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In 1952 when universities imposed fees on students and most students won either Commonwealth or Government department or private scholarships to study, I won a scholarship to study mining engineering at the University of Technology in Sydney. The univ

Jan 1, 1994

By Baafi E. Y

In this paper, impact of expert systems development is examined from the coal mining point of view. Some introductory concepts about expert systems are explained with a view to identifying possible beneficial applications of expert systems in coal Mining.

Jan 1, 1988

By Lin Bin, Qain Minggao, Qu Qundi, Yao Zhichang

This paper describes the application of a 89C52 chip microcomputer in hydraulic pressure information monitoring system of powered supports in a coal face, and the details of circuit and software of a monitoring system substation. Each substati

Jan 1, 1998

This paper reviews the use of MTU diesel engines in uses such as Off-Highway Vehicles, Rail traction, Generating Sets, Marine Propulsion and Defence Applications, and focuses on a central theme of maximum power in the minimum of space.

Jan 1, 1986

The foundation of our industrial welfare lies in the success of our primary industries, and, so far as mining is concerned, it is hoped that for many years it will be a most important primary industry in Western Australia.

Jan 1, 1927

By Millen M. J, Rainey S, Sowerby B. D

The control of size reduction in grinding machines and circuits may be enhanced by a continuous and accurate measurement of the particle size of solids in appropriate process streams. This paper presents a brief review of commercial particle s

Jan 1, 1997

By Barns K. E, Munro P. D, Brindley S. K

Ernest Henry Mining Pty Ltd started production in August 1997. The Ernest Henry orebody consists of two distinct parts, a complex supergene ore zone overlying a primary ore zone. The economic copper minerals in the supergene ore are chalcocite

Jan 1, 1998

By Gorken A, Mular M, Stewart A

PT Freeport Indonesia operates one of the largest copper and gold concentrator complexes in the world. Flotation is used to produce a single copper-gold concentrate. In 1995, PT Freeport Indonesia and Cytec Industries Inc established a joint p

Jan 1, 1997

Mining software packages are used extensively in industry for resource estimation as well as for mine design and operation. Research undertaken in the W H Bryan Mining Geology Research Unit at the University of Queensland has shown that modifi

Jan 1, 1994

By Lin Bin, Minggao Qian, Zhiyi Yang, Fullan He

There are no efficient methods and instruments available in China at present for diagnosing the leakage problem for a hydraulic support system in underground coal mines. A new method has been developed to solve the problem. It is proposed that

Jan 1, 1998

By Giannini L, Kelsey P

A fundamental problem in mine planning is the determination of the production schedules over the life of the mine. The objective is to maximise profit in terms of the net present value without transgressing the physical constraints of the mine

Jan 1, 1998

By Wright G. A

The objective of refining in steelmaking is to reduce the concentration of impurity atoms, e.g. sulphur, phosphorus, from an initially high level to a specified low concentration. A two-film theory of refining is presented in which the rate of

Jan 1, 1980

By Hefter G. T, Singh P

The use of sulphur dioxide (SO2) as an anode depolarizer in place of traditional oxygen evolution reduces the energy costs of copper electrowinning. This paper reports the effect of various metal ion impurities, which are usually present in th

Jan 1, 1998

By Frew J. A, Harris M. C, Manlapig E. V

The recovery achieved in a flotation process is a function of both the characteristics of the feed stream and the operating conditions within the flotation cell. In this paper, the flotation characteristics of the streams within the Red Dog le

Jan 1, 1997

By Tucker G, Clark A, Young M. F, Johnston M

Mount Isa Mines has made a huge commitment to process control in milling. Yet in lead zinc we still failed to achieve a steady operation. Comparisons with manufacturing plants showed the key difference was failure to control plant inputs. Lead

Jan 1, 1998

By M Szwec, P Corbett, P Sheffield

Centennial Coal operates the Springvale and Angus Place longwall mining operations that extract coal beneath the Newnes Plateau in the Western Coalfields of New South Wales. Springvale and Angus Place mines have a history of difficult geotechnical conditions, where mining operations are conducted with a thick coal roof interbedded with numerous claystone units and relatively high levels of vertical and horizontal stress. The combination of a relatively high stress regime and weak laminated roof has led to numerous roof failures throughout the mine’s life.Following underground roadway development, the mine roadways can experience high levels of roof movement that can lead to roof falls. Two-point wire extensometers (known as ‘telltales’) are extensively used for roadway condition monitoring. Along with extensive other geological and geotechnical data, monitoring data is used to prepare geotechnical hazard plans that are then used in all areas of mine planning to allow for safe and efficient operation of the mine.This paper presents a case study of the use of a new software tool that allows time-scaled visualisation of monitoring data in the context of longwall and development face positions and installed strata support. It can be used in the identification of geotechnical risk factors and their interaction with the mining process to allow a more robust geotechnical hazard process. It interfaces directly with the widely used ExtoChart database software and can be presented with scale drawings of geological/geotechnical data to allow correlation of monitoring data with risk factors.CITATION:Corbett, P, Sheffield, P and Szwec, M, 2014. A new tool for extensometer data analysis and improved understanding of geotechnical risk factors, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 217–232 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

