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By Tad Crowie, Victor Delgado, Nick Katsikaros, Tim Hughes

"A number of silver producers have identified a need for a system to recover silver and gold from base metal flotation concentrates on site rather than sending the concentrate to third party smelters to improve mine economics. Historically intensive cyanidation has only been used for coarse gold gravity concentrates in batch machines but Gekko have applied the InLine Leach Reactor (ILR) to these difficult to leach concentrates.The ILR’s unique ability to operate at various solid to solution ratios, high mass capacity, the ability to handle fines, the use of peroxide to aid silver leach kinetics and simple operation has resulted in significant economic benefits to Hochschild PLC’s Selene and Arcata operations. This paper describes the commissioning phase of the ILR5000BA intensive cyanidation reactors on concentrates from the Selene mine at the Ares Concentrator.INTRODUCTIONIntensive leaching of high grade concentrates in gold ore treatment is now commonplace and is considered an essential feature of most gold circuits (Lane, Fountain and LeBrooy, 2008). The devices commonly used for intensive leaching (InLine Leach Reactor, Acacia Reactor, etc) are specifically designed for the typical coarse nature of the concentrate.In some of these intensive leach applications, significant amounts of silver are co-recovered with the gold. In fact, the intensive leaching conditions of 1 to 2% NaCN in solution and high dissolved oxygen levels, overcome the issue with silver’s slow dissolution rate in traditional CIL/CIP circuits and avoids the formation of insoluble silver sulphide minerals on the surface of the gold (Marsden, 2006).There are a significant number of mine operators producing silver in the form of mixed base metal sulphides flotation concentrates. Typically the mine operators are paid for the silver after processing of the concentrate by the base metal smelter whom recovers the silver during the refining process."

Jan 1, 2010

By D. K. Denton, M. J. Friedel, D. F. Scott, T. J. Williams

Spokane Research Center personnel have been investigating the use of seismic tomography to monitor the behavior of a rock mass, detect hazardous ground conditions, and assess the mechanical integrity of a rock mass affected by mining. Seismic tomography can be a valuable tool for determining relative stress in deep ( > 1220 m) underground pillars. If high-stress areas are detected, they can be destressed prior to development or avoided. High-stress areas can be monitored with successive seismic surveys to determine if stress decreases to a level where development can be initiated safely. There are several benefits to using seismic tomography to identify high stress in deep underground pillars. The technique is reliable, cost-effective, efficient, and non-invasive. Also, investigators can monitor large rock masses, as well as monitor pillars during the mining cycle. By identifying areas of high stress, engineers will be able to assure that miners are working in a safer environment.

Feb 24, 1997

By C Haughy, F F. Pitard

Blue Mountain Minerals is a large supplier of calcium carbonate products used by various manufacturers as a major raw material. Very small amounts of free carbon in the rock can have a huge impact in carbon-sensitive applications. The marble in the deposit at Blue Mountain Minerals contains variable amounts of free carbon in the form of trace amounts of the mineral graphite.To make quality improvements, variography was used to measure the impact of non-ideal sampling practices at the Blue Mountain Minerals operations in Columbia, California in the United States. A major investment in correct sampling systems and sampling protocols was implemented over a one-year period. Subsequent variography was used to measure the improvement on the predictability of the graphite content in marble produced by the quarry and as it is processed as an acceptable raw material for extremely carbon-sensitive applications. The improvements of the sampling protocols, control of long-range changes and better knowledge of process cycles are easily noticeable on variograms when they happen to exist. The economic impacts are discussed.CITATION:Haughy, C and Pitard, F F, 2017. Use of variography to measure improvement of sampling practices for the quality control of graphite consistency in marble used for carbon-sensitive applications, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 255–260 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

By Vincent Roy

Numerous on going activities at the Daniel-Johnson Dam : ? Surveillance / monitoring ; ? Structural investigations & evaluation ; ? Injection work ; ? Crack mapping ; ? Instrumentation management (drawings & inventory) ; ? Drainage system state ; ? Foundation evaluation

