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Over the last ten years geological and mining software products have evolved greatly. Software companies developing such products have focussed almost exclusively on the development of technical aspects of the applications, addressing geological, ore reserve estimation and mine planning problems. These specialist applications, and the many other new technologies that are being developed by a myriad of niche developers, are an essential part of todayÆs hi-tech mining operations. Technology is also being used in many other areas to improve the mining process and there is no doubt that tremendous advances are being made in all these fields. Yet there is something missing. The manner in which the technologies are used and implemented has led to the creation of many independent and inefficient æislands of technologyÆ where a variety of products from different vendors are used to address different, but related problems. Problems occur with unreliable information, data duplication, data redundancy and transferring data between applications that may be incompatible or even run on different computer platforms. These problems impede the flow and availability of information and hamper day-to-day decision-making by mine management. A solution to this problem is to take a holistic view of all the various technical applications and incorporate them into a single information technology solution. This solution must encompass all of the information requirements of a mining operation and must provide facilities that address much of the modern thinking about mine management, including strategic mine planning, value management, key performance indicators, and maintenance of a mineral balance sheet. Gemcom is developing an Integrated Resource Asset Management System (IRAMS), which is an enterprise-wide integrated computer system that encompasses various applications typically found at a mining operation. The core component of the system is a common, open, industry standard database that can be shared by many users from each of the different departments at a mine. Around that central repository are the primary applications that provide the mine with information it needs to operate. Ensuring that the information is reliable, accurate, shareable, timely and consistent will eliminate many inefficiencies, and provide significant benefits to mining companies. In turn these benefits will lead to significant improvements in decision-making, productivity and profitability for the operation. The initial version of the IRAMS system is currently being implemented at the De Beers Venetia Mine in South Africa. The system is being built around a core repository using the Microsoft æBack OfficeÆ architecture, and incorporates key technical applications from Gemcom, Whittle, De Beers Technical Team, Wenco and JKTech. The benefits of enterprise-wide systems have long been recognised in the commercial arena and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, JD Edwards and MIMS are becoming commonplace in the mining industry. The more forward looking software developers and mining companies realise the need for efficient management of the information gathered during the mining process and can see that the concepts used in ERP systems apply equally to the technical applications as they did to commercial applications. The use of IT in the mining industry has expanded tremendously over the last five years as enabling technology and management acceptance has become more prevalent, and there is considerable room for dramatic growth over the next five years. The evolution of geological and mining software has now reached the stage where mines will yield the greatest returns by integrating the applications used in each area of their operations.

Jan 1, 1999

LESLIE BRADFORD GOLDEN JUBILEE ORATION "Not only a metallurgist but a scientist of the highest order" Leslie Bradford and the Australian Metallurgical Industry

Jan 1, 1987

This is the time of year tor the presidential address, and with the present incumbent engaged in the coal mining industry, it will therefore come as no surprise to you that the theme of my address this evening is concerned with coal.There are other reasons for this apart from my contact with the coal industry. At present, coal is supplying considerable overseas revenue at a time when the remainder of the mining market is in a somewhat depressed state. That times will change goes without saying, if history is to be believed.However, so far so good for coal. My first reaction when The Institute indicated its wish that I be president for 1976 was to become deeply conscious of the honour bestowed on me.On consideration, I realized that very few past presidents have been intimately connected with the coal mining industry to the extent of indulging in it for lengthy periods as a full time occupation or, conversely, a part time interest for a long time. It also appears that not one had started their career in the industry. In my case, 'also, there were 8 very interesting years ,as a gold miner and metallurgist before commencing in coal.It therefore seemed appropriate to endeavour to discover ,why this should be so, as coal mining is now a very important part of a very important industry. What were the reasons why the industry took so long to emerge when there were ample reserves of easily accessible coal?Frankie and Johnnie in their bar room epic of the depression years concluded, and I paraphrase, that "their story held no moral, their story told no tale". If my story has such a message, it could perhapsbe construed as reinforcing the oft-repeated dictums, true or false, that "history repeats itself" or "man never learns".Coal mining is by far our oldest major Australian industry except for agriculture. Its history is almost as old as that of settlement:For various reasons, there has been a glamour associated with metal mining ventures which prob...

Jan 1, 1976

By Laing W. P

Sedimentary structures are described from the WiIlyama Complex, New South Wales. Their presence confirms lithological layering within the metasediments as bedding. These primary structures occur not only in low grade rocks as previously reported by other workers, but also in areas of medium and high grade metamorphism.Sedimentary structures include graded beds, cross beds, ripple marks, and ball and pillow structures.The observed parallelism of the early schistosity and bedding in the Broken Hill area has previously led to the idea of transposition by isoclinal folding.In the areas mapped, small scale transposition is precluded on the basis of1. uniform facing of sedimentary structures over wide areas, and2. the existence of large areas in which the early schistosity is oblique to bedding.