By M A. Harrington-Baker, J M. Trudnowski

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) have the ability to immobilise dissolved metals by precipitating them as sulfides, provided that a favourable biochemical environment is created. Such an environment includes the presence of sulfate, anaerobic conditions and the availability of organic carbon. If such conditions are engineered within a reactive barrier or field-bioreactor, most metals can be effectively removed. To demonstrate this concept, three passive SRB field-bioreactors were constructed in 1998 at an abandoned mine site in the vicinity of Butte, Montana, USA to treat acid mine drainage with characteristic elevated concentration of metals and low pH. Performance of the field-bioreactors, using aqueous samples, was monitored over 32 months until the project was terminated, field-bioreactors were decommissioned and solid matrix sampling of the reactive matter was performed. The most important analytical results are presented in this paper together with conclusions regarding the appropriateness of the field-bioreactors construction features. Only Zn, Cu, and Cd were being removed as sulfides due to SRB activities. Changes in concentrations of other metals (Fe, Mn, Al, As), which do not necessarily precipitate as sulfide, seemed to be affected by SRB only in an indirect manner by responding to increased pH caused by SRB activity. An innovative cellular containment system used for placing organic matter worked very well in preventing settling of the organic matter and ensuring uniform flow of AMD throughout the entire cross-section of the organic carbon with no preferential flow paths This demonstration was funded by the US EPA and was jointly administered by the EPA and the US DOE under DOE contract number DE-AC22-96EW96405. The project was implemented by MSE Technology Applications, Inc, Butte, Montana, USA.

Jan 1, 2003

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 T Ireland

The Rosedale Outfall Project utilised an earth pressure balance (EPB) tunnel boring machine (TBM) for only the second time in Auckland. Although the tunnel was excavated fully through East Coast Bays Formation (ECBF), the downhill gradient along with some unexpected areas of extreme water posed some significant challenges during construction.The Rosedale Waste Water Treatment Plant Outfall Tunnel project was commissioned in response to the growing needs of North Shore City, New Zealand. The outfall tunnel comprises a 3 km long segmentally lined tunnel and a 2.1 km buried marine pipeline, and discharges 2.7 km offshore. The capacity of the new outfall is 6 m3/s compared to the existing outfall capacity of 1 m3/s.Following previous project experience, and with the tunnel located along its full length in the bedrock weak sandstone/siltstone bedrock of the East Coast Bays Formation, tunnelling conditions were expected to be benign. However during construction six high inflow events were encountered, including a full face (3.4 m diameter) of Albany Conglomerate over a 48 m length of tunnel. This material comprised cobbles in an uncemented sand matrix, and inflows were recorded at over 25 L/s.This paper describes the design challenges on the project including the design of a steel fibre reinforced segmental lining for internal pressures. The specification of the machine is discussed including the modifications required to enhance the risk mitigation measures already in place. The ground conditions encountered are discussed and have improved the knowledge of the range of conditions that can be expected in Auckland.Despite the challenges presented during construction, excellent progress rates were achieved and the tunnelling was successfully completed ahead of program.

Mar 8, 2011

By M Graham, R Brunning, C Andringa-Bate, S Westergren

In 2010, Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s operations commenced the planning and design of a sampling and analysis system for the new 50 Mt/a Cape Lambert Port B (CLB) facility. Current sampling systems at the ports consist of automated robotic, mass-based sampling protocols employed at Dampier, and semi-automated, time-based sampling systems operating at Cape Lambert Port A.The new sampling system at CLB has brought together a fully automated sampling and analysis system utilising time-based sampling, with the capacity to sample ore products of medium quality variation as defined in ISO 3082 (ISO, 2009). The CLB system is required to sample at shiploading rates from 6000 t/h to 13 440 t/h and provide full load-port analysis. The sampling approach is to proportionally extend primary increments (of varying mass relative to shiploading rate) to a standard length using variable speed aero-belt conveyor systems. This enables a fixed number of secondary cuts to be achieved for all primary increment masses and to be delivered to the automated cell. The cell is required to be capable of concurrently processing four individual shipments, each containing multiple cargoes.Achieving the target sampling precision for all export cargo sizes has culminated in the planning, design and construction of the largest automated iron ore port laboratory in the world. The CLB sampling and analysis cell was commissioned in Q3 and Q4 2013. This paper discusses the sampling philosophy and commissioning outcomes.CITATION:Brunning, R, Andringa-Bate, C, Graham, M and Westergren, S, 2014. Cape Lambert Port B shiploading, sampling and analysis, in Proceedings Sampling 2014 , pp 79–90 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 29, 2014