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It has long been recognised that Australia can benefit substantially in an economic sense from its rich resource base. The significant resources of the Gippsland Basin are a good example of the wealth of this nation. As cited in popular debate, Australia must value-add to its natural resources to ensure its long term economic prosperity. The significant oil, gas and coal resources of the Gippsland Basin have provided the Strategic Research Foundation with the basis for two major research and development initiatives ensuring the long term economic development of the Basin and Australia. The gas and coal reserves of the Basin together with the area's extensive history in electricity generation provide the rationale for establishing Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd. A consortium comprising Australia's leading industrialist - BHP, State energy authorities and the Nation's major research and development organisations, has formed Ceramic Fuel Cells to undertake and manage research, development and commercialisation of solid oxide (ceramic) fuel cells which convert fossil fuels directly to electricity with greater efficiency and less pollution than existing technologies. The oil and gas resources of the Basin together with the valuable experience of the operators in recovering these resources, have provided the impetus to investigate the feasibility of a Marine Engineering Research Centre. The commercially oriented research, education and training objectives of the Centre are well supported by the leading industrialists in related industries.

Jan 1, 1992

The Broken Hill orebody ,occurs in the Willyama Complex, a block of Precambrian rocks which have been strongly folded and metamorphosed at moderate to high grade. Although -the origin of the silver-lead-zinc mineralization remains obscure, recent investigations have substantiated the view that the orebody has undergone concomitant high grade metamorphism with the enclosing wallrocks. The mesoscopic structures produced by this metamorphism are described, and the possible processes Telating to their formation are disoussed.In the high grade ore, metamorphic structures which can be recognized are foliation and lineation, wallrock fragments, layering, flow folds, ore breccias, and sulphide bearing veins. These structures can be related to processes involving plastic flow and fluid phase transport of the mineral assemblage. 'In areas of low grade mineralization adjacent to high grade ore, the structures more closely resemble those produced in -the wallrocks-foliatlon, lineation, layering, folds, and sulphide injections. Within areas of high grade ore, lenses and pods of manganese silicates Probably represent original inhomogeneities in the ore, i.e., portions of manganese-rich and sulphide deficient rock which have been metamorphosed to manganese silicates.From the structures displayed, a sequence of events has been established for the plastic flow of ore during deformation.

Jan 1, 1975

Close spatial relationships between the deposits of the Etheridge Goldfield (23 000 kg of bullion) and various regional geological and geophysical features suggest that genesis of the ore deposits was a multi-stage process that started with magmatic and metamorphic stages in the mid-Proterozoic, climaxed with structural and hydrothermal stages in the late Palaeozoic and terminated with an oxidation enrichment stage in the Cainozoic. Acceptance of this hypothesis permits classification of the Georgetown region into areas likely to contain deposits of the Etheridge type and those unlikely to do so. Consequently there is little scope for the discovery of extensions of this field. However, the stratigraphic interval between the source rocks of the Etheridge field and stratigraphically bigger host rocks of the Croydon field may contain disseminated replacement gold deposits of the Carlin type. The potential host (pyritic carbonaceous and locally dolomitic siltstone of the Candlow Formation) is locally faulted and cut by granitoids and the extension of a mineralised, long-standing zone of structural weakness.

Jan 1, 1980

General recognition of the potential benefits of utilizing advanced technology has focussed public attention on the organisation of tertiary education. This has produced a situation where opportunities exist for significant changes to be implemented. The challenges to Mining education in this environment of change are analysed with respect to the setting of education objectives, the role of centres of education, course structures and student access to courses. The scope of the analysis includes formal courses for professional education and technical training, and programmes for continuing education and postgraduate research. Previous significant advances in mining technology illustrate the importance of encouraging the establishment of an extensive involvement with mining education. Education cannot be the sole responsibility of professional academic organizations; significant industry participation is essential. Methods of achieving this interaction are discussed. Major changes in techniques available for disseminating information provide a significant incentive to assess the relevance of existing course structures and restrictions on student access to courses. Establishment of a less rigidly progressive system of education is discussed with respect to the development of the full potential of computer based learning. This will expand the availability of mining education to include remote locations. The practical feasibility of such changes and recognition of the value of education as a commercial resource could also increase overseas involvement in Australian mining education. Benefits of such changes and problems that may develop if accreditation systems are not also changed to take account of new technology are outlined.

