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By Kurihara K, Tanimoto C

Construction and mining sites are often subject to unexpected flooding and extensive delays may occur in locating and installing emergency pumps. This particularly applies to sites located in remote areas. A simple and effective pump, called an air-lift pump, can be built from the equipment available at the working site. The basic req- uirements are a compressed air supply, air hose and conventional water pipes. The air-lift pump is comparatively in- efficient but approximately 35 per cent of the available compressed air power at the site can be applied to pumping. Suprisingly high liquid discharge rates may be obtained in suitable applications. The theoretical and practical consider- ations of the air-lift pump are evaluated and a suggested procedure for the emergency design and construction is outlined. INTRODUCTION. Sudden inundations of water into mine and development excavations require the immediate removal of the water if extensive and often irrepairable damage is to be avoided. Pumps installed in shafts or tunnels may become un- servicable due to being totally submerged during the flooding. The emphasis is on rapid

Jan 1, 1976

There are a number of factors affecting the discovery and develop- ment of uranium in Australia which makes this mineral almost unique and quite different from other minerals. I. The role of the Australian Government, which initially encouraged the discovery by offering rewards to prospectors who discovered deposits that could become economic. 2. At a later stage, the Commonwealth and South Australian Govern- ments prevented the development and production of "new mines" by refusing to grant mining title and refusing to allow sales of uranium by not issuing export permits. 3. The unique property that uranium and its daughter products possessed, i.e. radioactivity, meant that any person who purchased a geiger coun- ter could go prospecting, even though they had no previous experience in prospecting and they had an equal opportunity of discovering a new deposit as a company or independent geologist. 4. Because the exploration/demand for uranium didn't occur until the 1940s very little background geological information or models were available and so the early discoveries tended to become the locus for exploration rather than moving into areas which might on geological concepts lead to exploration programmes based on geological models. Because of the lack of knowledge there was the exchange of geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the South Australia Geologist Survey.

Jan 1, 1988

By Plyley WF

Kidston Gold Mine is a 3.5 million tonnes per year operation located 280 kilometres west of Townsville, Queensland. Kidston's ore body consists of 44.3 million tonnes graded at 1.79 grams per tonne gold and 2.22 grams per tonne silver. Full production commenced in March, 1985. During the remainder of 1985, Kidston milled 3.77 million tonnes of ore and produced 213,614 ounces of gold.The ore is comprised of granodiorite, polymictic and volcanic breccias. The degree of oxidation of the rock influences the milling capacity and therefore determines the cut-off grade; ore is categorised as oxide, transition and fresh. The milling rates are 15,400, 12,000 and 9,600 tonnes per day for oxide, transition and fresh ore respectively.The ore is treated in a conventional cyanidation/ carbon-in-pulp plant (CIP). The plant consists of a primary crusher, semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) and ball mills, leach circuit and carbon-in-pulp circuit. Carbon stripping and dore smelting are done on site. The major difference between the Kidston plant and other Australian CIP plants is that a cyclone separation and washing circuit rejects half of the dry tonnage as a sand tail prior to CIP treatment. This difference allows the CIP circuit at Ki.dston to be smaller and makes the CIP less sensitive to the grind circuit product size.

Jan 1, 1986

THE following short paper on the Blair Athol coal-field will no doubt have a twofold interest to members from the fact that its main seam, known as the "Big Seam" of a maximum thickness of 91 ft without a band, is unique, being probably the thickestseam of high-grade clean coal yet known, and also because of the interesting problem it presents the colliery engineer-viz., which system of mining is the best to secure the highest economical extraction.Location - Blair Athol is a mining township in Central Queensland, situated at an altitude of about 1100 ft. above sea-level at the end of a branch railway line 74, miles from Emerald, on the Main Central Western line, and 240 miles by rail from Rockhampton.Geology - The coal-measures appear to lie in a shallow basin of about four or five square miles in area, surrounded on all sides by slates and schists, which are overlaid oh three sides by alluvial deposits of up to 150 ft. in thickness, and on the fourth by a thick basalt bed, as yet unproved, some miles beyond which the auriferous slates outcrop. These alluvial deposits have been largely worked in years past and gave high gold returns, the chief diggings being Clermont and Macdonald's Flats in the south, the Springs and Black Ridge in the north-east, and Yankee Creek and others on the west. The surface of the coal-fields may be described as unbroken, but undulating, with gentle southerly dip, the watercourses opening out into wide flats. The absence of creeks or deep gullies accounts for no outcrops being visible on the surface, and the coal-measures...

