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SACPE has asked the Journal to bring the following points to the notice of members who are about register with SACPE. When to Apply There is no set time to apply for registration. Engineers should apply when they believe that their training has met all the requirements of Policy Statement No. 1/3. Pitfalls Remember that it is the applicants' training that must be evaluated, and this requires the avoidance in the application of vague generalities such as 'My duties were design plant including its economic evaluation' or 'I was engaged in . . Requirements An example of what is required can perhaps best illustrate the point.

Jan 1, 1982

By K. R. Johnson

Changes in the pattern of computer systems for mine planning and geologic evaluation are occurring as a consequence of the introduction of 3-D high performance graphics terminals. The VULCAN system is described and an outline of its functionality is discussed. Increasingly, the integration of both database systems and graphics and databases will occur, allowing a greater degree of information access to mine operators. The system covers areas of database, drillhole graphics, mine design and layout, surface and solid modelling as well as reserve inventory generation. The design of the software is such that it is fairly commodity-independent and entirely menu-driven, to enable non computer-trained personnel easily to access the system.

Jan 1, 1987

By R. E. Wilmot

The problem of corrosion of reinforcement in concrete structures is internationally recognised and represents the single biggest expenditure in the preservation of steel reinforced concrete structures. While the corrosion protection of the reinforcing steel is no substitute for design and the placement of good quality concrete, it does provide for a viable and economical extension of structural integrity and service life in the day-to-day and practical environment in which concrete structures are constructed. The mechanism of corrosion attack and consequent deterioration of reinforced concrete structures is well understood and documented. New structures can be designed and built to withstand corrosion. However, due to short-term economical restraints, many new reinforced concrete structures continue to suffer as a result of corrosion damage, which results from the corrosion of the steel reinforcing. This paper explores the economic and practical benefits offered by the application of hot dip galvanizing as a viable means of protecting reinforcing steel concrete structures. The paper also discusses technical misconceptions that exist with respect to the application and performance provided by the use of hot dip galvanized reinforcing steel.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. W. O. Kersten

It was decided that Anglovaal should conduct a course on technical computing to help middle and upper mine management (40 years and older) to use computers. Background This decision was taken against the background of perception that various people have of computers and computer-related processes. People of the older generation Book review Rock mechanics for underground mining, by RH.G. Brady and E. T. Brown. London, George AlIen & Unwin, 1985. 527 pp. Reviewer: S. Budavari Mine safety awards The mining challenge of our time is the maintenance of the very highest safety standards, says a Chamber of Mines Executive. Haulage in surface mines An international symposium on 'Of-highway Haulage in Surface Mines' is to be held in Edmonton, Canada, from 15th to 17th May, 1989.

Jan 1, 1988

By W. J. Cruise

This paper reports on a test that was conducted underground in a mine for two years on the following: pipes coated with paint, fusion-bonded powder, metal, or impregnated tape; and aluminium, stainless-steel, 3CR12, and plastic pipes. It was found that the degree of corrosivity and mechanical damage increases substantially from the shaft of a mine towards the stope. Thus, the range of coatings that can be used successfully is fairly large in the shaft and haulageways, but corrosion-resistant materials, especially corrosion-resistant steels, need to be used close to the stope. A study of the relative costs involved showed the costs of pipes of low-carbon steel and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride to be lowest, and those of epoxy-coated steel pipes to be highest.

