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The Elgas Underground Storage Facility at Port Botany, Sydney, is the first purpose-built cavern of its kind in Australia and provides large capacity, safe and environmentally benign storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The facility will provide Elgas with the flexibility to source product at competitive prices and ensure long-term security of supply. Construction has provided Orica Australia, formerly ICI Explosives, with a unique opportunity to provide a bulk explosive delivery system specifically designed to meet the exacting demands of the site and of the project.

Jan 1, 1999

By D Manhire, G Hogan, M Ryan, S Whiteley

Site restoration at the L&M Mining Limited alluvial gold mining project at Waikaka near Gore, Southland is described. In 2000 mining operations started to recover alluvial gold beneath historical dredge tailings over 244 hectares in the flood plain of the Waikaka Stream. The project had an eight to nine year mine life but was prematurely closed in 2002 because of economic considerations. Restoration of the site back to pastoral farming, with shelter-belt and amenity tree, shrub, and wetland plantings is described. Dealings with the landowners and regulating authorities are addressed in the paper.

Jan 1, 2003

Increasing use has been made of engineer ing geology and hydrogeology in the development of the infrastructure for mining projects. The Geological Survey of the Department of Mines, the Department of Main Roads, the Irrigation and Water Supply Commission and private consulting organisations and mining companies, employ spec- ialist staff to carry out engineering geological and/or hydrogeological investigations. Such in- vestigations have been of assistance in recent mining developments in northern Queensland, in- cluding those in the Cloncurry - Mount lsa, Weipa, Greenvale and northern Borten Basin areas.

Jan 1, 1974

By S Wangchai, D B. Hastie, P W. Wypych, A P. Grima

Industries that handle and process ‘dusty’ ores are facing increasingly difficult challenges to ensure sustainable operation and development. Most existing dust-control measures treat only the symptoms of dust generation and do not deal with the root cause/s of the problem. Many of these methods are also relatively inefficient in terms of controlling dust emissions. This paper summarises the various existing options available for dust control and some of their features, advantages and disadvantages. It then describes some of the new technologies that are being researched, developed and employed to minimise dust emissions by addressing dustability or dustiness and the dust generation mechanisms found in industry. Recent research results and case studies are presented to demonstrate some interesting findings obtained from this work. With improved understanding and modelling of dust generation mechanisms and bulk material dustiness, it is possible to achieve a step-change improvement in the design, troubleshooting and application of more efficient dust-control technologies.CITATION:Wypych, P W, Hastie, D B, Wangchai, S and Grima, A P, 2015. Research and application of new dust control technologies for the iron ore industry, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 529–536 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By Witkowski A

I have the pleasure to present 6 excellent papers in this section all of major relevance to the mining environment of today where competing social, legal and monetary interests and their often complex interaction require serious consideration. This is particularly true today where huge fluctuations in commodity prices makes mining a perilous undertaking while the world increasingly are becoming aware of the serious threat that mans activities has on his environment. The 6 papers deal with such complex issues as safety in an underground environment; How to protect sensitive wetlands well into the next century; The enormeous waterproblems in China and conflicting dewatering/water supply needs; Disposal of contaminated water in sensitive areas and the dynamic interaction between mining companies and legislation.

Jan 1, 1988

By G T. Hefter, P Singh

Sulphur dioxide oxidation is an attractive alternative anodic reaction to the evolution of oxygen in copper electrowinning. Accordingly, the electrochemical oxidation of SO2 in aqueous 1.0 x 10-1 mol/L NaClO4 has been studied at pH 2.3 using platinum and glassy carbon electrodes. On the platinum electrode SO2 oxidation occurred on the forward scan at 0.96 V and on the reverse scan at 0.63 V. For GC, a single SO2 oxidation peak occurred at 1.40 V on the forward scan. SO2 oxidation on both electrode substrates was hampered by oxide layer formation. The electrode could be reactivated however, by oxide layer reduction. Although reactivation was most successful for platinum, SO2 oxidation on platinum is quite complex, with this evidenced by the reverse scan anodic peak. Glassy carbon shows simpler behaviour and thus, is the preferred substrate for SO2 oxidation.