Jan 1, 1975

By Thornton D, Firth B, Kojovic T, Brien G, O&apos

Coal fragmentation is a function of coal type and mining process. Each unit step in the mining, handling and crushing chain of coal imparts energy to the material and impacts on size degradation and consequent mineral matter liberation and pla

Jan 1, 1998

By Gross A. E, Neville P. C

Over the last decade heap leaching with a cement binder has allowed the economical leaching of low grade gold ores of less than 2 grams/tonne. Despite the continued use of cement as an agglomeration aid, numerous leaching operations continue to experience channelling and blinding problems. This paper describes the development of polymeric agglomeration aids, Extract Ore 9760 and 9960, which when used as a partial cement or lime replacement can result in a higher rate of and/or a higher total gold recovery in plant evaluations. Extract Ore in combination with cement acts to produce a stronger agglomerate which results in reduced fines migration during leaching and helps prevent blinding of the heap. Both of these changes will give a more even flow of cyanide solution throughout the heap and improve solution contact efficiency within the ore. Polymeric agglomeration aid programs are now being used by heap leaching operations in three different countries. A summary of benefits identified at some of these operations are presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 1994

By Wylie A. W, Jarrett R. G

Two versions of a radiometric-type caliper for measuring borehole diameter are described. One, based on the bow-spring principle, is suitable for percussion (exploration) drill holes. The other, which utilizes hemispherical wall contactors actuated by springs, is suitable for blast holes. Both utilize low-power radioactive sources and employ a scintillation detector to measure the "inverse-square law" response of the device to changes in borehole radius. The performance of the device is examined and examples of its use are illustrated.

Jan 1, 1976

By B OÆNeil

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a 386 km long navigation route through central Ontario between Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, and is operated by the Parks Canada Agency. Its primary focus is to pass recreational boats through a system of 44 locks. The Big Chute Marine Railway (BCMR) is one site in the system that provides transportation for boats. The BCMR carriage is used to transport boats and their passengers on the inclined railway a distance of 230 m over a natural barrier from one body of water to another, with an elevation difference of 18 m. The unique feature of the haulage system used in this application is the variable angle of the incline from about 20 per cent rise changing to horizontal and followed by 20 per cent decline. In such conditions, unlike as in standard incline haulage, special configuration of hoists and drives is required. On the uphill part of the track, there is a need to have a motoring mode, on the downhill part a regenerating mode and on the horizontal part a combination of motoring and regeneration is required. The original system was built in 1978 and employed four 100 hp dc drive mine hoists to haul the 100 tonne conveyance loaded with 90 tonnes of boats. Due to failures and operational problems with the original system, in 1999 Parks Canada awarded a turnkey contract to ABB for a new, modern system of four single drum hoists. The new system was put into operation in 2000, only six months after receiving the order. The hoists are controlled by digital drives and a digital control system. Due to dramatic changes in the load conditions for individual hoists involved, the new system features many interesting solutions like changing drive modes from speed to torque control and a multiple, regulated braking system. It is a unique hoisting system, which could be also used in mining applications.

Jan 1, 2005

Formed in 1965 to investigate the bauxite deposits on the Gove Peninsula, in the Northern Territory of Australia, Nabalco Pty. Limited undertook to determine the feasibility of establishing a mining operation and alumina plant of at least 500 000 tonne/year capacity. The drilling programme undertaken and the analytical methods, assumptions and criteria used to define practicably extractable bauxite are described. The ore characteristics and the interpretation of results used to evaluate the reserves are detailed. The operating techniques developed in mining ten per cent of the reserves and variations experienced between indicated and actual mining are examined and discussed.

