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By L. K. Witika, J. H. Masinja

"Investigations of flotation characteristics of Lumwana and Kansanshi ores using formulated frothers were carried out. Of the six frothers tested, two came from the alcohol family, two from the glycol family and last two were formulated products. The initial work involved determining the optimum mesh of grind and frother dosage for Lumwana and Kansanshi ores. Further work involved carrying out surface tension, bubble size and froth stability measurements. Finally, water recovery tests were conducted at Lumwana and Kansanshi mine sites. For froth stability tests, six frothers were tested on a two-phase (water–air) system using the Bikerman column flotation cell, while water recovery tests were conducted using a total of seven frothers, including the standards for each plant. The results of the testwork showed that (i) although a stable froth is essential for optimum recovery of valuable minerals, a higher molecular weight frother, like Dowfroth 250, caused poor selectivity when used on fine ores and (ii) a lower molecular weight frother was suited for Lumwana ore, while a mid to higher molecular weight formulated product was suitable for Kansanshi sulphide ore. INTRODUCTION Investigations of flotation characteristics of Lumwana and Kansanshi ores using formulated frothers were carried out. The initial work of this project involved determining the optimum mesh of grind and frother dosage for Lumwana and Kansanshi ores. Further work involved carrying out surface tension, bubble size and froth stability measurements. Finally, water recovery tests were conducted at Lumwana and Kansanshi mine sites. In order to investigate the gangue entrainment levels in the Lumwana and Kansanshi sulphide ores, two well-known methods (froth stability and water recovery) were used. Firstly, froth stability tests were conducted using six frothers, two from the glycol family (Dowfroth 200 and Dowfroth 250), two from alcohol family (MIBC and pine oil) and other two from the formulated family (Betafroth 20 and Betafroth 245), at the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Mineral Research (CMR) laboratories. Froth formation and stability measurements were conducted using the Bikerman column flotation cell."

Jan 1, 2015

By J A. H Campbell

AK6 is a Cretaceous aged kimberlite located in the north-east of Botswana, close to Debswana's Drapa and Letlhakane Mines. It was discovered by Debswana in 1969, but was considered unattractive from an economic perspective. In 2003, Debot Prospecting Pty Ltd ('Debot') re-assessed the area and with the advent of new prospecting technology, particularly large diameter drilling ('LDD') and more detailed ground geophysical surveys found AK6 to be of interest. In 2005, the Boteti joint venture was formed between Debot and African Diamonds plc ('AFD'), which covered a number of Prospecting Licenses, including that which contained AK6.

Jan 1, 2010

By R. S. McDonald

Auburn began operations 40 years ago with an office in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, to provide services to Inco Limited. Over the next 40 years, operations expanded considerably, with projects being undertaken around the world, servicing the smelting and refining industry. Operating bases have been established in Canada, United States, Mexico, Chile, and Spain, with further growth expected to continue with an operating presence in South Africa. The Auburn Group of companies has serviced the smelting and refining industry for over 35 years. Auburn services a variety of metallurgical plants, and our worldwide experience has gathered considerable knowledge on industry processes and maintenance solutions. Today, the ?Business of Smelting? tackles demanding challenges, and operators search for opportunities and solutions to improve smelter maintenance, reduce operating costs, and decrease downtime. The Auburn Group has developed project teams, technologies, and equipment that provide specialised and innovative solutions to the non-ferrous metal industry to help address these challenges. Our Furnace Services team offers a variety of repair and maintenance services for metallurgical furnaces. Our specialised team has proven methods for completing projects quickly and safely. Our worldwide experience includes turnkey project management, construction, and various scopes of work for demolition and refractory repairs on all types of smelting and refining furnaces. Auburn developed the Results FirstTM programme to provide optimized solutions and results for smelter projects. The programme utilises a proven three-step model for improved results for schedule, budget, safety, and ramp-up to production. Our experienced Project Management teams can handle the planning and construction management of capital projects and plant shutdowns. Our projects have involved smelter/refinery modifications, oxygen plant installations, and sulphuric acid plant audits and maintenance. Our Equipment & Products division supplies specialised equipment and products, which are used in the metals industry for plant maintenance tasks. Our capability to design unique equipment, combined with our ability to source products worldwide, makes us a useful resource to find the best-suited equipment to meet the work-site demands. We specialise in custom remote-control units to handle specific maintenance solutions for smelters and refineries, and custom equipment designs for catalyst handling for Acid Plant maintenance. Our extensive knowledge of and experience with industrial technologies allows us to provide a wide range of Industrial Services. These services include vacuuming, high-pressure water blasting, chemical cleaning, pelletizing, dredging, ore bin clearing, roaster repairs, baghouse/ESP services, and manpower supply for both industrial plants and mines. Auburn?s combined strength of personnel experience, knowledge of industry processes, innovative project methods, and equipment technology make Auburn a unique resource for problem solving on every facet of smelter operations.

