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By B Clements, G Lane

The operations and project environments are very different, but overlap in many areas. The development of mineral processing projects is goal oriented, is schedule focused and is a contractual environment. The operating environment for a mineral processing plant is oriented around longer-term commitments, focused on delivery against budget expectations, and an environment heavily influenced by long-term personal relationships, community relationships, and people issues.Further contrast is evident in the way expenditure is managed. Projects commit large amounts of money quickly to meet schedule-based objectives. Operations manage expenditure to minimise operating costs and are able to, or are forced to delay decisions on large expenditures. However, these two environments need to come together in many ways, ranging from greenfields plant handover to a new operations and maintenance crew, to day to day interaction and management of brownfields projects, often in close proximity.This paper considers the different perspectives people bring to projects and early operations, including the advantages and disadvantages of æoperationsÆ input to a project and models for managing value adding during project development, implementation and debottlenecking.CITATION:Lane, G and Clements, B, 2012. Operations versus projects - How do people think and what are the implications?, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 11-16 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By B Davis, A H. Benzer, A N. Mainza, C M. Evertsson, L M. Tavares, M M. Hilden, M S. Powell, C Rule, G Asbj÷rnsson

The Mogalakwena North Concentrator of Anglo Platinum Operations was built with the capability to allow for future projected expansion. Several research groups, currently working with Anglo American on collaborative research over a range of projects, were brought in to review the existing operation, with a view to releasing some specific bottlenecks and providing specialist design input to the potential plant expansion.Based on a thorough review of the high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) and crushing circuit, a wide range of de-bottlenecking opportunities were identified. This was followed by a series of surveys to provide performance measurements and to model the circuit in detail. From this effort a full simulation of the plant has been developed, including updated models of the HPGR, crusher, bins and screens. These models have been implemented in the researchersÆ Model Development Kit (MDK) version of JKSimMet, and in a prototype dynamic simulator based on the Matlab Simulink software.The observations, measurements and simulations have provided guidance and quantified the benefits of some proposed circuit modifications. Based on these findings a number of upgrades are being planned, with the aim of ensuring full utilisation of the installed equipment. The circuit demonstrates a potential expansion of over 30 per cent through minor improvements, and a 70 per cent increase in capacity with the addition of some strategic equipment.The HPGR-crushing upgrade project demonstrates the potential benefits of nurturing disparate Research groups into a strong inter-disciplinary technical team capable of supporting operational needs while developing future technology.CITATION:Powell, M S, Hilden, M M, Evertsson, C M, Asbj÷rnsson, G, Benzer, A H, Mainza, A N, Tavares, L M Davis, B, Plint, N and Rule, C, 2012. Optimisation opportunities for high pressure grinding rolls circuits, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 81-94 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By R Crosbie, K C. Runge, E Tabosa, J K. McMaster

Flotation feed density is an operating parameter which is currently not well understood. Most models of flotation only incorporate its effect on particle residence time, but it is likely to have additional effects within both the pulp and froth phases of the machine. Test work was performed in MetsoÆs 3 m3 RCS test rig to investigate the effect of flotation feed density on metallurgical performance. The rig was operated at Rio TintoÆs Northparkes operation using flotation feed and scavenger tail. For each feed, tests were performed at different feed densities, and measurements were performed to estimate the pulp and froth recovery as well as other key flotation parameters (eg bubble size, turbulence and froth stability). Results of this test work have shown that the pulp density does affect key parameters of the flotation process in both the pulp and froth phases. Pulp phase kinetic rates decrease at high density and this is attributed to a reduction in the turbulence within the cell. Froth phase recovery, however, improves presumably because of a stabilising effect due to a greater loading of solids on bubble surfaces.There is a need for more research to be done to better understand these interactions so that metallurgists can determine the optimum flotation feed density to use at a particular operation, or within a section of a flotation circuit.CITATION:Runge, K C, Tabosa, E, Crosbie, R and McMaster, J K, 2012. Effect of flotation feed density on the operation of a flotation cell, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 171-178 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By M S. Powell, M P. Bueno

