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By A. E. Voigt

Iron ore samples representing the input and output of several jigging experiments were analysed to determine the effect of particle size, shape, and density on jigging performance. Traditionally, the manual measurement of the size and shape of individual particles is very tedious and prone to inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Using a novel multi-view imaging technique the 3-dimensional representations of each particle in the sample was determined. From this representation several size and shape measurements were extracted, and these were correlated with the individual particle density measurements. A rigorous investigation into the confidence associated with density and the size and shape features as a function of sample size was conducted, thus allowing the significance of correlations in the data to be determined. The jig?s performance was seen to be clearly sensitive to density and markedly so to particle size, while the results for shape indicated the need for continued work in the definition of particle shape.

Jan 1, 2012

A high volume of slimes which are separated out during the mining of heavy mineral sands has a high environmental impact and results in great capital as well as operational expenses. The presence of clay minerals drastically increases the slimes volume that needs to be catered for due to its low settling capability as well as swelling characteristics. By adding coagulants in the form of cations and organics, one can improve the settling rate of the minerals as well as the degree of solid bed compaction. The addition of flocculant, which is currently used in industry to improve settling rate, is detrimental to solid bed compaction. By combining the cations and flocculant one can dramatically improve the solid bed compaction. This combination is, however, detrimental to the settling rate of kaolinite-rich slimes but improves the settling rate of smectite-rich slimes. Organics can also be used to produce a clear supernatant and improve the settling rate.

Jan 1, 2010

COLLOQUIUM ON SHAFT SINKING The 'Star' published a report on the colloquium on 15th November, 1972. As this will be of interest to members, it is re-printed by kind permission of the 'Star'. Mac Thain The super-Mines of the future envisaged by Mr Jeff Goode, president of the Chamber of Mines, in his Gold Symposium address in London, will be entirely different from those producing today - not merely amalgamations of properties into bigger units.

By R. W. O. Kersten

The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy recently held a School on iMine Project Planning, the objective being to educate mine personnel who are involved in the planning and management of major projects, as well as young engineers who may become involved in this field. Book prizes for universities Prizes are awarded annually by The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy for outstanding academic achievement by mining and metallurgical students at South African universities.

Jan 1, 1985

NOTICES The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy The Institution is to hold a one day meeting entitled "Sampling in the mineral and metallurgical processing industries" at Imperial College, London, on 2nd July, 1973. International Conference on Air Pollution This Conference is organised by the Department of Health and the National Association for clean air. Consas 74 The Fifth Conference of Southern African Surveyorswill be held in Salisbury, Rhodesia, from 3rd to 9th February, 1974.

The addition of binder to full plant tailings significantly affects the rheology of a backfill mixture and, consequently, the pressure gradients in the pipeline. The binder increases the yield stress and apparent viscosity of the mixture, and the transition velocity between the laminar and turbulent flow regimes. In a test conducted at a slurry relative density of 1,72 with binder addition, the mixture also exhibited time-dependent behaviour owing to the hydration of the binder.

Jan 1, 1993

By H. T. Clausen

This paper gives a brief review of the main environmental and ecological problems of slimes dams, both those created in the immediate vicinity of the dams and those influencing the region or catchment. Methods of dealing with these problems and influences on existing dams are described. The difficulties encountered in the growing of grass on steep slopes are explained, and, after an analysis of the conditions, a plea is made for flatter slopes on the sides of dams.

Jan 12, 1973

By Arvi Parbo

I would like to use the occasion to reflect on how the world environment for the minerals industry is undergoing substantial change, and how this change may affect the industry. I have given my talk the title 'The Quest For Competitive Edge', because the net effect of the changes taking place is that competition is increasing. To set the scene, let us look back at the situation which has existed in our industry in the past.

