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By R. P. King

An Analytical Solution to the Batch comminution Equation R. P. King, Pr. Eng., B.Sc. (Eng.), M. Se. (Eng.), Ph.D. (Visitor). An analytical solution to the batch-grinding equation is presented in terms of the generalized hypergeometric series and the confluent hypergeometnc function. This solution is valid for selection functions that are describe~ piece-wise by functional forms of the type KOXB and by normalized breakage functions of the type B(x,x') = (x/x')x. These functional forms are sufficiently general to Include most practical cases. In particular, they can be used to describe selection functions that have a maximum.

YEAR 1943-1944 Vol. 44 Page A major change-over in the ventilation of a deep level mine, by F. G. Hill and E. C. Ranson, 27; Discussion 56, 62, 67, 71, 72, 79, 123, 129 131 A note on the quarrying of surface limestone in the Sinai Desert, by V. L. Bosazza.. .. 59 Mining with diamond drills at the Nkana Mine of the Rhokana Corporation, Limited, Northern Rhodesia, by W. A. Odgers and A. G. Stirling, 95; Discussion 117, 121, 122 123 On silicates and dusts from the Witwatersrand gold mines (some preliminary notes), by J. J. Frankel, 169; Discussion .. 178 Presidential Address-Review of the rock pressure problem, by C. Biccard Jeppe, 3; Discussion 11,15 17 The chemistry, production and application of plastics, by P. N. Lategan, 138; Discussion 151 153 YEAR 1944-1945 Vol. 45 Page A microtechnique for the size-grading of mine dust, by S. R. Rabson, 34; Discussion 49, 50, 52 55 Activated carbon for regenerating used lubricating oil, by F. J. Tromp and J. J. Matthee 90 A contribution to the study of the production of zeolites, by C. C. le Grange and A. J. Petrick 235 A laboratory method for the determination of the suitability of South African coal and coal blends for the manufacture of metallurgical coke, by R. F. J. Teichmann .. .. 202 Copper containing cements for self-sanitising surfaces, by R. S. Young and H. L. Talbot 156 Notes on some sulphide minerals from the Far East Rand, by E. Mendelssohn, 84; Discussion, 88 89 Presidential Address-A review of underground support on the Witwatersrand with its Bearing on the Problem of ultradeep mining, by P. J. Louis Bok, 3; Discussion, 24, 25 27 Scientific management with particular application to a Witwatersrand gold mine, by J. S. Ford, 63; Discussion, 77, 80, 82 83 Some aspects of rock-drilling practice (the Witwatersrand gold field), by C. J. Irving, 163; Discussion, 185, 190 *197 Temperature measurements in a mine on the Witwatersrand with an electrical resistance thermometer, by O. Weiss, 127; Discussion, 136 137 The measurement of the geo-thermic gradient by means of the clinical thermometer, by R. A. H. Flugge-de Smidt, 105; Discussion, 136 137 The micro-chemical determination of free and combined silica in mine dust, by S. R. Rabson, 43; Discussion, 49, 50, 52 55 The oxidation of pyrites associated with South African coals, by R. F. J. Teichmann 141 YEAR 1945-1946 Vol. 46 Page Air cooling plant, No. 4 Shaft, City Deep, Limited. A review of layout and results achieved, by H. W. Unwin, A. Malcolm and R. E. Campbell Pitt, 66; Discussion, 100, 102, 103, 106, 110 115 A preliminary note on the Waterberg coal field as a possible source of coking coal, by P. E. Hall 124

Colloquium.' 28 Mei 1980: Spesialiste-Afdeling: Materiaalingeni eurswese Universiteit van Pretoria Materiaalseleksie - Deel II: Keuse en Aanwending van Laelegeringstale Plek.' Onderwerp.' Rapporteur: Professor R. J. Dippenaar Die tweede colloquium van die spesialiste-afdeling van die SAIMM is op 28 Mei 1980 by die Universiteit van Pretoria gehou en is deur sowat 60 mense bygewoon. Dr. J. P. Rugo tree as voorsitter op en heet al die aanwesiges welkom en stel elke spreker om die beurt aan die vergadering voor.