Jan 1, 1918

During the 20th century, the iron ore mining industries of Canada and the United States passed through several periods of transformation. The beginning of the 21st century has seen yet another period of transformation, with the economic failure of a number of steel companies, the acquisition of their facilities by more viable steelmakers, and the consolidation of control within the North American iron ore industry. Changes in Canadian and United States iron ore production and the market control structure involved are analysed. The consolidation of ownership, formation of foreign joint ventures within North America, planned divestitures of upstream activities by steelmakers, and industry changes made to ensure availability of feedstocks will be reviewed. The traditional isolation of the Canadian and United States iron ore operations and their strong linkage to downstream steel production will be discussed in the context of a changing global economy. Management-labour conflicts that have taken place and agreements made during 2000 through 2004 will be discussed in the context of the economic environment leading up to these agreements. Cooperative agreements between competing Canadian and United States companies to resolve client needs in processing and blending will be examined. A joint industry-government project designed to use new technology to produce direct reduced iron nuggets of 96 - 98 per cent iron content using non-coking coals will also be assessed. Changes in iron ore transportation methods, ownership and infrastructure will be reviewed for both rail and inland waterway transport between Canadian and United States companies. A brief analysis of social and environmental issues relating to sustainable development of the Canadian-United States iron ore industry will be included.

Jan 1, 2005

Placer Dome Asia Pacific operates eight mines in the region and has two closed operations that are either under rehabilitation or at the latter stage of care, monitoring and maintenance. All operating mines are scheduled to close within the next ten years based on current proven reserves. Mine closure planning and associated risk assessments are integrated into both strategic planning and day-to-day operations within the Placer Dome group. Mine closure is all about predicting the potential risks and Placer DomeÆs knowledge has improved following the planned closure at Kidston Gold mine in North Queensland. Planning for closure commenced in earnest in 1994, and focused on identifying the issues and associated potential risk to the environment, and ensuring that the most suitable control measures were implemented leading up to and following closure in July 2001. At all times during the process of planning, implementation, safety contractor management and post closure, the identification of risk and potential threats to the business have been identified and managed. Post closure risk assessment of rehabilitation strategies potential to fail has been completed in conjunction with URS and opportunities to manage these potential failures in perpetuity will be discussed along with lease surrender. Misima Mines is currently processing low-grade ore and plans to close in 2004. Planning for closure has been ongoing for several years with a focus on the social aspects and the impact of the mine closing on a remote island community. Misima Mines has assessed the risk profiles using a community closure focus group, to identify both the biophysical and social aspects for closure.

Jan 1, 2003

Exploration requires substantial capital, and is an extremely risky business (only 1 in 100 prospects ever becomes a mine). The average lead time, that is the time between discovery and production, varies from around two years for a gold mine, to 15 years for a lead/zinc mine. Since it takes years to find, prove and develop most ore bodies, exploration must be carried out years ahead of the depletion of existing deposits. Investors in exploration are exposed to risk for long periods before knowing whether they will receive a return on the funds invested. The risk, high-cost, uncertainty and long lead times involved in exploration make it an aspect of commerce that most managers and investors find difficult to rationalise or understand. Nevertheless, it is a given that the long-term survival of the mining sector depends on discovery of new mineral deposits, however the immediacy of the need to find or acquire new mineral deposits in order to compete and prosper in the industry is less well understood. This paper examines the commercial realities which underlie exploration for new mineral deposits. The first and foremost reason for exploration is to maintain or increase depleting ore reserves which are the asset base of mining, but there are other compelling commercial reasons for exploring, and these are: to maintain return on investment, to achieve growth or create wealth through discoveries which lead tonew mining ventures, to remain competitive in the industry, to diversify, and to control raw material source for mineral processing and/ormarketing ventures. Exploration is necessary for survival of the industry, and also for survival of organisations competing in the industry. The organisations which discover the best orebodies are in the best position to compete, and mining organisations which fail to find or acquire new mineral deposits rapidly become uncompetitive and unable to maintain return on shareholdersÆ investment.

