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By Kathy Kalenchuk

To develop strategic and tactical strategies to manage seismic hazard in a safe and economic manner, it is necessary to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of mine wide seismogenic behavior. Global mine-scale numerical stress modelling provides a means to forward predict seismic susceptibility thereby facilitating informed decision making for the development and implementation of strategic and tactical risk mitigation measures. To make forward predictions of hazard susceptibility using global stress models with reasonable confidence, it is necessary to rigorously calibrate numerical stress models to the observed history of ground reaction. This paper demonstrates quantifiable methods for calibrating numerical models and developing probabilistic prediction criterion using seismic data. The appropriate applications of model inputs (including boundary conditions, constitutive models and material parameterization) specific to global mine-scale modelling are also discussed. Lastly, this paper demonstrates how the calibration process adds value not only to informed decision making, but also to the improved understanding of site geomechanical conditions; including enhanced identification of geotechnical domains and mechanical indicators required for seismic mechanism domaining.

Apr 26, 2022

By B Stewart

It has long been recognised that knowledge of the conditions existing in a mine after an incident is essential in deciding whether to deploy responders as part of the incident recovery process. Applying this knowledge in a structured manner to the assessment and the acceptability of the risks likely to be faced by those teams during response activities before authorising their deployment is an onerous task incumbent upon the person controlling the incident response. The Mine Event Management System (MEMS) provides structure and coordination in the management of mine events. It assists with the skills and knowledge for incident control teams to effectively manage any emergency or non-emergency event, be it large or small. In cases where multiple organisations are involved, the MEMS promotes effective joint operations through the use of common terminology and structure to provide seamless communication between agencies at all operational levels. The SQL-based software developed by Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS) assists decision-makers to make considered options; it does not make decisions for you. When set-up, it allows the information that already exists within a mine’s Safety Health Management System that is relevant to the incident to be accessed and considered rapidly within the pressured environment of an emergency. Additionally, the incident specific questions contained within MEMS focuses the management team on gathering and assessing information relevant to the incident as it progresses. The software’s event log can be utilised as an auditable document for post incident investigation. The MEMS provides a process to properly consider the adequacy of the information available upon which decisions have to be made, to consider and acknowledge the hazards of the environments within or adjacent to which responders will need to work and to acknowledge and authorise the entry of responders into or to remain within a mine either during or post an incident occurring, once an acceptable level of risk is achieved.

Apr 16, 2024

By S Wellink, D Chalmers, D Adermann, C Martin

The practice of recording blasts for quality control purposes has been conducted for several decades. However, at the low frame rates of a standard video camera, essential data is frequently missed as it occurs when the shutter is closed between frames.The use of high-speed video for the research, development and monitoring of the performance of blasting procedures is a well proven but under-utilised practice.The recent development of low cost, easy to use high-speed digital cameras and user friendly software can deliver a capability into mine management as a day-to-day production tool that can greatly improve blasting performance and reduce costs.Digital high-speed video and image analysis software can accurately quantify each blast. Analysis of the images can facilitate the identification of causes of variance from design, geology changes, errors in blast practice and areas of poor performance. The use of high-speed video greatly enhances the audit and review processes so that future blast design can be quickly and appropriately modified to deliver improved blasting performance and reduced costs.The three videos demonstrate the differences between standard video and high-speed video and the detail that can be obtained from them. These videos of open cut blasts can be used to identify blast performance variances. Capturing images at 1000 frames per second allows the analysis on a millisecond timescale where detonator timings, fragmentation, venting, fume generation and flyrock can be accurately identified.CITATION:Adermann, D, Chalmers, D, Martin, C and Wellink, S, 2015. High-speed video – an essential blasting tool, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 471–476 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

A hidden asset in most exploration and mining activities is data. Common practice involves the spending of large amounts of money to discover, define and prove the viability of a mining project. Some organisations have used operations research analysis and internal costing methods to allocate a value to their data and to compare the costs of data maintenance to other more tangible activities like plant and equipment maintenance. Those organisations, which do not undertake such an analysis often, have little knowledge or understanding of the extent and the worth of their data. Often the organisations lack of knowledge and understanding of the data is indicated by their failure to fully exploit or realise their opportunities. The focus of this paper is to discuss new technologies that optimise the management and security of collected and derived data. The technologies discussed are components of the software systems acQuire and MineSight.

