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By S K. Michelic, M Schickbichler, A Kharicha, E Karimi-Sibaki

The requirements for the controllability of metallurgical processes are increasingly becoming the focus of both industry and research. Advances in this field of research not only impact the stability of processes but often also influence the quality of the final product. One important way to examine processes in-depth, and thus show potential for improvement, is to describe them using physicsdriven models. In metallurgy, thermodynamic and kinetic descriptions of interactions between individual components of a system are often used to describe and analyse important metallurgical phenomena across the entire process. However, for the creation of physics-based models, boundary conditions and process variables must be implemented to enable a description that is as realistic as possible. The collection and generalisation of boundary conditions and process variables is, therefore, an important step towards functional models. The focus of this study is the determination of mass transfer coefficients between all components in a steel/slag/refractory system. For this purpose, experimental and theoretical methods are applied. Laboratory scale experiments are carried out in an induction furnace, and the mass transfer coefficients of the defined steel/slag/refractory system are calculated from changes in the chemical composition of the various components. Additionally, a calculation of the mass transfer coefficients based on dimensionless quantities is carried out. By comparing the values of the mass transfer coefficients determined theoretically and those determined experimentally in the trials, the suitability of the calculation is examined. The collection of mass transfer coefficients provides essential findings for future kinetic descriptions of inclusion modification based on the effective equilibrium reaction zone (EERZ) approach.

Aug 21, 2024

By R Thompson, J Miedecke, D Handel, E Tomicek, D Tulloch

"The Mine Haul Road Optimisation Alliance (HROA) is a unique Australian industry–academia collaboration that has been developed to support mine haul road operators. The alliance integrates industry, end-user service providers and academic research expertise in mine haul road design, construction and operation to identify, quantify, implement and monitor the various equipment, materials and road management strategies and solutions required to drive haulage productivity improvements.Initially, a broad overview of the university–industry collaborative landscape is presented, following which the current situation in the Australian mining sector is reviewed both nationally, and on a country-wide basis internationally. This insight places into context the opportunity that strategic collaborations present, to drive productivity and efficiency in mining, while also delivering innovative technology solutions.Following an overview of the HROA collaborative structure, aims and objectives, it is shown how academia and industry collaborations can deliver a more robust and needs-driven solution to mine haul road design, performance and management, especially where integrated solutions are needed. Critically in this approach, implementation and monitoring data provided by industry and service providers alike form the foundation on which to develop research knowledge and innovation that is more responsive to the end-user requirements, typically represented by ‘early goals’ and practical, implementable solutions.The paper concludes with examples of how the alliance collaborations work in practice to deliver focused mine haul road research outcomes, together with the mechanisms used to ensure industry needs are met through end-user driven research solutions for enhanced operational performance.Citation:Handel, D, Miedecke, J, Thompson, R, Tomicek, E and Tulloch, D, 2016. Driving Haulage Productivity Improvements through Industry–Academia Collaboration, in Proceedings Ninth AusIMM Open Pit Operators' Conference 2016, pp 243–252 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Nov 15, 2016

By T P. Medhurst

In many cases mine design is the most important driver of the profitability of a mining project, however to reach an æoptimumÆ mine plan many compromises have to be made. Some of the fundamental profit (and loss) drivers relate to stoping methods and stope design parameters. Inevitably trade-offs have to be made between the stability of underground openings, ground support costs and production efficiency. This paper looks at the role of geomechanics in the mine planning and design process. The concepts of æcontrollable lossesÆ and æuncontrollable lossesÆ are developed as a means of partitioning ground control costs. A stope design example is given which provides a method of examining mining costs, and includes a decision making element in order to quantify geotechnical impacts and select stope dimensions. The method also provides a general framework as a means of balancing ground control costs against maximising returns from an underground mining project.

Jan 1, 2000

By P Navarra, R Kuhne

Dynamic simulation (discrete event simulation) is the preferred methodology to evaluate the impact of dynamic aspects of processing plants on the overall plant capacity. This tool can be used to: identify bottlenecks in the plant,justify upgrade and expansion projects by evaluating their impact, oroptimise maintenance and operating practices without disrupting the operation. Iron Ore Company of Canada's (IOC) pelletising plant is a complex operation because of multiple products, varying equipment capacity and shifting bottlenecks. Furthermore, with extensive capital requirements for projects and long lead times, a high level of confidence in project outcome is required. Therefore, a model of IOC's pelletising plant in Labrador City was constructed in 2007 by a joint IOC and Hatch team. The model includes both operational and metallurgical aspects in order to better capture the complexity of IOC operation. In this paper, the justification, boundaries, and functionality of the model are described. A comparison of simulation results to historical plant operation is given. It is observed that projects have interactions and that the benefits of combined projects are not equal to the combined benefits of the individual projects. Projects can have synergies that result in greater benefits when combined or can have overlapping benefits that result in lower benefits when combined. The power of the proposed modeling exercise lies in the ability to assess the impact of projects on overall performance.

