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By M. Helm

Over the last 40 years, numerous investigations have focussed on the preg-robbing capacity of carbonaceous material during gold ore processing. Various techniques have been applied to characterize the physical and chemical properties of the carbonaceous material in efforts to predict its preg-robbing capacity. The present study, which forms part of an ongoing investigation, is specifically designed to increase the understanding of preg-robbing in ores containing carbonaceous material. In excess of 100 samples from 13 gold mines located in major gold provinces of the world have been incorporated into the present study. These samples were characterized using industry standard metallurgical techniques and were shown to have gold adsorption capacities ranging from a few grams to many hundreds of grams of gold per ton of ore. Further analysis showed that the crystalline nature of the carbonaceous material, which is related to its geological history, is important in determining the preg-robbing capacity of an ore. This finding builds on the common understanding that the preg-robbing behaviour of an ore is related to the amount (or abundance) of carbonaceous material present in that ore. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to evaluate the physical nature of carbonaceous material. This is a tool which has been successfully applied by researchers for the characterisation of carbon materials, with respect to crystallite size and lattice defects. Raman analysis of the samples included in this study showed varying degrees of disorder in the carbonaceous materials from the different deposits. Comparison of the Raman spectra with the gold loading capacities of the samples indicated a direct relationship between the structure of the carbonaceous material and its capacity to preg-rob gold. From this, a simple and robust method has been developed based on the Raman spectra of the sample and carbonaceous material content to predict the preg-robbing capacity of an ore. The potential exists to develop a predictive tool using Raman spectroscopy for characterising the preg-robbing capacity of an ore. Such a tool would have potential application in projects ranging from the early stage of exploration through to more detailed feasibility studies and mining operations. The result of applying the predictive method outlined in this paper would be the effective and proactive management of the deleterious influence of carbonaceous material on gold recovery in mining operations.

Jan 1, 2009

By P. J. D. Lloyd

The Witwatersrand reefs contain gold, uranium, and pyrite in the following average concentrations: 0,001 per cent, 0,02 per cent, and 1,7 per cent respectively. The paper discusses the flotation of pyrite to produce a s,ulphide concentrate, reviews work done on the production of gold concentrates, discusses attempts to produce maximum concentrates, and closes with a review of processes for the simultaneous flotation of these three species. It is concluded that high recoveries of all three species can be achieved only if a rougher concentrate of perhaps 20 per cent of the feed (by mass) IS produced, and it is suggested that reverse leaching (leaching before cyanidation) of this concentrate, followed by a cleaning flotation step for the recovery of the pyrite, would be more efficient than the routes employed at present.

Jan 1, 1981

By M. Jele

? Sulphuric acid plant in umbogintwini. ? Double absorption plant, capacity of 550MTPD. ? Build by simon curve during the year 1973. ? Side stream plants such as: ? Liquid SO2 Plant, ? Liquid SO3 and ? Oleum plant

Jan 1, 2009

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

By R. J. Davidson, V. Veronsee

Some of the parameters affecting the elution of gold from freshly loaded activated carbon using pure water as an eluant were studied. The procedure involved pretreatment of the gold-loaded activated carbon with a strong reagent of sodium cyanide and sodium hydroxide, followed by elution of the gold with water. Gold-loaded carbon obtained from three different sources was studied. It was shown that the elution temperature was the most critical parameter, and column operation at I !OCC (gauge pressure of 50 to 100 kPa) is suggested. The effects of variations in the concentration of sodium cyanide required for the pretreatment of loaded carbon and of variations in elution flowrate were also investigated. Both these parameters were found to have only a marginal effect on the efficiency of gold elution. The investigation also indicated that gold-elution rates were affected to a considerable degree by the particle size of the carbon concerned. Higher elution flowrates could be used when carbons of finer particle size were eluted. A modified eluate-collection procedure was also developed during the course of the investigation. Oven-drying of the loaded carbon was shown to have little or no effect on the efficiency of the subsequent gold elution. The calcium and silica contents of the various carbon samples were also determined. It was immediately evident that the calcium content was very considerable in the case of loaded carbons originating from carbon-in-pulp operations. Calcium concentration was particularly high where air agitation had been employed in the carbon-contacting circuit. To some degree, the calcium build-up explains the serious carbon fouling taking place, resulting in a decreased efficiency of gold adsorption. The fouling problem was found to be less severe when mechanical agitation was used. No poisoning by calcium carbonate was observed where the pregnant solution had been acidified before it was contacted with the carbon.