Jan 1, 1999

What is a conflict, as it is understood by men of the extractive industries? And what are the circumstances out of which these conflicts arise? A start can be made with the notion of economic conflict, which can be defined as rivalry over the use of economic resources. Such rivalry is a central part of all economizing activity. It is present within the individual, within the family, and within the business firm. In each of these units there are multiple goals competing for use of a limited income. And economic rivalry is present among individuals and firms who are competing with one another for use of the limited quantity of economic resources available to us as a society.

Jan 7, 1961

By G. Sterzik, W. A. Jankola, T. L. Salway, D. J. McKay

At Trail, British Columbia, Cominco's zinc leaching and solution purification processes include direct pressure leaching of zinc concentrates, leaching of fume from the lead smelter, leaching of calcine and electrolyte purification. These processes have been adapted to match the unique characteristics of Cominco's integrated zinc and lead operations. Recent modifications include changes to the purification process and iron-residue handling circuits. In 1997, a new five-compartment autoclave, complete with ancillary equipment, was installed in the pressure leaching plant. This paper discusses these changes, the current flowsheet and further improvements.

Jan 1, 2000

By Jeff Kravitz, John Kovac, Wayne Duerr

Since 198 1, Federal mining law has required every miner working in underground coal mines to have a self-contained, self-rescuer (SCSR) available for use in emergencies. Some miners that have escaped from fires using SCSR's have reported that they had to remove their mouthpiece to talk during escape, thus compromising the protection afforded by the SCSR. If miners are in thick smoke during an escape, they may have trouble if they become separated from their group. The visibility can be so poor that separation can occur at very short distances. To address this problem, two-way, FM radios were built into the SCSR to improve the ability to communicate should the miners be separated over relatively short distances. The SCSR prototypes built and used in testing included both two-way radios and improved mouthpieces. Comparison studies were conducted using combinations of the new and old mouthpieces, and trials using the radio or not using the radio. Subjective judgments indicate that communication ability was significantly improved using the prototype devices. Communication problems have been encountered with teams using standard voice- powered communications systems. Mine rescue teams perform rescue and recovery work under extremely hazardous conditions, life lines are a standard part of mine rescue team equipment. Leaky feeder and quasi-leaky feeder life line communications systems provide significant improvements over standard systems. These improved systems allow all members of the team to communicate with each other and their base of operations. These innovations will significantly enhance the safety of mine rescue operations.

By T Isaksson, J Anderson

The procurement process for underground construction contracts, in particular those contacts involving tunnel boring machines (TBMs), is subject to many complex and inter-related variables, including national and local politics, public policy, community involvement and media attention û as well as strict environmental and legal requirements. Other restrictions include the time available to adequately investigate geotechnical conditions and viable technical options to determine the best construction methodologies û including selection of tunnel boring machine characteristics and, those construction means and methods suitable for the specific geotechnical and environmental conditions. The latter are, most often, quite imperfectly understood. æGetting it rightÆ implies that an optimal configuration û of machine type, characteristics and associated methodologies û can be found and successfully implemented for a particular project. æFrom the beginningÆ implies that the lack of time issue can be successfully resolved. Within an international context this paper highlights a number of issues of concern which relate to tunnel procurement systems and the ways in which certain key processes are managed during planning, design and construction. The authors argue that there is considerable room for improvement in the way tunnelling projects are undertaken and an approach is discussed which has the potential for substantial gains in cost and schedule and reduction of risk. Savings, however, may only be fully realised if the new methods can be fully implemented by all parties involved. This, we believe, will require the rejection of ætraditionalÆ forms of management and procurement with associated changes in the roles and responsibilities of owner, engineer and contractor. Additionally, risk identification, assessment and mitigation are essential cost and schedule control process which have, to this point, been underutilised by the underground construction industry.

Jan 1, 1999

By Thomas Glück

Established and emerging mining companies face significant challenges in managing their operations and projects. Outcomes often do not meet the expectations of all the stakeholders of particular developments. This paper reviews typical management practises used by mining companies to undertake mining projects and improve their operations. A simple application of the House of Quality (HOQ) tool used in the Quality Functional Deployment (QFD) management approach is presented. It is shown that a QFDMMPtg approach could lead to innovation in mining processing plant development practice.

