. INFACON 74, the first-ever such congress, was held in Johannesburg from 22nd to 26th April, 1974, being organized by the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the National Institute for Metallurgy, and the Ferro Alloy Producers' Association of South Africa. Design Awards The Design Institute is inviting entries for the 1981 Shell Design Awards. Any product that falls into the three categories shown below, and that was designed in South Africa and is in production, is eligible for an award. Since their inception in 1970, the Shell Design Awards

Jan 1, 1981

By H. E. James

During the past ten years there has been an upsurge of interest in the development of selective ion exchange resins and solvents, and of ion-exchange and solvent extraction equipment tailored to the special requirements of mineral-processing circuits. It is therefore not surprising that the recent Symposium on Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction in Mineral Processing, held at the National Institute for Metallurgy (NIM) on 7th and 8th February, 1980, was a resounding success. This Symposium, organized jointly by NIM. Ion exchange and solvent extraction The Symposium on Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction in Mineral Processing, which was organized jointly by the National Institute for Metallurgy, the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers, and the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, was held in Randburg on 7th and 8th February, 1980. Analytical chemistry The Fifth International Conference on Analytical Chemistry, organized by the Chemical Society, is to be held at Lancaster University, England, from 20th to 26th July, 1980. Coal mining The First International Symposium on Thick and Steep Seam Coal Mining will be held in London from 18th to 21st May, 1980. Mineral processing The XIV International Mineral Processing Congress will be held in Toronto from 10th to 16th October, 1982. The theme of the congress will be 'Worldwide industrial application of mineral processing technology'. Sessions will be held on the following:

Jan 1, 1980

By G. M. Wright

We are only as good as we are perceived to be by others and, whilst there is every opportunity to revise and polish our written works, there are no second chances with a spoken presentation. At every level, conferences and seminars have been metaphorical graveyards for many an academic reputation.

Jan 1, 1990

By A. K. Haines

Hydrometalurgy, particularly leaching, is a highly topical subject and always generates great interest in the mineral industry. This was evident right from the start of the organization of the SAIMM Colloquium on Leaching, which was held at Mintek on the 8th and 9th November, 1988. The response to the cal for papers was so good that the Colloquium was extended to two days, instead of the usual one day.

Jan 1, 1988

By B. C. Alberts

Rapid and effective handling of run-of-mine, waste, and treated materials is vita.! to every step of resource development and recovery. Modern mine managements have planned and engineered systems for the handling of ever-larger tonnages. Where traditional methods have not proved to be costeffective and adequate, managements have pioneered the development of new materials-handling systems in the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1983

By P. C. van Aswegen

The Schools A school on 'Measurement, Process Control and Optimization in the Minerals Industry', organized by The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, was presented twice by course leader Dr Ken Garner, ably assisted by the staff of the Measurement and Control Division of Mintek. The first school was held from 16th to 20th July, 1984, at the University of the Witwatersrand, and the second from 11th to 15th February, 1985, at Mintek. Project development The Sydney Branch of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy will hold a second Project Development Symposium in Sydney between 7th and 10th October, 1986. This second symposium will extend the range of topics covered by its predecessor in 1983 to emphasize planning (including strategic planning), construction, and project commissioning.

Jan 1, 1985

By NA NA

In the third of its features on the new owners of the British coal mining industry, Mining Technology reports on the newest company in the field, Midlands Mining.

Jan 2, 1997

By G. J. C. Young

Opening: On Tuesday, 9th June, The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy held a well-attended Colloquium on Milling at Mintek, Randburg. The meeting opened with a short address by Dr H. Wagner, Director General of the Chamber of Mines Research Organization. In his address, he highlighted the cost of the milling process to the industry. The fact that the industry at home and overseas had, at considerable expense, sent some 270 delegates to the Colloquium demonstrated the industry's concern at the high cost of this process. Clearly, this cost could be reduced only by greater understanding and interchange of information, which was the purpose of meetings such as these. Mine water The Third International Mine Water Congress is to be held in Melbourne from 23rd to 28th October, 1988, the year of Australia's bicentenary.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. W. O. Kersten

The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy recently held a School on iMine Project Planning, the objective being to educate mine personnel who are involved in the planning and management of major projects, as well as young engineers who may become involved in this field. Book prizes for universities Prizes are awarded annually by The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy for outstanding academic achievement by mining and metallurgical students at South African universities.

Jan 1, 1985

By P. N. Harris

The Colloquium on 'Recent Mining and Metallurgical Developments in the Orange Free State' was held at the Civic Centre in Welkom on the 4th and 5th May, 1983. The Chairman of the Orange Free StatejKlerksdorp Branch of the Institute and Acting General Manager of Unisel Gold Mining Company, Mr D. A. Parfitt, opened the proceedings, and Professor A. N. Brown gave the welcoming address. Mechanization of mining The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy is to hold a one-day colloquium on 'Developments in the Mechanization of Mining Operations' during September 1984. Surfac,e mining and quarrying The Second International Surface Mining and Quarrying Symposium is being organized by The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy in association with the Institute of Quarrying.