Jan 1, 1979

By S. M. Spottiswoode

A simple method for the application of excess shear stress (ESS) analysis to the mining of planar reefs is examined. The potential for seismicity associated with mining is expressed as the calculated increase in ESS on a regular grid of points 50 m above the reef, and is compared with observed seismicity around a deep-level, relatively geologicaly-undisturbed gold mine. Thirty regions were studied, involving over 2000 seismic events with magnitudes greater than 1,5 on the Richter scale and associated with almost 2 million square metres of stoping. The total seismicity, measured either as the number of seismic events or as the total radiated energy, corelated more closely with changes in ESS than with ERR. The incidence of rockbursts also favoured the ESS model. Corelation coeficients of around 0,8 for seismicity and ESS indicated that the assumptions inherent in the method used are collectively reasonable. The total seismicity in each region was found not to be strongly controlled by the presence of dykes and faults, although numerous individual seismic events were located close to such features.

Jan 1, 1988

By G. C. Howell, H. A. D. Kirsten

The mining-induced effects around narrow tabular stopes have traditionally been evaluated in terms of elastic continuum analyses. An understanding of the phenomenological behaviour of the rock surrounding deep-level gold mines has accordingly been developed on the basis of such analyses. However, elastic analyses do not afford reliable representations of the behaviour of rock in which failure may occur on discontinuities. This paper describes investigations that show how the stress and stiffness characteristics of a rockmass are affected under such circumstances for representative ranges of values for the relevant parameters (depth, span, support stiffness, field stress ratio, and discontinuity strength). These investigations afford a substantially different understanding of the mechanical behaviour of rock that is subject to failure. Instead of forming an arch across the abutments, the rock in the hangingwall bears directly across the stope onto the footwall and, instead of being subjected to tension, the nether hangingwall is clamped in compression in the horizontal direction.

Jan 1, 1993

By F. T. Cawood

This article offers a personal and independent view on the threats to the sustainability of the South African minerals industry. It argues that if the six identified threats of insufficient spending on research and development, general standard of education, nationalization, inadequate infrastructure, Aids prevalence and labour inefficiency are not acted upon as a matter of urgency, the future of the mining industry, along with its important contribution to the economy, is at risk.

Jan 1, 2011

By D. J. de Beer

South Africa had a late start with rapid prototyping (RP), with the first system being available in 1991. Up to 1994 only three systems were available in SA. Through active research participation from the CSIR and a number of universities, supported by technology transfer programmes and industry awareness workshops, adoption of RP technologies started to grow. Internationally, RP grew to the extent that several country-based member organizations were formed, and an initiation meeting of the Global Alliance of RP Associations (GARPA) took place during the SME Rapid Conference in Dearborn, USA in 1998. South Africa (SA) was invited under the auspices of the Time Compression Technologies Centre (TCTC) launched by the CSIR, and received an invitation to become a member of GARPA through the launch of a national, inclusive organization. The latter gave rise to a RAPDASA planning/launch meeting held at the University of Stellenbosch, which culminated in the first RAPDASA international conference held in November 2000 at the CSIR, and the election of a first RAPDASA management committee, also at the 1st AGM held during the conference. RAPDASA has been a pillar of strength since then, with an annual international conference being presented. As South Africa?s RP awareness grew through the RAPDASA and independent activities, so did the availability of RP platforms in SA.SA also became a benchmark for other countries/late adopters to follow, as slowly a position of following became a position of leading through innovative applications. The paper highlights SA?s development approach and history, together with the discussion of case studies in various fields. Contribution to the light metals industry will also be discussed. Keywords Rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, product design, rapid tooling, rapid manufacturing, medical product development.

Jan 1, 2011

By G. M. Dunn

Pressure leach autoclave circuits are employed in the leaching of ores, concentrates, mattes, alloys and intermediates for the recovery of metals into solution. Once the metals are extracted into solution, the value metals can be recovered by hydrometallurgical means such as by purification followed by electrowinning, hydrogen reduction, pyrohydrolysis, crystallization and other unit operations. In many of these integrated flowsheets the pressure leach step is pivotal to the recovery of the value metals from the host material. Furthermore, the autoclave circuit invariably is a high capital cost component of the plant and an area that is carefully scrutinized when debottlenecking and capacity increases are being considered. This paper identifies a unique proven way of increasing the capacity of existing or new exothermic pressure oxidative leach autoclave circuits by as much as two or three times.

