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The areas of concern lay in the processing of, and the subsequent hearing into, Waihi Gold's resource consent applications to extend Martha Mine. The proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991 might see the introduction of contestability in the processing of applications - which would have assisted Waihi Gold; and the use of commissioners to hear the applications, with a right of appeal to the Environment Court on points of law only. It is also proposed to have major applications heard directly by the Environment Court. If Waihi Gold's applications had been heard at first instance by the Court, the delays in time and associated costs would have been reduced. However a hearing by commissioners only would not have been satisfactory, there being no right of appeal against the conditions of consent, which if implemented as granted by the Councils would have had a significant impact on the costs associated with the extended project.

Jan 1, 1998

Theories of ore genesis. have both practical and philosophical application-practical in that they influence our search for new ore bodies; philosophical in that they provide a test for our theories of petrogenesis-and our ingenuity.For example, the theory of granitization requires an explanation of ore genesis compatible with the general concepts of granitization.Our understanding of some processes of ore formation, such as supergene enrichment, or the formation of residual lateritic iron ores, is so complete as to permit of nq controversy.For other ores, like the oolitic iron ores of England and France, and elsewhere, or the segregations of chromite or ilmenite in basic igneous rocks, the broad principles are generally agreed on; dispute is limited to details of process.But for a wide range of ore deposits there is no such agreement. Completely incompatible hypotheses are advanced to explain' identical facts, and we have difficulty in finding new facts or criteria that will distinguish unambiguously between them.In thinking about such ores, a co:n;venient starting point is provided by Schneiderhohn's (1953) fourfold division of ore deposits:1. The secondary hydrothermal ore deposits occurring in Mesozoic-Neozoic cover strata of Europe.2. The "regenerated" younger ore deposits in Alpine type mountain chains.3. Post-Cambrian primary hydrothermal ore deposits.4. Ore deposits of the PreCambrian shields.To these we may add a fifth group:5. Stratigraphically controlled sulphide deposits.

Jan 1, 1956

By D M. Hunter, S M. Iveson, K P. Galvin

For low density materials such as coal, density-based fractionation of particles via the sink-float method is relatively simple due to the availability of liquids of suitable density; however, for high density minerals, suitable heavy liquids are less available and those that are available are expensive and pose significant hazards. At best, sink-float separation can be performed up to densities of 4400 kg/m3 with the use of Clerici’s solution at elevated temperatures. Hence the direct measurement of grade-recovery and density-partition curves is problematic. Therefore, in most cases, beneficiation plants must rely on methods such as QEMSCAN, density tracer particles or very limited information to guide them in the design and optimisation of their plants.This paper describes a density-fractionation method utilising laminar flow through a system of parallel inclined channels to generate a series of overflow fractions at different flow velocities. Here the particles are subject to precise hydrodynamic forces with minimal dispersion or mixing. The size distribution of each overflow fraction at a given flow velocity is obtained using a laser particle size analyser, and combined with a laminar flow model to deduce the corresponding density distribution. The paper describes the application of the method to measure the separation achieved using a REFLUX Classifier to obtain the corresponding feed, product and reject ‘washability curves’, and in turn the full partition surface. Approaches used to corroborate the findings are discussed.CITATION:Hunter, D M, Iveson, S M and Galvin, K P, 2017. A batch elutriation technique for the density-based fractionation of iron ore, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 195–104 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

Autogenous-Carrier Effect and Gangue Influence in Fine Particle Flotation of Ilmenite/Titanaugite System

Sep 13, 2010

The maximum current density at which conventional copper electrowinning plants will result in satisfactory, adherent, and dendrite·free cathodes is determined by the thickness of the diffusion boundary layer. A decrease in the value of that thickness will permit an increase in the current density. This fact is utilized to develop a high current density cell in which the reduction of the boundary layer thickness is accomplished by means of a specially designed electrolyte circulation system. The high current density cell is used to determine the effect of current density on such process parameters as current efficiency, cell voltage, power consumption, and cathode purity. A number of empirical equations are developed for the purpose of estimating the magnitude of these effects.