Jan 1, 1980

By O. I. Rychkova, M. N. Sycheva, E. V. Poryadochnova, G. V. Sedelnikova

Deposits of copper-porphyry type occupy a leading position in the mineral resource base of the world copper industry. They are characterized by large and gigantic scales, often complex composition, their development is carried out in an open way. The raw material base of the Russian copper industry is mainly sulfide copper-Nickel and copper-pyrite ores. Exploration of copper-porphyry deposits and the creation of long-term large mining facilities on their basis is one of the most promising and priority tasks for the Russian industry. This task is especially acute for the copper enterprises of the Urals in connection with the depletion of copper - pyrite ore reserves. In recent years, Russia has carried out a large complex of studies on the composition and technology of processing of copper-porphyry ores of different subtypes. In this work the complex poor copper-molybdenum-gold ore of one of the deposits is investigated. The chemical and mineral composition of the ore containing 0.49% copper, 0.020% molybdenum, 0.39 g/t gold, 5.85 g/t silver was determined. The forms of finding metals and their distribution by size classes are established. The dependence of extraction of metals into concentrates of collective-selective flotation on the size of ore grinding, pH of the medium, reagent consumption is shown. Under optimal flotation conditions, copper concentrate with 18.6% copper content and 92.32% extraction and molybdenum concentrate with 21.5% molybdenum content and 73.4% extraction were obtained. With a high concentration of molybdenum in selective flotation products, it is possible to conclude about the expected molybdenum concentrate with a content of 45% and a recovery of 70%. The associated extraction of gold and silver into copper concentrate is 76.8 % and 73.4%. Keywords: Collective-selective flotation, copper, molybdenum, porphyry ore, grinding, pH, reagents

Jan 1, 2020

By J. J. leR. Cilliers

ABSTRACT The recently introduced concept of negative taxation complicates estimation of the distributable profit of certain South African gold mines, and an assisted mine could operate at a working loss and yet produce an overall profit for distribution amongst its shareholders. A simple diagram is presented from which the approximate working profit or loss, taxation payable or tax credit received, and the distributable profit of an assisted mine can be estimated directly for any combination of the four main variable operational factors: tonnage milled, recovery grade, unit cost and capital expenditure. INTRODUCTION The effects on the working profits of South African Gold mines caused by changes in unit working costs, recovery grade, tonnage milled and capital expenditure are readily estimated. For normal tax- and lease-paying mines the distributable profit is related to the working profit and the latter is a commonly accepted comparative measure of the profitability of an operation. However, the recently introduced concept of State assistance in the form of negative taxation1, i.e. a tax credit, for mines with a life of less than eight years complicates such estimates. A requirement of State assistance is that an assisted mine must lower its normal pay limit by 16 to 20 per cent, and it will be possible for a mine to operate at a working loss and yet produce an overall profit for distribution amongst its shareholders. In the case of an assisted mine it is therefore necessary for management to judge the effects of changes in unit costs, grade, etc., in terms of distributable profit instead of working profit. This will require repeated calculation of tax to be paid or tax credits that will be received under the numerous possible combinations of the four main variable factors. However, with the aid of the diagram illustrated in Fig. 1, it is possible to assess at a glance the practical effect of these variables on the distributable profit of an operation not subject to tax on the normal formula, or small mine formula, with sufficient accuracy to decide whether a detailed analysis is required. USE OF THE DIAGRAM From the central point 'X' in Fig. 1, a range of tonnages milled per annum has been plotted along the north-bearing axis, a series of costs per ton milled in the northwestern quadrant, recovery grades in the northeastern quadrant, and capital expenditures in the southwestern quadrant. Starting from the tonnage milled per annum, a line is drawn east and west across the two northern quadrants up to the points where it reaches the desired cost- and grade-lines. From these points two north-south lines are drawn into the southern quadrants. A further line is drawn to the east from the point where the western north-south line crosses the desired capital expenditure. Distributable profit is read off in the southeastern quadrant where this line intersects the eastern north-south line. Every possible combination of

By A. L. Hinde, P. J. D. Lloyd, A. R. Atkins, J. G. MacKay

The control of milling circuits by A. R. ATKINS, M.Se. (Elee. Eng.) (Visitor), A. L. HINDE, S.Se., Ph.D. (London) (Visitor), P. J. D. LLOYD, S.Se. (Chem. Eng.), Ph.D. (Cape) (Fellow) and J. G. MACKA Y, S.Se. (Chem. Eng.) (Visitor). The general behaviour of mills is described in an attempt to find a control philosophy that will permit milling circuits to produce a constant particle size. Although the experimental work has been confined to a single section of the milling circuit of one mine, it is felt that the findings are applicable to other milling circuits.

