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By A. Morley

It is difficult to evaluate exploration properties in a manner that is transparent, repeatable and easily re-calculated to cater for different geological interpretations, but the risk-based assessment methodology, the Geological Risk Method, developed and described by Lord et al (2001) attempts to satisfy all these criteria. This paper examines a case study example based on valuations of exploration projects conducted by SRK Consulting using this methodology, and describes some of the advantages and limitations of the method.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. A. Viljoen

An account is given of the development of man's interest in the recovery and working of minerals from Palaeolithic times to the present. This is followed by a discussion of future production trends for the more important minerals, and of likely technological developments in the recovery of various minerals. The crucial importance of energy minerals is stressed, as are several other factors of significance to a flourishing minerals industry: manpower, education, financial climate, Industrial health and safety, and preservation of the environment.

Jan 1, 1979

By J. D. Smit, K. C. Garner, P. C. van Aswegen

The initial results obtained from the implementation of computer-controlled strategy on the milling circuit are reported. An analysis of these results showed that a peak-power pebble-mill controller on a high throughput hardrock wet-milling circuit reduces the stability of the system. It was concluded that the milling circuit should be regarded as a single system in which the measurement of grinding efficiency, circulating load, product size distribution, and feed rate should minimize the product variance and maximize the feed rate according to the grinding power available. Work is proceeding on such a system.

Jan 1, 1980

By M. J. King, W. K. B. Loftus, H. S. Simpson

SYNOPSIS The history of the early diamond fields and primitive methods of diamond recovery are traced, giving a brief description of the improvements made in final diamond recovery processes and techniques up to the present day. In particular the emphasis is on the effect of improved equipment in reducing final hand sorting time and labour, better security and greater recovery of fine diamonds.

By R. J. E. Stewart

Another very successful evening meeting was organized by the Johannesburg Branch of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy on 20th November, 1990, when Mr R.D. MacPherson, General Manager of Richards Bay Minerals, gave a presentation on the Richards Bay operations. The function was held in the Ballroom of the Johannesburg Country Club, and the very high attendance (some 250 people) was indeed a reflection of the high profile of the subject mater. It was also a fitting reward for the efforts of Mr MacPherson and his team, who spent a considerable amount of time and effort traveling the country to present 'the other side of the story'.

Jan 1, 1991

By A. A. Bradley, K. H. Stanton, P. J. D. Lloyd

A theory for the dynamic balancing of centrifugal mills is presented that takes account of the mass and shape of the charge in a gyrated grinding tube and the way in which the charge lags behind the centrifugal force vector. predicts that a corresponding lag in the angular position of the counterweight centres of mass is necessary, and that the fractional filling should be increased if the ratio of gyration diameter to tube diameter is decreased. A worked example is given for a I MW centrifugal mill that was balanced adequately by the methods described.

Jan 1, 1983

Introduction and Background For many years people were aware of the vast deposits of titaniferous magnetite containing vanadium in the Bushveld Complex. From 1957 onwards some exploitation of this ore was carried out by Minerals Engineering of S.A. (later the Vantra Division of Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation Limited), who produced vanadium pentoxide via a roast-leach process. Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy The Finance and Executive Committees of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy have agreed that members of SAIMM should be invited to register at all future CIM meetings at the same rate as CIM members.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. Pohlandt

A literature survey of methods suitable for the determination of cyanides in process streams and effluents is presented. Of the large number of methods published, 92 are examined in detail, emphasis being placed on the selectivity of the methods, i.e. the extent to which they enable one to distinguish between ionic cyanide and metal-cyanide complexes. Methods designed for the determination of 'total cyanide' (i.e. ionic cyanide as well as coordinated cyanide) are evaluated critically. Other aspects of the methods are also considered, such as sensitivity, accuracy, speed, and freedom from interferences.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. C. Paynter

A review of copper hydrometallurgy by J. C. PAYNTER, B.Sc. (Chem. Eng.) (Visitor) Copper hydrometallurgy is discussed with special reference to the treatment of chalcopyrite concentrates under South African conditions. The following processes are described and illustrated: Sherritt Gordon's ammonia pressure leachilng, the Arbiter Process, sulphuric acid pressure leaching, roasting processes, the Cymet Process, and the ferric chloride process developed at the National Institute for Metallursy. These processes are then compared with respect to the form of sulphur produced (elemental sulphur or sulphate), the character of the iron product and the handling of different types of ore.

Jan 11, 1973

By D. Brazier, W. Laing, D. Nixon

Keywords: Pyrometallurgy, furnace, smelter, copper, Palabora The Palabora copper smelter has operated for the past 38 years, treating concentrates produced at the mine site. Palabora has reduced captive material by almost 40 per cent with the transition from a large open-cast to a smaller underground mine. The smelter and refinery complex was designed to treat 120 kt contained copper units per annum, with the underground only supplying 70 per cent of the feed. The agreed strategy was to import enough concentrates to maximise production and reduce operational unit costs. This transition has presented the Palabora management with new challenges both in technical and financial aspects.