Jan 1, 2006

By K. Coleman, C. Visser, N. Selby, X. W. Pan, T. Letwaba

A prototype weightometer soft sensor is under development at DebTech, De Beers in partnership with Venetia Mine. Its main function consists of an online data source; data validation; dynamic weightometer models; online detection of weightometer failure; alarming and replacing a weightometer when it fails. 31 dynamic models have been developed. All models with R2>= 85%are accepted as good models and they generally have satisfactory results with a daily error of less than 8% within 90% confidence level. By using those models, a set of soft sensors can be set up to cover all weightometers in the entire processes starting from primary crushing to the stock piles of dense medium separation (DMS). Some practical issues and concerns on model development are discussed, including data collection, data analysis, data pre-processing, variable selection, time delay, model training and model validation. When deploying the weightometer soft sensor system, the potential benefits could include: reduction in plant downtime; reduction in unplanned maintenance and even replacement of non-critical weightometers, particularly where nuclear weightometers are used. Keywords: soft sensor, weightometer, dynamic modelling, neural network modelling

Jan 1, 2003

By Vinay Kumar Agrawal, Rama Nath Praharaj

IMFA Group is the largest producer of Charge chrome not only in India but also in Asia. This Group has plants situated at Therubali and at Choudwar. They also have a Thermal power plant at Choudwar which not only caters to the power requirement of Choudwar plant but also supplies power to Therubali. The plants are fed for Chromite ore through the captive mines namely Nuasahi Chromite mines (40.47 Ha) , Bangur Chromite mines(37.34Ha), Sukinda chromite mines (116.76 Ha), Mahagiri Chromite Mine(73.777 Ha) and Chingudipal Chromite mines (26.62 Ha). Nuasahi Chromite Mine, which is situated in Keonjhar district, is an underground mine and is based upon best technological advancements in the industry. The underground mining operation is certified under ISO-9002, ISO-14001and OHSAS 18001. This not only shows the concern for the quality, environment but also for the health of the employees. The Nuashahi is the first chromite mine to backfill the opencast excavations created during the last 50 years and carry out the production from underground area below the opencast workings. This paper deals with the state of art technology of sub-level open stopping in thin ore bodies. The under-ground mine openings was started in the year 1997. In next four years the production of chromite from underground was started.(2001). At present the mine is in a good shape with several running stopes. Today it is producing around 10,000 Mt per month of chromite. The development of the mine is carried out with an average of 200 mtr per month of tunneling. The mine is having a mechanical ventilator having a capacity of24000 M3 per hour at 50mm water gauge, thus feeding sufficient air for the persons working in underground. The mine is being dewatered through a most modern positive suction sump, having a capacity of 500 cum and operated with 120 HP pumps. After commissioning of this sump in the year 2003, the mine has taken a quantum jump in production with remarkable saving in power consumption.

