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Warrego copper ore characteristically contains 0.05-0.2% bismuth, which on upgrading produces a concentrate of approximately 1.3% bismuth. Early smelting of this concentrate (1973) was accomplished in a flash furnace (eliminating 92% of the bismuth in the con- centrate) and Top Blown Rotary Convertors (eliminating 85% of the bismuth in the matte). However 1.3% bismuth was considered the max- imLun bismuth level that could be treated. Geological evidence indicated that the bismuth level in~the copper ore would increase and that the bismuth level in the Warrego ore would be 0.3-0.7% bismuth. Treating these ores would produce a copper concentrate with bismuth levels far in excess of those accept- able to the smelter and still produce low bismuth content blister (limit 0.03% bismuth).

Jan 1, 1984

By Baafi EY, MacKenzie -Wood P

An experienced and reliable knowledge of fire fighting procedures is necessary for mine emergency situations. Since experts in this area are scarce the technology of expert systems lends itself as a suitable component in the decision making process. This paper describes an expert system that is being developed for this purpose. The expert system. RESCUE. is a knowledge-based computer programme which incorporates the judgement, experience, rules of thumb. mine environmental conditions as well as human intuitions in the mine rescue operation. RESCUE makes decisions such as whether or not the affected area should be sealed.' whether or not rescuemen should be withdrawn, and which fire fighting agent is most appropriate for the situation. The IF..... THEN rules written in the VP-EXPERT shell contains antecedents and conclusions based on environmental as well as other conditions prevailing in the mine. For example, the CO/Oz deficiency ratio indicates the progress of heating; explosibility trends are given by varying flammable gases C CH4,H2,CO) in relation to oxygen concentration, and barometric pressure falls may affect explosibility by increasing CH4 content in workings. The interaction of such numeric-based rules with others rules reflecting the experience and judgement of the experts assist the system to arrive at its conclusions and subsequent course of action.

Jan 1, 1988

Reliability is not only important in coal mine planning, production and control. Reliability is also most important, and indeed is fundamental, to successful coal exporting.Coal preparation, blending, distribution, marketing and utilisation are areas of the coal industry in which reliability can be critical to coal exporting. Major elements of reliability which impact on coal exporting include coal quality, supply performance, -coal ownership changes, governmental regulations and policies, market reputations and differences in export markets.

Jan 1, 1991

By Lin C, Jiaxiang D

A series of experiments were carried out with Hallimond tube in order to test the effects of different reagents. A good result has been obtained when potassium-n-butyl xanthate is used as collector for molybdenite and graphite complex are depressed by the depressor mixed with nigrosine and iron (III) chloride. The separating mechanism has been studied with help of many modem instruments.

Jan 1, 1993

Three methods of gold analysis are briefly described highlighting some of the problems and advantages of each. The variation of results between samples and splits and due to method preparation are illustrated. The mean percent difference of the fire assay values from the means of sample split values for three cases is 15%. Finally, a comparison of the aqua regia atomic absorption spectroscopy and fire assay fusion AAS techniques is made. This shows that the mean precision, the ability to obtain the same value, of the methods at 98% confidence are +30% and +15% respectively. The fire assay fusion atomic absorption spectroscopy method is relatively more accurate than the aqua regia method.

Jan 1, 1982

By Floyd JM, Richardson P

The extension of theoretical and laboratory studies of the roasting of tantalite and cassiterite concentrates from Greenbushes Tin Limited to pilot and semi- commercial plant developments is detailed. A rotary pilot furnace was used to prove the feasibility of the process and a semi- commercial plant was constructed at Greenbushes to produce large quantities of roasted calcine. The additions and conditions of the laboratory study were employed to achieve marketable grades of calcine from the two materials. As well as producing calcines with less than 0.1% Sb, most of the tin in tantalite was recoverable to a separate fume product. Tin fumed during cassiterite roasting on a semi-commerical scale amounted to less than 1% of the tin in feed.

