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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

Many stress measuring instruments use overcoring stress-relief principles but adopt different sensing techniques. Every technique is subject to certain limitations of rock types and conditions. To investigate the performance and reliability of the instruments in field measurement, a simple and practical approach has been developed to allow comparable laboratory results to be obtained which simulate in-situ rock and stress conditions. Four commonly used devices, the USBM deformation gauge, the CSIRO HI cell,the CSIR triaxial cell and the UNSW SI cell were thoroughly tested in the laboratory. Some conclusions have been drawn as to their suitability and reliability in different field conditions. Recommendations are provided for the choice of an appropriate technique for a given rock type and condition. A new thin-wall cell that overcomes the disadvantages of earlier devices has been developed and tested. Its laboratory performance shows that it has good prospects.

Jan 1, 1990

Remediation of Mine Seepage at Batu Hijau

Sep 13, 2010

By S Hapugoda, A Edenton, M Adam, R J. Holmes, J R. Manuel, R Smyth

Lump ore is one of the key ferrous feeds used in the blast furnace ironmaking process, normally accounting for ten to 20 per cent of the blast furnace burden. Like other feeds, the characteristics of lump ore have an important impact on the stable operation and productivity of the blast furnace. Lump ore is usually assessed chemically, physically and mineralogically to establish its likely blast furnace performance. The physical characteristics of lump ore are strongly related to the chemistry, mineralogy and texture of the ore involved. In this paper, the blast furnace ironmaking process is reviewed, with particular emphasis on the key quality requirements for the ferrous burden material. A variety of key physical characteristics of lump ore measured using standard and non-standard methods are then described and subsequently correlated with the chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the ore wherever possible. Finally, the impact of these physical characteristics on blast furnace operation is assessed.

Jan 1, 2009

By R Burgess-Limerick, J Haight

A review of mining automation experiences was undertaken on behalf of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The research included a review of literature and guidance materials; analysis of automation related incidents and visits to surface and underground mines in Australia, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Sweden and the USA.

Apr 16, 2024

The Northparkes E26 Mine is AustraliaÆs first block cave mine. This paper presents an outline of the design and construction philosophies that drove the project development and details the excavation, ground support and construction methods used. Features of the block caving method at Northparkes include:high production rates from multiple drawpoints;hard blocky ore fractured along gypsum veins; andloading/unloading of openings due to mining induced stresses.The drawpoints are subjected to high abrasion from the flow of ore, as well as impact from both secondary blasting and from the production LHDs. In order to withstand these harsh conditions and to ensure a low maintenance environment, a conservative approach to ground support was taken. The experiences gained during construction are discussed and whether the design expectations have been achieved. By installing a high level of ground support during excavation of the openings subject to mining stresses, a low maintenance environment has been constructed. Operating costs are therefore minimised and Northparkes E26 Mine continues to produce at the lowest cost per tonne of all Australian underground mines.

Jan 1, 1999

THOSE who dabble in mining are no exception to the general rule that persons who know a little of a subject are apt to think that they know all about it. Some colour may be lent to the belief that anyone may succeed in mining when we hear stories ofsuccessful diggers and others who have accidentally dropped on to something good through no foresight on their part; but we seldom hear the contra account of the far larger number who fail. Those who go more thoroughly into the subject, and take up mining as a profession, know very well that it is not one that can be carried out successfully by rule of thumb, but when they point this out to the public they are credited with trying to make it a closed profession; and outsiders are for ever trying to find out the "trade secrets," at the same time spurning the main one, which is hard study, experience, and the ability to apply their knowledge. The average mining man is not rich. When he amasses a fortune it is generally through speculation rather than professional work, thought no doubt his technical knowledge may have assisted...

Jan 1, 1910

By Kelly BJ, Smith GA

The recommendations of a recent American report on "Better contracting for Underground Construction" are considered in relation to Contracting practices on major Australian projects by representatives Of the "classical trilogy" - the Owner, Engineer and Contractor.

