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By T Wellman, G Sternadt, R Hingston

The 335 000 oz Wilber Deposit is located within the Meekatharra-Wydgee Archaean greenstone belt in the Murchison District of Western Australia. The deposit comprises high-grade gold mineralisation hosted within a steeply west-dipping quartz lode, which lies within a broader (20–60?m) north-east striking shear zone envelope. Locally, the northerly-trending host rock geology includes greenschist facies high-Mg basalt (albite, actinolite, chlorite, biotite, calcite, zoisite, muscovite and titanate) intruded by at least two generations of felsic to intermediate porphyries (albite, actinolite, zoisite, chlorite, sericite, biotite, quartz and titanate). The Archaean rocks are cross-cut by a number of east–west striking Proterozoic dolerite dykes (biotite (50 per cent), albite, carbonate, epidote, titanate and actinolite) that are interpreted to have intruded pre-existing regional structures. The entire mine package is cross-cut by a system of shallow north-east-striking, north-west-dipping, barren quartz veins that commonly contain large (up to 30 cm), euhedral, smokey quartz megacrysts.The north-east-trending lode lies within a 3 m wide shear zone and varies from a single discrete 0.5 to 4 m wide laminated, massive or brecciated quartz-carbonate vein to multiple laminated veins up to 1 m wide within the shear. The veins exhibit strong boudinage, with cross-cutting quartz-carbonate seal veins in the boudin necks. The boudin necks often contain pink calcite. The shear zone fabric wraps closely around the boudin necks proximal to the vein, becoming more lode parallel distal to the vein. The lode is offset by a north to north-north-west trending fault.Mineralisation occurs as free gold within the quartz carbonate veins, with accessory sulfides including pyrite ± chalcopyrite, ± galena ± sphalerite. Fuchsite is observed in the veins, as laminar wall rock inclusions, with visible gold commonly associated with the wall rock laminations.Gold grades range from less than 1 g/t within the hosting shear zone, either at the margins or interstitial to the veins, to approximately 30 g/t in the single vein, and up to greater than 60 g/t in the multiple vein areas. Gold is commonly visible and disseminated throughout laminated, breccia and massive quartz veins, although laminations show the highest concentration of gold grains.CITATION:Hingston, R, Wellman, T and Sternadt, G, 2014. The geology of the Wilber Deposit, Andy Well Gold Project, Murchison District, Western Australia, in Proceedings Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014 , pp 55–64 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 18, 2014

By B Twidle, D Bertoldi, J Meikle, R Dunne

The Waihi Gold Mine is situated in a high rainfall area (annual average of over 2 m) on the North Island of New Zealand. Water treatment and discharge at the mine has been ongoing for the last 25 years. The first water treatment plant consisted of a æstandardÆ water treatment facility (ferric chloride precipitation) and cyanide detoxification. With time the project has expanded and the volumes of water increased requiring additional treatment methods (reverse osmosis) to meet the water quality for discharge. This paper will provide information on the historical development of the water treatment flow sheets, performance data and operating costs.CITATION:Bertoldi, D, Dunne, R, Twidle, B and Meikle, J, 2013. Water treatment at the Waihi Gold Mine, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 503-508 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

A broker relies heavily on mineral valuations and independent experts' reports to provide the fundamental information, both technical and commercial, which provides the basis of estimating the sharemarket value of securities and underlying assets. It is important to appreciate the significant variance that can occur between the market value and other types of valuation at a particular point in time. In general, most experts' reports and valuations seek to provide estimates of technical/fundamental or ""fair"" value which correspond to the Corporations Law and accounting standards requirements. They do not usually attempt to estimate (stock) market values and it is usually and quite correctly the broker's task to estimate market values on the basis of a technical appraisal and consideration of all other commercial, market and financial influences. Therefore ideally, an independent experts' report or information memorandum will include material relating to commercial and management aspects of a company as well as detailed technical reviews and fundamental valuations. Wherever sensible cash flow projections can be made, cash flow-derived valuations, usually based on discounted cash flow (DCF) calculations, remain the preferred valuation methodology. Brokers in general would not argue with this preference. However, there is a paucity of examples of valuations where alternative methods are applied as a check on the reasonableness of a DCF-based estimate.

