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The lignites of Otago and Southland offer a potentially viable future feedstock for electricity production and possible conversion to petrochemicals or liquid fuels. The deposits, when combined, represent New ZealandÆs largest energy inventory; equivalent to about 74 000 petajoules û or approximately 35 times current natural gas reserves. Too often dismissed as irrelevant to New ZealandÆs energy future because of adverse perceptions of the value of low rank coals, the strategic value of this resource is in fact huge.   Investigations of the lignites extend back over more than 50 years (LFTB various, CRL Energy Ltd). Whilst it is not the intention of this paper to review this work, these investigations have confirmed the suitability of the resource as a feedstock for thermochemical conversion. Current estimates of South Island lignite mining costs are NZ$1.0 - 3.0/GJ (Natusch 2005), making these resources amongst the most competitively-priced energy sources available world-wide.   This value, however, will only be captured if we as a country begin to envisage a world-scale, long-life, integrated and multi-faceted development sized to supply world markets for chemicals or fuels. Recent CAE studies (Hooper and Riddolls, 2005) have emphasised the vital importance of ensuring that any exploitation of this resource maximises their value to New Zealand. The question that thus must be applied is how might large-scale utilisation of the resource fit with New ZealandÆs primary energy supply, and its potential for the export of high-value commodities.   From the broader perspective of New ZealandÆs total energy supply equation we need to examine other supply options beyond just the generation of electricity. We face in this country a situation wherein almost all our liquid fuels feedstock has to be imported with projections for an increasing dependence on imported oil. In addition NZ has a natural gas reserves-to-production ratio of less than ten years, and dwindling supply from local production. Without further natural gas discoveries, New Zealand has only a window of approximately five years before we will need to commit to imported LNG or some other thermal fuels option.   In other words, New Zealand is facing an uncertain future unless we can restore energy inventories to cover an adequate strategic reserve capacity as well as enable long-term investment in alternative sources. Within this context the South Island lignite resources are thus deserving of more attention. The extent of the resource is well known, its suitability for conversion reasonably assessed, and its magnitude such that there is little doubt that lignite conversion could adequately meet NZÆs future energy needs for many years out.   This paper reviews coal gasification technology, its application to lignite and the possibilities for future development of the lignite resources. It is argued that the strategic imperative for this country is to secure the lignite resources as a primary energy source for this country well into the latter half of this century.

Jan 1, 2005

By V Rodríguez, M Hormaza, R J. Romañach, C Pinzón-de la Rosa

The authors have presented their ideas for developing a powder sampling device in the I-Corps™ program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is an intensive customer discovery program developed to increase the economic impact of the research sponsored by NSF.The I-Corps™ program requires performing at least 100 interviews with potential customers in various industries. These interviews are essential to establish the need for a particular product or solution, and identify potential commercialisation partners and competition. The interviews have revealed the absence of Theory of Sampling (TOS) principles in many companies. The interviews are designed to identify the difficulties associated with current sampling practices that do not meet TOS principles.The I-Corps™ program is a significant challenge for scientists who often avoid discussing a concept in fear of losing their research idea. The program teaches how to obtain information without releasing the important intellectual property related to a product development idea. The I-Corps™ methods have been used to discover the prevailing ideas on sampling in various industries.I-Corps™ also teaches how to present ideas to investors; another significant challenge for a scientist. We are currently learning to present sampling and TOS to investors and business development experts, and will share some of these experiences.CITATION:Pinzón-de la Rosa, C, Rodríguez, V, Hormaza, M and Romañach, R J, 2017. Theory of Sampling meets the National Science Foundation I-Corps™ program, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 351–354 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