Jan 1, 1998

By Burgess JM

Research on gas distribution in the iron- making blast furnace has been conducted in three separate areas. Firstly, experimental work has been conducted to determine the important parameters which dictate the pressure losses in homogeneous and heterogen- eous packed beds. Secondly, a theoretical analysis of gas flow through the furnace softening-melting zone has been undertaken to determine the effect of the shape of the zone on the distribution of gas flow towards the furnace walls. Thirdly, a theoretical programme has been undertaken to develop methods for the prediction of furnace soften- ing-melting zone shape from furnace tempera- ture and gas composition measurements.

Jan 1, 1980

Anglo Coal Australia (ACA) takes a proactive position with regards to attracting and retaining employees at a graduate level. Currently, ACA has graduates in its program across all disciplines: Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Commercial, Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Engineering, Human Resources, Safety Engineering and Processing Engineering. The current program is three years in duration and involves two (generally) equal periods at different ACA mine sites or Brisbane Corporate Office. ACA takes an active role in promoting its status at the university level by maintaining a scholarship program. Six undergraduate scholarships are offered each year across all disciplines. Associated Vacation Employment is offered to each scholarship holder during the period of his or her university study. This commitment to education is regarded highly by future graduates. ACAÆs active role in sponsoring student bodies is also known and appreciated amongst the university population. ACAÆs graduate program has been a successful training program for future leaders of the coal mining industry. The company is committed to making the program more suited to the needs of the graduates across all disciplines and as a result the program is not stagnant but is constantly changing and evolving. Recently the æGraduate PassportÆ has been drafted with an aim to keep each graduateÆs needs in relation to experience and training firmly in focus for the duration of the three-year program. Appropriate training for each graduateÆs position is supported by the company; for instance, support through funding and time for a commercial graduateÆs CPA qualifications is provided.

Jan 1, 2005

By A G. Grice

Surface disposal of mining processing wastes is usually perceived as an undesirable consequence of meeting societyÆs needs for metals and minerals. Environmental disasters associated with the discharge or storage of such wastes, though infrequent, can have very damaging consequences for the environment and the industry. Reducing or eliminating the potential for such events may be achieved by placing some or all of these processing wastes back into the voids created by the mining operations. Processing operations may limit or enhance the opportunities for using tailings and other waste products as a backfill material. Backfilling is a truly multi-disciplinary process and requires the informed involvement of mining, metallurgical, engineering and environmental specialists. This paper describes the range of fill types currently being used in Australian mines, particularly those utilising processing wastes as constituents. It focuses on how processing operations can affect the suitability of these materials for the various types of fill, the resulting fill properties, fill performance and costs.

Jan 1, 2002

By P Toor

Due to the high energy consumption of milling, it is desirable to improve the efficiency of this process. One alternative to reduce energy and material consumption while optimising production yield in mill operation is through balanced design and selection of liners. Over-design of liners leads to increased life but at a cost to grinding performance, a relationship which to date has not been studied closely. This paper provides a description of this process of liner life cycle optimization and presents initial results from the first of two life cycles being studied for a 32 foot (ft) SAG mill. The use of commercially proven high resolution laser scanning based liner shape information provided by the MillMapper® software correlated with well controlled site surveys at various points in the liner life was used as the basis for comparison. The survey data was modelled in JKSimMet to provide direct comparisons of mill performance. This potentially provides a methodology for the design of liners that maintain a favourable shape for the majority of liner life, yielding desirable production parameters such as lower specific energy consumption and higher throughput, while at the same time maintaining practical liner life cycles.

