Search Documents

By C. Richard Tinsley

As discussed in the economics section of this article, the main processing consideration is whether manganese will be recovered, as this has major implications for reagent consumption. Nodule processing can be classified into three sections; smelting, roasting, and leaching. Many patents have been issued for various stages of these techniques. Since extensive laboratory and pilot plant testing is continuing, it is certain that some companies are close to full-scale commercial processes. Published data does not include all of the possible concepts for nodule treatment. In fact, one may suspect that published flowsheets are those that have been rejected or have since been extensively modified.

Jan 4, 1975

I trust you know now or will know by the time you havecompleted your degree and added a little on-the-job experience,how to make the product from the mine you are working for. Butyou may not know the process to turn it into dollars, which ofcourse will be the life blood of your company. I am not going topromise to turn you into super salesmen, but I hope I can takeyou beyond the level of believing that selling our mineralproducts is as simple as putting in it on to a train, waving itgoodbye and waiting for the cheque to turn up in the mailbox afew weeks later.

Jan 1, 1994

By Walton DR

It is self-evident that the availability of well qualified and experienced people to manage mining operations is vital to the success of an individual mine and to the ability to develop new mines either in Australia or overseas. For larger operations the term "mine manager" is here used to denote a range of positions within an individual company. Thus "mine managers" may be people managing individual mines at one geographic location with overall management provided by other "mine managers" in the roles such as mine super- intendents, production managers, general managers, etc. Smaller operations may have only a single level of management nominated as "mine manager".

Jan 1, 1980

By A Roudnev, P Loderer

Mineral froth pumping utilising centrifugal slurry pumps is a major engineering challenge for both the end users and pump manufacturers. The traditional approach has been to oversize the pump for pumping mineral froth. New horizontal slurry froth pump designs offer opportunities to improve froth pumping capability of mineral froth with challenging (high) Froth Volume Factor while maintaining high efficiency, long wear life and stable pumping performance.CITATION:Loderer, P and Roudnev, A, 2018. A reliable solution for pumping mineral froth with challenging froth volume, in Proceedings 14th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2018, pp 291–296 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 29, 2018

By Randall M. Wheeler

Many blasting companies are using simulated production ground vibration waveforms to aid them in the control of their vibration effects. The simulations are typically produced by using a seismograph to record a signature waveform from a single hole shot and subsequently applying the various delays to be used in a proposed production design. The ability of this simulation method to give good results usually depends on three primary factors. These are: 1) the homogeneity of the seismic travel path from hole to hole; 2) the consistency of the seismic energy release per unit of explosive from hole to hole; and 3) whether or not the delays fire as planned.

Jan 1, 1991

The published safety policy of Mount Isa Mines Limited, together with details of the organisation and control techniques adopted by management to pursue an active safety programme within the company, is presented. The importance of communication by management through the organisational hierarchy and procedures instituted to ensure rapid and concise feedback on safety concerns are detailed. The paper also describes the role of the occupational health department and safety committees in assisting management to monitor the safety effort of supervisors and employees. Current safety performance levels are tabled together with details of some aspects of the programme on which safety effort will be concentrated in the future.

Jan 1, 1975

The nature of exploration in Australia is reviewed from its inception to the present time. It is seen as consisting of three phases: the first, prospecting; the second and third, mainly company-based activity. The first yielded the discoveries on which the mining industry was originally built. The great recent growth of the industry has been due mainly to the discoveries of the third. The technical, organisational, legis- lative and other aspects are reviewed. The overall result has been a very great increase in the known mineral resources and, viewed collectively, exploration is seen as providing the principal means of assessing, evaluating and building up the nation's mineral resources.