Jan 6, 1974

By J. W. de Kock

The estimation of some properties of South African coals from proximate analyses by J. W. de KOCK, Pr. Eng., Ph.D. (Chem. Eng.) Cantab. (Fellow) and J-P. FRANZIDIS, B.Sc. (Chem. Eng.) (Visitor) Correlations have been obtained whereby calorific values, ultimate analyses, and Hardgrove Indices can be estimated from proximate analyses of South African coals. This has been done by the application of stepwise multiple linear-regression analyses of a mass of data published by the Fuel Research Institute.

By N. B. Strydom, P. L. Jooste, H. F. Kotze, W. H. Van Der Walt

Note: A revised method of heat acclimatization by N. B. STRYDOM, W. H. VAN DER WALT, P. L. JOOSTE, and H. F. KOTZE INTRODUCTION Climatic-room acclimatization was introduced in the gold-mining industry in 1965 and was rapidly adopted by all mines because it reduced the number of days required for heat acclimatization from 12 to 8. The method has been adequately described in previous papers1, 2 but, briefly, requires four hours of heat exposure per day while the work rate is progessively increased from 35 W on Day 1 to 70 W on Days 7 and 8. Several attempts to shorten

Jan 6, 1976

By S. Ramatsoma, D. N. C. Phillpotts, B. Whitehead

Changes in flotation performance have been correlated to changes in froth structure, velocity and stability. Literature has shown that when the aeration rate is varied for a specific float cell, the recovery of the valuable mineral reaches a peak which also coincides with a peak in the air recovery – a measure of froth stability. Peak air recovery optimisation methodology is a way to use direct readings of physical phenomena by froth cameras to optimise the metallurgical performance of a flotation plant. The aim of this paper is to show the transient nature of the peak air recovery value and the variety of conditions required to attain the peak air recovery on an industrial flotation plant with tight base-layer control of the feed and internal conditions. Industrial site tests that were conducted under controlled conditions showed different peak values at significantly different corresponding aeration rates during normal operation. The measured peak air recovery points corresponded to maximum PGM recovery during normal flotation, as expected. This dynamic nature of the peak air recovery point conditions has not previously been discussed in literature and indicates the need for online measuring equipment and informs the design of process control algorithms required to exploit the phenomenon for optimisation. Keywords: Froth flotation, flotation control, flotation optimisation, peak air recovery

Jan 1, 2020

By H. M. Friede

Discussion of the above paper by A. SIFF The steely nature of the Iron Age objects mentioned in Dr Friede's paper point to two hypotheses. (1) The African iron workers were conversant with the art of direct steel manufacture. (2) They were less knowledgeable of the art of the production of carbonless iron. In this context I cannot but quote T. A. Wertime.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. Meintjes

by I. J. BARKER and A. B. STEWART J. MEINTJES I read the above paper with considerable interest. I would like to point out, however, that it is fallacious to conclude that the adverse effects of a high inductive reactance on furnace operation can be cancelled by connecting capacitors in series - or for that matter, in shunt - with the power supply.

