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By H F. Galbiatti, G J. I dos Santos, A de C Zapparoli

The Grao Para and Rio Maria greenstone banded iron formations (BIFs), within the Carajas mineral province, exhibit distinct lithological and petrographic fabrics, together with pronounced differences in their surface expression, real thickness, iron grade and tonnage. These geological differences support a new model for the regional distribution of iron formations in the Carajas Mineral Province.

Jan 1, 2009

In 1976 the Pitjantjatjara Council was established under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA), for the initial purpose of organising and bringing together three similar Indigenous groups. These members of the Pitjantjatjara Council of Central Australia were demanding land rights and to legally protect their traditional lands. The Land Rights movement was more focused on the South Australian Government that became more receptive to the general notion that Aboriginal freehold land could be attainable.For almost five years, Pitjantjatjara CouncilÆs intense negotiations took place with the Dunstan and Tonkin Governments culminating in the final passage of legislation by 1981. A bi-partisan approach by Government and opposition applauded by all South Australians for its mature and socially responsible actions, in line with the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth). Despite the similarities between South Australian and the Northern Territory Land Rights legislation, there still remains one obvious distinction. In the Northern Territory case, its legislation established æLand CouncilsÆ as statutory authorities that are responsible for the management and use of designated Aboriginal lands. On the other hand, South Australian legislation fails to include any reference to æLand CouncilsÆ as defined in the Northern Territory Act. The intention of establishing such æLand CouncilsÆ in the Northern Territory was, and is to provide legal, anthropological and other expect advisers that respond to the wishes and opinions of Traditional Aboriginal Owners. Negotiations between mining companies and Land Councils, will, after the granting of mining leases, monies are then transferred to those Councils being a percentage of royalty entitlements. While the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 (SA) (Act) does provide royalty arrangements to Anangu Pitjantjatjara (AP), a body corporate pursuant to the Act as a Landholding Body (and not as a æLand CouncilÆ), it does not provide any royalty payments for the legal and anthropological services by the Pitjantjatjara Council for providing essentially similar services as the Northern Territory Land Councils. The limited services by AP do provide complimentary services from other organisations û including the Pitjantjatjara Council. There are approximately 4000 Anangu members who reside on AP Lands and more than 1000 other Anangu members live near AP Lands in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. These people are defined as APÆs æTraditional OwnersÆ by virtue of their affiliation to portions of AP Lands. As a result, the depth and understanding of spiritual beliefs and customs are strongly present as it relates to the whole of the Lands. Most of these members reside at permanent communities that spread unevenly about the northern and south-western parts of AP Lands. In addition, there are numerous æHomelandsÆ where families and extended families have establish homes, with electricity and water supplies on those Traditional Lands (see Appendix 1 and 2 of this paper depicting the map showing AP Lands and also showing stunning photographs taken during late last year). All roads and airstrips are unsealed between communities and Homelands and the essential services to all communities are limited and costly to provide, and require continuous upgrading. Capital expenditure on infrastructure is sorely needed and alarming levels of unemployment is of serious concern. Tjilpi (older) Anangu members have continually discuss the urgency to provide employment and education for the future of their children and grandchildren while balancing the needs of maintaining cultural and spiritual considerations. It is thus a growing realisation by many Traditional Owners that long-term benefits occur as a result of exploration and production of oil or minerals. There are promising results from Primary Industry and Resources of South AustraliaÆs (PIRSA) Aero-magnetic Surveys on the Musgrave and Mann Ranges and soon to be completed surveys of the remaining southern half of AP Lands (see Appendix 3). PIRSA and mining companies û such as Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Ltd and Delta Gold NL û have been more conscious of the necessity for improving the dissemination of information to Traditional Owners and to AP members. With recent findings of large nickel deposits just over the border in Western Australia, there is a strong indication that discoveries may occur on AP Lands as similar geological information is present on the east Musgrave Block. Consequently there are concerted efforts by the legal and anthropological services of the Pitjantjatjara Council to arrange Workshops and Summit meeting to give extra information û particularly information concerning the true effect of large-scale mining operations û to members to properly consider these proposals. Pitjantjatjara Council will play a major role in any decisions effecting Traditional Owners and AP, and will ensure orderly and professional services when dealing with legal, cultural and sensitive matters. This paper addresses the historical and current relationship between Pitjantjatjara Council and AP, with an emphasis on mining operations on AP Lands. It argues that future economic and social development on AP Lands hinge predominantly on the legal recognition of the Pitjantjatjara Council for its ongoing role, responsibilities and protection afforded to AP and its Traditional Owners.