Aug 1, 2013

By B. L. Eggers

This study investigates the application of computed order tracking with subsequent rotation domain averaging and statistical analysis, to the drag gearbox of a dragline used in a mining environment. Computed order tracking is a fault detection method developed to deal with the varying speed conditions often found in industry and has been proven effective in laboratory conditions. Its application to real situations, however, requires some adjustment to deal with issues such as inadequate speed data and the fact that the drag gear rotates in two directions. This provides a unique opportunity to observe the performance of the order tracking method in a bi-directional rotating environment, allowing an investigation of the relationships between the results obtained from each operating direction. A monitoring station was set up aboard the dragline and data was captured twice daily for a period spanning approximately one year. The data captured consisted of accelerometer and proximity sensor data. The key on the shaft triggers the proximity sensors, allowing speed and direction to be measured. The measured speed is interpolated by using various speed interpolation techniques. Then the interpolated speed is used to complete the order tracking procedure that resamples the vibration data with reference to the speed. The results indicate that computed order tracking can be successfully employed in real environments. Furthermore it is shown that the rotation direction that opens the gear-tooth crack gives a better indication of incipient failure. It is therefore important not to disregard either direction when monitoring rotating machinery of this kind.

Jan 1, 2007

By M. D. Seke

The flotation response of a Pb-Zn sulphide ore from the Rosh Pinah Mine (Namibia) was studied in the presence of inorganic depressants such as sodium cyanide and zinc sulphate. Poor flotation selectivity was observed in the rougher concentrate of the galena circuit despite the use of a large amount of sodium cyanide. Batch flotation tests have shown that the use of cyanide alone is not efficient for the depression of sphalerite from the Rosh Pinah ore when milling is carried out according to the current plant particle size distribution. The use of both cyanide and zinc sulphate improved the selectivity between galena and sphalerite much better than cyanide alone. Flotation selectivity is limited by the mineralogical texture of the Rosh Pinah ore sample. Microscopic analysis has shown that the presence of sphalerite in the galena concentrate is also due to poor liberation between galena and sphalerite, especially in the middlings. Hence, selectivity could be improved by regrinding the rougher concentrate prior to the cleaning stage. Keywords: sulphide ores, flotation, flotation depressant, mineralogy.

Jan 1, 2005

By S. O. Bada

Fine phosphate feed is considered to be slime and normally disposed of as a discard in settling ponds or dumped as landfill. The purpose of this research was to establish whether commercially acceptable qualities and yields could be obtained from this material using dry separation methods. The results obtained from the electrostatic separation of <105 µm phosphate ore are presented. An existing separator was upgraded in order to improve on product and flotation concentrate recovery, to test different mineral, and to reduce particle residence time between the charging chamber and the separating zone of the separator. The operating conditions were varied according to the charges imparted to the particles in the electric field, and according to other device parameters. Parameters such as splitter position, charge reversal, rotation speed, charging voltage and separating voltage. The <105 µm phosphate feed was concentrated under both triboelectrification and inductive charging. The use of inductive charging and charge reversal resulted in a significant increase in grade for <105 µm phosphate feed, with the P2O5 grade increasing from about 12 per cent to 20.50 per cent, and a recovery of 26.30 per cent under a single stage of separation. It was found that better separation was achieved at rotation speed of 6000 r/min, -8 kV charging voltage, and 25 kV separating voltage.