Jan 1, 2009

High pressure grinding roll (HPGR) technology is used in an increasingly diverse range of applications, predominantly iron ore, gold and diamonds. KHD Humboldt Wedag HPGRs are applied world-wide, and consistently prove to be well designed and reliable operating units, with their performance meeting the pre-set standards. This publication summarizes some of the features and experiences for recent applications in treatment of copper ore, coarse iron ore, and gold ore. Summary data of roll surface wear life and operating data are given, together with operational observations. In addition, effects of feed segregation and truncated feed are discussed, as well as the implications of a product recycle flow sheet.

Jan 1, 2012

By A. Koursaris, J. B. See

An investigation is described in which the resistivities of Mamatwan manganese ore, Delmas coal, and Iscor coke, at temperatures or up to 1400°C were determined, as well as the resistivities of mixtures of ore of a constant size range with Delmas coal or Iscor coke of three different size ranges. The resistivities of the ore and the coal were characteristic of those for semi-conducting materials, were strongly influenced by temperature, and decreased by several orders of magnitude between room temperature and IOOO°C. The resistivity of the coke changed only slightly between room temperature and 1400°C, and the resistivity of the coal approached that of the coke at I300°C. This provides support for the theory that the resistivity of carbonaceous reducing agents is primarily a function of heat treatment, and not of the rank and composition of the coal. Above 1200°C, the resistivity of mixtures of ore and coke fell steeply owing to an increase in the volume fraction of coke in the mixture and to the formation of slag. The results were similar for the three different size ranges of coke. The extremely high resistivities of ore-coke and ore-coal mixtures at Iow temperatures indicate that there is unlikely to be much conduction of current in the higher regions of a furnace. Thus, the resistance of a furnace is governed mainly by the conditions at the electrode tips and in the molten regions. To explain the very Iow resistances of furnaces, usually, about I m£?, it would be necessary for investigations to be conducted under conditions similar to those in the active zone of a furnace.

Jan 1, 1980

By Keith Rowley, Neal Harries, David Noon

The management of risks associated with slope instability is an essential process in the safe and economic operation of open cut mines. The ?slope stability radar? (SSR) has been developed to better manage those risks. The SSR remotely scans rock slopes to continuously measure any surface movement and can be used to detect and alert users of wall movements with sub-millimetre precision. The high level of movement precision and broad area coverage of the rock face can allow for a better understanding of the geomechanics of slope deformation, including magnitude of potential failures and additional warning time of impending instability. Additionally, radar waves adequately penetrate through rain, dust and smoke to give reliable measurements, 24 hours a day. SSR systems have been deployed in many mines in Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia, Chile and the United States. Greater than 70 rock falls and waste dump failures (from several to millions of tonnes) have been monitored, and on every occasion precursor ?warning? movements were recorded by the SSR. This technology enables a radical change in the management of risks in open cut mining. This paper will present recent case studies of the SSR operation in coal and metalliferous mines.

Jan 1, 2006

By E. H. Myrhaug, K. Aasly, T. Malvik

Six different types of quartz and quartzites used as raw materials by ferroalloy plants have been investigated with respect to their thermo mechanical properties. In order to investigate the effect of the thermal shock caused by the rapid heating of quartz when it enters the furnace, the following techniques have been used for both in situ investigations and investigations of pre-heated quartz: -Heating stage microscopy for in situ observation of heating effects. -Shock heating of quartz in an induction furnace An optical microscope-mounted heating stage was used for in situ observations of the microscopic effects of heating up to 1300 ºC. The effects of heating were observed at different temperature intervals in different samples. The main temperature intervals were below 573 ºC and above 1000 ºC. The cause of the observed effects is interpreted as fluid inclusion decrepitation for T<573 °C and structural implications (micro cracks, grain boundaries and remaining fluid inclusions) at T>1200 °C. Shock heating of the samples was carried out in an induction furnace to 1300 ºC for ten minutes. The effects of the heating were studied with different techniques such as direct observation during and directly after heating, optical microscopy and XRD. Combined transmitted and fluorescence light microscopy shows that the heated quartz show an opening of the grain boundaries and evenly distributed micro cracks that were not present in the unheated reference samples. In some of the heated samples, weak generation of cristobalite was detected by XRD.