Jan 1, 1998

By J Manuel, L Lu

Increasing bed depth is one of the main options sinter plants consider to increase production, since it is an incremental improvement and less expensive compared with a new plant. To maximise the benefits of increased bed depth, correct blend design and plant operation is critical. This paper discusses test work conducted to show the effects of ore type and bed depth on sintering performance and the adjustments required in both fuel rate and lime addition depending on ore type. The differences in sinter plug macro and microstructure were also examined to show the effect of bed depth on ore assimilation and matrix formation. Finally, the benefits of blending ores to achieve the best sintering performance as bed depth increases is discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

In the time since the first trials in the mid-1980s, the Rare-Earth Magnetic Separators (REMS) are presently (year 2001) found in many heavy mineral sands plants around the world. Both the roll and the drum type are used from ilmenite concentration to cleaning high-purity zircon products. Chromium-bearing materials are removed from ilmenite more selectively than with electromagnetic separators. Greater flexibility and higher grades in ilmenite circuits are achieved. Cleaner rutile and zircon products, even with respect to levels of radioactive materials, are the result of superior magnetic force optimisation. Tailings from roaster plants can be reprocessed effectively, which is encouraging some operators to look at replacing old equipment in order to process roasted material plant feed or implement use of the new generation drum separators in new plants. Wet separation of ilmenite by using powerful wet REMS drum separators is now a possibility. This may be an alternative to at least a portion of the Wet High-Intensity Magnetic Separators (WHIMS) process for ilmenite preconcentration. A dry plant process flowsheet can often be modified by displacing a portion of high-tension separators with new high-temperature tolerant REMS.

Jan 1, 2001

The late Carboniferous to early Permian Featherbed Volcanics cover an area of about 3000km near the western margin of the Hodgkinson Basin, in northeastern Queensland. The dominantly ignimbritic volcanic rocks are mostly confined to a single, composite, volcano-tectonic depression, but, along with the associated intrusive rocks, may be divided into two main groups: late Carboniferous I- type rocks and early Permian A-type rocks. Late Carboniferous I-type andesitic to rhyolitic ignimbrites and minor andesite lava crop out in the southeastern, southern, and southwestern parts of the complex, mostly confined to a basin-like depression, or "sag" structure, and are associated with coeval dioritic (and rare gabbroic) to granitic intrusive rocks. Extensive Sn, W and base- metal, and some Au, mineralisation are associated with these rocks, particularly in the southeast. The main part of the complex is of early Permian age, and consists almost entirely of A-type rhyolitic ignimbrite and relatively minor volumes of lava intruded by a peripheral ring dyke of porphyritic microgranite and by resurgent-type plutons of porphyritic microgranite and microgranodiorite. These rocks are associated with sparse base-metal, Au, U, W, and Sn mineralisation.

Jan 1, 1987

By Reilly SY, Green TH, O&apos

Alkali feldspar meggacrysts are commonly found (with aluminous clinopyroxene, kaersutitic amphibole, titanomagnetite, ilmenite and apatite, and more rarely with zircon and corundum) in alkalic basalts and their derivatives as discrete crystals and fragments. They are commonly euhedral or subhedral and may be up to 15 cm in size. Their occurrence has been reported from many localities around the world, e.g., Africa, Antarctica, eastern Australia, eastern China, East Fife (Scotland), Eifel (Germany), Massif Central (France), Mongolia, New Zealand, New Mexico (USA) and Siberia (USSR). These megacrysts are relatively homogeneous and belong to the Na-rich anorthoclase group, although Kutolin and Frolova (1970) called them sanidine due to their monoclinic nature. The majority of megacrysts have a molar orthoclase content (Or%) between 20 and 30 (Fig.1). These anorthoclase megacrysts possess a high degree of disorder, with the structural state belonging to the high albite-high sanidine series (Hoffer and Hoffer, 1973; Chapman, 1976).Published interpretations of the origin of anorthoclase megacrysts fall into the following two categories: either (1) Anorthoclase together with the associated pyroxene and amphibole crystallized from basaltic magmas as phenocrysts (cumulate phases) at high pressure and the present host basaltic rocks are the parent magmas for the anorthoclase megacrysts (Binns,l969; Binns et al. 1970; Kutolin and Frolova, 1970; Hoffer and Hoffer, 1973; Laughlin et al. 1974); or (2) Anorthoclase probably crystallized from a more evolved liquid at relatively lower pressure and was then picked up and carried to the surface by a later