Jan 1, 1983

This Spotlight gives a brief summary of the proposed 1991 tax amendments of relevance to mines and mining houses. It should be read together with the author's article South African mining tax in the 1990's', which appeared in the August 1990 issue of this Journal. A number of tax amendments of relevance to the mining industry were proposed by the Minister of Finance in his March 1991 budget speech. In addition, certain other measures that may be implemented were set out in the budget review document released at the same time. A word of caution is necessary: these measures will become law only if and when they are enacted in the appropriate legislation. When this legislation is tabled in June, it may not contain all of the measures discussed below, some of the measures may appear in modified form, and other measures not discussed at the time of the budget may well appear. Unless otherwise stated, the 1991 tax amendments will affect companies with years of assessment ending in the twelve-month period to 31st March, 1992.

Jan 1, 1991

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

Jan 1, 1991

By D. A. Holtum

On Tuesday, 10th November, 1987, The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy held a colloquium attended by some 120 delegates on 'On-Stream Analysis' at Mintek, Randburg. Mr John Moore, Consulting Metallurgist of Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd, introduced Mr Gene Fivaz, the President- Elect of the SAIMM, who read an address by Mr B.C. Alberts, the current President. Mr Alberts was unable to attend the Colloquium owing to urgent business overseas. Opening The opening address emphasized the important role of minerals in the South African economy. In particular, it was noted that 20 per cent of the work force were employed in the minerals industry or associated industries. In recent years, production costs had risen as a result of inflation, and sanctions had had some effect on the exportation of minerals. Thus, there was continuing pressure on the industry to improve recoveries and increase efficiency.

Jan 1, 1988

By C. W. P. Finn

On 14th April, 1980, 76 delegates from industry, universities, and research laboratories gathered at the University of the Witwatersrand to attend the Pyrometallurgy Vacation School. Professor H. B. Bell, Chairman of the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, was there to lead the School, along with 12 local lecturers, who had gathered at the Hotel Devonshire at 07h30 for an Authors' Breakfast. Analytical chemistry Euroanalysis IV will be held in the town of Espoo, approximately 9 km from the centre of Helsinki, from Sunday, August 23rd, to Friday, August 28th, 1981.

Jan 1, 1980

From its early beginnings, shortly after the Witwatersrand gold rush of 1886, Randfontein Estates was planned as a heavyweight operation. The venture was capitalized by J .B. Robinson to the tune of £2 million at time when syndicates were loath to invest £50000 in ventures in and around the new metropolis, Johannesburg, which had sprung up midway along the Witwatersrand. But by then Robinson was a colossus among his contemporaries. Operating as a loner as he had done on the Kimberley diamond fields, where he created his own individual fortune and commanded the sort of respect which, early in his career, led to his election as Mayor of Kimberley. When news of a third gold discovery in the Transvaal (the first two had been in the Pilgrim's Rest and Barberton areas) reached Kimberley, Robinson's pioneering spirit was further stired and he hastened to the new goldfield to stake his claims before his business adversaries- Rhodes, John X. Meriman, Hans Sauer, and Caldecot-could entrench themselves. Once the new Witwatersrand goldfields had been proclaimed, claimpegging started in earnest. But the question was: where to start? Diamond men al, not one of the financiers had any knowledge of the geology of the gold-bearing formations.

Jan 1, 1989

By R. W. O. Kersten, J. D. Austin

A questionnaire was circulated in 1986 that had the objective of establishing the type of material that members would like to see featured in the Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The questionnaire contained five main questions involving the following:

Jan 1, 1987

By R. J. E. Stewart

Another very successful evening meeting was organized by the Johannesburg Branch of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy on 20th November, 1990, when Mr R.D. MacPherson, General Manager of Richards Bay Minerals, gave a presentation on the Richards Bay operations. The function was held in the Ballroom of the Johannesburg Country Club, and the very high attendance (some 250 people) was indeed a reflection of the high profile of the subject mater. It was also a fitting reward for the efforts of Mr MacPherson and his team, who spent a considerable amount of time and effort traveling the country to present 'the other side of the story'.

Jan 1, 1991

By P. W. J. van Rensburg

The Institute was privileged to receive an invitation from the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) for members to visit one of their plants. As these are factories, the number of visitors who could be accommodated was limited. As the opportunity seldom arises to learn something of this very large industry, there was great interest among members and many were disappointed in not being able to go. Underwater mining The 16th Annual Underwater Mining Institute will be held at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, from 20th to 23rd October, 1985.

Jan 1, 1985

By I. M. Wolff, M. B. Cortie

The Stainless Steels '91 Conference, which was held in Chiba, Japan in June 1991, was the fourth in a series of related international conferences on this theme. These conferences have a high profile and currently constitute a premier forum for exchange between researchers and industrialists active in stainless-steel technology.

Jan 1, 1991