Jan 1, 1980

The March General Meeting of the Institute was held in Kelvin House, Johannesburg on 18th March, 1970, at 4.30 p.m. Mr J. K. E. Douglas (President) was in the Chair. There were also present fifteen Fellows, Messrs H. Britten, R. C. J. Goode, Prof D. D. Howat, Mr T. C. A. Meyer, Dr R. E. Robinson, Messrs V. C. Robinson and P. W. J. van Rensburg (Council Members), S. K. de Kok, Dr N. P. Finkelstein, Messrs K. W. Findlay, H. N. Hepker, J. Levin, Dr K. A. Murray and Mr A. H. Mokken. Four Members including Mr D. Ayres, Dr M. I. Britten and Dr A. Granville. One Associate: Mr G. S. Stander. One Student, Mr R. N. Guest. Four Visitors, Messrs S. A. Allison, C. N. Leibb, C. J. Kooij and A. Mavrogordato. Secretary: Mr D. C. Visser. Total present: Twenty-seven. OBITUARY The President: "It is my sad duty to announce the death of Henrik Johannes Van Eck, Honorary Life Member, who joined the Institute in 1929 and passed away on 18th February, 1970. Dr van Eck started life as a chemist and chemical engineer and, as we all know, he rose to become one of our most distinguished leaders of industry in the country. On many important occasions we, in this Institute, have been privileged to have him address us on subjects which were always of great importance and relevance to the developments in this country. He was a man of great vision and imagination and could put across his ideas in a most eloquent and convincing manner. In his important position as chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation and of Iscor, whatever he said carried great weight. Busy as he was he always found time to participate not only in the affairs of this Institute but in many other technical and public bodies. His passing is a great loss to South Africa and we in this Institute wish to associate ourselves with the many other tributes which have been paid to this great man. We extend our sympathy to his wife and family and as a mark of respect I would ask you to rise and observe a few moments silence." MEMBERSHIP The President: "I have much pleasure in announcing that the names of the undermentioned candidates, having been published in accordance with By-Law 5.2.2, Council has elected them to membership of the Institute in the following grades: Fellow: Ian Douglas Bruce Corner, Joachim Bernhard Rolfes. Member: Michael Vernon Nolan. Associate: Karl Franz Wilhelm Eick. MEMBERS TRANSFERRED TO A HIGHER GRADE From Member to Fellow: Nilo Zolezzi. From Graduate to Member: Roger Billingham. I welcome the newly elected members to the Institute and congratulate the members who have been transferred to a higher grade." PAPERS FOR PRESENTATION The President: (i) "Mr Lee, may I call on you to deliver your paper entitled 'A new bubble pick-up technique as a rapid flotation test method'." After the presentation of the paper the President said: "The paper which Mr Lee introduced this afternoon was a short one but was nonetheless important in that it described a new tool for use in flotation test work. Those of us who have experienced the frustration of trying to solve flotation problems by trial and error methods know what this means. I well remember 25 years ago at T.G.M.E. trying to improve the recovery from the flotation plant there by trying various combinations of reagents and then having to wait a couple of days for the assay office to give results. Even then, on the small scale laboratory tests which had to precede full scale tests one could never be sure that the results obtained were reproducible on the full scale. Here it seems we have a relatively simple apparatus which can measure instantly the effectiveness of various reagents under different concentrations and pH values, etc. It is most important, I believe, that developments of this kind be reported in our journal for the benefit of all involved in such work, not only so that we know about it but also in order to provoke constructive discussion which might lead to further developments. I would like to invite members, therefore, to submit papers or notes on important

By H. T. Kaiser, P. De Waal

The Alusaf aluminium smelter at Richards Bay by H. T. KAISER, B.Sc. (Pta), M.B.L. (Unisa) (Visitor) and P. DE WAAL, B.Sc., B.lng. (Mech.) (Stell.) (Visitor) A description is given of the aluminium smelter at Richards Bay, which operates on the Hall-Heroult electrolysis principle. The annual output of metal (average 99,7 per cent aluminium) is approximately 7S 000 tons. Since its commissioning in 1971, the plant has fulfilled South Africa's total demand for low-alloy rolling slabs, extrusion billets, remelt ingots, and electrical conductor rod. The plant layout allows for sufficient expansion of its capacity to meet longterm increases in demand.