Jan 1, 1972

The metallogenic map of New Zealand shows the distribution of metallic mineral deposits, according to type and size, in relation to their geological setting. The major purpose of the map and accompanying 200-page monograph is to summarise the distribution, modes of occurrence and origins of the metallic mineral deposits of New Zealand. The map demonstrates the prospectivity of New Zealand for metallic minerals, particularly gold, silver, iron, and titanium. Information on each deposit is summarised in index tables based on major geotectonic units or deposit/commodity type. The mineral deposits are arranged and discussed in relation to tectonostratigraphic and tectonomagmatic units or terranes, under broad geotectonic divisions of the Paleozoic to Mesozoic Western Province, the late Paleozoic to Mesozoic Eastern Province, the mid Cretaceous to early Tertiary rifting phase, and the late Cenozoic Kaikoura Orogen. Regions or areas of marked concentration of mineralisation are recognised as metallogenic subprovinces or districts, namely: eastern Northland (Hg), the Hauraki Goldfield (epithermal Au-Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu), the west coast of the North Island (shoreline placer Fe), east Nelson (podiform Cr), west Nelson (porphyry Mo), the West Coast of the South Island (shoreline placer Ti), west Nelson-Westland (placer Au), Reefton (mesothermal Au-quartz veins), and Otago (placer Au and mesothermal Au-W quartz veins).

Jan 1, 1993

To form a true picture of the early history of Queensland, we must think of white settlement advancing like an incoming tide, wave by wave; each wave lapping ahead a little further than the last. The credit for opening up the country belongs to a large number of pioneers, each of whom pushed out just a little further than his predecessors.Contrary to what one might expect, Rockhampton district was settled by overlanders from the south and not from the ocean side. When the Archers, the pioneers of the Rockhampton district, reached Gracemere in 1853, settlement had already made its way down the valley of the Dawson River; for it was from Leith Hay's station at Rannes (a few miles below Mount Morgan) that the Archers advanced northward into the unknown, to find the river that the explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt, had told them must enter the sea somewhere near the Tropic of Capricorn.The Archers travelled northward from Rannes up the valley of the Dee, coming out on the edge of the Razorback Range not very far from the point at which the Dawson Valley Highway drops over into Poison Creek. (Their diary records the bearings from a lookout point to various peaks around Rockhampton, and to-day, by plotting back from these peaks, we can determine the exact spot at which they descended on to the Fitzroy Flats.) We can be certain, then, that they must have been the first white men to set eyes on Mount Morgan; though to them it would have seemed to be nothing more than an insignificant hill...

Jan 1, 1939

By D A. Edmunds

The most important development that has been taking place recently relating to mining operations in New Zealand would generally be regarded as being the Resource Management Law Reform. This has been widely publicised by the Government as a comprehensive review of the laws governing New Zealand's natural and physical resources. Submissions have been sought and a free phone provided to encourage public participation. Recently a Discussion Paper has been prepared by the Core Group coordinating the review to explain progress on Phase One (Ministry for the Environment, Directions for Change: A Discussion Paper, Wellington 1988). It outlines Government decisions already taken which impinge on the Review and describes the possible models for resource management laws. However, it is possible that some fundamental practical issues of significance to the mining industry will not be addressed and may be lost sight of in the much wider issues which are to be covered. The purpose of our paper is to address one of these issues namely, the interrelationship between any new resource management legislation and the Conservation Act 1987 (as recently amended) in the context of Ministerial consents. The importance of this issue can be seen from the fact that as at 7 June 1988 there were 279 mining licence applications and 223 prospecting licence applications waiting to be determined by the Minister of Conservation. Since April 1987 only 19 mining and 13 prospecting licences have been consented to. In addition a major proportion of New Zealand's mineral resources are contained with land administered by the Department.

Jan 1, 1988

By Brown H. R, Wright E. A

The authors identify the workable coal seams, their distribution in relation to quality and economic occurrence and relate their analytical characteristics to industrial use. The development of established collieries is also discussed with regard to increased production demand.The authors also indicate the potential of the coal resources of the Southern District and postulate their ultimate development.INTRODUCTIONThe Southern Coalfield yields 30 per cent of the total production of bituminous coal in New South Wales. The economic potential of the coalfield was examined last by Harper (1915). Since that time additional knowledge has been gained by prospectors, mining companies and public authorities. Expansion in the steel industry and the building of power stations on the coalfields together with improvements in fuel technology, mining methops and road transport have resulted in production of coal from seams mice thoughtto have no economic value.DESCRIPTION OF THE COALFIELDFor the purpose of this paper the term Southern Coalfield includes also the South-Western Coalfield which together comprise the following Coal Districts:IllawarraDouglas ParkWollondilly-NattaiMoss Vale-Berrima (Hanlon, 1953).Geographically the coalfield is contained by the Illawarra Range in the east, the Shoalhaven River to the south, the Wollondilly River to the west, and in the north by a line...

