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A contract for three 20 ft diameter vertically mounted axial flow fans of the same aerodynamic design, was placed by Mount ]sa Mines Limited in 1963. The hydraulic blade pitch changing mechanism, the method of blade fabrication, and the roll out centre casings are features of these fans. Protection devices and fan control are designed for unattended operation and remote control. The erection and commissioning of the fans during 1964-65 is described.

Jan 1, 1967

By J Kovacs

Underground development drill and blast practices have generally remained unchanged for decades. Historically, development optimisation has focused mainly on the application of perimeter control products in order to reduce overbreak, and efficiencies in development cycle times to increase advance rates. In today’s environment of ever increasing operating costs and lower ore grades, it has become even more critical to focus on the optimisation of drill and blast in development mining. It is a crucial component in ensuring mining schedules are maintained, but more importantly achieving the objective of getting to the orebody in the shortest possible time.This paper will focus on the development optimisation process used in a trial at Xstrata’s George Fisher Mine in North Queensland. Not only did the trial include the typical optimisation areas of charge loading practices, perimeter control methods, drill design standardisation and quality control processes, it also investigated the significance of delay accuracy with regards to perimeter control and drill design optimisation.One of the key measures of the trial was a comparative analysis between baseline development and development with the staged introduction of optimisation elements using 3D photogrammetry as a validation tool. A detailed cost analysis between the various stages was also a key measurable of the trial.The results of the work undertaken at George Fisher have shown that the accuracy of electronic detonators can produce significant benefits in development blasting. When combined with standard optimisation philosophies a substantial reduction in overbreak, ground support requirements and development cycle times can be achieved, whilst still being able to reduce the overall development operating costs.CITATION:Kovacs, J, 2014. Mine development optimisation – an evolutionary process, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 51–56 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Mar 24, 2014

By Kato Y

As a direct result of the Mining Industries need to improve efficiency and production in Open Pit type operations, the size of haulage units have increased dramatically. This trend has continued such, that the majority of dump trucks operating in Open Pit operations are in the 170 ton class. Continued mining in existing locations has meant that the increase in vertical lift and resultant grades, and increases in hauling distances are making electric drive systems unsuitable. This is largely due to the electric drive systems heat limitations on major propulsion components. With these mining requirements in view and the present limitations on electric drive systems in mind, Komatsu have been developing the Komatsu HD1600M. A diesel powered mechanical drive dump truck capable of operating in deep pit operations. This presentation introduces: Komatsu HD1600M Dump Truck

Jan 1, 1982

By Hunter GW

This paper gives an account of the filling system at Mount Isa from surface fill production to stope discharge underground. A brief explanation of the surface facility and reticulation is given prior to the discussion on aspects of underground reticulation. These include fill hole types, pipe and breastplate installation, wear characteristics, etc. The different types of fill and their respective applications is mentioned as a prelude to a general overview of the mining considerations associated with fill placement and its role in the long term planning strategy at Isa Mine. Some practical aspects of stope preparation and filling procedures are outlined for the various stoping methods. Finally a brief outline of future fill developments is given.

Jan 1, 1982

By Green S, McKernan, Skrypniuk

In November 1996, Boddington Gold Mine (BGM) began the implementation of an expert system. The objective of the expert system was to improve plant efficiency by developing an `operator best practice' control philosophy for the grinding circuit

Jan 1, 1997

By Jowett A

To compare open circuit lead primary rougher results at Mount Isa Mines Ltd., eleven surveys were made over five weeks of plant operation with varying ore sources, including a specially hauled sample of 100% Black Star ore. Three of the surveys which represented extremes in performance were selected for sizing, cyclosizing and assaying for lead, zinc and iron. A comparison of the flotation kinetics has revealed the similarities (including common problems) and differences for the surveyed ores. The concepts of entrainment and collectorless flotability are used to aid interpretation of the kinetic data.