Jan 1, 1994

By B Kilgariff

Flotation has been in use at Broken Hill for nearly 100 years, and the process has gone through many different optimisation studies over that time. This paper reviews the current flotation practice at the Perilya Broken Hill Mine, and details one of the recent optimisation studies conducted using mathematical modelling and simulation tools. The optimisation study consisted of surveys of the lead and zinc circuits, mapping of the floatability components of the ore and developing models of the lead and zinc circuits. The models were then used to conduct simulations to simplify the circuit. The study allowed plant personnel to identify optimum operating conditions for their current flotation cells, as well as possible improvements in circuit configuration and cell capacity.

Jan 1, 2005

By Parsons A. E

The application of known pelletizing tech- nology was successful in the agglomeration of zinc concentrate into pellets of minus 6mm siz- ing using fine zinc calcine and sulphuric acid as binder. Subsequent roasting trials conducted in a 0.3 m diameter fluid bed reactor, showed that the pellets satisfactorily withstood hot physical abrasion during fluidization. Fines generation was low and the pellet calcine was hard, possessing excellent handling properties. Results of laboratory scale static pellet sinter- ing tests showed conclusively that the deterior- ation in sinter physical quality experienced with fine calcine was not apparent when the calcine was added to the mix in pellet form. Based on the results of small scale exper- imental work, a one tonne per hour pilot plant was constructed and operated. Several thousand tonne of pellets were produced-for fluid bed roasting in Badische Analin and Soda Fabrik (B.A.S.F.) turbulent layer (T.L.) roasters previously designed for roasting iron pyrite concentrate. Continuity of the T.L. fluid bed roasting operations was achieved when the waste heat boilers were replaced with atmospheric coolers and thus eliminated the problems of gas flow restrictions. Sinter plant trials were conducted over a period of two weeks with the addition of pellet calcine to the sinter feed. Results showed a marked improvement in sinter plant performance, and as a result of better bed permeability, increased sinter production was achieved, with- out significant deterioration in sinter quality.

Jan 1, 1974

By Yucheng H, Baogui Y, Wenyong L

High-water rapid-solidifying material, called 'high-water material', is a new material developed by the authors over many years. The material can solidify nine times its volume of water into solid. The material is a fine kind of binder with special properties. The solidifying body of high-water material with water has quite a high early strength. The compressive strength of the material within three days can reach the same strength as conventional Portland in 28 days. One ton of the material can replace three tons of conventional Portland cement as binder. Some important achievements have been made in application of high-water material. In metal mines, based on the material, a new full-tailing cemented backfill technology has been developed. The characteristic of the new technology is that high-water material is used as binder and full tailing or alluvial sand is used as backfill aggregate. Because of the application of the new technology, major technical problems in backfill technology such as classifying of tailing, dewatering, transportation of pulp, low strength of hackfill body. environmental contamination and so on, have been solved.

Jan 1, 1998

By J Edman, RáBeamish, G Cambourn, B Beamish

Moist Adiabatic Benchmark (MAB) and R70 testing have been applied to core samples of a multiple seam sequence from a borehole at the Doyles Creek Project. The coal samples range in rank from high volatile B bituminous to high volatile A bituminous, with a general increase in coal rank as depth increases in the borehole. The intrinsic coal reactivity to oxygen decreases with coal rank as indicated by the R70 values. The time taken to reach thermal runaway shown by the MAB testing however is strongly modified by the interaction between the intrinsic coal reactivity, the moisture content of the coal and the retained gas content of the coal. This is clearly demonstrated by the lowermost seam of the sequence. The MAB test for coal from the Whynot Seam took 20 days to go to thermal runaway, which projects to heating issues taking between eight to 12 months to occur for loosely piled coal found in coal roof falls or a longwall goaf and uncompacted stockpiles, assuming sufficient air is available for coal oxidation. The results from this project illustrate leading practice for the operational planning and development of an appropriate spontaneous combustion management plan (SCMP).CITATION:Beamish, B, Cambourn, G, Lewis, G, Edman, J and Beamish, R, 2013. Application of leading practice spontaneous combustion assessment to exploration at the Doyles Creek Project, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 293-298 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

