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Sampling and sample preparation systems at the Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited port of Dampier, W.A., were developed for two separate objectives. 1. The need for rapid determination of physical properties. On stream size analysis enables lump ore and pellet- ized ore physical properties to be monitored and controlled whilst shiploading is in progress. As a control procedure this facility allows optimum shiploading rates con sistent with physical quality control. 2. The need for accurate chemical analysis. Chemical analysis on ship- loading forms the final link in overall quality control procedures encompassing the operation of mining, railway and port blending. Thus maintenance of specification products with minimum variation in chemical characteristics is ensured.

Jan 1, 1976

By M Ujihira, M Komazaki, K Higuchi, D F

A diesel engine with a misfiring cylinder is likely to break down in a short time when the engine is used without maintenance. The authors have developed a method of detecting the occurrence of cylinder misfiring and specifying the misfiring cylinder by using wavelet analysis and statistical analysis on the root mean square (r.m.s.) values of two kinds of acceleration waveforms. This detection method is considered superior to traditional methods, which require several accelerometers, especially in terms of simplicity. Since the development of the method, research has been conducted on semi-automatic processing of measured signals and signal transmission from the worksite to a remote office. Field tests confirmed that 1 + 105 points of dynamic data could be transmitted through the mobile multimedia network within 15 minutes, and the time for signal processing was within 15 minutes. Final determination on the condition of a diesel engine in heavy machinery could be achieved within 30 minutes. Shortened processing time is expected by improvement of the processing software.

Jan 1, 2003

By Schneider CL

The calculation of the liberation spectrum in the product from continuous milling operations is a problem of considerable importance, and it is difficult to solve because the population balance equation must be integrated in two-dimensional space. Complete solutions require a very detailed knowledge of the complex interactions between the fracture patterns and the mineralogical ore texture when brittle particles are subject to impact fracture. Most of the liberation models that have been developed to date apply only to batch comminution processes and under these conditions the liberation problem can be studied in isolation. When the comminution is continuous and forms a unit operation in a flowsheet that includes classification and separation operations, the situation is very different, and then the liberation of the minerals must be described when single particles of known mineralogical composition are fractured. Important industrial examples are conventional milling circuits closed by hydrocyclone and regrind mills in flotation plants. This paper presents an efficient computational algorithm for the calculation of the liberation spectrum produced by continuous milling operations. The algorithm relies heavily on the detailed internal structure of the Andrews-Mika diagram. The modifications that are required to make this diagram apply to practical ore minerals, and the internal structure of this diagram can be established using single-particle fracture on mono-size, mono-grade material but suitable liberation models are essential to interpret the data in terms of the cross transfer coefficients required for the population balance procedure. Models proposed by Leroux (1992) and King (1990) are compared to experimental data.

Jan 1, 1993

Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) is one of the leading base metal producers in India. It operates a two-smelter Complex at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. At this zinc-lead smelter zinc is manufactured by the conventional hydrometallurgical route and lead is produced by Blast furnace technology generating residues or wastes which contain substantial quantities of metal values. Disposal of such wastes is a problem in any non-ferrous industry. Both the stringent environmental regulations and the changing industrial scenario emphasise the need for industrial research to find economically viable and environmentally friendly technologies to recover the metal values from these waste materials. The in-house R&D Centre at Vizag Zinc Smelter (VZS) thinking globally re-engineered its activities and major thrust was given for converting waste to valuable metals and metal compounds. Basic analytical chemistry with the hydrometallurgical concepts has been adopted in developing these innovative technologies. In this paper attempts are made to provide a clear history of the different waste raw material, the process developed for each raw material and their superiority of over other parallel work. Most of the processes described here are pilot plant tested and under patenting. The process flowsheet, results obtained and advantages of each process are presented. This paper provides a consolidated approach through which the varied smelter waste materials can be processed with cost effective and eco-friendly innovative technologies. In-house R&D efforts at VZS with its contribution and achievement in converting æwastes into wealthÆ technologies are presented in this paper on the following the major thrust areas:recovery of zinc from liquid effluent; recovery of zinc from effluent treatment plant (ETP) gypsum sludge; production of highly pure electrolytic zinc metal powder from zinc bearing gypsum residue/sludge generated at the effluent treatment plant; hydrometallurgical recovery of copper as copper sulphate solution which can be used for CuSO4.5H2O, copper cathode/copper metal powder from copper-cadmium cement; recovery of manganese, lead and silver from anode mud generated at Zinc Cell House and 4-metal extraction/recovery of manganese, cobalt, copper and nickel from Indian ocean bed manganese nodules; recovery of zinc, lead, silver and sulphur values from silver concentrate residue generated at the froth flotation process; recovery of silver and lead as lead-silver sponge/lead-silver sulphide concentrate from lead bearing residues; recovery of lead, silver and copper from copper matte; recovery of antimony as antimony metal or lead-antimony master alloy from antimony bearing dross; and recovery of nickel and dimethylglyoxime from Ni-DMG complex.