Jan 1, 1978

Willemite mineralization was discovered in 1966 in the North Flinders Ranges of South Australia, in the course of a stream sediment sampling programme. Further work outlined a total of nine separate willemite occurrences in the Copley/Beltana area, and ten small deposits in the Toondana area south of Parachilna. Mineable reserves of 1 000 000 tonnes grading 36.8% zinc were outlined in three deposits in the Copley/Beltana area and campaign mining of the Main Orebody commenced early in 1974. The main group of deposits all occurred within red, dolomitized Cambrian Ajax Limestone, and most are associated with significant thrust faulting. The area of the Main Orebody group of deposits has been intensely fractured, and the surrounding dolomites are often brecciated and contain up to 5% zinc. Lead and arsenic mineralization are minor components of the main group of deposits. Masses of Middle Proterozoic Willouran Formation crop out adjacent to or close to most of the deposits in the Copley/Beltana area. The Willouran is frequently highly sheared, brecciated, and often contains large inclusions of younger formations. It is believed that most of the Willouran outcrops represent piercement structures.

Jan 1, 1975

By Shiels O. J

The major Permian coal deposits of N.S.W. are in the Sydney-Bowen Basin and associated small deposits occur in structurally isolated areas; a further deposit is present in the Oaklands Basin. - The Sydney-Bowen Basin in New South Wales comprises the sub basins, the Sydney Basin and the Gunnedah Basin. Coal measures in these basins are near the top of the Permian succession and within and below an underlying marine sequence. The coal deposits can be conveniently described in units in which the coal geology is homogeneous. The Clyde Coal Measures and Yarrunga Coal Measures contain no seams of economic significance and occur beneath the marine beds in the south of the Sydney Basin. The Greta Coal Measures are economically significant and represent a brief interlude in the marine sequence in the north of the Sydney Basin and equivalents are present in the east of the Gunnedah Basin. The Tomago Coal Measures crop out above the marine sequence east from the Lochinvar Anticline and dip southeast to uneconomic depths. The Newcastle Coal Measures are historically and economically very important and overlie the Tomago Coal Measures and these measures will continue to be important although future mining will be faced with greater depths. To the west of the Lochinvar Anticline the Singleton Coal Measures, equivalent to the Tomago and Newcastle Coal Measures, crop out. This unit represents the thickest development of coal measures in the State and has a very large potential for both open cut and underground mining. Equivalents of the Singleton Coal Measures, the Black Jack Coal Measures and the Booroomin Group crop out on the east side of the Gunnedah Basin and probably are widespread across the Basin. They have less economic potential than the Singleton Coal Measures. In the southwest of the Gunnedah Basin, Illawarra/Singleton Coal Measures crop out over extensive areas and possibly have a large potential for underground mining under low cover. The Illawarra Coal Measures are exposed along the western margin of the Sydney Basin and thicken as they dip into the Basin across a shelf. The outcrop area is currently mined and the shelf has considerable potential for future mining. The highest rank coals in the State are in the Illawarra Coal Measures in the south of the Sydney Basin. The deepest coal mining is in this area and its continuing success is of great importance to the future exploitation of the resources of the Basin. The Tomago, Newcastle, Singleton and Illawarra Coal Measures extend into and meet in the central area of the Sydney Basin but they are under thick cover and are not considered to be economic at present. Permian coal measures occur in isolated areas in the New England Fold Belt and have limited economic potential. The Oaklands Basin in the south of the State contains a large reserve of low rank coal.

Jan 1, 1975

By Greenwood AG

Research into cemented rock fill at Mount Isa Mines Limited since 1992 is described. The key mechanisms controlling segregation during stope filling with cemented rock fill are described and include the gravity flow mechanism which is described in detail. Examples are provided to demonstrate these mechanisms. Comparisons are made between Mount Isa Mines' cemented rock fill and slurry-based cemented rock fills. Recent backfill stability modelling using a three-dimensional finite clement program is described.

Jan 1, 1998

By T Leach, F Kaiqiang

The Jianchaling gold deposit is located about 1200 km south west of Beijing in central China. The deposit was discovered in 1988 by the Northwestern Geological Exploration Bureau (711 Exploration Team). Sino Gold Limited, an Australian based company, developed the mine in 1998 and is currently operating a 1000 t per day underground mine, producing about 80 000 ounces of gold per year. The pre-mine resource for Jianchaling was 1.6 million tonnes at 9.85 g/t gold. The deposit occurs within the east-west trending Mesozoic Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt formed during the Yanshanian Orogeny. In the Jianchaling region, gold mineralisation is primarily hosted by regional west-northwest to east-southeast striking faults, the most important of which, the reverse sinistral F145 fault, hosts the larger gold deposits including Jianchaling. At the mine scale, the most important zone of mineralisation is localised within a shallowly north dipping dilation on the F145 fault. Proterozoic dolomite forms the hangingwall and serpentinite and talc schist the footwall to the fault. Within the footwall, serpentinite is the most important host rock to mineralisation. Initial alteration involves replacement of serpentine to dolomite ¦ pyrite, talc to ankerite ¦ pyrite, and magnetite and chromite to pyrite, the latter locally through a transitional hematite phase. Proximal to feeder structures, the carbonate minerals have undergone partial dissolution and replacement to quartz. Gold is related to arsenean pyrite and marcasite rimming and replacement of early-formed pyrite, and associated with iron release during the processes of dolomitisation, silicification and carbonate dissolution.

