Search Documents

Despite mineral sand occurrences having been noted since the 1970s, the Wemen North Mine is the first operation to commence commercial mining within the inland Murray Basin. The deposit was discovered in the 1990s and, following lengthy resource development, mining commenced in 2001. This initial mine was established as a pilot operation to test the commercial viability of mining in the Murray Basin, with subsequent expansions planned if the mine proves successful. The deposit lies beneath arable farmland close to the Murray River and is hosted by Pliocene marine sands, with a geometry resembling a classical beach strand placer. The operation utilises traditional dry mining overburden removal techniques, with ore mining carried out using a floating dredge and concentrator. This paper looks at the geology of the Wemen North deposit, the mining techniques and challenges as well as grade control practices employed to mine this palaeo-beach placer deposit.

Jan 1, 2003

By D S. Stewart, K W. Keskimaki

The Henderson Mine has been utilising a continuous panel caving method to extract molybdenum ore since starting operation in 1976. In the past three decades since the mine was designed, many changes have taken place in underground technology as well as the general nature of the mining business. The impacts of larger scale underground equipment and automation are significant at Henderson and continue to reshape the nature of the enterprise. During the first years of operation in the 1970s, Henderson required almost 2000 employees to achieve full production, today only about 400 people are required to fully utilise the plantÆs capacity. The most recent change to the facility is the conversion from a rail haulage system to an underground crushing and conveying system that transports ore 25 km to the Henderson mill site. This change has required the introduction of large, rubber tired haulage trucks underground and the mining methods necessary to develop the large openings demanded by the trucks and underground crusher. The development of the underground crusher is also the first step to mining the final bottom horizon of the orebody. Along with this move comes an opportunity to almost triple the effectiveness of the mining effort, through higher draw columns and wider draw bell spacing. This final advancement to a totally trackless mine has positioned Henderson well for safe and efficient operation as it enters the 21st century.

Jan 1, 2000

By M W. I Visser Æt Hooft, R C. Schimmel

Until recently the Corus IJmuiden pellet plant produced approximately 4.5 Mtpa of pellets. Corus IJmuiden is currently running a program to increase its pig iron production to 6.4 million tonnes HM per annum. The burden of the Corus IJmuiden blast furnaces consists of approximately 50 per cent high basicity sinter and 50 per cent acid pellets, both produced in-house. To accommodate the increased pig iron production, the capacity of the pellet plant needed to be increased to 5.0 Mtpa. The productivity was increased by modifications to the plant layout, which were implemented during the 2006 cold maintenance stop. In addition, the composition of the ore blends is optimised to gain productivity.

Jan 1, 2007

By Gang C, Changyi S, Liangde G

Geophysical and geochemical methods and techniques for gold exploration and their applications in China are summarised in the paper. Some case histories are also presented. The effect of prospecting for gold deposits using these methods is well illustrated through these examples.

Jan 1, 1997

By Brown GA

Results are presented which demonstrate the feasibility of employing electrolytic membrane technology to process leach liquors derived from alkaline pressure leaching of scheelite concentrates and to recover and recyle sodium carbonate. Thus the problem of disposal of sodium sulphate is avoided. In a further application of the technique sodium tungstate is converted to tungstic acid which can be further processed by three possible routes to crystalline or amorphous tungstic acid or tungsten powder. In each route sodium hydroxide is produced which on carbonation can be recycled as soda ash to the pressure leach stage. Further testwork is required to determine long term operational conditions in the membrane cell and to confirm the effect and deportment of impurities on products. The process has been patented.

Jan 1, 1986

By Hatcher MI

Exploration undertaken at Copley diapir has located several occurrences of oxidized supergene and primary sulphide copper mineralization at the margin of the diapir or in adjacent country rocks. The mineraliza- tion is related to carbonate-rich epigenetic solutions which moved along major structural features closely associated with the intru sive diapir.