Jan 7, 1977

SYMPOSIUM ON THE RECOVERY OF PYRITE The proceedings of the Symposium on the Recovery of Pyrite, held in Johannesburg in June 1969, may be ordered from the Secretary, S.A.I.M.M., P.O. Box 61019, Marshalltown, Transvaal, at the reduced price of R5.00. Papers and addresses presented at the Symposium were: Opening Address by Mr J. K. E. Douglas (President). "The world sulphur position," by W. C. J. van Rensburg (Member). "The South African sulphur position," by D. L. Taylor (Member). "The recovery of pyrite at Government Gold Mining Areas Limited," by R. J. Westwood (Member), G. S. Stander (Affiliate) and H. P. Carlisle (Member). "Recovery of pyrite concentrates from colliery-waste discards-A preliminary assessment," by W. A. Gilbert (Visitor) and E. A. Nugent (Member). "The role of pyrite in upgrading the uranium content of Witwatersrand conglomerate ores by means of the heavy-medium separation process," by D. J. Tutt (Associate Member). "Pyrite recovery by jigs at Durban Roodepoort Deep Limited," by E. J. Dominy (Affiliate), F. Diamond (Affiliate) and A. D. Graham (Affiliate). "The storage of pyrite concentrates," by Joan C. Campkin (Visitor) and P. J. Lloyd (Member). "The flotation plants of the Anglo-Transvaal Group," by L. A. Bushell (Member). "Pyrite flotation with amines and cyanidation of the products," by E. H. D. Carman (Member). "Gold recovery by cyanidation from mill products obtained after pyrite flotation," by P. G. Mrkusic (Graduate), M. Sciarone (Visitor) and H. E. Simonsen (Visitor). "The influence of sulphydryl and cationic flotation reagents on cyanidation of native gold," by K. G. Ashurst (Visitor) and W. P. Finkelstein (Member). "Laboratory tests on the flotation of pyrite from Witwatersrand gold ores by cationic collector," by J. Levin (Member), and M. L. Veitch (Visitor). Closing Address, by Dr R. E. Robinson (Director, National Institute for Metallurgy). INCOME TAX: POST-GRADUATE STUDY COURSE CONCESSION As a result of representations made by the Associated Scientific and Technical Societies of S.A. and the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, engineers and scientists will now be allowed to deduct expenses incurred on post-graduate study courses from their taxable income. The conditions of this concession are set out in section 16 of the Income Tax Act, 1969, which reads as follows: 16. (1) The following section is hereby substituted for section 16 of the principal Act: 16. "Notwithstanding the provisions of section 23(a) and (b), there shall be allowed to be deducted from the income of any person who is a dentist or medical practitioner or practises any profession referred to in paragraph (a), so much as the Secretary may allow of any expenditure incurred by such person in the circumstances contemplated in paragraph (c), if the Dental Association of South Africa in the case of a dentist, or the Medical Association of South Africa in the case of a medical practitioner, or the "Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns" or the Associated Scientific and Technical Societies of South Africa in any other case, certifies in such form as the Secretary may prescribe that such person- (a) if he is not a dentist or medical practitioner, is the holder of a degree in engineering or allied technology or natural sciences awarded by a recognized university on completion of a prescribed minimum period of study of not less than four academic years or the equivalent thereof and enabling the holder thereof to practise the profession of an engineer or a profession for which advanced and specialised scientific knowledge is required which relates directly to- (i) the development or exploitation of natural resources; (ii) mining or prospecting for minerals; (iii) the production of pastoral, agricultural or forest produce ; (iv) the breeding or care of farm animals; (v) any industrial process; or (vi) the training of specialists in any branch of science or technology connected with any aforementioned profession; (b) has practised his profession for not less than three years; and (c) has incurred such expenditure during the year of assessment in respect of the attendance by him of any postgraduate study course approved by such body to improve his qualifications for carrying on his profession in the Republic". (2) The amendments effected by subsection (1) shall first take effect in respect of assessments for the year of assessment ending on the twenty-eighth day of February, 1970. From this section it is clear that the concession will only be granted if the application is accompanied by a certificate, which certificate must be either signed by the Chairman of Die Akademie or the President of the Associated Societies. In terms of the authority granted such certificates must certify that: (i) the taxpayer concerned has practised his profession for not less than three years; (ii) the expenditure was incurred by the taxpayer during the year of assessment indicated in the certificate; (iii) the expenditure was incurred by the taxpayer in respect of the attendance by him of a post-graduate study course approved by the Associated Scientific and Technical Societies of South Africa or Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, as the case may be, to improve his qualifications for carrying on his profession in South Africa; (iv) the taxpayer is the holder of a degree in engineering or allied technology or natural sciences, which degree was awarded by a recognized university,