Jan 1, 2009

Chalcopyrite concentrate was combusted in oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres, the composition of which ranged from 1-100 per cent oxygen. Factors studied included particle size, experimental temperature and oxygen concentration. The study was assisted by chemical and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and temperature measurements of single particles. Size reduction occurring after melting was found to have a major effect on the overall reaction time. Thus time to attain ignition was largely determined by the original particle size, whereas combustion time was independent of this factor. For particles larger than 40 I'm in air the time to attain ignition predominated. The maximum temperatures measured for single particles were the result of pyrite present in the concentrate. Chalcopyrite did not attain thesame temperatures. Vaporization, either as CU(g) or CuO(g) lImited the temperature. Maximum temperatures measured for single particles of pyrite ranged from 1610°C in 14 per cent oxygen to 2360°C in 100 per cent oxygen (both at 700°C). Measured temperatures were compared with those calculated from a diffusion-based model.

Jan 1, 1983

By R E. McIvor, K M. Bartholomew

Classification system efficiency (CSE) is a simple, powerful metric that provides a comprehensive measure of classification system performance. CSE directly quantifies the amount of coarse solids in the mill, and as a result, also directly quantifies the percentage of mill power being used effectively. In this manner, it is an effective, practical grinding energy efficiency metric.Three independent variables drive CSE: circulating load ratio, sharpness of classification, and classifier bypass. Due to practical downstream constrains on per cent solids, improvements realised by increasing circulating load reach diminishing returns as sharpness of classification and bypass deteriorate in the most commonly used classification device, the hydrocyclone. This combination of effects leads to the use of CSE, and its relationship to operational economics, as an objective circuit optimisation criterion.Its simplicity in measurement makes CSE a useful tool for the plant metallurgist, and it is not subject to a great amount of experimental error. CSE provides the plant operator a fast, simple, and effective means to evaluate the performance of the plant classification system. Improvements in CSE relate directly to circuit throughput and energy efficiency. This paper, through description and plant case studies demonstrates the power and utility of this emerging grinding system optimisation metric.CITATION:Bartholomew, K M and McIvor, R E, 2013. Classification system efficiency - a comprehensive closed-circuit grinding optimisation metric, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 389-394 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

By X Zhang, Y Zhu, P E. Ngoepe, P P. Mkhonto, W Xiong, L Han, L Lu

The triazine molecules have not been given much attention and they are potential collectors that may positively impact the mineral processing industry. The adsorption of triazine as collectors such as sodium 2,6-dithio-4-butylamino-1,3,5-triazine (SDTBAT) on pyrite form a basis in design of flotation collectors that may be applicable in a wide range of sulfide minerals. The SDTBAT collector was compared with the sodium normal butyl xanthate (SNBX) and sodium normal butyl dithiocarbamate (SNBDTC). All collectors were adsorbed in their neutral form containing sodium on the pyrite (100) surface. The computational calculations found that the adsorption energies followed the order: SDTBAT (-300.35 kJ/mol) > SNBX (-186.10 kJ/mol) > SNBDTC (-163.78 kJ/mol). It was observed that the SNBX and SNBDTC adsorbed through the S atoms, while the SDTBAT adsorbed through the S atoms and N atoms onto Fe atoms. It is clear that the SDTBAT had a strong binding energy which is attributed to the presence of the triazine group that is electron depositing to the active S atoms compared to the SNBX which possessed the oxygen that is electron withdrawing. Moreover, the SDTBAT collector was found to bind stronger than the xanthate. This was complimented by microflotation tests that showed fast floating and higher recoveries of pyrite when using the SDTBAT collector than the xanthate and DTC. This clearly demonstrated that the SDTBAT is a potential collector to replace the xanthate collector due to its high selectivity and flotation power.