By I Zh Bunin, V A. Chanturia, V G. Minenko, M V. Ryazantseva, A L. Samusev

A promising source for the extraction of rare metals and REEs in Russia is the eudialyte ores of the Lovozero deposit, which do not contain active uranium components. The eudialyte ore reserves of the Lovozero Massif are considered virtually unlimited and therefore have the potential to become a primary source of a number of rare and rare earth metals. The goal of this study was to comprehensively examine the effect of the parameters of high-power nanosecond electromagnetic pulses (HPEMP) and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) on the leaching performance of eudialyte concentrate and the selective separation of zirconium and REEs from productive solutions. Using scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, the mechanism behind the intensification of acidic dissolution of eudialyte as a result of pretreatment with energy impacts was described. During the HPEMP treatment, weakening and destruction of the eudialyte surface was observed, which at the substructural level is expressed in the deformation and local destruction of Si10O27, Si9MO30 resulting in formation of microcracks. During the DBD treatment, the formation of characteristic defects was observed in the form of imprints of dielectric breakdown microchannels and individual mineral fragments. Pretreatment of eudialyte concentrate using HPEMP made it possible to increase the recovery of zirconium into the pregnant solution of leaching by 3.4–4.3 per cent (from 86.6 per cent to 90.9 per cent) and by 4.1 per cent (from 86.6 per cent to 90.6 per cent) when using DBD. The increase in the total recovery of REEs was 1.2–1.8 per cent (from 87.7 per cent to 89.2 per cent). The effect of pH values, solution temperature, initial concentrations of valuable components on the successive recovery performance of zirconium and REEs from the pregnant solutions nitric from the acid leaching of eudialyte concentrate by chemical precipitation was examined. The possibility of selective separation of the zirconium product and rare earth elements with a zirconium recovery of 99.95 per cent and a REE recovery of 87.5 per cent was established. REE loss with the zirconium product was 8.0 per cent and 4.5 per cent with the spent pregnant solution.

Aug 24, 2022

By B Vietnieks, N Widmer, L White, E Tata, J Natukunda, D C. Ilouga, J P. Tyler

The Republic of Uganda aims to exploit its’ significant, un-developed iron ore resources to supply the required raw material for developing its’ iron and steel industry across all the stages of the supply chain. Large prospects of iron ore exists in Uganda in the eastern (Tororo) regions and southwestern (Kisoro-Kabale) regions of the country. The Kisoro-Kabale iron ore projects covers mineralisation in hematitic banded iron formation (itabirite) in the north-eastern Congo-Tanzania Craton; covering ten Iron ore prospects. The prospects include Kamena, Karukara, Nyamiringa, Kyanyamuzinda, Rugando, Katagata, Rwengongo, Kijuguta, Kihumuro and Katuna. High-grade hematite ore prospects in south-western Uganda have known grades ranging from 55 per cent to 68 per cent iron ore content with an exploration target estimated at over 500 million tonne (Mt). Small scale production of iron ore from the south-western regions provide raw material to existing steelmaking and direct reduction iron ore plants located in the Jinja and Iganga districts of eastern Uganda. Large quantities of iron ore and other steelmaking raw material, however, are required to be imported into Uganda due to the limited exploration and development of their own iron ore mining operations. A joint collaboration between the European Union (EU), the Department of the Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM), Ugandan Ministry of Mines in partnership with Australian drilling and mining consultancies, ADT Africa and Kalem Group as a EU funded project was undertaken during November 2022 and September 2023. Exploration and evaluation of the ten iron ore prospects in south-western Uganda was undertaken through geological mapping, drilling, assaying, and technical studies with the view to attract investment for the development of Uganda iron ore mining and steelmaking industry. The collaboration developed mineral exploration policy, guidelines and standards, an iron ore exploration manual, a geological data management policy, and to support the sustainable development of iron ore mining in Uganda through building the capacity of local Ugandan geology and mining personnel through the transfer of knowledge and expertise from experienced iron ore experts. The quantification of these resources is an important first step in assessing their economic potential and attracting mining investors. This paper presents an overview of the investigation program and the preliminary results as an important first step in attracting mining investors to this exciting new iron ore province.