The commonly used SAB, SABC and run-of-mine (ROM) ball mill circuits can achieve high throughputs with good operating stability. However, these circuits consume a substantial amount of grinding media, which can have a substantial impact on the OPEX and the æcarbon footprintÆ, specifically when viewed as an æembodiedÆ energy input. On the other hand, fully autogenous (AG) circuits can operate at much lower operating costs, but with limited throughput. The control of AG mills, fed by ores with hard and soft components, can also be challenging, due to the sensitivity of the mill to the ratio of hard to soft components.In this paper, a multi-component modelling approach was used to demonstrate that the harder component should be used as grinding media, and its use should be kept to a minimum to avoid reduction in the mill throughput. There is an optimal blend of hard to soft, and any optimal blending condition is both ore-dependent and mill-specific. Establishing this blend is challenging, and consequently discourages the use of autogenous mills. The new modelling approach addresses this challenge by providing a quantitative prediction of the influence of blending soft and hard components in a mill. This prediction can then be used to establish the required blend for maintaining a stable and efficient operation in autogenous grinding mode.CITATION:Bueno, M P and Powell, M S, 2012. How to use hard ore components as grinding media, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 31-36 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By W Valery, A Jankovic

A growing demand within the minerals industry for sustainable development and the introduction of carbon taxes have resulted in a significant focus on improving the energy efficiency of comminution circuits. However, in this drive for improved energy efficiency the role of classification has been overlooked. Inefficient classification and large recirculating loads reduce circuit capacity, result in over-grinding and higher specific energy consumption.It is well understood that classification increases mill capacity; therefore, closed ball mill-cyclone circuits have become an industry standard. However, due to limitations in cyclone classification efficiency, the optimum recirculating load is limited to about 250 per cent. A simple relationship quantifying the effect of classification efficiency and recirculating load on grinding circuit capacity is presented in this paper. The possibility of improving the capacity of ball mill circuits by improving classification efficiency is discussed, considering the current practical limitations of classification equipment. Simulation tools were used to evaluate circuits with cyclones and with high frequency screens to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency. The investigation also identified potential benefits to flotation recovery due to a reduction in over-grinding.CITATION:Jankovic, A and Valery, W, 2012. The impact of classification on the energy efficiency of grinding circuits - The hidden opportunity, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 65-70 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By D Hillier, A Giblett, K Parker, V Ramsell

Kalgoorlie Consolidation Gold Mines (KCGM) operates the Kalgoorlie Super Pit open cut, Mt Charlotte underground mine, Fimiston process plant and Gidji Roaster facility for joint venture partners Newmont Mining Corporation and Barrick Gold. In 2004, the Fimiston plant was upgraded by the addition of gravity concentration to the Fimiston and Mt Charlotte grinding circuits, including the installation of a central intensive cyanidation reactor to process the gravity concentrates. The gravity project was justified after detailed analysis demonstrating an expected increase in overall gold recovery of approximately one per cent, in addition to reduced elution costs and reduced gold inventory in flotation concentrate stockpiles. The gravity circuits were commissioned in August 2004, and have since consistently recovered 10 to 20 per cent of the gold present in the KCGM ore, delivering a reduction in coarse gold losses equivalent to 0.45 per cent additional metal recovery and contributing to improved metal accountability.CITATION:Giblett, A, Hillier, D, Parker, K and Ramsell, V, 2012. The impact of gravity gold recovery at Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 199-206 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By S Farrokhpay, M Zanin