Jan 1, 1976

By D P. Sainsbury, B L. Sainsbury, A Vakili, H-D Paetzold, P Lourens

The cave propagation behaviour of a jointed rock mass is strongly governed by the unique nature of joints and discontinuities, together with the intact strength of rock bridges that make up the rock fabric. A discrete finite difference (DFD) modelling technique has been developed to allow for the detailed consideration of the rock mass structural fabric at many scales and through many different stress paths that can be used for complex mine-scale analysis. The DFD methodology uses interfaces to explicitly represent large-scale structures and ubiquitous joints embedded within the simulated rock mass matrix to characterise intermediate structures. Through simulated testing of DFD materials, properties such as strength anisotropy and scale effects can be obtained. This paper discusses the successful application of implementing a DFD modelling technique for the back-analysis of caving-induced subsidence behaviour of Lift 1 at the Palabora mine.CITATION:Sainsbury, D P, Sainsbury, B L, Paetzold, H-D, Lourens, P and Vakili, A, 2016. Caving-induced subsidence behaviour of Lift 1 at the Palabora block cave mine, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 415–426 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Tapp BA

Australia, considered an energy and mineral resource rich country, is poised on the verge of a major mineral industry 'boom'. It has been repeatedly emphasised that this growth in the mineral industry will form the basis of future economic development. Currently the mining and mineral processing industries use some 32% of the annual primary energy consumption in Australia. This share, although large even now, will increase with the realisation of the 1980's production expansions to 40% by 1985. Two metal industries dominate the energy scenario; iron and steel and aluminium. Major expansions in the local industry will be dominated by the aluminium industry. This highly energy intensive industry has planned major increases in metal production throughout the eighties. The implications of exporting cheap energy to pay for expensive oil imports, the ramifications on Australia's infrastructural ability to supply these major energy needs and the other options that might be

Jan 1, 1981

By A Jewbali, J Phillips, C Boyle

Normal practice in the mining industry is the creation of a single geological model. These models provide a single interpretation of the geological and mineralisation domains. These interpretations infer the exact behaviour of ore domain contacts at shorter scales when resource definition drilling is done on wider scales and are thus locally highly uncertain. The interpreted geological model provides a single number for the volume and tonnes of mineralised material enclosed by the mineralisation envelope. It is on this single number for volume and tonnage that capital intensive mine development decisions (mine design and scheduling, stockpile strategy, waste management, closure planning, dewatering strategy, product quality, etc) are based. Some of these decisions require knowledge of grade variability for small volumes of material such as quarterly production periods. It is generally recognised that this information cannot be derived from single kriged geological models, but can potentially be modelled by conditional simulation techniques. Uncertainty in the extent and continuity of the mineralised envelope and its effect on grade variability for shorter production periods is thus recognised as a major source of uncertainty in new mine development.CITATION:Jewbali, A, Boyle, C and Phillips, J, 2013. Quantifying domain uncertainty for an iron ore deposit, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2013 , pp 157-168 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 12, 2013

By J Tickner, Y Van Haarlem, G Roach, D Abernethy, M Smith, J OÆDwyer

The development of novel technologies capable of real-time, high-accuracy, automated analysis of gold, other precious metals and mineralogy, both in ore samples and directly on process streams is reported.X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is widely used for process stream monitoring of base metals. However, detection limits are generally a few parts-per-million (ppm) or larger, precluding the use of this method for monitoring precious metals. Complex interferences with other elements also limit accuracy. An XRF slurry analyser that uses advanced data-analysis techniques to resolve overlapping fluorescence lines, achieving detection limits in the parts-per-billion (ppb) range has been developed. This allows feed, concentrate and tailings streams in precious metal applications to be monitored in real-time. An extended trial of our technology in a platinum group element concentrator and laboratory tests on gold process slurries in the 0.1 - 2.0 ppm concentration range is discussed.Analysis of process stream mineralogy can provide useful information to supplement conventional elemental data. An on-stream X-ray diffraction analysis technique that provide real-time mineral and elemental measurement of process slurry streams has been developed. Both X-ray techniques can be combined into a single on-stream analyser to provide simultaneous elemental and mineralogical information. The successful trial of a combined XRDF (X-ray diffraction and fluorescence) slurry analyser is also reported.It is widely recognised that rapid, accurate analysis of grade is an essential prerequisite for optimising the efficiency of exploration, mining and processing of metals ores. The low grades of precious metals ores, such as gold and the platinum group elements, have led to fire assay becoming the predominant analysis technique. Significant drawbacks of fire assay include long turn-around times, limited absolute accuracy, high costs and requirement for skilled operating staff. For rapid measurement of gold samples, a technique that allows the gold content of large samples to be determined absolutely with high accuracy in less than two minutes using activation with high-energy X-rays has been developed. The method is non-destructive, has detection limits in the low ppb range, is capable of measuring slurries, ground or crushed solids with minimal preparation and can be made fully automatic. Initial results from laboratory trials are presented.CITATION:Roach, G, Abernethy, D, OÆDwyer, J, Smith, M, Tickner, J and Van Haarlem, Y, 2013. Advanced instrumentation for analysis of exploration, mining and process materials, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 277-282 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

