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The history of the discovery. and successful development of the offshore Gippsland Basin oil and gas fields has been well docu- mented in contemporarary and more recent industry and profes- sional literature. The various articles, papers and books record fairly balanced views and comments as to the nature and results of the explora- tion effort, and factual data concerning the subsequent develop- ment of the fields and facilities concerned with petroleum production in the Bass Strait and Gippsland environment. Recommended reading for those interested in the scientific and technical aspects of the Gippsland Basin developments and the search for petroleum in the Bass and Alway Basins includes the available library contained in the publications of The Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy The Commonwealth Mining Congres since 1960 The Australian Petroleum Exploration Association The Geological Society of Australia The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Various Commonwealth and Victorian Government instrumentalities Trade Journals

Jan 1, 1988

By Opitz E. A

The integration of environmental and permitting strategies into development has become a routine part of doing business for the international minerals industry. Paralleling the development schedule with the environmental and permitting schedule is critical to ensuring that design recognises environmental constraints and that the environmental and permitting program has the right focus and achieves the objective of obtaining workable permits that reflect the project design. Regulatory issues including the law of and controls established by the country the project is situated in, the requirements of international financing institutions, international politics and the role of environmental groups and the particular precedents and processes established are all important issues that must be recognised and incorporated into the permitting program by the developer. Technical issues including collecting early environmental data during exploration, establishing hydro-meteorology equipment, baseline data gathering, and getting good environmental engineering information as a part of feasibility and design are also critical issues to the success of a project which are under the direct control of the developer. Finally tying all of these issues into a single integrated strategy under the direction and control of a nominated team is necessary to maintain focus and achieve results.

Jan 1, 1997

The use of the heavy media cyclone (HMC) Separation process for the treatment of ores in a particular size range is comparatively new to Australia. The paper describes briefly the principles of HMC operation. Reference is made to early development work, the pilot plant trials and the acceptance of the technique as a mineral dressing process. The Mitchell Cotts pilot plant at Amdel is described briefly and the results of test work on this unit for the processing of a wide variety of ores and ore types are given. Comments are made on the ob- jectives aimed at in the investigation and results are discussed with particular reference to behaviourial differences between ore types. The process is easy to operate, possesses a high capacity-to-unit-size rating and is capable of a high degree of flexibility. Further developments such as specially prepared and graded media for specific applications, automatic media density control and regulation of media consistency by the use of surface ac- tive agents and polymers have increased versa- tility and sensitivity of control to the point where products differing by as little as 0.02 of a specific gravity unit can now be separated with ease.

Jan 1, 1973

By Thomas MJ

The Cannington silver-lead-zinc deposit is located at latitude 21¦ 52' 9" South, longitude 140¦ 55' 10"" East, on the south-eastern margin of the Proterozoic Mount Isa Block (Figure 1), 135 kilometres south-east of Cloncurry. Access is via a graded shire road for 80 kilometres south from the small pastoral community of McKinlay.REGIONALThe deposit is hosted by the Proterozoic Soldiers Cap Group within the Mount Isa Block Eastern Succession. South of the Cloncurry Beardsmore et al (1988) have grouped part of the Eastern Succession stratigraphy intothe Fullarton River and Soldiers Cap groups (1760-1740 million years) which together make up the Maronan Super Group. This is an apparently conformable sequence 10 kilometres thick and consists of metamorphosed sediments and volcanics with intrusive amphibolite bodies.The Maronan Super Group has experienced a complex history of deformation with up to six events having been recognized. The stratigraphy trends broadly north-south and is predominantly characterized by tight, upright isoclinal fold structures.

Jan 1, 1993

The seventies was a decade of intensive hydrometallurgical activity, firstly for copper recovery, then uranium, and finally gold. In comminution, semi-autogenous grinding was applied to uranium and gold ores. In leaching there were extensive investigations into pressure and in-situ systems, and into ammonia and chloride leaching processes. Solvent extraction became a major unit operation for copper recovery. New reagents and equipment were introduced. There was a resurgence of ion exchange for uranium as low grade sources were tapped and continuous ion exchange systems developed. Carbon-in-pulp technology came to the fore for gold recovery with the development of desorption and electrowinning systems. Electrowinning was widely applied for copper in conjunction with solvent extraction. There was a continued move to greater mechanisation and higher current density. There were important developments in solid-liquid separation such as high capacity thickeners, belt filters and sand filters. Many of these trends will continue in the eighties. Interesting new developments can be expected.