Although it is well understood that in flotation collection zone and froth zone are deeply interconnected, and reagents (and in particular collectors and frothers) cannot be selected without considering their synergistic effect, this concept is rarely applied in plant practice. The feed mineralogy also has an important role in how particles and reagents interact in flotation, which is sometimes overlooked by operators. In this work, a combination of batch flotation tests and froth stability measurements was used to optimise the collector and frother scheme for the flotation of a copper ore. The methodology was applied to an Australian copper plant which was experiencing high variability in froth stability in the roughers when the feed ore mineralogy was changing. It was hypothesised that chalcopyrite in the feed in combination with isobutyl-xanthate had a destabilising effect on the froth phase under the reagents scheme used. Froth stability was restored if a shorter chain length, less hydrophobic, xanthate was employed. It is apparent that the hydrophobicity of adsorbed films at the solid/liquid/air interfaces has a critical role in enhancing or reducing froth stability. Unstable froth causes a reduction in copper recovery in spite of a high collection zone flotation rate. The case study suggests that collection zone and froth zone can rarely be optimised independently of each other. With the laboratory procedure adopted, a more suitable reagents scheme was determined to respond to changes in the feed mineralogy, avoiding fluctuations in plant performance due to unexpected froth instability.CITATION:Farrokhpay, S and Zanin, M, 2012. Synergic effect of collector and frother on froth stability and flotation recovery - An industrial case, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 145-150 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By J Lombardi, M Weidenbach

"OZ MineralsÆ Prominent Hill copper-gold concentrator is located 650 km north-east of Adelaide, 130 km north-east of BHP BillitonÆs Olympic Dam operation and 130 km south-east of the regional township of Coober Pedy, in the Gawler Craton region of South Australia. The concentrator was built in 2008 and commenced commercial production in early 2009. The Prominent Hill concentrator is comprised of a conventional grinding and flotation processing plant with a 10 Mt/a ore throughput capacity, operating well over the design rate of 8 Mt/a. Increased throughput rates have seen a decreased water recovery from the tailing thickener due to operating above design. Subsequently, greater pressure was placed on the site water balance and bore field off-take rates due to increased evaporation losses from greater volumes of water reporting to the tailing storage facility. This resulted in a trade-off between water availability and milling rates as part of the operating strategy.Two projects were implemented to increase the tailing thickener underflow density, thus improving water recovery directly back into the operating plant, reducing water losses via evaporation and decreasing the reliance on the bore field system operating at maximum rates to maintain mill throughput. The two projects were: tailing thickener feedwell redesign implementation of the Manta Cube control system.This paper discusses the background, implementation and benefits attained from these two key projects. Combined they have allowed a two to three per cent increase in tailing thickener underflow density to be consistently achieved, which has allowed greater water recovery. As a result, the processing plant has been able to operate at higher throughput rates when required, with greater water availability in the process plant recirculating system and a reduction in occurrences of the plant being æslowed downÆ due to water supply shortfalls. Both projects have also delivered a significant reduction in flocculant usage.CITATION:Weidenbach, M and Lombardi, J, 2012. Tailing thickener operability and control improvements at Prominent Hill, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 137-142 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Oct 29, 2012

By N Weerasekara, M Bird, M Yahyaei, M M. Hilden, M S. Powell, J Franke, P Toor

The combination of new tools with a more rigorous approach to understanding the interaction of mill liners with overall mill performance and economics, forms the basis of an integrated approach to liner management. Based on accurate liner wear measurements, some (limited) physical mill inspections and surveys, accurate calibration of the mill load and analysis of process data, a whole new approach to liner selection, relining intervals and mill control is proposed. Collection and analysis of this information in operating mills illustrates the mill performance improvement which can be attained through this careful measurement and modelling approach.A more holistic approach to liner management is proposed, including a broadening of the current work to cover the potential benefits of improved relining technologies and predictive liner wear modelling. CITATION:Powell, M S, Hilden, M M, Weerasekara, N, Yahyaei, M, Toor, P, Franke, J and Bird, M, 2012. A more holistic view of mill liner management, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 95-104 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By J Seppelt

The Kanmantoo Copper Project is owned and operated by Hillgrove Resources Limited and is situated in the Adelaide Hills region in South Australia. Mining in the area has taken place off and on over the last 140 years to recover metal from both copper and lead-zinc ores. This paper focuses on the commissioning, ramp up and future outlook for the copper concentrator at the Kanmantoo Copper Project with major focus on issues encountered and operating performance achieved to date.CITATION:Seppelt, J, 2012. Commissioning of the Kanmantoo Copper Concentrator, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 127-136 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By C J. Greet, J Kinal, C Hitchen