By M A. Etheridge

The evolution of economic precious metal and copper-gold deposits in high-level igneous terranes is dependent on very efficient fluid focussing. This is most readily achieved by contemporaneous deformation, igneous intrusion and hydrothermal activity. Mineralisation in these environments generally occurs in fault and fault-vein arrays developed in the cover sedimentary and volcanics sequences above older regional scale fault systems. Such reactivated fault systems are particularly prone to developing tile complex fracture arrays, extreme local dilation and dramatic increases in permeability that are necessary to efficiently focus hydrothermal fluid and produce large mineral deposits. The arc systems of tilePacific rim are typically structurally and tectonically complex. At any given period in the evolution of an arc system, it may be dominated by extensional, compressional or strike-slip deformation. Indeed, it is common for the tectonic environment to change repeatedly through the development of a single arc segment. As a result, structures formed in one tectonic environment are commonly complexly reactivated in quite different environments later in arc evolution. These complexly reactivated structures have greater potential to localise extreme fracturing, dilation and fluid flux than primary structures. Application of this knowledge to practical exploration requires an understanding of the primary geometry of the controlling fault systems, the fault movements during reactivation, intrusion and mineralisation, and the consequent location and geometry of dilational sites. Simple 2D lineament analysis and targeting on lineament intersections does not suffice. Chemical processes that results from structurally focussed fluid flow may also contribute to permeability enhancement and further enhance fluid flux. Two main types of chemical feedback are important. The first involves selective dissolution of minerals during alteration and tile consequent production of increased porosity and permeability. The second occurs where alteration changes the mechanical properties of tile rock mass, especially where it leads to a greater propensity for fracture (eg by silification). In near-surface environments (< ~1 km), geomorphic processes complement fault systems in focussing fluid flow to develop sub-horizontal bodies of mineralisation, such as the giant Ladolam gold deposit (>42 million ounces of gold).   Along with classification schemes which stress crustal level, host rocks and alteration assemblages, the styles of high level 'epithermal' and reated deposits must also be considered in respect of their controlling co-active fault structures. Such structural understanding, combined with understanding of tile chemical processes involved (eg host rock reactivity), provides a major tool for exploration particularly in terrains obscured by deep weathering. Geological interpretation based on integration of field mapping with magnetic, radiometric and other remotely sensed imagery provides a powerful complementary tool to the traditional geochemical and geophysical targeting techniques. Timely and effective geological input is capable of reducing exploration risk and providing a more cost-effective basis for drilling and development. Examples of deposits associated with fault reactivation in extensional, compressional and strike-slip settings within arc systems are discussed in this context.

Jan 1, 1995

Reliable predictions of the long-term water quality and water level fluctuations in a final void are vital if mine operators propose to decommission final voids in open cut mining operations. The catchments feeding final voids typically comprise a large proportion of coal placed or re-shaped spoil piles. Spoil piles from open cut coal mining operations have distinctive hydrological characteristics, which result in unique run-off behaviour. There is a need to understand the nature of spoil hydrology processes in order to predict the long-term hydrological behaviour and water quality responses of such systems. Preliminary estimates indicate that it may take 20 or more years for a void to flood. It is impractical for mine owners and operators to wait until long-term hydrological and water quality conditions have been established in a void, before reaching agreement with regulators about mine closure conditions. Reliable simulation of the long-term water quality and water level fluctuations in a void are therefore. The adoption of an agreed modelling approach and sharing of results from field data programs could result in the establishment of a database that could be used, with regulatory approval, for assigning parameter values, without the need for a specific data collection program for every individual void. Industry and regulators should agree on the model adopted for predicting post-closure behaviour of spoil/void systems. This will require reliable, robust methods for field data collection. This paper describes the field monitoring, data collection, model preparation and simulations undertaken over a three year period for Australian Coal Association Research Projects (ACARP) Project C7007. It presents the findings of that research, and provides comment on aspects of the project that were undertaken well and on aspects that could have been done better. Limited data is presented in this paper due to confidentiality arrangements with the relevant mine sites.