Jan 1, 2004

Production implications of the introduct- ion of electric L.H.D. units in sublevel open stoping and pillar recovery at Rosebery are covered by Faulkner (1982) and Carlton (1982). The following engineering aspects associated with the decision to introduce electric L.H.D.'s are considered here: - Initial requirements for commissioning, including power reticulation at an adequate level to all operating areas. - Conversion of a manual system to radio remote control. - Maintenance backup requirement to ensure that the production potential is realised.

Jan 1, 1982

By Landy D. M, Ward M. O, Power W. L

Geological structures are irregular and intricate, so creating a 31) solid geology model is a complicated process. A software system can only partially automate this process, since geological knowledge and experience are required. Therefore, the interaction of a geologist is critical for such a system. This paper discusses some useful advanced functions for enhancing the visualisation and manipulation of 3D solid geology models: flexible attribute display, multiple views, auxiliary display objects, and geologically sensitive operations. It also describes some experiments to explore the effectiveness of these functions and presents sample output. Most existing 3D solid geology modelling systems are implemented in an ad hoc way, which greatly reduces their reusability and extensibility. This paper presents a generic framework for 3D solid geology modelling systems, which is based on object-oriented technology. The deficiencies of current systems may be improved by using this generic framework. A modelling process based on drillhole data is discusses as a case study.

Jan 1, 1995

By Andersen AK

As part of a research program sponsored by Continental Copper and Steel Industries, Inc. (cos), investigations have been conducted by the Colorado School of Mines Research Foundation, Inc. to study the effect of high current densities on electrolytic processes. The importance of high current densities has long been recognized, particularly in the deposition of copper, and the results of considerable research on the subject have been reported in recent years (19 29 39). This is not surprising because, besides plant capacity, current density is the other major factor which will determine the process economics. In the production of electrolytic copper, current efficiency, steam consumption, number of cells, building area, metal inventory, cathode purity, and power consumption are all affected by current density. The ability to maintain a high current efficiency and satisfactory cathode purity while increasing the current density to twice or three times that commonly practiced could result in considerable saving of capital investment and reduce the operating cost per ton of metal produced. The optimum current density i.e., that current density of which production cost would be at a minimum, can be established from an analysis of the various inter- relating factors (49 59). A review of.all operating electrolytic plants (electrowinning and electrorefining) will indicate that most of these plants are operating at 50% or less of the optimum current density (6). One of the reasons for not using the optimum current density may be attributed to the fact that conventional electrolytic tank- house equipment does not perform satisfactorily at high current density operations. Various investigators (19 79 8) have attempted to overcome this limitation by modifying the design of the electrolytic cell, virtually unchanged since it was first introduced in the late 1800's. Previously, these attempts have not resulted in,a cell design suitable for commercial application. However, recently, a cell has been designed which performs efficiently under such conditions. This is a CCS development (patents applied for).

Jan 1, 1969

Ulan Coal Mines Limited operates an underground and open cut mine near Mudgee in the Central West of NSW. The mines are part of a Joint Venture managed by Exxon Coal and Minerals Australia Limited (ECMAL). Currently all the mines output of over five million tonnes per annum is sold into the export market predominantly as a steaming product.