By A Hutton, C Dick, D Fletcher

Mine and facility closure planning is a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape. In this landscape, mining companies and industry consultants are generally good at estimating the associated earthworks and rehabilitation costs, because it is æcore businessÆ. Through our extensive work in mine closure, we have found that the safe and cost-effective demolition of mining related infrastructure is often grossly underestimated. Or alternately, it is simply assumed that the returns on scrap steel and the sale of re-usable plant will cover the related costs. With fluctuating steel prices and no guaranteed buyer for the assets, the estimated monetary return is often unreliable and in many cases unrealistic. On this basis this logic is fundamentally flawed. We have found that on most occasions this has meant that closure cost estimates fall well short of what the actual costs are to close the mine.GSSE and Liberty Industrial have worked on over 60 mine closure projects in Australia and overseas of varying scales and across a range of commodity types. An evaluation of these projects has shown that costs associated with the safe demolition and removal of a mining related infrastructure is in the order of 20 - 30 per cent of the total cost at closure. We believe it is one of the top three risk areas associated with mine closure planning and cost estimation, alongside bulk earthworks and the capping of tailings and waste rock storage facilities.Our paper uses examples from recent projects to demonstrate all aspects outlined above. We have also endeavoured to address the following key points related to the demolition and removal of mining related infrastructure:If companies fail to plan appropriately, complicating factors such as contamination, hazardous materials, mobilisation/demobilisation, geographical location, decommissioning standards, site constraints and weather, can add considerable costs to the project and result in variations for the demolition contractor.Closure planning often assumes infrastructure that is no longer required can be utilised by a third party and/or the new land holder. We intend to show that unless adequate consultation and planning is undertaken, this is not beneficial to the mining company, the environment, or the local community.CITATION:Fletcher, D, Hutton, A and Dick, C, 2012. The æsmoking gunÆ of detailed mine closure cost over-run - A review using case studies of the real costs associated with the demolition and removal of infrastructure in mine closure, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2012 , pp 325-332 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 10, 2012

By A Tolley

Bauxite residue or ‘red mud’ is a by-product of the Bayer Process, the primary process of alumina refining. Due to its high alkalinity and variable composition, its storage and disposal poses high environmental risks to water sources, surrounding ecosystems and human health. The high alkalinity (pH 12–13) is a significant factor in its classification as hazardous waste; to mitigate this, Australian refineries have integrated neutralisation processes into bauxite refining. Both sea water and carbon dioxide neutralisation processes are applicable. Multiple studies have demonstrated pH reduction from 12–13 to 7–10, depending on the method. The key advantages of CO2 neutralisation are that it allows for carbon sequestration and is more effective when utilised as a pre-treatment for recovery of metals, while sea water neutralisation is more established and has been integrated into two Australian refineries. This paper proposes the application of the bacteria Exiguobacterium oxidotolerans for bioleaching of iron from hematite in bauxite residue. The genus Exiguobacterium is characterised by its high levels of adaptability, halotolerance and alkaliphilic nature. E. oxidotolerans is successful at eluting Fe2+ from hematite via reductive dissolution, which complexes with oxalic acid produced during metabolism. This aquatic bacterium presents a novel process pathway for iron elution due to direct interaction of E. oxidotolerans with hematite via the cell membrane and operates within the pH range of neutralised red mud. The proposed mechanism is extracellular electron transfer, a microbial metabolic process where electron transfer is facilitated between bacterial cells and extracellular material. Currently this is being investigated for promotion of seaweed growth in coastal environments as soluble iron aids and fortifies colonies. This has potential downstream applications for cleaner iron and steel production. While theoretical, this paper explores the neutralisation, bioleaching and application of the Fe(II)- and Fe(III)-oxalate complexes formed.

Sep 18, 2023

By U König, N Norberg

Traditionally, quality control of iron sinter has relied on time-consuming wet chemistry. However, the mineralogical composition that defines the physical properties, such as strength or reducibility, is not monitored.X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis in combination with Rietveld quantification and statistical data evaluation using partial least squares regression (PLSR) has been successfully trialled to determine the mineralogical composition and process parameters such as the FeO (Fe2+) content and basicity of iron sinter within an analysis time of less than eight minutes per sample. The results were compared with wet chemistry data.PLSR does not require pure phases, crystal structures or complex modelling of peak shapes. The analysis is therefore easy to set up and ideal if only one property needs to be analysed. PLSR results show an accuracy for the FeO content of ±0.3 per cent for the samples analysed in this case study.Both the PLSR and Rietveld methods take the full XRD pattern into account and can be simultaneously applied on the same measurement. PLSR was found to be the more robust method if only FeO and basicity results are required. The Rietveld method helps to predict other parameters, such as the compression strength of the sinter, by monitoring all existing phases (eg larnite C2S or silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium phases).CITATION:König, U and Norberg, N, 2015. Iron sinter process control using x-ray diffraction, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 53–60 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By M J. Nugus

