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Book Review Gold Metallurgy in South Africa, edited by R. J. Adamson and published by the Chamber of Mines of South Africa, Johannesburg, 1972. The metallurgical processes used for the recovery of gold from Witwatersrand ores were first described in A Text Book of Rand Metallurgical Practice, published in 1912 and subsequently revised in 1926. This was followed by Gold M etall1trgy on the Witwatersrand by A. King in 1949. New Publications Elements of Practical Coalmining, S. M. Cassidy (editor), New York, Society of Mining Engineers of AIME, 1973, $16.50. Future Enerey Outlook, J. A. Pederson (editor), Colorado School of Mines Quarterly, vol. 68, no. 2, April 1973, $6.00. Guide To The Preparation Of Papers For Publication In The Journal Of The South African Institute Of Mining And Metallurgy The following notes have been compiled to assist authors in the preparation of papers for presentation to the Institute and for publication in the .Journal.

By I. M. Wolff, M. B. Cortie

The Stainless Steels '91 Conference, which was held in Chiba, Japan in June 1991, was the fourth in a series of related international conferences on this theme. These conferences have a high profile and currently constitute a premier forum for exchange between researchers and industrialists active in stainless-steel technology.

Jan 1, 1991

By P. Geldenhuys, D. J. C. Taylor, D. C. Page

This paper gives a technical review of the history, occurrence, mining, and metallurgy of iron in South Africa. The reserves of iron ore worldwide and in South Africa are reviewed, and potential new developments In the iron-and-steel industry in South Africa are examined. The paper concludes that the exploitation of lower-grade iron deposits will probably supplement the reserves of high-grade hematite ore in the distant future, and that, accepting this scenario. South Africa will be well placed to provide iron ore for its expected internal steel requirements, as well as supplying quality Iron ore for the export market.

Jan 1, 1988

By NIM REPORTS

Notices CONFRRENCE ON COMPUTRRS IN ENGINEERING The above Conference, which is being organized by the Electrical and Electronics Board of the Institution of Engineer!!, Australia, ill to be held in Sydney on 16th and 17th May, 1974. It is being planned in conjunction with the Sixth Australian Computer Conference and will be held during the week immediately preceding the latter. NIM REPORTS Report No. 1495 A method for the determination of ekmental sulphur on the surface of sulphide minerals. Report No. 1500 The chromatographic separation and determination of nobk metals in matte-leach residues. Report No. 1505 The production of the refractory aluminium saicates, with special refererence to South Africa. Report No. 1517 Computer-controlled flotation plants in Canada and Finland. Report No. 1526 Heat of solution as a control of aqueous-ammonia concentration. Report No. 1529 South African costs of equipment for the metallurgical industry (197).

Jan 9, 1973

By M. A. von Below

Environmental activists have targeted the mining industry in an attempt to prevent development, which has resulted in the industry's becoming defensive and retro-active. This paper argues that mining managements should go on the offensive and champion the environment through leadership in environmental policy and research and development, rather than reacting to anti-mining campaigns. In the formulation of an environmental policy for the mining industry, a clear understanding of the concept of sustainable development is of paramount importance.

Jan 1, 1993

By A. W. de Villiers

This paper explores the behaviour of methane in the goaf during longwall mining, together with some methods for the control of methane emissions into the goaf, the working face, and the ventilation system. Experimental work done at Twistdraai Colliery, Sasol Coal, is referred to, as well as the gas-drainage system being practised at West Cliff Colliery in New South Wales, Australia. Gas drainage is discussed briefly, and certain suggestions are made in regard to coal mining in South Africa.