Sep 18, 2023

By P B. Hills

Increasingly over the past couple of decades, the importance of understanding the in situ stress regime in underground hard rock mines has become accepted by all. Providers have responded to this requirement and various techniques for undertaking the measurements have been honed while others have slipped from use. It is a simple, though not inexpensive task to engage a provider to undertake the require measurements, and a comprehensive report will ensue. So, what has actually been obtained? What should the geotechnical engineer do next? What tools are necessary to do so? Regardless of the method of measurement, the report will describe the location of the measurement site and describe the basis of the methodology used in undertaking the measurements and a log of the measurement program. Finally, it will include the results, which should incorporate the normal and shear stress components of the full stress tensor. Ground control management plans (GCMP’s) and stress summary reports and spreadsheets prepared by site geotechnical engineers always include the magnitude, trend and plunge of the principal stresses. Remarkably few site-based summaries include the full stress tensor. This is a significant gap as the full stress tensor is vital for any further data manipulation. However, without the algebraic tools to undertake those manipulations, their value is diminished. This paper seeks to provide a checklist of ideas to be considered. It provides commentary on the options available to dissect the stress measurement report and ensure that the maximum possible value is derived from it. The manipulation and presentation of component stress data is also discussed. The various methods of stress measurement are not the focus of the paper but some of the strengths and weaknesses of them over which the site geotechnical engineer has some control, are highlighted.

Nov 29, 2022

By C J. Greet

Oil can enter a flotation circuit from a number of sources (for example, from mining equipment, oil leaks from the grinding equipment and coatings on the grinding media, but to name a few). Folklore generally states that any oil that contaminates the ore entering the flotation circuit is considered to have a negative impact on flotation. That is, a loss in concentrate grade and recovery.This represents a dilemma for some grinding media suppliers, who use a variety of quenching medium (air, polymer, oil or water) to achieve the desired physical properties of the ball. In the case of high chrome grinding media it is necessary, in some instances, to quench in oil to give the ball the right degree of toughness, which invariably leads to these balls having a thin film of oil on their surface. Once the grinding media arrives on site and site personnel recognise that the balls are “covered” in oil, they generally insist that the oil will have a deleterious impact on flotation performance.Obviously, any supplier “worth their salt” would take remedial action at the point of manufacture to minimise this problem. However, does quenching oil actually present a significant “threat” to the flotation process? This paper provides both laboratory and plant data describing the effect quenching oil has on the flotation of copper sulphide ore, with surprising results!

Aug 8, 2011

By G P. W Suyantara, Y Tanaka, T Hirajima, Y Aoki, K Sasaki, H Miki

The effect of sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) on the flotation behaviour of bornite and tennantite is reported in this work. Flotation tests were performed using pure minerals of bornite and tennantite under various concentrations of sodium sulfite at pH 9. The flotation results indicated that sodium sulfite exhibited a depressing effect on the floatability of bornite in the presence of 0.1 mM PAX. However, tennantite remained floatable after the addition of sodium sulfite in the presence of 0.1 mM PAX. The flotation tests using mixed bornite and tennantite confirmed the flotation results of single minerals. Surface characterisation using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to explain the flotation results. A mechanism is proposed based on the XPS analysis results.

Aug 24, 2022

By A Halim

"There is still debate about who should ultimately be responsible for the ventilation system in anunderground mine. The Queensland Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001, states that adedicated ventilation offi cer is the person, while Western Australian Mines Safety and InspectionRegulation 1995 states that it is the mine manager who is responsible; the ventilation offi cer actsas the managerÆs principal ventilation advisor. This paper outlines a comparison between bothapproaches."

Jun 1, 2012

By M P. Sandy, V Louchnikov, V Eremenko, M Orunesu, O Watson

"Surface support is a key component of most ground support systems which are applied as a means of reducing the risk of rockfall occurrence and maintaining serviceability of mine development. Surface support has two primary functions: distributing the applied load throughout the system by providing connection between rock bolts retaining smaller rocks that unravel between rock bolts.Confinement is also provided to the rock mass, which may increase its capacity to resist further degradation or loosening.Surface support has been routinely installed in most underground mines around the world for many years, yet the operators are still not always certain which type is best suited for deformable ground conditions. A number of factors need to be taken into consideration prior to selecting the type of surface support liner, such as its capacity, availability, practicality of installation, manual handling and loading conditions (static or dynamic) to ensure the system’s optimal performance in terms of safety and costs.This paper presents an overview of the surface support types currently used in underground mines in Australia. Shotcrete, weld mesh, high-tensile chainlink mesh, reinforced weld mesh and high energy absorption (HEA) mesh are discussed. A detailed description of each system is provided in terms of capacity, energy absorption, installation cycle and costs. The cost of each system has been normalised to the units of energy absorbed. The information presented in this paper can be used by underground operators as a reference guide when deciding on suitable surface support type for deformable ground conditions.CITATION:Louchnikov, V, Sandy, M P, Watson, O, Orunesu, M and Eremenko, V, 2014. An overview of surface rock support for deformable ground conditions, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2014, pp 57–66 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 24, 2014

