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The man in the street (and no doubt most members of the Institute) thinks of wire, if he gives it any thought at all, as a most commonplace commodity. It is an accepted necessity, and like most necessities is taken for granted, unless a shortage in one or other of its multitudinous forms or products causes inconvenience.For many years Australia has ·been a large consumer of wire, particularly for fencing. With the rapid development of secondary industry the demand has increased in both size and character until at the present time much of the wire produced in this country is used as raw material for subsequent manufacturing processes. The call has been of so varied a nature that the Newcastle Wire Mills now turn out a greater variety of wire types than any other single plant in the world.In this paper, the aim is to provide a picture of the manufacturing, properties, and uses of wire. No attempt is made to cover the subject in any detail, as the field is much too broad for anything other than general treatment. Many phases, particularly in regard to manufacturing processes, are, therefore, dealt with cursorily, but it is hoped that the paper will, without delving too deeply into the technical aspects of Wire production, give a general appreciation of:- (a) How steel wire is made. (b) The remarkable physical characteristics obtained by judicious combination of chemical composition, heat treatment, and subsequent cold work. (c) The uses of steel wire.HISTORY.Best known of the early references to wire is that appearing in Exodus, where mention is made of gold wire being used for the sacerdotal robes of Aaron. However, the period in question, about B.O. 1491, is comparatively modern history as far as wire is concerned, for specimens believed to have been made about B.O. 4600 have been found. It is fairly certain that the Egyptians produced iron wire in B.O. 4000. Of particular interest is the

Jan 1, 1947

By D J. Brake

There are many sources of gas in underground mines including development and production blasting, strata gases, spontaneous combustion, diesel equipment, chemicals used for a wide range of functions, welding activities and fires.It is only in relatively recent times that electronic gas monitors (or detectors) have become both safe and affordable for routine use.In modern mines, gas monitors should be in daily use by the ventilation department as well as blasting re-entry (or clearance) crews, and are often used by drilling crews, shift supervisors, hygienists and mine rescue or fire fighting crews.When first released, electronic gas monitors needed to be sent off-site periodically for calibration at a suitable accredited laboratory. Between calibrations, their accuracy was unknown. More recently, ‘bump testing’ and field calibration has become possible on the mine site, improving both reliability and safety as well as reducing the total number of gas monitors that need to be in use.There has been almost an overwhelming increase in the number and sophistication of gas monitor features in recent years. This paper reports on a case study into the key criteria that ventilation practitioners should be aware of with respect to the specification and selection of the most recent gas monitoring systems, and recommends good practice for site-based operation and calibration.CITATION:Brake, D J, 2015. Specification and selection of hand-held gas monitors (detectors) for underground mines, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference, pp 143–154 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 31, 2015

The Australian coal industry has undergone sevenfold growth over the last 30 years and since 1985 has been the world's largest coal exporter. Three quarters of Australia's coal production is exported so its future is dependent on it remaining internationally competitive with other energy sources and other coal exporting countries. Coal is likely to increase its share of the energy market during the nine- ties as oil prices increase, new coal-fired capacity is commissioned and some form of nuclear energy is developed which is of acceptable safety standards to the community for use in the 21st century. Gas may take a part of coal's anticipated market share by the Year 2000. While coal exports will increase from China, Colombia, Indonesia and Venezuela and satisfy some of this additional coal demand Australia will also expand its export production, due to its existing advantages. The United States, Canada, South Africa, Poland and USSR seem unlikely to enjoy the same degrees of expansion and some, particularly Poland and USSR, will decline. Australia will always find it difficult to compete in the more distant markets due to levels of ocean freight, although its high quality coals will tend to partly offset such disadvantage.

