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By Anderson DR, Tassell G

A major environmental impact study carried out in the sand dunes of eastern Cape York used image analysis of remotely sensed data to both select sites for ground investigation and categorise the different ecological units present. The approach adopted was particularly suited to the type of environment in question and allowed a high degree of quantification, at a high level of confidence, at costs several orders of magnitude less than conventional Methods.

Jan 1, 1987

By Madgwick J

A novel method for determining viable cells of the mineral leaching bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans has been developed. The cells were collected on 0.45/Lm cellulose acetate filters, washed with artificial minewater, and incubated in the presence of ferrous ion at pH3 in an atmosphere containing radioactive (14C) carbon dioxide. Colonies of bacterial growth were detected by the image formed on X-ray photographic paper (autoradiography). The method was compared with three conventional techniques and shown to detect three orders of magnitude more cells in cultures of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in the late exponential phase of growth.

Jan 1, 1987

By Keast-Jones R

The relative merits of treating coal by flotation and spiral concentrators have been examined by tests on run-of-plant fines samples from three seams in the Wittingham coal measures of the Upper Hunter Valley. Flotation of the complete fines was found to be the most metallurgically efficient process with yields substantially superior to those obtained from treatment of only the deslimed fines. A strict comparison between spirals and flotation for the treatment of the deslimed fines was impossible due to differences in product quality. However, the results indicated that the performance of a flotation circuit would be equivalent, and sometimes superior, to that of a spiral circuit.

Jan 1, 1984

The transportable moisture limit of a mineral concentrate (TML) is of great importance in the shipping of that material from Australian ports. Each year Australian mining companies incur substantial costs as a consequence of delaying shipments and/or multi-handling concentrates so as to comply with transportable moisture limits. Despite this there is a general lack of in-depth knowledge concerning factors that influence the parameter. Eight major Australian mining companies supplied sizing, specific gravity and TML data for their concentrates. Zinc, lead, copper and bulk concentrates were represented in their data. Estimated surface areas of the concentrates, as calculated from their normalised sizing data, correlated strongly with the reported transportable moisture limits. This high correlation prevailed in spite of the acknowledged limitations associated with the use of multi-sourced data and the adoption of simplistic approaches in the normalisation of sizing data and the estimation of surface area. Based on the broad range of concentrates studied, concentrate sizing data were concluded to offer potential as an alternative means of reliably estimating transportable moisture limits.

Jan 1, 1993

Much of New Zealand is comparatively young geologically in the sense that it has only recently been uplifted. In many places young marine sediments are to be found at high altitudes, as evidenced by the existence in the North Island of Pliocene shell limestones which form prominent escarpments at altitudes of about 3000 ft. inthe central part of the Island, and remnants of the same formation found on the summits of the northern Ruahin.e Range at altitudes greater than 4000 ft.

Jan 1, 1962

The ore reserves of the Frieda porphyry copper prospect in Papua New Guinea have been estimated using kriging and an alternative method. Only very erratic variograms could be obtained from the raw data and thus it can be expected that kriging variances will be unrel- iable. The frequency distributions of the two sets of estimates show expected differences and the resulting mineable reserves show similar expected differences. More drilling and the use of disjunctive kriging are needed to produce reliable estim- Ates.

Jan 1, 1979

One of the often overlooked factors affecting the capital investment decision in new or existing plants is the value of stock holdings necessary to maintain the plant. This paper puts forward a simple decision matrix on whether a part should be stocked depending on 1. the criticality of the item of equipment in terms of the effect on cash flow of its failure, 2. the lead time of the part, and 3. the stock holding value if it were Stocked.

Jan 1, 1986

By Crawford J

The paper asks the question 'Why Limit the HYDROTRANSPORT of material to the confines of your washplant'.A brief historical review of widely accepted slurry transport operation establishes that we are not talking about new technology - simply applying proven experience to an innovative continuous system.The paper reviews a simple potential application and compares capital and operating costs with conventional trucking.No attempt has been made to develop a complete mine plan and the comparison has been limited to material transport costs.