Jan 1, 1973

By Sean C. Farrell

In underground mining and tunneling, machine design is predominantly dictated by mine conditions and individual customer desires. In partnership with Australian companies WDS Limited and Cram Fluid Power, the engineering department of J.H. Fletcher & Company was tasked to design and manufacture roof bolting modules to be mounted off both sides of a roadheader, providing in-cycle bolting. The objective was to produce a boom and bolt module that would allow an operator to bolt from a remote location, eliminating the need for miner to work in unsupported ground. The bolt module needed to operate in front of the cutting boom, but retract to a parked position out of the way during the cutting cycle. Due to Australian electrical approval requirements, it was desirable to design the module with minimal use of electrical controls. The need for multiple, complex, drill steel and bolt handling steps led to the need for a custom hydraulics package to automate several of the movements. The result of the design is dual drill and bolt modules mounted to a multistage boom with over 24 feet (7.31 m) of extension. Each unit rotates and tilts to meet the bolt pattern requirements in conjunction with the stow and load requirements. The bolt module builds on previous designs incorporating a modular assembly with each sub-component designed to be replaceable and adjustable independently from other machine components. Each major component is painted a different color to help the operator make the connection visually from the module to the operator?s control valves. Hydraulic package valves were designed to automatically control several of the sub-components during the drill cycle, reducing the number of steps a drill operator would, otherwise, have to do manually. This design removes the operator from working in unsupported roof and away from other inherent hazards, putting them at a safe distance on the operator?s platform. The cutting and bolting equipment has been combined into one machine, which is advantageous in single entry drifts because there is no need to place change equipment. The hydraulic package valves eliminate the need for any electronics, thus avoiding any electrical regulations with respect to the controls. The addition of these modules to the roadheading machine increases miner safety and streamlines production while meeting the ground control support requirements.

Jan 1, 2014

By David S. Yantek, Paul Jurovcik, Eric R. Bauer

Workers in coal preparation plants, where vibrating screens are significant noise sources, are often exposed to sound levels exceeding 90 dB(A). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a major coal company, and a vibrating screen manufacturer conducted a cooperative study of vibrating screen noise. Rubber isolators reduced sound levels by 1 dB. Urethane screen panels did not reduce sound levels in this case. Drive noise was determined to be the dominant noise source on the screen. Damped side plates reduced vibration levels on the screen sides by 1 to 7 dB(A). Detailed results of the study are presented.

By David S. Yantek, Paul Jurovcik, Eric R. Bauer

Workers in coal preparation plants, where vibrating screens are significant noise sources, are often exposed to sound levels exceeding 90 dB(A). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a major coal company, and a vibrating screen manufacturer conducted a cooperative study of vibrating screen noise. Rubber isolators reduced sound levels by 1 dB. Urethane screen panels did not reduce sound levels in this case. Drive noise was determined to be the dominant noise source on the screen. Damped side plates reduced vibration levels on the screen sides by 1 to 7 dB(A). Detailed results of the study are presented.

Jan 1, 2005

The published safety policy of Mount Isa Mines Limited, together with details of the organisation and control techniques adopted by management to pursue an active safety programme within the company, is presented. The importance of communication by management through the organisational hierarchy and procedures instituted to ensure rapid and concise feedback on safety concerns are detailed. The paper also describes the role of the occupational health department and safety committees in assisting management to monitor the safety effort of supervisors and employees. Current safety performance levels are tabled together with details of some aspects of the programme on which safety effort will be concentrated in the future.

Jan 1, 1975

By Brian McInnes, Joseph A. Sopko, Behzad Khorshidi

"The Port Mann Main Water Supply Tunnel involves a 1km long tunnel beneath the Fraser River from Surrey to Coquitlam, BC. At depths of up to 60 m below ground, the earth pressure reached 6 bar. The tunnel is constructed using an EPB TBM and gasketed precast concrete segmental liner. The tunnel and two shafts were constructed in a variety of soil conditions ranging from soft to stiff clays and silts, to compact to very dense sands and gravels. After approximately 800m of mining, a very dense and highly variable soil group consisting of cobbles and boulders halted the TBM. Several options were considered to stabilize the TBM face so an intervention could be conducted. Although de-watering was considered, there was risk of settlement to the Port Mann bridge piers, which was within 500m of the tunnel. Hyperbarics were also considered, however, the cost, schedule and uncertainty of the work that needed to be done, made it a risky option. Ground freezing by Liquid Nitrogen was chosen as the best solution, which would provide a frozen block around the face of the TBM. A temporary platform on the river was designed and constructed to enable drilling and installation of the freezing pipes and temperature monitoring equipment. The operation required close coordination among the tunnelling, marine and freezing sectors. Following the intervention, the TBM successfully broke through the reception shaft, and the remaining project was completed. This paper describes the design, construction and operational approaches used for the freezing and serves as a basis for future projects requiring expedited ground freezing."