Your Council has pleasure in submitting its report for the year ended 30th June, 1969. COUNCIL The following served as Office Bearers during the year under review: Messrs. R. C. J. Goode (President), J. K. E. Douglas and V. C. Robinson (Vice-Presidents), P. Lambooy (Immediate Past President) and D. G. Maxwell (Honorary Treasurer). Members of Council: Messrs R. J. Adamson, M. Barcza, F. P. Bath, Or J. M. Bereza, Or W. Bleloch, Messrs H. Britten, H. E. Cross, A. R. C. Fowler, A. E. Gilfillan, G. W. Holl, Prof D. D. Howat, Or J. P. Hugo, Messrs C. J. Irving, D. M. Jamieson, J. G. Kirchner, Prof J. de V. Lambrechts, Mr C. E. Mavrocordatos, Or J. T. McIntyre, Mr J. A. Nixon, Prof R. P. Plewman, Messrs J. F. Reid, H. Simon, C. G. Sowry, W. T. Stobart and P. W. J. van Rensburg. Ten Council meetings were held during the year with an average attendance of eighteen. FINANCE The annual accounts, which are attached to this report, show an excess of expenditure over income of R2,124, compared with an excess of income over expenditure of R4,218 last year. There are a number of reasons for this substantial change. There was a loss on realization of investments compared with a substantial surplus in recent years. The publication of the Journal once again resulted in a large loss in spite of a generous subvention of R2,000 from the Department of Cultural Affairs and other assistance amounting to R750. The revenue from sales of publications was down considerably. This is a figure which fluctuates considerably from year to year. The secretarial fee was considerably higher than previously. Due to pressure of work it was necessary for the Secretary to relinquish his duties with the Institute of Land Surveyors and, therefore, for this Institute to assume the additional staff costs involved. Finally there was unusual expenditure on the 75th Anniversary celebrations. There was a pleasing increase in revenue from subscriptions, due to the steadily increasing membership, but this was quite inadequate to cover the substantial increases in expenditure and losses in revenue mentioned above. The changes that have been effected in the arrangements for the publication of the Journal have been mentioned elsewhere in this report. It is expected that these will bring about substantial financial benefits in the long term. The MacArthur Forrest Memorial Fund shows an excess of income over expenditure of Rl00 and the total fund was therefore increased by this amount to R4,206. The balance sheet indicates that the market value of quoted shares and debentures increased during the year from R8,755 to R13,059, while the Accumulated Funds now amount to R22,567 as against R24,691 last year. MEMBERSHIP Fifty-six Members, fifty-five Associate Members, thirteen Graduates, twenty-two Affiliates and twenty- nine Students were elected during the year. Twelve Members were admitted to Life Membership; seven Associate Members were transferred to the grade of Member; four Graduates and two Students were transferred to the grade of Associate Member; five Students were transferred to the grade of Graduate; three Affiliates were transferred to the grade of Member; five Affiliates were transferred to the grade of Associate Member. Three Members, seven Associate Members, two Graduates, two Affiliates and six Students were removed from the Membership Roll in terms of By-Law 7.7.1. Your Council records with deep regret the death during the year of the following members: E. F. J. Bulman (Member), E. F. Chapin (Member), R. A. H. Flugge-de-Smidt (Hon. Life Member), T. S. Haldane (Member), J. M. Massie (Associate Member), S. W. Page (Student), S. R. Rabson (Member), M. Ramsay (Member), F. Wartenweiler (Hon. Life Member). A comparative statement of the membership as at 30th June, 1969, and the end of the previous year is shown in the following tabulation: 30th June 30th June 1968 1968 Honorary Life Members 12 10 Honorary Members 6 6 Life Members 176 189 Members 488 514 Associate Members 409 448 Graduates 60 68 Affiliates153 155 Students152 162 1,456 1,552 PAPERS AND JOURNAL The Institute is changing the format of the Journal from the present size to the standard international A4 size with effect from August, 1969. In making this change it will conform to more general practice today in regard to publications and this should effect certain economies and facilitate selling of advertising space. It has been arranged that in future the publication of the Journal, including advertisement sales, will be handled by Kelvin Publications (Pty.) Ltd. who are already doing this work satisfactorily for the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Institutes. In making these changes the opportunity was taken of redesigning the outer cover of the Journal to incorporate the new coat of arms. The Presidential Address by Mr R. C. J. Goode and twelve papers which were published in the Journal during the year are listed below: August, 1968: Presidential Address: "The Institute-In retrospect and prospect." September, 1968: "Rotary mill liner practice in the South African gold mining industry," by J. H. French and O. E. Lissner.

