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By K Clode, J Al-Shdifat, S Daykin

Planning for a circular economy allows for previously untapped market opportunities to be explored, resulting in new, innovative revenue generating opportunities, while also reducing environmental impacts. In particular, rare earth elements (REE) are in rising demand as they are key components of over 200 products across a wide range of applications (Xie et al, 2023) including renewable energy technologies. There is a geographical disparity in deposits, with China being the top producer, generating 70 per cent of global production in 2022 (Laboure, 2023). This single dominating source has created supply chain concentration and hence supply risks for other nations, providing a driver for finding alternative sources, such as mine-influenced water (MIW) and tailings. In this study, Isle presents a robust due diligence methodology for undertaking a global horizon scan into REE recovery technology, for a large mining company, from tailings decant water on a specific site. Previous studies of the tailings decant water at this site had shown potentially significant concentrations of both heavy and light REE, but challenges such as high flow, very low pH and high concentrations of iron had previously made recovery unfeasible. Due to these challenges, the horizon scan focused on technologies that had the potential for selective recovery, despite the challenges with water quality, and considered a range of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). This included an adsorption-based process that has the potential to selectively separate individual REE, and a polymer based selective flocculation technology.

Sep 1, 2024

In the Renison Bell area of western Tas mania, a series of Lower Cambrian quartzites, shales, carbonate beds ("dolomites"), cong- lomerates, tuffs and argillites have been folded into a broad monocline whose general strike is NW-SE, plunging slightly north and dipping NE. The downwarped eastern side of the monocline is disrupted by a steep (50-800) east dipping normal fault, known as the Bassett Structure, whose throw is in excess of 500 m. A series of flat north dipping normal faults, each with a throw of approximately 50 m, further disrupts the sequence. All major faulting was pre-mineralization. A cassiterite- bearing Devonian quartz porphyry body intrudes this Cambrian sequence 2 km south of the currently operating mine. Of economic importance is the presence of three carbonate beds in the sequence. These carbonates consist of a mixture of calcite, dolomite and siderite. The No. 1 (youngest) and No. 2 carbonate beds are each approximately 15 m thick and are separated by 20 m of hematitic conglomerates and tuffs. The No. 3 (oldest) carbonate bed is approximately 5 m thick and is separated from the No. 2 horizon by 50 m of dark grey, finely laminated shales and quart- zites. Whilst the carbonates are remarkably persistent over at least 30 km2, facies changes are common and as a result of these changes, the carbonates vary considerably in

Jan 1, 1973

By De Carvalho J

The average installed refrigeration capacity on South African gold mines has increased by about eighteen per cent annually for the past 15 years; both the number of installations and their duties have increased. One consequence of these large refrigeration installations is that careful attention must be paid to the system for distributing cold water. In these distribution systems, devices which minimize the temperature rise of the water delivered to the underground workings and which also reduce the pumping requirements for returning the water back to surface are used. In this paper the suitability of these various devices are examined and with the aid of a specially developed computer program their optimum operating conditions are determined. In addition the optimum combination of surface and underground refrigeration plants is examined for a hypothetical mine at various depths and the importance of pump efficiency on total distribution costs is discussed.

Jan 1, 1988

Since 1975 two electric hydraulic drills, a Robbins 11ND and an Atlas Copco C0P1038, have been part of the production drilling fleet at Mount Isa Mines Limited's Isa Mine. As might be expected with innovative and technically more complex machines, breakdowns and mainten- ance problems have been greater than those experienced with pneumatic drifters. This has been especially so with the COP1038 but in co-operation with Atlas Copco, many modific- ations have been made to alleviate operating problems. The training and quality of the maintenance workforce is of great importance. The use of coloured pictorial diagrams for hydraulic trouble-shooting will aid in minimising maintenance downtime. Both machines have achieved good operator acceptance. This is the result of many factors, the major ones being the more acceptable environmental conditions, the relatively low amount of physical effort and the high degree of mechanisation. The drilling area is one in which there is great potential for cost savings and product- ivity gains. Because both machines are capable of a high drilling output, Isa Mine is confident of achieving these aims.