Jan 1, 2007

By E. F. E. Müller

In a search for suitable reductants for the electro-metallurgical industry. the Fuel Research Institute is conducting investigations Into the charring of coals and the properties of the chars produced. This paper gives a selection of the results obtained as an illustration of the work being done. The research is proceeding.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. J. Alberts

The perception exists in many organizations that, once an energy management system is employed, there need not be any further adjustments to such a system. This is not true, as the field of energy management is a dynamic field, and constant feedback and adjustments are needed to enhance the efficiency of a system to the point that substantial pay-back can be obtained. It is stressed that for any energy management system to be successful, careful planning should permeate through the organization, from the top level decision-makers to the workplace. This paper describes a dynamic technique by which energy management strategies can be evaluated by viewing the effects of the strategies on the organization as a whole.

Jan 1, 1997

By A. Muller

The magnesia-carbon refractories used in the ConArc process experience severe wear as a result of the varying slag composition during the blowing phase. This work determines the basicity range in which minimum as well as maximum refractory wear was experienced by the magnesia-carbon refractories during service. In order to determine an optimum slag composition, the crucible test in an induction furnace was used. The magnesia-carbon refractory bricks were cut into cylindrical crucibles to which a synthetic slag in the form of pellets was added. The basicity (B2) of the slag was varied from 0.5 to 3. Tests were done at 1 600°C for one hour. Apart from the crucible test in an induction furnace, visual inspection and SEM analysis were also done to investigate the corrosion mechanism. FACTSage® predictions about the interaction between refractories and slag were also done. These predictions were compared to the actual results attained. It was found that the extent of corrosion by slag attack decreases as the basicity increases. The most severe corrosion of the MgO-C refractories occurred at a basicity of 0.5 whereas the optimum basicity is above 2.0. SEM analysis indicated severe slag attack at the lower basicities with no visible refractory-slag interaction at higher basicities. TheFACTSage® predictions supported most of the actual findings. Keywords Magnesia-carbon, ConArc, blowing phase, slag resistance, induction furnace, crucibles.

Jan 1, 2011

By M. U. Ozbay

The stability of pillars is analysed on the assumption that pillars shed load in a stable manner if the slope the strata load-deformation relation is steeper than that of pillars in the post-peak regime. Concepts of local stiffness, mine structural stiffness, and critical stiffness are discussed. Procedures are described for the determination of strata stiffness for various pillar layouts by use of the available boundary-element computer programs. The postpeak stiffness of pillars is assessed from the available data relating to the post-peak load-deformation relationship and width-to-height ratio. Stability analyses are carried out by the contrasting of strata stiffness with post-peak pillar stiffness. It is shown that the strata stiffness becomes unacceptably small for a stable yield-pillar layout when the span exceeds about 5 times the depth. The strata stiffness is found to increase, thereby increasing the stability, as the span-to-depth ratio, number of pillars, and percentage extraction are decreased. It is also found that the stability in a yield pillar becomes difficult to achieve when al the pillars in a layout are in the descending part their post-peak load-deformation curve

Jan 1, 1989

By D. C. Krige

The estimation of the tonnage and grade of payable ore in a mine and the correct policy of selective mining based on such estimates, is of vital importance to the mining engineer it is surprising, therefore, that more attention has not been devoted on the Witwatersrand to the scientific improvement of mine valuation methods. At present these methods consist almost entirely of the application of simple arithmetic and empirical formulae guided by practical experience, and ignore the many advantages to be gained from a careful statistical analysis of the behaviour of the gold values. The science of statistics has expanded rapidly during the last two decades and its value as a powerful and indispensable tool is now recognized not only by research workers and scientists but also, ever-increasingly, by the commercial and industrial world. This being the case it is noteworthy that in a mining field such as the Rand with its highly developed and advanced mining methods, singularly little attention has been paid to the analysis of mine valuation problems on a modern statistical basis. This omission is even more striking when cognizance is taken of the wealth of sampling data concerning the gold ore which is available and of the far-reaching decisions and deductions constantly being based on such data. Some contributions have however been made from time to time towards the application of statistics to mine valuation on the Rand (References Nos. 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12), but none of these have been generally applied in practice and a systematic practical approach based on clearly deemed fundamental concepts still appears to be lacking. The object of this paper is, therefore, to define these statistical concepts and to indicate briefly the lines along which statistical methods can be applied profitability in solving some of the existing problems and in improving the general standard of mine valuation on the Rand For this purpose a knowledge of mathematical statistics is essential, but as this paper is primarily intended to provide the mine valuator with a practical introduction to statistical application in his field, the mathematics is confined to a short annexure, together with references from which details can be obtained.