The Geita gold mines in north-western Tanzania have produced 5 Moz of gold from an estimated endowment of 15 Moz. They are generally classified as typical Archaean orogenic banded iron formations (BIF)-hosted gold deposits in banded iron formations as described by Goldfarb, Groves and Gardoll (2001); Neall and Phillips (1987); Phillips and Powell (1993) and Neall (1987). The controls on gold mineralisation have been reassessed to conclude that Nyankanga, and we conclude that Nyankanga, the largest deposits within the group, developed during a dynamic and protracted deformation history intimately associated with several stages of hydrothermal fluid flow and alteration. The fluid-induced fractures associated with gold mineralisation are primarily manifested as submillimetre to metre-scale fractures and breccias developed preferentially in rocks that have been previously deformed and altered by silicification or seafloor metasomatism. This realisation detracts from the exploration and mining strategies that would solely concentrate on fluid pathways and associated wallrock alteration and veining solely within the BIFs as hosts for economic gold mineralisation.

Aug 22, 2011

By S Jahanshahi

In an earlier LCA study, the authors showed that the electricity consumption of the electric furnaces used in the production of the ferronickel and ferrochrome feedstocks made significant contributions towards the Gross Energy Requirement (GER) of stainless steel production, on a æcradle-to-gateÆ basis. Given the relatively low efficiencies associated with electrical power generation, substantial reductions in the GER for stainless steel production could be anticipated if more direct use of thermal energy was made in the ferronickel and ferrochromium smelting stages.In view of these findings, a follow-up study was undertaken to investigate the likely environmental benefits of using bath smelting processes for the production of ferronickel and ferrochromium compared to the traditional rotary kiln-electric furnace processes, but still utilising the electric furnace process for stainless steel production. The METSIM process simulation software package was used to set up models of the two bath smelting processes and provide process energy requirements that were incorporated into the LCA. The environmental impacts considered in the LCA were greenhouse (Global Warming Potential, GWP) and acid rain gas (Acidification Potential, AP) emissions and solid waste emissions.The results of the study showed that the bath smelting route reduced the GER for ferronickel production by about 37 per cent over the traditional route, which translated to about a 21 per cent reduction in the GER for stainless steel. The corresponding reduction for ferrochromium was about half that for ferronickel, and when combined with the ferronickel result gave a 25 per cent reduction in the GER for stainless steel production. Similar reductions were also observed for the GWP and to a lesser extent the AP for both feedstocks, as all primary energy inputs were essentially fossil fuel based. Substantial reductions in solid waste emissions were also indicated for the direct use of ores in smelting. By utilising bath smelting processes for the production of the ferronickel and ferrochromium feedstocks, stainless steelÆs suitability for meeting many of the goals necessary for sustainable development, already recognised because of its particular properties, would be even further enhanced.