Jan 1, 2015

By P. K. Hofmeyr

Traditional fire assay dates back over 3000 years and has changed very little over that time. The only improvement is to replace the gravimetric finish with dissolution of the Precious Metal bead followed by AA or ICP analysis of the solution. The newly developed FIP A (Fast In-line Fire Assay) method allows full automation of the fire assay process from sample preparation to spark analysis of the Pb button. This results in fully quantitative analyses for Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, lr, Au and Ag in typically less than an hour after a sample is entered into the system. Detection limits are theoretically Pt 0.08 ppm, Pd 0.002 ppm, Rh 0.002 ppm, Au 0.08 ppm and Ag 0.002 ppm but in practice the lower measurable limits are about double these figures. Few opportunities have been available to present data obtained using the FIFA system as all FIFA laboratories have been in the domain of a Pt mining company which prefers to keep all Pt analytical matters confidential. However, IMP has recently participated in the round robin exercise to establish recommended values for a new series of Merensky Reef and UO-2 Layer reference materials produced by African Mineral Standards. The precision of the results was excellent being on average Pt 2.05%, Pd 1.25%, Rh 4.08% and Ru 4.94% being expressed as Relative Standard Deviation. The excellent precision is a reflection of the efficient collection of POEs in the Pb buttons and the homogeneity of the Pb buttons. However, the accuracy was not as good. The poorer accuracy is interpreted as the calibration of the spectrometer not being as good as desired due to the difficulty in acquiring a suitable range of standards with reliable recommended values for the PGEs. The most recent spectrometer was calibrated with the greatest care and produced slightly better results for Pt, Pd and Rh and slightly worse for Ru.

Jan 1, 2014

By Dietrich Gross

This paper describes an advanced oxy-fuel combustion technology for re-melting aluminum that significantly reduces energy consumption and emissions. This oxy-fuel combustion technology developed by Jupiter Oxygen is a patented process for combustion of fossil fuels with pure oxygen while excluding air, thereby creating an undiluted high flame temperature and increased efficiency for process heating in industrial furnaces. This unique process has led to improved heat transfer and longer residence time while maintaining the same process temperatures as with air combustion. The energy efficient combustion process allows aluminum companies to operate at a substantially lower cost due to a dramatic fuel savings of up to 70% for natural gas and waste oil (1). The results of more than 10 years of day-to-day experience utilizing the Jupiter Oxygen Corporation oxy-fuel combustion technology licensed to Jupiter Aluminum Corporation in the aluminum re-melting business are discussed.

Jan 1, 2008

By P Ring, B Cooper, C Carr, G Laing

The Nova Ni-Cu-Co Operation, located in the Fraser Range of Western Australia, commenced commercial production in July 2017 only five years after discovery. Owned by Independence Group NL (IGO), the operation has successfully ramped up over an accelerated schedule and currently deploying leading technologies. This paper begins with a description of the Nova Operation, and its journey to achieve full production in such a short time frame. It includes discussions on development and production design, selection of fixed plant infrastructure, and the features challenges of running a low-pressure primary ventilation circuit. The paper also discusses key technologies that have improved overall safety for the underground workforce, and improved operational efficiencies. Investigations continue into the implementation of further technological applications for safety and productivity enhancements. This paper also discusses the findings from a study into transitioning from a diesel to an all-electric underground mining fleet, based on a review of Nova if it were to be developed today with the current EV offerings. The study indicates compelling savings will be available to future mines when considering development design, project schedule, capital outlay and operational savings, and the ‘next Nova’ is expected to be all electric.

Mar 15, 2021

By Ji Fang, Chong Fan, Fengrui Wang, Dongxin Bai

Unmanned mining technology in underground mines offers high efficiency, safety, and low cost. However, ground operators face challenges in accurately perceiving the underground environment through videos. This paper presents an augmented reality (AR) platform developed to enhance the unmanned mining process. The platform uses cameras and 5G technology to transmit high-fidelity video streams to the ground, where key targets are identified and virtual models are registered in the video to enhance the real scene. Tests in the Xinli stope of the Sanshandao gold mine showed the platform’s effectiveness in improving ground operators’ perception and production efficiency.