Jan 1, 1990

The lignite resource in the southern part of the South Island is New ZealandÆs largest source of indigenous primary energy. The ten deposits evaluated by the Liquid Fuels Trust Board (LFTB) have a total recoverable reserve of 6.2 billion tones equivalent to 74 000 PJ of energy or 20 times the original energy content of the Maui gas field. Updating the economics of the original LFTB studies indicates that lignite could be mined for between NZ$1.0 and 3.0/GJ. Its conversion to synthesis gas for production of petroleum products, chemical methanol, ammonia/urea fertiliser or electricity would be in the national benefit and likely to be commercially economic at todayÆs product prices.

Jan 1, 2005

It should be stating the æbleeding obviousÆ to say that the most efficient method of recovery must be used during the testing and evaluation phases of an orebody. Furthermore, the company will be literally throwing away money by not using the most efficient recovery plant during mining. This is especially true in the case of a low concentration/high value commodity such as diamonds. Unfortunately, this economic recovery criterion is not always the driving force. Some inexperienced companies think that they can preserve capital by using cheaper, and generally less efficient, recovery plants to mine their product. This philosophy is invariably a fallacy. Furthermore, it is also important to use the correct sized plant for the proposed task. It is no use trying to use a small testing plant to treat large quantities of ore, as this may result in loss of recovery efficiency. The converse is equally true.

Jan 1, 2004

By D J Rawlings

The Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic McArthur Basin contains a thick (-10 km) intracratonic platform cover sequence of unmetamorphosed and relatively undeformed sedimentary and volcanic rocks (Pietsch et al, 1991). It covers an area exceeding 180 000 km2 of the North Australian Craton (Figure 1), overlying segments of the older deformed basement and transitional igneous units. Volcanism in the basin (including transitional domain) followed a four-phase pattern. These phases are geologically distinct and widely distributed, and are also recognised beyond the McArthur Basin in many similar-aged tectonic provinces in northern Australia. The four phases are described briefly below. Regional and structural nomenclature used refers to Figure 1. A stratigraphic correlation diagram is presented in Figure 2.

Jan 1, 1994

By Johnson M, Gaudin A

With the advent of Computer aided mapping and surface modelling techniques Geologists and Engineers have had to become familiar with the capabilities and limitations of these systems to effectively use them. In this paper we will trace a short history of the rather rapid progress in this area. From this historical perspective we will make some observations and use these to guess at what the future holds. We hope that this paper will assist in clarifying the develop- ments in computer assisted mapping and modelling and promote thought on how these techniques may be best applied to the problems of the Mineral Industry.

Jan 1, 1983

By Hughson B

The need to prevent the sterilisation of coal stems directly from the fact that it is a non-renewable resource. In N.S.W. a vast amount of coal resource is located under major public utilities such as freeways, railways, stored waters, pipelines carrying gas, water and sewage, and transmission lines. Total extraction has occurred under freeways, transmission lines and pipelines with little or no damage. Where damage has resulted, the cost of restoration was only a small fraction of the value of the coal recovered. However, coal at present is being sterilised and perhaps lost for ever under stored waters and railways. If engineering solutions are available for mining under these improvements economically and with maximum safety, then coal should be extracted and utilised to the benefit of the State.

Jan 1, 1986

By Huajun W, Long LZ

The composition of fly ash and formation mechanism of cennospheres are introduced in this paper. The signification of using this potential new mineral processing resource is emphasised. The beneficiation properties of the components of fly ash, such as susceptibility, specific gravity, size, shape and flotability etc have been examined in detail. A technique was designed to process fly ash from the XiGaoJing power plant in Beijing, and a flowsheet is also presented. Flotabld cennospheres, magnetic beads, sinkable beads, carbon and advanced pozzolamics can be obtained as separate products through this flowsheet. It is emphasised that the beneficiation of fly ash is an efficient means of totally utilising the resource. Examination of the products show that they have good physico-chemical properties. Possible areas of their application are also Suggested.