Aug 24, 2022

By C Dell

Hillgrove, situated on the New England plateau of New South Wales, is an area rich in history and resources. Key resources are predominantly antimony, gold and scheelite and the area surrounding the historical field is environmentally sensitive and topographically challenging. Since acquiring the Hillgrove leases, Straits Hillgrove Gold has undertaken a significant exploration program on these historical mining areas with the goal to return the field to production. This exploration program has enabled Straits to significantly increase the resource base and has subsequently enabled the planned redevelopment of Hillgrove to be realised. In October 2006, installation of mining infrastructure and the initial stripping of existing development had commenced. To successfully redevelop Hillgrove, Straits has had to adopt a highly mechanised, trackless, diesel mining operation which will see the production rate commence at an initial rate of 250 kt/a of ore from a narrow vein environment. This ore will be processed on site to produce antimony metal, gold bullion and a scheelite concentrate.

Jan 1, 2008

By G P. F Chitombo

The dilution of blasted ore with cemented backfill materials has been recognised as a significant factor influencing the economics of some underground metalliferous mining operations. Several mechanisms have been identified as possible causes of fill failures. The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of damage as the result of one mechanism, that of production blasting adjacent to bodies of cemented hydraulic fill (CHF). A vibration amplitude transfer function has been developed to model the transmission of blast vibrations from the source, through ore, across the ore to CHF interface and into the CHF mass. The model may be applied in the near field. The model has permitted estimation of vibration amplitude at a point in a CHF mass, to which damage criteria may be applied. A number of assumptions and simplifications have been made to render the problem relatively tractable. Ore and CHF material characteristics recorded by a number of authors were utilised to formulate preliminary damage estimations. A simple application of the amplitude transfer model indicated that a zone of plastically deformed CHF would be produced, and would extend to a distance of approximately 0.5 metres from the interface into the CHF. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted, that indicated that the zone of plastic deformation would be more extensive given appropriate conditions. Recommendations for further model development and future laboratory and field investigations have been made.

Jan 1, 1998

By Kohra A, Shoji S

The amount of copper production by flash smelting process occupies about 17% (equivalent to 1.4 million t/year) of total free world production. In Japan, 650,000 tons of copper is produced annually by flash smelting. This is 65% of the gross copper production of Japan. To reinforce pollution control, promote energy saving, and enhance production efficiency by increasing the size of furnaces, conventional blast furnaces and reverberatory furnaces are being replaced with the flash smelters worldwide. The Ashio Smelter started copper production in 1884 and developed in association with the Ashio mine. In those days, the Ashio smelter produced copper by using the blast furnace process designed for the high-grade ore from the copper mine. At that time, this process was specialized in Japan. In 1956, for the first time in Japan, the Ashio Smelter introduced the flash smelting process developed by Outokumpu Oy of Finland (it is suitable for treating the copper concentrate, producing sulfuric acid and improving production efficiency). The flash furnace in Ashio, the first ever in Japan, had a capacity of 230 t/day for copper concentrate and was operated up to 1962. During this period, various operational troubles were solved, and further improvements were made; and, in 1962, a Furukawa-type flash smelting furnace was completed in Ashio. This improved version of a flash furnace had a capacity of 450 t/day. There was one flash furnace and one waste heat boiler, which were arranged in a unique pattern for that time. This furnace may be said to be the prototype of the present flash smelting process in the world.