Jan 1, 1979

By A K. Bhatnagar, S Saha, P Dixit, A K. Mukherjee, P Patra

TATA Steel’s R&D Division at Jamshedpur has developed a slime beneficiation process to recover iron values from iron ore slime. This process recovers iron ore concentrate containing 2.2 per cent alumina from a feed containing 7–10 per cent alumina. The reject generated from beneficiation of iron ore slime is treated as waste as the iron content in the reject is below 45 per cent. Effective utilisation of this waste is required for making the iron ore slime beneficiation process a zero-waste technology. In this connection several studies were made towards utilisation of slime waste. One of these studies revealed that slime waste can be used as a soil conditioner. Slime waste contains particles of size less than 10 micron and when these particles are mixed with soil in definite proportions, the porosity and the permeability of the mixture goes down. As a result, the water holding capacity (WHC) improves. This concept was evaluated through a series of tests at greenhouse level to optimise the soil to slime ratio. Finally, a pilot scale field trial was carried out over a period of three months using paddy rice as the crop. Three separate plots with compositions of: soil + organic matter comprising Farmyard Manure (FYM), (ii) soil and slime waste (2:1) + organic matter (FYM), and (iii) soil and slime waste (2:1) + organic matter (FYM) + Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) fertiliser were used for the pilot trial. The results showed a 20 per cent increase in the productivity of paddy rice for plot (ii) as compared to plot (i). This was due to the beneficial effect of slime waste in the soil. The addition of inorganic fertiliser such as NPK in the ratio of (4:2:1) further enhanced the productivity of paddy rice.

Sep 18, 2023

For many crushed aggregate producers will the finest fraction minus 4 mm represent a problem. The fine material will fetch a much lower price than the coarser products, and may even be difficult to sell in some markets. The blasting operation will strongly influence the generation of fines after both blasting and crushing. Drill hole deviation together with the drill hole diameter, powder factor and velocity of detonation are the most important blasting parameters with regard to the generation of fines. Drill hole deviation is often ignored, and many operators will just reduce the drilling pattern in order to avoid hard bottom and an excessive number of boulders. The paper presents a technical and economic analysis of how drill hole deviation will lead to an increased generation of fines in crushed aggregate production. The analysis shows that the loss of sales revenues will be much higher than the extra costs for drilling and blasting caused by compensating for drill hole deviation by putting in more holes.

Jan 1, 1999

By Anderson K

In 1991, the first horizontal raise drill hole in Australia was successfully completed by Australian Raise Drilling Pty Ltd (ARD) at the Perseverance nickel mine of Western Mining Corporation's (WMC's) Leinster Nickel Operations in Western Australia. At that time, WMC were experiencing considerable difficulties in developing the horizontal drill drives through the orebody using conventional drill and blast techniques. Following the success of the initial hole, a further two holes were drilled as part of the evaluation program. The technique has proved so successful that it has been accepted by WMC for on-going development of drill drives at Perseverance.This paper describes the program. It relates how the project evolved, the modifications that were required to the equipment used, the performance experienced during the program and the future of the method in this and other applications.

Jan 1, 1993

By B W. Atkinson

Full-stream mechanised sampling apparatus, that collect a full cross-sectional increment from the complete screen discharge, will always be the preferred option for sampling screen overflows. However, the reality is that provisions for automated sampling are rarely, if ever, provided at the discharges of individual screens within beneficiation plants.Sampling from the discharge of high capacity vibrating screens, especially multi-slope screens, is subject to sampling bias, due to the stratification of the ore that occurs on the vibrating screen deck. The stratification in the vibrating bed translates to a stratified falling stream at the discharge end of the screen, typically with smaller particles at the back of the falling stream and large particles at the front of the falling stream (Figure 1).The chemical and physical characteristics of heterogeneous ore (mineral or coal) particles vary significantly with particle size. If samples do not correctly reflect the source material size distribution, they will be biased and the resulting analytical/assay data will not reflect the actual physical nor chemical characteristics of the source material.Prior published data for coal preparation research (Australian Coal Association Research Program) has demonstrated that a bias appears to exist for samples collected from high capacity multi-slope screens.A new form of sampling scoop has been developed with the aim of overcoming this issue.Bias was evaluated at a coal preparation plant by comparing the desliming screen overflow size distribution to that for æreferenceÆ coal preparation plant feed samples collected using the recognised stopped-belt technique. The study procured 20 sets of comparison samples in order to ensure statistical relevance.Two forms of sampling device were employed for the multislope screen discharge.A conventional square aperture scoop was demonstrated to exhibit a significant coarse bias, in that the resulting samples exhibited a significantly coarser size distribution compared to the reference samples. In other words it was evident that the conventional scoop æfavouredÆ material from the front of the falling stream.A new æcollapsibleÆ sample scoop was evaluated in parallel, and its samples were found to exhibit no relevant bias.CITATION:Atkinson, B W and Swanson, A R, 2012. A new method for sampling from high capacity screens, in Proceedings Sampling 2012 , pp 89-94 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 21, 2012