Jan 1, 2004

By B J. Beven, A Vatandoost, J Young, S Campbell-Hardwick

The intrinsic value of iron ore depends on its physical and chemical characteristics. For example, silica and alumina are unwanted elements, downgrading iron grade and adversely affecting high temperature processing, attracting penalties in smelter contracts. For this reason, an informed knowledge of processing characteristics and product quality of the ore is valuable and cost effective during mine planning and processing.Ore variability is a significant factor that affects metallurgical behaviour and efficiency of ore processing equipment. Ore of sufficient chemical and physical quality needs to be modelled, mined, processed and usually blended. Feed and product assays are commonly used to assess potential ore upgradability. However, assays alone cannot be all informative of actual processing response given the variability of the physical properties of the ore.This study investigates the potential benefit of implementing a geometallurgical approach during the commissioning stage of the Kings deposit, part of the Solomon Iron Ore project in Western Australia. Kings drill hole database information, ie geological, textural and geochemical data, together with the results of metallurgical test work were used for geometallurgical analysis and modelling. Three main ore types were identified at Kings, namely channel iron deposit (CID), bedded iron deposits (BID) and Detrital Iron Deposit (DID). Additional classifications were utilised to better characterise these units in terms of their physical properties.Bulk sampling for each ore type was carried out across the deposit for metallurgical testing. Multivariate statistical models were developed for prediction of product quality for each geometallurgical unit. A new approach for modelling yield based on ore upgrade factors is introduced. These models were then applied to the Kings regularised mining model to assess product quality across the mining blocks and to plan product stockpiling and blending strategies.CITATION:Vatandoost, A, Beven, B J, Campbell-Hardwick, S and Young, J, 2013. A geometallurgical approach for iron ore product evaluation, in Proceedings The Second AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference (GeoMet) 2013 , pp 259-266 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 29, 2013

By J Lea, D C. Kettlewell

The Carina iron ore deposit lies 105 km northeast of Southern Cross, WA. The area designated the Yilgarn Iron Ore Project (YIOP) is comprised of five prospects along an east-southeast trending greenstone belt that extends from the Helena-Aurora Ranges in the northwest to the Yendilberrin Hills in the southeast, over a strike length of approximately 40 km. The YIOP project encompasses the previously identified iron deposits of Bungalbin, Bungalbin East and Mt Walton. The Carina deposit was discovered by Polaris Metals NL in May 2007. The Carina deposit is located within and parallel to the structurally complex northwest trending Mount Dimer shear zone. The volcanosedimentary Archaean-aged greenstone sequence consists of ultramafic and mafic lavas and flows with interbedded sediments dominated by chert and banded iron formation (BIF). Supergene enrichment processes formed a goethite orebody replacement of BIF sequences within a doubly plunging synclinal fold structure. Mineralised outcrops dominated by goethite form a low ridge 1500 m long, up to 90 m wide and drilled to over 200 m in depth. In the vicinity of the Carina deposit, iron occurrences have been identified over at least a 12 km strike length and the exploration potential of the area is identified as 30 - 40 Mt. Polaris Metals began exploration in the area in 2006. Target generation in the area used existing state geological survey maps and regional magnetic survey data to focus on BIF occurrences associated with major structures. Early field investigations resulted in the identification of a large outcrop of predominantly goethite mineralisation at Carina. Detailed geological and structural mapping was completed, followed by close-spaced reverse circulation and diamond drilling. The mineralisation is predominantly goethite with specular and coarse platy haematite localised along structures that cut the goethite mineralisation. Mineralised zones are moderately vuggy and larger cavities occur in proximity to fault zones that transect the orebody. A capping by a thin veneer up to 9 m thick of canga or ferricrete occurs in places. By December 2008, 178 reverse circulation and 11 diamond drill holes (seven surface holes, four tails) were completed. The current JORC-compliant resource estimate is based on assays from 72 RC drill holes and using a 55 per cent Fe cut-off stands as an Inferred Resource of 27.9 Mt at 58.6 per cent Fe, 1.3 per cent Al2O3, 3.7 per cent SiO2, 0.09 per cent P, and 10.1 per cent LOI. Assaying has recently been completed and will be incorporated into a new updated resource later in 2009.