Jan 1, 1987

By C J. Unger, A M. Lechner, A Walton, V Glenn, M Edraki, D R. Mulligan

In Australia, responsibility for abandoned mines can be unclear. With a few exceptions, state and territory governments have become responsible for abandoned mines on Crown land and private landholders are responsible for abandoned mines on freehold land. Abandoned mines pose risks and opportunities across the full suite of sustainability themes (environmental, human health and safety, socio-economic and community development) after mining ceases.Across Australia, there are more than 50 000 abandoned mines recorded, ranging in size from individual shafts to large polluting open cut mines. Addressing the safety and environmental impacts of these sites, as well as the socio-economic development opportunities of significant rehabilitation projects, requires the implementation of effective policies and programs. Qualitatively defined graded scales or ‘rubrics’ have been used for many years in student assessment and increasingly in the performance assessment of other sectors (Davidson, 2005). While risk-based maturity models have been used for safety prioritisation (Westrum, 1993; Hudson, 2007; DRET, 2008; Hancock, 2010) and evaluation of organisational development (Esteves et al, 2010), this paper is the first to adapt maturity models for the evaluation of abandoned mine rehabilitation programs in Australia.In this paper, we used indicators based on the national policy for abandoned mines to assess the maturity of abandoned mine programs. Fourteen elements of maturity were identified (Unger et al, 2012) under the five chapters of the national policy for abandoned mines (MCMPR and MCA, 2010). Jurisdictions were then evaluated and ranked on their maturity on the basis of information that was web-accessible. Information transparency of abandoned mines policies and programs is in itself one element of the maturity chart. Each jurisdiction in Australia was compared with one another and with a Canadian jurisdiction; the British Columbia (BC) Crown Contaminated Sites Program (CCSP), which represents leading practice (Unger, 2009; Unger et al, 2012).Our research found that in some jurisdictions in Australia there is little or no information on abandoned mine programs or individual abandoned mine sites on government websites, while other jurisdictions provided very detailed program information on planning, funding and implementation. Each jurisdiction in Australia, for which web-based information was available, had some elements where they were more mature than other Australian jurisdictions. For some elements, maturity ranked equivalent to the BC CCSP, but most Australian jurisdictions were less mature. There was only one element where a single Australian jurisdiction ranked higher than the BC program in maturity. Legacy mine policies, programs, priorities and funding information via departmental websites are easier to find in some jurisdictions, indicating progression toward greater transparency and more mature programs. A systematic approach to monitoring and evaluating abandoned mines programs is essential for accountability as it can demonstrate liability reduction over time and continual improvement. The maturity model approach can provide both a measure of progress over time as well as a tool to support the implementation of the national policy for abandoned mines (MCMPR and MCA, 2010).CITATION:Unger, C J, Lechner, A M, Walton, A, Glenn, V, Edraki, M and Mulligan, D R, 2014. Maturity of jurisdictional abandoned mine programs in Australia based on web-accessible information, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 467–480 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 16, 2014

The Pongkor Gold Mine employs 678 staff. The mine is owned by the Indonesian state company PT Antam Tbk and is located 100 kilometres south west of Jakarta, in Java, Indonesia. Mine and infrastructure development started in 1992 following intensive geological exploration over 15 years. First gold production was in June 1994. The mine comprises three main orebodies: Ciguha, which is nearly mined out, dips at 75¦ from surface to 150 m. Kubang Cicau, dipping at 80¦ from surface to 230 m, and averages 3.5 metres thick at a grade of 10 g/t Au and 128 g/t Ag; and Ciurug, dipping at 60¦ from surface to 300 m and averages eight metres thick at a grade of 14 g/t Au and 172 g/t Ag. Present global ore reserves are 4.6 million tons at a grade of 12.3 g/t Au and 133.6 g/t Ag. Exploration is continuing for new veins. Initial mining was by manual cut and hydraulic fill at Ciguha, followed by Kubang Cicau. In 1996, it was proposed to convert Ciurug to a mechanised cut and fill operation. Two single boom jumbos and three load-haul-dumps (LHDs) were purchased with the assistance of a gold loan from NM Rothschild and Sons. Implementation of this upgrade was delayed by both a national economic crisis and an invasion of the concession by illegal miners. It was not until May 1999 that raise bore vent rises and access drift infrastructure commenced. Major underground development started in 2000 and is continuing. Production cut and waste fill stoping started in July 2001. The change from manual to mechanised methods has required a total change in work practices and attitudes. However, the process has resulted in a production increase from 600 tpd to 1200 tpd. A three-month compliance test (a condition of the financing loan) was successfully completed, from July to September 2001, with an average production of 700 tpd at Ciurug and 500 tpd from Kubang Cicau.

Jan 1, 2002

By L W. Palmer

"Evaluating the geological risk associated with ore deposits is becoming common practice in the mining industry. While geostatistical simulation is a useful tool for evaluating this risk, the effect of applying different types of simulation is less understood. For simulation of categorical variables like rock types, available methods perform simulation in fundamentally different ways. In this study, the geological risk relevant for informed mine planning is studied with two categorical simulation methods, PluriGaussian Simulation (PGS) and Sequential Indicator Simulation (SIS). Risk is expressed as a probability of repeated occurrence of lithological units in the same location across simulations. Significant differences are observed between the methods in terms of spatial distribution of risk. To identify the most plausible risk model, the input parameters at every step of both techniques are scrutinised. PGS and SIS inputs are classified as four parameters that are: fundamental to implementation of the methodfixed to enable comparison of PGS and SISdetermined by user interpretation, hence variablenormally optimised during application of PGS and SIS. The effect of parameter selection from categories 1 and 4 on the risk model is investigated using drill core data from a leucogranite deposit. A corresponding block model is created for assigning outputs from PGS and SIS. Risk models produced by either method are illustrated in a cut-out from the block model to enable bench-by-bench comparison. For PGS, risk associated with relatively rare lithologies is relatively sensitive to variation of parameters. Independent of the abundance of lithology, a location-dependent effect of variogram and vertical proportion curve parameter selection is observed, with risk increasing towards the deposit edge. Although SIS requires fewer inputs, single lithologies must be modelled in turn. Using small numbers of samples in the search neighbourhood, all risk models differ substantially. For larger numbers of samples, the risk models are similar. Overall it appears that the risk model produced using SIS is less sensitive to changes than PGS but further work is required to confirm this.CITATION:Palmer, L W and Glass, H J, 2014. Risk associated with rock type prediction using simulation techniques, in Proceedings Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014 , pp 217–228 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Aug 18, 2014