Jan 1, 1958

The term geochemistry - chcmbtry' of the earth - is almost limitless in its implied subject, but of recent years a major trend of research in this field has been towards economic application in the search for mineral deposits, and in particular for those of some ofthe less common elements for which a demand now exists.Geochemistry is in a state of slow transition from a purely descriptive subject to a fundamental science concerned with the relationships that exist between the distribution of the elements in the earth's crust and the physical characteristics of the atoms of those elements. The progress achieved promises a set of basic principles which will relate the atomic characteristics of an element to the physico-chemical conditions that make for its dispersion or concentration. This means that, given a geological map of an areasufficiently detailed for the physico-chemical conditions existing in past geological eras to be deduced, there is the possibility that the relative distribution throughout that area of any element present, and its likely mode of occurrence, could be predicted from a consideration of its atomic characteristics.Since the atomic characteristics of the elements are becoming increasingly well defined by physical research, the attainment of this ideal of prediction depends upon:(a) the strengthening of geochemical theory; and(b) the development of petrological and mineralogical methods of assessing the conditions of temperature and pressure prevailing in geological formations at various stages in their history.The other prime requirement is a d.etailed geological map - a requirement that is all too often lacking.The fact that there has been very little "geochemical approach" to problems of economic geology in Australia should not be taken to mean that there is little point in trying to develop such an approach here in as active and as rigidly scientific a manner as possible. The degree of success that has attended the attempts so far made, to which reference is made below, suggests the reverse, particularly in view of the relatively slight cost involved if the investigations were properly organised on a centralised basis. There are three aspects of geochemistry that are directly applicable to the search for economic minerals.(a) The classic technique of the prospector can be made more sensitive and reliable by the use of modern equipment coupled with the application of geochemical theory to geological and structural data. The case of the rare alkali elements (see below) is givenhere as an illustration of the way in which the distribution of elements can be predicted from the first principles of geochemistry, thereby replacing the prospector's dependence on his "sixth sense" that enabled him to suggest that a certain area of formation was"favourable" for the occurrence of a certain type of mineral deposit.At its best, this sixth sense amounted to an almost subconscious correlation of all relevant associations and typical occurrences of the particular mineral experienced by the prospector during his...

Jan 1, 1950

In the late 1970's and early 1980's a considerable number of large scale open pit mines were developed in N.S.W. and Queensland. At the time these mines were planned, the industry was characterised by rising coal prices, rising fuel prices, and a host of other labour and government constraints different to the situation today. Yet some mines have clearly been able to cope with this change much better than others. While one mine may now be expanding and profitable, its neighbour may still be labouring under painful adjustment processes. This paper examines the major reasons for this difference. It suggests more robust criteria for assessment of future projects to reduce their sensitivity to changes outside management control.

Jan 1, 1990

By C Adams

Reports of delays and cost blowouts in major study and construction projects are becoming increasingly prevalent in the resources industry. This is mainly being attributed to an escalating cost environment associated with the increased number of projects in the development to construction pipeline and a scarcity of competent skilled resources to deliver these projects. However, not all this effect can be directly attributed to the current environment. Historically the mining industry has not performed well in its ability to deliver projects according to the financial and physical parameters forecast in the feasibility study process. To manage the risks associated with delivery of major projects, resource companies need to ensure they use a standardised approach to management of their project development to satisfy project objectives and enable more efficient use of the increasingly limited available resources. Each discrete step in advancing the project from scoping study to operations needs to be integrated, reducing the amount of rework and duplication. This paper is primarily a consolidation of existing ideas on project management systems but also introduces new concepts to solve current issues. It describes the basic components of a typical mining project, the issues that commonly arise, the key attributes, and critical steps required for an effective integrated project management system covering projects from initial scoping studies through to project commissioning and operation. This paper focuses on technical study components of the mine development project with allowance for transitioning to design and construction and operation phases.