Your Council has pleasure in submitting its report for the year ended 30th June, 1970. COUNCIL The following served as Office Bearers during the year under review: Messrs J. K. E. Douglas (President), V. C. Robinson and Prof D. D. Howat (Vice-Presidents), R. C. J. Goode (Immediate Past President) and D. G. Maxwell (Honorary Treasurer). Members of Council: Mr. R. J. Adamson, Dr. M. G. Atmore, Mr M. Barcza, Dr J. M. Bereza, Messrs H. Britten, H. E. Cross, A. R. C. Fowler, G. W. Holl, Dr J. P. Hugo, Messrs N. A. Honnet, P. Lambooy, Prof J. de V. Lambrechts, Mr C. E. Mavrocordatos, Dr J. T. McIntyre, Messrs J. Meintjies, T. C. A. Meyer, J. A. Nixon, Prof R. P. Plewman, Dr R. E. Robinson, Messrs J. F. Reid, H. Simon and P. W. J. van Rensburg. Ten Council meetings were held during the year with an average attendance of seventeen and the standing committees held 45 meetings. FINANCE The annual accounts, which are attached to this report, show an excess of expenditure over income of R4,608 compared with R2,124 last year. This deterioration can be attributed largely to two important factors, namely an increase in secretarial fees of RI, 789 and an increase in the loss on the Journal from R2,343 to R3,508. In addition, our contribution to the expenses of the Federation of Societies of Professional Engineers increased by R607 from R549 to R1,156. The increase in secretarial fees is partly due to our increased demand for services and partly to increased salaries. In order to maintain its essential services it has been necessary for the A.S. & T.S. to increase salaries in order to keep pace with commerce and industry. With regard to the Journal, we did not expect immediate dramatic results from the changes that were effected as from the beginning of last year in the arrangements for publication. However, the improvement has been even slower in materialising than we expected. This situation is being watched carefully and we will not hesitate to make further changes if necessary. It became clear early in the year that the financial position was deteriorating and your Council decided that it was essential to meet the situation by raising subscriptions and entrance fees. At the same time it was decided that there are no grounds for a distinction between Town and Country members and that in future the scale for the compounding of subscriptions should be based on anticipated future membership, rather than past membership. These changes have had only a minor effect on the accounts under consideration. The MacArthur Forrest Memorial Fund shows an excess of income over expenditure of R132 and the total fund was, therefore, increased by this amount to R4,338. The balance sheet shows that the market value of quoted shares and debentures decreased during the year from R13,059 to R6,567, while accumulated funds now amount to R17,959 compared with R22,567 last year. It will also be noted that we are holding R25,844 on behalf of the Symposium on Opencast Mining. MEMBERSHIP Twenty-eight Fellows, twenty-four Members, seventeen Graduates, twenty-five Associates and twenty-seven Students were elected during the year. Four Members were admitted to Life Membership; Five Members were transferred to the grade of Fellow; one Student was transferred to the grade of Member; two Graduates and one Student were transferred to the grade of Member; six Students were transferred to the grade of Graduate; One Associate was transferred to the grade of Fellow; One Associate was transferred to the grade of Graduate. One Fellow, one Member, six Graduates, four Affiliates and ten Students were removed from the Membership Roll in terms of by-law 7.7.1. Your Council records with deep regret the death during the year, of the following: R. A. H. Flugge-de-Smidt, C. S. McLean, Dr H. J. van Eck, (Honorary Life Fellows), J. C. Humphreys, O. Lazar (Life Fellows), D. G. Beadle, J. G. Craig, P. U. Fisher, R. G. McConnell, J. H. Moore, S. Sterling, L. R. Ulyate (Fellows), H. H. Burger, E. A C. Dickson, R. Jack, S. Ring (Members), M. J. Worrall (Graduate). A comparative statement of the membership as at 30th June, 1970, and the end of the previous year is shown in the following tabulation: 30th June 30th June Honorary Life Fellows 10 8 Honorary Fellows 6 6 Life Fellows 189 191 Fellows 514 530 Members 448 465 Graduates 68 80 Associates 155 172 Students 162 161 1,552 1,613 RECLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP The designations of grades of membership were altered to accord with the practice in professional institutes both here and overseas and members were advised of the new classifications. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE A committee was established to organise a drive for membership as it was felt that there are numbers of persons in our mining and metallurgical industries who are not yet members but who qualify for membership. Members of the committee were allocated responsibility for campaigning in sections of industry and for publicising the aims, objectives and advantages of belonging to the Institute.