By G MORRIS

The mining industry has been rightly proud of its environmental achievements and it would be fair to say that in some areas the Australian mining industry is at the forefront of world practice in environmental management and mine rehabilitation. The `environment' has certainly been a growth area over the past three decades with growing awareness in the 1960s, some large battles and the of significant legislation in the 1970s. The most important period however has been the 1980s and so far the 1990s where, in addition to the of some more rigorous legislation, we have seen the practical application of environmental management/rehabilitation Techniques.

Jan 1, 1992

By S H. Algie, D P. Taplin, S G. Doig

"Suboptimal performance of clusters of hydrocyclones (cyclones), relative to the performance of the individual cyclones that comprise the cluster, is a common phenomenon. The primary cause is well known: uneven distribution of the slurry feed into the individual cyclones. The direct result of uneven distribution is that each cyclone in a cluster performs somewhat differently. Hence, some, if not all, of them do not work at their intended operating points, and the classification is not as sharp as intended. The impact on grade, recovery and milling efficiency will vary depending on the duty of the processing circuit, but the most immediately apparent consequence of uneven distribution is a difference in wear rates in the individual cyclones; this exacerbates the problems of unequal performance of the individual cyclones. In severe cases, and as differential wear proceeds, flows from the individual cyclones may become visibly different. Uneven distribution, once the phenomenon was identified, was seen to be a significant issue in the high-solids hydrocyclone cluster in the ball mill recycle section of Evolution Mining’s Edna May Operation (EMO, Westonia, Western Australia) gold processing plant. In 2012, a FloCEP® hydrocyclone feed distributor system was installed to alleviate the problem. Over the next four years of operation, this innovation has proven its value in the metallurgical and maintenance areas. Individual cyclones now wear at the same rate, greatly reducing the need for operator intervention, as well as increasing overall plant availability through minimising unplanned maintenance. The costs of the installation can be justified by savings in maintenance alone, though the greatest value, as is described in this paper, is in allowing the plant to produce consistently closer to its operational design limits. The FloCEP® system is a low maintenance, readily installed retrofit, based on two patented devices that are combined with complementary proprietary design methodology allowing customisation for specific flow rates and slurry particle properties. Together, these devices produce and distribute a pseudo-homogenous slurry flow without moving parts.Citation:Taplin, D P, Doig, S G and Algie, S H, 2016. Experience with FloCEP® Slurry Flow Conditioning at Evolution Mining's Edna May Operation, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2016, pp 251–260 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Oct 10, 2016

Rehabilitation, reclamation and restoration are all terms used to describe the repair of land after mining. Here, restoration is used to mean restoring the land's original use, capability or productivity. Effective restoration is dependent on good planning before mining commences and must include a clear definition of post-mining objectives. The physical condition of the land within the mining licence was that of an imperfectly drained soil in permanent pasture, supporting a seasonal supply dairying unit. During the mining process, the soil layers were separated, with the topsoil stockpiled separately. As part of the restoration process, the land was recontoured to encourage surface drainage, with topsoil spread evenly over the recontoured tailings. Low grond pressure machinery was used to minimise soil compaction, with light discing and harrowing used to increase water infiltration. A permanent pasture was sown, with weed species controlled by spraying, both before and after pasture establishment.  Soil testing has been used extensively to ensure there were no nutrient deficiencies that good compromise pasture establishment and performance. Controlled grazing practices were used to ensure that the sown pastures became well established.

