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ABSTRACT' Mainland Papua New Guinea is formed of a microcontinental / island arc system (?Eocene - latest Oligocene Sepic arc) which in Middle to Late Miocene times was obducted over the northward- moving Australian plate. The sedimentary and volcanic units of this system form part of the Wogamush Group (Aure beds, Mena beds, Omaura Formation, Movi beds, Wogamush beds, Wogamush Formation. Nansananka Conglomerate and other correlates in- eluding cale-alkaline volcanics and carbonate beds). This Sepic event was followed in Pliocene-Present times by the obduction of the Finisterre-Adelbert-Oenake fore-arc or possibly oceanic plateau. Obduction of the Sepic arc produced crustal thickening

Jan 1, 1997

In looking towards 2000, it is more than appropriate that we look back on the history of diamond drilling to give us a better understanding of where we have come from and see the significant advances that have been made.

Jan 1, 1992

The accuracy of an ore reserve is only as good as the geologist's understanding of the deposit. The methods that are applied to resource and reserve estimation reflect that understanding. At the Olympic Dam copper-uranium-gold deposit in South Australia, evolution in the understanding of the controls on mineralisation coupled with the changing demands of the project have led to changes in the approach to reserve estimation. The project has moved into a phase where detailed stope mining reserves are now required as distinct from global ore reserves. The complex nature of the mineralisation and the large amount of data demand that all available information be readily accessible in a flexible format. To enable the selective manipulation of geological and assay information and its characterisation, a relational database has been developed. For reserve calculations themselves, initial computations were based on a system derived from that used for the Kambalda nickel orebodies. The Olympic Dam system differed mainly in the use of statistical analyses in the estimation of grade instead of the previous polygonal area of influence weighting method, Three dimensional weighting techniques are now being used for local reserve estimates. Flexible facilities for raw data handling combined with grade estimation techniques which are commensurate with the mine geologist's understanding, produce detailed gridded and contoured ore zone models suitable for reserve calculations and stope designs.

Jan 1, 1987

The Regional Development Council has initiated a project that aims to find better ways for further investment by extractive industry companies in sustainable regional and community futures. It will be undertaken through collaborative actions that bring together the resources of private and public sector stakeholders in regional Western Australia.   The broad objectives of the project are to: describe and analyse the current situation with respect to the impediments to regional communities being more self sustaining, assess the effectiveness of the current and possible future levels of investment by extractive industry companies in the sustainable development of communities in regional Western Australia, identify and demonstrate collaborative ways in which extractive industry companies in Australia and other countries can play an enhanced role in sustainable regional and community sustainability through strategic engagement and investment; and confirm the effectiveness of the collaborative measures in delivering sustainable outcomes for regional communities by way of attracting and retaining populations and enterprises in Australia and similar environments.

Jun 1, 2010

By Crawford J

The paper asks the question 'Why Limit the HYDROTRANSPORT of material to the confines of your washplant'.A brief historical review of widely accepted slurry transport operation establishes that we are not talking about new technology - simply applying proven experience to an innovative continuous system.The paper reviews a simple potential application and compares capital and operating costs with conventional trucking.No attempt has been made to develop a complete mine plan and the comparison has been limited to material transport costs.

Jan 1, 1992

A unique set of circumstances has devel oped in the Mt. Newman Mining Co. Pty. Limited's project in the Pilbara because the mining town of Newman was built almost entirely by the Company whereas residential areas built by the Company at Port Hedland were developed as an adjunct to an existing town. The following discussion points out the different problems which have been developed in the two areas, even though basically the stand- ard of housing and general amenities is the same, and the means taken to overcome these Problems.

Jan 1, 1973

I've talked a number of times in the past year or so to audiences like today's about culture -about thinking of it, understanding it, respecting it. So, rather than talk just yet about your laws for mining on Aboriginal land and the successes some of us and some of you have been able to achieve, I'd like to first of all talk about cul- ture as I understand it. Anyone who proposes any kind of development on Aborigi- nal land needs to have some basic understanding of what we, the traditional owners of that land, are about. Without that under- standing, you will find difficulty in coming to terms with us. Many people have experienced this difficulty and, unless we can do something about it together, many more will continue to find it.

Jan 1, 1988

By Duncan B

Shortwall continuous mining as first introduced at Burwood colliery, and currently being used at John Darling, Lambton, and Corrimal collieries, is a method of coal winning which was pioneered in the Newcastle district. The system uses individual hydraulic self-advancing chocks for roof support and the coal winning operation is by continuous miners and shuttle cars. Where physical conditions are suitable the system provides a safe, efficient and economically viable basis for pillar extraction. Shortwall operations have been conducted successfully in the Victoria and Dudley seam, near the coastal fringe of the Newcastle district and are now being tried out in the more difficult conditions of the Bulli seam in the Illawarra district.