Jan 1, 2000

By Fountain C. R

In April 1987, Mount Isa Mines Limited (MIM) commissioned an ISASMELT reactor to smelt 15t/h of copper concentrate at the Mount Isa Copper Smelter. This unit was based on the Sirosmelt lance technology and incorporated features proven in the Lead ISASMELT plant which has been operating in the MIM Lead Smelter since 1983. From April 1987 to June 1989, the copper smelting plant treated 167000 tonnes. Concentrate, coal and fluxes are fed continuously to the furnace. Oxygen enriched air is injected through a lance which is submerged in the slag bath. Matte and slag are tapped together through a single taphole into a reverberatory furnace, and from there are treated with normal reverberatory furnace production. Advantages of the process include its ability to eliminate most lead and arsenic in feed, its flexibility with respect to feed composition, sizing and moisture, and the plant's low capital cost. Acceptable refractory life has also been demonstrated. The commissioning of a 70 t/day oxygen plant has rerated the plant from 15t/h to 18t/h while allowing a reduction in fuel usage of one third. A trial using 150 t/day oxygen was carried out in May 1989, and showed that the furnace could treat 48 t/h chalcopyrite concentrate while maintaining a very low fuel requirement. The oxygen trial results have given considerable confidence for plant scale-up. Detailed project evaluation is currently underway for the replacement of the roaster and reverberatory furnaces at Mount Isa with a single 110 t/h ISASMELT reactor.

Jan 1, 1989

The statistical nature of the variability in detonation times of pyrotechnic delays is discussed, and how to evaluate the probability of required detonation intervals is shown. Some methods (analytical and stochastic) are given for designing blasts to ensure that any adverse effects on the variability in the delays is taken into account and minimised. Using computer models of blasts, detonation simulations can be used to check the initiation sequence for the probability of sequence reversals, indicating areas of high blast damage potential. Charge consumption rates, which relate directly to the resulting vibration levels, can be examined for their susceptibility to variation from delay variability. Models that synthesize vibration waveforms for production blasts, when taking delay variability into account, indicate the difficulty in vibration level prediction.

Jan 1, 1992

By Sullivan TD, Redman PG

AND INTRODUCTION The Lochiel coal deposit, a large Tertiary soft brown coal deposit in the mid north of South Australia, is currently being investigated by the Electricity Trust of South Australia (ETSA) as a potential source of fuel for a base load power station. Feasibility studies indicated that the proposed dragline method of overburden removal was viable but economically sensitive to both highwail and dump batter angles. The unusual properties of the unconsolidated overburden sediments and the groundwater regime posed a number of intimately related hydrogeological and geotechnical questions which were addressed before and during the excavation of a trial pit. All strata at Lochiel are of soil strength, and artesian aquifers occur above and below the coal. From the initial evaluation of the deposit a number of hydrogeological questions were defined. These related to the rate at which the pore pressure in the silts is reduced by dewatering, the extent of the reduction in pore pressure due to prestripping, and the feasibility of dewatering and depressurising carbonaceous silty sand sequences. The site of the trial pit was selected to answer these and other questions from the basis of a detailed geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical understanding. The trial pit dewatering system simulated a full scale mine dewatering system and included ten pumped wells, twenty drainage wells, and nearly 400 monitoring instruments. It operated from September 1986 to June 1987. The excavation was carried out between February and May 1987.

Jan 1, 1988

Research on the Differential Flotation of Iso-Floatable Lead-Zinc Sulfide Ore

Sep 13, 2010

By Waddell S

A new procedure has been developed for the direct determination of metals loaded on activated carbon. It involves preparation of a suspension of the powdered carbon in water, followed by direct sampling of the suspension with a micropipette,and analyses by atomic absorption spectroscopy using carbon rod atomization. Advantages of the method include the simplicity of sample preparation and the ability to provide a complete metal analysis in 1 - 2 hours. This enables carbon-in-pulp operators to respond quickly to changes in plant efficiency arising from carbon fouling. The successful application of the method has been demonstrated for gold, copper, nickel and iron. Other elements to be surveyed include calcium, magnesium and silicon.