Following the successful completion of a marked ball test defining the potential wear benefits the high chrome alloys may offer against forged steel, as well as laboratory test work investigating changes in pulp chemistry and improvements to metallurgical performance, a plant trial was commissioned at NewcrestÆs Ridgeway concentrator. The paper briefly describes these results.Newcrest decided to convert their media charge by the top-up method. To monitor the trial a sampling protocol was put in place whereby the pulp chemistry was monitored before, during and after the purge. The metallurgical shift data was analysed using various statistical methods to determine if the metallurgical performance had improved with the change in grinding media. While the analysis indicated that the metallurgy had improved, not all of the benefits could be assigned to the change in grinding media alone. However, the combination of reduction in media wear and the increases in copper and gold recoveries suggested that it was economically viable to operate with high chrome grinding media.As with many trials of this nature the prevailing economic conditions are fluid and a decision was made to revert back to forged steel grinding media in an effort to reduce operating costs. It was further agreed that Magotteaux could monitor the pulp chemistry and metallurgical changes in this reverse trial to confirm the results observed in the earlier conversion to high chrome grinding media.CITATION:Greet, C J, Hitchen, C and Kinal, J, 2012. Conducting high chrome grinding media trials at NewcrestÆs Ridgeway Concentrator, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 56-64 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By R A. Pax

Operational grinding mills emit significant acoustic emissions which are a consequence of the dynamic environment prevailing inside them. From a technical perspective, the noise presents an opportunity to determine some details of the processes occurring inside the mills. The noise generated is not random and can be attributed to a range of events that occur inside these mills, consequently non-contact acoustic determinations of in-mill behaviour provide powerful insights into the operation of primary comminution tumbling mills. To enable a logically coherent picture to be formed of the processes inside a mill, arrays of microphones have been used. This approach allows a clearer picture of the in-mill behaviour of the charge to be accessed. In contrast to single microphone approaches, usually located near the expected charge toe position, an array of microphones allows much more useful information to be obtained from grinding mill noise.This paper will discuss and present data obtained from microphone arrays positioned at the toe and shoulder locations of a mill, and how this information can then be used for the optimisation of grinding mills in real-time.CITATION:Pax, R A, 2012. Determining mill operational efficiencies using non-contact acoustic emissions from microphone arrays, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 119-126 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By C McHugh, F Oppolzer, B Rogers, A Stokes

Rio Tinto has embarked on a journey to use automation to improve the performance of its surface mines. The driver for automation has more to do with improving the accuracy and consistency of mining processes and less to do with cost savings through labour reduction.A key task in most surface mines is blasthole drilling. The degree to how well this is done cascades through the downstream mining process. It impacts scheduling, excavation, slope stability, material handling, beneficiation, ore loss and final product blending. Improved blasthole drilling was identified as an objective that has a significant business case in most of Rio TintoÆs surface mines.This paper describes Rio TintoÆs multi-drill automation project, which has developed a robust system for automating most of the functions on several Caterpillar SKSS16 drill rigs. Automated drilling is currently being trialled in production at the West Angelas iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. A description of the essential elements of the automated multi-drill system is given together with an overview of how automated drilling is performed remotely from the operating bench.A review of the performance and benefits of the automated multi-drill system is given together with future plans to extend the functionality of automated drills.CITATION:McHugh, C, Stokes, A, Oppolzer, F and Rogers, B, 2012. Automated multi-drills in Rio Tinto, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 83-88 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By T Laing, M A. Abdalla, P Hagan