Jan 1, 2002

Antimony ore samples (mean assay 18·7 per cent antimony) from Endeavour Inlet, Marlborough Sounds New Zealand, were tested for upgrading by flotation to a saleable product (60 per cent antimony).The effects of activating agents, collectors, frothers, pH, conditioning time, and particle size on the recovery and grade of a stibnite flotation concentrate were determined using HaIlimond tube and laboratory flotationcell test apparatus. Optimum flotation conditions for the ore were thereby established. A stibnite concentrate grading 63 per cent antimony and an overall recovery of 90 per cent is obtainable in a two-stage process.

Jan 1, 1977

IN the underground department of a mine, we may fairly say that "good management is based upon three elementals: first, sound engineering; second, proper coordination and efficiency of every human unit; third, economy in the purchase and consumption: of supplies.This paper is practically an analysis of the second element; which stands out prominently as the most important in the winning of successful results. The human units are divided into officers and men. The officers intermesh. One man takes responsibility where another throws it down; incessantly new conditions are arising where they may be doubtful of their powers; and always, on account of the three shifts, varying methods of work are coming into conflict. This very often results in disorganization. What is most necessary to guard against this is an esprit de corps, which would influence officers to stifle personal feelings for the general welfare of the department, To secure co-operation and loyalty of the staff, the writer recommends for the mines of the field a system of profit-sharing. Distributed on a salary basis, together with liberal holidays (not less than three weeks in each year) on full pay...

Jan 1, 1912

In the last two years the Commission for the Environment has received four Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) for Audit and has been or is involved with at least four environmental impact assessments (EIA) related to mining. The EIRs have included Weavers Coal Mine, the Monowai-Maratoto mining proposal, the Martha Hill mine and the Wainui Road Mill. The EIAs are related mainly to coal fields in the Waikato but also included a further EIA on Martha Hill.

Jan 1, 1986

By F N. Baez

This paper supplements a keynote address prepared for the MassMin 2016 conference on mass underground mining methods, including block, panel, inclined and sublevel caving. It advocates for a new cave mining paradigm that takes advantage of a number of new and disruptive technologies or innovations that have evolved over the last 15 years, some of which were initiated by major mining companies such as Codelco. The paper will address the challenges that the industry will be facing in the future as well as possible solutions. As background, the paper summarises the challenges that the industry has faced in the past and how such challenges were addressed. The author acknowledges that given his more than 30 years of experience with Codelco Chile (operations and corporate), aspects of his intelligent mining concept have no doubt been influenced and have matured during his invaluable time with Codelco also as the Head of Technology and Innovation. In the paper, he uses some of the innovations developed within Codelco and by the Chilean Government to illustrate the concept of ‘intelligent mining’.CITATION:Baez, F N, 2016. ‘Intelligent mining’ – the way of the future, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 3–8 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

This paper reviews the gold mining history and recent exploration activities on a number of beaches in the Catlins area of coastal South Otago. Past mining history and recent sampling indicate the presence of economically significant concentrations of placer gold, as well as anomalous PGM, and various heavy mineral species. A local source for this placer mineralisation is considered a strong possibility, along with a contribution from the Waiau River catchment via longshore drift. Blacksand beds in Jurassic sandstones of the Southland Synclinorium may represent this local source of mineralisation on the modern beaches. The possibility of placer mineralisation extending onto the inner continental shelf is also considered. Further exploratory work is justified, both for in situ Jurassic blacksand deposits, and to delineate mineralisation in the modern beach and inner shelf environment.