Jan 1, 1975

By S Hapugoda, Y Tang, L Lu

The steel industry is one of the global leading CO2 emitters, accounting for approximately 7 per cent of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. In 2022, the world produced 1878.5 Mt of crude steel. About 70.8 per cent of the world’s crude steel was produced by integrated steel mills through the blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) process, while the remainder was produced largely by mini mills using electrical arc furnaces (EAF). Compared with gas-based DRI and scrap-based EAF processes, the direct CO2 emissions from the BF-BOF process and the coal based DRI and EAF process are significantly more, as both the processes rely heavily on fossil fuels, such as coke and pulverised coal, to provide energy and reduce iron oxides. Hydrogen is very reactive and reduces iron oxides to metallic iron without generating CO2. Therefore, substitution of hydrogen for fossil fuels in these processes presents a good opportunity to significantly decarbonise the steel industry. This paper will first discuss the thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics of hydrogen and carbothermic reductions of iron oxides and then examine the behaviours of different ore types present in Australia iron ores during hydrogen reduction.

Sep 18, 2023

I would like to start by thanking The AusIMM and CSIRO for organising this excellent conference and inviting me to give a keynote address. Today I will focus on some broad observations of our industry, and leave the technical discussion to my colleagues who are presenting specific papers covering a wide range of topics. In preparation for this paper, I did a little research into the early history of the Pilbara iron ore industry. I was fascinated to read a quote attributed to Harry P Woodward, the Government Geologist in the late 19th century, before Federation. Mr Woodward described the Pilbara as an iron ore country and observed that æthere is enough to supply the whole world should the present sources be worked outÆ. Mr WoodwardÆs prediction could be viewed as wishful thinking and certainly at Hamersley Iron I would gladly envisage the Pilbara supplying the worldÆs entire iron ore needs! In reality, Western Australia accounted for 162 million tonnes or 36 per cent of seaborne trade in 2001. An impressive effort, but not quite the total world supply as Mr Woodward imagined. But we shouldnÆt dismiss these historical musings out of hand û perhaps we could see it as a challenge for the industry to æwork outÆ the present sources. We all know there is abundant iron ore in the Pilbara, and I expect it is only a matter of time until our collective technical expertise and sheer hard work will enable us to utilise its greater range of ore types. Opening up new markets will be a key pathway to creating additional value from the Pilbara ores. Today I will examine the state of play of our industry and the major influences that shape our business at present, before considering what the future might hold for us. I canÆt guarantee the accuracy of my crystal ball, but the stability and long-term nature of our industry does enable some reasonable hypotheses on where we are heading. I will also spend some time examining the way in which the iron ore producers are working to maximise the value of their resource base and obtain more from their existing capital assets.

Jan 1, 2002

The Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) is the largest active volcanic belt in New Zealand. It is

Jan 1, 1987

In many metal mines in China,the 70B2 series of fans has been used for main fans for a long time.These fans generate higher static pressures than are required for the relatively high equivalent orifices of the ventilation systems of many of the mines. As a consequence, their running efficiency is common only around 30%. The loss of power is significant.

Jan 1, 1988

ABSTRACT' Mainland Papua New Guinea is formed of a microcontinental / island arc system (?Eocene - latest Oligocene Sepic arc) which in Middle to Late Miocene times was obducted over the northward- moving Australian plate. The sedimentary and volcanic units of this system form part of the Wogamush Group (Aure beds, Mena beds, Omaura Formation, Movi beds, Wogamush beds, Wogamush Formation. Nansananka Conglomerate and other correlates in- eluding cale-alkaline volcanics and carbonate beds). This Sepic event was followed in Pliocene-Present times by the obduction of the Finisterre-Adelbert-Oenake fore-arc or possibly oceanic plateau. Obduction of the Sepic arc produced crustal thickening