Jan 1, 1998

By N Currey, G Corder, G Becker

"The SUSOP« Framework is a new technique that helps incorporate sustainable development principles and objectives into the design and operation of businesses. Developed through the Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Resource Processing, it brings a design methodology to sustainability, similar to what hazard and risk techniques such as HAZOP did for safety.Metallica Minerals Limited (æMetallicaÆ) adopted the SUSOP« framework to help identify opportunities and risks that could directly improve or affect its flagship SCONI (nickel-cobalt and scandium) project. This project has the potential to become the worldÆs largest producer of scandium oxide (æscandiaÆ) which is used in solid oxide fuel cells and strengthens aluminium alloys. Located northwest of Townsville in Queensland, the plant site will be located within the previously mined and partially rehabilitated Greenvale Nickel Mine. By applying the SUSOP« framework through a series of multi-disciplinary workshops and offline analysis, Metallica was able to identify numerous sustainability opportunities and risks. Opportunities were clustered together to form concepts to develop a more holistic understanding of the projectÆs overall potential contribution to sustainable development as well as determine where key risks could be mitigated. Four key concepts were identified: Waste and Water Workforce Community and Enterprise Development Energy and Greenhouse Gases (GHG). Metallica was able to include a range of initiatives that could deliver enhanced environmental, social and community outcomes into their mine development plan. These included measures to reduce reliance on water, reduce the volume of waste, provide local opportunities for training and skilled employment and create support for local enterprise development. These measures also resulted in a significant reduction in the capital estimate of the project.This paper provides an overview of the SUSOP« framework, details its application to the SCONI project and discusses the outcomes that will help establish the projectÆs strong sustainable development credentials and improved business outcomes.CITATION:Corder, G, Currey, N and Becker, G, 2013. Sustainability, made easy - A business improvement case study, in Proceedings MetPlant 2013, pp 259-271 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jul 15, 2013

By V Seedwell, P H. McGuckin

The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP), started as a silver-lead- zinc mining company in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia in the 1880s. Since then it has diversified into the resource industries of steel, iron ore, coal, petroleum and copper. BHP World Minerals, is a Business Group of BHP which is one of the worldÆs largest and most diverse mineral resource enterprises. BHP supplies raw materials for steelmaking, copper concentrate and other mineral commodities to customers in more than 45 countries. BHP World Minerals has operations throughout the world - in Australia, the United States, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Canada. Commodities produced by BHP World Minerals currently include silver, lead, zinc, titanium minerals, platinum group metals and coal. The challenges in the improving performances in safety arena are common to our industry and BHP operations. This paper outlines the vision and values that have been fundamental in assisting BHP Cannington search for and implement a safety system addressing behavioural matters.

Jan 1, 1998

By M Gabbitus, B Young, T Lukins, M Slater

This paper details the implementation of a new type of grade control system at the Black Star open cut mine in Mount Isa, Queensland. It explores the site requirements for grade control, what as previously in place and what the site required moving forward. It also details some of the features of the system installed and why it was chosen over other grade control systems available. Black Star open cut mine has been in operation since late 2004, and was developed to extract the surface extents of the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralisation previously mined in the Isa Lead Mine. Black Star is currently mining seven distinct orebodies in and around active void hazard zones and hence, its grade control requirements are very detailed and complex. The implementation of a new system to manage the model update and block out processes was, therefore, of critical importance to the site and required a detailed understanding of the requirements of the entire mining team from drilling through to geology, survey and production. Having previously run the grade control process using site specific æblack boxÆ scripts and macros, Black Star needed to implement a more open, auditable and flexible system, which allowed the geologists to control the process and make strategic changes as the situation demanded. MineSightÆs Axis Grade Control, with its flexible, generic framework for managing the process, met these demands. Being an out of the box solution that requires minimal setup and training was also a key factor in the decision to use it.CITATION:Lukins, T, Slater, M, Gabbitus, M and Young, B, 2012. The introduction of axis at Black Star Open Cut, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 71-74 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

In 1987 the control strategies at the then ZC Mines' New Broken Hill Consolidated concentrator were a miscellaneous mixture of computer hardware and technology for ISA, grinding and residue thickener control. Field instrumentation was based on current-to-air technology of approximately the 1960s. Decisions were made to rationalise computer and field instrumentation technologies; the object being to consolidate control loops into one system to enable expansion of the system to include all facets of plant operation. The first stage was to install a DEC Micro PDP 11/23 computer and serial line communication as recommended by AMDEL Ltd, for the ISA system, as discussed by Walsh and Freeman (1988). The second stage was to select and install a distributed control system for the centralisation of the control loops into one system, and to replace field instrumentation with state-of-the-art technology. This paper deals with the second stage of the rationalisation, in an attempt to give an insight into what is required when personnel are faced with such a decision, details of costs involved in keeping a system functioning and utilised; and the requirement to train personnel for acceptance of further control strategies.

Jan 1, 1991