Jan 1, 2003

By Dean J. A, Taube A, White A. H, Messenger P. R, Jones I. W O, Huston D. L

The 50 million tonne Mount Morgan gold-copper deposit (4.99 g/t Au, 0.72 per cent Cu) was an irregular pipe-like body of quartz and pyrite, with subordinate chalcopyrite, magnetite and gold. Mineralisation was hosted by the Middle Devonian Mine Corridor Volcanics which occur as a roof pendant within the Late Devonian Mount Morgan Tonalite. On three sides, the deposit was enclosed by a series of normal, concave, listric faults and surrounded by outward-dipping Mine Corridor Volcanics. The tonalite which bounded the western side of the deposit transgresses the domal structure with no apparent interference. A pipe of intense, texturally-destructive, quartz-sericite-chlorite ¦ pyrite underlay and partly surrounded the deposit.The volcanic setting of the deposit, its shape, metal content and associated footwall alteration are consistent with a subsea-floor replacement origin for the gold-copper mineralisation. Mineralogical studies have confirmed the deposit has been recrystallised and annealed by a thermal metamorphic event, most likely the intrusion of the Mount Morgan Tonalite. Pyrrhotite Pipe mineralisation replaces annealed massive pyrite, suggesting that it formed during retrogressive metasomatism associated with tonalite emplacement. Telluride minerals have a close association with chalcopyrite, and no evidence for a late telluride paragenetic stage was observed. Telluride mineralisation is inferred to be genetically related to the massive sulphide mineralisation, and a separate magmatogenic origin for this mineralisation is discounted.

Jan 1, 1993

By K Niyomjinda, B Etschmann

Chatree Gold Mine is currently the only modern day gold mine operating in Thailand, and is situated approximately equidistant from Chiang Mai in the north and Bangkok in the south. Environmental guidelines set by the Thai authorities require Chatree Gold Mine to achieve a Total Cyanide level of 20 ppm or less in the process plant discharge slurry stream prior to release into the tailings storage facility. This paper describes both the initial difficulties faced in achieving compliance on this limit utilising the conventional INCO SO2/Air cyanide destruction system and the subsequent process improvements initiated to both the leaching process and the standard INCO process to achieve the current compliance levels of approximately 99/100 shifts. Improvements were focussed on the dual aspects of reducing the formation of WAD cyanide and ferrocyanide species in the leaching circuit coupled with process changes to improve removal of the ferrocyanide species from solution during the cyanide reduction stage.

Jan 1, 2004

Laboratory scale equipment was developed to recover zinc as oxide fume from granulated lead blast furnace slag. The cyclone furnace process is characterised by high treatment rates combined with continuous and independent operation.Results were sufficiently encouraging to warrant pilot plant scale trials being undertaken.INTRODUCTIONSince granulation of lead blast furnace slag started at Port Pirie in 1921 the stockpile of this material has increased to nearly 5 million tons which averages 17·5 per cent zinc by weight. Although a number of processes for recovering the zinc have been examined, economic considerations indicate that a slag fuming process is likely to be most suitable.In the conventional slag fuming process zinc is extracted by injecting pulverized coal and air into a molten slag bath. By maintaining a suitable air to coal ratio the oxidised zinc contained in the slag is reduced to metal. Volatilization of the zinc is followed by reoxidation in the gaseous phase with the addition of further air above the bath. The zinc oxide fume so produced is collected by normal gas cleaning methods.By examination of the thermodynamics of this process Bell, Turner, and Peters (1955) determined the zinc oxide activity of the slag over the duration of the fuming cycle.A combination of high temperature and high carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide ratio was found necessary for rapid zinc elimination.Since melting of the slag is an essential step in the slag fuming process, only two treatment methods appeared possible at Port Pirie until recently...