Jan 1, 1972

Successful management is ultimately measured by return on shareholders' funds. This is the inescapable and inexorable discipline that ultimately rules every investment. Shareholders today are predominantly, and increasingly, the superannuation funds and insurance funds of almost all of us. We have already reached the situation in Australian investment history in which the best interests of employees can be very directly identified with the best interests of the owners of the capital invested.

Jan 1, 1992

The introduction of gravimetric sampling of respirable dust in the mining industry ne- cessitated the standardisation of techniques. The paper reviews the legislation con- trolling respirable dust monitoring for risk assessment purposes, it discusses the actions taken to introduce gravimetric sampling in collieries and it summarises the proposed guidelines. In conclusion, some of the results of dust surveys conducted in accordance with the proposed strategy are discussed.

Jan 1, 1988

By Boehme PW, Gregory OR

The results presented here show quite definitely that in the system investigated the intensity of dispersion is enhanced by switching the flow entry from bottom to sides of the packed trough. Since there is no reason to suppose that this would not be true generally then it is not surprising that the blast furnace dispersion data of Standish and Polthier lie above the data for packed columns with bottom fluid entry. In fact, on the basis of the present results, blast furnace dispersion results can never equal standard packed column behaviour but must always be above these. The result that the intensity of dispersion in the trough model is higher closer to the side ports than away from them is at variance with that of Standish and Polthier blast furnace results. Aside from the obvious structural differences between these two systems, it is thought that the presence of raceways and the tortuous path of the gas flow in the furnace may provide an answer. Clearly this is an important difference in the behaviour of the two systems and further investigations designed to clarify the position would have significant practical value. This would also give an indication of how the furnace D/ud values may be decreased along the whole height - assuming of course that this result gives the best overall performance of the furnace. However, there is to date no knowledge whatsoever about this aspect of blast furnace Technology.

Jan 1, 1975

Over the past decade most, if not all participants in the resources sector have been involved in initiatives to improve margins, reduce costs and improve business profitability. In many cases the initiatives undertaken have fallen short of their stated objectives, and in some cases have resulted in the terminal decline of the underlying business. In reviewing why many such initiatives fail, a common theme of arbitrary cost reduction and a focus on minimising cost as opposed to maximising value and cashflow emerges. This paper proposes a structured process that allows mine owners and managers to develop an understanding of their cost structure and optimise production and cost outcomes from the business. The broad objective of cost optimisation is to create value by getting more out of existing and new assets by focussing on operational areas, particularly production and maintenance. The paper uses practical examples to highlight the application of cost driver trees as a mine improvement tool.

Jan 1, 2002

By Doxford CI, Perry AJ

Mining Lease 908, situated on Gorge Creek near its confluence with the present Cape River system, has been subjected to intensive recent exploration for alluvial gold.The gold is hosted by a buried palaeochannel, the Gorge Creek Lead and by an overlying remnant meander of the Cape River. The principal, if not sole, sources of gold within the Gorge Creek Lead are the northwest trending Great Australian Reef and Green's Specimen Reef systems which are situated on adjacent high ground. Lower grade gold bearing eluvial ground separates the reefs from the Gorge Creek Lead. The sources for gold within the old Cape River system channel (Canton Lead) are thought to be situated some distance upstream, one source perhaps being the Lolworth Diggings located 30 kilometres to the northwest.Exploration of previously "heavily dug" ground on both leads consisted of detailed geological mapping followed by the collection and treatment of bulk samples from eight costeans. The wash samples varied in size from 120 to 396 cubic metres. Treatment was undertaken through a commercial sized conventional wet screen and jig plant.

Jan 1, 1986

A major high grade zinc deposit, Dugald River has fine-grained and complex mineral associations which provide considerable metallurgical challenges for both mineral dressers and downstream processors. A long history of metallurgical testing focusing on mineralogy and flotation concentrate production has shown that while separate lead and zinc concentrates can be produced at saleable grades, high levels of iron, and particularly manganese, are likely to place constraints on the marketing of zinc concentrate produced from deeper zones where coincidentally lode development is at its maximum. Testwork has focused on characterising the flotation response of ore types ranging from banded and stringer sulphides to brecciated ores in a variety of sulphide matrices. A high level of variability with lower than expected metal recoveries has been indicated across some of the higher grade brecciated ores. However, the dominant slatey breccia has generally provided the best results. Heavy media preconcentration testwork has been moderately encouraging and at this stage, although value adding downstream of concentrate production on-site is not seen as an economic option processing developments are being monitored on a broad front. Providing satisfactory means can be developed for handling manganese during downstream processing of the concentrate, it is not difficult to see a world-class operation emerging from the resource in the medium-term Future.