By R Dimitrakopoulos, I Minniakhmetov

Geostatistical simulation techniques are used to quantify uncertainty of spatial attributes of interest describing mineral deposits, petroleum reservoirs, hydrogeological horizons, environmental contaminants and so on. The majority of existing methods consider second-order spatial statistics and Gaussian processes, while the more advanced multiple point-based simulation approaches are algorithmic and do not consistently account for the high-order spatial relations in data. Recently, simulation techniques for complex and non-Gaussian spatially distributed variables have been developed, based on high-order spatial cumulants, and make no assumptions on data distribution or require data transformations. In this paper, the previous developments are extended and a new approach for the joint simulation of multiple correlated variables using high-order spatial statistics is proposed. The technique is based on a new algorithm for the decorrelation of correlated variables into factors, using the so-termed diagonal domination condition of high-order cumulants. The decorrelated factors are then simulated using high-order simulation and back-transformed into the initial correlated variables. The decorrelation using diagonal domination of high-order statistics is tested with a data set from a multielement iron ore deposit, and then a fully known two-dimensional data set with two correlated variables is used to demonstrate the practical intricacies of the proposed method.CITATION:Minniakhmetov, I and Dimitrakopoulos, R, 2014. Joint simulation of correlated variables using high-order spatial statistics for orebody modelling, in Proceedings Orebody Modelling and Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2014 , pp 53–60 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 24, 2014

By M Edwards

The paper outlines the successful application of some of the on-belt technologies available from Scantech International Pty Ltd and how these have provided benefits in a number of mining and mineral processing operations. Effective process control requires real time analysis so quality can be fed back to the previous process and fed forward to a subsequent process. A range of on-belt analysers that allows for full stream, continuous, non-contact analysis of conveyed materials is available to achieve this. Real time results can provide timely information for effective process control. Benefits of on-belt analysis systems become more evident once the true variability of material quality and moisture content in conveyed flows is measured. To obtain economies of scale in mineral processing operations large material flows are achieved using conveyors. The cost and effort to sample representatively increases as conveyor flows increase. One sample may represent a few tonnes or up to 10 000 tonnes of material. The turnaround time between sampling and availability of sample analysis data does not allow real time process control. Tonnage flow rate, moisture content and elemental or mineralogical composition are required to perform effective process control of most conveyed streams. Tonnages can be effectively measured using belt weighers. The analyses derived from small samples supplied by conveyor-based sampling systems contain high variability. On-belt, continuous analysers see all the material and, through short term compositing of analyses, supply less variable results. Real time analysis helps operators develop a better understanding of material variability. Analysers can be effectively utilised to improve the consistency of product quality through bulk sorting and blending control. Many existing users of the technologies have gained competitive advantages through their ability to supply a more consistent quality product to the market.

Jan 1, 2008

By D Mather, H R. Asche

"In the civil tunnelling field, the use of tunnel boring machines (TBM) has now overtaken the use of conventional excavation methods (drill and blast / roadheader). This is due to a number of reasons, including the increasing availability and reliability of TBMs, the ability to deal with a wider range of face conditions, and the reduced excavation cost that TBMs can bring.Mining companies have spearheaded the advances in shaft boring by mechanised means, both in blind and raise boring. However, mining companies have been slower to adopt mechanised tunnelling.When contrasted with a conventional mining contract, there are good reasons why TBMs in mining applications are relatively rare. A conventional decline contract may have very little geotechnical information. The decline alignment can be subject to change as the tunnelling progresses. The infrastructure requirements are less for a conventional decline, and the sunk cost prior to excavation commencing is lower. Contract documents can be very simple.The history of TBM use in mining is reviewed and lessons are described. From the case histories and lessons learnt, the paper identifies ways that mining companies can maximise the potential benefit of TBM technology.We believe that despite the additional requirements for TBM declines, the cost and time advantage to mining companies is very attractive. The challenge is to recognise and to meet the requirements for success in a TBM drive to achieve the advantages of: faster advance rates reduced rock damage/overbreak reduced support requirements uniform muck characteristics greater personnel safety.From the case histories and lessons learnt, the paper identifies ways that mining companies can maximise the potential benefit of TBM technology.CITATION:Asche, H R and Mather, D, 2014. Use of ?tunnel boring machines in the mine environment, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014, pp 655–662 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Sep 17, 2014