Open pit operators are facing a number of challenges in the area of blasting and blasting processes, such as wall control, quality of fragmentation, explosives consumption and vibration. Remaining financially viable is one of the most significant objectives for mining professionals as they work through the blasting challenges within the mining chain of processes. This objective is such a significant challenge, primarily due to the high consumption of materials and the direct consequences on the downstream processes in the mining work flow, including loading, hauling, crushing, milling and mineral concentration. This paper reviews and discusses a technique to achieve this objective, namely air-decking. The performance in a number of mines around the world is reviewed focusing on the economic contributions of air-deck blasting. Various scenarios are investigated and simulated, covering both conventional and air-deck blasting, using JKSimblast software. The scenarios explore a range of issues and found that optimum results could be achieved with a minimum amount of explosives. The results obtained from the simulations were verified with blasts at Rixs Creek Coal Mine, Australia. Based on the verification results the simulations were then modified to more accurately model the actual conditions and parameters on site and to ensure that the models derived meet the production and control requirements at the mine site. Ultimately, overall analysis and comparisons were applied to the outcomes of the conventional and air-decking blasts revealing a reduction in material consumption of around 25 per cent with consequential savings and up to a 30 per cent reduction in ground vibration.CITATION:Abdalla, M A, Laing, T and Hagan, P, 2012. The contribution of air-deck blasting to open pit mining economics, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 7-12 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By V Gumba, S Narendranathan, C Barker, R D. H Thomas, G P. Bungard

This paper presents the positive outcomes on an EPCM project, which was undertaken in a challenging environment, whereby the design team had to generate a design with a number of stringent serviceability criteria, any deviation from which would have had significant implications to the proposed design performance. The success of the design implementation within the tight time frame hinged upon the precise installation by a skilled contractor. The overall objective was achieved as a result of close collaboration between the designer and contractor ensuring all stringent quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) aspects were met and opportunities to optimise design without compromising on performance were identified and implemented, resulting in a cost saving of over A$13 M.CITATION:Narendranathan, S, Thomas, R D H, Bungard, G P, Gumba, V and Barker, C, 2012. The importance of collaboration between designers and contractors in implementing a design in challenging conditions, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 97-102 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By M Gabbitus, B Young, T Lukins, M Slater

This paper details the implementation of a new type of grade control system at the Black Star open cut mine in Mount Isa, Queensland. It explores the site requirements for grade control, what as previously in place and what the site required moving forward. It also details some of the features of the system installed and why it was chosen over other grade control systems available. Black Star open cut mine has been in operation since late 2004, and was developed to extract the surface extents of the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralisation previously mined in the Isa Lead Mine. Black Star is currently mining seven distinct orebodies in and around active void hazard zones and hence, its grade control requirements are very detailed and complex. The implementation of a new system to manage the model update and block out processes was, therefore, of critical importance to the site and required a detailed understanding of the requirements of the entire mining team from drilling through to geology, survey and production. Having previously run the grade control process using site specific æblack boxÆ scripts and macros, Black Star needed to implement a more open, auditable and flexible system, which allowed the geologists to control the process and make strategic changes as the situation demanded. MineSightÆs Axis Grade Control, with its flexible, generic framework for managing the process, met these demands. Being an out of the box solution that requires minimal setup and training was also a key factor in the decision to use it.CITATION:Lukins, T, Slater, M, Gabbitus, M and Young, B, 2012. The introduction of axis at Black Star Open Cut, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 71-74 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By M Monaghan, B S. Gregory

The Geita Gold Mine is located 80 km southwest of the town of Mwanza in the north-west of Tanzania and is 100 per cent owned by AngloGold Ashanti Limited. Open pit mining commenced at Geita in 2000. In 2011, the operation produced 494 000 oz at a cash cost of US$536/oz. This is a significant improvement from 2008, when 264 000 oz were produced at a cash cost of US$742/oz.A period of relatively poor operating performance at Geita was recorded over the period from 2006 to 2009. A period known at Geita as æthe turnaroundÆ commenced in 2009, and has been remarkable to say the least. Over the last couple of years the mine has embarked on a journey, which saw various interventions and initiatives. Among the key initiatives were Project ONE (which focuses on business process framework, systems for people and safety transformation), asset integrity, fatigue management and contract mining of satellite pits.Since the commencement of the turnaround at Geita, gold production has matched market guidance. The mine has returned to positive cash flow on the basis of strong performance on cash management, improved production and increased gold price.This paper explains some of the details of the mine operationsÆ improvements, how they were implemented, their relative contributions to improved mining performance and the path ahead to best practice. Observations will be made about some improvement rules that can be applied generally in open pit mining.CITATION:Gregory, B S and Monaghan, M, 2012. The path to best practice at Geita Gold Mine, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 41-48 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By R Small, S Combrinck, R Lindsay