Jan 30, 2022

By N. A. Duke, R. L. Carpenter

Abstract - The West Meliadine area is underlain by structurally interleaved panels of mafic and minor ultramafic metavolcanic rocks and metasedimentary rocks that occur along the northern margin of the Neoarchean Rankin Inlet greenstone belt. Three structural and metamorphic domains are recognized: (1) the easterly Wesmeg domain; (2) the central Barracuda-Ridge domain; and (3) the westerly Peter Lake domain. The Wesmeg domain is characterized by a series of southeast-trending, north-dipping, foliation-parallel panels of greenschist facies mafic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. The Barracuda-Ridge domain is comprised of greenschist to amphibolite facies mafic metavolcanic rocks that define an east-northeast-trending structural grain. The Peter Lake domain consists of amphibolite facies mafic metavolcanic rocks and minor metasedimentary rocks intruded by a monzonite pluton. West Meliadine hosts the economically significant Wesmeg gold deposits, as well as other important gold showings across the Barracuda-Ridge and Peter Lake domains. The geological setting of the Wesmeg gold deposits resembles that of a break or fault zone. The Pyke Break is a major geophysical discontinuity (>65-km strike length) and is the first-order structural control on gold mineralization at West Meliadine. It is several kilometers wide and characterized by polyphase deformation and shear zone development accompanied by lode-gold mineralization. In general, gold concentration is related to quartz and iron-carbonate veining, iron sulfides (mainly arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite), and accompanying silicate alteration minerals that overprint favorable chemical and structural traps late in the history of deformation.

Jan 1, 2004

By L. M. Pero

The paper summarizes aspects of the recent literature on mineral development in the Third World. The emphasis is on publications covering agreements between host governments and mining companies.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. A. Marshall

"INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential for use of UAVs in underground mines and present a prototype design for a novel autorotating UAV platform for underground 3D data collection. The mining industry has recently shown increased interest in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to assist in everyday operations [20, 11, 4]. Above ground, small UAVs are in some cases a more efficient, inexpensive, and safer alternative to manned aircrafts currently used for photography, inspection and security [6, 10]. For example, attaching camera, infrared and LiDAR payloads, UAVs can provide a low-cost method of obtaining highly accurate 3D photogrammetric data and aerial photography. UAVs are now commonly used in open pit mining operations for applications that include stockpile surveying, 3D pit modelling, facilities management, accident reporting, progress monitoring, and environmental assessment [11]. There are numerous companies offering UAV services for mining applications; e.g., UAV Geomatics, Leica Geosystems, Sky Futures, SenseFly and FlyTerra, to name just a few. Common services include stockpile and open pit volume computations, environmental assessment, aerial mapping and photogrammetry. Although the aforementioned services are thosemost commonly provided by UAV surveying companies, they may also add value to other daily mining operations. For instance, SenseFly offers pre and post-blast monitoring in order to identify the presence of misfires and wall damage. This data can also be used to reconcile the blast results with expected results. GEM Systems offers a UAV equipped with a magnetometer for mineral exploration surveys. Companies such as Barrick have even used UAVs for solids modelling at tailings dams and stability monitoring [11]. UAVs in mining have so far been mostly limited to surface applications. Harsh underground environments pose many obstacles for flying UAVs. The confined space, dampness, reduced visibility, air movement, and lack of control signal propagation hinders most operators from being able to fly a drone underground. It may be that truly practical uses for UAVs underground will require either autonomous or semi-autonomous flight capabilities. Although there are many difficulties with flying underground, the potential benefits from a working system could greatly improve mining operations. The potential benefits of deploying UAV platforms underground include access to unreachable and dangerous locations and removing personnel from unsafe situations. These benefits have the potential to greatly improve mine monitoring and mine safety. Research has shown that current UAV technologies exist that allow for autonomous indoor flight. Extensive research has been done to develop UAV systems that are capable of performing on-board simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), which can allow them to navigate and map a foreign environment autonomously [5, 7, 1, 13]. Grzonka [7] successfully used an open hardware quadrotor to autonomously navigate and map an office building. The research outlines the localization, mapping, path planning, height estimation and control of the autonomous quadrotor. Other research has been done that exploits autonomous UAVs for search and rescue. Kassecker [9] proposed a software and hardware framework for a quadrotor capable of indoor and outdoor urban search and rescue and Rudol [19] developed a system for human body detection and geolocalization using an autonomous UAV.The use of autonomous UAVs in search and rescue has the potential to improve situational awareness and surveillance for a rescue team. Similar research has been done that uses autonomous UAVs for indoor exploration. Pravitra [15] outlined a strategy for autonomous exploration of miniature air vehicles (MAVs) within indoor environments and Rudol [19] developed a method for using an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and a UAV for cooperative indoor exploration. These studies show that aut"