Jan 1, 1985

By D. K. Chibwe, P. Taskinen

"Typical operation of industrial Peirce-Smith converters (PSCs) used in copper smelting results in several common phenomena such as excessive splashing, slopping, tuyere blockage, and low converter campaign life due to high tuyere line refractory erosion. These phenomena give rise to an inefficient operation from both a process and an energy perspective.This investigation presents numerical and physical models of flow patterns, mixing, solid-liquid mass transfer, and slag-matte phase distribution in a slice model of an industrial PSC. For physical simulations, a 0.2-scale cold model was developed. Water, kerosene, air, and sintered benzoic acid compacts were used to simulate matte, slag, injected gas, and solid additions into the PSC. The two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations of the three-phase system were carried out using volume of fluid (VOF) and realizable k- e (RKE) turbulence models to account for the multiphase and turbulence nature of the flow respectively. These models were implemented using the commercial computational fluid dynamics numerical code FLUENT.Both numerical and physical simulations were able to predict, in agreement, the mixing and dispersion characteristics of the system in relation to various blowing conditions employed in the investigation. Measurement of mass transfer characteristics conclusively indicated that fluid flow in the PSC is stratified. Both blowing configuration and volume of slag in the converters were found to have significant effects on mixing propagation, wave formation, and splashing.The splashing and wave motion in these converters are known to cause losses of metal/matte and potential production time due to the requirement for intermittent cleaning of the converter mouth, resulting in reduced process throughput. To prevent these losses and hence to increase process efficiency, we propose a combined blowing configuration using top lance and lateral nozzles. The numerical simulations were conducted on combined, as well as lateral, blowing conditions. In comparison, the recent results of the combined blowing concept were found to be encouraging."

Jan 1, 2014

By A. J. S. Spearing, M. Sharifzadeh, K. V. Jessu

Empirical pillar design methods are commonly used in the mining industry. The parameters within which these methods are valid are frequently unknown to the user or ignored. In addition, empirical design may not consider essential parameters such as blasting effects, orebody dip and the presence of geological structures, which all adversely affect the stability of the pillars. This can result in potentially serious pillar design strength over-estimates. Although the commonly based tributary area method is generally conservative, as the spans are seldom that large relative to the depth, failing to consider other relevant parameters can result in errors. Problems associated with an under-designed pillar can range from a local pillar collapse to a catastrophic chain reaction collapse (or run). Over-designed pillars are generally safe but reduce the extraction of the orebody, thus adversely affecting the profitability of the mining operation. We used laboratory tests and numerical modelling to understand the effects of pillar orientation, blasting and the presence of discontinuities on pillar strength. Reduction factors were developed with these models to be implemented in conjunction with the existing empirical pillar design methods. For any pillar or mine design, once it is implemented, the actual performance of the system must be checked regularly by observation and monitoring and adjusted if needed. The pillar design approach outlined in this paper can better optimize the pillar mining method by considering other generally ignored but important parameters, thus improving safety, productivity, and economic aspects.

Oct 1, 2022

By D. G. Hulbert, D. J. Oosthuizen, D. de V. van der Spuy

Expert Online, as a software system, is aimed at providing plant operators in the minerals industry with effective training and on-the-job assistance. It incorporates a number of features to achieve this goal, of which the most important is its ability to explain the dynamics of the plant and control system in simple language, mimicking an informed plant expert who has online access to the inner workings of the plant and control system. This is made possible by a novel form of Artificial Intelligence, called the Interpreting Expert System. Previous implementations of the IES were only capable of explaining controller actions. Expert Online will extend this capability to also perform the more difficult task of explaining process behaviour. Expert Online will implement three main processes, namely the accumulation of data from the controllers and plant models, the interpretation, processing and filtering of that data and lastly communicating the relevant information to the user, both as written messages and in other audio-visual forms. Although Expert Online is aimed at the operator, other plant personnel, like supervisors and plant managers, will also benefit from it. This paper focuses on the structural and functional design of Expert Online for implementation on the latest version of Mintek’s open control platform, PlantStar, highlighting advances and additions since the previous implementations of the Interpreting Expert System and concluding with an example illustrating some of the principles.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. S. Freer

Two very successful schools on 'The design and operation of plants for the recovery of gold by activated carbon', were held from 14th to 18th October, 1985, and from 24th to 27th February, 1986, at Mintek. They were arranged by the Institute in close co-operation with Mr. Peter Bailey of Gencor, who was course leader. Computers and mathematics APCOM 87, the 20th International Symposium of the Application of Computers and Mathematics in the Mineral Industries, is to be held in Johannesburg from 19th to 23rd October, 1987. Interested people are invited to submit titles and synopses in any of the following topics or others. Papers can cover theoretical developments, practical applications, case studies, and software and hardware systems. Tunneling '88 The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy is pleased to announce the holding of 'Tunneling '88', the fifth international symposium and exhibition in the series, from 17th to 22nd April, 1988, at the Kensington Rainbow Exhibition Centre, London, England. Centenary exhibition and conference The major trade show to take place in the year of Johannesburg's centenary will be the 7th International Mining and Electrical Engineering Exhibition- ELECTRA MINING 86. The Exhibition, which is also the third-largest mining exhibition in the world, wil take place from 15th to 19th September, 1986, at the National Exhibition Centre, Crown Mines, Johannesburg. Mining electro technology The Eighth WVU International Mining Electro technology Conference is to be held in Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.A., from 29th July to 1st August, 1986.