Maintaining your competitive edge in the growing Australian mining sector today is an arduous task. With an ever increasing demand to extract more ore, safely, complete visibility throughout the blasting cycle has become vital to any operation. To achieve this requires full two way communication with every detonator during the testing and programming cycle, as well as, inside the firing window. Concerned with an increase in the number of incidents involving mining equipment, uncovering and digging into unknown misfires on-sites across Australia, Black Star Mine made the decision to embark on the use of electronic detonators to eliminate this hazard. With this safety goal achieved, the mine set about using the added benefits of electronic detonators to improve their drill and blast processes with impressive results.CITATION:Combrinck, S, Lindsay, R and Small, R, 2012. Eliminating unidentified misfires at Xstrata ZincÆs open pits through the application of electronic detonators, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 27-30 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By H Chalcraft, T D. Mullen

Conditions encountered at a recently completed brownfields mining project provided valuable insight into, and development of, techniques for working in and around known underground mining voids in an open cut environment. The careful application of underground blasting principles to a pit environment and successful excavation whilst maintaining appropriate stand-off distances were two primary areas of innovation enabling the success of the project.Mary Mac Hill is a gold deposit situated less than 2 km south-west of the town of Laverton, Western Australia. It is owned and mined by Crescent Gold Limited. Previous underground mining by various other mining companies has left an extensive network of underground horizontal development, subvertical stopes and shafts, some of which daylighted at surface. This was identified as potentially posing substantial risks, which would prevent the application of conventional mining methods. Two major stopes were located under a hard banded iron ridge topped by a peak of cap, connected variously by narrow drives and vertical development. Due to the proximity of the first of these stopes to the surface, its dimensions and governed by procedures and advice provided by externally engaged engineers, Crescent Gold could not access the area of the ridge immediately overlying the stope using conventional open cut mining methods. This was the first of many hurdles surmounted in mining this deposit.The following report outlines how the challenges this geometrically complex deposit presented. Solving these problems enabled the team to mine the contained gold ore to a completed design, without subjecting personnel or mining equipment to harm due to a void breach incident. This paper outlines the numerous complications and difficulties Mary Mac Hill posed and explains the strategies developed to overcome them. The report also presents technical mass blasting details explaining two of the critical crown pillar blasts.CITATION:Mullen, T D and Chalcraft, H, 2012. Mary Mac Hill - The challenges and strategies of successful open cut mining: A complex underground gold deposit riddled with a network of complicated voids, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 89-96 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

By R Durchholz, A-J Heiertz, R Schmitz

Mining of lignite is the largest bulk materials handling activity in Europe. In order to mine this lignite, with an average calorific value of only a third of bituminous coal in an economical way, highly efficient opencast mining technology is mandatory. The total continuous mining of overburden and lignite was introduced more than 60 years ago and was subsequently developed stepwise into the largest mass transport system of the world. In 2011, the Inden Mine, one of three RWE Power mines, stripped 90 Mbcm of overburden to produce 22 Mt of lignite. In total, nearly 100 Mt of Lignite was produced from the three mines of RWE Power in Germany. Beside bucket wheel excavators (BWE), several high-performance in-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC) systems, which allow the adoption of continuous mining systems, even for typical shovel and truck (S&T) operations, are available today. RWE Power assists operators considering a change from the S&T to IPCC technology, both in the planning process involving large-scale belt conveyor systems and later with operational know how transfer. In a number of cases, the challenges associated with this system change have been addressed and solved successfully. One key challenge is managing the development of skills for operating the belt conveyor systems efficiently. This paper compares the effectiveness of S&T to different configurations of continuous mining operation for an up to 170 m deep mine with a total annual output of 117 Mbcm. From the mine operatorÆs point-of-view, the quantity and skill level of staffing required for operation and maintenance are discussed in detail. The main conclusion of this paper is the larger the operation becomes and the longer the mine life is, the earlier fully continuous mining systems should be planned and implemented.CITATION:Schmitz, R, Durchholz, R and Heiertz, A-J, 2012. Change challenges for large open pit mines, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 103-110 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012