Aug 8, 2011

"Geometallurgy is a discipline that seeks to improve the sustainability of the extraction of metals and minerals by promoting the smarter use of non-renewable resources, better energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy. To achieve these goals, development of innovative technologies and approaches are being developed along the entire commodity value chain, starting with exploration and extraction and extending to reuse and recycling. This paper discusses the geometallurgy of industrial minerals with special emphasis on kaolin, a versatile industrial mineral applied in ceramics, paper, paint, plastics, rubber, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, ink, sealants, adhesives, sanitary ware, glass fibre, toothpaste, animal feed etc. Aspects of kaolin extraction in south-west UK are analysed from a geometallurgical perspective. While geometallurgy already features in kaolin extraction, its role can be significantly expanded by combining advanced in-pit characterisation and orebody modelling with integrated planning and control of the refining and calcination process. This paper highlights the importance of innovation in realising the full potential of geometallurgy.CITATION:Glass, H J, 2016. Geometallurgy – Driving Innovation in the Mining Value Chain, in Proceedings The Third AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference (GeoMet) 2016, pp 21–28 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jun 15, 2016

By A E Reschke

The high-shear colloidal mixer is generally recognised as the most efficient method of mixing cement based grouts. Only recently however has this technology been applied to the production of cemented rockfill (CRF) for use in underground mines in North America. Traditionally, paddle type mixers have been used to produce the cement based slurries required for the preparation of CRF. While considerable success has been achieved with these mixers, tremendous advantages are attained with the colloidal mixer. The combined effect of the highly efficient mixing action and the ability to mix low water/solids ratios, allows for reductions in the cement content for a given strength requirement. Cement can also be replaced by cheaper fillers such as flyash, resulting in further cost savings. Although large-scale dedicated CRF hatching plants are typical, there is a growing need for mobile plants capable of operating anywhere underground. The compact size and rapid hatching speed of high-shear colloidal mixers has allowed them to be incorporated into skid mounted systems capable of producing and discharging cement based slurries onto rockfill aggregate for the production of CRF. In many cases run-of-mine development waste can be used as CRF aggregate with these slurry plants thereby reducing the cost of waste rock removal. These relatively low cost portable plants have now allowed several mines to economically rccmer isolated pillars and realise positive returns on their investment.

Jan 1, 1998

The lignites of Otago and Southland offer a potentially viable future feedstock for electricity production and possible conversion to petrochemicals or liquid fuels. The deposits, when combined, represent New ZealandÆs largest energy inventory; equivalent to about 74 000 petajoules û or approximately 35 times current natural gas reserves. Too often dismissed as irrelevant to New ZealandÆs energy future because of adverse perceptions of the value of low rank coals, the strategic value of this resource is in fact huge.   Investigations of the lignites extend back over more than 50 years (LFTB various, CRL Energy Ltd). Whilst it is not the intention of this paper to review this work, these investigations have confirmed the suitability of the resource as a feedstock for thermochemical conversion. Current estimates of South Island lignite mining costs are NZ$1.0 - 3.0/GJ (Natusch 2005), making these resources amongst the most competitively-priced energy sources available world-wide.   This value, however, will only be captured if we as a country begin to envisage a world-scale, long-life, integrated and multi-faceted development sized to supply world markets for chemicals or fuels. Recent CAE studies (Hooper and Riddolls, 2005) have emphasised the vital importance of ensuring that any exploitation of this resource maximises their value to New Zealand. The question that thus must be applied is how might large-scale utilisation of the resource fit with New ZealandÆs primary energy supply, and its potential for the export of high-value commodities.   From the broader perspective of New ZealandÆs total energy supply equation we need to examine other supply options beyond just the generation of electricity. We face in this country a situation wherein almost all our liquid fuels feedstock has to be imported with projections for an increasing dependence on imported oil. In addition NZ has a natural gas reserves-to-production ratio of less than ten years, and dwindling supply from local production. Without further natural gas discoveries, New Zealand has only a window of approximately five years before we will need to commit to imported LNG or some other thermal fuels option.   In other words, New Zealand is facing an uncertain future unless we can restore energy inventories to cover an adequate strategic reserve capacity as well as enable long-term investment in alternative sources. Within this context the South Island lignite resources are thus deserving of more attention. The extent of the resource is well known, its suitability for conversion reasonably assessed, and its magnitude such that there is little doubt that lignite conversion could adequately meet NZÆs future energy needs for many years out.   This paper reviews coal gasification technology, its application to lignite and the possibilities for future development of the lignite resources. It is argued that the strategic imperative for this country is to secure the lignite resources as a primary energy source for this country well into the latter half of this century.