Jan 1, 2012

By D N. B Skinner

Changes in the configuration of late Cenozoic volcanic arcs related to Pacific-Australian plate convergence in northern New Zealand may have localised large-scale epithermal gold-silver mineralisation to a particular part of the volcanic arc system, the Coromandel Volcanic Zone (CVZ). The history of arc-type volcanism in northern New Zealand began with the development of the continental margin Northland Volcanic Arc from early-mid Miocene (26-15 Ma). From 18-15 Ma the Northland Volcanic Arc extended south into the northern and western part of the CVZ where it is dominantly composed of andesite with lesser dacite and very minor rhyodacite. In the south, centre and east of the CVZ, younger andesite-dacite volcanism overlapped in space and time (14-5 Ma) with voluminous rhyolitic volcanism associated with rift-hosted calderas and minor basaltic eruptions. This change to bimodal rhyolitic-basaltic volcanism and extensional tectonics was a result of southwest (SW)-directed propagation of the Colville-Lau oceanic island+ arc into the north-northwest (NNW) trending Northland Volcanic Arc and its underlying continental crust. The extensional tectonic regime created in the collision zone between the two arcs is also the site of the 14-6 Ma Coromandel epithermal gold-silver province, which contains some 50 separate deposits and has a production (1862-1996) of about 300 t Au and 1150 t Ag. Extensional tectonics facilitated the emplacement of silicic magma at shallow crustal level and led to reactivation of deep basement faults. The resulting enhanced heat flow and fault-focused fluid flow localised large hydrothermal systems and associated extensive low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver deposits in the southern part of the province, as at Waihi, Golden Cross and Karangahake.

Jan 1, 1997

By C Barton, B Randall, T Weldon, M Lefler

FLSmidth-Summit Valley Technologies has been a leader in gold processing equipment for nearly two decades. Over the past several years an extensive research and development effort has led to improvements in Mercury Abatement systems and process efficiency in Adsorption Desorption and Regeneration (ADR) or "Carbon" plant operations. Two technologies will be discussed that are focused on efficiency improvements followed by an explanation of Mercury Abatement systems. Gold and silver can be desorbed from carbon in several ways. FLSmidth has made significant improvements to the Pressure ZADRA process allowing for lower energy consumption and lower capital costs. This patented process is known as the Split-ZADRA Strip method. Split-ZADRA allows a plant to elute loaded carbon in a semi-continuous fashion. This increases the grade of the Pregnant Strip Solution, improves electrowinning efficiency, reduces capital equipment costs, and reduces energy requirements. During desorption and electrowinning for the Pressure ZADRA process, the pressure and temperature of the circulating strip solution is changed multiple times. A self-contained heating and cooling system has been developed which decreases the energy requirements for elution. Mercury Abatement technology has become increasingly important in recent years. Along with FLSmidth Summit Valley Technologies&apos; complete Mercury Retorting Systems, FLS-SVT has developed systems for the capture and removal of mercury from electrowinning cell and strip solution exhaust, Carbon Regeneration exhaust, and the dore furnace exhaust. This paper describes each of the technologies introduced above and their success in operational gold and silver mines. Case studies will be discussed showing the advantages of each specific technology as it applies to operations around the world. CITATION:Lefler, M, Weldon, T, Barton, C and Randall, B, 2013. Improvements in the mercury abatement and process efficiency of adsorption, desorption and regeneration gold processing operations, in Proceedings MetPlant 2013 , pp 468-478 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 15, 2013

By M. J. Mullikin, J. B. Conway

Equations capable of representing combined first -and second-stage creep behavior include the Andrade, Cottrell-Aytekin, Garofalo, and de Lacombe equations along with a third-degree polynomial in t1/3. Employing some recent high- temperature creep data for arc-cast tungsten the effectiveness of these expressions was evaluated. It was found that, in this instance, the most accurate representations were afforded by the third-degree polynomial in t1/3 and the de Lacombe equation. Also noted was the fact that the Andrade equation gave results just slightly inferior to those obtained with the third-degree polynomial, definitely better than those due to the Cottrell-Aytekin equation, and slightly superior to those furnished by the Garofalo equation. EXPRESSIONS designed to describe combined first -and second-stage creep behavior must possess certain specific characteristics. At time zero the equation must reduce to a strain value corresponding to the instantaneous deformation on loading. Then in the early moments following load application transient-creep behavior must be described to reflect a creep rate which constantly decreases with time. And finally at larger time values linear (or at least nearly linear) strain-time behavior must be accounted for to yield the steady state or minimum creep rate. Some equations, such as the one based on the parabolic creep law, yield fairly satisfactory results in transient analyses but are not effective at all when combined first- and second-stage data are to be analyzed. Other equations give equally accurate results in both instances although in general the complexity of the equation is slightly increased. For example the Andrade1 equation: has found fairly general application in expressing first-stage creep behavior. Furthermore the contribution of the exponential term becomes more and more prominent as the time increases and causes this equation to exhibit a point of inflection at large values of time. With a proper selection of equation constants the curve can be made fairly flat in the region of the inflection point indicating a desirable equation form for combined first- and second-stage creep analysis. Another equation form with the proper characteristic is that of Cottrell and Aytekin:2 e =a +bt1/3 +ct [2] Obviously as time increases the first derivative of this expression approaches a constant value to suggest application to combined first- and second-stage creep analysis. Similarly a third-degree polynomial in t1/3: e -a + bt1/3 + ct2/3 +dt [3] has the same characteristics. Expressions of this type have been shown3 to be very effective in the analysis of transient-creep behavior and the fact that the first derivative has the same characteristic as Eq. [2] suggests use in the combined analysis.