Jan 1, 1986

By Noble AC

Ore reserve reporting practices in the United States may be broken into four general categories as follows: ò Reserve reports, often of an unofficial and preliminary nature, which are made through the news media. These are often based on exploratory drilling or sampling results. ò Reserve reports made for the purpose of raising public funds by issuing securities on the stock market, or as part of other filings to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. ò Reserve reports to obtain private funds from banks, financial institutions, or other investors. ò Reserve reports for internal use and planning by companies operating or evaluating mineral properties. This paper discusses current practices for each of these types of ore reserves reports and reviews recent changes which have affected those practices.

Jan 1, 1987

Evaluation of tyre chains has been taking place at King Island Scheelite for several years. Results indicate that tyre life has been greatly improved in all cases. Good cost sav- ings are resulting on small loaders. The worth of chains is difficult to prove on larger loaders under the conditions at King Island Scheelite. However, the dramatic decrease in the number of punctures has convinced the Company that chains are worthwhile on some larger loaders.

Jan 1, 1977

This paper examines some of the important aspects of mineral taxation policies and practices, with reference to the mining tax regimes of selected Pacific Rim countries (see Tables 1 and 2). The following subjects are addressed:what is æmineral taxationÆ?, basis for mineral taxation, types of mineral taxes, objectives of the mineral taxation regime, best practices, and mineral royalties. Many countries, in some cases with the encouragement and assistance of international funding agencies, are actively assessing the international competitiveness of their mining tax regimes with a view to attracting investment. However, these countries recognise that the mining tax regime is not the only consideration that is taken into account by prospective investors. The countryÆs geological prospectivity, physical infrastructure, labour force, political risk, and regulatory system are also important factors in the investment decision making process. Although it is probably true that an attractive mining tax regime will not necessarily attract mineral investment, there is a real possibility that an unattractive regime can drive away investment. For example, Hugo Dummett, general manager for discovery at BHP, hinted recently that BHP could cease exploration in Russia in the absence of positive tax changes. Dummett is reported as saying that if taxes æend up being as onerous as they are now, we really have to rethink why we are hereÆ (Mining Journal, London, November 27, 1998).

Jan 1, 1999

By P Hucker, E Hall

Harmony Gold operates the Mount Marion underground gold mine near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The mine consists of two ore zones, East and West, and mining of these zones is currently conducted using the sublevel caving method. When mining commenced in the Western zone, the span was insufficient to induce caving of the country rock above. Dyno Nobel, together with Harmony and 360 Drilling, developed an innovative drill and blast solution in order to promote cave propagation and improve the safety of personnel at the operation. The solution involved a series of shallow angle drill holes up to 90 m into the hanging wall of the West zone. These were charged with Titan« 7000 underground bulk emulsion and the HotShotÖ electronic initiation system. The blast used over seven tonnes of emulsion and 46 detonators and achieved the desired result without damaging nearby mine infrastructure.

Jan 1, 2007

Kinetics of bubble-particle interaction, surface hydrophobicity and interfacial phenomena in sulfide mineral flotation are discussed in this paper. Results of the measurements of a bubble and mineral induction time (IT) and detachment force (DF), vacuum of bubble evolution (VE) and mineral floatability are discussed for pyrite, galena, chalcocite and chalcopyrite. Natural wetting and wetting induced by xanthates with different lengths of alkyl chains are examined. Experiments show the existence of several maxima of hydrophobicity on dependences of pH and electrochemical potential. These maxima are attributed as the reflection of mineral surface heterogeneity due to xanthate adsorption and the presence of cationic and anionic centres with uncompensated positive and negative charges. These charges can be neutralised by both regulation pH and applied potential. The aim of this paper is to evaluate a thickness of the rupturing film and to estimate how long the bubble-mineral interactions are according to the experimental values of IT, in order to develop a procedure for comparing of the results of DF and atomic force measurements in the same dimensionality, and to compare the results of the experimental studies on the wettability of sulfides with those predicted by the models of physics of capillarity.