Jan 1, 1997

By S C. Dominy

The Minerals Education Australia program is offering a tertiary learning environment for the global mining industry. The Minerals Council of Australia has instigated this initiative, which is run by the Minerals Tertiary Education Council. The program is a pioneering partnership between the Australian minerals industry, Australian governments and key Australian universities. It is designed to deliver key undergraduate and postgraduate courses for tomorrowÆs minerals industry professionals in the fields of geoscience, mining and minerals engineering and metallurgy. The flagship course for geoscience professionals is the G3 Masters program. This is a coursework-based degree supported by the Minerals Tertiary Education Council, and a partnership between James Cook University, the University of Tasmania and the University of Western Australia. These partners represent the leading-edge providers of minerals geoscience education and R&D in Australia. The G3 program provides the full spectrum of post-graduate training skills in exploration, mining and economic geology topics.

Jan 1, 2003

Aluminium in Australia, and in fact all round the world, is made virtually exclusively by the Hall-Heroult process, whereby the metal is derived from the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in an electrolyte comprising fluoride salts. It is the distribution and control of these inorganic fluorides during and after the reduction process which go to make up the bulk of environmental problems associated with aluminium reduction smelters. The emission characteristics of fluorides from the process, the occurrence and effects of fluorides in the environment, and the control techniques wnich are applied in industry, all need to be taken into account in assessing the overall environmental aspects of aluminium Production.

Jan 1, 1977

The aim of all modelling is to replicate geological reality as closely as possible using available data. This paper is aimed at one end of the spectrum, where very limited data is combined with intuitive geological ideas to synthesise models for either target definition or for determining minimum viable mining scenarios. Interactive 3D modelling allows a satisfactory hypothetical geometry of surfaces to be assembled, and provides a fast quantitative method for generating targets. As data flows from exploration, an evolving geological model assists with the progressive evaluation of a prospect. Two case histories are described where this approach has been used successfully, the Mosquito Hill Prospect in Queensland and the Longwood Ranges Platinum Prospect in New Zealand. The possibility is also discussed of hypothetically modelling an orebody which has yet to be discovered. The proper description of an orebody is the foundation upon which all mine design and planning is undertaken. The volumetric accuracy of the model is crucial in valuing an orebody. Geologists must form a geometry which matches the conceptual view of the ore occurrence and ensure that they understand how the computer system used calculates volumes. If the underlying assumptions inherent in the method conflict in any way with the conceptual model visualised for the ore occurrence, then that method must not be used.

Jan 1, 1995

Following GyÆs earlier proposals for the use of StudentÆs t-test, a simplified, effective method and philosophy are proposed to test for maximum tolerable bias in data sets as well as in sampling devices. The philosophy of testing is particularly emphasised to derive important practical implications in terms of decision-making and risk control. Conclusions are offered which should equally matter to manufacturers and users of sampling equipment.

Jan 1, 2005

An attempt has been made in tftis paper to review the general situation regarding the needs of the Mining and Minerals Industry for skilled and qualified personnel. Having defined the behavioural objectives of the courses of study, reference is thereafter made to the factors influencing the effective design of courses for apprentices, technicians and Technologists.

Jan 1, 1981

By K L. Brown

The concentrations of trace metals in deep hydrothermal solutions (~1 km depth, 200 to >300¦C) from modern hydrothermal systems in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, and Ladolam, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea were obtained using a purpose-built downhole fluid sampler and ICP-MS analyses. The results range widely: gold (<0.1 - 23 ppb); silver (<3 - 2400 ppb); arsenic (100 - 18 000 ppm); antimony (2 - 1200 ppm); mercury (<1 - 78 ppb) and provide the basis for quantifying the flux and fate of metals as well as assessing their sources (Simmons and Brown, 2006, 2007). An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