Jan 1, 1967

This paper highlights the agricultural sector&apos;s primary concerns with mining in New Zealand: the information gap, land rehabilitation and compensation. It suggests how these issues can be resolved between the competing land uses in the interests of New Zealand.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. C. Neavel

One of the most important requirements to be met by any coal producer is delivery of size consists tailored to specific applications. Generally these specifications include a minimum as well as a maximum size limit. The customers of a major Indiana coal producer noticed that some shipments of sized coal contained a large proportion of undersize pieces. Also, in these shipments, the pieces which remained within the specified limits were cracked and, when handled, crumbled readily. The producer, certain that these shipments had been properly sized at the tipple, suspected that degradation had occurred in transit. The Indiana Geological Survey was requested to examine the coal from one of these shipments to attempt to determine the cause of breakage. Two basic facts about coal and coal seams led to the employment of petrographic techniques in this investigation. First, all coal seams consist of accumulations of diverse organic and inorganic constituents; and second, most coal breakage, either desirable or undesirable, can be attributed to the inherent weakness of some of these constituents or to poor adhesion between certain constituents. Analyses of degraded coal Sampling: Samples were secured from 2 stock piles of 2-by 4-inch coal in a dealer&apos;s yard. The coal in both piles had received the same treatment from mining to storage, although it had been mined and shipped on two different days. The size consist of one pile, however, appeared smaller than that of the other. The sample from the degraded pile is referred to as the slack sample, and the other is called the unslack sample. Size analyses: In order to determine the actual size consist, the samples were screened, with a minimum of rough handling, on square 2-inch, 1-inch, 1/2-inch, and 12-mesh screens. It is assumed that 100 percent of the 2-by 4-inch coal is retained on a 2-inch round screen at the tipple. Analyses of several loads at the tipple indicate that approximately 26 percent of the 2- by 4-inch coal, 100 percent of which was assumed held on a 2-inch round screen, passed through a 2-inch square screen. Twenty-six percent may be taken as the normal difference between round and square screens. Results of the analyses of stockpile coal are shown in Table 1. Cumulative percent versus size are plotted on a Rosin-Rammler chart as Figure 1. Both samples approximately follow normal size distribution; this indicates that breakage is not size preferential and also that the samples are representative of the stockpiles. Although both samples exhibit the same general size distribution, the median size of the slack sample is considerably smaller than that of the unslack sample. Fifty-five percent of the unslack sample was undersize (29 percent greater than the normal 26 percent difference), and 83 percent of the slack sample was undersize (57 percent greater than the normal 26 percent difference). Both piles contained a greater percentage than normal of undersize coal; this indicates that they were both affected by degradation, but to a different degree. Bedding-plane analyses: Coal, because of its laminated nature, will break preferentially along bedding planes, especially where adjacent constituents are poorly cemented to each other. Subsequent breakage perpendicular to the