Jan 1, 2016

The Que River Mine is a small under-ground base and precious metals mine located in north-western Tasmania. Current production rate is 220,000 tonne/yr from reserves grading 0.37% copper, 7.1% lead, 12.2% zinc, 195 g/tonne silver and 3.4 g/tonne gold.Ore is mined using longhole open stoping techniques. Cemented fill is placed in primary stopes to permit safe and efficient recovery of pillars. The operation is trackless with both shaft and decline access from surface.Ore produced is trucked 40 km by road to be sold to the Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australia Ltd., for treatment at their Rosebery concentrator.

Jan 1, 1985

By Emily Johnson, Catherine Johnson, Ben Sonpon, Kelly Williams

The effect of length to diameter of the detonator is compared using Ansys/Autodyn 2-D simulations, the results of which are validated experimentally. It was found that higher pressure comes with a larger diameter, because it will result in more explosive energy being allocated out the end of the detonator.

Feb 1, 2020

By P. D. I. Honeyman

DURING 1938 many copper companies again felt the economic pinch and smelter operations were often on a reduced basis which some- times resulted in intermittent operations and complete shutdowns. During the last half of the year production was stepped up and smelting operations resumed a more normal appearance. One of the present-day trends in reverberatory sme1ting is definitely toward high-tonnage operations. i\ t the Phelps Dodge Corporation's Douglas plant, the reconstructed 107 by 26- ft. reverberatory furnaces are operated at the rate of 1000 tons of solid charge per day. The arch, all of silica brick; is sufficiently high above the bath to give

Jan 1, 1939

SITUATED in the county of Manchcster, in Northern Eyre's Peninsula, the Iron Knob ore-deposits form the basis of the industry. These deposits are connected by the Iron Knob tramway to the port of Whyalla, aal miles distant, on the western shore of Speneer Gulf,and to-day another tramway is under construction to link up with the same port, a second group of iron ore leases known as Iron Baron, which is situated 18 miles south of Iron Knob. Fig. 1 indicates the geographical relationship of these three places, Iron Knob, Iron Baron, and Whyalla, which together comprise this field of the company's activities.

Jan 1, 1930

How often does one hear that a recent feasibility study was not a success? Alternatively, when scope of the feasibility study was sent out to tender there was a large discrepancy in tendered prices. If the tendered prices were to be compared to the consumer market, for instance the purchase of a car, where the concept is transport in a controlled and safe manner, prices vary by large factors, but then so do the specifications. In the case of a feasibility study, prices should be within a tighter margin as the tenderers are all quoting against the same concept and specification. Why do these discrepancies occur? Price discrepancies will in every likelihood be attributed to two main factors; one, the perceived amount of work and two, the ability of the bidder to carry the risk associated with the feasibility study. It is, therefore, important that the scoping of the feasibility study covers the detailed requirements as clearly as possible stating what level of accuracy is required. The feasibility study is one of the first activities in the life of a project. The study, like the project it is investigating, is subject to the constraints of time, cost and quality. Its primary objectives are to demonstrate the viability of a project within the outlined scope and constraints.

Jan 1, 1998

By W. A. Green

Introduction While pilot-mill operations were being carried on at Flin Flon, as described by R. E. Phelan (1), a detailed topographic map was being made of the area in the vicinity of the ore-body for later use in laying out plans for the final plant. The area covered by this survey was 6,600 feet by 6,600 feet, with contours on 2-foot intervals. As mentioned by Mr. Phelan, it was definitely decided at the end of November, 1927, to take up the option on the Flin Flon property and to proceed immediately with the plans for construction of a metallurgical plant at Flin Flon to treat 3,000 tons of ore per day, and of a hydro-electric power plant at Island Falls, Saskatchewan, to supply power for the future operations at Flin Flon. Railway Built From The Pas to Flin Flon Just as soon as the decision was made to go ahead with the construction work and opening-up of the property, it was of course essential to give immediate attention to the building of a railway to the mine. Many years previously, a preliminary survey had been made for a railway to branch off the Hudson Bay railway at a point 4.7 miles northeast of The Pas, and, during certain negotiations in 1925, the Provincial Government of Manitoba had agreed to guarantee the railway bonds necessary to finance the building of the line, so that it was possible to organize for this work immediately. A contract was let by the newly organized Manitoba Northern Railway Company to the Dominion Construction Company, Ltd., and Tomlinson, for the building of the railway to the mine, a distance of approximately 87 miles (see Figure 1). The Manitoba Northern railway is a subsidiary to the Canadian National railway, and all engineering and supervision of the contractors was done by the Canadian National engineers. Actual construction work was started in January, 1928. The first 52 miles of the railway from The Pas to Cranberry Portage is over fairly level, although slightly rolling, country, and a considerable portion of the route is over muskeg area. Rails were laid on top of the frozen muskegs. Gravel deposits were opened-up along the line and, before warm weather; sufficient ballast .was distributed in the muskeg areas to prevent thawing under the track, and thus give the necessary support to allow uninterrupted transportation over the line.