Jan 1, 1993

By J. H. Dalton

The paper reviews the effects of fast-neutron irradiation on the tensile properties of austenitic stainless steels at irradiation temperatures of less than 400°C, using, as an example, work carried out at Pelindaba on an AISI 316 type steel produced in South Africa. Damage produced in these steels at higher irradiation temperatures and fluences is also briefly discussed. The paper concludes with a discussion of some methods of overcoming or decreasing the effects of irradiation damage.

Jan 1, 1979

By G. J. McDougall

After defining activated carbon, the author describes its structure and outlines the physical characteristics distinguishing one type of activated carbon from another. The adsorptive properties of these carbons, the raw materials used, and the manufacturing processes-chemical activation, and physical or thermal activation-are outlined. The high-temperature thermal route (which is the most important for the products employed in gold recovery) using coconut shells or coal as the raw material is then discussed In some detail.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. G. Spengler

Mr More O'Ferrall must be complimented on a paper that will be a useful reference for the re-working of previously abandoned workings. His paper so closely mirrors experiences at East Rand Proprietary Mines, Limited, that it could well have been based on occurrences in that mine. Corrosion The Scientific Society of Mechanical Engineers is organizing the 115th event of the European Federation for Corrosion in Budapest, from 18th to 22nd October 1982.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. A. L. Napier, J. S. Kuijpers

SYNOPSIS This paper demonstrates that the horizontal stresses induced by the creation of a tabular scope in a single mining step are always tensile at the centre of the stope span, but that compressive stresses are actively generated in hangingwalls and footwalls during sequential mining. A stress-distribution mechanism is introduced, and is used to explain the results for elastic behaviour, and for inelastic behaviour both during a single mining step and during multiple mining steps.

Jan 1, 1991

By C. -J. Rick

The ferroalloy market is characterized by a very long communication distance between the consumer and the producer. This has created a situation where it has been difficult to change ferroalloy properties. In this paper different FeNi and FeCr-compositions are discussed and their merits for stainless steel-makers in different situations are compared using the process models applied at Outokumpus Avesta works and Acerinox's Columbus operation Keywords Ferroalloy design, ferrochrome, ferronickel, stainless steel making, UTCAS software.

Jan 1, 2010

By D. Hanekom

Over the past couple of years, Anglo Platinum has made extensive use of technology within the core disciplines (geology, evaluation, survey, and planning) that collectively form part of mineral resource management (MRM). While these technologies were primarily developed to enable geology, evaluation, survey, and planning to carry out their daily tasks, with the main objective of supporting the mine?s production effort, they have also enhanced the disciplines? ability to produce the required outputs within the annual business planning cycle. Anglo Platinum has developed a very comprehensive business planning process, and these technologies play a vital role in enabling both the quality and quantity of inputs into the process, and also the value-add of the final product. This prompted a question regarding the practical application of the CADSMine software. If we changed our thinking in how we applied the software, would it be possible to further improve on the time taken to deliver a business plan? In changing the current planning approach, would we be able to further simplify the process? Is there a way to reduce the data generated in order to enhance the time taken to do reporting, as the CADSMine software is totally network dependent? Less data should equal faster reporting. This paper focuses on the practical application of the CADSMine software, and demonstrates the value-add to the business planning process that can be gained if the mine design methodology is changed from individual panels to bigger blocks representing a raise line.