Jan 1, 1988

By Rowlands N. J, Zimmermann D. O

The Engel Model search simulator is described with particular emphasis on preparation of input parameters. The computer has a "black box" role in the same way a telephone or radio is a "black box" in communications. A search technique (sensor) is selected and applied in two stages of'search, namely, reconnaissance and detailed. The model relies on knowing and quantifying the parameters of the target sought and the search technique; this is usually done by analogy studies from available literature and experience. The parameters are then balanced by feasibility studies on the search area. Case histories show that the study makes the user aware of what he is likely to find rather than what he wants or needs to find to be viable. Two case histories are presented: one for Mississippi Valley type lead- zinc deposits and another for stratiform copper. The first study showed particular benefits in the input stage and highlighted the fact that one could expect a lot of encouragement by way of interesting results but with little chance of finding the high-grade,

Jan 1, 1974

By D J. Kilkenny

Work practices involved in shaft construction can be aligned with current industry standard operating practices. However, the working environment during conventional shaft construction introduces unique conditions which can not always be overcome by hard engineering controls. To provide an improved working environment, future shaft diameters will generally be greater than has historically been the case for the Australian hard rock mining industry. This paper aims to explore both what can be constructed from the contractors perspective, and how does an owner extract maximum business efficiency from an asset that in many ways is likely to be larger, more complex and more expensive than initially envisaged.Newcrest Mining Limited, or an associated company, has constructed two major shafts over the last seven years. In both cases, Byrnecut Mining, or an associated company, was the contractor engaged for the shaft sinking activity. The first is the 1127 m deep, 7.0 m diameter production and intake airway at the Telfer Gold Mine, the second is a 295 m deep, 5.5 m diameter split shaft at the Gosowong Gold Project in Indonesia that was primarily designed as both an intake and exhaust airway. Importantly both shafts are designed to provide emergency egress from the respective underground operations.From an Australian shaft sinking perspective, the construction of these two shafts resulted in the following learnings: •constructability is of equal importance to desired functionality;•allow six months of interactive design between the owner/engineer/contractor/regulator to get it right;•shaft sinking and equipping are intimately entwined, therefore engineering of both needs to be complete prior to any activity commencing; and•the mobilisation of both equipment and experienced personnel to a new shaft sink takes up to eight months.Shaft sinking is not extinct in the Australian hard rock mining industry. But, if you are considering constructing a shaft, approach it as a long life asset, front end planning to a high level of detail is required to unlock its full value. Think – plan – think and remember it’s going to take 12 months to get from the whiteboard to firing the first cut.

Mar 21, 2011

By Umetsu Y, Su Qing-quan

The electrical conductivity of electrolytes is very important in metal electrowinning and electrorefining processes as it has a very large influence on the energy consumption. There are few measurements of the electrical conductivity of zinc electrowinning electrolytes available. The electrical conductivity of zinc electrowinning electrolytes were measured over the following range of concentrations, 100 to 200 g/L H2SO4, 0 to 80 g/L Zn and 0 to 20 g/L Mg, at temperatures from 25 to 60 C. The specific conductivity of zinc electrowinning electrolytes may be expressed as a function of concentrations of sulphuric acid, zinc and magnesium and temperature by the following equation: k(S/cm) = 0.004 + 0.00115 t + 0.00282 [H2SO4] t - 0.00114 [M] t + 0.3442 [H2SO4] - 0.0451 [1-12SO4]2 - 0.1058 [M]ò[H2SO4] - 0.0224 (M] + 0.0286 [M] 2 where t is temperature (C), [H2S04](moI/L) is sulphuric acid concentration and [M](mol/L) is a sum of zinc and magnesium concentrations, ([Zn]+[Mg]). The specific conductivity of zinc electrolytes is a function of the concentrations of the hydrogen ion and free water molecule, which are calculated by taking into account the second ionisation constant of sulphuric acid and the stability- constants of zinc-sulphate and magnesium-sulphate complexes at 25 C.

Jan 1, 1993

Designing for early access to deep orebodies is an essential driver for improved project payback. Vertical shaft sinking techniques have been developed to allow concurrent mine level excavation while continuing to sink. Project cash flows can also be improved when simultaneously deepening existing shafts beneath operating hoisting systems. Further economic advantage has been realised through creative sinking sequencing in twin ventilation/service shaft projects. A fourth technique to reduce project schedules involves partial shaft barrel equipping allowing unrestricted access to construct stations and continue with level installations. This approach reduces interference with barrel sinking activities to insignificant proportions. This paper reviews how these approaches have added significant value to actual shaft sinking projects, as assessed from a contractorÆs perspective, and discusses some of the practical issues to be addressed when planning future projects. Designers need to take cognisance throughout all project engineering phases of the adage that you are only sinking when cleaning the face. Cleaning can only be sustained when there is sufficient hoisting capacity.