Jan 1, 1978

By McKenzie C. K

During a programme of explosive performance evaluation at Hamersley Iron, Mount Tom Price Mining Operations, the relative performances of a range of heavy ANFO explosives were compared during normal production blasting operations. In addition, a number of heavily instrumented single hole blasting trials were conducted with each product type. The blasts were monitored in terms of blasthole velocity of detonation (VOD), measured using multi-point plasma conductivity probes with up to 16 measurements per blasthole. Up to 16 blastholes were monitored in each production blast. The results of measurements show a marked difference in performance of all heavy ANFO products between single blastholes and full production blasts, indicating a significant degree of interaction between blastholes in production blasting. The interaction is shown to result in a loss of detonation pressure of explosive, and considered to lead to a loss of fragmentation. The degree of interaction is seen to increase with increasing emulsion content in the products, and is more pronounced in some explosive types than others. The paper presents the methods of measurement and analysis, and the results of monitoring, together with implications on blast design and application of heavy ANFO products.

Jan 1, 1990

By N J. Arunakumaren

A coal mine is proposed for an area where a major river traverses the project area. There were initial concerns that inflow of groundwater from exposures of high permeability alluvium associated with the river system could pose mine dewatering problems together with adverse impacts on surface water resources in the river. The project included collation and analysis of geological and hydrogeological data collected historically over a long period of project investigation and evaluation. The project also included establishment of additional groundwater monitoring points to provide a reliable groundwater contours. The groundwater level contours were produced to allow numerical models to be calibrated to support estimation of groundwater inflow. River bed cross sections were also prepared to assist study of the effect of river flow on the inflow. Two separate MODFLOW groundwater models were produced to simulate long-term groundwater inflow to the mine with an upper model consisting of the Quaternary and Tertiary alluvium lumped together and a lower, separate model consisting of Mesozoic coal measures. Analytical solutions were used to predict initial inflow from the alluvium and from the coal measures.

Jan 1, 2003

By M Barkh, F X. Spachtholz

The mining industry faces significant environmental challenges in managing tailing ponds and wastewater treatment, including the risk of contaminated water, breaches of tailing dams, and energy-intensive treatment processes. Traditional methods involve pumping water to secondary treatment facilities for neutralisation, which is costly and poses operational and environmental risks. In response to these challenges, the Professional Mine Water Action Plan (PMAP) introduces a revolutionary approach that combines cutting-edge AI technology and environmentally friendly reagents for in situ neutralisation of acidic wastewater. PMAP leverages magnesium-based slowrelease reagents and AI-driven intelligent dispensing systems to optimise treatment processes within the tailing pond itself. The unmanned smart dispensing vessel (USDV) conducts bathymetry to gather data on water quality and hydrography, allowing the system to determine the appropriate reagent quantity and injection strategy. This approach transforms the tailing pond into virtual reaction columns, enabling individual and simultaneous water treatment while optimising efficiency. PMAP’s novel reagent demonstrates exceptional efficacy in removing critical metals like cobalt, nickel, and copper, as well as reducing harmful metals such as mercury and manganese to undetectable concentrations. Unlike traditional lime-based treatments, PMAP’s reagent prevents gypsum formation and reduces waste volume significantly, improving reagent utilisation and solid waste handling. Furthermore, PMAP technology offers benefits beyond environmental stewardship. By reducing water treatment costs and improving resource management, it enhances operational efficiency and aligns with broader corporate sustainability goals. Additionally, PMAP expedites permitting processes by eliminating the need for traditional water treatment infrastructure and mitigating risks associated with hazardous reagent transportation. Integrating PMAP as a pre-treatment for existing lime facilities provides further benefits, including optimisation of treatment operations, reduced reagent consumption, and the recovery of valuable metals from generated sludges. Overall, PMAP represents a groundbreaking advancement in mining wastewater management, showcasing the transformative potential of AI and environmentally friendly solutions to foster sustainable and responsible mining practices globally. Its inaugural project in the Yukon Territory aims to demonstrate its capability to remove contaminants from mine water, paving the way for widespread adoption in the industry.

Sep 1, 2024

By Irving R. C

THE objective of the iron smelter is naturally the production of high quality iron at the lowest practicable cost. To enable this, large tonnages are put through the blast furnace, and, at the same time, the quality of the iron must be under definite control.The modern blast furnace enables these objectives to be attained. The description whieh follows sets out the general details of construction of such furnaces, and the operation at thc Broken Hill Proprietary Company's blast furnaces at Newcastle, New South Wales.The occurence of iron in many forms is so well known as to need no description. Modern civilisation may be said to be built on a foundation of iron, and, today, the production of iron and steel has beeome one of the world's industries.A short historical introduction will serve to show the evolution of the processes and apparatus since iron production assumed importance.There is no definite date fixed as to when iron was first made, or by what means it was first discovered. Perhaps prehistoric man threw iron bearing stone on to his fire, and these became reduced, Ieaving a soft metal behind, or more probably the first iron was of meteoric origin.There is evidence, however, to prove that it has been known for a period of 6000 years. Iron has been found in the Pyramids and its use was known to the early Eqyptians and later to the Hebrews, Assyrians, Greeks and Chinese. Following the Greeks, the Romans excelled in its extraction and uses in the manufacture of their instruments of war, and to this fact can largely be attributed the success of their many wars of conquest. As the Romans overran the rest of the then known world they carried the art with...

