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By M. A. Kujoana

Following on the design of good mining layouts and regional support systems, and the implementation of sound strata control practices, stope support is the ultimate strategy to combat the hazards of rockfalls and rockbursts. The primary function of stope support in intermediate and deep level mines is to stabilize the rock mass immediately surrounding stoping excavations, that is, the zone of fractured rock which behaves in elastically around stopes. Support design is a process resulting in a support system which is both practical and meets or exceeds by a factor of safety the requirements for a particular geotechnical environment. The aim of this project was to design a support system, which accommodates the factors of rockfalls and rockbursts. The pack support unit must be easily handled, less costly and can be used in stopes without any significant convergence. The project tested the structural stability of packs to their expected deformation, in order to design a height to width ratio for stopes where little convergence is expected.

Jan 1, 2009

By A. Patri, D. S. Nimaje

Wireless sensor networks and wireless communication systems have become indispensable in underground mines. Wireless sensor networks are being used for better real-time data acquisition from ground monitoring devices, gas sensors, and mining equipment, whereas wireless communication systems are needed for locating and communicating with workers. Conventional methods like wireline communication have proved to be ineffective in the event of mine hazards such as roof falls, fires etc. Before implementation of any wireless system, the variable path loss indices for different workplaces should be determined. This helps in better signal reception and sensor node localization, and also improves the method by which miners carrying the wireless devices are tracked. This paper proposes a novel method for determining the parameters of a suitable radio propagation model, which is illustrated with the results of a practical experiment carried out in an underground coal mine in southern India. The path loss indices, along with other essential parameters for accurate localization, have been determined using the XBee modules and ZigBee protocol at 2.4 GHz frequency.

Jan 1, 2015

By G. Wendel

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive material in the earth?s crust. Geological processes have resulted in concentration of uranium into ore mined for its gold content in South Africa. This uranium is present in the form of discrete particles of uranium minerals, generally oxides, which are normally insoluble. Chemical and physical processes during gold mining and extraction, particularly when carried out in conjunction with uranium extraction and sulphuric acid manufacture, act on the uranium minerals and the radioactive decay products of uranium. This may result insignificant accumulations of radioactive materials in certain parts of the process. There are a number of naturally occurring radioactive materials in the earth?s crust, such as Uranium-235, Thorium-232, andPotassium-40. This paper focuses on Uranium-238, together with its decay products, and how they affect the gold mines. Water plays a significant role in the redistribution of radionuclides, both as a physical transport medium, and as a solvent in which chemical reactions take place.

Jan 1, 1998

By C Smit

SYNOPSIS A prototype collimated radiometric face scanner was tested in the Harmony Gold Mine. The results obtained during the pilot study indicate that in situ radiometric uranium assays are statistically indistinguishable from those obtained conventionally from channel chip samples. In addition, the study demonstrated that reasonably reliable gold estimates can be deduced from the radiometric measurements, by use of the ratio of gold to uranium within a mine. The instrumentation, calibration procedures, and background determination are described briefly.