Jan 1, 2007

By B. Solar Menéndez, M. B. Díaz Aguado, I. Á. Fernández, C. González Nicieza

The analysis of subsidence due to the opening of an underground void (mining, water exploitation or civil works hole) is a problem usually hard to solve. First of all, it requires a predictive model, in order to define both the displacement magnitude and area affected by subsidence. Such model should be validated with measurements of the actual movements sustained on the surface, in order to adjust it properly and enable influence of future behaviour in a reliable way. Two different kinds of problems might arise. On one side, it is necessary to control and measure surface movements in a very exhaustive way during a long period of time, beginning before underground works take place and finishing years after they are over. Furthermore, three factors bring in errors, some times of magnitudes higher than the displacement magnitudes measured. These include: the fact that reliable and long-term information cannot always be achieved; the precision of measuring devices; and the design of the topographical network itself. In addition, the predictive models more widely used only apply to certain excavation geometries, mainly to horizontal holes. In light of this background, the Group of Rock Engineering, of the University of Oviedo Mining Department, has developed a working methodology and a specific software tool, Subsidence 3D, to estimate ground displacements and strains. The program will allow for predictive models to be defined and also allows the treatment of data related with topographical marks and its comparative analysis with calculated results. The software has been programmed using Visual C++. Graphical outputs however are generated using AutoCAD 2000. This paper mainly refers to a practical situation, an underground coalmine, remarking the main difficulties arisen during the study of the available information and proposing how to solve them. A predictive model in subsidence 3D was established and validated. The actual behaviour of the ground was that in the model.

Jan 1, 2003

By E. S. Schubert

Keywords: co-generation, furnace CO-gas cleaning, disintegrator scrubber, Theisen In a closed, electric, reduction furnace, no oxygen enters the furnace from the surrounding environment. The off-gases are thus not ?burnt? and therefore contain a considerable amount of CO and H2. Traditionally these gases have been captured and burnt in a flare stack. Recent developments have led operators of such furnaces to revise this strategy and to consider utilising these gases as a fuel for gas-fired generator sets to produce electricity, thus becoming more energy efficient. On 31 March 2010 the new emission standards, in accordance with the Air Quality Act, Act 39 of 2004, were promulgated. The minimum emission standards according to the act require that the particulate matter emissions from the primary fume-capture systems on closed furnaces for ?new plants? in ferroalloy and calcium carbide production not exceed 50 mg/Nm³ and 25 mg/Nm³, respectively. By implementing co-generation, the producer automatically complies with the new environmental emission standards for an off-gas. As much as 30% of the electrical power cost, which is set to double in the near future, can be saved by partly generating one?s own electrical power. In December 2010, the National Treasury published a discussion paper for public comment, one entitled ?Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The carbon tax option?. Irrespective of how the tax is finally implemented, it will result in an increase of production costs in affected industries. This paper focuses on the characteristics of a furnace-off-gas cleaning system for closed ferroalloy smelters, characteristics that meet the requirements of both reducing solid-matter emissions and operating a safe and reliable gas plant.

Jan 1, 2011

By L. Hansen

Sulphuric acid plants now and then see unexpected increases in SO2 emissions. Our experience is that it is not always easy for the acid plants to pinpoint the exact reason for the SO2 increase. Sometimes a catalyst bed is sacrificed even though reliable temperature readings and gas analyses could have verified satisfactory activity. Hence the leaking heat exchanger is never discovered and after the shutdown the SO2 emissions are still too high. This paper will look into some basic catalyst management tools: good record keeping is a necessity for collection of representative catalyst samples; reliable operating data is an inevitable starting point for all analysis; and trending of operating data is a must for plant optimization and troubleshooting. In addition, these catalyst management tools will give continuous updated knowledge of the catalyst status in each bed, providing the basis for a more effective replacement strategy. The most typical reasons for increasing SO2 emissions will be presented together with easy guidelines for cross-checking operating data, temperature optimization and good record keeping.