By M Lak, R Amiri, A Haratian, M Asghari, S Haji

Dry magnet separators are used to upgrade and beneficiate a wide variety of minerals such as hematite and magnetite materials. In recent years advances in dry magnetic separators have improved their performance. Fine particle separation is one of the main areas which still remain weak. This paper will present a new design of fine particle drum separators which used for particle size less than 3 mm. A big problem in processing of iron ore is the grade and recovery of mineral values in the fines fraction. The new design high efficiency drum separator is developed to handle fine feeds. In this drum separators both of the drum shell and magnetic yoke rotate in opposite direction. the results showed that when the material feed size was = 1298 μm, drum shell speed was 42.5 rev/min, magnetic yoke speed was 100 rev/min and the maximum intensity of magnetic field was at = 30° the feed grade increased from 50.87 to 65.67 in concentrate box, increase to 60.45 in middle box and tail grade was 24.44. The total achieved recovery for both concentrate and middle box was 81.89 per cent.

Nov 8, 2021

By S Q. Zhao, J H. Wei

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. The Xitieshan lead-zinc deposit is located in the north margin of the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai Province, China. It is one of the largest massive sulfide deposits in China and is supposed to be of the sedimentation-exhalation (SEDEX) type. Based on the main ore mineral and sulfur isotopic compositions in sulfides found in the wall rock, the S of the deposit is considered to originate from the mantle, but the fluid potentially mixed with sea water during the hydrothermal circulation exchange. The study of lead isotopes shows that the metallogenic material is characterised by the mixture of orogenic and upper crust sources. The lead isotopic signature of the wall rock is similar to that of the ore, which shows synsedimentary characteristics. According to the composition of the rubidium and strontium isotopic signature, the value of 87Sr/86Sr is lower than the average value of that in the crustal rock, which is larger than that of the mantle. Hence, the metallogenic materials of this deposit mainly originate from the crust, which is related to materials of volcanic rocks activation and migration of the deep hot circulating water. The process of the metallogenic fluid circulation shows continuous interaction with crustal material and lead to continuous enrichment of the ore forming fluids. From the study of the fluid inclusion microthermometry of the ore and the associated minerals combined with the C, H-O, Si isotopes, it is believed that the metallogenic fluid is mainly coming from the mantle or the deep magma chambers. The rising deep fluid then mixes with the sea water. The carbon dioxide escaping and mixing with sea water during the hydrothermal exhalation process leads to the rapid precipitation of the hydrothermal fluid to deposit metal. That is proposed as the principal formation mechanism of the Xitieshan deposit. Further studies are proposed, including obtaining geochronology data from this deposit.CITATION:Zhao, Z X, Wei, J H, Liang, S N and Zhao, S Q, 2015. Advances in research on metallogenic mechanisms for the Xitieshan sedimentation-exhalation lead-zinc deposit, Qinghai Province, China, in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 487–494 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By D Brown, Z Tabor

Projects must be flexible to account for the rapid development of new technologies and changing stakeholder expectations. Coupled with calls for bleeding-edge solutions, customers, shareholders, and regulators demand robust, safe products and systems-of-systems. Developing and integrating these solutions is becoming increasingly complex and maintaining the flexibility required to ‘pivot’ to effective solutions can be a serious challenge. The necessary flexibility is fundamental to the Agile ethos, and this family of methodologies therefore offers a potential solution to this challenge (Beedle et al, 2001). These have traditionally been delivered with systems engineering applied through a Waterfall methodology. Agile Systems Engineering combines both approaches and presents a means to achieve these goals without compromising flexibility, quality or safety. A robust methodology for the application of Agile Systems Engineering is required to enhance practical outcomes and reduce risk for real-world mining projects.

Sep 1, 2024