Jan 1, 1986

By D. F. Malan, W. J. Theron

Practical mining aspects should be considered when conducting pillar designs for bord-and-pillar layouts. The current methodology for pillar design will result in increasing pillar sizes with depth. This affects the extraction ratio and will result in onerous ventilation requirements when cutting large pillars. A holistic approach, including all mining engineering requirements, is required to ensure that the rock engineering designs are optimized to ensure efficient mining operations and sustainable production. Bord widths should not only be a function of the rock mass ratings, but should also be selected to fit the specifications of the mechanized equipment. The use of a ‘squat pillar’ formula for hard rock is discussed in the paper and the formula based on the exponents of the Hedley and Grant pillar formula, is explored. The effect of abutments and geological losses on average pillar stress is also explored. These factors must be considered when designing layouts at increasing depths.

Nov 27, 2024

By M. H. Lampen

The SILAG Material Tracking System MTS monitors and controls the complete material flow throughout the plant - and even companywide. The customized system developed by Siemens especially for bulk material handling applications enables companies to track bulk material from the mine to the harbor, to the steel mill or to the power plant. All relevant material data is available at every single step of the material’s journey. SILAG is an open, scalable system based on Windows NT / 2000. Using standard interfaces of Windows NT, like API, ODBC, SQL and socket technology, the system is very flexible and can easily be tailored to meet different requirements. SILAG can be used as a stand-alone solution or - if complete plant control and visualization is required - as a component of a fully integrated automation system with the Win CC HMI system and the PCS7 process control. In contrast to conventional material tracking systems, SILAG offers many advantages. - The Material Tracking System is an object oriented, online to the process, linked system. All changes in the plant during operation e.g. selecting another conveyor route, start and stop etc. will be automatically detected and will influence the calculation. - The systems is able to split and blend material (quantity and quality).Measurements of tonnage, volume or quality analysis can be linked online to the system. Each movement of material is monitored by the system and leads to online recalculations of the images and databases. - All material data is based on 3D-stockpile images, which are calculated by an internal mathematical model based on quantity and quality information. - If a laser scanner is available on a stockyard machine it can be taken to update the profile directly from the piles. - Efficient control and report functions are available on each, free selectable point of the total plant.

Sep 1, 2001

By A. Adeli, A. V. Metcalfe, E. Addo, E. Sepulveda

"The accurate modelling of geometallurgical data can significantly improve decision-making and help optimize mining operations. This case study compares models for predicting copper recovery from three indirect test measurements that are typically available, to avoid the cost of direct measurement of recovery. Geometallurgical data from 930 drill core samples, with an average length of 19 m, from an orebody in South America have been analysed. The data includes copper recovery and the results of three other tests: Bond mill index test; resistance to abrasion and breakage index; and semi-autogenous grinding power index test. A genetic algorithm is used to impute missing data at some locations so as to make use of all 930 samples. The distribution of the variables is modelled with D-vine copula and predictions of copper recovery are compared with those from regressions fitted by ordinary least squares and generalized least squares. The D-vine copula model had the least mean absolute error. IntroductionIn this paper we compare the use of D-vine copula, generalized least squares (GLS), and ordinary least squares (OLS) for modelling geometallurgical data from an orebody in South America. The first objective is to construct models for predicting copper recovery (Rec) from the Bond mill index test (BWi); resistance to abrasion and breakage index (A*b); and semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) power index test (Spi). This involves fitting a D-vine copula and regression models fitted by OLS and GLS. The second objective is to investigate the performance of the fitted models for predicting Rec (Willmott and Matsuura 2005).Traditional resource model approaches either ignore the mineral processing characteristics of extracted tonnages or treat processing as an independent component of a mining operation. The net present value (or any other objective) can be truly optimized only by considering the mining operation as an integrated system in which net value is defined as the end-product that the company sells. This approach requires the resource model to be extended to include all relevant rock properties and processing responses."