Jan 1, 1961

By Y Zhuang, S La Brooy

The selection of the optimum process route for a new project has traditionally consisted of investigating existing options and ranking them in terms of cost, technical risk and environmental acceptability. With the current focus on sustainable development other factors now need to be considered. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the process options can be used to extend the assessment in terms of their potential for earning renewable energy credits and in judging their ability to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions. A rigorous life cycle assessment is demanding in terms of setting the baseline for comparisons and evaluating the elements that make up the emission profiles of the process options. However, a simplified LCA can provide a useful tool for comparing different process options. This approach can be combined with traditional assessment criteria to rank the options available to the project. GRD Minproc has been intimately involved in executing LCA calculations for different municipal waste treatment options. This paper applies a similar LCA methodology to investigate the greenhouse gas implications for different options for copper processing. The process options considered are:concentrator û sale of concentrate to smelter, concentrator û on-site mini smelter, and concentrator û leach SX/EW. The paper then goes on to consider the operating cost implications that could arise with the introduction of carbon taxes or carbon credits and how these might impact on the future choice of flowsheet.

Jan 1, 2002

By R Bezuidenhout, J K. Claflin, S R. La Brooy, G M. Wardell-Johnson, A M. Claflin

Best practice gold (Au) recovery is not an accident. It is the result of proper operation of the adsorption circuit using good quality activated carbon. A conventional carbon ‘regeneration’ kiln cannot process carbon fouled with floatation chemicals and achieve best practice gold recovery. A high temperature, controlled atmosphere carbon ‘reactivation’ kiln is required. Carbon circuit design allows for low quality carbon by increasing the carbon advance rate, carbon inventory and setting an easily achieved and commercially prudent solution tails target of typically 0.02 ppm Au. These design criteria are important to ensure the commercial success of the gold operation in the first instance. Most carbon ‘regeneration’ kilns will produce carbon of sufficient quality to achieve a 0.02 ppm Au solution tail in the absence of flotation reagents.Best practice recovery is considered less than 0.005 ppm Au in solution reporting to tails. If the carbon is heavily fouled, as it will be if used for flotation leach circuits, then a conventional carbon ‘regeneration’ kiln cannot achieve world’s best practice recovery no matter how much carbon is advanced. World’s best practice gold recovery requires a carbon ‘reactivation’ kiln and the whole of the carbon circuit operated optimally.The competing reactions occurring in a carbon ‘reactivation’ kiln are presented and discussed in terms of kiln design and operation. New industrial and laboratory findings are presented to fill gaps in the body of knowledge and identify that a large reduction in residence time at temperature will not significantly impair reactivation, but can significantly reduce the size and cost of the kiln or permit significantly increased carbon throughput.The carbon circuit performance is modelled in terms of gold adsorption, as a function of carbon reactivation using ‘simulation of carbon-in-leach/carbon-in-pulp circuits’ (SIMCIL). An optimum carbon advance rate is identified as a function of optimum carbon ‘reactivation’ kiln operation to achieve 0.005 ppm Au in the tails solution. A conventional carbon ‘regeneration’ kiln is compared to a state-of-the-art carbon ‘reactivation’ kiln in terms of reactivation performance and gold recovery.CITATION:Claflin, J K, La Brooy, S R, Wardell-Johnson, G M, Bezuidenhout, R and Claflin, A M, 2017. Optimising carbon reactivation kiln operation, in Proceedings MetPlant 2017, pp 346–364 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 11, 2017

By M. Kalin

"SUMMARYWaste management in general, and the water treatment of mine and mill effluents, has become an ever increasing burden for mining operations. A reduction in these expenditures would undoubtedly be desirable if this could in fact be achieved within effluent guidelines and monitoring requirements.A brief summary is presented of the research which has as its aim the development of methods which would reduce such costs and lead to solutions for environmentally acceptable close-out conditions for acid generating mine waters. The basic concepts of Ecological Engineering and Biological Polishing are presented, together with an indication of the present state of these research efforts. Details are provided of the progress of various experiments which aim to promote reducing conditions, organic matter production and the establishment of biological filters which remove metals from the water which are then retained within the waste management areas. These conditions should lead to a curtailment of acid drainage and an improvement in effluent quality.A description is provided of the first pilot demonstration using this approach to achieve a walk-away condition for the close-out of a massive sulphide tailings resulting from 10 years of operating a copper/zinc concentrator in Northern Ontario.1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 Waste management and close-outIt is recognized that the achievement of a cost-effective and competitive mining operation, from the commencement of exploration for ore bodies through to the day-to-day efficient operation of the mine, requires a certain expertise and sophistication. However, the environmental effects of these activities are considered peripheral issues and their importance as an integral part of the planning and development of the mine/mill, is not always appreciated."