Jan 1, 1992

By Crockford GI

Some twelve months of operation at Mount Lyell, using two large diameter ball mills as a two-stage grinding circuit indicated a short- fall in the grinding capability compared with design criteria. Breakage, particularly at coarser sizes, was less efficient than with the previously used grinding circuit comprising a large number of smaller diameter mills. This paper describes both old and new equipment, puts forward the facts as they are presently known, and lists the attempts made to overcome the problem.

Jan 1, 1978

The changing characteristics of raw materials has highlighted the limitations that conventional vibrating screens have in the handling of fine wet sticky materials. These' limitations have led to the development of a totally new concept of screening, the Rotating Probability Screen. In order to illustrate the practical benefits to be gained by the extraction of fine materials ahead of subse quent processes particularly in the coal industry, the experiences gained in Ro-Pro installations in America, Australia, Europe and Britain are drawn upon.

Jan 1, 1984

By McQuade CV, Riley SJ

Acid mine drainage is an unavoidable consequence of some coal mining operations. Typically runoff pH is below 3.5 and at these pH levels heavy metals are mobilised. Leachate from coal reject dumps may require collection and treatment to raise the pH and precipitate the metals before being discharged.A bi-product of coal mining operations at Clarence Colliery is coarse washery reject. At present the coarse reject is deposited above ground and rehabilitated. Adjacent to Clarence Colliery is the Kable's Transport Pty Ltd sand mining operation. It has been proposed that co-disposal of the rejects from both operations may produce a product whose leachate has near neutral pH.

Jan 1, 1998

Major changes occurred in the management of loss prevention and risk management at operations in North and South America due to increased insurance premiums following the Olympic Dam fire in Australia in 2001. There are many different scenarios on how fires can develop and the estimated maximum losses (EML) those fires can incur. The EML is utilised by insurance companies to determine the cost of insurance premiums. The cost of insurance can be controlled at existing and newly designed solvent extraction (SX) plants by using risk reduction methods and design criteria to limit the fire exposure. A review of data collected during several loss prevention risk assessments can show how a budget can be protected from dramatically increased premiums and see which design of SX plant and fire protection standards best apply to your operations. The paper will investigate the pitfalls of existing materials of construction, capacity, geography, management practices, fire risk minimisation, and fire suppression systems. Intelligent engineering and managerial improvements implemented by the operations in the Americas in the past two years have further minimised the fire potential and benefited companies in insurance renewal negotiations.

Jan 1, 2003

By Turco E, Pelizza S, Vona A

Within the project against pollution in the Gulf of Naples (Italy) it was envisaged to build a sewage collection tunnel whose tunnelling section is about 30 m2 and whose length is over 4 km. The formations to be bored through feature heteregeneous volcanic deposits made up of either lenses or lava, lapilli and pozzolan layers and ashstone silts. The cover ranges between 10 and 30 metres. The surface is heavily built-up requiring then an accurate monitoring and reduction of noise, vibrations and settlements. The building of the tunnel is therefore carried out by means of a boom tunnelling machine equipped with a mechanized shield. Support along the complete excavation perimeter is provided by linerplates together with an immediate cement grouting behind them. At a later stage the concrete lining will be cast in place.