Jan 1, 1989

By Wesley, Worner H

During the meeting of the Institute last year at Port Pirie, the opportunity was taken to sample the lead bullion coming from the blast furnace and various stages during the refining process. Also, in the desilverising section, the upper zinc rich phase was sampled as the silver content built up and in the cupellation operation a series of samples was taken as the silver content of the bullion increased. In these two cases, the samples were taken under the supervision of a member of the staff of the Broken Hill AssociatedSmelters.In the following account of the microstructure of the samples taken, only the main phases present have received attention. In this connection deduction from phase diagrams of binary alloys has been used in conjunction with the assays carried out on duplicate samples taken at the same time as those for micro examination.

Jan 1, 1938

By D Chalmers, C R. Ward, B B. Beamish

Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) has re-emerged as a major concern in the Australian coal mining industry. Harmful effects from coal dust inhalation have been well documented, but the underlying causes and mechanisms of CWP are still debatable. Research conducted in the USA has proposed a plausible link between the presence of pyrite in coal and the prevalence of CWP. Reactive pyrite in coal oxidises under ambient mine conditions to produce various iron sulfate minerals such as melanterite, rozenite, roemerite and szomolnokite. Rapid reaction rates are promoted by the form (size and morphology) of the reactive pyrite present, which provides both increased surface area and increased porosity for easy air access to reaction sites. The products formed from reactive pyrite oxidation are often needle-like crystals with thicknesses in the order of 1–2 µm (eg melanterite and rozenite) and prismatic crystals with thicknesses less than 5 µm (eg roemerite) have been recorded. The densities of these minerals are significantly less than quartz, which makes them prone to becoming airborne with the normal coal dust. In fact, the mix of these mineral salts is commonly referred to as ‘fairy dust’ by mine workers due to the way they can become entrained and sparkle in the mine ventilation air, particularly if they occur in the upper part of a seam that is forming a coal roof. Examples are presented of the various products of reactive pyrite oxidation found in three Australian coal samples, which provide evidence of the physical and chemical mechanisms that would support the USA findings, particularly in terms of a source of bioavailable iron leading to increased inflammatory stress response.CITATION:Beamish, B B, Ward, C R and Chalmers, D, 2017. Products of reactive pyrite oxidation in the mine environment – implications for coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, in Proceedings Australian Mine Vent Conference 2017, pp 87–92 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 28, 2017

The methods and equipment developed and used at the Mount Isa mine to obtain samples of uncemented hydraulic fill lying above major horizontal pillars are described. From existing underground development, samples were obtained at distances up to 50 m, of which up to 30 m was through hard rock. Samples were used to predict fill behaviour as it affected mining security during recovery of the pillars.Specialized equipment for difficult sampling situations and also other sampling exercises are described.

Jan 1, 1976

On the Hauraki goldfields, within the limits of Cape Colville Peninsula, the Paheozoic rocks are confined to the district north of a line drawn from Mercury Bay on the east coast to Rocky Point on the shore of the Frith of Thames. South of Kennedy's Bay they are developed on the east coast only at Kuaotunu, at which place gold mining is carried on in sandstones and slates of this age. Between Tapu Creek and Coromandel there is, along and adjacent to the shore of the gulf, a very considerable development of PaJreozoic and in part of Trias rocks, and between the Tiki Stream and the northern end of Tokatea Hill, along the western slope of the main range, lies the special area of the Palreozoic or carboniferous rocks that have more particularly to be dealt with in this paper. The same formation has a large devolpment between Cabbage Bay and the northern slopes of Moehau, and appears to the water marge on both sides of this part of the peninsula.In this part they are of special interest as having, on the west spur of Moehau, a considerable variety of dyke rocks intruded into the sedimentaries, the interest in which is increased by the fact that these dykes theIllselves are of Palreozoic age and correspond to the dykes that are so' abundant in the Tokatea-Tiki area. It is this Tokatea-Tiki area as a goldfield, and its rocks as distinguished from later volcanic' products' on other parts 'of the peninsula...