Jan 1, 1981

By J J. Cilliers, K Hadler, A W. Stra

This paper examines the use of the FrothSim flotation simulator to improve the performance of an industrial column flotation cell. The performance of an industrial retreat column cell is simulated, and, from the discrepancies between the simulated and experimental results, a problem with the wash water distribution is postulated. The scientific reason for the reduced performance with uneven wash water addition is described in detail. Further simulations indicated the potential for improvement with an even wash water distribution, resulting in both improved performance and reduced wash water usage. The simulated uneven wash water distribution was confirmed industrially, and the headers were redesigned and installed. A sampling campaign to compare the performance before and after the modifications showed that the flotation performance was improved dramatically, with a statistically significant decrease in gangue recovery, without a commensurate reduction in valuable mineral recovery.

Jan 1, 2005

The Ladolam gold deposit, located on Lihir Island in PNG, is one of the largest known epithermal gold deposits, with a resource of over 37 million ounces. The deposit is characterised by a telescoped porphyry-epithermal system 2-rich sulphidic hydrothermal fluids capable of transporting significant quantities of gold, and the sudden change from porphyry to pithermal conditions caused by removal of the volcanic edifice. As magmatic ore fluids breached the surface, cool surface waters (seawater and/or meteoric) acted as a diluent. Although no other deposit is known with comparable geological characteristics and size, positive features that may be looked for in exploration for other like-deposits elsewhere include magnetite-rich alkalic volcanic rocks, large carbonate haloes, and presence of phreatomagmatic breccias. New discoveries may be recessive or undercover, due to the quartz-poor nature of the alteration.

Jan 1, 2002

Fission track thermochronology is a well established method for reconstructing the thermal histories of rocks with particularly important applications in tectonic studies, detecting low-grade thermal events, sedimentary basin analysis and resource exploration. These applications take advantage of the limited stability of fission tracks, especially in apatite, when exposed to the temperatures found in the upper 3-4 km of the crust. Apparent fission track ages in apatites can define an invisible 'stratigraphy' in otherwise homogeneous rock masses that can give valuable information on thermal, tectonic and erosional events. Quantitative modelling of the thermal annealing of tracks in apatite shows that distinctive profiles of apparent fission track age can be related to a number of simple thermal history styles. The main types of profile observed tend to be either an essentially linear decrease of apparent age with increasing depth, which relates to continuous uplift and denudation, or a concave-upwards profile produced by partial annealing in environments of tectonic stability or burial. More complex thermal histories produce compound profiles which are essentially just combinations of these two elements. Track length information allows the apparent age profiles to be interpreted in much greater detail. Examples of the major profile types have now been identified in various geological environments and can be analysed to give information about, for example, uplift and denudation rates, the timing of uplift or low-grade thermal events and maximum palaeotemperatures experienced during burial.

Jan 1, 1990

By H Li

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. The central Nanling region in South China experienced multistage granite intrusive events and corresponding metallogenic processes during the Early Yanshanian period (190–140 Ma). In this study, a wide variety of published data on age determination, petrological characteristics, major and trace elements compositions, whole rock Sr–Nd contents and zircon Hf isotopic composition of the representative granite composites were systematically collected to estimate their cooling-uplift rates, granite evolution processes and mineral deposit formation. These granites have been classified into two groups based on their age and geochemical variations: Group 1 (180–165 Ma) and Group 2 (165–150 Ma). Major and trace element geochemistry suggests that Group 2 experienced more intense magmatic evolution and differentiation than Group 1. In addition, Group 1 granitoids are classified as A1-type alkaline rocks with faster cooling and uplift rates, whereas Group 2 granites are considered as A2-type aluminous rocks with slower cooling and ascent rates. Furthermore, the Group 1 granitoids have younger Nd and Hf two-stage model ages but higher eNd(t) and eHf(t) values, indicating influence from crust–mantle interaction. In contrast, the Group 2 granites show different values, suggesting stronger upper crustal contamination or assimilation. The slowly cooled and ascended Group 2 granites experienced much heavier crustal contamination (or assimilation) and crystal fractionation, contributing to the large W–Sn mineralisation in the central Nanling region. The Early Mesoproterozoic (1.6–1.4 Ga) crustal basement of the Cathaysia Block in South China is the ore source bed for the world-famous Nanling W–Sn polymetallic mineralisation.CITATION:Li, H, 2015. Where is the source of the world-famous Nanling W–Sn polymetallic mineralisation?, in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 619–622 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By A Paz, H Lehto, M +stholm, I Roitto