Jan 1, 1992

By S B. Stewart, C J. Restarick

Over a four-hour period of steady plant operation samples were taken at regular intervals frum points within the grinding and flotation circuits. Size fractions of each composite sample were analysed for lead and zinc values and a comparison made of the behaviour of the lead, zinc and gangue minerals, size by size throughout the whole circuit. Analysis of the breakage behaviour using dynamic mathematical models gave the rates of breakage of each size fraction of each main component. Simulated grinding experiments shaved that the main grinding circuit had some reserve capacity. In the lead flotation circuit all lead values between 150 mesh (Tyler) and 5 ¦m had excellent flotation characteristics, and a major proportion had a high rate of flotation which was practically the same for all sizes. Increase in overall lead recovery would require improvement of the flotation behaviour of ultra-fine lead minerals. These were slav floating and were responsible for approximately half the lead losses in the final zinc concentrate and one thiro of the lead losses in the final tails. All sizes of zinc values between 150 mesh and 7 ¦m floated well and the performance of the zinc flotation circuit was mainly limited by the relatively poor flotation of the very fine zinc values. Approximately 60 per cent of the zinc lost to the final tails lay within the -7 ¦m fraction. The overall flotation conditions were conducive to very good selective flotation of the major proportion of the values and limitations in metallurgical performance were mainly due to the properties of the ultra-fines.

Jan 1, 1971

Recent literature is reviewed with emphasis on the design and scale up of mixers. Most important aspects of mixing have resulted from the study of Newtonian fluids and only a minor attempt has been made to extend the work to non-Newtonian materials.The rheology of non-Newtonian materials is outlined and the typical behaviour of mineral slurries is indicated.The importance of flow velocity, flow pattern, and fluid turbulence is discussed with relation to suspension of solids and rate of reaction.Data on experimental leaching of ore from Mary Kathleen, Queensland, show the effect of different mixing impellers.In conclusion, factors involved in the selection of a mixer are presented with emphasis on economic appraisal after pilot experimentation.INTRODUCTIONThe subject of mixing has attracted considerable attention during recent years, but relatively little work has been undertaken for the study of non-Newtonian materials. Most work has been restricted to Newtonian fluids because there are less inconsistencies in such study.Mixing, by definition, implies blending or combining, and ranges from gentle mixing which blends the contents of a large tank in 24 hours to violent mixing which completely homogenises the contents of a tank within seconds. Metzner and Otto (1957) have pointed out the present lack of knowledge on the degree (or quality) of mixing. Apart from this fact the design of mixers for Newtonian materials would seem to be reasonably certain.Both capital and operating costs rise rapidly with increasing mixer size. Therefore the design, or selection, of a mixer is a matter for economic consideration in the overall aspect of plant design and operation.

Jan 1, 1961

GOLD has played a part in the development of Australia. The total yield exceeds SIX hundred million pounds sterling, while the glamour of gold-mining and the unfailing demand for the product have enhanced its influence. The production is still considerable, but the yield is less than one-quarter of that twenty years previously, while the number of men employed has dropped from 70,000 to 11,000. Not only has there been a marked decline in production, but it is anticipated that thisdecline will continue, and continue more markedly. It is therefore desirable to ascertain the causes of the decline and inquire into means for diminishing or preventing it.The problem under discussion is far from being only local. Finlay states: The grand feature of the history of the business has been the progress of an economic cycle unfavourable to gold milling. The USA yield fell from $101,000,000 to $44,000,000.South Afriea has for some time produced one-half of the world's gold; yet in the Mining and Scientific Press of 11th February, IH22, General Smuts is quoted as saying that if the premium disappeared entirely 24 out of 34 mines would shut down. The solution, however, might be either general eg, a great advance in the metallurgy of gold; or local eg, a bonus; but before discussing any of the proposed solutions it will be advantageous to review the situation.STATISTICS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT PRODUCTION OF THE WORLD AND OF AUSTRALIAThe inquirer soon finds that there is a good deal of uncertainty, and that much care is needed in collating figures. In some cases a considerable part of the output is not officially reported, and returns...