Mar 1, 2019

By Y. Zhan1, T. Moodley, M. A. H. Zahid

Mining operations are under growing pressure to improve safety and efficiency while dealing with aging infrastructure, complex processes, and workforce constraints. Although many sites are equipped with surveillance cameras and control systems, critical events often go unmonitored or under-analysed due to the lack of intelligent interpretation tools. Cameras typically act as passive recorders, requiring manual review by control room operators; a process that is labour-intensive, error-prone, and reactive. Vision AI is emerging as a transformative solution, combining computer vision and artificial intelligence to deliver real-time, actionable insights. This technology has evolved along two key phases: traditional object detection, and more recently, multimodal large language model integration. This paper presents solution architectures, deployment results, and key insights from real-world implementations across underground operations, open-pit truck-shovel operations, and smelter operations, demonstrating how Vision AI is reshaping mining operations to become safer, more efficient, and more intelligent.

Mar 6, 2026

By C. I. Kim, I. C. Paek, I. K. Tae, P. J. Thak, U. C. Han, K. S. Jong

This paper analyses the energy consumption according to the type of dump scroll track during skip discharging in an inclined shaft hoist for an open pit mine. For the purpose of the project, it was necessary to set up an equation for a geometrical locus of a skip dump scroll track, and from the need for technical engineering and study purposes, to derive equations for two track types by using cam design theory (cosine track and linear accretion track). Skip discharging is analysed using discrete element method software, and dynamic simulation of its run is performed using Visual Nastran software. The energy consumption during skip discharging can be calculated from the rope tension obtained by dynamic simulation, and graphs obtained from the simulated results using discrete element method and Visual Nastran software. From this, the study demonstrates that the energy consumption at the cosine track is always lower than that at the linear accretion track, without regard to the property change of a payload depending on grain size distribution.

May 8, 2026

By P Clive Hart

DRA - BACKGROUND [MULTI MINERAL DESIGN & BUILD COMPANY FOUNDED 1984 ENGINEERING FOCUSED CORE ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES INCLUDE: ?PROCESS ?MECHANICAL ?E&I CONTROL PRIVATE COMPANY, INDEPENDENT & INTERNATIONAL]

Jan 1, 2006

By K. Kotwica, P. Gospodarczyk, J. Sosnica, J. Pawlik, Z. Iwulski, K. Pawlik

The paper presents problems resulting from the mobile mining machines functioning and requirements concerning a machine control system, which controls successive operation stages of such machines. The problem is presenting on the example of a mobile hydraulic support to remove residual pillars in copper ore mines. The paper describes an algorithm and a flow chart to be followed when designing a supports control system. Design of control systems to ensure machine function under given circumstances is also presented.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. Z. Shkundin

An evaluation of the accuracy of tachometric and hot-wire anemometers in mine workings and gas-media ducts is given. The acoustic means of gas flow rates measurement is considered with particular reference to the equations of acoustic waves propagation in aerodynamic fields. The paper defines how it is possible to minimize the error of integrating acoustic anemometers.

Sep 1, 2001

By G. F. Balderson

In response to the written contribution made by G. J. C. Young to the above paper, I would like to make the following points. Paragraph 1 The build-up of oxidized coatings on cone surfaces has not been a problem in other applications similar to that at President Steyn. The following companies have commented.

Jan 1, 1982

By T. A. Claasen

Exceptionally low yields in the coking-coal fields of the Soutpansberg area in the northern Transvaal, are taxing the skill and ingenuity of preparation engineers. The coals are highly intergrown, and a series of crushing and washing steps may be required to extract the maximum usable tonnage. In addition, novel preparation techniques may have to be employed. This paper, which is a case study of work recently undertaken, gives a general account of raw coal properties, emphasizing those related to maximum recoveries, and outlines the steps involved in the design of appropriate flow sheets based on laboratory studies.

Jan 1, 1980

By Kevin Peacocke

The future of Gravity ? Primary mineral recovery ? Enhancement of existing process efficiency ? Pre-Concentration ? Alternative? or ?New? production

Jan 1, 2006