This paper describes the extraction of gold, as the anionic aurocyanide complex, from solution by strong- and weakbase anion-exchange resins. The effects, on the rate of extraction and the loading capacity for gold, of parameters such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, agitation, and the presence of competing anions are reported. The elution and regeneration of strong- and weak-base resins will be examined in a second paper. A third paper in this series will present the results of several smallscale pilot-plant investigations carried out with strong- and weakbase resins In cyanide pulps from various South African gold mines, and will compare the metallurgical performance of resin-In-pulp with that of the carbon-in-pulp process.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. F. Lupo

One of the earliest records of metal recovery by solution leaching is described by Agricola as 'juice of rock' in the 1550s. In these early years of hydrometallurgy and civil engineering, few controls and systems were employed to enhance recovery and protect the environment. Since that time, leaching (dump or heap) operations have made significant strides in increasing metal and solution recovery while protecting the environment, all goals of a sustainable operation. It is now recognized that the design and operation of modern heap leach facilities requires contributions from many fields of study, including hydrometallurgy, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, unsaturated-flow hydrology, mine planning, geosynthetics engineering, geochemistry, process engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. While advancements in these fields have resulted in more sustainable heap leach operations, challenges in the industry still exist. A number of heap leach operations exhibit poor or lower-than-predicted metal recovery, loss of solution flow and control within the ore heap, loss of ore heap stability under leach, failure of liner and/or solution recovery systems, and overtopping of process water ponds. A number of these issues may be the result of several compounding conditions. For example, poor metal recovery may be due to an inadequate scale-up assumption (scaling laboratory tests to field-size heaps), lack of control of the in-heap geochemical environment, changes in ore mineralogy from the original design, changes in mechanical and hydraulic properties of the ore from the original design, ore handling and pre-treatment, inadequate solution management system, and inadequate solution application. The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss issues that may affect the sustainability of a heap leach operation. Since sustainability encompasses a broad range of topics and issues, the focus of this paper will be on issues affecting metal and solution recovery, solution flow and containment, and stability of the ore heap.

Jan 1, 2012

By C. Montoya

This paper shows, through a case study, the impact of multivariate grade modelling upon mine design and mine planning. A deposit explored by drill holes is considered, in which the grades of five elements (copper, silver, molybdenum, arsenic, and antimony) are of interest. Forty alternative models of the deposit are constructed by fitting the joint correlation structure of the grade variables and using conditional cosimulation. In addition, a reference model, obtained by averaging the alternative models, is also considered. The study shows that the resulting mine design (final pit characteristics and production schedules) is sensitive to the grade model under consideration, and that the design based on the reference model may not be optimal when compared to the alternative models based on cosimulation. However, when assuming a given long-term plan and extraction sequence, the grades and net present value (NPV) calculated on the reference model are unbiased with respect to those calculated on the alternative models with the same extraction sequence. The latter allow assessing the possible dispersion of the actual grades and NPV around their expected values, and are useful for the planner in order to determine the probability of meeting given production targets and of exceeding or falling short of given threshold grades. Additionally, unlike cosimulation, the separate simulation of each grade variable leads to unrealistic resource models and to biased results in mine design and mine planning. This approach should therefore be avoided, unless the grade variables are spatially uncorrelated.

Jan 1, 2012

"I have been involved in the refractory industry for many years and at some time or another I have designed materials, tested materials, manufactured materials, installed materials, in fact I have done everything except actually chemically analyzed a refractory material.So I would not even begin to tell you how to analyse a refractory material. I'm sure everyone here knows more about chemical analysis than I do.However you could regard me as a customer with and perhaps the insights I have developed may help in putting the role of chemical analysis in the Refractories into perspective.For a start, let's take a step back and ask why we test refractories. The refractories handbook of the American Foundry Association gives four reasons:1. To determine appropriate specification.2. For quality control, to ensure conformance to specifications.3. To provide special property information not available elsewhere.4. For postmortem analysis to determine property changes in service and provideinformation that can point the way to better service.I want to discuss these points with regard to the role of chemical analysis and in particular the abuse of in house chemical analysis facilities. Let me talk first about detelmining appropriate specifications. Most refractory products are made from alumino-silicate raw materials.The phase diagram for alumino and silica is as follows:"

Jan 1, 2014