Jan 1, 2006

Flotation Circuit Optimisation - Towards More Sustainable Practice

Sep 13, 2010

This paper aims to collate the metallurgical test work undertaken on the Barrytown mineral sands deposit. It is intended to serve as a summary of mineral dressing work undertaken by all interested parties up to the time of writing. Areas requiring further investigation are: in situ grades and recoveries of accessory minerals,the question of 'rank' of ilmenite within the deposit,flow sheet development for the recovery of gold and monazite, andcost analysis to investigate the relative worth of other minerals; notably rutile. Flow sheet development with respect to the Accessory Minerals cannot be accurately defined until the importance of each mineral in terms of grade, recovery and expected revenue is determined. To date, ilmenite and zircon flows are well documented. Further work is needed to quantify recovery's and flows of the other minerals; notably monazite, gold and rutile.

Jan 1, 1989

This modern plant consists of a battery of 72 Otto Wilputte Compound Under-jet Ovens with extensive plant for the recovery by-products. The ovens produce 9000 tons of furnace coke per week together with some 17,000,000 cub. ft. of coke oven gas, which is used for heating purposes throughout the works and for heating the ovens.Coal is supplied from the, company's colliel'ies and is stored under a Coal Handling Bridge of 264 ft. span and 365 ft. overall, capable of handling 250 tons per hour. The coal storage space of 1600 ft. can. be extended to a maximum of 2800 ft.Preparation of the coal for coking involves fine grinding which is carried out as follows:-Coal is dumped from rail waggons on to a conveyer belt which delivers it to a 12 ft. x 22 ft. Bradford Breaker, with a capacity of 400 tons per hour. The coal, then approximately 4 in. in size, passes, to the mixing bins; and after careful blending is reduced in the,hammer mills to a fineness suitable for the ovens.The fire coal is elevated to the main storage bin over the battery for subsequent charging by electric larry car. The average cokingtime is 15 hrs. 36 mins. At the end of ,this period the doors, are removed and the coke pushed from the oven by a mm. The coke, is, then quenched with fresh, water and sent to the Blast Furnace in 50-ton Copper Waggons.The gas is exhausted from the ovens by Brown Boveri turbine, exhausters of 23,000. cub, ft, per min. capacity. Exhaust steam from these is used for various. purposes in the By-Product plant. After removing the last traces of tar by Electrostatic Precipitators', the gas is bubbled through sulphuric acid, the ammonia forming ammonium sulphate, which is subsequently washed, dried and bagged for sa,le as a fertilizer. The gas then goes to the Benzol Scrubber Towers, where benzol and other derivatives are recovered and later redistilled and purified. The cleaned gas is then piped to the main works for heating purposes, being used with tar to fire the steel furnaces, and also the soaking pits and reheating furnaces.BLAST FURNACES.The company is at present operating two Blast Furnaces of 800, and 1000 tons nominal daily capacity respectively. The latter was...

Jan 1, 1938

The use of solid state detector and radioisotope x-ray source for x-ray fluorescence analysis is illustrated by analysis for iron, copper, zinc, tin, and lead in about 700 samples taken from Australian mineral process streams. Limits of detection based on counting statistics (3 standard deviations) range from 0·001 to 0·004 per cent by weight element. The analysis accuracy was usualIy between 2 to 10 per cent (rms) of the mean element concentration and was determined by comparison with assays supplied by mineral companies. In most cases the main cause of error appears to be due to this assay and not the x-ray fluorescence technique.Some potential fields of application of solid state detector and radioisotope x-ray source for analyses in the mineral industry are indicated.