By Filigenzi M. T

Stresses around mine openings at depth can cause the surrounding rock to fail, releasing stored strain energy. When this happens, the rock may literally explode or `burst' into the opening without warning. As mining progresses deeper into the earth, the possibility of seismic events and rock bursts increases. Researchers at the US Bureau of Mines (USBM) are currently studying seismic activity in three underground hard-rock mines in the United States: the Homestake Mine, Lead, SD; the Lucky Friday Mine, Mullan, ID; and the Sunshine Mine, Kellogg, ID. Waveforms from seismic events are recorded by personal-computer-based hardware and software. This information is archived and transferred from the mine sites to the USBM via modem communication links. Then, using USBM-developed software, the events are analysed to determine various parameters, including magnitude, frequency, and location. In addition, researchers are modelling the deep levels of the Homestake Mine using a finite-element code. These models generate stress and displacement values for a given loading condition. By studying material properties, in situ stresses, and seismic activity along with actual scope sequencing, researchers can make correlations between stresses induced by mining and the frequency and magnitude of seismic events. Information on seismic events coupled with results from finite-element analyses have increased understanding of rock mass behavior and the mechanisms that may lead to rock bursts. Optimisation of slope sequencing designs as a result of these studies could reduce rock burst hazards.

Jan 1, 1995

The New England Fold Belt forms the easternmost and youngest section of the Tasman Fold Belt System of eastern Australia. From middle Palaeozoic to Early Cretaceous time it was the site of extensive episodic calc-alkaline magmatism related to W-dipping subduction. The oldest rocks may have formed at least partly in a volcanic island arc, but from the Late Devonian, the fold belt developed as a convergent Pacific-type continental margin. For Late Devonian-Carboniferous time, parallel belts representing continental margin volcanic arc, forearc basin and subduction complex assemblages can be recognised. Major dextral transform faulting may have offset parts of the fold belt in the Late Carboniferous. In addition, some structural blocks which appear to be out of place in the overall palaeogeographic setting are possible exotic or suspect terranes. A great variety of lode deposits ranging in age from middle Palaeozoic to Early Cretaceous is present in the New England Fold Belt. The vast majority of these are related to emplacement of extensive granite plutons and eruption of continental silicic volcanics in Late Permian-Late Triassic time. However, volcanogenic massive sulphides and volcanic hosted epithermal gold-silver deposits in older rock sequences include one major orebody (Mount Morgan) and several important ones (Mount Chalmers, Cracow, Silver Spur, Cangai and Halls Peak). Some problematical deposits are best classified as metamorphic-hydrothermal. These include gold-bearing quartz reefs and stockworks in sedimentary host rocks, the most important of which are at Gympie, and antimony-gold- tungsten mineralisation in the New England area, mainly at Hillgrove.

Jan 1, 1987

Around 35 Mt of industrial clays were produced in 1994 under the broad classifications kaolin (25 Mt), bentonite (8 Mt) and attapulgite/sepiolite (2 Mt). A brief review of world sources and markets is given as background to Australia's small production (0.5 Mt) but developing interest in industrial clays. Clay markets have changed significantly over the past 30 years resulting initially in consolidation and expanded production from traditional high-grade clay sources but also creating opportunities for development of new discoveries. Decline in the use of clay-based refractories has come at a time of strong growth in demand for refined kaolin for the paper industry. Traditional markets for bentonite as oil drilling muds, iron ore pelletising and foundry bond sands are mature and in overall decline. Today, bentonite has a significant share of the growth market in pet litter which a few years ago was dominated by attapulgite/sepiolite clays. Both bentonite and attapulgite/sepiolite have good prospects for increased demand in environmental markets both in containment of hazardous wastes and sorption of toxic substances. In common with all industrial minerals, markets for clay minerals will demand continuous improvement in product quality and consistency. Development of new and improved products will be increasingly the responsibility of the raw material supplier. In order to remain competitive, this will require a substantial commitment to quality assurance and research and development. Increase in market share will come for those producers able to translate developments in their products to cost savings or increased competitiveness for the industries that they Supply.

Jan 1, 1997