Jan 1, 2005

The mining industry was one of the first industry groups to be confronted by and to respond to public and government pressure to improve its environmental management. Companies operating in New Zealand and the parts of Australia with firmer environmental and planning controls responded quickly with environmental staff appointments to their development and operating arms. Even in less demanding jurisdictions in Western Australia and Papua New Guinea environmental staff were added to the payrolls. The issues then and now were seen as pollution related with land and water housekeeping leading to progressive or eventual site rehabilitation. Increasingly, however, environmental issues are being recognised as being more complex. They are about equity and social justice. Pollution of water, air or land is seen by the public as a question of personal and public rights, more or less wherever the pollution takes place, on public or private land. Environmental issues in mining have become caught up in the global perspective and a more holistic approach to environmental management. Environmental issues touch every comer of the community and action is being demanded. Nowhere is this better illustrated than on Bougainville Island where increasingly militant demands by land- owners for redress for environmental degradation from the Panguna Mine, on close examination, revealed many years of disenchant- ment with the government and the mining company over a wide range of social, cultural and environmental issues. Failure to address this satisfactorily eventually led to a bloody rebellion and finally an act of secession.

Jan 1, 1991

By Kershaw MG

At the Risdon plant of the Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Limited, impurities toxic to the electrolytic production of zinc metal, notably arsenic and antimony, have traditionally been coprecipitated when precipitating iron as ferric hydroxide. With the development of a new lead/zinc mine at Elura, New South Wales, it was anticipated that the concentration of impurities, particularly arsenic, in the zinc sulphide concentrates treated at Risdon would increase. This suggested that an increase in the capacity of the iron purification step in the Risdon plant would be required to cope with the higher input of these impurities.Laboratory investigations showed that the additional capacity would be achieved, either by a massive increase in the amount of iron used as the "collector" in the process, or by a two-stage process. The latter approach was preferred as an increase in the amount of iron precipitated would lead to much higher operating costs and overloading of the existing equipment.

Jan 1, 1985

The hazard posed by underground mine fires is illustrated in the first part of this paper by means of a review of experiences in four mining countries over the last three decades. This brief review indicates that while much progress has been made generally in preventing fires and providing means of protection to miners, the possibility of disasters occurring must continue to be regarded as very real. Based upon recent investigations by the South African mining industry, an integrated strategy for providing protection to personnel in the event of a fire is outlined in the second part of the paper. The main, complementary, elements in this strategy are the prevention of ignitions, the limitation of fires, provision of protection systems and equipment, training for emergencies, and effective implementation of safety measures. Some comments are made on important aspects of these elements and on possible further developments.

Jan 1, 1988

By A Seneviratne, Y Li, N Udugampola, X Ai, B Li

LoRa (Long Range) is a low-power, long-range wireless communication technology that has gained significant research interest for its potential use in multi-hop linear wireless sensor networks (LWSNs) for underground mines. These networks deploy LoRa-enabled sensor nodes in underground mines, together with LoRa repeaters placed along mine tunnels to relay sensor data to a LoRa gateway, which connects to a backend network for application-level processing. Since the packets generated by sensor nodes farthest from the gateway have to hop through many repeaters, their probability of successfully reaching the gateway is significantly lower due to the higher chance of packet collisions compared to sensor nodes closer to the gateway, resulting in a lack of network fairness for the sensor nodes. In this paper, we first present an algorithm to improve the fairness of a LoRa LWSN by grouping neighbouring nodes and adjusting the number of packet re-transmissions and transmission intervals for each group. Then, we demonstrate that the fairness of a simulated LoRa LWSN can be improved by approximately 500 per cent by applying our algorithm. We verify our algorithm with network simulations under different network traffic levels and grouping strategies, obtaining fairness improvements in each scenario. Our algorithm and results will pave the way towards developing highly fair LWSNs for underground mining applications.