Jan 1, 2009

By J deVries, A Broodryk, P Kyselica, K McLean

Gwalia gold mine is located close to the town of Leonora in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, some 830 km from Perth. The mine is wholly owned by St Barbara Ltd, an Australian Securities Exchange listed gold producer and explorer. The Gwalia mine is a deep, all-trucking mine and is serviced by a 10 km long decline from surface. Mining is currently 1540 m below surface. Reserves extend to 1820 m below surface and are open at depth. The mine produces in excess of 200 koz of gold per annum.The Leonora area is hot and arid, with a mean annual rainfall of 230 mm and a 95 per cent mean daily maximum temperature of 20.3°C wet-bulb and 35.6°C dry-bulb.The primary ventilation system comprises a 490 kg/s surface exhaust fan, which draws air down a parallel intake system consisting of the decline, and a dedicated fresh-air intake system extending to the bottom of the production zone. Cooling is provided via a surface bulk air cooler serviced by an ammonia refrigeration plant that delivers 150 kg/s of chilled water to the bulk air cooler.The refrigeration plant and bulk air cooler were installed in 2008. The design allows cooling to be increased over time by installing an additional refrigeration plant in a lead lag configuration with the current refrigeration plant when required.Since 2008, expansion and increased depth reached a point where the underground heat load exceeded the installed capacity of the existing 4.0 megawatt rated (MWR) refrigeration plant. In order to maintain the mine design conditions underground, upgrading of the existing refrigeration system was required to bring the cooling capacity to 7.5 MWR.Two expansion options were considered: the addition of an ammonia vapour-compression refrigeration machine similar to the existing one or a lithium bromide absorption refrigeration system using waste heat from the site power station. The original design and layout of equipment on-site meant that either could be used, allowing an assessment of the merits of both when additional cooling was required.The decision was made to install a lithium bromide absorption system on the lead side of the existing ammonia refrigeration plant. This arrangement provides considerable economic benefits, including reductions in site-generated electrical power, generator fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.This paper details the planning, design, installation and commissioning of the absorption chillers.CITATION:Broodryk, A, deVries, J, Kyselica, P and McLean, K, 2015. The design, installation and commissioning of an absorption refrigeration system at Gwalia gold mine in Western Australia, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference, pp 193–200 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 31, 2015

By F F. Pitard

The optimization of metallurgical processes requires knowledge of the heterogeneity carried by constituents of interest. The common scenario, almost an industry standard, is to rely on the engineering firm who in turn relies on favorite manufacturers of sampling equipment to provide the appropriate sampling systems in the plant to perform accurate metallurgical accounting. This sequence is flawed from the beginning to the end because everything should be based on a careful understanding of the Theory of Sampling (TOS) by the company project team and their expert who invariably would suggest various approaches and different sampling systems.The necessary progressive and iterative approach should be that the company’s project team (mining or other industries) would do its home work to have a good understanding of the geometallurgy, mineralogy and texture of the ore in each geological unit so consultants and engineers would have the best information to start with. Then a reputable sampling expert would recommend which sampling systems are needed, so the company would require engineering firms to follow pre-established, non-negotiable requirements, and finally select the sampling equipment existing on the market today that is most likely to lead to accurate and precise enough metallurgical accounting.It is the author’s experience that when this necessary progressive and iterative approach is bypassed, sampling systems installed in the plant are likely to transgress the most elementary rules of sampling correctness. Invariably the argument is that the company cannot afford correct sampling systems for metallurgical accounting as suggested in the Theory of Sampling. There is nothing that is farther from the truth when later problems will develop and inevitable reconciliation difficulties with miners and geologists become daily routine with impossible answers; as a last resource the sampling expert may be called to perform a post-mortem analysis.The progressive and iterative approach suggested in this paper should be a due diligence requirement for any bank providing a loan for an important new mining project; anything less is most likely to generate unpleasant financial losses; historical, well-known examples are referred to.CITATION:Pitard, F F, 2015. A progressive, iterative approach leading to reliable metallurgical accounting sampling systems, in Proceedings MetPlant 2015, pp 78–91 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 7, 2015