By K Zunica, A R. Penney

The principles of three-dimensional geological modelling are well understood and routinely used. Sample data is collated and geostatistical tools used to ensure that sample data is suitable for its end use, which is typically a block model that is appropriate for mine planning. What has become increasingly apparent is that physical rock properties and geotechnical parameters need to be incorporated into the three-dimensional geological model to create an integrated mine model.The approach to the collection of geotechnical information is not as highly prescribed and controlled as collection of geological data. Commonly, the geotechnical data set is incomplete and inconsistent, with little consideration of what the end use will be by those collecting the data, or how the geotechnical data might relate to the geological data. In some cases, specific geotechnical investigation programs are completed, yet correlation between those programs and previously collected data is rarely undertaken to the same level of diligence as found in the geology field.There are some obstacles that need to be considered when attempting to incorporate geological parameters, such as grade, lithology, and geological domains with geotechnical information such as rock quality designation (RQD), rock mass rating (RMR), rock strength, and geotechnical domains into the same three-dimensional block model. Interpolation or geostatistical estimation methods used for grade estimates might not be appropriate for many components in rock characterisation, particularly search geometries. A number of examples are provided to illustrate issues underlying some of the data collection procedures, and their effects on three-dimensional geotechnical modelling.The example presented attempts to highlight generally observed shortcomings in the collection of geotechnical information, parameters which need to be considered when combining geological and geotechnical data into the same model, and the benefits of having a combined block model from the beginning of a project.CITATION:Zunica, K and Penney, A R, 2014. Integration of geological and geotechnical data for three-dimensional modelling, in Proceedings Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014 , pp 291–298 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 18, 2014

This paper describes modern long-term mine scheduling and gives an example of its application. It then discusses the obstacles to the implementation of such schedules.

Sep 26, 2011

By Y, Li Jianxiong, Hu Hua, Gu Desheng

After having briefed the technical and economical advantages of continuous mass mining in underground metal mines, the authors discuss the four stages of research and development of continuous mass mining in China. The four stages are: vibrating ore drawing in a stope, continuous mass mining in a stope continuous mass mining without rib pillars in an area and continuous mass mining in whole mine. The authors briefly review the research achievements of the first and the second stage; Combining the key national research project of the æNinth Five Year PlanÆ ù æThe experiment and research of continuous mass mining without rib pillarÆ, the authors introduce in detail the technological condition of mining, the design ideas of continuous mass mining, the design scheme of mining, the technology of mining. the equipment of mass mining, the chief research achievements and so on. The success of research of continuous mass mining without rib pillar indicates the arrival of the third stage of research. The introduction of continuous mass mining will promote the technology revolution of mining in China remarkably. The authors also point out that the development direction of continuous mass mining of the 21 century is continuous mass mining in whole mine, which is the fourth stage of research.

Jan 1, 2000

The Mt Newman Beneficiation Plant uses a combination of heavy media deans, heavy medium cyclones and Reichert cones to produce saleable iron ore concentrates from low grade iron ores. The aim of this paper is to discuss score of the changes that have been made to improve the operation of the heavy medium circuits.

Jan 1, 1987

By Gregg PEH, Stewart RB

Reclamation field trials commenced in 1985, two years before the granting of the Mining Licence. The level of pasture production on varying soil depths (0 cm, 5 cm, 15 cm and 25 cm) overlying both tailings and oxidised waste overburden was assessed. After seven years, the rate of increase of N, C, P and S, losses of S and P and pH changes were investigated on the plots where grass seed was sown into bare tailings. It was determined that on these plots it would take approximately 24 years to reach the original carbon and nitrogen levels at the mine site.

Jan 1, 1995

By P Hayward a, P Evans, K Prince, F Radke

Operating efficiency is becoming paramount as the mining industry moves towards globalisation and conglomeration. Mining companies are continuously searching for new technologies that can improve plant efficiency, by reducing operating costs and maximising metal recovery. Identification of how gold losses occur within an operating plant is crucial for determining appropriate operating strategies for improved metallurgical performance. Classical mineralogical and metallurgical techniques enable the operator to identify where losses occur in terms of particle size and mineral associations, however how the gold is hosted within the mineral grains (for example, as solid solution or as fine micro-inclusions) is more difficult to determine. This paper provides details of the testwork methodology, and resultant laboratory study to improve gold recovery.

Jan 1, 2004

By Hoberg H, Schneider FU

Flotation tests were conducted with galena, quartz and with synthetic mixtures of the two, in different ranges of grain size, and with different process parameter variants. Physico-chemical analyses were also carried out on surface energy and on xanthate adsorption on galena with different grain sizes. Reference will also be made to hydrodynamics, interfacial chemistry and the influence exerted by grain size in flotation.

Jan 1, 1993