Jan 1, 1993

Shizuyuan deposit is a compound type of greisen and skarn associated' with W,mo,Sn,and BI mineralization. Tungsten-bearing skarns are located at the contacts between carbonate rocks and granitic stock. Ore-bearing greisens occur in the top of granite or superimpose on the skarn rocks. Although mineralization and alteration are heterogeneous,there are clear patterns in the preferred associations of minerals on all scales, and an orderly sequence can be distinguished. The sequence of mineralization Isom bhar. Gsesus-.contactròoctaard is characterized bòyVtia of L, a4[~!kient assemblages W(mo,~P),,,W,(,Mo,Sn,Bi),Sn (Bi), and Sn. Skarn formation is divided into an early sk.arnoid stage and a late metasomatic stage. The skarnoid stage formed grandite garnet and diopside pyroxene in the limestone. The iron content of garnets decreases significantly away from the granite, whereas pyroxenes maintain a relatively constant diopsitic composition. The metasomatic skarn stage is charac- terized by hydrous silicates. The mineral assemblages of. greisens are regularly distributed in space. The feldspar-quartz-fluoride was usually formed in-the deeper part, upwards giving way to muscovite-quartz, and topaz usually occurs in the uppermost part. The distribution, and miner- alogical relationships of alteration facies suggest that they formed as a result of the progressive reaction of an ascending hydrothermal solution with aluminum-nearing limestones an-d granitic rocks respectively. The ore elements were mobilized and deposited in association. with hydrosilicate alteration of skarns and greisens.

Jan 1, 1987

University education in Australia is changing, driven by greater market orientation, reduced funding available per student, especially in the higher-cost minerals industry disciplines, and the call for more flexible delivery of subjects and courses to meet changing lifestyles and expectations. The opportunity exists for a true partnership to develop between industry, government and academia that will reshape minerals education in Australia and secure the future supply of the specialists industry needs to maintain international competitiveness. If this partnership does not emerge, it is anticipated that AustraliaÆs somewhat fragmented and unstable higher education system, especially in the disciplines of particular relevance to the minerals industry, will be put under further pressure so decreasing its effectiveness to produce quality graduates. The Minerals Council of Australia in 1998 published æBack from the BrinkÆ, a discussion paper which proposed strategies to build a world class minerals tertiary education system in Australia. Those strategies are now being implemented collaboratively with principal emphasis on the disciplines of mining engineering, metallurgy and earth science and as far as process is concerned, on the necessity to æcooperate to competeÆ. For metallurgy, the challenge is to integrate more closely undergraduate teaching with the existing world-class research centres and to link the tertiary institutions in such a manner that the strengths of all components are harnessed and then made available nationally in major population centres and at remote sites where appropriate. For industry the challenge is to build effective partnerships with the academic community that will enable and assist the agreed course of action to take place.

Jan 1, 2000

Data logged on mineral beneficiation processes during normal operation are analysed using time series (correlation and spectral) methods to identify the dynamics of the processes for on-line computer control. Recursive least squares estimation techniques are used to identify parametric models for a cassiterite flotation circuit and a coal washery. Identification problems such as the determination of model order, process time delays and the 'contamination' of the data by process recycle streams (feedback) are discussed. Typical results are presented in which optimised models are identified from data logged during normal operation.

Jan 1, 1985

By Heinrich CA, Wall VJ, Walshe JL

The Porgera Gold Mine, located in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, has produced over 5 million ounces of Au, since its opening in late 1990. The deposit is located within Upper Cretaceous Papuan Platform sediments approximately 25 km south of the Lagaip Fault, and is spatially and temporally associated with the 6 Ma alkaline Porgera Intrusive Complex.

Jan 1, 1995

By Riel RG

Nickel and cobalt mineralisation at the Murrin Murrin deposits, in the North Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia, occurs within laterites developed on Archaean serpentinised peridotite units. Lateritic weathering of the peridotite has produced a resource of 116.8 Mt at 1.10 per cent Ni and 0.082 per cent Co (resource at May 1996 with a 0.8 per cent Ni cut-off; see Fazakerley and Monti, this volume). The mineralogy of the Murrin Murrin laterites was investigated to identify the minerals hosting significant Ni mineralisation. Laterite profiles were studied using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), impregnated polished thin sections, and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) Electron Microprobe analysis, of RC percussion drill chips. This paper summarises the results of these studies, and briefly discusses the nature of the minerals hosting Ni mineralisation.

Jan 1, 1996

Qualitative measurement of respirable dust in metal mines is limited and an example of this is demonstrated at Northparkes Mine, where operational experience was sought for measuring dust standards and identifying exposure limits. However, relying on operational experience has limited value due to variation in observations from person to person and is based on visible dust (which is larger in size than respirable dust). However, with sophisticated dust measuring equipment, like the real-time aerosol monitor, dust concentrations can be accurately measured and recorded concisely. Research conducted as part of a collaborative agreement on behalf of Northparkes to launch an occupational dust monitoring program was implemented on the mine site. To form the basis of this research, it was hypothesised that no proper dust measuring testing at the mine site had been adequately identified. In addition, existing occupational hygiene monitoring programs did not adequately quantify employee exposures to these hazards. This project will outline the results of an occupational dust monitoring program, hence greatly improving the capacity to quantify the health risks posed to employees.

Jan 1, 2008