Jan 1, 1903

By Lyon R. J P

The quartz-cassiterite-wolfram veins at the Aberfoyle Tin Mine, north-eastern Tasmania, form a sheeted zone about 200 ft. wide and 1,600 ft. long in slightly contact metamorphosed shales, slates and greywackes, and are associated with a cupola of aplitic granite whose top is about 1,050 ft. below the present surface. Economic mineralization persists from the surface down to a vertical depth of 1,050 ft. to 1,100 ft., dying away in the vicinity of the cupola. Down to the 9-level there is a progressive increase in wolfram content of the veins, and a decline in cassiterite content, with increasing depth.The veins are banded or zoned, with a seivedge of muscovite on the wall. Cassiterite, wolfram and sphalerite occur inside the selvedges, projecting into a core of quartz of varying width. Other sulphides form the central part of some narrow veins, or occur as clots in the quartz. The general sequence of deposition of the ore minerals was: (1) cassiterite, wolfram; (2) arsenopyrite, pyrite, molybdenite; (3) pyrrhotite (in part); (4) blende-group minerals-chalcopyrite, sphalerite, stannite, pyrrhotite (in part)-as solid solutions; (5) galena, tetrahedrite, matildite, native bismuth, scheelite; (6) marcasite and secondary pyrite, magnetite and hematite. The sequence of deposition of the gangue minerals was: (1) fluorine-bearing minerals-muscovite topaz, apatite, triplite, fluorite-more or less contemporaneous with the cassiterite and wolfram;' (2) quartz-contemporaneous with the earlier sulphides; (3) carbonates--contemporaneous with the later sulphides. The stages overlapped somewhat.The composition of the sphalerite and heat treatment experiments with the solid solutions indicate that the blende-group sulphides were deposited at about 6000 C., and cooled rapidly, so that unmixing of the solid solutions was arrested. This accords with the likelihood that the country rock temperature was not above 2000 C. Annealing experiments at between 3500 C. and 6000 C. led to further precipitation from solid solution at the lower temperatures, and to significant segregation by solid diffusion within, a week, indicating that both deposition and cooling of the ore were rapid processes-completed in a matter of days. Since the mineralizing solutions must have lost some heat during...

Jan 1, 1957

Copper waste dump leaching is growing in importance because of the.large tonnages (up to 250,000 ton/day) of low grade waste rock available from open cut mining of copper deposits and proof that controlled leaching of copper from such dumps can be profitable.Overburden or waste rock, ranging in size from large boulders to fines, is dumped as cheaply as possible on sloping sites. Copper is leached from the dumps by applying up to 12,000 gal/min of leach solution (a combination of spent solution from cementation and make-up water) to the top of the dumps by various techniques.Efliuent from the dumps is sent to a cementation plant for copper recovery.Factors which may be controlled, either directly or indirectly, to give a controlled copper content in the dump efliuent (usually 1-2 g/l.) are the cycle of operations (i.e. the alternate wetting and drying periods), thevolume of solution applied to the dump, pH, Fe2+ and Fe3+ content or redox potential, oxygen content, bacteria and their necessary nutrients, and temperature.Dissolution of oxide copper minerals appears to be mainly a function of acid concentration. Copper sulphide minerals need oxidation for dissolution to occur and this is accomplished by a combination of oxygen,ferric ion, and bacteria. Oxidation of pyrite, oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3 +, and hydrolysis of Fe3+ are of some importance in leaching practice. The presence of gangue carbonate minerals is detrimental.Physical factors connected with penetration of solution into large rocks are important and the treatment of an individual dump usually extends over a period of many years. Recovery of copper from solution is usually achieved by cementation with iron (usually in the form of crumpled cans) but the use of sponge iron is becoming more important. Iron consumption varies from 1 to 4 lbiron per pound of copper. Preconcentration of the copper in the efliuent solution by solvent extraction followed by electrolysis may become a useful method.Application of dump leaching techniques to metals other than copper depends on finding an economic method of recovering the metal from solution...

Jan 1, 1967

By M E. Pierce, T V. Garza-Cruz

Rock mass strength and brittleness generally have a significant impact on both cavability and fragmentation. Variability in these properties across a panel or block footprint is of particular interest because stronger units have the potential to significantly impact cave shape. This paper describes how FLAC3D™ was used to examine the impact of variability in rock mass properties on predicted cave performance to aid in assessing potential risks associated with the proposed design.A case study orebody was subdivided into a number of domains to reflect the heterogeneity of the rock mass at the scale of a proposed inclined cave. The results suggest that the presence of stronger units has the potential to impact cave shape significantly in the southern half of the cave footprint and could increase the potential for cave stalling at shallow depths. If this unit is stronger and less brittle than expected, an overhang is predicted to develop in the southern half of the inclined cave at depth. The effective hydraulic radius is significantly reduced due to the overhang in the south, and the cave could eventually stall at shallower depths in the north.CITATION:Garza-Cruz, T V and Pierce, M E, 2016. Impact of rock mass strength variability on caving, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 359–368 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Bibby P. A, Leupen R. A

