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By Majorkiewicz A

Engineering of gold treatment facilities complete with infrastruc- ture in a remote location such as Papua NewòGuinea present unique problems to the design team. Site location, topography, ground conditions and infrastructure are some of the major hurdles to overcome when setting out on the design of such plants. This paper discusses two such plants, located in two distinctly different areas of Papua New Guinea and the solutions evolved in order to design successful operating facilities.

Jan 1, 1991

By Coskun B

The classification of selective mining units (SMU's) and the assignment of grades to those classified SMU's are very important in open pit mining, especially for precious metal mining. During ore control planning, the classification of mineral

Jan 1, 1998

By Greaves M. C

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy used for the analysis of mill samples results in improved control of flotation concentrators.Techniques and equipment for sampling pulp streams, filtration and drying, grinding, briquetting and X-ray fluorescence analysis of samples have been developed.The current methods in use permit the analysis for lead and zinc in six pulp samples within 30 min total elapsed from the start of sampling. The X-ray method gives a precision at least equal to the former routine wet-way assay methods.The equipment is used also for pilot plant control, as a means of solving complicated analytical problems and in the rapid qualitative analysis of exploration samples.INTRODUCTIONIn milling and concentrating operations, classical methods for the assay of lead and zinc have been mainly of use for accounting purposes and for the post-mortem examination of plant operations, but have been of little value for rapid mill control. Where attempts have been made to apply these methods to control assaying, it has been necessary to modify the procedures and introduce short cuts which have tended to reduce their reliability.Even with these shortened procedures, the time taken to obtain a limited amount of information rendered them of little value for the control of milling operations where sudden, large fluctuations can occur. In recent years, a number of new and rapid analytical techniques, based on physical rather than chemical principles, have been introduced.These include direct reading emission spectroscopy, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic absorptionspectroscopy.

Jan 1, 1964

Cobar Mines Pty. Limited (CMPL) uses sodium sulphite as the principal depressant to attain selectivity in copper flotation prior to sequential recovery of lead and zinc. The usage of sodium sulphite is examined both from a theorectical viewpoint ana from the manner in which the copper circuit at (MPL has developed. The results of relatively recent investigations, both in the laboratory ana the plant, are discussed aria shown to support the present operating Techniques.

Jan 1, 1983

Coal Mining machinery has undergone enormous changes in design and complexity of controls in the past 10 years. Specialised, high productivity equipment has been manufactured in Australia, in sufficient volume, to satisfy the local mullet needs.Local manufacturers face greater challenges from overseas competition, as well as increased customer demands to improve machine performance, productivity, quality, reliability and safety. In order to meet these demands now and in the future, it will be necessary to review work practises, and restructure production and quality systems to incorporate the latest principles and philosophies.

Jan 1, 1991

Severe development difficulties were experienced soon after in-seam mining commenced at Appin Colliery in'1962. Thirteen years later no significant pro- gress had been made in overcoming some aspects of this development problem. Some success had been achieved in destressing roadways both in development and pillar extraction. Longwall retreat mining had shown promise of being highly productive but at an extremely high cost in terms of development requirements both in number of roadways and intensity of support in those roadways. No real advance was made in the problem of driving the first heading of a group of headings under conditions of apparently high stress in directions other than the preferred mining directions, although failure of the roof in this heading did seem to give easier work in the subsequent headings driven particularly if they were driven on narrow centres.

Jan 1, 1976

By Jelenich L, Murray J. Rantanen J

The experience gained in the development of an Operator Guidance System (OGS) for on-line process control and fault diagnosis in a commercial scale sintering process will be discussed in this paper. The OGS development started with the specification of feasible control and support tasks, eg ratio control scheme, mass balance calculations. Next, minimum requirements for fault diagnosis and process control were defined and the adequacy of existing instrumentation was assessed. The OGS knowledge base consists of both quantitative and qualitative diagnosis methods. Quantitative models based on fundamental engineering principle are used first and any gaps in such quantitative knowledge are then filled with heuristic rules. The diagnostic rules for the knowledge base was developed based on the knowledge acquired from experienced operators and operations engineers and validated with plant data. A real time reasoning program was written using C language and data base software. The OGS has a human-computer interface which is the primary means of interaction between the OGS and process operator. The OGS development has been successful in assisting operators in decision-making in their routine tasks. Further enhancement to the existing system is currently underway.

Jan 1, 1995

By Campbell J

After eighteen months of discussions with employees and their trade unions, multiskilling was introduced at the Hellyer concentrator in early 1989, coinciding with the plant commissioning. Multiskilling was introduced with the Hellyer Skills Acquisition Program together with intensive training and performance assessment. Design innovations have helped to improve productivity. There have been some difficult times with personnel tending to return to the old and traditional ways of operating. In general, these have been overcome to ensure the success of multiskilling at Hellyer. The main factors making multiskilling effective have been continual training and assessment, and a competent team of shift supervisors. This has improved work standards towards the high level expected from a multiskilled approach without compromising safety standards.