Jan 1, 1989

By J. Nell

Heavy mineral deposits often contain relatively high levels of radioactive elements (thorium and uranium in particular).It is difficult to obtain clean separation of ilmenite and monazite (the main impurity mineral containing radioactive elements), and physical intergrowths of the two minerals are, in fact, not uncommon. As a result, ilmenite concentrates obtained from such deposits often contain high levels of thorium and uranium. Because of the large negative free energies of formation of ThO2and U3O8boththorium and uranium report to the slag during smelting and if an ilmenite concentrate contaminated with monazite is used to make high titania slag, the concentrations of these elements in the slag end up about 40% higher than in the ilmenite feed. Previous work, patented by RGC Mineral Sands Limited, and subsequently confirmed by Mintek, showed that radioactivity may be reduced by roasting an ilmenite concentrate with borax at 1000°C to 1100°C and leaching it with hydrochloric acid1. It is evident that the cost of an ilmenite roast/leach process will be high and there may be economic benefits in removing the radioactive elements from the slag instead (the volume of slag to be treated is smaller than the volume of ilmenite feed). To remove radioactive elements from the slag it is necessary to know how these elements occur in the slag. Inother words, the distribution of uranium and thorium between the various oxide, silicate and metallic phases in high titania slag must be determined. Once the deportment of thorium and uranium between the various phases ha sbeen determined, an appropriate process for slag purification can be developed. Test samples High-titania slag was prepared in a pilot-scale DC furnace from ilmenite concentrates with different levels of uranium and thorium. Subsequently, ten slag samples representing a range of compositions were selected for bulk chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy and micro-analysis. The samples were crushed to a maximum particle size of 1 mm and from each sample a 20-kg batch was riffled out for analysis. Bulk chemical composition Chemical compositions of the samples selected for test work are given in Table I. TiO2, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, MnO, FeO and V2O5were analysed by ICP-OES, Na2O, CaO andCr2O3by atomic absorption spectroscopy and U and Th by XRF (the XRF detection limit for U and Th was around 4 ppm). The ?B? series has a higher silica content than the others as a result of small silica additions that were made during smelting. All samples have elevated alumina levels as a result of furnace refractory contamination during smelting. As expected, there is an inverse relationship between the concentrations of TiO2and FeO in the samples (Figure 1).The TiO2and FeO levels are similar to the levels found in industrial slags2. Extreme conditions of reduction under which reduction of more ?refractory? oxides (e.g., chromia, magnesia, silica, alumina and even urania and thoria) might take place were not explored in the study. Note that BB1and BBB1 contain more than 7% combined silica and alumina (SiO2as a flux addition during smelting, and Al2O3from refractory contamination) and they do not fall on the general trend defined by the other samples. The U and Th concentrations of sample E2 is noteworthy. In the preparation of slag E2, monazite concentrate was added to the ilmenite to increase the concentrations of radioactive elements in the slag. This was done primarily to facilitate the detection of Th and U during the phase chemical characterization of the slag. Radioactivity measurements Gamma ray emissions from the samples were measured [ ]

Jan 1, 2007

The following contributions were received to the paper entitled 'Safety in South African mines: An analysis of accident statistics', by H.S. Eisner and J.P. Leger, which appeared in the J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Metal., vol. 88, no. 1, Jan. 1988, pp. 1-7. Contribution by H. WAGNER* The paper by Dr H.S. Eisner and Mr J.P. Leger is critical of the safety situation on South African mines and portrays the industry as having little concern for the health and safety of its workers. Moreover, the casual reader gains the impression of deliberate misinformation by the industry to the public concerning safety maters. Furthermore, certain socio-economic reasons are advanced for the apparent differences between the fatality and injury rates reported for coal mines in South Africa and those for the United Kingdom. Contribution by S.A. WATTS. Authors Eisner and Leger are to be commended on their paper, which highlights, according to their interpretation, various shortcomings of both the Chamber of Mines accident statistics and those published by the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs. Authors' Reply We gratefully acknowledge Dr Wagner's contribution to the discussion on our paper. For convenience, we shal use his sequence of comments in our reply. Before doing so, however, it may be useful to explain how our paper came to be written. After the explosion at Hlobane Colliery in 1983, one of us (HSE), in February 1984, was retained by the lawyers acting for some of the dependants of the victims to advise on technical maters relating to the explosion. Contribution by Ms S.A. Wats Some of the points made by Ms Wats have already been answered in our comments on Dr Wagner's contribution. We are fully aware that the number of accidents leading to absences of less than 4 days would be much greater than shown in our bar chart, and are grateful to Ms Wats for drawing attention to the specific exceptions that can make a 1-3 day accident compensable and that are clearly responsible for the relatively low count in that category of the chart.