Nowadays, the demand for a finer grind in minerals processing has set new challenges within the industry, particularly for grinding technology. Apart from a finer grind, energy efficiency is also a key driver in optimising comminution technology.Stirred milling technology, already proven in many other industries, delivers a modern, sophisticated, flexible and energy efficient grinding solution for fine and ultra fine grinding in minerals processing. Fine grinding technology is utilised particularly in concentrate regrinding to complete the liberation of valuable minerals after the first stage of concentration. Maintaining the correct particle and particle size distribution of the regrind product is crucial for downstream process performance. Stirred milling technology offers the unique possibility for online control and optimisation of the regrind product particle size. This paper describes the basis of this online control possibility and discusses the implementation of stirred milling technology in minerals processing, particularly in regrinding applications. The paper will also outline management and control of fluctuations in feed rate tonnages as well as particle size fluctuations in concentrate regrinding.CITATION:Roitto, I, Lehto, H, Paz, A and +stholm, M, 2013. Stirred milling technology - A new concept in fine grinding, in Proceedings MetPlant 2013 , pp 190-201 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 15, 2013

The treatment meIhods selected for the concentrator at Cobar Mines Pty. Ltd. called for a high degree of automatic control of both the grinding and flotation sections.The resulting concentrator layout includes a central control room overlooking both grinding and flotation sections. The control room houses process recorders, controllers, and indicators. together with motor stopstart stations and alarms.Plant instrumentation includes load cells and variable speed hydraulic drive feeders for feed-rate control of autogenous mills, together with nuclear density gauges, differential flow transmitters, and pneumatic control valves for water and pulp density control.Flotation cell pulp levels are controlled by floats and pneumatic actuators; flotation reagent controls include magnetic flowmeters and time-operated solenoid valves.

Jan 1, 1969

By D Lees

Safety is paramount in the underground mining environment. The mining industry has for many years focused on injury prevention in the workplace through procedures and training. In the area of control of major accident events that could result in single or multiple fatalities, and serious injuries, the mining industry approach has concentrated mainly on past experiences and lessons learnt. However, in the last 20 years, other high hazard industries, such as the chemical process industry and oil and gas industry have developed the Safety Case approach, using systems safety techniques and risk assessment as a means of identification and control of major accident events. The Safety Case approach is now being introduced into Australian underground mining. This paper describes the Safety Case approach and how this can be adapted to underground mining. This is a holistic approach and assists in ranking significant risk contributors and prioritising risk management efforts. The discussion includes how the Safety Management System interfaces with the Formal Safety Assessment in effectively controlling the hazards. It provides examples from actual case studies conducted by KBR, and suggests ways forward for the industry.

Jan 1, 2003

Working in thick coal seams presents many problems, included in these is obtaining the maximum recovery of coal under safe working conditions. In order to obtain maximum extraction it is important to understand the behaviour of pillars left for support purposes. However it is not always the practice to maintain pillar stability it is often required to design for pillar failure. The greatest hazard of pillar mining is uncontrolled pillar collapse. Many major and relatively minor collapses of pillar workings have been recorded in the history of mining. Notable among the collapses was that at Coalbrook Colliery in South Africa in 1960 (Bryan et al 1964). This led to recommendations on the design of bard and pillar workings in South Africa. (Salamon 1967) These design recommendations were based on the statistical analysis of stable and unstable pillar workings and introduced the concept of probability of pillar failure and safety factor. On the basis of this study a safety factor of 1.6 was prescribed for production panels in South Africa. A general review of pillar design procedures, reveals that a new phase of reinterpretation and modification is in progress. This takes into account for instance the effect method of working, whether by conventional drilling and blasting or continuous miner, has on coal pillar strength, and the necessity to review the methods for increasing depth of working. Also, as more is being understood about overall rock mass properties and advanced computer modelling techniques become more readily available, the mine planning engineer is faced with numerous approaches to pillar design.

Jan 1, 1989

Subsidence issues associated with historic mine workings have highlighted the need for enhanced geotechnical management of the Martha pit over the remaining life. In conjunction with a detailed analysis of pit slope issues a comprehensive geotechnical management plan has been developed at Martha and is being used as the basis for development of similar plans in other Newmont operations.   This paper covers the geotechnical issues facing the Martha operation and the development and application of the management plan.

Jan 1, 2004

Electronic detonators bring a fundamental and radical change to the potential of rockbreaking operations. The immense technical challenge of safely merging electronic systems with explosives has been largely overcome, but a surprisingly difficult obstacle has been to convert users to the much more capable electronic systems, in routine as opposed to exotic applications. Unit cost is probably the main point of resistance. For years papers have confirmed significant improvements in blasting results, feeding through to enhanced bottom line value for the whole operation: much reduced environmental impact, and improved control over fragmentation, muckpile shape and overbreak. In Africa, a number of operations have been employing the technology for sufficient time to see enduring improvements in throughput, control and cost structure, and these improvements have fed through to the planning process: both the cost and the benefits are part of the plan. This has essentially rendered very unattractive the option of reverting to pyrotechnic systems and incurring the penalties previously unseen but now understood to be avoidable. Examples given are of improved throughput at opencast and underground mines, and greatly extended life at an urban quarry. The general experience of management in implementing the technology is that it over-delivers: adopted to solve one particular problem, significant other issues are also addressed. These extra benefits were quite logical, but not at all obvious prior to implementation. Exploring this reality is essential for harvesting the benefits of the technology sooner rather than later.