Jan 1, 1991

By Grace B, Cunningham D

The poor quality of bore waters available to the Australian mineral processing industry creates a climate for crystallization of calcium based scales. If ignored, calcite and/or gypsum buildup can cause loss of production and costly unscheduled maintenance. This paper discusses the factors which contribute to scale forma- tion, methods used to monitor buildup and preventative measures (mechanical and chemical) that can be used. A case history il- lustrates the value of using chemical antiscalants.

Jan 1, 1991

This paper examines the concepts of risk analysis and uncertainty in open pit mine design. It describes the relationship between risk analysis and uncertainty, describes methods that can be used to quantify uncertainty, and suggests ways of reducing the geological and geotechnical uncertainties that are inherent in open pit mining.

Jan 1, 1994

By J Mauk

Water-rock reactions such as pyrite oxidation and calcite dissolution strongly influence the pH of pit lakes that develop in open-cast mines after mine closure. The Martha Mine, located in world-class epithermal Au-Ag deposit at the southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, is scheduled to close in 2007, after which the pit excavation will be rehabilitated into a recreational lake; the first pit lake in New Zealand. Mineral distribution maps from XRD results of 130 andesite samples identify regions that could produce or consume acidity in the future pit lake. Maps show pyrite, calcite, adularia, albite, illite and chlorite distribution in the wall rocks. These data identify five alteration mineral associations: potassic, propylitic, weathered, oxidised and weakly-altered. Pyrite occurs in potassic, propylitic and weathered associations, whereas calcite is restricted to propylitic association in the northeast wall. Subaerial, epilimnion, and hypolimnion exposure zones describe the physical and chemical weathering processes that are likely to occur in regions of pit wall, and the potential effects on lake water chemistry. The pH of epilimnion water will depend on the relative abundance of pyrite and calcite in the propylitic association in the northeast wall, whereas hypolimnion pH will depend upon the frequency of whole-lake circulation events that distribute dissolved oxygen to deep lake layer. In mines with diverse alteration associations, mineral distribution maps are an essential precursor for accurately estimating water-rock reactions in pit lake environments. Data may be directly incorporated into a quantitative geochemical model of future pit lake water chemistry.

Jan 1, 2002

By D P. Sainsbury, J Western, B L. Sainsbury, V Mutton, P E. Petrie

Remnant rib pillars at Castlemaine Goldfields Ltd’s Ballarat Gold Project have been sterilised by the placement of loose rock fill in production stopes. The application of selectively injecting low-viscosity grout into the backfilled stopes to form a stabilised material has enabled recovery of the previously sterilised pillars. This paper outlines the engineering design, quality control and quality assurance program implemented to ensure the safe and efficient recovery of the rib pillars. The successful program included laboratory testing, numerical exposure stability modelling and in situ monitoring.CITATION:Sainsbury, B L, Sainsbury, D P, Western, J, Petrie, P E and Mutton, V, 2014. Pillar recovery adjacent to stabilised rock fill at the Ballarat Gold Project, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 77–86 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

The, Ore-bodies.-The ore-bodies of the North mine, North Broken Hill Ltd.; consist of two lenses, connected by a narrow neck of mineralized country. They pitch at an angle of 40° in an easterly direction and dip north at 60° to the horizontal. The southern ore-body, on a horizontal plane, has a total maximum length of 800 feet and in one place attains a width of 230 feet, whilst the northern orebody has a maximum'length of 600 feet and a maximum width of 80 feet.

Jan 1, 1940

By G D. Cooper

There are no manuals or handbooks for budding mill superintendents or process plant managers. Most who obtain this level of responsibility have gained their training from watching the good and bad of their predecessors and the successful ones have themselves graduated from the school of hard knocks. This paper attempts to provide some helpful guidelines and direction for those who aspire to better manage a mineral processing facility. The authors have 20 years combined experience in senior management roles at nine different mineral processing operations in Australia and overseas, covering gold, base metals and mineral sands. This summary of tips and pitfalls will hopefully benefit future leaders in mineral processing and metallurgy.

Jan 1, 2007

By D Anderson, W Timms

"A geotechnical centrifuge can characterise and model the interaction of tailings and fluids over very long time periods by accelerating drainage and consolidation processes. This technology can be considered an environmental ‘time machine’ for designing and evaluating tailings storage projects and verifying numerical models. The Broadbent G-18 geotechnical centrifuge (2 m diameter, up to 875 rev/min) and associated equipment is a unique facility commissioned in 2011 at UNSW Australia for applied research in low-permeability materials such as mine tailings. Two centrifuge modules are available: the permeameter module for characterisation and physical modelling and the strongbox module for physical modelling.This paper presents examples of geotechnical centrifuge applications for the: consolidation of slurries and dewatering design of earthen barriers compatible with tailings chemistry prediction of contaminant mobility. The specifications and capability of the UNSW Australia geotechnical centrifuge and associated instrumentation is also presented, along with preliminary analysis of the confidence intervals associated with permeability testing of a set of samples of varying heterogeneity. Drainage velocity through a mine tailings sample increases linearly with g-level in the centrifuge permeameter until tailings consolidation occurs. Alternatively, geotechnical centrifuge experiments can be designed to limit consolidation so as to quantify permeability changes that may occur with geochemical interactions between fluids and mine tailings or earthen containments. Reactive solute transport through mine tailings can be simulated at realistic solid:liquid ratios when chemical equilibrium is maintained during geotechnical centrifuge testing. Carefully designed physical models of tailings disposal tested at accelerated gravity can therefore provide a realistic evaluation of tailings consolidation and drainage and the potential for subsurface migration of contaminants from mine tailings over long time periods.CITATION:Timms, W and Anderson, D, 2015. Geotechnical centrifuge technology for characterising the interaction of tailings and pore water over decadal time periods, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century, pp 247–252 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jul 27, 2015