Jan 1, 1930

By Jena, Anand S, Das R. P

Leaching studies were carried out on Indian Ocean manganese nodules using sulphuric acid as the lixiviant. By leaching the nodules with 8 per cent sulphuric acid for 12h at 100°C, copper and nickel could be completely extracted along with 50 per cent cobalt and 6.2 per cent manganese.94.2 per cent of the iron was also dissolved. To increase manganese and cobalt extraction, charcoal was used as a reductant. The role of charcoal was to reduce the manganese dioxide and render it soluble as manganese sulphate as well as to facilitate solution of the cobalt minerals associated with the manganese dioxide. Various leaching parameters were studied including acid concentration, amount of reductant, leach time, pulp density and leach temperature. It was found that by leaching the nodules with 10 per cent sulphuric acid at 100°C for 4h using 5 wt/wt per cent charcoal (0.05g of charcoal per g of nodule) almost complete extraction of copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese could be achieved. However, under these conditions all the iron present in the nodules was also leached.

Jan 1, 1989

By Wilson AF

Gold-silver mineralization at Cracow and Ukalunda in Queensland comprise quartz-filled veins, fissures and breccia zones hosted by propylitically altered volcanics and epizonal intrusions which are strongly fractured. The terrestrial volcanic facies, structural setting, type of alteration and complex mineralogy suggest these deposits are of the epithermal type.The 180 depleted character of the wall-rocks is consistent with the involvement of meteoric waters in convective hydrothermal cells associated with the vulcanism. The Cracow quartzes have remarkably low 6180 values from -2.0 to -3.4 per mil typical. of meteoric hydrothermal systems at high latitude, consistent with the inferred position of Australia during the Permian. 6180 values for the Ukalunda quartzes exhibit a wide range from 5.1 to 14.9 per mil which reflect the mixing of magmatic and meteoric waters, and a steep geothermal gradient.Further stable isotope and geochemical studies are in progress to establish the scale and morphology of the zones of anomalous 6180 and mineralogy in the wallrocks which constitute significant exploration targets.

Jan 1, 1984

By B Arthur, K Sexsmith, D Hockley, S D

At the proposed Crandon Project, mill tailings would be depyritised for upland disposal. The resulting pyrite concentrate would be disposed of in the underground workings as a cement-amended paste backfill. In the long term, the underground workings would be flooded and the potential for the paste backfill to generate acid would be limited. However, while the mine is operational, there is potential for oxygen ingress to the backfill that may lead to sulfide mineral oxidation and acid generation. A series of humidity cell tests were completed to assess the potential for groundwater contamination. To assess effects of surface area on oxidation, the humidity cell tests were conducted on moulded cubes of paste backfill. The tests were terminated at different intervals, and the cubes were dissected and examined mineralogically. Various leach extraction procedures were also used to assess the progress of oxidation and secondary mineralisation within the paste backfill. The test results showed that: the cement amendment significantly contributes to acid neutralisation and results in a lag in excess of one year before the onset of acidic conditions (in comparison to less than three weeks for the pyrite concentrate); the depth of oxidation in the paste backfill is restricted to about 1 mm after 107 weeks of testing; and secondary minerals form a distinct ærindÆ at the surface of the paste backfill. The results indicate that acid generation in the backfilled stopes would be minimal. The importance of including the surface area effect in the testing (ie using moulded cubes) is clearly demonstrated.

Jan 1, 2003

By D Caffrey

To demonstrate the advantages of using electronic delay detonators over pyrotechnic detonators, a trial using the DNES Dynatronic System was conducted at the KCGM Mount Charlotte operation in 1998. The trial clearly demonstrated that accurate control over the firing delay time between blastholes can lead to fragmentation improvement and ground vibration energy control which are two important issues for the Mt Charlotte underground operation. Excellent fragmentation was achieved by employing a 12 ms delay sequence. Detailed fragmentation analysis has shown a 10 to 20 per cent passing increase for the rock fragment size from 0.1 to 0.4 m compared with the pyrotechnic detonator firing. There was no increase in ground vibration level on the surface with the electronic detonator firing even though the electronic detonator firing had a much shorter blast duration than the pyrotechnic detonator firing. In fact, our energy calculation has clearly shown that much less energy had been propagated to the surface from the blast using electronic detonator firing.