Jan 1, 2004

By Pollard D. M

In the batch phase disengagement test, an organic and an aqueous phase are mixed together for a known period to produce a dispersion which may be either organic continuous (aqueous phase droplets) or aqueous continuous (organic phase droplets). The continuity of the dis- persion will depend upon the method of init- iating the dispersion, the conditions under which the system is operating, such as temper- ature and impeller speed, and the properties of the liquids, such as viscosity, inter- facial tension and solute content. Once the dispersion has been agitated for the required period, the agitator is turned off and the position of the coalescence interface and the sedimentation interface recorded as a function of time. This will produce a plot similar to Figure 1, where the overall dir- ection of travel of the droplets of dispersed phase is away from the sedimentation inter- face and towards the coalescence interface where the droplets coalesce with the homophase.

Jan 1, 1987

By G Newling

Zinifex Rosebery Mine is a lead-zinc underground mining operation located at the base of Mount Black, on the West Coast of Tasmania. Mining activities at the Rosebery Mine have been undertaken for over 100 years, and it has been operating in its current form for over 60 years. A large surface and underground exploration drilling program over the last 18 months has increased the mineÆs expected mine life from five to 12 years, with expectations that over the next 18 months as the program continues this will swell to 20 plus years. Zinifex Ltd secured Rosebery Mine in April 2004 and commissioned a detailed life-of-mine (LOM) study on all aspects of the operation. One of the most detailed sections of this report was on the state of the current ventilation system. It was identified in this report that for mining at the current depth of approximately 1100 m to continue a minimum 30 per cent increase in ventilation quantity was essential, as well as a likely requirement for a refrigerant cooling plant for each of the two deepest panels, the K and P lenses. It was identified that Zinifex did not have personnel with the expertise in underground refrigeration to manage and implement a project of this nature. A second report was commissioned with Bluhm Burton Engineering (BBE), a South African firm specialising in both surface and underground large-scale refrigeration plants. BBE concluded that two refrigeration plants were required to provide the necessary cooling power in the lower sections of the mine. In 2005, with BBE as technical consultants, Zinifex Rosebery Mine embarked on a project to commission two underground refrigeration units capable of lowering the wet bulb temperature at the decline face by four degrees centigrade. This paper is intended to give the reader an overview of: Rosebery Mine operations,Rosebery underground refrigeration project,technical difficulties associated with implementing an underground refrigeration system, andkey learnings to date.

Jan 1, 2008

The purpose of this paper is to explain the basic structure of how minerals are marketed, whilst highlighting the essential factors that mine management needs to be confident are incorporated into a mineÆs marketing strategy. The traditional mine management approach to marketing has been to defer its scrutiny to the marketing manager and take a largely passive role. It is this paperÆs assertion that mine management needs to become more proactive and provide greater strategic input into the marketing process. Irrespective of what mineral your mine produces, the key marketing principles remain constant and need to be understood and managed to extract the full benefit on behalf of the mining asset. From a mine management perspective, success is ultimately linked to understanding these marketing principles and ensuring that they are effectively addressed by your mineÆs marketing strategy. This paper will unashamedly attempt to simplify marketing by explaining how the basic fundamentals of supply and demand set market direction, the importance of a comprehensive marketing strategy, the importance of customer relationships and how contracts and prices are typically negotiated. This paper will use examples from the metallurgical coal (met coal) industry to highlight these points. The paper will also provide a template for developing the critical mine interaction that needs to exist between the marketing department and management to develop a æwhole of mineÆ approach to marketing. It is this core group that will be strategically responsible for delivering the commitments your mine has made to your customers. For mine management not to be actively involved in this process puts at æriskÆ the hard won production and cost efficiencies achieved at your mine and ignores the opportunity to maximise your current and future revenue streams. And whilst this paper recognises that is arguably unreasonable for mine management to become æmarketing expertsÆ, it also argues that it is unreasonable for a mine management to divorce themselves from the process.

Jan 1, 2006

Removal of Arsenic in Enargite from Copper Ores by Flotation and Leaching in NaHS Media

Sep 13, 2010

Au-Ag Recovery from Complex Ore by Flotation

Sep 13, 2010