Jan 1, 2012

By K. C. Corin, M. Tadie, N. Ndamase

Fresh water conservation efforts and strict environmental regulations have forced the mining industry to reduce freshwater consumption and effluent discharge. This is achieved by recycling process water back to mining processes. The performance of flotation circuits depends on the pulp chemistry. When process water is recycled to flotation cells, organic and inorganic species that have accumulated over time alter the pulp chemistry. The presence of accumulating ionic species such as SO4 2- and S2O3 2- has been found to hinder the adsorption of collector ions onto mineral surfaces. Sulphide minerals are semi-conductors; electrochemical reactions take place on their surfaces. The adsorption of collectors onto mineral surfaces takes place via electrochemical reactions. This study, therefore, aims to investigate how the presence of accumulating ionic species at varying ionic strengths affects the adsorption of sodium ethyl xanthate onto chalcopyrite from an electrochemical perspective. Synthetic plant water comprised of single salts with varying ionic strengths was used. Rest potential measurements were conducted to investigate collector-mineral interactions in the presence of these ionic species. Microflotation tests were performed to determine whether the presence of these ionic species affects mineral floatability. Higher chalcopyrite recoveries were achieved in the presence of SO4 2- than in the presence of S2O3 2-. Rest potential measurements were found to successfully predict microflotation performance in the presence of the ions of interest. Keywords: Flotation water quality, electrochemical adsorption; xanthate collectors

Jan 1, 2020

1. Book reviews Geophysical and geochemical techniques for exploration of hydrocarbons and minerals, edited by M. Sittig. (Reviewer: J. Keenan) Separation procedures in inorganic analysis. A practical handbook, by Roland S. Young. Charles Griffin, 1980. £23.00. (Reviewer: R. Murray-Smith) 2. Historical reprints Theinin~rs dictionary, by William Hooson. £14. Discovery of subterraneal treasure, by Gabriel Plattes. £12. Fodinae Regales (The Mines Royal), by Sir John Pettus. 3. De Beers' booklets Amborite - a remarkable new cutting material, by De Beers Industrial Diamond Division (P.O. Box 916, Johannesburg 2000). Booklet, 14 pp., free of charge. Natural and synthetic micron powders, by De Becrs Industrial Diamond Division (P.O. Box 916, Johannesburg 2000). Leaflet, 5 pp., free of charge. 4. New books Nickel in the environment, edited by J. O. Nriagu. New York, Wiley, 1980.928 pp. $65. Underwater minerals, by D. S. Cronan. London, Academic Press, 1980. 364 pp. $57.50. Data conversion integrated circuits, edited by D. Dooley. New York, Wiley, 1980.298 pp. $26.95 (cloth), $17.50 (paper). 5. NIM reports Report 2057 A mineralogical study of the Rooibokkop- Boschhoek copper deposit in the Marble Hall area. Report 2069 A utomatic setting of the distance between sample and detector in gamma-ray spectroscopy. Report 2070 The prereduction of chromites from the UG-2 Reef. Report 2075 The optimization of some of the conditions for analysis by spark-source mass spectrometry. Report 2082 A survey of the literature on gravity separation.

Jan 1, 1981

By E de Villiers

Several methods exist by which the capacity of a dense media separation (DMS) plant can be improved: 1) Increase the feed rate in spite of efficiency 2) Replace with bigger equipment 3) Add whole new module 4) Replace total plant 5) Change over to four shift/ seven days per week roster 6) Replace with alternative process 7) Increase the availability and utilization Options 1 ? 6 have varying degrees of cost implications. The seventh option would seem to be the easiest. Normally it is also the function of the plant operating and maintenance team to maximize this. Usually higher operating and maintenance cost are associated with an increase in these parameters. A general principle that is applicable to plants and systems is that as the complexity increases, the total availability decreases. By simplifying the flow line it may be possible to reduce cost while at the same time increase the availability and utilization. The typical standard DMS flow line contains components that compensate for the variance in pump performance or for the inefficient recovery of ferrosilicon with additional equipment. Things have changed though: 1) Advanced electronic control and monitoring is possible 2) More efficient magnetic separators are available 3) New more user friendly densifiers are available ORIGINAL FLOW LINE In principle the process consists of four flow lines or streams 1) Ore flow ? the feed is divided into a waste and product stream by means of the separating vessel