Jan 1, 2005

By Fisher WJ

The'treatment of the South Alligator valley uranium ores passed through three phases dictated by economic circumstances during the years 1956- 640 In the first phase high grade ores were treated by hand sorting and wet gravity separation for recovery of high grade concentrate to meet a United States Atomic Energy Commission (U.S.A.E.C.) contract for plus 50 per cent pitchblende concentrates. Secondly tailings from the gravity plant and some high grade ores were trucked to Rum Jungle and sold to the Australian Atomic Energy Comm- ission (A.A.E.C.). Thirdly solvent extraction plants were built at Moline (previously Northern Hercules) by United Uranium N.L. (UOU.N.L.) and at the South Alligator River by South Alligator Uranium N.L. (SOA.U.N.L.). These were the first solvent extraction plants designed in Australia, as earlier plants used the ion exchange process for recovery of uranium oxide. The plants were small, indeed the S.A.U.N.L. 15 ton per day plant was possibly the smallest commercial plant known, but they operated efficiently with good recoveries, and were placed on a care and maintenance'òbasis when contracts were filled. Sulphuric acid was supplied in bulk to both plants by the A.A.E.C. from the 30 ton a day acid plant at Rum Jungle. Gold was recovered as a by product of uranium ore from the Moline plant.

Jan 1, 1968

By Tapp B. A

To date, few studies have been made regarding the energy requirements of the Australian mining and mineral processing industries. This paper indicates that these industries use a substantial proportion of the total Australian energy input (32.7% in 1971-72 and 36.10% in 1974-75). With the growth orientation of these industries, this input is likely to increase. Data shows that mining energy requirementE varied from 4.22% (of total Australian energy requirements) in 1971-72 to 4.16% in 1974-75. Energy requirements for the total mineral processing industries increased from 28.49% to 31.93% for the same period. The total estimated primary energy input varied from 22.56% to 25.2%, whilst indirect energy use, in the form of electricity increased from 10.16% to 10.66%; in the same period. Analysis of primary energy input data within the processing industries (1973/4) showed that the Iron and Steel Industry consumed 15.03% of the Australian total consumption, Non-Ferrous metals, 5.43%, Cement, 1.64%, and Refractories, 1.59%. In toto this represented 24.57% of the total

Jan 1, 1979

By J Meikle

A projected image is not always a true representation of a situation, or indeed an industry. This is often the case of the mining and minerals industry, which has frequently been portrayed in a negative light with a male dominance stigma attached. However, these issues can be combated for both the industry and its future, current undergraduate students, through undergraduate industry experience. In particular, vacation work enables female students to dispel many myths surrounding the industry and realise that the mining and minerals field offers career development for both genders. This paper will discuss how vacation work enables students to make important career decisions even before they have graduated. Industry experience provides undergraduates with the opportunity to gain practical knowledge relevant to their field of study. Additionally it allows students to observe the nature of the industry and the sacrifices necessary to advance careers. The prior insights into an industry are relevant to all students, but particularly female students, who might otherwise be dissuaded from a career in mining. This paper is written from the perspective of two female undergraduate students studying Mining and Minerals Processing Engineering.