Jan 1, 2009

By Y. He

Early research showed that the separation of particles based upon their density was not possible in steadily rising air streams. The terminal velocities of moving spheres are determined by their aerodynamic characteristics. This prevents particle separation by density in standard air classifiers. Passive pulsing air classifiers have accelerated airflow in certain regions, which achieves density-dominant separation. Numerical simulation of airflow within passive pulsing air classifiers was done to estimate airflow patterns near a damper. Analysis of those results shows the significant acceleration of the airflow above the damper. Laboratory trial separations have shown that passive pulsing classifiers are superior to standard air classifiers. Keywords: pulsing airflow, passive, simulation of airflow models, acceleration effect, density

Jan 1, 2005

By D. J. de Beer

South Africa had a late start with rapid prototyping (RP), with the first system being available in 1991. Up to 1994 only three systems were available in SA. Through active research participation from the CSIR and a number of universities, supported by technology transfer programmes and industry awareness workshops, adoption of RP technologies started to grow. Internationally, RP grew to the extent that several country-based member organizations were formed, and an initiation meeting of the Global Alliance of RP Associations (GARPA) took place during the SME Rapid Conference in Dearborn, USA in 1998. South Africa (SA) was invited under the auspices of the Time Compression Technologies Centre (TCTC) launched by the CSIR, and received an invitation to become a member of GARPA through the launch of a national, inclusive organization. The latter gave rise to a RAPDASA planning/launch meeting held at the University of Stellenbosch, which culminated in the first RAPDASA international conference held in November 2000 at the CSIR, and the election of a first RAPDASA management committee, also at the 1st AGM held during the conference. RAPDASA has been a pillar of strength since then, with an annual international conference being presented. As South Africa?s RP awareness grew through the RAPDASA and independent activities, so did the availability of RP platforms in SA.SA also became a benchmark for other countries/late adopters to follow, as slowly a position of following became a position of leading through innovative applications. The paper highlights SA?s development approach and history, together with the discussion of case studies in various fields. Contribution to the light metals industry will also be discussed. Keywords Rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, product design, rapid tooling, rapid manufacturing, medical product development.

Jan 1, 2011

By H. Hurkchand

Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted in November2001 to establish the prevalence rates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea) in a coalmining town in Mpumalanga. Methods: 155 adults were recruited (79 males and 76 females), by holding community meetings, and by door-to-door recruitment. Saliva and urine specimens were collected for the analysis of HIV and STI prevalence, respectively. Results: The mean age for males was 31.35 years (min = 19 yrs and max = 50 yrs) and the mean age of the female participants was31.90 years (min = 17 yrs, max = 49 yrs). The prevalence of HIV was found to be 22.78% [95% CI (14.09?33.59)] in the males vs. 47.37%[95% CI (35.79?55.16)] in the females, [p = 0.001, OR = 3.05, 95%CI(1.49?6.26)]. The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 7.90% [95% CI(2.95?16.39)] in the males vs. 12.86% [95% CI (6.05?23.00)] in the females, p = 0.324. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoea was 3.79%[95% CI (0.79?1.08)] in the males vs. 9.86% [95% CI (4.06?19.26)]in the females, p = 0.137. HIV was significantly associated with C. trachomatis, [p = 0.032, OR = 3.18, 95% CI (1.04?9.72)], but was not significant when stratified by gender. HIV was not significantly associated with N. gonorrhoea (p = 0.072) but it was significantly associated when stratified by gender, p = 0.001 for females. There were no significant associations between HIV and age (p = 0.408), even upon stratification by gender. Conclusions: HIV prevalence in this community is high, and corresponds to national figures. However, the prevalence of STIs is surprisingly low as it would be expected to be high in a migrant population. Although communities are exposed to expanding peer-education activities that encourage behaviour change, the prevalence of HIV in this group. There is an urgent need for interventions designed to treat or prevent HIV infection in women generally and in women at high risk. Keywords: HIV prevalence, STI prevalence, antenatal, mining