A 24,300 tonnes per year state of the art Silicon smelter is being constructed for Barrack Silicon Pty Ltd at Kemerton, 20 kilometres north of the City of Bunbury in Western Australia. The plant is designed for the reduction of high purity quartzite lump to metallic silicon in two 27MVa Demag submerged arc electric furnaces. The primary reductant, a high purity charcoal, will be manufactured at the plant from locally sourced jarrah wood waste (Eucalyptus Marginata). Commercial silicon production is scheduled to commence in October 1989. Keywords: Silicon, Smelter, Quartzite, Furnace, Charcoal, Jarrah, Wood, Eucalyptus Marginata.

Jan 1, 1989

Valuable Components Recovery from Lead-Zinc Metallurgical Slag

Sep 13, 2010

By Rose W. J

Geophysical prospecting was first recognized in Australia as an important aid to mining enterprises in 1927, when, on the suggestion of Sir Herbert Gepp, the "Imperial Geophysical Experimental Survey" was organized. The function of this survey was to carry out investigations on the applicability and efficacy of the most important geophysical methods under Australian conditions. The survey was formed under the joint auspices of the British Empire Marketing Board and Australian Commonwealth Government, and the investigations were carried out in Australia under the leadership of Mr. A. Broughton Edge, B.Sc., A.R.S.M., F.G.S., M.Inst.M.M., during the years 1928 and 1929. A description of the work performed, the apparatus used, the principles of the methods, and the results and conclusions of the survey are included in a report published by the Cambridge University Press in 1931.In 1932 Sir Herbert Gepp became interested in some gold mines in Eastern Victoria, in the Cassilis and Bethanga districts, and realizing that the lodes in these areas would be favorabIe for a geophysical examination, he arranged for a series of tests to be carried out. This work was performed by Mr. E. L. Blazey, B.E.E., a former member of the staff of the Imperial Geophysical Experimental, Survey, under the general direction of, and in consultation with, Mr. W. J. Rose, B.M.E.The work was commenced in October, 1932, at Cassilis, Vie., continued at Talgarno, Vie., .and concluded at...

Jan 1, 1933

Drilling and blasting are an essential part of most mining operations, and are commonly major operating cost centres. The effectiveness of blasting can have a significant influence on all subsequent activities, and hence overall operating costs. Drilling and blasting systems must be compatible with the overall mining method, to minimise total costs and ensure operational efficiency. Selection of suitable equipment and techniques requires an understanding of the total operation, plus current skills in specialised technologies. This paper examines the contribution of drilling and blasting to total costs, including the balance between capital and operating costs. The use of computer modelling is discussed, to demonstrate how blast performance and costs can be predicted and alternatives analysed. Case studies illustrate how cost savings can be made in operating mines, and alternative systems evaluated to optimise new projects.

Jan 1, 1990

By KEITH BARRONI

In the proposed criterion for coal a distinction is made between brittle and "psuedo-ductile" failure. This criterion is the basis for the development of new equations for coal pillar strength, including a transition from brittle fracture to pseudo-ductile yielding. In addition the equations obtained allow the critical minimum pillar dimensions to be calculated to avoid "catastrophic" and "ultimate failure".The validity of these formulae can be tested by comparing their results with pillar case histories derived from the literature.

Jan 1, 1988

A commonplace, sometimes overlooked or taken for granted, article of everyday existence is the tin can. Produced from thin gauge low carbon steel, and commonly coated with a mere 60 millionths of an inch of pure tin, the product is however strong and corrosion resistant. Tin-plate serves a myriad of purposes-the most important being to meet the requirements of the canning industry. Australia's newest steel product, tin-plate, was first produced on a commercial scale during the early part of August, 1957. The commissioning of the Hot Dip Tinning Plant (Fig. 1) of The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. at Port Kembla, marked the culmination of a proposal dating back to 1939, the advent of World War II having caused its deferment to the present time.Cornish tin is known to have been exported as early as 300 B.C. to Syria and tinned vessels existed even in the year A.D. 23. The tin coating of plate could be described as an ancient art, believed to have had its origin in Bohemia in the thirteenth century. During the next 450 years, the process spread through Saxony to Pontypool in Monmouthshire, but it was a further half century before any measure of success was obtained.Perhaps the two greatest milestones in tin-plate manufacture were the rolling of iron plates first carried out in 1728, thereby outmoding the hammer formed sheet, and more recently, the development of the electro-deposition process. By the nineteenth century, several important changes had arisen; namely, the substitution of steam for water power, coke for charcoal in the production of the base metal, and...