Jan 1, 2017

By F. L. Pirkle, W. C. Bagby

The International Mineral Valuation (IMVAL) Committee, founded in 2012, develops strategies for conducting mineral valuations. These strategies have been developed into a mineral asset valuation template called the International Mineral Property Valuation Standards Template and is part of IMVAL's work to establish consistent international standards for mineral property valuation and reporting. This template is a living document that is updated from time to time and is based on three core values or pillars (Fundamental Principles): Competence, Materiality, and Transparency. Objectivity, Independence, and Reasonableness may be applied as required by national codes or standards. The Template harmonizes international standards for valuation of mineral assets as real property and represents a consensus of current good practices. It is not a stand-alone reporting code and does not supersede existing national reporting standards. The Template deals with mineral-property valuation as distinct from mineral-project evaluation. INTRODUCTION In his 1989 book, “The New Realities”, Peter F. Drucker, Clark Professor of Social Science at Claremont Graduate School, California, stated: “Information is data endowed with relevance and purpose. Converting data into information thus requires knowledge. And knowledge, by definition, is specialized.” (p. 209) The discipline of mineral valuation is knowledge-based and requires a mineral valuer to collect, analyze, and interpret data that are material to a mineral valuation assignment. In so doing, the valuer turns the data into information (data come first, followed by information as determined by the mineral valuer) for use by the client (from whom the valuer obtained the mineral valuation assignment) and other intended users. The valuer uses his or her experience and education (each valuer’s knowledge base) supported by a foundation built upon competency, materiality, and transparency, the three pillars of mineral valuation (“minerals valuation”, “mineral-property valuation”). The International Mineral Valuation Standards Template (“IMVAL Template”, IMVAL”, “Template”), third edition dated May 2018, defines mineral valuation as: “The estimation of the Value of a Mineral Property in money or monetary equivalent. The word ‘valuation’ can be used to refer to the estimated value (the Valuation conclusion) or to refer to the preparation of the estimated Value (the act of valuing).” (p. 14) Furthermore, the IMVAL Template clearly separates valuation from evaluation: “The Template deals with Valuation, which is distinct from Evaluation. The distinction inherent in these defined terms is that Valuation addresses the estimation of value of a Mineral Property, whereas Evaluation addresses the broader assessment of a Mineral Property for an investment decision.” (p. 2)