Jan 1, 2005

By J. Trckova, P. Prochazka

Physical models from equivalent materials satisfying geometrical and physical similarity have been constructed. A special technology of simulating the excavation of an opening at the front part of a tunnel and of measuring the deformation at the tunnel face was applied. The results yielded by the physical models were used to formulate constitution relations in the numerical solution. This coupled modelling enables us to predict the behaviour of tunnel structures more accurately. On a construit des modèles physiques, réalisés en matériaux équivalents et répondant aux conditions de ressemblance géométrique et physique. Sur ces modèles, on a utilisé une technologie intéressante de simulation du forage du tunnel et de la mesure de déformation du front de taille pendant le forage en progression. Les résultats donnés par les modèles physiques ont été utilisés pour formuler les relations de constitution dans la solution numérique. Une telle construction de modèles combinés permet de prévoir plus précisément le comportement de la structure du tunnel. Es wurden physikalische Simulierungsmodelle aus äquivalenten Werkstoffen konstruiert, welche die Bedingungen der geometrischen und physikalischen Ähnlichkeiten erfüllen. Bei diesen Modellen hat man die interessante Simulationstechnologie des Tunnelvortriebs sowie die Verformungsmessung beim Tunnelabbaustoß während des Vortriebsvorgangs eingesetzt. Die Ergebnisse der physikalischen Simulation wurden zur Formulierung von Konstitutionsrelationen in der numerischen Lösung genützt. So eine kombinierte Simulation erlaubt eine genauere Prognose des Benehmens der Tunnelstruktur.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. N. Golenkov, N. I. Lomaka, A. V. Kozub, T. V. Ignatova, E. V. Shelepov, D. O. Sharkovskiy, A. V. Chanturiya, R. I. Ismagilov

The modern Russian iron ore mining industry is faced with multiple challenges from everincreasing requirements of steel-making, the value of iron ore concentrates, depletion of high-grade ore reserves and complications of the mining and geologic environment’s necessity to process low-grade ores with complex material composition and low valuable mineral content; with finely disseminated aggregates of metal and non-metal minerals responding similarly to processing. The upgrade of the existing operations’ fine wet screening was implemented by Metalloinvest; as well as the design of a process flowsheet for concentration oxide ferruginous quartzites with low concentrating ability. The scientific basis for improvement of low grade ore concentrating efficiency and the upgrade of market product quality is supported by an in-depth study of ore characteristics, application of high performance equipment for separation of fine-grained mineral aggregates and use of depressor selective to ferruginous minerals in the flotation process. The benefits of wet fine screening have been proven by industrial scale tests; as well as the feasibility of significant upgrades in product quality which have been confirmed as a result of the tests. A road-map for the upgrade of an existing process for the concentration of unoxidised ferruginous quartzites deposited in the Mikhailovskoye ore field was developed, based on the industrial scale test of a fine screening process. With reference to the ability for concentration, three major ore types oxidised ferruginous quartzites were defined as a result of comprehensive geological mapping and process sampling: oxidised ferruginous quartzites with good concentrating ability: over Fe67% grade of concentrate with ca. 80% iron recovery; oxidised ferruginous quartzites with moderate concentrating ability: Fe65-67% grade of concentrate with 70-72% iron recovery oxidised ferruginous quartzites with low concentrating ability: below Fe60% grade of concentrate (cannot be processed into desired grade market product). A process flow diagram combining magnetic separation and flotation has been designed and recommended for implementation based on the in-depth research of defined Mikhailovskoye deposit iron oxide types, including grain size, chemistry, petrographic, mineralogy, hematite and magnetite grain size distribution and liberation analysis.