Sep 1, 2024

By R S. Suglo, G-K Er

Mineral processing is an essential component of a mine production chain and it accounts for significant proportion of the production cost. Over the past decade, significant research progress has been made in processing plant efficiency using theoretical, experimental and simulation modelling techniques. However, these studies are limited to process plant system as stand-alone units with no interactions with the mining units. In order to maximise the total mining system efficiency and more accurately simulate the system, the processing plant must be modelled as part of an integrated mining system. This becomes increasingly important in continuous surface mining systems, with limited ore processing capacity. In addition, plant efficiency is roughly estimated with known parameters or with simplistic statistical data, without regards to the stochastic processes governing these parameters, such as processing plant feed introduction. In this paper, a comprehensive model of the ore processing plant system is given and the object-oriented design (OOD) of the system is briefly introduced. The joint operation of ore processing plant system and haulage system is analysed. Numerical modelling is used to analyse the ore processing plant system under different conditions. Analysis of the results show that the optimum plant capacity is 0.7 tons/sec (2520 tons/hour). The results also show that the plant system resources cannot be fully utilised because the production rate is always less than the plant capacity. When plant capacity reaches an optimum value 0.7 tons/sec, the production rate is about 0.64 tons/sec. The underlying stochastic processes associated with plant and mine capacities cause this variability. In order to reduce this variability, there is the need to tightly set tolerances for the function variables.

Jan 1, 2003

Gold bearing sediments at Scotland Point occur within the Quaternary Gibbston Fonnation, which underlies Cromwell Flat in Central Otago. Gibbston Fonnation unconformably overlies Teniary Manuherikia Group clays, sands and quartzose gravels. Gibbston Formation sediments are composed of a texturally diverse, multistoried lithostratigraphic succession of sandy/gravelly/bouldery lithofacies, deposited within a multiple channel (braided) depositional environment. Lithostatigraphic analysis indicate an upward overall decrease in average grain size, reflecting a concomitant reduction in stream competence. This trend results from progressive channel abandonment as major distributaries avulse across the outwash plain. Grade distribution of alluvial gold is controlled by aggradational and to a lesser extent degradational lithofacies deposited as distinctive braid bar forms near the base of the sequence. These lithofacies were deposited at different topographical levels on the outwash apron, under variable hydraulic conditions. Recognition of large-scale auriferous bedforms within the braid bar depositional system coupled with an understanding of lateral facies relationships, allows headgrade control on run of mine ore and quick determination of overburden to ore ratios.

Jan 1, 1988

The Musselwhite mine, located in northwestern Ontario, Canada, has been an underground narrow-vein gold producer since the spring of 1997. As an exploration project at the feasibility stage, much effort was undertaken to generate a geostatistical resource model that would integrate the orebodyÆs geological features, as well as the controls on mineralisation. Today as an operating mine producing over 200 000 ounces of gold per year, reconciliation studies of the tonnes and grades treated at the mill, with the feasibility model, for longer time periods, and with the grade control models, for shorter time periods, show results that are in good agreement. It was clearly demonstrated with the reconciliation to production, that the key to good reconciliation remains in the proper selection and application of the geological resource estimation method. The application of a grade interpolation technique capable of capturing threedimensionally pertinent geological features, as well as accounting for spatial grade continuity, proved to be successful in the predictability of tonnage and grade at the Musselwhite mine. Along with good mine practices, this approach, which was carried through to the operation, has produced excellent reconciliation results. The ongoing reconciliation studies at Musselwhite allow for a constant revision of the grade estimation strategy. In return, this optimisation process adds value by raising the accuracy level of production expectations. As this is an evolving practice at the mine site, further implementation developments are recommended to integrate these reconciliation procedures on a more regular basis.

Jan 1, 2002

By Borkin AD, Yemelyanov MF, Otrozhdennova LA, Malinovskaya ND, Nechay LA, Koltunova TY

The results of investigations of reagent regimes and flotation machines to decrease the losses of valuable components in both coarse and fine particle classes during non-ferrous metal dressing are considered.

Jan 1, 1993

By Morris A. E

The thermodynamically-based pyrometallurgical simulation software STEPSOL (Version 3.0) provides for the modelling of activities using the Interaction Parameter Model, the Regular Solution Model, the Sub-Regular Three Suffix Margules Model, the Sub-Regular Four Suffix Margules Model and various simpler polynomial models. These are briefly reviewed, along with the major sources of data available in the literature, and the implementation of the models in the program.

Jan 1, 1992