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By Goodheart B

The Australian Mineral Sands Industry has expanded from the initial export of mixed concentrates in the 1930s, through various development stages, to its current position as a leading world producer of individual mineral products and some further processed products. Opportunities for downstream processing of the separated minerals and locating such developments in Western Australia are reviewed, along with the role of the Western Australian Government in assisting resource development projects.

Jan 1, 1986

By J Ralston, W Skinner, D Fornasiero

The Wark has been conducting collaborative research through the AMIRA International P260 series of projects for over 20 years. This paper reviews specific outcomes of successful technology transfer to flotation plant practice over that time. Moreover, findings of an independent audit of industry users of the research outcomes of the P260 project are reviewed. The key to successful technology transfer is the active engagement of industry personnel at all phases of the technology transfer process. Other research outcomes include the novel application of new measurement tools and methodologies which include, for example, advanced surface analysis techniques. These new tools and methodologies have been pivotal to improving our understanding of factors that limit the flotation separation of minerals at plant scale. Future potential targets for technology transfer to improve flotation plant practice are discussed.

Jan 1, 2009

The economic viability of base metal and gold production projects at Chillagoe, North Queensland has been elusive or difficult to achieve. Because of isolation and low grades metallurgical efficiency has always been essential. This paper, concentrates on the Chillagoe Railway and Mines Company's operations from 1898 to 1914 and Elders Resources Limited's current developmental operations at Red Dome. The technological methods of concentrating, smelting and refining the copper, silver, lead and zinc by the Chillagoe Company will be outlined as well as their understanding of the geological aspects of the ore bodies and the stock market speculation. The Chillagoe Company failed in its economic management but developed the region. Elders Resources have successfully redeveloped the region including fostering the tourist potential of the area through their expert financial, engineering and metallurgical strategies within the external economic parameters of the Pacific Region.

Jan 1, 1987

By Cecala AB

For 20 years the US Bureau of Mines has been researching strategies for improving the physical, social, and psychological work environment of the miner. The products of this program have shown that a consistent link exists between safety and productivity, and the key to this link is the use of effective human factors and management practices. There are specific research findings from the research projects of the Bureau on ergonomic design of mining equipment, redesign of tasks (especially materials handling) to minimize back injuries, human resource management techniques for increasing safety and productivity, and improved shift rotation schedules. Current research is continuing these themes with new applications to high technology mining systems, including computer assisted extraction devices and mine monitoring.

Jan 1, 1991

By Withington J. T

The four major contracts for the construction of Museum Station are: 1) Installation of Soldier Piles, 2) Structural Contract including the temporary support, 3) Architectural Finishes which include Electrical and Mechanical Services and 4) Supply and Installation of lifts and escalators. Specific areas of interest include the fabrication, installation and removal of temporary support steelwork, the monitoring of ground loading, and the interface between the structure and. the temporary support. The information collated during construction confirmed the design assumptions and criteria. No major changes'were required in the design of the construction methods. The open cut excavation and construction of this major structure in an inner city area was significant by any standard and was successfully completed with minimum disruption to the public and without damage to adjoining or surrounding property.

Jan 1, 1981

By Sroka J

A comprehensive feasibility study should be submitted as part of the loan application to a financial institution for debt funding of a proposed project. Its scope should include technical, costing, marketing and other aspects pertinent to the project. The technical presentation should be sufficiently detailed to show that the assumpt- ions concerning future performance are realistic. A lender needs to be convinced that the capital and operating cost estimates are conservatively based with adequate allowances included for contingency and escalation. The marketing assumptions determine the level of revenue from which operating cost, debt servicing, and other commitments are to be met. The foregoing aspects establish the economic viability of the project, and are therefore relevant to the risk assessment and cash flow analysis carried out by a potential lender which determine his ultimate lending Decision

Jan 1, 1978

In Europe there are many regions, where coal or lignite is mined with surface methods. In most of these regions coal/ lignite is mined below groundwater table and mining opera- tions require pumping big volumes of water. Drawdown of groundwater table has influence on surface water and ground- water on adjacent areas. Mine drainage requires purification and its discharge changes flow in existing streams. Some of mine water is used by mining companies themselves, some is used by other industries, some for communal purposes and some for irrigation. However, majority of mine water is dis- charged to rivers without use. The above issues are discus- sed on the background of general, technical and water charac- teristics of such regions in B European countries. Conclu- sions and prospects for future complete the paper.