By J Jackson

The term geometallurgy (or geometallurgical) first appeared in the literature some 40 years ago and has a wide range of definitions and perspectives which increases the barriers of communication between practitioners and across functional groups and management levels within organisations. However the consistent theme running through the diversity of definitions and perspectives is the requirement for close collaboration between the relevant disciplines. This concept of geometallurgy arguably goes back to the earliest days of the exploitation of mineral deposits, through the mid-1500s to the beginning of the 20th century.This holistic and integrated view was diminished during the 20th century due to a number of factors which included the commencement and continuing upward trend of large-scale mining and the expansion in production, the rise of scientific and classical management theories and methodologies, increase in specialisation and the development of traditional project planning. The re-emergence of geometallurgy in the late 20th century required the relevant functional units and disciplines to collaborate as a team. This necessitates a common understanding that the geometallurgical program’s goals must be obtained, which requires clear and consistent communication, particularly with the modern trend of virtual teams.A multi-dimensional construct is proposed to assist in providing a consistent approach in the communication of the context and purpose of both general and specific geometallurgical programs, thus simplifying communication. This geometallurgical construct consists of the dimensions of process span, response knowledge, variability knowledge, spatial knowledge, application and project phase in relation to extraction process(es) applied to geological materials from a mineral deposit. These dimensions are then linked to the phase of mineral project development in which the geometallurgical program is being applied, which ranges from advanced exploration through to operational execution. This paper outlines the multi-dimensional construct with examples of how the context, purpose and scope of geometallurgical programs can be clearly delineated and communicated.

Sep 5, 2011

By P Holtham, K Duffy, L Pyle, W Valery

The mining industry is becoming increasingly focused on pre-concentration due to its potential economic and environmental benefits, particularly for the more complex, low-grade, high throughput operations now being developed. Advances in technology have seen bulk ore sorting (BOS) trialled at several operations. However, BOS should not be seen as a ‘silver bullet’, it can offer significant benefits, but only under the right conditions. Deposits with interspersed mineralogy or disseminated, fine-grained minerals can be difficult for BOS. Large batches of barren or low-grade material are required for BOS to be effective. Hatch has recently completed several studies for clients who believed that bulk sorting was the most suitable pre-concentration technique for their operation, based only on an assumed sorter recovery or on laboratory trials of the chosen sensor. However, minimal consideration had been given to the heterogeneity of the deposit, the achievable separation batch size or sensor repeatability. Evaluation of BOS needs to consider both heterogeneity and sensor suitability. The valuable or gangue mineral must be present in such a way that it can be separated effectively in the large bulk sorting batch sizes, without competing minerals or changing ore characteristics affecting the metal upgrade or recovery. Also, the sensor chosen must be able to detect either the valuable mineral, a proxy for the valuable mineral, or a gangue mineral for rejection with sufficient accuracy and precision (repeatability). This paper presents three recent case studies, emphasizing markers which indicated that bulk sorting was unsuitable for the project whilst highlighting the pre-concentration technologies which were applicable (including particle sorting, and coarse particle gravity separation). The modelling methodology, equipment sizing and forward work plans developed to verify these alternative solutions are also presented, demonstrating the key factors contributing to a thorough scoping assessment.

Aug 24, 2022

By W Mahoney, F Clement, E Saraiva

Prefabricated waterproofing sheet membranes are extremely complicated to install in underground sections with complex geometries and, despite being already subjected to quality tests in the factory, the installed membrane often exhibits leakages due to different reasons. Main sources of leaks are the required high amount of welding seams and damages caused during installation of reinforcement, as well as overstretching and poorly installed secondary concrete linings. Also the design of the tunnel lining is strongly influenced and limited by the use of prefabricated waterproofing sheet membranes. The use of sprayed waterproofing membranes for more than a decade has contributed to durability and serviceability, as well as to increasing sustainability of tunnel linings. The presented sprayed waterproofing membrane MasterSeal 345 is an advantageous alternative to prefabricated waterproofing sheet membranes under typical tunnelling conditions, especially in geometrically complex areas, such as in lay-by niches, cross passages and crossover caverns, where installation of conventional waterproofing membranes is inherently difficult, and locating leaks is challenging. This membrane has been successfully used in underground projects with different waterproofing design concepts and under diverse hydro-geological and environmental conditions for over a decade. It provides tunnel designers with different options and optimisation for the design of the tunnel concrete lining. Additional advantages to owners, contractors and designers from the use of the sprayed membrane include flexibility in the design, increased productivity and flexibility in working programming, as well as improved logistics, resulting in significant program and cost savings and reduced long-term maintenance costs. This paper describes the key features of this sprayed waterproofing membrane, its application range and limitations, the waterproofing concept, design options and related benefits. Further, guidance for membrane application and quality control and a summary of two recent project references in the United Kingdom and in Switzerland are provided.CITATION:Saraiva, E, Clement, F and Mahoney, W, 2014. The use of sprayable waterproofing membranes in underground structures – concept, design options, benefits and limitations, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014 , pp 323–332 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 17, 2014