Jan 1, 2019

By G. M. Brown, B. J. Ebacher, W. G. Koellner

Introduction There is a continual economic push to increase the productivity of mobile material handling equipment used in open pit mines. This includes the largest electrical machines: excavators (draglines and shovels) and haul trucks (Figure 1). Existing DC drive systems used on this type of equipment are a mature technology. They have no further economic potential to accommodate larger equipment be-cause of the high maintenance costs and the trade-off between power, speed and space limitations of their DC traction mo-tors. In recent years the large-scale introduction of AC drives in the rail transportation sector1,and the availability of poworful GTO and IGBT modules have led to the devolopment of compact, powerful, an drugged AC inverter drives specifically adapted to the mining market2,3. The major advantage of AC drives stems from the squirrel cage induction motor which eliminates the DC commutator. This leads directly to higher speed, increased power density, higher reliability, greater efficiency and lower maintenance of the traction motors. In the context of excavators and haul trucks, additional benofits driving the move to AC are (i) increased production rate due to higher machine speed, and power density, (ii) increased reliability and lower cost inverters using 3.3 kV IGBT's, (iii) active front-end (AFE) technology that improves compatibility with the mine power grid and an proved dynamic response,(iv) intelligent converter design that provides increased fault tolerance, (v) contextual maintenance software that facilitates trouble-shooting, and (vi) remote diagnostic capabilities. This paper describes how these and other features of AC drives lead to higher productivity in mining shovels, draglines, and haul trucks. Minimize the cost per ton of material moved The overall goal that drives design and sales of excavators and haul trucks is the constant requirement to reduce the cost per ton of material moved. Whether this involves blasting, loading trucks, or hauling material to the crusher or waste dump, equipment that reduces the cost per ton of material moved contributes to a more profitable operation. An accurate determination of the true cost per ton to move material must consider every aspect of the equipment and the circumstances under which it is used. Procurement and capital costs, fuel, operating, and maintenance costs over the useful life, and eventually the cost of scrapping should all be taken into account to determine the real cost per ton of moving material. We will focus on two broad areas that relate to the equipment itself; factors influencing the amount of material moved (Table I) and factors influencing the cost of material moved (Table II). Emphasis will be given to those elements in the tables that most influence the productivity of excavators and haul trucks due to the application of AC drive technology. Maximize the amount of material moved Maximize production rate he production rate refers to the quantity of material that can be loaded or moved per hour. This generally involves larger, faster, and more powerful equipment that operates more reliably to minimize down-time. AC motors Figure 2 compares the hoist motor speed-torque response of two 77 t (85 short ton) shovels, one AC the other DC. The absence of commutation limits on the AC motors enables the AC shovel to operate with a greater area under the speed-torque curve, resulting in faster lowering speeds and reduced times for the swing to return to the pit. This is especially important for short swing angles where the operator may have to wait for the dipper to lower. Reducing the cycle time by 6 to 8 seconds at the shovel translates into an increase in shovel production of about 20%. Larger equipment The bucket capacity of excavators has increased approximately 100-fold over the last century. Figure 3

Sep 1, 2001

By Mark Liskowich

When is it the proper time to initiate engagement with various stakeholders, including Indigenous communities? This paper will demonstrate what stage of a project’s evolution is the appropriate time to initiate a stakeholder engagement plan. It will look at aspects to consider when identifying the communities to involve. It will describe the contents of a Stakeholder Engagement Management Plan as well and touch on how tried and true options analyses, such as a Multiple Accounts Analysis can be used to inform the results of the engagement, guide the development of your project and clearly document the engagement process. It will illustrate the benefits of initiating engagement at the appropriate point in your project’s schedule, and the limitations of doing so too early and at later stages of the project engineering. The benefits of this approach can be realized within any legislative Jurisdiction including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 and Canada’s new Impact Assessment Act.

Jan 1, 2020

By H. M. Smith

The production of oil during the early development of new oil fields is usually accompanied by large quantities of natural gas. Since in most fields gas under pressure is the main source of the energy causing the oil to move through the sands into the wells and thence to the surface, coincident production of natural gas will continue as long as present-day producing methods are used. Generally the use of this gas is restricted, since markets are not readily available. Consequently, a large portion of the gas produced is often wasted by being blown into the air. The magnitude of gas waste is well brought out in the following statement by Miller: Only a few outstanding examples need be cited to show the enormous production of gas that accompanies the discovery of new sources. In April, 1927, the Ventura field produced approximately 210,000,000 cubic feet of gas a day; and during the summer of 1927 Alamitos Heights reached a peak gas production of 102,000,000 cubic feet a day; on December 1, 1928, as a result of the summer's deeper drilling in the Long Beach field, surplus gas production amounted to 125,000,000 cubic feet a day. It is estimated that in January, 1929, the Santa Fe Springs field will have a daily gas production of 387,000,000 cubic feet from the recently discovered Buckbee oil zone. Of this amount 274,000,000 cubic feet a day will be the surplus above the amount required for field and plant fuel, taken out by utility corporations, and that used in repressuring the Meyer sand which lies above the Buckbee zone. Another example of the waste of large volumes of gas is in the Turner Valley field of Canada, 6 where 250,000,000 cubic feet of gas is being burned daily in flambeaus, as there is no present outlet except at prohibitive cost.

Jan 1, 1931