Jan 1, 1988

Routine, in-pit geological mapping of highwall at Central Queensland Coal Associates (C.O.C.A.) deep strip mines has proved too slow for the increasingly greater highwall lengths which require mapping. This realiz- ation has encouraged the search for faster mapping methods and after trial of ground photographic methods has resulted in the adoption of interpretive mapping off stereo cover, oblique -- aerial photography. This entails using a Cessna 182 light aircraft flying at its slowest speed, the aerial meth- od finally employed consisting of two Vinten, air reconnaissance cameras mounted in parallel and simultaneously taking both colour and black and white photographs of the mine high- wall. The respective 1:500 scale enlargements produced from the 70mm format films combine to present the sharpest resolution attainable under the field conditions pertaining and such information on weathered material as only colour photography can fully render. Total costs for the aerial photography method are estimated to be about the same as those for conventional in-pit mapping. Whilst total costs are comparable, geo- logist's time for mapping a 10 km. length is reduced to less than half that for in-pit mapping (for Stage 1, fully accurate mapping) and accuracy and detail are greatly improved. A permanent, accurate record of overburden

Jan 1, 1981

By the 1990's Australia could be the largest coal exporter in the world and one of the few industrialised countries potentially able to supply the shortfall in its domestic oil requirements by utilizing its oil shale and coal resources to manufacture synthetic oil. The major challenge to both industry and government in implementing the new role for Australia will be to ensure that their actions and policies enable the timely mobilization of resources needed to meet the potential demand for energy, both domestic and overseas. Australia's potential for coal production and exports and for the production of oil from shale and coal are discussed and the potential constraints to development Examined.

Jan 1, 1981

Australia is a leading producer of mineral sands and according to U.S. Bureau of Mines, produced 24, 53 and 64% of world's production of ilmenite, rutile and zircon respectively in 1983. The industry which is mainly export oriented earned in export income about $210 million in 1985. The dominant position which Australia occupies in world produc- tion of mineral sands is also maintained in many areas of research and development work on the processing and application of these minerals. Some of this research which is leading the world has been responsible for setting up industries to produce value-added and high-tech products such as synthetic rutile and partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ). The production of high purity zirconia is due to commence shortly while research in rare earths offers an exciting prospect for future Developments.

Jan 1, 1986

Australasian mining companies expect a high standard of professionalism from their metals exploration teams. They also have, increasingly, a global perspective, employing explorationists of diverse cultural backgrounds and operating in diverse environments. Human resource development (HRD) of these professional explorationists needs to address all personal facets of functioning independently and interdependently in a modem working culture, as well as the needed technical competency. Creation of a learning organisation to promote this development is critical. Organisational consultants can support managers and supervisors as mentors facing the wide spectrum of development required by the explorationists; mentorship and guidance counselling can then complement training in the maturing of professionals from technical competence to professional independence and interdependence. Empowerment and clearly stated expectations are keys by which professionals can learn efficiently and effectively.

Jan 1, 1996

By Thorburn D

This paper reviews the history of environmental assessment in New Zealand with reference to mineral developments. Emphasis is given to larger more controversial projects particularly metal mines. The changing role and application of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Procedures is examined in the context of changes in the government's environmental administration and the response of the Ministry of Energy's resource allocation group. Conclusions are drawn on the effectiveness of the present environmental assessment activities and on the allocation of administration of priorities in the Ministry. The Ministry of Energy has effectively ceased to exist.

Jan 1, 1990

Owing to the 'creeps' and consequent movements in the mines, followed by the recent fire in the southern workings, the whole of the orebody above the 800 ft. level is now very much crushed and broken. The same applies to the hanging wall or overwall coutrny, which has subsided towards the workings, so that for some years past all development work within the lode has had to be carried out with extreme care.The continual but slow subsidence of the overburden into the stopes necessitates a periodical renewal of all gangways in the lode, and, as the subsidence amounts to as much as 60 ft. in places, these new gangways must necessarily pass through the mullock-filling of old stopes in addition to broken ore. They at times pass into the broken ground of the hanging-wall for some distance, where the orebody has widened underneath by the original folding and puckering.

Jan 1, 1932

By Colquhoun L

Flooding velocities were measured in a laboratory column (96 mm 4) provided with both bottom and side air entry Packings used were 6 mm glass rings and spheres and -16 +8 mm coke. Results showed that when air was introduced through side nozzles flooding velocities were much higher than those obtained when air was introduced at the bottom of the column. Significance of the results and application to blast furnace flooding is discussed from the viewpoint of assymmetric gas flow.

Jan 1, 1975

By R Balusu, P Humphries

In combination with detailed field studies and goaf gas characterisation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models have been used to develop optimum and effective strategies for inertisation during longwall sealing operations to achieve goaf inertisation within a few hours of panel seal-off operation. This study has combined detailed analysis of the performance of various inertisation field trials together with CFD modelling results of different inertisation operations in order to develop the optimum inertisation strategies. A number of parametric studies were conducted on the base case CFD models that had been calibrated and validated based on the information obtained from previous inertisation studies and goaf gas monitoring. These studies included changes in inert gas injection locations, inert gas flow rates, seam gradients, and different inertisation strategies to investigate their effect on goaf inertisation. Studies indicate that the strategy of inert gas injection through the MG seal was not as effective as the alternative strategy of inert gas injection at 200 m behind the face. Innovative inertisation strategies have been developed and subsequently implemented at an underground coal mine in Australia. Further investigations have been carried out in the development and demonstration of proactive inertisation strategies with the objective to suppress the occurrence of spontaneous heatings in active longwall faces, in particular under unexpected scenarios such as during slow retreat/face stoppage due to difficult geological conditions. Initial trials at two Australian longwall panels have demonstrated the great potential of this practice to contain the onset of heatings in the goaf.