Jan 1, 1999

By Duke J. H

Advanced computer aided geological modelling techniques are now available to the geologist to allow the rapid evaluation of a gold orebody at various stages of its development. The types of grade estimation techniques used change during the various stages as the density of drilling and knowledge of the deposit increases. At the prospect evaluation stage drillhole intercept selection techniques are coupled with preliminary 2D (vein or layer) modelling or 3D block modelling techniques to arrive at a geological resource estimate. At the prefeasibility and feasibility stages more sophisticated 2D and 3D modelling techniques, such as domain controlled grade interpolation with anisotropy, are used along with interactive open pit and underground mine design, to calculate recoverable reserves. At the production stage closely spaced blasthole sample data is modelled quickly and coupled with interactive grade control facilities. Shot volumes, tonnages and grade estimates can be databased to provide reconciliation figures. These modelling techniques are embodied in MINEX-3D, an Australian software system which, with the emergence of the 386-based PC and high resolution (VGA or better) graphics, makes a whole range of advanced geological modelling techniques available to most exploration and mine geologists.

Jan 1, 1989

Access roads for haulage, construction or maintenance purposes are discussed with particular attention being given to the un- sealed "all weather" form of construction for Off-Highway applications. The service conditions experienced by the surfaces used in these roads is examined. These conditions are discussed in terms of the conventional engineering properties used for natural gravel material selection. Experience gained during the construction of a pipeline access track is used to illustratE material selection guidelines based on geological input and an understanding of good construction practices. TMITDnIll IrTT Ohl In many Australian situations off-highway haulage by wheel or track supported vehicles is carried on unsealed, gravel roads. Although the unsealed gravel road is the back-bone of the rural road network in Australia, in general, traffic loadings are relatively low compared to the off-highway unsealed haulage road. The cost of the haulage/access road construction component is one important factor in project planning which needs careful consideration. It is no longer acceptable that the initial rough exploration track be gradually upgraded so that it will eventually carry construction and maintenance traffic safely and efficiently. Fatal accidents and

Jan 1, 1982

With mining development on hold and other underground works in a slowdown, the development of nuclear wa te repositories takes centre tage on the American rock engineering scene. Three repositorie for commercial spent fuel-in salt, tuff, and basalt-are in the phase of site characterisation and conceptual design, and one pilot project for defense high-level wa te in salt is under construction. A repository design for crystal line rock has recently been postponed.Because of strict quality assurance requirements throughout design and construction, and because of the need to predict and ascertain in advance the satisfactory performance of the underground openings, much intellectual energy has been expended to analyse underground openings in the unusual circumstances of the repository environment. In the long term, these efforts will lead to an improved understanding of rock behaviour and improved methods of underground analysis and design. For the shorter term, a formalised ground control plan was developed, the principles of which may be applied to other types of projects.This paper summarises the status of underground design and construction for nuclear waste repositories and presents some details of the ground control plan and its individual elements.

Jan 1, 1988

By N F. Fraser

Seafield ResourcesÆ offshore placer gold project covers c.10 000 km2 of the Westland continental shelf between Karamea and Jacksons Head, from the low-water mark out to the 120 m isobath (Figure 1). De Beers Marine (DBM), the marine diamond subsidiary of the De Beers Group, will carry out the project with geological input from Placer Solutions (PSL). DBM bring a wealth of expertise and advanced technology to the project, developed during their 20 years of exploration and mining of diamond placers on the Atlantic shelf of southern Africa, where they have also maintained a strong environmental record.   Glaciers and high-energy rivers emanating from the Southern Alps have transported substantial quantities of gold bearing sediment onto the Westland continental shelf during Pleistocene glacial periods, when fluvial gradients are steeper, sea level is c.120 m lower and most of the shelf is exposed. These deposits have been extensively reworked by the advancing shoreline and marine processes during interglacial marine transgressions, and most are now buried beneath a variable thickness of post-glacial marine sand, silt and mud. DBM will use side-scan sonar, swath bathymetry, Chirp sub-bottom profiling and a magnetometer to map the sea floor and sediments beneath it, guided by PSLÆs predictive geological model for gold distribution on the shelf. Cactus grab and vibro-core samples will be used to ground-truth the geophysics and provide stratigraphic, sedimentological and gold distribution data for incorporation into the geological model. Areas of interest identified by the geophysical and sampling data will be investigated in more detail, with closer-spaced geophysics and Mega-drill sampling to a maximum sediment depth of 20 m beneath the sea floor. These samples will be raised to the ship with air-lift suction technology, processed onboard for mineralogical and grade information, then returned to the sea floor. Environmental baseline data will be gathered from Van Veen grab samples of seabed sediment taken throughout the area during the prospecting programme.