Jan 1, 1985

By Y. H. Suh, H. C. Lee, D. S. Kim

A progressive karst formation and its influence upon engineered structures in the ‘phil-karst’ rock mass draw a tunnel engineer’s special attention to a long-term stability and the maintenance issues. Karst sinkholes of any size beneath the railway bed cause train wrecks or long interruptions in train traffic during rehabilitation work. The collapse of cave roof, called a ‘doline’, is in general connected to the cave by the gradual dissolving of the rock, developing into subsidence and sink-holes. The principal conclusions obtained from the field experiments are as follows: It is found that the development of karst cavity shows a relationship with a structural geological line and it is necessary to define the dominant directions of joint and geological layer (formation). The relation-ship between the water flow and joint direction can be used as an indicator of cavity presence in their direction. In addition the direction of in-situ stress can play a role in the development of karst cavities. A risk map of karst scenario is produced for the tunnel supporting systems with rock type classifications in water-soluble karstic rock mass. Eine fortschrittliche Karst-Formung und sein Einfluß auf angelegten Strukturen in der Phil-Karst-Felsenmasse wecken einem Tunnelingenieur eine besondere Aufmerksamkeit zu einer langfristigen Stabilität und der Wartungsausgaben auf. Karstensinkhöhlen in irgendeinen Größen unter dem Eisenbahnbett sind die Ursache der Zugeszerstörung oder der langen Unterbrechungen in Zugverkehr während Rehabilitationsarbeit. Der Zusammenbruch von Höhlendach, d.h. ein “doline”, ist im allgemeinen an die Höhle, die durch das allmähliche Auflösen des Felsen zu entstehen ist und sich in die Subsidence und Sinkhöhlen entwickeln, angeschlossen. Die Hauptschlüsse, die von Feldenprüfungen erhalten wurden, sind folgendermaßen: es wird gefunden, daß die Entwicklung von Karstenhöhlung eine Beziehung mit einer strukturellen geologischen Linie zeigt und es notwendig ist, die vorherrschenden Richtungen von Gelenk und geologischer Schicht (die Formung) zu definieren. Die Beziehung zwischen dem Wasserablauf und der gemeinschaftlichen Richtung kann als ein Anzeiger von Höhlungsanwesenheit in ihrer Richtung benutzt werden. Zusätzlich kann die Richtung von In-Situ-Spannung eine Rolle in der Entwicklung der Karstenhöhlungen spielen. Für das Tunnelunterstützungssystem, welches mit Felsentypenklassifizierungen in wasserlöslicher Karstic-Felsenmasse, ist eine Risikokarte von Karstenszenar hergestellt. Une formation progressive de karst et son influence sur les structures tracées dans la masse de roche "phil-karst" retiennent l'attention particulière des ingénieurs de tunnel aux problèmes de la stabilité à long terme et du maintien. Les creux de karst de toute la taille sous le chemin de fer causent les accidents de trains ou de longues interruptions pendant le travail de réhabilitaion. L'effondrement du plafond de caverne qui s'appelle "doline" s'est, en général, connecté à la caverne par dissolution progressive de la roche, en devenant l'affaissement et les creux. Les conclusions importantes venant des experimentations sur le terrain sont suivants: d'abord, le développement de la cavité de karst montre le rapport avec la ligne géologique de la structure et il est nécessaire de définir les directions dominantes du joint et la couche(formation) géologique. La relation entre l'écoulement de l'eau et la direction du joint peut être utilisé comme un indicateur de la présence de la cavité dans leur direction. De plus, la direction sur place peut contribuer au développement des cavités de karst. Le plan risqué de karst s'est produit pour le système d'appui du tunnel avec les classifications du type de roche dans la masse de roche karstique qui est soluble dans l'eau.

Jan 1, 2003

By S. A. Lorentz, Y. Xu, C. Theron

The failure of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) results in the discharge of significant quantities of hazardous waste material into the natural environment. Research studies relating to slope instability have identified physical mechanisms such as rainfall-induced erosion, liquefaction, and shear failure as the main triggers. The generation of transient pressure waves and the mobilization of pre-event water in the unsaturated zone have been found to trigger shallow landslides in natural hillslopes. In this paper we review these physical mechanisms, known as groundwater ridging (GWR) and the Lisse effect (LE), from other studies. Previous researchers have explained both these phenomena through field and laboratory observations, numerical modelling, as well as conceptual discussions. These case studies demonstrate the impact of rainfall characteristics on the generation of transient pressure waves that rapidly increase the phreatic surface and change pore water suction. Reference is also made to the influence and behaviour of physical porous medium characteristics on the establishment of a continuous water phase that facilitates the transmission of an induced pressure head. However, previous studies fail to recognize the possibility that the pressure increase in pre-event water through pore air propagation could cause slope instability in tailings dams. The authors suggest that the physical properties and hydraulic behaviour of unsaturated porous tailings media make it susceptible to GWR and the LE, resulting in the creation of a potential failure plane.