Jan 1, 1935

By E M. Gama, L Resende

The tailings are waste from mineral processing operations. The type of tailings of iron ore processing are classified into sandy tailings and mud. Already the overburden are showing significant levels of useful mineral. Both iron ore`s waste have in your composition phyllosilicates/clay that indicates the potential for use in niche markets as paving and cement. According to several studies, there are various technologies in bench and pilot levels that could be used on a large scale but there is not an economic environment, tax, regulatory and tax set. Many of these technologies are associated with the reuse of tailings and overburden in construction. All these factors influence for that so many initiatives remain in search formats and cannot advance to the new business format. There is no way to set goals of reuse of this waste, as already occurs in China, if there is not a fiscal, tax and economic structure to support such measures. The way to foster and ensure that reuse of tailings and overburden is an incentive for promoting a culture of circular economy that would allow the emergence of an ecosystem between the private, public and Government sectors with the objective of accelerating and subsidize the entire network of reuse of this waste. The closure of the mine could be the tool used to ensure and boost this ecosystem of reutilization to align it with the vocation of the area of the mining law. Following this model, the end of the mining activity could provide a financial return to the local population, a more effective environmental compensation and a reduction in costs related to the closure of the mine. In this study are shown how the Vale is working in the reuse of tailings and overburden.CITATION:Resende, L and Gama, E M, 2018. The challenges of the reuse of tailings and overburden, in Proceedings Mine Waste and Tailings Stewardship Conference 2018, pp 117–125 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 23, 2018

By Stanford O. Grodd

The Sanford Lake district encompasses an area covering 24 square miles in the central Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State. Discovery of the titaniferous magnetite deposits dates back to 1826. Several attempts to exploit the ores for iron prior to 1942 proved uneconomical because of difficulties with the associated titanium, lack of transportation facilities, and the isolated location. Since 1942, the National Lead Company has produced ilmenite concentrates for the titanium pigment industry, and a magnetite by-product used in the steel and refractory industries. Rocks of the area are Precambrian in age and of igneous origin. The area has a history of erosion, deformation, and metamorphism, subsidence, and finally uplift and glaciation. The resulting topography is extremely rough with drainage patterns controlled by a combination of fault patterns and glacial modifications. The district is within the large anorthosite massif making up the central high peak area of the Adirondacks. All of the various lowsilica rock types associated with the massif are found within the boundaries of the district. These consist of both the Marcy and Whiteface types of anorthosite and of gabbroic anorthosite, gabbro, and different grades of titaniferous magnetite ores. All of the rocks contain the same minerals and differ only in their percentages of these consitituents. Gabbro, and ore associated with it, demonstrate flow structure as both have foliation and lineation. Anorthosite and its associated ores are massive and show very little primary structure. Minor pegmatites and diabase dikes provide evidence of remobilization in selected areas and of late intrusion as well. Faulting is prevalent and follows a regional pattern of major faults trending northeastsouthwest and of minor faults at nearly right angles to them. There are four mineralized areas where an economic grade of ore has been found. Three of these have both gabbroic-type ore and anorthositic-type ore. The fourth has only gabbroic ore. Ores are graded according to their TiO, content, and these range from 9.5 per cent to over 30.0 per cent TiO,. Ore bodies of both types are related to gabbro and conform to the configuration of the gabbro bodies within the anorthosite. At least three distinct theories of ore genesis have been expounded by different investigators. Others propose some variations of one or more of these. Although complete agreement probably never will be reached, it is certain that no one process of ore emplacement can explain the complicated picture as seen today. Further understanding of the ores and their origin will require detailed mapping, sampling, and mineralogical studies of the entire district, and then it may never be understood without qualification.

Jan 1, 1968