Jan 1, 2005

By Giannini LM, Carras S

A fundamental problem in mine planning is that of determining the "optimum pit limit" of a mine. This optimum pit limit yields information which is considered essential in the evaluation of the economic potential of a mineral deposit, and in the formulation of long -, intermediate -, and short-range mine plans. Since the mid 1960's a number of mathematical techniques based on the "block model" have been proposed for solving this problem. When applied to large ore-bodies the implementation of these techniques, especially the more elaborate ones, poses considerable computational problems. In this paper we report on our work, done jointly with Systems Research Institute of Australia (SRIA), in devising strategies for overcoming these Problems.

Jan 1, 1986

By R K. W Merkle, E Whiteman

The anorthosite complexes and related rock types of the Indian Precambrian shield are primarily associated with either cratons or mobile belts. They were metamorphosed under amphibolite to granulite facies conditions. The major rock types are chromite-bearing meta-anorthosites, amphibolites, basic granulites, pink granites and gneisses. This study was carried out on chromitite bearing samples from Sittampundi Anorthosite Complex (SAC), Tamil Nadu, to evaluate the nature and textural settings of platinum-group minerals (PGM), using state-of-the-art technology. The structure and petrology of SAC were well studied by earlier workers (Subramanian, 1956), but only scanty data on geochemical, petrology and mineralogy of PGM are available. The mineralogy of the samples is dominated by chromite (>70 mass per cent), plagioclase (An90) and chlorite-actinolite with orthopyroxene (En85). Details of the petrological evolution of the Sittampundi complex will still have to be studied further, but indications of magma replenishment at the level of chromite formation and the elevated PGE values associated with the chromitite samples make the Sittampundi complex a promising target for future exploration activity.

Jan 1, 2008

This paper presents the water management plan of the Mae Moh Project in the North of Thailand, which includes a large lignite opencast mine and thermal power plants. Lignite production will increase from the present 5.5 million tons per annum to approximately 20 million tons per annum by 1995 when the pit area will be about 20 sq.km. and the depth at over 300 meters. Seven power plants are proposed of which two are under construction. The total capacity to be installed is 2,925 MW. The principles considered for water management are firstly flood protection, including drainage of the mining pit and diversion of the Mae Moh stream away from proposed future mining areas; and secondly, a plan to meet the water requirement of the thermal power plants, while maintaining downstream supplies for irrigation and other purposes. The limited annual run-off of Mae Moh and Mae Chang watershed basins are inadequate for the proposed power plants. A study has been prepared to compare two approaches, namely conveying water from remote watersheds to meet the water requirement of the power plants up to total installed capacity; or by limiting future total generation, at the existing site, to only 2025 MV.

Jan 1, 1988

The proportion of coal production from underground operations in Queensland, is likely to increase in the future. A portion of this increase will come from mines working under farming areas. The degree of compatibility between underground coal mining operations and farming is examined. Two case histories are considered in detail. These relate to farming areas in the Moura and Emerald districts. Mining the Moura, area has been undertaken for the last two and half decades, while in the Emerald area, large scale underground coal mining is currently being planned. Interference to watercourses and water harvesting programmes, damage to crops, and ponding in cultivated areas have been experienced in mining areas. With expansion of underground mining in farming areas, the principle areas of likely conflict are the effects of surface subsidence on irrigation and erosion control structures. Other potential problems that may arise in particular circumstances include reduction in availability of water for harvesting, pollution, surface cracking and damage to surface structures. Finely textured soils and erratic and violent rainfall patterns make farming in central Queensland particularly vulnerable to severe soil erosion unless strict precautions are taken. Soil erosion control is an essential part of farming. Contour banks are used to ensure that runoff velocities are suitably low. Where steep slopes are encountered, grassing is the most effective way to prevent erosion.

Jan 1, 1987

Gold mineralisation at the Enterprise Mine, 230 km south of Darwin, occurs within folded and metamorphosed sediments of the Lower Proterozoic Burrell Creek Formation adjacent to the Cullen Granite. The mineralised zone, which occupies an area of approximately 800 m x 300 m is local- ised by a moderately tight, upright symmetrical anticline which plunges shallowly southwards. The anticline has been disrupted by numerous faults on which the maximum movement is 40 m. Gold is associated with quartz and sul- phide veins which are present as saddle reefs, inter-reef veins and fault controlled reefs. it occurs within the veins or their alteration haloes, either as free gold (2 - 50 per cent of total gold content) or intimately associated with sulphides, principally arsenopyrite and Pyrrhotite.

Jan 1, 1984