Jan 1, 2005

By A G. Noble

Tunnelling for hydro-electric power projects can be a very challenging component of the overall development. In contrast to urban transportation tunnelling where the logistics for access and supply of power, water and other essentials are readily available, hydropower projects are usually in very remote locations and all necessary plant, equipment, spares and materials need to be brought in and the site must function as a self sufficient unit.For a large scheme the river diversion tunnel(s) are usually on the initial phase critical path in order to meet the non-negotiable deadline of river diversion before the onset of the wet season. A newly formed tunnelling crew, once mobilised to the site for the project, will face the first major learning curve of the project’s systems and logistics during this critical tunnelling activity.Power tunnels convey the water to the turbines in the powerhouse and are usually on the critical path for the main works, especially if the scheme comprises a powerhouse located within an underground cavern. A modern cavern arrangement requires a complex warren of various openings: access adits, ventilation/cable tunnels, shafts, surge tunnels, etc.Hydropower tunnel construction tends to be dominated by tunnel boring machine (TBMs) or drill-and-blast excavation techniques and each has its challenges in very remote locations. TBMs still have long lead times as for any type of project, but additionally require a thorough roads and bridges infrastructure assessment of the country from the port of entry to the site to ensure a problem-free delivery. In some cases the project also requires the establishment of a complete precast concrete segment production facility and the space for creation of laydown areas; there is no ‘just-in-time’ delivery mechanism applicable to typical remote hydropower sites.This paper highlights the technical and risk management considerations in the planning, design and construction of tunnels for hydropower projects. It contrasts the typical factors that govern the design of urban transportation tunnels with those for remote hydropower tunnels. The perspectives of stakeholders are provided including those of international lenders. With examples from large and small scale projects across the globe it provides an insight to all parties and in particular, those tunnellers that are working in the hydropower field for the first time.

Mar 8, 2011

By D Veneziano, J Van Dyck, R Snow, W Pytel, O Zanoli

Best practice standards generally recommend assessment of the environmental and societal risks posed by tailings storage facilities, but they rarely specify how the analysis should be made. As a case study, this paper describes a safety assessment of the Zelazny Most tailings pond operated by the Hydrotechnical Unit of KGHM Polska Miedz SA in Poland. The complete assessment includes a failure mode effect criticality analysis (FMECA) that considers all conceivable failure modes, but this paper focuses on one key mode, the loss of stability during the planned raising of the crest above its current level. Reliability against static dam failure considers uncertainty on the safety factor in a limit equilibrium approach. The threat of dynamic (earthquake induced) instability is assessed by developing a model of future seismicity as a function of the mining plan and considering uncertainty on the induced permanent displacements along critical sliding surfaces. We quantify the additional level of protection against outflow provided by the beach using an event tree with expert-assigned probabilities. Continuous monitoring of the dam for premonitory signs of instability and a set of loss-prevention plans in the case of a spill provide additional layers of protection; their effectiveness is quantified by estimating the fraction of the population that could be evacuated as a function of warning time. The probabilistic analysis indicates that the safety targets are met and produces practical recommendations on how to maintain and improve the safety level while the dam crest is raised above its current level.CITATION:Van Dyck, J, Pytel, W, Veneziano, D, Snow, R and Zanoli, O, 2015. Safety of a tailings storage facility against dam instability, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century , pp 253–262 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 27, 2015