Jan 1, 1987

It would be a good thing when reviewing the challenges to be faced by the Australian gold industry to set the backdrop and scene for them, by briefly examining the history of this vital and dynamic industry in the Australian context. Gold mining in Australia had its official beginnings in 1851 when John Lister and William Tom discovered gold at YorkyÆs Corner, later renamed Ophir by Edward Hargraves. From that first tentative beginning, the ensuing rush of prospectors into New South Wales and Victoria meant that the annual gold production in those early years surpassed that of the next 40 years. This early rate of production was only eclipsed when AustraliaÆs production was once again lifted by the discovery of gold on the other side of the continent, in Western Australia. (Figure 1). The years leading up to the First World War saw Australian production peaking once again at over 115 tonnes of gold, a production rate that would not be surpassed until 1988. This renaissance in production at the beginning of the 1980s was achieved by the application of technology. The advent of bigger trucks and shovels meant that earth-moving costs dropped dramatically. This, coupled with the highly effective and efficient carbon-in-pulp processing route, stimulated the Australian gold mining industry into a state of frenetic activity. These two innovations were the principal factors that enabled the economic exploitation of the lower grade haloes left by the æold-timersÆ around the deposits exploited at the beginning of the last century-no high finding costs here. AustraliaÆs production through the 1980s and the early part of the 1990s was largely supported by the exploitation of these haloes. As these were depleted, the aggressive exploration effort stimulated by the strong cashflows of these early oxide deposits resulted in new æblindÆ discoveries which are now emerging as the backbone of the Australian industry (Figure 2). Gold production is a major contributor to the Australian economy. In 1998/99 the Australian gold industry accounted for approximately 16 per cent of the value of all mineral exports, which in turn accounted for over 35 per cent of AustraliaÆs total exports. As such, the Australian gold industry, by itself, accounts for just under six per cent of AustraliaÆs total exports (Figure 3). Consequently, the industry is responsible for over one per cent of AustraliaÆs gross domestic product. These statistics are all the more compelling when we consider that, at the beginning of the 1980s, goldÆs contribution to exports and GDP was insignificant (Figure 4). Within the Australian resources industry, gold mines and associated infrastructure account for ten per cent of all capital expenditure (Figure 5). From an employment point of view, in 1997/1998 the industry directly employed (excluding contractors) about 7700 people, approximately 15 per cent of all those employed in the minerals industry. Just under nine per cent of the workforce in the minerals industry are female, whereas in the gold industry over 16 per cent are female.

Jan 1, 2000

By L Yang, L Chen, E Hu, D Tang

Online monitoring of particles cumulative percent passing (PCPP) for a target size at hydrocyclone overflow, compared with traditional offline methods, provides PCPP feedback in real time, and is advantageous in enabling energy-efficient comminution, increasing downstream flotation efficiency, and improving upstream resource knowledge. However, existing online approaches are generally costly and bespoke, and some are sensitive to operational changes. Therefore, this study proposes a new low-cost alternative based on accelerometer measurement for online PCPP monitoring in the overflow of hydrocyclones and provides a preliminary experimental investigation under dry condition. The proposed method uses a sensing probe inserted into the overflow pipe of a hydrocyclone to receive particle impact from the incoming slurry, with accelerometers attached to the probe and mounting frame outside the pipe for particle-probe impact detection. As a preliminary investigation before studying particle-probe impact events in slurry, tests under dry condition without fluids were conducted using dry sand particles in free fall from a fixed height. Accelerometer measurements are analysed in both time and frequency domains through root-mean-square (RMS) and fast Fourier transform (FFT). Results show that accelerometer measurements are useful in estimating mass flow rates, which are correlated to the accelerometer output amplitude RMS values in time domain, in a non-linear mapping. Different particle size classes can be identified by examining the accelerometer output amplitude at a known mass flow rate. Different particle size classes feature their distinct signature frequencies (SFs) that can be examined via FFT and the SF is found to be independent of the mass flow rate. The results imply that any PCPP changes can be detected by the change in the accelerometer output amplitude as well as a shift in SF, which demonstrates the effectiveness of using accelerometers to gauge changes in PCPP. Based on the current findings in dry condition, future work will investigate particle-probe impact events in slurry.

Aug 24, 2022

By Jankola W. A, Delong O. J

Historically, the silica content of zinc concentrates treated at Cominco's Trail Operations has been low. Silica in the roaster calcine seldom exceeded 1.5 per cent because of the low silica content of concentrate from Cominco's Pine Point mine. With the shutdown of Pine Point, alternate sources of concentrate were required and it was anticipated that calcines containing greater than two per cent silica (with excursions above three per cent) would have to be treated. Previous experience indicated that the existing leaching circuit could not tolerate such high levels. Therefore, a research program was undertaken to identify the key factors affecting silica precipitation; to compare different process alternatives; and to make recommendations for modifications to the existing plant. A project to modify and upgrade the leaching circuit has now been completed. Calcines with higher silica contents are successfully treated, but the upper limit of the circuit is unknown. The results of the research work will be discussed and the new leaching plant will be described. Recent operating results will also be presented.