Jan 1, 1974

ALTHOUGH great progress has been made in flotation of the Broken Hill silver-lead-zinc ores, no paper dealing with this subject has been presented to the members of the Institute since James Hebbard's valuable contribution in 1913. Almost every discovery or development in the history of flotation has formed the basis 6f a patent, and but few experimentalists have overlooked the fact that their investigations might lead to the establishment of a patentable process. This, together with the aftermath of patent litigation, naturally resulted in secrecy being maintained in matters appertaining to the art, and the industry as a whole has consequently suffered considerably. Much valuable time has been wasted through numbers ofmen repeating work along certain lines, which, unknown to them, had already been thoroughly exhausted by others, whereas a lot of this would have been avoided by a freer interchange of information amongst those directly concerned. Owing to differences in the ore treated and the various applications of flotation concentration in relation to gravity methods, the flotation problems of the various mines differ considerably. This, together with the secrecy previously referred to, hasresulted in the development of numerous systems and machines, most of which would appear, to the casual observer, to comprise separate and distinct processes. The author has endeavoured to show how much these processes have in common with one another, and, at the same time, has tried to convey some general ideas on flotation to those members of the Institute who are not directly associated with this branch of concentration.

Jan 1, 1919

SEVERAL serious accidents, which had occurred owing to the platman leaving the plat without first withdrawing the "chairs" from the shaft, set the writer scheming to devise a mechanically operated system which would obviate such accidents and be "fool-proof". It was obvious at the outset that some means of indicating to the engine-driver by the movement of the "chairs" themselves, whether they were "in" or "out" of the shaft, was necessary.An arrangement of signalling similar to railway semaphores was considered, but was rejected owing to the difficulties accruing from the large number of communicating wires which would be required down the shaft-viz., 2 for each level. After several experiments, a comparatively simple and efficient electrical system was devised, and which is covered by Commonwealth Patent TO. 10,402.One of the chief features of the apparatus is its simplicity, and its strongest point is the fact that both the engine-driver and platman receive visual indication of the position of the "chairs." The arrangement consists of a miniature coloured glow lamp, one for each level of each shaft compartment, arranged and placed beside the numbers and arrows corresponding to the various levels, on the winding engine indicators. Also a large indicating glow lamp is installed at each compartment in the various levels, in proximity to the levers for operating the "chairs." Upon operating the various levers for the "chairs," an electrical current...

Jan 1, 1909

Coal cleat and faulting influence failure, gas release, and choice of preferred mining directions, locations, and sequences. Unfortunately soil and younger rock cover restrict direct mapping of these structures ahead of mining operations. Aerial photographs of cover contain indirect indications of concealed structures in arrays of linear photostructures. These arrays are commonly too complex for interpretation by simple visual inspection.Analytical techniques applicable to complex arrays are illustrated for a covered part of the Galilee Coal Basin, Queensland. These techniques are: optical determination of sets in arrays of photostructures; correlation of these sets with sub-surface structures; filtering of m-rays for particular sets; detection of anomalies associated with concealed structures in the density distributions of particular sets; fitting filtered arrays to trajectories; correlation of trajectories with the regional directional variations of concealed structures; contouring of ratios of sets to discriminate anomalies associated with concealed fractures and variations in the total and bed thicknesses of cover; kinematic and dynamic inference on the basis of fracture-trace angular and spatial relationships.

Jan 1, 1979

By T Christie

Tertiary volcanic rocks make up a significant proportion of the surficial cover rocks of New Zealand, especially in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Industrial minerals that are associated with or derived from the volcanic rocks include: amorphous silica, allophane, bentonite, diatomite, ignimbrite building stone, illite clays, halloysite clay, obsidian, perlite, pumice, sulphur, titanomagnetite ironsand and zeolite. Of these: bentonite, ignimbrite building stone, perlite, pumice and titanomagnetite ironsand have been mined and processed for 20 to 30 years, but many of the others require further characterisation of the resource and/or development of markets.   We have compiled interim mineral deposit models for halloysite clays in rhyolite and for zeolites in altered vitric tuffs. These models include geological and mineralogical attributes, which are linked to the underlying volcanic and geothermal processes that have produced the minerals and their source volcanic rocks. Halloysite clay deposits at Matauri Bay (Northland) have formed from hydrothermal alteration and weathering of rhyolite. Clinoptilolite + mordenite zeolite deposits in the Ngakuru area (Rotorua district) have formed from hydrothermal alteration of volcanic glass in lacustrine sediments and ignimbrite. Further refinement and application of these models will result in a better understanding of the mineralogy, localisation and origin of the deposits, with consequent applications in exploration and resource assessments.

Jan 1, 2001