Jan 1, 1988

By A. J. Dickson, A. M. Starfield

This paper reviews the progress made to date in the development of computer models of heat and moisture transfer from rock surfaces to the ventilating air in deep-level mines. The application of these programs to ventilation planning and design is discussed.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. van der Walt, A. Whillier

Gravity-fed water systems in mines by A. WHILLlER, Pr. Eng., Se. D. (M.I.T.) (Fellow) and J. VAN DER WALT, Pr. Eng., B.A. Hons. (Bus. Admin.), Ph.D. (Eng.) (Visitor) South African mines often experience significant losses in production because of recurring shortages of water at work places as the result of underground dams running dry. Similar shortages have occurred during fire-fighting operations, and now, with the use of cold service water to aid in the cooling of mines, it is even more necessary that such shortages should be prevented. This paper draws attention to the primary cause of such water shortages, and an outline is given of some of the fundamental hydraulic principles that must be followed in the design of gravity-fed water-supply systems on mines.

Jan 4, 1977

By H. M. Friede

Mining was a widespread economic activity in the African Iron Age. This paper reviews the available evidence on, the archaeological, historical, ethnological, and technological aspects of early mining in the Transvaal. A number of analyses of ores found at archaeological sites (especially at Broederstroom) are reported, and an interpretation of the analytical results is suggested. Descriptions of Iron Age copper- and tin-mining complexes, and of iron-ore workings, are given, and techniques of Iron Age mining are discussed. The evidence of gold mining in Iron Age Transvaal is examined.

Jan 1, 1980

The Western Cape Branch of the SAIMM recently held a one-day colloquium on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in process engineering in the I.S. Gericke conference room at the University of Stellenbosch

Jan 1, 1992

By I. Bock

This presentation describes a technique under development referred to as Selective Blast Mining. The technique involves millisecond sequential blasting. It applies to mines where the gold bearing conglomerate band is clearly demarcated, and separated from the waste rock in the foot and hanging wall. The width of the conglomerate band should be less than ± 0,7 metres. A research program was initiated in August 1994 by Drs RE. Robinson and I.E. Bock. The objectives were to develop new blasting methods that can reduce: ? the losses of gold in narrow reef stoping. Losses of gold can be as much as 10-15% ? and to introduce selective mining to reduce ore dilution with waste rock.

Jan 1, 1996

By G. Poropat, A. R. Guest, H. P. Grobler

At the De Beers Consolidates Mines operations it is common practices to perform Geotechnical mapping of the newly exposed faces in the waste and ore rock. The purpose of Geotechnical mapping is to quantify the in-situ fracturing of a rockmass that in turn is required during the planning and application of a mining method. Whether it is to determine slope angles, caveability, impact of blasting or support requirements. This mapping involved a cumbersome and time consuming procedure that requires individual examination and description of the natural inherent fractures exposed by mining. During highwall mapping in an open pit this can be a safety concern due to the duration of time spent below a highwall. The advantages gained through the recent introduction and application of SiroVision® allows safer mapping, an increase in statistical fracture population, archiving of rock faces and the more accurate reflection of the true mapping. This paper aims to describe in detail the application of the recently developed SiroVision®, photogrammetry software, to replace conventional face mapping. A De Beers Consolidated Mines, il est pratique courante de faire une cartographie géotechnique des tailles récemment exposées dans le rocher stérile ou minerai. Le but de la cartographie géotechnique est de quantifier la fracturation in-situ d’une masse rocheuse, qui sera nécessaire lors de la planification et application d’une méthode minière, que ce soit pour déterminer les angles des galeries inclinées, les possibilités de foudroyage, l’impact du dynamitage, ou les besoins en supports. Cette cartographie nécessitait une procédure longue et compliquée qui demande l’examen individuel et la description des fractures naturelles propres exposées par l’opération de mine. Pendant la cartographie de parois dans une exploitation à ciel ouvert, cette opération peut être dangereuse à cause du temps passé sous la paroi. Récemment, le lancement et application de Siro Vision apportent l’avantage d’une cartographie plus sûre, une augmentation des statistiques de population de fracture, l’archivage des tailles de roches, et le reflet plus précis de la cartographie. Le but de l’étude présente est de décrire en détail l’application du développement récent de Siro Vision, logiciel de photogrammétrie, pour remplacer la cartographie de taille conventionnelle. Bei den De Beers Consolidates Mines Operationen ist es gängige Praxis geotechnische Aufzeichungen des Taub- und Erzgesteins neu geöffneter Abbaustellen zu erstellen. Zweck dieser geotechnischen Aufzeichnungen ist die vor-Ort-Quantifizierung des Bruches der Gesteinsmasse, welche im Gegenzug während der Planung und der Anwendung einer Abbaumethode erforderlich ist, sei es um einen Neigungswinkel festzustellen, Abbaubarkeit, Auswirkung von Sprengungen oder Anforderungen an Unterstützungen. Die Aufzeichnungen waren mit umständlichen und zeitaufwendigen Prozeduren verbunden, die eine individuelle Prüfung und Beschreibung der durch den Abbau freigelegten natürlichen inhärenten Brüche, verlangten. Dies kann auf Grund des Zeitraumes der unterhalb einer Flözoberschicht verbringt wird zu einer Frage der Sicherheit werden wenn die Aufzeichnung einer Flözoberschicht im Tagbau erfolgt. Die Vorteile auf Grund der jüngst erfolgten Einführung und Anwendung der SiroVision® gestatten sichereres Aufzeichen, eine Zunahme in der statistischen Menge an Gesteinsbrüchen und eine akkuratere Reflektion der tatsächlichen Aufzeichnungen. Diese Arbeit hat zum Ziel im Detail die Anwendung der kürzlich entwickelten SiroVision®, eine photogrammetrische Software, die die konventionelle Abbauortaufzeichnung ersetzen soll zu beschreiben.