Jan 1, 1993

By A B. Richards

Effective control of blast vibration and flyrock requires that significant factors be identified and quantified, that the blast be designed to ensure both blasting efficiency and compliance with applicable limits, and that the blast design be effectively implemented by field personnel. Significant factors contributing to ground vibration and airblast are: charge mass; distance and direction relative to the blast; drilling design: burden, spacing; stemming height and material type; hole diameter and depth; and initiation sequence and direction.In addition, airblast may be strongly influenced by shielding and meteorological conditions. Ground vibration is also influenced by the transmission characteristics of the ground and soil. Flyrock throw is determined by charge mass, burden, stemming height, blasthole diameter and depth. The contribution of each of the factors has been quantified and models developed to enable the environmental outcomes of blast design to be predicted. Environmental blast design is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory limits and the implementation of æsafeÆ exclusion zones for flyrock clearance. This paper discusses the models used for environmental blast design and demonstrates the often significant effects that lapse during implementation of the design can have on predicted outcomes. In practice, drillers and shotfirers are sometimes confronted with situations that require modifications to the blast design to cope with the real site situation. Methods are presented that may be used by drillers and shotfirers to evaluate the effect of these modifications, the tolerances that must be reached during their work practice and checking procedures, and the consequences of their actions.

Jan 1, 2004

The basic issues of education for the mineral industry which emerge from experience and from a study of relevant literature are presented with the object of promoting. discussion. The subject is considered primarily from the university point of view and relates more to the disciplines of mining and mineral processing than to geology or perhaps metall- urgy, but the conclusions have wider implic- ations. Continuing education, being the subject of a separate paper, is only briefly discussed. The important and particularly relevant training and industry role of the technician engineer and technician are not considered.

Jan 1, 1974

Australia has been an important producer of zinc minerals and metal for many years.Late in the last century Edgar A. Ashcroft, a versatile and enterprising electrical engineer proposed the treatment of zinc rich ores by roasting, followed by leaching to extract zinc, purification of the solution and electrolysis of the purified solution to produce zinc. Residues from the leaching operation were to be smelted in a lead blast furnace to recover lead, silver and gold.Ashcroft (1897-98) and (1898) has.given us a most interesting record of the attempts made at the Sulphide Corporation's plant at Cockle Creek near Newcastle, NSW, to put his ideas into practice. In spite of the best efforts of all concerned, including the use of electrolysis of aqueous chlorides and sulphates, zinc could not be deposited consistently and the project failed although lead smelting continued until 1922 (Woodward, 1965, p. 158). Based on later experience with Broken Hill materials the presence of undetected cobalt in the solutions was the likely cause of the inability to deposit zinc (Kirk and Othmer, 1956).

Jan 1, 1985

By Francis R. S, Campbell J. J

Aberfoyle's Hellyer Division has filtered very fine flotation concentrates using two different makes of pressure filter. At the Luina concentrator a Larox pressure filter was used to treat a combined Pb + Zn or bulk concentrate. At the Hellyer concentrator two Lasta pressure filters are being used to filter copper/silver, lead, zinc and bulk concentrates. Operating parameters and performance at both operations are described. In both concentrators it was found that correct cloth selection was critical and that cloth failures contributed significantly to downtime. Thorough preventative maintenance progammes were required to ensure adequate availability of both makes of filter.

Jan 1, 1989

By Grano S. R, Kilgariff B

The Renisun Tin concentrator treats an ore containing I's per cent till as cassiterite and 22 per cent sulphur in a range of sulphide minerals. predominantly pyrrhotite. The sulphide minerals are removed by flotation using copper sulphate (CuS

Jan 1, 1997

The scheme of rehabilitation of surface plant commenced in 1936, included the provision of improved and more hygienic changing and bathing facilities for the employees.At that time the Thompson's Shaft section of the British Mine was being prepared for a resumption of operations, and it was decided to repair and re-equip the existing building. Thus any new scheme adopted could be given a thorough trial, and the proved arrangement used as a basis for the contemplated new main changehouse on the North Section.Investigations were carried out to determine the most suitable arrangement for the Thompson's Shaft changehouse, to provide for a total of 120 men, with particular regard to the internal fittings and fixtures. Also, as the mining conditions were such that a large proportion of clothes worn underground by miners, etc., were wet by the end of the shift, the problem of drying these clothes in the availaole time from a man coming off shift to his commencing again some sixteen hours later was one of the most important to be dealt with.The changehouses in use on the North mine section of the lease were provided with racks around the walls for the men to hang their street clothes on, and a section was partitioned off to house the mine clothes and their drying facilities. The actual drying was carried out by means of hanging the wet clothes over racks between which ran pipe coils heated by means of hot water circulated from the hot water boiler supplying the showers.This method had proved to be far from satisfactory for several reasons, the main objections being:-

Jan 1, 1940