Feb 2, 2022

By Richard J. Robbins

Raise and shaft drilling, a continuing development RICHARD J. ROBBINS* (Visitor) Although the past decade has witnessed many improvements in large-diameter drilling machinery for the boring of raises, there is still room for improvement both in operational use and in the design of equipment. Some of the available machines are described and illustrated, and it is concluded that the possibilities of new systems and designs should continually be re-assessed since the factors that determine their feasibility, such as bore diameter, cutter costs, and penetration rates, are changing rapidly.

By J. W. Wilson, P. C. Graham

Raise-boring experiences in the gold mines of the Anglo American Corporation Group by J. W. Wilson M.Sc., M.I.M.M., F.S.A.I.M.M., M.A.I.M.E. and P. C. Graham M.Sc. (Eng.) Gold mining is being carried out at ever-increasing depths in South Africa. For reasons of safety and human comfort, it is becoming imperative for raises to be developed by means other than conventional drilling and blasting. Raise-boring is an attractive alternative method. Initial raise-boring experiences in South African gold mines showed disappointingly high costs due to the abrasivity and difficulty of drilling Witwatersrand quartzites. Consequently, a research and development project was instigated with the objective of making raise-boring an economically viable technique in hard abrasive rock. A Robbins 61R raise-borer was made available to the Research and Development team and a number of raises have been drilled. During these trials two advances in cutter design were tested. This paper presents the results obtained, including drilling costs, and provides details of the equipment used.

By F. H. Guise-Brown

Raise-boring experiences in the gold mines of the Anglo American Corporation Group by J. W. WILSON and P. C. GRAHAM Published in the Journal, October, 1972. Discussion by F. H. Guise-Brown., B.Sc. (Min. Eng.) (Member) INTRODUCTION Messrs J. W. Wilson and P. C. Graham are to be congratulated on an excellent paper containing several thought-provoking remarks. The concept of allocating a machine and equipment valued initially at some R300 000 on an experimental basis is courageous, and the results obtained could be of interest to the mining industry as a whole. The Gold Fields of S.A. Group approached this problem differently. In pioneering the start of this work in South African gold mines, they considered that expenditure of this magnitude would be warranted only if the proposition was viable right from the start. To this end, a Robbins R41 was purchased expressly to assist in the duplication of part of the No. 1 shaft system of the Doomfontein Gold Mine. Mr M. J. Koortsl has summed up the initial results of this work and given some preliminary costing, but inflation since that period has made these figures somewhat out of date.

Jan 10, 1972

In many practical situations, the samples available to estimate a block of ore are not located on a regular grid. The sample sizes and orientations are not constant, and the number and relative position of the samples used for valuation of each block change from block to block. Estimation of a block W might be very complex and time consuming if each sample in the neighbourhood of the block were considered individually. A practical solution consists of grouping the samples in blocks Wi (i = 1, 2, . . . n) in the neighbourhood of W, and estimating µw as a weighted average of the mean xi of the samples in Wi. Possible ways of grouping the samples are illustrated in Fig. 1 1.1. More complex patterns can be found in the literature (Krige, 1966) To calculate the kriging estimator of pw, we must be able to calculate the variance of xi, the covariance of xi and xj, and the covariance of xi and pµw. The purpose of this chapter is to show how these quantities can be calculated when we ignore the position of the samples in the block Wi. We consider the samples to be randomly distributed in Wi; kriging with this assumption is known as random kriging.