Jan 1, 1993

By R Yong, A McEwan, D G. Miljak, D Milinkovic, A Curtain, P J. Coghill, R Stefulj, B Lovric, G Roberts

The CSIRO has pioneered the development and use of certain classes of magnetic resonance (MR) for mining applications. The MR technique is a radio frequency-based spectroscopy that provides highly quantitative measurement of selected ore minerals. MR has many inherent advantages for bulk sensing in mining applications, including deep sensing penetration into most bulk ores with the use of non-contact sensors that are robust and tolerant of demanding mine conditions. The highly discriminating nature of the technique also provides the very desirable attribute of robust and simple calibration, that can often be performed prior to sensor installation. Rapid sensing (within seconds) at very low grade (few hundred ppm Cu) has been demonstrated, as well as sensing at high tonnage rate. Besides sorting applications, MR may also be applied to preconcentration applications involving very large volume sensing including: (i) haul truck sensing using portal arrangements, where truck destination assignment may be dynamically determined based on the truck grade, (ii) in-pit gantries used for loading trucks that may similarly be equipped with sensors for truck assignment and (iii) deep mine bench sensing, recently progressed through a CRC ORE project, where local bench grade is determined at the few-metre lateral scale and at depth prior to blasting, to aid selective blasting and ore extraction. MR sensor prototypes have been developed for each of these applications and have been tested in laboratory or limited field conditions. To inform the value proposition for truck or bench sensing, initial analysis of truck assignment improvement based on an analysis of in-situ mine bench grade has been performed for a porphyry style deposit. The prototype sensors, preliminary results and future technology development and objectives will be described.

Nov 10, 2020

By T Stambolie

Mine planning processes are continuously evolving, increasing in complexity, and are required to be developed in shorter timeframes, often missing important steps in the process. Underground coal mines are also moving into more challenging environments, with the more favourable resources having been exhausted. In addition to traditional mine planning processes there is an increasing level of complexities associated with parallel systems including the preparation of Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) compliant estimates (JORC, 2012 and Guidelines Review Committee, 2014) or seeking critical regulatory development consent to undertake mining. There is a clear link between geotechnical considerations and success of mining operations, and therefore it is essential that such considerations are elevated in both status and priority. It is obvious that geotechnical considerations are paramount in any mine, however it is imperative to accept that such considerations, and the collection of information relating to such, are undertaken from the onset of any mining project. CITATION:Stambolie, T, 2018. Elevating geotechnical considerations in the Australian underground coal industry and mine planning process, in Proceedings The Fourth Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference (AusRock), pp 383–391 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 30, 2018

By Glatthar J. W, Lauder D. W, Manlapig E. V, Mackinnon I. R

The Ok Tedi copper orebody consists of porphyry and skarn orebodies. The skarn orebodies, identified by different mineralogies, are the source of high intermittent fluorine levels in the mill concentrates. This paper discusses the results of t

Jan 1, 1998

By Wheatley MR

Answers to the questions "which rocks contain diamonds?" and "which indicator minerals should diamond explorers look for?" are no longer so easily obtained, now that diamonds are known to occur in lamproites and various types of lamprophyres, as well as their traditional source of kimberlites. One way of isolating those factors (host-rock"geochemistry, geographical or tectonic location, xenolith minerals, etc.) which are most critical in determining the diamond potential of a given pipe, is a detailed and critical re-examination of the huge volumes of accumulated data on kimberlites, lamproites and related rocks. A large analytical database to this end has been set up on an Apple Macintosh II microcomputer using the quasi-relational database management system 4th Dimension. Currently, it contains data for up to 90 major and trace elements, isotopic ratios and contained mineral compositions for some 4,000 rock specimens from all over the world. Many experiences in setting up this database are probably relevant to other geologists setting up their own systems: they include determining the relationships between data items; the advantages of codes over free text in representing categorical variables such as rock types; the need for rigorous error trapping and data validation; and the problem of missing data values and ambiguities thereof. The working system is now being used in a rigorous statistical assessment of the criteria which distinguish diamondiferous from non-diamondiferous rocks.

Jan 1, 1989