Jan 1, 2003

By N. C. Joughin, H. Wagner

Research is a business activity, and is as different from other business activities as banking is from mining. attempting to use research to solve their problems, managers do not always recognize its unique features, are frequently disillusioned with the outcome. With a view to enabling managers to use research more effectively, an outline is given of the features of research as applied to mining. Types of research are distinguished, and stages in the research-and-development process are identified. The time-scales and resource requirements of the various types and phases of research are explained. Examples of research that have reached implementation in gold mining are given to illustrate the features mentioned. Practical and economic considerations are discussed, and pitfals and recommendations in the use of research are highlighted.

Jan 1, 1989

The International Colloquium on Developments in Froth Flotation, which replaced the Annual University of Cape Town (UCT)/University of Stelenbosch (US) Minerals Processing Symposium, was held at the Van Riebeeck Hotel in Gordon's Bay on 3rd and 4th August, 1989. The Colloquium attracted 150 delegates from the mining, metallurgical, and chemical industries, including 9 from overseas.

Jan 1, 1989

By K. H. Berget, V. Andersen, H. Tveit, R. Jensen

This paper presents some of the work carried out in order to improve the tapping process in silicon production, with special focus on the environmental and the safety standards. Some of the modelling work that has been done to improve the understanding of the process is described, together with the resulting implementation to improve tapping standards.

Jan 1, 2014

By Nicolle Krusberski

Potential errors in XRF analysis are discussed and investigated with specific reference to the analysis of ilmenite samples. A selection of ilmenite samples was chosen and prepared using two XRF preparation techniques: pressed powder pellet and unroasted fusion bead. The merits of the two methods have been discussed in this paper for ilmenite analysis by XRF. Recommendations have been made regarding the use of pressed powder pellets especially with regard to the mineralogical effects that were evidenced during this investigation. The fusion bead technique was found to be far more accurate and able to meet short turnaround requirements provided the calibration methodology used is specific to the grade of samples analyzed.

Jan 1, 2014

By R. S. Young

There can be very few members of the Institute who failed to appreciate this extremely interesting and informative paper by Mr Rohrmann of Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation. This story of vanadium in South Africa has a very wide appeal to members of our profession: it embraces both ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, and both hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy. In a comparatively short time, South Africa has become one of the the world's leading producers of vanadium.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. J. Schoeman

In South Africa and in the rest of the world, the two mica minerals that have the most important commercial value are muscovite and vermiculite. Muscovite has been making a comparatively small but steady contribution to South Africa's mineral exports since about 1960. Vermiculite mining and concentration were started by the late Or Hans Merensky at Phalaborwa during 1946. Vermiculite has enjoyed good overseas sales since then, and during the past four years has become an important earner of foreign currency for South Africa. The various aspects of the micas that could be of general interest are briefly reviewed, such as the history of their exploitation, their mineralogy and chemistry, and their mining, concentration, production, sales, and future

Jan 1, 1989