By A V. Ozsever

The selectivity in flotation columns involving the separation of particles of varying degrees of floatability is based on differential flotation rates in the collection zone, reflux action between the froth and collection zones, and differential detachment rates in the froth zone. Using well known theoretical models describing the separation process and experimental data, froth zone and overall flotation recovery values were quantified for particles in an anthracite coal that have a wide range of floatability potential. For highly floatable particles, froth recovery had a very minimal impact on overall recovery while the recovery of weakly floatable material was decreased substantially by reductions in froth recovery values. In addition, under carrying-capacity limiting conditions, selectivity was enhanced by the preferential detachment of the weakly floatable material. Based on this concept, highly floatable material was added directly into the froth zone when treating the anthracite coal. The enriched froth phase reduced the product ash content of the anthracite product by five absolute percentage points while maintaining a constant recovery value.

Jan 1, 2005

By C L Humphrey

Biological monitoring programs for environmental protection require techniques that will provide both early detection of possible adverse effects, and assessment of the ecological significance of these effects. Monitoring techniques must include responses sensitive to the impact, that can be subjected to rigorous statistical analysis and for which statistical power is high. Such issues in baseline research of 'what and how to measure?' and 'for how long?' have been the focus of a program being developed to monitor and assess effects of mining operations on the effectively pristine, freshwater ecosystems of the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR) in tropical northern Australia. Application of the BACIP design, utilising a form of temporal replication, to univariate data (single species) and multivariate (community) data is described. For new ventures in Australia (such as mining), monitoring programs should be designed to establish with high probability that an impact on the ecosystem no greater than a prescribed amount has gone undetected - as opposed to simply allowing development to continue as long as 'proof' of impact is not available. Such a precautionary approach represents a shifting of the 'burden of proof' and would require with the BACIP design, a minimum number of baseline years in order to achieve some desired level of statistical power in a test for impact. Power analyses conducted on two to five years (depending upon the technique) of baseline data from streams of the ARR indicate that the BACIP design would not impose developmental constraints on mining and that a policy of reversal of the burden of proof would provide the cornerstone required for managing such development in an ecologically sustainable manner.

Jan 1, 1994

By M Fuchs

Roadheaders were introduced to mining and tunnelling in the early-1960s. Since this period their main field of application has been for roadway drivages in coal mines and for mineral production, for instance in coal, rocksalt, potash and gypsum mines. Their main field of application in tunnelling is in softer and partly friable rock formations, a suitable area for non-blasting excavation. However, in longer tunnel sections excavators with high ripping forces have replaced roadheaders in many situations. The main arguments against roadheaders have been and still are:a sharp increase in excavation cost with increasing rock strength and increasing abrasivity; and greater risks in conditions which have not been, or could not be, investigated to a sufficient extent. These arguments have, to a great extent, restricted practical roadheader application in production mining and in a lot of æstandardÆ tunnel projects. To address these limitations, factors which could make roadheaders attractive for such conditions and could overcome existing technological difficulties have been investigated. Extension of the economic field of application in hard rock was found to be the most important and the most effective step forward.