Jan 1, 1988

By Richard E. Bischke

Computer assisted finite element model analysis, originally developed to study stress distributions in aircraft, has been modified into a versatile mining program, that can be used to assist the engineer with predictions of mine subsidence. International Exploration, Inc. has developed an in-house finite element model program which incorporates a multitude of factors influencing mine subsidence such as mine design, physical rock properties, structure, faults, joints and topography. Finite element analysis of a mine model can mathematically determine the magnitude and direction of the principal stresses within each of the elements forming the model. By comparing the calculated in-situ stresses to the actual rock strengths, high risk regions within a mine can be identified. These potentially unstable regions of the mine can be allowed to fail within the model and the resultant stress redistribution and element movement calculated. Thus, the effects of the mine collapse at the surface can be predicted for the purpose of determining the potential damage, if any, that could occur to surface structures from deep mine failure. Stabilization materials can also be mathematically inserted into the model to design and analyze the effectiveness of subsidence prevention programs. Two examples are presented of the finite element program being used to predict mine subsidence at substantially different geologic and mining provinces in Pennsylvania.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. R. Wardrop, G. Walton

Paper presented at the UK minerals industry conference held in Leeds, UK, 3-5 April 1995. A description is given of the approach that has been taken to the design of the 550 000 000 t superquarry with a planned life of 60 years that is proposed for development. The quarry has been designed to replicate a corrie and a sea loch and will include excavated slopes more than 570 m high. The main geological and physical controls on the layout and the choice of development method are outlined. The operation phasing is presented and the geotechnical constraints on slope design and the feasibility of alternative quarry limits are discussed. Environmental considerations have been dominant in planning and the quarry has been specifically designed for closure

Jul 1, 1996

This Bureau of Mines report describes research on methods of assuring the continued safety of mine electrical power distribution circuits through reliability and quality assessment of the protective devices, innovative inspection techniques for these devices and the circuits themselves, novel applications of trolley line circuit breakers, and computer modeling of distribution systems to determine the proper ratings for cables, power sources, and circuit protective elements. Battery charger safety is included.

Jan 1, 1979

By Rudolph P. Frizzi

Quality control is essential for augered cast-in-place (ACIP) piles (also known as continuous flight auger (CFA) piles outside the United States) and drilled displacement (DD) piles since the pile is constructed below the ground surface out of the direct sight of the personnel constructing and inspecting the pile. ACIP piles are being successfully constructed to support high-rise structures, hospitals, arenas and stadiums, mass transit systems, and power and industrial facilities. The use of DD pile technology is also gaining ground in the United States, typically utilizing proprietary systems such as Omega (currently utilized by Richard Goettle Inc., and LG Barcus and Sons, Inc.), Berkel, and DeWal (currently utilized by Morris-Shea). Different types of ACIP/DD pile installation equipment are shown in Figures 1 and 2. ACIP piles are installed into granular and cohesive soils, and soft rock to lengths currently approaching 130 ft (39.5 m), with diameters up to 24 to 36 inches (610 to 915 mm), and sustaining design loads approaching 900 kips (4000 kN). Current DD pile installation equipment in the United States is capable of installing up to 79-ft-long (24 m) piles with diameters ranging from 12 to 18 inches (305 mm to 460 mm).

Jan 1, 2004

By H. J. Siriwardane

This paper presents results from three case studies involving longwall mine panels at which the measured ground movements were compared with the numerical model predictions based on the finite element method. A new approach called the "displacement approach" was used in this study. The general concept of this method is based on the assumption that total roof collapse occurs behind the mine face as it advances. This assumption appears to be true for almost all longwall mining conditions. The prediction based on the numerical model appears to compare well with the measurements.

Jan 1, 1988