Jan 1, 1958

When asked to lecture at Bendigo on the geological factors that determine the depths of ore deposits, I hesitated for a little before agreeing to lecture on the theory of deep ores in the city world famous as the pioneer of deep gold mining. If there be one place, wherein the conditions of deep-seated ore deposits should be sufficiently well understood, it is the city where the 180 mine made its bold plunge to previously neglected depths; and where the record of that famous mine has been broken by the skill of the managers, and the pluck of the proprietors, of the New Chum Railway and Lazarus mines.In the face of such practical triumphs, theoretical discussion may seem a waste of time, especially since it is often dedared that the existence of such deep-seated ores was denied by geological theory. This assertion is, however, startling since the oldest and best supported geoiogical theory of ore deposits, has taught for more than a century tliat ores must descend far below the regions of practical mining. This charge against Victorian geologists is generally based on opinions attributed to the late Sir Fredrick McCoy. It has been repeatedly affirmed that he declared that gold cannot occur pelow a depth of 300 feet. But so far I have not been able to discover that McCoy ever made any such assertion or ever held such a view.

Jan 1, 1902

By G Dunstan

The Ridgeway gold mine has been an enigma of the international underground hard rock community for nearly 20 years. It nearly didn’t eventuate as it was more than 500 m below a farmer’s paddock in Central New South Wales when the exploration team, looking for open pit deposits, got a sniff on its last attempt and then drilled the high-grade discovery hole. It took separate studies to find an economic mining approach. Newcrest, then a mid-tier mining company, took the venture that set it on a path of growth and built what was to become the backbone of the company for the next 15 years.The initial mining method was sublevel caving (SLC) for the upper 300 m of the orebody. The nameplate production rate for the SLC was 4 Mt/a, which was reached in June 2002 shortly after the commissioning of the materials handling system. The ultimate production rate was subsequently lifted to around 6 Mt/a through a series of innovative and efficiency initiatives. In June 2007, approval was granted for the development of a block cave (BC) operation to extract the ore reserve situated immediately below the existing SLC operations, Ridgeway Deeps. The BC was designed at approximately 6 Mt/a to match the concentrator and a systematic improvement process through the entire underground system again saw delivery rates consistently around 10 Mt/a.In line with the production rate increases, Newcrest was also committed to advancing caving knowledge through a number of targeted research and development experiments and new processes. These were primarily related to improving cave ore recovery through systematic draw marker trials, cave propagation through preconditioning techniques with associated monitoring systems. New technologies were also developed to improve the safety and efficiency of the mine through data collection, cave establishment techniques, production dispatching and autonomous loading.CITATION:Dunstan, G, 2016. The truth is stranger than fiction – the story of Ridgeway gold mine, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 19–30 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Camier R. J, Perry G. J

Extensive deposits of brown coal exist in the Gippsland Basin, primarily in the Latrobe Valley. The total quantities of economically winnable coal in this region of Victoria and in other smaller fields are large enough to adequately assure Victoria's future electricity needs and to also provide large quantities for alternative applications, including liquefaction. As a result of the recent conflict in the Middle East attention has again been focussed on the production of synthetic fuels from coal. There have been many investigations over the years into the production of oil from Victorian brown coal. The purpose of this paper is to summarise the scope, objectives and major findings of these studies, with the emphasis on the direct hydrogenation route for converting brown coal to oil. The principal alternative processes are carboniastion and hydrotreatment of the product tar, or gasification and Fischer Tropsch synthesis of liquids from the product gas. The attractions of Victorian brown coal which have encouraged these studies include: ò the vast reserves of Victorian brown coal and the favourable conditions for low cost mining, ò the high quality of the coal (low ash, sulphur and nitrogen contents), ò the high reactivity of the coal giving high yields of product in hydrogenation to liquid fuels, ò the extensive data base available on the resource and its characteristics, and ò the availability of a skilled workforce and extensive infrastructure in the Latrobe Region to support a major resource development project. These advantages have been partially offset by: ò the high moisture content of the brown coal and the cost of drying, and ò the priority previously given to electricity generation in the allocation of the brown coal resource.

Jan 1, 1992