Jan 1, 2020

By R. L. Castro

Block caving methods, when operated under favourable rock mass conditions, can achieve higher production rates and lower operating costs than other various existing underground mining applications. For this reason, it has been considered the preferred method for the mining of deep and large orebodies in current and future operations around the world. One of the key aspects in the design of block caves is the selection of the production level layout, which, among other parameters, is based on the gravity flow characteristics of the caved rock. This is because gravity flow has a large impact on total ore recovery and the amount of dilution in a caving operation. Today, there are a number of computer based methods which aim to emulate the gravity flow pattern of the caved rock. In this paper, the authors present the development of FlowSiman improved model of gravity flow based on the cellular automaton approach, to estimate dilution entry, mixing and ore recovery. As part of the model development, flow simulations were conducted and subsequently compared to full-scale data collected at two mine sectors operated by Codelco Chile. The results indicate that by using proper calibrated parameters, good correlations between simulated and measured grades as well as dilution entry are obtained. The potential use of the numerical tool to evaluate drawpoint spacing in terms of recovery and dilution for block/panel caving operations is also presented.

Jan 1, 2009

By R. E. Wilmot

This paper is based on the experiences, over many years, of numerous authors in the South African mining industry and of the hot dip galvanizing process and its application as a corrosion protection system. The paper sets out the extensive development, financial resources and stringent operating requirements of the South African mining industry. After many years of research and operational experiences, hot dip galvanizing and, when necessary, duplex systems, have been found to meet the demanding requirements of this particular industry. The paper sets out the requirements from the standpoint of corrosion criteria and is followed with a case where the corrosion protection properties of hot dip galvanizing are demonstrated. This case history traces the early investigation of the expected corrosive conditions in a new mining operation and concludes with two follow-up visits to the mine in order to examine actual performance of the corrosion protection system after ten years in service.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. Varadarajan, M. Hashemi, K. G. Sharma

Quartz mica schist collected from Nathpa-Jhakri Hydropower Project, Himachal Pradesh, North India is tested under triaxial loading using a servo-controlled loading system. Complete stress-strain-volume change behaviour including post peak softening behaviour of the samples, are presented. Strength and deformation parameters are given. Quarz mica schist, der von Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Projekt, Himachal Pradesh gesammelt wird, wird Nördlich Indien unter triaxial geprüft, der von Gebrauch eines servo kontrollierten Ladesystems beladung. Vollständiges Spannung-Spannung-Band Änderung Verhalten Postens Spitze Erweichung Verhaltens der Proben, wird überreicht. Kraft und Verformung Parameter werden gegeben. Mica à quartz schist recueilli du Projet de Hydropower de Nathpa Jhakri, Himachal Pradesh, l'Inde du nord est essayé sous l'utilisation de chargement de triaxial un système chargeant servo réglé. La tension complète-la tension-comportement de changement de volume y compris la poste sommet amollir le comportement des échantillons, sont présenté. Les paramètres de force et déformation sont donnés.

Jan 1, 2003

By V. S. S. Yadavalli, J. Hager, R. Webber-Youngman

"This article investigates the complex problem of a budgeting process for a large mining operation. Strict adherence to budget infers that financial results align with goals. In reality, the budget is not a predetermined entity but emerges as the sum of the enterprise’s operational plans. These are highly interdependent, being influenced by unforeseeable events and operational decision-making.Limitations of stochastic simulations, normally applied in the project environment but not in budgeting, are examined and a model enabling their application is proposed. A better understanding of budget failure in large mines emerges, showing that the budget should be viewed as a probability distribution rather than a single deterministic value.The strength of the model application lies with the combining of stochastic simulation, probability theory, financial budgeting, and practical scheduling to predict budget achievement, reflected as a probability distribution. The principal finding is the interpretation of the risk associated with, and constraints pertaining to, the budget.The model utilizes a four-dimensional (space and time) schedule, linking key drivers through activity-based costing to the budget. It offers a highly expressive account of deduction regarding fund application for budget achievement, emphasizing that ’it is better to be approximately right than precisely wrong’."