Jan 1, 2006

Stope support systems, typically consisting of props and packs, are used extensively in the gold and platinum mining industry to stabilize the rock mass in the excavation vicinity and to reduce the hazard associated with rockfalls and rockbursts. The design of stope support systems was historically based predominantly on past experience and practices, and cost considerations. The recent development of a new and improved support design methodology, has led to the potential for significant increases in worker safety and support cost savings. This paper reviews some of the fundamental rock mass and support criteria that form the basis of the improved support design methodology. The considered design criteria are the height of potential fall; quasi-static stope closure rates; dynamic stope closure rates; compressive hangingwall stresses; discontinuity spacing, orientation and interface properties; effect of support length (stoping width); effect of compression rate; consistency of support performance; a real coverage; support spacing; and zone of support influence. The proposed support design methodology combines both the zone of influence and key block stability theories, resulting in optimized support systems for rockfall and rockburst conditions. The site-specific methodology consists of two stages: (i) a tributary area analysis, and (ii) a zone of support influence and a stability analysis, considering hangingwall failure due to buckling, shear and block rotation, which gives maximum safe spacing of individual support units. The methodology is suitable for designing support systems for both blocky hangingwalls and hangingwalls fragmented by face-parallel extension and shear fractures.

Jan 1, 2001

By C. Dixon

The Abandoned Mine by C.C. Woollacott A heap of rocks marks the abandoned mine. The veld's unpitying silence lies around. Those broken stone?a mute and mournful sign Of human enterprise with failure crowned. Time with the slow hands, shall form the scene anew, Repair the gashes in the wounded soil, And cover up the last remaining clue To a poor useless record of men's toil. And this, the mound they built when hopes were high Shall be a grave, where those hopes buried lie. Outline This paper will consider the implications of the mine closure provisions set out in the new Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and draft regulations. A comparison will be made with the existing provisions in the Minerals Act and the mine closure policy of the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME). The paper will consider whether the new provisions have the potential for improving performance as regards mine closure. It will investigate the financial provisions requirements and the implications of these provisions for mines. It will consider the requirements for a social and labour plan and consider the implications of this for mine closure and its funding. It will analyse the provisions relating to the transfer of environmental liabilities to third parties and consider the implications of this in the case of closing mines and non-closing mines. Finally it will consider the issue of residual legal liability of a mining company once a closure certificate has been issued.

Jan 1, 2003

By V. Labiouse, P. K. Kaiser, F. Descoeudres, F. Rojat

In this paper some failure phenomena observed in the crossing of brittle rock formations at the Lötschberg base tunnel are presented. A brittle failure criteria, recently developed by Canadian researchers, is applied through finite element calculations together with a semi-empirical failure criterion, to explain these behaviours. Good agreement is found between predicted and observed failures at the tunnel walls. This study also shows some of the limitations of this approach. Dans cet article sont présentés certains phénomènes de rupture observés durant la traversée de zones de roches fragiles lors de l’excavation du tunnel du Lötschberg. Un critère de rupture développé récemment par la recherche canadienne est utilisé à travers des calculs par éléments finis. En parallèle, les résultats sont comparés avec ceux d’un critère semi-empirique. Au niveau des parements, l’ampleur des ruptures observées est assez proche des résultats de calcul. Cette étude a également permis de mettre en avant certaines limites de l’approche choisie. In diesem Artikel werden verschiedene Brucharten dargestellt, die bei der Durchfahrung von sprödem Gestein im Rahmen des Ausbaus des Lötschberg-Basistunnels beobachtet wurden. Zur Erklärung des vorliegenden Verhaltens wurden die erst kürzlich in Kanada entwickelten Theorien zur Beschreibung von Sprödbrüchen herangezogen und bei der Berechnung mittels der Finite-Elemente-Methode und eines semi-empirischen Kriteriums angewendet. Die so vorhergesagten Versagenszonen an den Tunnelwänden stimmen mit den Beobachtungen gut überein. Die Studie hat auch dazu beigetragen, die bei der Anwendung des Lösungsansatzes angetroffenen Schwierigkeiten aufzuzeigen.

Jan 1, 2003