Jan 1, 2002

By M P. Murphy, C M. D Barton

When developing a new underground mine, the geological interpretation that guides the mineral resource is crucial to the preparation of a reliable ore reserve. In preparing a robust geological model to underpin a resource estimate, practitioners must weigh the comparative risk of accepting a relatively wide-spaced drill hole pattern, versus a more close-spaced pattern that ensures a high local geological confidence for mine planning but may have an exponentially increased time and monetary cost. This paper details the authors’ investigations into the geological uncertainty of IGO’s Odysseus Deposit, which is approximately 645 km north-east of Perth, Western Australia. At Odysseus, the komatiitic nickel sulfide mineralisation is irregularly cross-cut by nickel-barren pegmatites that have intruded and offset its thick ultramafic orebodies. These pegmatites generate significant uncertainty in the precision of Odysseus’ resource volume and tonnage estimates, as well as the subsequent quantification of pegmatite mining dilution in its ore reserve. To quantify the geological uncertainty in the pegmatite interpretations, IGO’s mineral resource practitioners prepared several geological risk studies over the Odysseus North lode, which is the lode most affected by the pegmatites. These studies included categorical conditional simulation of the pegmatites, preparing implicit geological models with alternative algorithms, trialling a machine learning application to prepare a maximum likelihood geological model, and finally assessing the early results of the pre-production close-spaced drilling to these different models. To assess the precision of the different single-outcome models, the authors’ compared the estimated pegmatite content of each model to the range of possibilities modelled by categorical conditional simulation within the planned stopes at Odysseus North. An estimation confidence score for each modelling method was then prepared for each alternative single-outcome modelling method. From these studies IGO concluded that a close-spaced drill pattern is essential at Odysseus, supporting the view of the Competent Person in 2017 who proposed a 25 m drill spacing in areas affected by pegmatite which had been partially classified as Inferred.

May 24, 2023

By H Kurth, L Balzan

The potential for bulk diversion was identified and quickly implemented following the development of bulk sensing technologies applied to conveyed flows. In the early 1980s real time analysis of ash in coal was intended to improve the understanding and control of quality variability. By the end of the 1980s approximately 5% of coal analysers installed were being utilised for bulk sorting; diverting flows to create stockpiles to improve blending flexibility and boiler feed consistency, diverting waste material, or bypassing the beneficiation process when the coal met product quality criteria. In the 1990s bulk sensing and sorting utilising natural gamma detection was applied to conveyed waste in gold-uranium mineralisation and allowed ore to be recovered and processed that would otherwise have been discarded. Further applications developed in the iron ore sector where product quality ore could be diverted to bypass beneficiation and save significant unnecessary processing costs and improve recovery by avoiding process inefficiency losses. Plant capacity was freed up to be utilised by material that required processing. Similar benefits became evident in the phosphate industry and in base metals where multi-elemental analysis using Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis provides ideal opportunities to representatively measure 30 second conveyed increments at high accuracies. This has been successfully adopted in copper, nickel, platinum and lead-zinc to improve waste removal after primary crushing to eliminate unnecessary expense and improve plant efficiency. The benefits include increased output from existing operating capacity, significant reductions in consumable costs and generation of fewer detrimental waste streams. The paper outlines the technologies and discusses case studies covering the above commodities, demonstrating the immense value that representative real time measurement of conveyed flows can create. Measurement data concurrently provides multiple benefits in operational performance besides sorting, through ore reconciliation, ore blending, feedforward control and metal accounting, adding further value.

Nov 10, 2020

By D La Rosa, G Power, K Riihioja

In underground mining, the often unpredictable variability in ground conditions may lead to the application of suboptimal drilling and blasting patterns, resulting in poor performance. Experience and pertinent information to develop and implement improved drilling and blasting strategies can be easily lost due to the lack of means to help engineers store, access and manage this information. The Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) through a series of industry funded applied research projects has been developing a system that can facilitate the drill and blast design, analysis, auditing, documentation and data management processes. The system is a hybrid between an information management software module called BMS (Blast Management System) and two design and analysis modules, 2DRing for underground production blasting activities and 2DFace for development blasting activities. A concise description of the software tools and its applications are given in this paper, supported by two case studies. Opportunities to further develop the software are also highlighted, they include options to integrate these tools to existing drilling and blasting automation systems and portable computing technology to facilitate the design, implementation and continuous improvement processes.

Jan 1, 2001