The segment of the Upper Cenozoic volcanic chain (CVZ) located on the western border of South America (16-28¦S lat.) is constituted by an association of strato- volcanoes and ignimbrite sheets, with high K calco-alkaline affinities. Strata-bound volcanoes, mainly of andesitic and dacitic composition, present along the whole chain, and various hydrothermal alteration zones, on the slopes and in the cores of eroded volcanic structures. Some of these altera- tion zones bear epithermal precious metal ores and sulphur deposits, which at present are being exploited. The studied Salar de Gorbea area, located in the Andes of northern Chile (25-26¦S lat.) contains a numer- ous group of Miocene to Quaternary stratovolcanoes, with advanced argillic and extreme silicification hydrothermal alteration in their cores and on their slopes, favoring the formation of great volumes of alunite within altered zones and sulphur deposits in the higher parts of the volcanic edifices. Simultaneously, siliceous hydrothermal breccia of the phreato-magmatic type, with evidences of hydromag- matic explosions are recognizable, allowing, in some cases, the ascent towards the surface of rock fragments belonging to the Paleozoic pre volcanic basement. Radiometric ages obtained in some of the hydro- thermal alteration zones (K-Ar in alunite) are slighty young- er than the unaltered rocks which constitute the strato- volcano. Trace element (Hg, As, Sb, S, Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo) patterns in orientative rock samplings show that the studied alterations zones correspond to high sectors of the cpithermal system, without evidences of metallic minerali- zation on surface. The weak erosive action due to the ex- tremely and climatic conditions in this segment of the Andes, has not allowed the cropping out of deeper areas of the hydrothermal alteration zones, in contrast to other Miocene more eroded volcanic edifices and Miocene vol- canic terranes of the Andean Range.

Jan 1, 1987

In an area north of Mowit Ica chip sampling of limonitic outcrops on a regional scale led to the investigation of a number of areas considered to be geochemically anomalous for copper and zinc. These areas were closely gridded,end where geochemical results were favourable, they were subsequently drilled or ro¦titeaned Che results indicated that for copper Lne anomalies were mainly associated wiL_ ironstone formed in areas of faulting. is suggested that copper is able to move considerable distances by ground water movement and is likely to be fixed under conditions of low pH. The movement of zinc is more difficult to explain but it appears to have an affinity for iron and is only deposited in areas having a high pH (i.e. doioiirific scdimet=Cs).

Jan 1, 1973

By Bartosiewicz H

A method for the determination of the gas content of coal seams is presented which improves upon existing methods. The method makes use of a gravitational technique for measurement of the gas desorbed. The amount of lost gas is estimated by determining an empirical relationship relating the desorption of gas with time for each sample separately. This is to replace the assumption that desorp- tion follows a square root law with time. Laboratory investigations have been conducted which indicate that the square root desorption law does not hold good for carbon dioxide. Results of investigations on various factors influencing the technique are presented. It is shown that co-efficients of the empirical equation are dependent upon the elapsed time and the period of observation. Data about gas pressure measurements is presented and it is concluded that gas pressure can be approxi- mated to 0.6 times the pressure below a column of water equal to the depth of cover. This estimate is good enough for adsorption tests to evaluate desorption co-efficients. The technique for repressurisation of the sample,

Jan 1, 1982

By E C. Holloway

"The financial valuation of mining assets has a number of fundamental differences to the valuation of many other asset groupings. One such difference is that typically, the greater proportion of both the cost and revenue sides of the cash flow are inherently governed by systemic market forces.As a result, the range of outcomes for the valuation of each mining asset is more unpredictable, with higher levels of risk and uncertainty. In contrast, the management function of many other non-mining businesses or industry groups can control at least a portion of the cash flow by maintaining the margin or controlling the sales price. The management teams of mining businesses and operations typically have limited options, and are thus price-takers for both costs and revenues. As mining is an inherently cyclical industry, large, long-life operations can exist through several price cycles, making valuation both subjective and challenging.The outcomes of both static- and stochastic-based valuations, as well as the internal probabilities of the associated cash flow statements, are significantly impacted when the correlations between the appropriate parameters are quantified, modelled and incorporated into the valuation framework. The appropriate parameters for correlation modelling primarily include those that are governed by systemic market forces. Applying this process results in a different risk profile for the asset by allowing the risks resulting from systemic market movements to be more accurately quantified and then objectively minimised. This process also reduces the level of residual uncertainty in the valuation outcome.This paper presents a valuation methodology to pragmatically incorporate this level of valuation sophistication and statistically quantify the associated increase in the level of confidence of the valuation outcomes reported.CITATION:Holloway, E C, 2016. Correlated valuation methodology, in Proceedings Project Evaluation 2016, pp 181–200 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 8, 2016