Jan 1, 2015

The simple act of taking a sample implies that someone will use the information contained in the analytical result to make a decision about a course of action. In the mining industry, the decisions may involve huge capital commitments for opening or closing a mine, or marginal tactical costs that involve deciding if a truckload of mineralized rock should be sent to the mill for processing, or the waste dump. Sampling is among the most fundamental activities in a mining operation, and this paper aims to examine some of the technical issues that can assist in ensuring that samples are representative and correct. Insights into the scale of variability require that we disaggregate sampling variance into its component parts and evaluate each one individually. The work of Pierre Gy in understanding the different sampling errors is the first step in establishing an optimal protocol. This must be followed by the appropriate measures to ensure the protocol is implemented such that minimal bias is introduced in the sampling process. Even with these insights the possibility exists for large unseen and hidden costs can accumulate in a mineral development because of sampling errors. These hidden costs arise due to misunderstanding of the principle factors that affect the size of sampling errors, such as the mass of the sample, the effects of splitting a sample to reduce the mass, and the influence of the nominal particle size. The handling of sample material without due regard to the sampling characteristics of the material being sampled is also a major source of sampling errors. The most significant problem is due to the influence of the so-called volume-variance effect. This effect is a consequence of the support effect and the information effect both of which relate to the difference in size at which samples are collected and mining blocks are extracted. The information effect is a function of the availability of data at the time that decisions are made about the destinations of mineralized rock, namely the mill or the waste dump. Implementation of appropriate sampling protocols in the mineral value chain remains a challenge throughout the industry. The growing understanding and deepening appreciation of sampling theory and methods means we stand on the threshold of a new era for implementing and understanding appropriate sampling procedures and protocols. In the interests of optimal development of the national patrimony it is suggested that standardization through the identification of structural problems and continuous improvement of mining processes be instituted at a national level.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. G. Ercelebi

In surface mining operations, truck haulage is the largest item in the operating costs, constituting 50 to 60% of the total. In order to reduce this cost, it is necessary to allocate and dispatch the trucks efficiently. This paper describes shovel and truck operation models and optimization approaches for the allocation and dispatching of trucks under various operating conditions. Closed queuing network theory is employed for the allocation of trucks and linear programming for the purpose of truck dispatching to shovels. A case study was applied for the Orhaneli Open Pit Coal Mine in Turkey. This approach would provide the capability of estimating system performance measures (mine throughput, mean number of trucks, mean waiting time, etc.) for planning purposes when the truck fleet is composed of identical trucks. A computational study is presented to show how choosing the optimum number of trucks and optimum dispatching policy affect the cost of moving material in a truck-shovel system. Keywords: Open pit mine, equipment selection, dispatching, linear programming, closed queuing network theory

Jan 1, 2009

By A. E. Lewis

Particle morphology is a term that is used to describe the overall external shape and appearance of particulate solids. From the physical point of view, a precipitated solid is characterized primarily by the size and morphology of the particles (Sohnel andGarside, 1992). If the morphology of the crystal structures is to be related to the processing conditions, then the morphologies need to be quantified in some way. This can be achieved by using surface area measurements as well as fractal dimensions. The key idea is that rugged and indeterminate systems can be described by using a fractional number that describes the ruggedness of the system (Kaye, 1989). In other words, when the complexity of a structure, such as an agglomerate, increases with increasing magnification, it is useful to employ fractal dimensions to describe the structure. Fractal geometry proposes that, instead of attempting to measure the length of an irregular boundary, the rate at which the length of the boundary approaches infinity with increasing resolution should be calculated. Cross-sectional profiles of rugged particles can thus be quantified using the fractal dimension, and a measurement of the ruggedness of the morphology obtained. One of the additional uses of measuring the fractal dimension is that the measured value can be related to the physical properties and formation characteristics of the particle (Kaye and Trottier,1995). The morphology of nickel crystals was quantified with fractal dimension calculations of particle cross-sections. Particle cross-sections were obtained by mounting the particles in resin and polishing back. These were then photographed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and the resulting profiles analysed using the structured walk technique.

Jan 1, 2001