Jan 1, 2005

By Vernon PN

The Eossing Uranium Mine is a high tonnage low grade open pit operation using acid leaching for uranium extraction and ion exchange and solvent extraction for solution purification. Advanced technology, much of it computer based, has led to major economies that have contained operating unit costs over the last four years in the face of double figure inflation. An improved ore reserve block model and mine planning system have achieved a considerable reduction in the stripping ratio. Drilling and blasting costs have decreased some 25%, mainly by the introduction of heavy ANFO explosive. A centralised computer control centre for the metallurgical plant has increased labour productivity resulting in improved process control. The all-staff workforce is united with management in the objectives of creating a safe, healthy, working and living environment and a prosperous company, capable of contributing to the wellbeing of the nation and the shareholders. This situation has been brought into being by an equal opportunity policy coupled with a management system emphasising open two-way communication through all levels in the organisation. The success of this policy is highly apparent in the morale and productivity of the workforce.

Jan 1, 1986

The Australian industrial relations system is in a state of constant change. We are undergoing a transformation from a compulsory arbitration and an award based system to one which is fundamentally rooted in the concepts of enterprise bargaining. This is true both at the State and Federal level. The structural changes which facilitate the movement away from the predominance of Awards to enterprise agreements has been fostered by both sides of the political spectrum and is a cornerstone of their respective industrial relations platforms.In determining what form or combination of forms of industrial instrument(s) should apply to the individual enterprise, employers must have regard to the viability and sustainability of each form in the changing industrial climate. In particular employers should have regard to the needs and agendas of their employees and unions which may purport to represent Them.

Jan 1, 1998

By K White, C Ferguson, M Harding

Understanding watercourses and river processes at a landscape scale is vital for managing risk to mining infrastructure and operations as well as minimising future environmental impacts beyond the life of the mine. Recognising this, Iluka Resources Limited engaged Alluvium Consulting Australia to identify and characterise watercourses across several neighbouring mineral tenements in the Eucla Basin, South Australia (Alluvium, 2013, 2014a, 2014b). The objective of the studies was to inform planning for risk management during mine planning and operation and appropriate landscape rehabilitation for mine closure.Mining operations in the area are by open cut extraction of mineral sands. The extracted resource is processed on-site before leaving the site for export. Several pits are to be developed in stages with simultaneous backfilling and surface reinstatement. Mining is initially taking place in the Jacinth tenement, where up to 100 km of watercourses may be directly or indirectly impacted (refer to Figure 1).The total study area (shown in Figure 1) is approximately 330 km2 and spans three smaller areas that were the focus of separate investigations during mine planning.CITATION:Ferguson, C, White, K, Harding, M and Hardie, R, 2016. Landscape-scale assessment of watercourses in remote arid South Australia to inform mine planning to mine closure, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2016 Conference, pp 200–204 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 28, 2016

Urban railway systems need high invest- ments, especially if their routes and stations have to be placed in the subsurface. In the FRG the construction and equipment cost of urban underground railway systems are in the range of 60 to 100 Mill DM per km tunnel. For this reason, track sections on the surface and on elevated structures are used as far as that is possible. Considering whole systems, the costs are in a range from to 45 Mill DM per km length for a metro system with about 80 % of its tracks and stations in tunnels and from 20 to 25 Mill DM per km for a light railway system with about 25 % subsurface infra= structure. The amount of route lengths in tunnels depends on the size of a city, the situation regarding above ground structure and free space on the surface, the level of service quality which has to be achieved with the railway system etc. Despite of the urgent needs to improve the transport conditions there very often arise doubts if an urban railway system is really necessary and can be justified in an economic sense. The experience from many cities around the world shows, that there arise a lot of benefits from urban railway systems, especially with larger sections placed under- ground. They are to be found in the interests of the operator (f.e. operating costs), the user (travel time, quality of service etc.) and regarding social aspects (environmental protection, accidents, consumption of energy Etc.).

Jan 1, 1987