Jan 1, 2006

Mine rehabilitation is a sustainability issue that has been revisited ad infinitum; however, the persistent lack of demonstrated on-the-ground performance and an increasingly intractable rehabilitation liability in Queensland continue to erode the credibility of the mining industry and regulatory bodies. For at least ten years the need to change the current, process-based approach to rehabilitation to an outcomes-based approach has been apparent. The ISO 14001 series temporarily diverted attention from this important point, however it would appear the limitations of an ISO 14001 approach are now more widely accepted. It is proposed that a successful outcomes-based approach cannot be achieved without meaningful community engagement. The apparently intractable nature of the rehabilitation issue will continue to generate conflict and criticism unless all stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the process of developing robust and practical outcomes for rehabilitation. Sharing the responsibility will ensure the best possible outcome. It is important to recognise the valuable resources inherent in community groups, many of whose committed volunteers have considerable expertise in relevant areas. Community groups should not be seen as adversaries but as allies in the process of solving problems that affect the wider community. Several projects that can be seen as test cases for the engagement of stakeholders exist, and in this paper the process of achieving multiple stakeholder engagement in the context of Environmentally Sustainable Development is discussed.

Jan 1, 2002

Chile, which hosts around 30 per cent of the worldÆs copper resources, is now the largest producer and exporter of copper. Chilean copper output accounts for more than one-quarter of total worldwide production. An increase to around 40 per cent is forecast by the end of the century. In addition, Chile ranks eighth in silver production and 11th in gold output. In Chile, mining generates more than eight per cent of the countryÆs GDP and the total value of mineral exports is more than US $7.85 billion corresponding to more than 25 per cent of South AmericaÆs mineral production. The rate of growth of Chilean mineral production is indeed impressive. Table 1 shows that in the period 1969 - 1998, copper annual production increased 564 per cent from 667 000 t to 3 764 000 t. Gold production went up 27 times from 1827 to 49 770 kg. Silver output grew 1219 per cent from 95 650 kg produced in 1969 to 1 166 380 kg in 1998. Several facts explain this dramatic increase of production, but the most important was the success of exploration sustained over the same period. This resulted in the discovery of several world-class deposits which when developed into mines, account for much of the production increases. Therefore, this summary review shows the success of basic exploration carried out during the last 30 years in the Chilean territory. The review is based on data already published in different specialised mining books or magazines. It only includes those world-class discoveries not the lesser discoveries important at local scale. All figures were calculated using 1998 $US dollar and average estimated metal prices valid for 1999: copper $US 1653 per t ($US 0.75 per pound), gold $US 9452 per kg ($US 294 per ounce) and silver $US 177 per kg ($US 5.5 per ounce).

Jan 1, 1999

By N S. Rauert

The Barrick Gold Granny Smith underground operation located at the Wallaby deposit is currently in a transition period from a near surface operation in ramp up mode to a fully operational deep mining operation with annual production exceeding 1 Mt/a. A key element in this process has been the project execution of the Wallaby Deeps project from initial scoping study in 2007 to the major production component of the Wallaby operation by 2013.The Wallaby Deeps project serves as an example of how an ongoing detailed study program can be integrated into a day to day mining operation assessing risk and mining application in a perceived challenging narrow vein geotechnical environment prior to mining. A detailed study phase to feasibility level is carried out prior to the mining each zone of Wallaby with mining approval only granted on study completion with full justification.A central element in this process is an optimisation study that utilising the Mineable Shape Optimiser (MSO) and Schedule Optimisation Tool (SOT) software tools developed by AMIRA Ltd PRIMO research project is used to carry out an NPV value based option study. This optimisation process being then tempered to reality by a predefined practicality assessment process utilising extensive peer review by operational and study team members as well as industry experts.Other challenges facing the Wallaby Deeps project include the requirement to maintain the ramp up production profile to full production by 2012 without disruption but with pressures of an ongoing geological resource to reserve conversion program essential for the study process and mining approvals and also development rate achievement.To date these challenges are being met with integrated planning and the value of the study program itself. Production in 2012 year to date is well on the way to annual production rate exceeding 1 Mt/a.CITATION:Rauert, N S, 2012. Wallaby Deeps - from the optimal opportunity to reality, in Proceedings Narrow Vein Mining 2012 , pp 207-214 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Mar 26, 2012