Jan 1, 1984

I start with some lines from "Pleasures of Hope" by the poet Campbell, published in 1798, which sets the flavour of what I am going to say. They blissful omens bid my spirit see The boundless fields of rapture yet to be; I watch the wheels of Nature's mazy plan, And learn the future by the past of man. I hope to echo the poet's optimistic view of what is yet to come. I am not sure I can find all the omens blissful but we all have some experience of what the wheels of Nature's mazy plan get up to. His advice to learn the future by the past of man seemed sensible to follow, so on the principle that the past of several men would be better than one alone I invited Alan Attwood, Maurice Cahalan, Gavin Moncrieff, Derek Temple, and Peter Wright to help me prepare this address; I am most grateful to them for their contributions. Of the technologies covered in this sequence of keynote addresses, metallurgy is the one which is closest to our consumers. On the age-old principle, which I do not expect to see changed in the 21st Century, that production is about providing the customer with what he wants, when he wants it, where he wants it, and at a price he can afford, I think we should start by trying to see how the market place is likely to develop, and to work back from there to review what technology we need to meet these demands.

Jan 1, 1986

By M Saghaeian, V Sheikhzadeh, R Hejazi

Mining dilution is one of the most important factors affecting the economy of mining projects. Instead of quantifying dilution in mining studies, it is common to assume a general dilution such as 5 per cent for massive deposits. Dilution increases the operating costs in the plant by increasing the tonnage of material to be milled. It prolongs the mine life by reducing plant’s effective capacity. It also reduces the feed grade. In most cases, lower feed grade means lower plant recovery. Dilution also increases the cut-off grade, which in turn reduces the overall ore utilisation of a mine. In this study has been investigated applying pre-concentration by dry magnetic separation for decreasing of dilution impact on reserve estimation and open pit design in low-grade iron ore mine. Based on the preliminary open pit design and assumption 3 per cent as dilution factor, the mineable ore in life-of-mine (measured + indicated) has been estimated with Fe = 25 per cent, SiO2 = 49.7 per cent. Based on the experimental test work on the ore, by dry low intensity magnetic separation of dry HPGR product grinding circuit, it is possible to remove diluted waste material and liberated gangue before concentrate plant, so that around 34 per cent rejected and Fe grade increase from 25 per cent to 33 per cent and by weight recovery 66 per cent. The results of the test work showed that this methodology could decrease largely the impact of dilution in the feed to the plant. It also slightly effect on the reducing of dilution factor impact for open pit design and optimisation and leads to increase the mineable tonnage in the low-grade magnetite iron ore mine.

Aug 24, 2022

By R Heath, P Rose, L Coetser

A sustained eight-year major research effort has been undertaken in South Africa to develop integrated passive water treatment systems for the sustainable removal of sulfates, while simultaneously addressing the removal of metals and acidity. The research effort addressed the problem both at a fundamental science level and at the more empirical pilot plant level. Whereas there are numerous anaerobic sulfate reducing reactors in operation on mine waters that remove some sulfate together with metals and acidity, these are typically plagued by low sulfate removal efficiency and gradual reductions in overall reactor efficiency with time. The South African research effort has focused on understanding the fundamental microbiological and biochemical reactions that occur in anaerobic reactors filled with lignocellulosic material and subjected to high sulfate water. Hypotheses have been developed that differentiate the reactions occurring in such a reactor into groups that should be individually optimised and these hypotheses have been verified through rigorous laboratory and pilot scale studies. The results of this research are incorporated into a patented multi-stage integrated passive treatment system that is capable of sustained high rate removal of sulfates, metals and acidity.

Jan 1, 2003

Minerals Industry - 5 Year Outlook AusIMM sponsored project Positioning the Minerals industry for the 21st Century Does this seem right for New Zealand?  To ascertain the industry's perceptions of issues and capacity to address them: Industry context and issues Capabilities of professional staff Access to professional staff Balancing supply and demand Industry must do it. Cannot wait for others.   Some observations... Negative image - constrains capacity to influence community and government Major repositioning of professional staff competencies required Existing organisational arrangements and capabilities are under pressure to change Difficult to access professional staff of required capability Facing significant external challenges - with real concern about capacity to address them Prevailing culture not suited to needs of the future High level felt need for change The industry has a choiceà We can define where we want to be and act decisively Or We can respond to the future as it unfolds.