Jan 1, 1978

By C. Musingwini

The South African platinum mining industry is using a number of different mining methods, including variations of the same method, to extract the narrow reef tabular platinum deposits of the Bushveld Complex. These mining methods fall into three broad categories, namely conventional, mechanised and hybrid mining. A question sometimes asked in the industry is whether mechanized mining methods are more efficient than conventional mining methods. An objective answer requires the methods to be evaluated against multiple criteria simultaneously, whereby each criterion has a relative degree of importance in the overall decision. The most efficient method is the one that scores highest on each criterion. However, some of the criteria can be conflicting, such as by increasing dilution the shaft head grade decreases. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology was selected for the study because it is used to solve problems of this nature. A survey was carried out to determine the relative importance of each efficiency criterion by drawing on the knowledge and experience of mine technical services and project management practitioners in the industry. Efficiency data for four different mining methods drawn from the Egerton (2004) study were used as a case study. The conventional mining method ranked as the most efficient mining method from the four methods considered. The exercise indicates potential for the AHP to be used in the South African platinum mining industry as a tool for selecting optimal layout designs, conduct regular evaluation of the performance of production shafts, or objectively evaluate line managers for promotion. The work described in this paper is part of the methodology used in a current PhD research study at the University of the Witwatersrand. Keywords: Analytic hierarchy process (AHP); multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA); decision-making; conventional mining, hybrid mining, mechanized mining.

Jan 1, 2008

By K. R. Vost

Most theoretical methods for the prediction of air-temperature gradients in underground airways always assume that the temperature of the entering air either remains constant or has only a slow seasonal variation. Large changes of temperature, caused by variations in atmospheric conditions on the surface, were measured in a fourteen-day period in air entering a horizontal airway. The changes in wet-bulb temperature were damped along the airway less uniformly than the dry-bulb changes; significant variations occurred in the wet-bulb temperature of the air leaving the airway. The damping was .associated with large variations in air-temperature gradients. Other causes of rapid changes In temperature are discussed. These changes must be taken into account in predictions of the frequency with which undesirable conditions can be exceeded at critical points in the ventilation circuit of a mine to allow proper planning of ventilation and refrigeration requirements.

Jan 1, 1977

By E. Mpoloka

Debswana together with ADP as their design partner have embarked on an RDP project at Jwaneng Mine. The objective of the project is to install a 2 million ton per annum mineral processing plant that will fast track the recovery of diamonds from the Debswana tailings resource to ensure maximum return on investment for the company. Due to the prevailing economic conditions Debswana has had to review the way they used to build plants in the past and consider simple, fast and effective ways of doing things. The rapid deployment plant concept is therefore the most suitable means of achieving this objective. Debswana is also considering an operating partner who will operate far more efficiently and cheaply compared to the larger more cumbersome and less agile Debswana.

Jan 1, 2010

By D. Strachan

Installation of support in known poor ground intersections during reaming operations requires rapid access to stabilize the shaft wall and thus to prevent the loss of the shaft through scaling. This is especially relevant to shafts of long dimension where the duration from time of exposure to time of support installation is lengthy This paper deals with the innovative methodology employed at Harmony?s No. 8 Shaft 17/24 level sub ventilation shaft to rapidly support a shale intersection between 23 and 24 Level by employing a single deck stage suspended from the reamer head by means of Skyjack winches.

Jan 1, 2009

By D. Strachan

Installation of support in known poor ground intersections during reaming operations requires rapid access to stabilize the shaft wall and thus to prevent the loss of the shaft through scaling. This is especially relevant to shafts of long dimension where the duration from time of exposure to time of support installation is lengthy This paper deals with the innovative methodology employed at Harmony?s No. 8 Shaft 17/24 level sub ventilation shaft to rapidly support a shale intersection between 23 and 24 Level by employing a single deck stage suspended from the reamer head by means of Skyjack winches.

Jan 1, 2009

By A. McLean, M. Iwase, K. Wakimoto, K. Katogi

For many decades control strategies have been based upon samples taken from liquid steel, molten slag and gas phase as well as from solid products. Because of recent developments in the areas of dynamic control models, artificial intelligence and expert systems, there is an increasing incentive to develop diagnostic sensors, which permit in-situ rapid determinations of concentrations of various elements in molten steel. In this paper, an overview is given on recent developments in the areas of sensors for use in ferroalloy and steel production. Particular emphasis will be given on (i) innovative application of sensors for on-line determinations of dissolved elements, Si, P, N, H and Cr in molten iron and ferroalloys, (ii) evaluation of inclusions in liquid metal and (iii) rapid determinations of slag compositions.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. Botha

There are many underground mining software tools available to plan and schedule the development of underground mines. A shortfall of these tools is the optimization of the underground equipment and strategy in order to maximize the development rate. This paper will illustrate how the SimMine® software was used to maximize underground development at Petra Diamonds' Cullinan Diamond Mine. It will also determine the effect of various development strategies and equipment capacities on the underground development rate and pinpoint potential bottlenecks in the mine development cycle.