Jan 1, 1924

Truly launched during the 1939-45 war, b¬,osted since by huge increases in demand for food, shelter and manufactures of ill kinds, petrochemicals have rocketed into prominence' all'oVer''th'e world and are accelerating to even greater heights.Manipulation of the hydrocarbons in petroleum or natural gas provides raw materials for a wid.e'variety of plastics, resins, detergents, rubbers, chemical intermediates, fibres and fertilisers. These in. turn.. go into a host of products essential to our way of life.A5 a source of chemicals, petroleum has achieved a high place. because of its abundance, relative.eheapness acid ease "f transport and because it can,be' economically processed.'If a nation's industrial' progress is measured by ' the ' modern yardstick of petrochemical production,'Australia has reasonto be proud, for it now has 1S petrochemical plants worth'156 million, either in operation or under construction.At several locations near Sydney and Melbourne, these plants produce petroleum ethylene, propylene, butadiene and benzene, or convert these building blocks into the three major thermoplastics (polyethylene; polyvinylchloride and polystyrene)-a.nd"S.B.R.synthetic" rubber. "A number bf other imr-ortant petrochemicals, including carbon black, and ammonia, also are made, or-planned...Most petrochemicals find application. in seven principal industries - rubber, fibres, detergents, surface coatings, automotive, agriculture and plastics. They play a .part in many other industries, including mining and metallurgy.In Australia, population growth,.an -incr.easing standard of living, greater industrial activity and the replacement of older materials all should considerably expand the markets for established petrochemical plants and lead to the introduction of new manufactures.Unless thwarted, these positive forces should propel petro-chemicals into a future glittering with promise;' ò 'However, some help for the infant industry seems needed if petrochemicals, while growing with the nation, are to contribute as they can to our national development.

Jan 1, 1962

By C Lutherborrow

The Sangdong Tungsten/Molybdenum Deposit is located in the Republic of Korea and was discovered in 1916. At this time Korea was a colony of Japan. It was mined for two years after discovery closing in 1918. Full production recommenced in 1933, and from that point until 1945, it was the major source of tungsten for armour plate for the Japanese military. After World War 2 the US government ran the mine until late 1946. The mine operation then passed to Korean ownership but production ceased during the Korean War and did not recommence until late 1953. The mine ceased operation in 1992 due to low metal prices. From the late 1960s to the time of closure, Sangdong was the largest tungsten mine in the world (Kim, 2002). An understanding of changing mining methods over time has been critical in assessing the potential of redeveloping the Sangdong Deposit.

Aug 22, 2011

By G A. Ekama

This paper describes a novel system for the biological sulfate reduction (BSR) of acid mine drainage (AMD) using primary sewage sludge (PSS) as carbon source in an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor configuration. A UASB reactor was operated at a temperature of 35¦C and it received PSS (1875 mg/L COD) augmented with sulfate (1500 mg/L SO42-). The experimental results indicate that a high treatment efficiency was achieved at more than 90 per cent sulfate reduction at a liquid hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 13.5 h. In this study, the effects of various operational parameters were also investigated. The effect of a biomass recycle stream from the top to the bottom of the sludge bed was found to initiate rapid BSR from the bottom of the bed. Profile tests showed that effective and immediate sulfate reduction was achieved as soon as the influent entered the reactor. From these results, it can be concluded that the UASB configuration using PSS as energy source would be a viable method for the BSR of AMD.