Jan 1, 2000

The paper explains the genesis of the Ballarat College of Advanced Education to its unique position in mining engineering education. A description follows of the development of the Graduate Diploma in Occupational Hazard Management which commenced in 1979 in the cooperative mode of four groups of three weeks full- time study followed by twenty-three weeks in industry. In particular an analysis will be given of the state of origin of students, ages and employing industries. Given the experience from the evolution of this course a similar process is described for the Graduate Diploma in Mining which has been accredited to commence early in 1987.

Jan 1, 1986

A Study of Extracting Vanadium from Stone Coal Using Cyclic Oxidation

Sep 13, 2010

Drainage aids are designed to assist in filter cake dewatering by reduction of surface tension. By the early 1980's severalspecialist chemical manufacturers had developed drainage aids specific to the alumina industry. Thus, after some initial laboratory work, drainage aid addition to the product hydrate filter cake was first tried at Gove in early 1981. Encouraging results led to further plant trials and a laboratory trial comparing eight different products. Fromthis last trial a product was chosen and a plant trial run in March 1982. The results achieved encouraged a further plant trial to be run during April and May, 1982 and a decision was then made to adopt the full-time use of drainage aid on the plant.Optimisation work with the drum filters and drainage aid continued until late 1983. This work not only led to optimisation of dose rates, concentrations etc., but also to significant improvements in the mode of operation of the product filtration area.

Jan 1, 1985

By P Vasconcelos, X D. Deng

Numerous supergene manganese oxide deposits are developed inSouth China as a result of weathering of a thick sequence of Paleozoic marine Mn-bearing sedimentary rocks, consisting mainly of limestones, cherts and black shales that were intensely folded and faulted due to multiple episodes of tectonism since the late Triassic. The ore minerals are dominantly pyrolusite, cryptomelane, nsutite, lithiophorite and braunite. The supergene manganese ores contain Mn ranging from 20 to 44 wt per cent; manganese oxide deposits derived from cherts and black shales also contain recoverable levels of Co, Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn. 40Ar/39Ar dating of potassium-bearing manganese oxides reveals that extensive supergene manganese ore formation started at least in the earliest Miocene and persisted to the Present. Ages of the deposits show a close correlation to tectonic stability, with the oldest in tectonically quiescent areas and the youngest in active areas that have subjected to continuous uplift and thus significant denudation. The prolonged wet and hot climate since Oligocene and the balance between weathering and erosion, which is parameter to the tectonic stability, are the ultimate controls on the formation and distribution of South China supergene manganese oxide deposits. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

The Sydney Coalfield, Nova Scotia contains extensive undersea longwall mining operations which are expected to continue well into the 21st Century. A long term research program has been initiated by the Cape Breton Coal Research Laboratory to investigate the full spectrum of problems associated with undersea mining and develop specific guidelines for use by the mine operator. At present, research is centred on the detailed evaluation of existing undersea sub- sidence guidelines, the identification and development of instrumentation capable of moni- toring seafloor subsidence profiles and the effective sealing of offshore exploration boreholes. In addition, work is also planned to examine in situ strata permeability changes occurring between the mining horizon and seabed and the feasibility of using artificial islands.

Jan 1, 1986

By P Fullagar

Automated multi-sensor core loggers (MSCL) measure petrophysical properties of diamond drill cores, including gamma density, P-wave velocity, electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. A Geotek MSCL system has been used to record petrophysical data on archival drill core from Cadia East Au-Cu porphyry deposit, New South Wales, Australia, for correlation with metallurgical parameters. P-wave modulus, calculated from density and P-wave velocity, exhibits a correlation with small-scale crushability (A*b) test results, and hence offers a means for æcontinuousÆ characterisation of ore crushability at Cadia East. Magnetic susceptibility has proved to be a good indicator of alteration styles, and is a possible indicator of crushability.

Jan 1, 2009

A continuing demand for exploration geologists, at a level well below that during the mineral "boom" of 1967-1971, will be highly selective. The exploration geologist must be more than the traditional geologist whose primary function has been detailed description of rocks and their recording on a geological map. He must be capable of 1. reconnaissance recognition of favour= able environments for ore mineral concentrations, 2. application and interpretation of techniques of search and evaluation, and 3. evaluation of economic, technological and political interactions that combine to make an ore deposit. Universities have an obligation to their students to provide them with a saleable skill, to educate them so that they can cope profess- ionally and socially, and to provide a mechan- ism by which education can be a continuing process. Humanistic and social studies, develop ment of communication skills, understanding of economic and management principles, ability to assess rock properties that influence extract- ion and beneficiation, and a knowledge of technological developments and limitations are necessary parts of the exploration geologist's

Jan 1, 1974