By Budden J. R, Rhodes M. K

Bacterial oxidation technology was successfully applied in a mine site pilot plant for the treatment of refractory gold concentrates. The bacterial culture was proven capable of selectively breaking down the refractory sulphide minerals to release the gold. Gold extractions greater than 90 per cent were possible when oxidised concentrate was leached with cyanide solution. The pilot plant was designed using data scaled up from laboratory testing and sized for transport by standard vehicles. The bacterial culture used to break down the refractory gold-bearing mineral was a natural mixed culture able to withstand temperatures up to 55¦C, thus making the technology particularly suitable for use in Australian and in some North American gold mining regions. The pilot plant was operated at the mine site over a six month period. Performance of the bacterial oxidation technology under site conditions was as predicted from the laboratory testing. It was demonstrated that the culture was robust under normal site condi- tions and that the culture could withstand wide variations in the feed and the operating conditions, while still achieving satisfactory oxidation levels. The technology was able to be utilised by site operators and supervisors with minimum intervention. Design data for a commercial facility was collected for a number of different concentrate samples and a feasibility study completed. Estimated capital and operating cost have been obtained.

Jan 1, 1991

This study is to compare reinforcement of rebar and spiral bolts using laboratory pull-out test. For this purpose, the pull-out test was performed in laboratory for a curing period of 7- and 28-days. Based on the results of the laboratory pull-out test, the pull-out load of two support members rapidly increased with displacement until the breakpoint and then gently increased with displacement. The maximum pull-out load of spiral bolt was larger than that of rebar bolt. This implies that a spiral bolt is more stable than a rebar bolt for securing the stability of a ground or rock mass when a support was installed in a ground or rock mass under the same condition. In addition, the maximum external pressure of two support members increased with pull-out load and with displacement and the distribution of external pressure was commonly larger at the upper part than at the lower part of specimen. This indicates that the bond failure location by pull-out load should be mainly occurred at the surface portion of specimen. In conclusion, the reinforcing effect of a support depends on a curing period and a type of support member, and reinforcement of a spiral bolt is more effective than that of a rebar bolt.

Dec 6, 2010

By Kirkhouse C. B

Soon after the Broken Hill Limited started operations at their Iron and Steel Works at Newcastle, NSW, it was found necessary to install a mill for rolling small merchant bars, rounds, etc.An arrangement of the first mill laid down is shown on Plate 1., Fig. 1. This mill commenced operations on the 18th July, 1917.The feed for this mill was rolled in the existing 18-in. mill and sheared to the lengths required before being delivered to the billet storage yard. The billet storage yard is 90 ft. span, and is served by one 10-ton electric overhead travelling crane. Billets were placed on the billet bed preparatory to being charged into the heating furnace.The heating furnace was of the continuous recuperative with end discharge and had a hearth 40 ft. long by 10 ft. wide. The billets were pushed through the furnace by means of two hydraulic rams, which could either act together and push one row of billets, or act singly and push two rows of billets. This furnace was fired by producer gas from the producers shown on Plate I., Fig. l.The gas was conveyed to the furnace by means of a brick underground flue.

Jan 1, 1935

By Brinkmann J. R

In the narrow stopes of South African gold mines, rockbreaking is carried out by drilling and blasting with safety fuse and igniter cord being used as the initiation system. The fuse/gniter cord system is used primarily because of its low cost, however several limitations of this method include: inaccurate delay time, unreliable firing, inflexible application to varied configurations, and the absence of dynamic interaction between holes. Alternative initiation systems that incorporate millisecond timing are being developed to overcome the limitations of fuse(tgniter cord systems. Current investigations by the Stoping Technology Division of the Chamber of Mines Research Organization (COMRO) into the effects of millisecond initiation are being conducted at a deep test site. Experimental blasts using various millisecond delays and the independent firing of holes with fuse/igniter cord are being studied in order to quantify the influence of delay time on the blasting process and to identify the best methods of applying millisecond initiation systems. The effect of design variables such as delay time, hole firing pattern, stemming, and panel layout are discussed. Blast results including throw distance and direction, muckpile profile and rock cleaning times are used in the discussion of different combinations of blasting variables.