Jan 1, 2009

This article focuses on TurkeyÆs gold potential with respect to exploration, development and operation after 1985. Apart from TurkeyÆs geology, which offers a substantial number of volcanic-associated gold (Ag) and gold-copper (Au-Cu) projects, there are numerous other factors which make the country a favourable place for mining. Turkey has a mining history which goes back to pre-Roman times and an excellent mining code which ensures security for long-term production. In the country, the Government and local villagers are very positive and the country works extremely well logistically with excellent road and telecommunication links. The opportunities for new discoveries in Turkey are very high. Moreover, Turkey has its eyes turned west as it moves towards joining the European Community and it is no surprise that international companies believe it has got its timing as well as its partner relationship right. Newmont, Teck Cominco, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Eldorado Gold, etc all have direct or indirect interests in Turkey, as do an increasing number of midtier and junior exploration companies. Turkish Koza Gold Mining is the first Au producing company of Turkey. The Eldorado Gold owned 245 t Kisladag Au deposit in Western Turkey is currently also producing Au. In the meantime Anatolia Minerals Development is advancing the 131 t resource at the C÷pler Au deposit in North Eastern Turkey. These are significant world-class deposits. Further encouragement for investment in the Au mining sector has been provided by the introduction of a new mining law in 1985. Foreign investments in the country were encouraged and have seen a rapid increase in the last two decades. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is in excess of five per cent per annum, inflation is down from 70 per cent to single figures, the budget deficit has been cut by 40 per cent to 11 per cent and industrial output and productivity are increasing rapidly. Turkey is politically and economically stable, is a member of the European Customs Union, has a supportive mining legislation, is highly prospective and under-explored and hosts significant recent gold discoveries.

Jan 1, 2007

By C Maloloy-on, S Morgan, M Deiparine, H Mackie

There is a strong focus in the mining industry to limit its impact on water quality and usage. This is even more evident in developing countries, where mining companies operate within local communities and have to be diligent not to affect them negatively. In mineral processing operations, the vast majority of water reclamation occurs at the tailings thickener area and tailings storage dam. It is often more effective to maximise water recovery at the tailings thickener before material transport to the tailings dam. Tailing dams are relatively inefficient, and experience a high degree of water loss due to evaporation, seepage and water retention. In addition, tailings dams present the biggest environmental liability for mineral resource projects, so it is beneficial to limit their size and loading.In the past, it was common for tailings thickener areas to have a significant footprint with several large diameter conventional thickeners, producing underflows of between 45-55% solids (w/w). At times, these multiple thickeners were difficult to operate, leading to inefficiencies in water recovery and quality. The development of High-Rate Thickeners (HRT) has resulted in improved settling properties and HRTs usually operate at significantly higher solids loadings (= 1.2 t/m2.h) when compared to conventional thickeners (= 0.1 t/m2.h). Subsequently, thickener diameters have reduced in size and HRT technology has become the preferred option for thickener circuit design in both new and existing operations. HRTs also produce higher water recoveries with increased underflow densities = 55% solids (w/w).The Carmen Copper Corporation (“Carmen Copper”) circuit upgrade is a recent example of these HRT benefits, where one, 39 m diameter, Outotec HRT treats the solids flow rate of five 76 m diameter conventional thickeners. This has allowed operations to increase dry plant tonnage by 50%, maintain key performance targets and provide a framework for further plant expansion. This paper details the sustainable approach to the Carmen Copper tailings thickener upgrade, where metallurgical performance, cost-effectiveness and environmental impact were key considerations.CITATION:Morgan, S, Mackie, H, Maloloy-on, C and Deiparine, M, 2015. Carmen Copper – a sustainable approach to tailings thickener upgrades, in Proceedings MetPlant 2015, pp 416–430 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 7, 2015

Production sharing and cost apportionment in joint ventures is commonplace in Australasia today and elsewhere. It is a recognised convention that, with the exception of a free carry situation, joint venture participants usually share the proceeds of the joint venture in direct proportion to their respective participating interest, after having first paid its respective cash calls, in advance, to cover the projectÆs ongoing operating and capital cost requirements.In surface mines, the parties simply pay their way and take their proceeds in this manner. In underground mines, the situation is no different, though treatment of capital, depreciation and tax may differ between the parties. A common feature in many cases is the creation of a joint venture entity to conduct the business. This entity then collects cash from the parties, banks it, employs the staff, runs the operation, provides reports and pays out the proceeds. This convention appears to be relatively simple in application. In practice, it has been known to be complicated in the situation where the participants take their product at the mine gate and undertake their own marketing and selling arrangements. A more complex situation presents itself where the joint venture tenement boundary with an unrelated third party straddles an economic deposit. In this scenario, both the joint venture parties and the third party may wish to mine the deposit, sharing some infrastructure and costs, yet taking their own product as it is produced. A case study outlining such a situation is presented in the paper, outlining firstly how the major cost categories were identified and treated for cost apportionment purposes. Secondly, a mechanism for the equitable apportionment of product is suggested. Finally, issues such as timing and cost reporting are dealt with, together with a checklist of points which should be considered when a similar situation might arise in the future.