Jan 1, 1964

Asbestos is a commercial term applied to fibrous varieties of several minerals, the properties of which are not generally appreciated by the majority of geologists. A thorough knowledge of these properties and of the uses of asbestos is of fundamental importance in the assessment of the economic value of an occurrence of asbestos. The varieties of asbestos that are used predominantly by the manufact- urers of asbestos products are chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite but chrysotile constitutes 95% of the world's usage. It is the properties of high tensile strength, 'heat resistance and large surface area that make chrysotile asbestos the most acceptable of the mineral fibres. There are no known exploration aids, other than direct visual inspec- tion of outcrops in ultrabasic environments, that could be used in the exploration of chrysotile asbestos. The surface exploration of an occurrence of chrysotile asbestos is relatively routine, though it lends itself to a unique form of bulk sampling by the use of a twelve inch diameter diamond drill core. The laboratory assessment of the prop- erties of the actual fibre requires specialized techniques and tests to assess not only the amount of fibre present but also its length distri- bution, inherent strength, filterability, dust content and other prop- erties. The way a fibre reacts to milling will determine what milling process- es must be implemented to ensure a product that is acceptable to the asbestos product manufacturing industry.

Jan 1, 1971

In most mines using presplitting the final excavated wall shows a zone of damage just below the crest and well defined presplit half barrels. The crest damage (surface dilation) zone varies and is added to by subsequent adjacent perimeter blasting operations. Keeping the preconditioning to a minimum is possible using the methods described in this paper, developed on several diverse and geographically distant mining operations to control crest dilation and preconditioning by presplitting in advance - not just laterally but vertically in advance. The first documented case (Delbridge, Marton and McSweeney, 2004) in the development of the concept was undertaken at AngloGold Australia Pty Ltd's Sunrise Dam Gold Mine (SDGM), located beside Lake Carey, some 730 km northeast of Perth, Western Australia. The mine had been developed in a series of cutbacks to a depth of over 300 m and began underground mining during the latter stages of open cut operations. This mine is fairly unique in that it utilised a single pass vertical presplit which initially extended over three bench heights and after the failure mechanisms were understood, over four benches. The presplit drilling for the three stacked benches started on the floor of the second bench so that any dilation was confined to the surface one bench above the crest and modified perimeter blasting was then developed to curtail damage from blasting adjacent to the new crest. The second case is based on a South African coal mine in the Witbank Coal Measures, 140 km northeast of Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa (RSA). It was important that blasting for optimal wall stability and minimal scaling was developed in advance. A dragline is scheduled to excavate the #2 seam midburden which is the lowest of the economically viable coal seams in the five seam Witbank Coal Measures. Mining of the overburden, coal and partings above the dragline midburden pass are by excavator and truck and each mining layer is individually blasted. The results of presplitting the midburden through the overlying coal seams and partings have provided a presplit with no surface dilation of the midburden crest and ensures any subsequent crest loss is solely due to blasting adjacent to the vertical presplit. Typical of all coal mines in South Africa only vertical presplits are used. Wall control is most commonly delivered by presplit blasting and one common sight after the dust clears is a ridge of broken blocks along the presplit row, usually with a main crack running between the presplit blastholes and often parallel cracks either side of the perimeter line. The surface rock strata or block structures have been dilated by the venting gases and shock waves. Decoupled, fully coupled, single or double deck charges are used depending on a variety of factors, anecdotal practices and perceived benefits. Preconditioning of the crest rock by blasting from above may not be visible to the naked eye (or non-existent in overburden in strip coal mines) but the high speed venting of explosives gases (and often the water in the presplits) preferentially follow existing cracks and structures because there is no developed presplit crack near the surface. This nearly always lifts, shifts and separates the surface structures and geological layers. Stopping the dilation by 'sacrificial' or 'in advance' presplitting has been shown to reduce the crest loss at both metal and coal mines. Drilling and presplit blasting through an upper level of bench or layer provides a degree of restraint to the target layer where the crest must be maintained and any damage caused by the venting gases will not cause concern as it is removed as planned, leaving a stable crest.

May 1, 2010

Exerting the Advantages of National Key Discipline, Outstanding the Training of Engineering Capability, Cultivating Talent to be with Innovation Ability

Sep 13, 2010