Jan 1, 1994

By R. G. B. Pickering

The purpose of this report is to chronicle the interaction between Anglo Platinum and Sandvik Tamrock during the development and application of Long Hole drilling as a viable, practical method of narrow reef mining. Appendix I identifies the people from Anglo Platinum and Sandvik Tamrock who participated in the project. Experiments in long hole drilling and blasting were conducted in a number of mines during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Some of the advantages envisaged were: ? The face would require no daily examination ? No barring down or immediate face support required ? No sockets to clean ? Only a few well drilled holes rather than large numbers of short blast holes ? Avoidance of poorly-marked holes, inaccurate drilling and improper charging ? Better supervision and better face advance. Holes 50 mm in diameter were drilled parallel to the stope face by pneumatic rock drills from advance strike gullies. Holes were charged with amon gelignite cartridges. All holes were traced with detonating cord to ensure propagation of the explosive along the entire hole length. Rock was blasted onto a rolling scatter pile. A number of reasons have been cited for the failure of this mining method. The two most important were: ? problems in controlling hole deviation which was exacerbated by the fractured ground ? difficulty of charging up holes in fractured ground, due to relative movement of rocks along fracture surfaces over the hole length. The idea of drilling a few long holes parallel to the face rather than a large number of short blast holes perpendicular to the face was an attractive option to mechanize narrow reef mining. This particular project started in 1998. Initial trial The Union Section of Anglo Platinum purchased a Solo H 606 RA long hole drilling rig from Sandvik Tamrock in 1997. In order to evaluate long hole drilling as a basis for face mechanization. The Solo series of drill rig was selected because it combines high drilling performance and good drilling accuracy with high versatility with a compact size. The mining method proposed by a consultant to Anglo Platinum was based on the current trackless mining method practised by Union Section. The trackless mining method is better described as a trackless development and transport method. Reef strike drives were installed approximately 40 metres apart on dip using trackless equipment. Reef was mined using hand-held pneumatic rock drills and scraper winches and the excavation was supported by sticks and crush pillars at the top of the panel. Rock scraped from the panel was loaded by Lad Haul Dumps (LHDs), trammed to an inclined haulage, and loaded into trucks for transport to the surface. It was intended that the Solo would drill from the bottom advance strike drive to the top advance strike drive. Blasted rock would still have to be scraped from the panel. It is also difficult to understand how well the support would have survived. In the initial motivation it was stated that drilling accuracy was of the utmost importance. Previous work by Sandvik Tamrock had shown that, in other parts of the world, 20 metre long holes could be drilled with a deviation not exceeding 100 mm provided that: ? holes were collared with low thrust pressure ? operating percussion pressure was kept low -often not ? exceeding 10 MPa ? drilling was to be with tubes, not rods. In early 1998 initial trials with the Solo H 606 RA were inconclusive; attempts were made to drill 40 metre long holes from one advance strike drive to another. Difficulty was experienced in measuring hole straightness and accuracy, there was no survey of the holes, and no blasting was done to expose hole barrels. A long hole mining system was then defined, with a corresponding face mining system, which led to the design of a test programme for the Solo drilling rig. Earlier experience at Telfer The proposed face mining system was based on a mining method that is practised at Telfer Gold Mine in Western Australia. Telfer has a series of domed reefs that dip at angles of less than 20° to more than 40°. The ore bodies are all thin, with widths from 0.6 metres to 0.8 metres. Figure 1 shows the face layout. Experience at Telfer indicated the following: ? The spacing and size of the dip pillars should be based on the rock mechanics of Union Section ? The length of the face is determined by the ability to correctly position the blast holes. Positioning of blast holes is a function of hole straightness and hole direction. Blast holes in Telfer were drilled 64 mm diameter with retrac bits from Sandvik. Extension steel was T38 by 1.8 metre lengths. A guide rod was fitted immediately behind the bit. To achieve greater accuracy&apos; operators drill at relatively low percussion and thrust pressures. Results show that very good accuracy is achieved in 20 metre stopes and only fair accuracy in longer stopes. In 34 metre long stopes 10-15% of the holes are not sufficiently accurately positioned and have to be re-drilled. All blast holes are

Jan 1, 2006