Jan 1, 2002

By D J. Brake

There has been a strong trend over the past decade in hard rock mines towards the use of very high powered auxiliary (or secondary) fans; in many mines, the installed power for the secondary ventilation system now exceeds that of the primary ventilation system. This also reflects the trend to use two-stage auxiliary fans pushing air into a single ‘trunk’ duct that in turn splits into multiple branches with multiple outlets feeding multiple workplaces. This often produces a poor result in terms of face flows due to the high resistance, high leakage and badly managed duct outlets, as well as high fan capital and operating (power) costs, which in turn also results in a higher cost for the underground power reticulation/distribution systems. This paper explores the reasons why this trend exists and what ventilation practitioners can do to utilise less expensive systems that simultaneously deliver better workplace conditions. It includes a case study.CITATION:Brake, D J, 2017. Auxiliary ventilation design – why and how mines waste so much power on inferior systems, in Proceedings Australian Mine Vent Conference 2017, pp 27–34 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 28, 2017

The contiguous Kotre Basantpur and Pachmo (KBP) coal blocks in the Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand State in east India are being developed by Tata Steel Limited (Tata Steel) to supply coking coal to a new steel mill at Kalinganagar in Orissa.The planning challenges are many. The multiple coal seams range in thickness up to 6 m and extend to nearly 500 m depth, with dips up to 25¦ and highly variable quality. Several normal faults with throws up to 150 m intersect the deposit. There is little room for waste dumping on the lease, several large nalas (seasonal creeks) cross the blocks, and the KBP leases are not contiguous with Tata Steel's existing mining operations at West Bokaro. Geotechnical conditions, while not well defined at this stage, are largely unfavourable. There are several villages on the blocks, and extensive paddy fields. In 2009, Adelaide Mining Consultants Pty Ltd (AMC) completed a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a production level of 8 Mt/a. A terrace mining system was proposed using 28 m3 hydraulic excavators and 185 t trucks working horizontal up-dip slices. Subsequently the viability of in-pit crushing and conveying was assessed, but the full results were not available for this paper.It is planned to extract a total of 147 Mt of raw coal at a strip ratio of 5.2 bank cubic metres per tonne (bcm/t). The planned maximum pit depth is over 300 m.The project includes a washery, a 2 + 25 MW fluidised bed power station to utilise all the coarse washery rejects, and a railway spur line to carry the washed coal to the railhead some 7 km distant.

Dec 6, 2010

IN 1906, soon after his arrival in New Zealand, a brief article was prepared by the writer on "The Salient Features of the Economic Geology of New Zealand," for the Journal of Economic Geology. In November, 1907, a somewhat similar paper, entitled "The Mineral Wealth of New Zealand," was read at the Royal Colonial Institute in London. The present contribution to the Transactions...

Jan 1, 1909

By S G. Keyte

Gravity methods of recovering alluvial gold are not very efficient at particle sizes below about 0.l mm. Whereas such gold may not have been economic to recover in the past, the same may not be true today. Centrifugal concentrators, like the Knudsen and Knelson bowls, are showing promise after an inauspicious start, at least in New Zealand. The large proportion of heavy mineral in many auriferous beach sands and the natural hydrophobicity of fine gold should make flotation an attractive contender for its recovery. The conventional mechanical flotation cell is effective, but roughing, scavenging and cleaning are necessary to achieve both high recovery and low mass Yield. More problematic is the difficulty of maintaining coarse and dense sands in suspension. The air sparged hydrocyclone is effective at recovering fine gold from a fine Colarado River sand, but is not effective for the coarse and dense beach sands of New Zealand. The flotation column shows much promise for these sands, when recoveries of over 80 per cent and mass yields of less than one per cent can be achieved in a single pass. The froth separator of the USSR and flash flotation could also be worthy contenders. It is felt that flotation could be limited to naturally and artificially de-slimed concentrates.

Jan 1, 1990