Jan 1, 1993

Exploring for deep shallow dipping orebodies can be very expensive and very difficult. Surface exploration is often not an option and obtaining the best location for underground drilling can cause production delays if drilling is carried out from development headings. The Otter/Juan mine has been in production for approximately 34 years. All of the production is now sourced from more than 1000 metres below the surface from an area known as the Edwards Lode. The orebody is shallow dipping and open at depth. Exploration drilling has been performed from decline stockpiles and from hangingwall drill drives. Drilling from footwall positions (eg decline stockpiles) into shallow dipping orebodies can often produce intersections which are unusually thick thus leading to optimistic resource figures. The decision to develop a dedicated hangingwall drilling position can vastly improve the quality of the data used to generate an orebody model. In 1997 a new extension to the Edwards Lode was discovered and named the æFÆ surface. In 1999 a resource calculation was performed using data obtained from drilling that was carried out from decline stockpiles. In 2002 a dedicated drill drive was developed into the hangingwall of the æFÆ surface to obtain better data to verify the previous resource calculation. For this case study obtaining more representative data reduced the resource estimate by 66 per cent. This information was obtained early enough to allow for alteration to the mine plan and without loss of capital.

Jan 1, 2003

Ranger Uranium Mines (RUM) operates an open cut located in the Top End of the North- ern Territory. Strict environmental controls govern all operations and the water management requirements have the greatest impact on mine planning. The two main goals of planning are to provide mill feed and to mine sufficient suitable quality waste rock for ongoing con- struction of the tailings dam. Early planning concentrated on staged development of the pit to provide access to as much ore as possible for a given amount of development. All waste was considered to be suitable construction material. Grade control of crusher feed was the main problem in planning, as wide vari- ations occur in ore grade over relatively short distances. Water management for the site ope- rates a no release' system for contaminated waters. Design storage has proven inadequate, and the open cut has been used as the extra storage. As construction of future stages of the tailings dam requires non-mineralised rock materials which meet specific quality criteria, the mine has had to re-examine long term plan- ning and pit development strategies. This has entailed the collection of much data not re- quired under normal mining conditions, such as the assaying of waste drill core. The overall impact on mine planning of the environmental regulations has been to alter the philosophy of earlier planning, making it necessary to create a new strategy for pit development with

Jan 1, 1984

By Eaton R. A

The design of most underground mining machines shows little evidence of regard for ergonomic principles and operator comfort. Likewise, efficiency and ease of operation often appear to have been given little consideration in machines where ruggedness and simplicity have tended to dictate the configuration. Improvements in productivity are amongst the benefits to be gained by a different approach to machine design. The paper describes the philosophy and features of a test bed Load-Haul-Dump Vehicle undergoing trials at Mount Isa Mines. This machine is the outcome of a Research and Development Programme conducted by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Queensland and Mount Isa Mines Limited. The diesel powered test bed features an enclosed, air conditioned cabin, with a suspended operator's control station and electrically operated controls. An electronically controlled hydrostatic transmission incorporating wheel slip control, is another innovation. The performance and operator acceptance of the machine has led to adoption of most of the concepts in a new machine now being put into production.

Jan 1, 1987

By Bruce P, Luyendyk

The South Island of New Zealand comprises a collage of distinct tectonostratigraphic terranes. Some tectonic models predict that these terranes formed on or near the margin of Gondwanaland. However, geologic evidence suggests that some of these terranes may be exotic. Over 400 samples from 30 sites were collected from the Brookstreet terrane within the Takitimu Mountains. The section includes the early Permian Takitimu Group and the late Permian White Hill Intrusive Suite. Over 80% of the rocks show a partial or complete regnetization in the present field due to recent acquistion of VRM. Although some remagnetization of the Takitimu Group occurred during the emplacement of the White Hill Intrusives, both early and late Permian direction have been isolated. These directions indicate a mid-latitude origin for the Brookstreet terrane, and suggest a strong clockwise rotation between early and late Permian time. A published paleomagnetic result from the younger, but related, Murihiku terrane suggests that the Brookstreet terrane was sutured to the margin of Gondwanaland by the late Triassic, or that the Brookstreet and Murihiku are two distinct terranes.

Jan 1, 1987