By J S. Petersen

The occurrence of coarse gold particles leading to grade complexity and sampling challenges is a common feature of many gold deposits. Poorly designed sampling protocols applied to these deposit types can lead to an excessively high fundamental sampling error. Together with other errors, the fundamental sampling error contributes to the nugget effect. Proper sample collection, preparation and assay protocols are required to minimise this error, and hence reduce the total nugget effect. Reduction of the nugget effect is a key requirement for subsequent geostatistical resource estimates to be effective. A case study from the Nalunaq gold mine in Greenland is presented, which is characterised by notable quantities of coarse gold (>30 per cent +100 ¦m gold) hosted in quartz veins. Diamond drilling provides a good measure of gross geological continuity at practical grid spacings, but is not considered to represent the mineralisation effectively. On-reef development with face and bulk sampling, together with detailed geological studies were undertaken during the resource delineation phase. This contribution describes the nature of the Nalunaq deposit, its gold particle size characteristics, how sampling and assay protocols were developed (including QA/QC issues), application of GyÆs sampling theory and its calibration, and how the data was subsequently applied to grade estimation.

Jan 1, 2005

By R M. Tosdal

The Manantial Espejo district (Argentina) hosts a low-sulfidation epithermal Ag (-Au) deposit with a proven and probable reserve of 38 Moz Ag and 0.55 Moz Au. The district lies along the southern rim of the Deseado Massif in the Middle to Late Jurassic Chon Aike Province, a large bimodal igneous province dominated by silicic volcanic rocks that were formed during the initial extension leading to the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. The district stratigraphy consists of 162 to 161 Ma old rhyodacitic to rhyolitic volcaniclastic rocks of the Chon Aike and La Matilde Formations, followed by 160 to 157 Ma old andesites and dacites of the informally called intermediate formation. The main stage of normal faulting post-dates the volcanic activity and coincides with the formation of the precious metal veins that were dated by 40Ar/39Ar on hydrothermal adularia with ages between 152.8 ¦ 0.8 Ma and 156.6 ¦ 0.8 Ma. Economically important hydrothermal veins show characteristic features of a low-sulfidation epithermal deposit with crustiform and colloform banding, bladed calcite replaced by quartz and abundant adularia. In the Maria Vein, the major orebody of the district, six hydrothermal stages are identified, but only stages one and four contributed metal. Lead isotope ratios in hydrothermal sulfides show a close relationship to ratios in feldspars from the district Chon Aike Formation, suggesting a common source for the Pb and possibly the precious metals in both the magmatic and hydrothermal products, or that the Pb in the hydrothermal veins was derived from the volcanic rocks. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

Jan 1, 2004

By G Harbort, V Lawson

Mount Isa Mines Limited operates one of the worldÆs largest underground mines in North West Queensland. ItÆs mining and smelting complex produces copper anode, crude lead bullion (containing silver), and zinc concentrate. Copper is recovered in the Copper Concentrator from chalcopyrite ore, converter smelter slag and rotary holding furnace (RHF) slag via grinding and flotation operations. During 2002 a project to optimise cleaner circuit capacity was commenced. Its aims were to minimise copper losses and minimise slag/chalcopyrite cross contamination by reconfiguring existing flotation equipment and the addition of new flotation capacity. To minimise cross contamination a Jameson Cell was installed and dedicated to cleaning of slag concentrates, which had formerly been conducted by three flotation columns operating in series. The flotation columns were re-configured to operate in parallel and dedicated to upgrading chalcopyrite concentrate. In addition a Jameson Cell was installed to reject entrained copper from a prefloat concentrate consisting of talc and carbonaceous pyrite. This paper discusses the logic behind the cleaner circuit expansion, recent test work relating to the Jameson Cell and the installation and commissioning phases. Difficulties relating to the commissioning are reviewed and the solutions to problems are highlighted. The benefits the reconfigured circuit has provided to Mount Isa Mines are also discussed.

Jan 1, 2003

The passage of chloroform vapour in a carrier of oxygen through two nickel sulphide ores heated to 380°C converted the nickel to the water soluble chloride form. In one ore the nickel (2·75 per cent) was presentas violarite ((Ni, Fe)3S4) whereas in the second it was present as pentlandite, ((Fe, Ni)9S8) (4·9 per cent Ni).A similar technique was utilized to convert nickel in nickeliferous laterites (1·6 per cent Ni) into a soluble chloride using town gas instead of oxygen as a carrier.With both techniques greater than 90 per cent extraction was achieved.

Jan 1, 1972