Jan 1, 1990

By M Svartsjaern, D Saiang and K Mäkitaavola

The Kiirunavaara mine is a large-scale (28 Mt/a) iron ore mine located in northern Sweden. The mine is owned and operated by Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB) using sublevel caving (SLC). The SLC area underlies an open pit decommissioned in the 1950s, the current main SLC haulage level is situated at an depth of 1100 m. The main orebody dips 60 degrees to the east with a distinct boundary defining the hanging wall to the east and footwall to the west. Since the 1980s damage has been observed both in the footwall rock mass as well as on the footwall crest of the open pit. Recent investigations indicate that the underground footwall damage is primarily controlled by large-scale slope failure mechanisms. Structurally controlled near-vertical planar shear failures in the upper footwall appear to be driven or facilitated by a step-path like curved shear failure situated in a zone starting ca 250 m, and intersecting the SLC about 100 m above the active mining level. To confirm this failure evolution a pilot underground measuring system has been designed and installed to monitor the expected rock mass displacements indicated by numerical models based on the above mechanisms. The systems consists of 50 m time domain reflectometry (TDR) coaxial cables installed in the footwall both across and away from an estimated damage extent boundary to monitor shear movements along natural joint surfaces. The TDR installation is combined with long extensometers to facilitate differentiation between diffuse shear and rock mass normal expansion. Additionally, a low-tech system of tape extensometer lines are installed in drifts and stopes running perpendicular to the ore strike to monitor horizontal displacements in the infrastructure as the footwall ‘slope’ loses confinement during mining advance when the mined out areas are replaced by caved rock from the hanging wall.CITATION:Svartsjaern, M, Saiang, D and Mäkitaavola, K, 2016. Underground footwall monitoring at the sublevel caving mine – Kiirunavaara, Sweden, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 773–780 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Whitworth N, Anderson P

New plant has been commissioned to treat off-gases from the Fluo-solids Reactor in the Copper Smelter. The new section of plant was built onto an operating system and commissioned with minimum disruption to production. Under construction is a 270 m tall stack for Lead Smelter gases. Additional items for the Lead Smelter will include a new gas cooler, a central baghouse to replace Sinter Plant wet gas scrubbers, a new exhaust fan on the main baghouse, and ducting of drossing gases to the main baghouse. Emphasis is given to discussing improvements the new plant has made to working conditions, the general environment and increased production capability. Total expenditure in the two smelters is in the order of $25 million.

Jan 1, 1978

By P Klaric, N Swart, S Barnes

The recent advances in digital imaging technology, specifically around photogrammetry, have facilitated precision measurement in the difficult conditions encountered in an underground development mining environment. With the recent downturn in the resources industry, many mining houses have begun to focus on cost reduction projects and driving efficiencies. The application of digital photogrammetry has allowed greater insight into the development mining cycle and supported a focus on areas where efficiencies and cost savings can be achieved. Data collation, via digital image capture, can be completed with minimal disruption to the development mining cycle with analyses taking a nominal time to process and interpret. The result can be a stark visual representation of the result of blasting and associated activities of the development mining cycle. Many millions of dollars of benefit can be derived from understanding the impact of each component of the development mining process, with some of the biggest savings associated with conformance to drill design and the minimisation of overbreak during blasting. This paper will explain the image capture process, analyses and instigated improvement opportunities that were undertaken at a number of mine sites to improve efficiencies and drive savings in their development mining processes.CITATION:Klaric, P, Swart, N and Barnes, S, 2017. Digital imaging provides valuable insights into underground development mining, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2017, pp 129–134 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 16, 2017