Jan 1, 2010

By S. Hlajoane, L. S. Mokhahlane

The demand for rare earth elements has increased around the world due to their application in a variety of technological advancements. Previous studies have evaluated the potential of the rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) hosted within the Permian coal deposits of the main Karoo Basin (MKB) in Southern Africa. However, not a lot of scientific research has gone into the Triassic coal deposits. The Triassic coals in South Africa were the first coals to be exploited for their thermal use in the 1880s, but the discovery of the higher rank and more abundant Ecca coal deposits led to the Triassic coals remaining largely unexplored. The demand for rare earth elements has sparked interest in these coal deposits as potential sources for valuable minerals. Late Triassic coal deposits in Lesotho have previously not been well documented and these low-rank coals can be a potential source of rare earth elements. This study aims to characterize and evaluate the potential of REY in the Taung coal deposit, southwest of Lesotho. Coal and associated argillaceous samples from the Taung coal deposit were analyzed using microscopic petrography for coal characterization and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the amount of rare earth elements. Taung coal is classified as middle medium rank D bituminous coal. The total REY content in Taung coal and its associated rocks range from 162.9 ppm to 855.1 ppm, which is significantly higher than the upper continental crustal (UCC) average. The average critical REY concentration of samples from the Taung coal deposit is 189.4 ppm, which is three times higher than that of the Chinese Bayan Obo deposit. Samples classified as very promising and promising because of their outlook coefficients, are found to contain up to 77% of critical REY. It is envisioned that the area could be a prime deposit for these REY.

Nov 6, 2024

By F. Dutoy, M. B. Stella, C. F. Carrozza

Rare earth elements (REEs) are indispensable components in the manufacturing of high-tech devices, renewable energy technologies, and defence applications. As global demand for these elements continues to rise, there is a pressing need to optimize extraction processes for both efficiency and environmental sustainability. This study explores approaches to rare earth extraction using Ionquest® 801 and integrates a predictive modelling to enhance process understanding and optimization. We conducted a screening test varying pH process to evaluate the best extraction efficiency. Starting pregnant leach solution (PLS), solution was prepared in the lab with the following rare earth elements: La, Ce, Gd, Dy, and Υ, at 0.02 M for each element. The data obtained were used to develop empirical and mechanistic models to predict rare earth extraction yields and flowsheet. Further tests were performed by mixing specific concentrations of different extractant and/or phase modifier. Our experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposedextraction methods, highlighting improvements in both yield and selectivity. The developedmodels successfully captured the complex relationships between process parameters and extraction efficiency, providing valuable insights for process optimization.

Nov 6, 2024

By P. J. Bhonde, R. D. Angal

Conventionally low carbon ferromanganese is manufactured globally by refining high carbon ferromanganese in liquid state. This process is an expensive and lengthy technique. Hence, the present work was undertaken with the objective of understanding the feasibility and kinetics of the solid state refining of ferromanganese. The process involved transformation of carbon rich carbides viz. Mn3C2, Mn7C3 into metal rich carbide i.e. Mn15C4, Mn23C6 by subjecting the alloy powder to a flowing stream of carbon dioxide. Effect of the process governing parameters such as time, temperature, particle size, pressure on the extent of decarburization was studied. Without any loss of manganese in the form of fumes or slag, it was observed that, there was substantial reduction, viz. 65 per cent in the total carbon content, by this technique. Subsequently, the process was investigated to find out the mechanism of carbon removal. Depending upon the temperature and the particle size, it was found that the rate controlling mechanism changes from chemical reaction control to product layer (ash) diffusion control. The activation energy for each of the aforesaid mechanism was computed. The values thus obtained substantiated the aforesaid mechanisms.

Jan 1, 2004