Jan 1, 2006

By N. von Stade, G. du Plessis, W. van Niekerk, H. Bosman

Exploration, and other, boreholes are drilled to obtain information about the geological environment. Knowledge of the exact position (dip and direction) of the holes is important to ensure compatibility between the hole and the geological information. Kumba Resources traditionally used mechanical methods to determine the hole characteristics. These are cumbersome and expensive, and as a consequence a new method, the IVEC (Iscor Video Exploration Camera), was developed which utilizes a charged coupled device (CCD) image sensor focused on a three-dimensional compass. This system is rugged, relatively inexpensive and gives real-time results during borehole logging. Keyword: Borehole inclination, deviation, dip and direction, geophysics, exploration.

Sep 1, 2001

By F. H. Deist, R. P. Plewman

The history of development of analytical techniques for the determination of elastic behaviour around tabular excavations, is examined briefly. The design of a completely digital system, which appears to afford considerable improvements in speed, accuracy and versatility compared with existing analogue methods, is described in detail. The practical application of this system is illustrated by means of an actual underground problem. The results are presented, not in the form of specific solutions to the mine's problems, but as indications of the versatility and scope of the new method.

By L. Dison

This technical note is issued in two parts as follows. Part I, which appeared in the January issue of this Journal, after a brief introduction, discusses the value of patents and the law of patents, including patent applications and the exploitation of inventions. This is followed by some comments for the benefit of would-be inventors and potential users of patents. Part I focuses on the mining industry and then discusses views on patents that were quoted in Part I. The last section makes recommendations as to how inventors and users (including mining authorities) should handle patents.

Jan 1, 1992

By Allan Jansen, Robin Bissett

[Power-Point Presentation]

Jan 1, 2005

This paper describes the operating practice and design features of an intensive-cyanidation plant at the East Gold Plant of Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited (V.R.E.M.). After the development oh cyanidation route for the treatment of gold-plant gravity concentrates by the Anglo American Research laboratories (A.A.R.L.), a full scale plant was commissioned at Western Holdings (Welkom Division) Gold Mine in March 1977, and the V.R.E.M. plant was commissioned in August 1981. Although the gravity-concentration route does not now enjoy the prominence of former times, in an existing conventional plant the intensive-cyanidation route can successfully replace mercury amalgamation.

Jan 1, 1984

By P. R. Jochhens

The Past. In the past, large metallurgical companies (for example the mining houses) had the necessary infrastructure both to develop metallurgical flowsheets and to undertake the construction and project management of metallurgical plants. Effectively, the sole contribution by contracting companies was the supply, and possibly the installation, of specific items of equipment. OBITUARY: AUSTIN WHILLIER (1927 - 1981) On Thursday, 13th August, 1981, Dr. Austin Whillier passed away peacefully in Johannesburg after a long illness. This event has been a serious blow indeed, and its effects will be felt, not only by the Chamber of Mines of South Africa and the South African mining industry, but also throughout many scientific and technical spheres both in South Africa and further a field.

Jan 1, 1981

By C. L. de Jongh

Fracturing of the rock caused considerable difficulties during the boring of a deep-level tunnel in hard rock. A pilot bore was suggested as a possible means of reducing the effect of the fracturing, and this possibility was investigated theoretically by means of a three-dimensional elastic stress analysis. Failure criteria were applied to the results of this analysis, and it was found that fractures predicted by the use of a simple criterion of limiting tensile macrostrain criterion agreed remarkably well with in situ observation. It was concluded that fracture could not be avoided and that a pilot bore was likely to aggravate tunnelling conditions.

Jan 1, 1978

By M. N. James

The Fracture Research Group has been operating at the University of the Witwatersrand for some ten years and, in that period, has achieved a significant profile, both nationally and internationally, through its research publications, industrially-based technical reports, continuing short courses in engineering education, and co1Jferences. This paper outlines the activities of the Group over the past few years, emphasizing the research thrusts and the results that have been obtained, as well as highlighting areas of current and future research interest The capabilities of the Group in terms of equipment and expertise are also discussed briefly.

Jan 1, 1995

By S. J. Bluhm

Recommendations are given for the design of multi-stage spray chambers in which air flows horizontally through water sprays. A detailed description is given of one such spray chamber at Hartebeestfontein gold mine that is used for bulk cooling of the incoming ventilation air, and that has been constructed according to these recommendations. A method for predicting the performance parameters of horizontal multi-stage spray chambers is given, and the method is illustrated with some examples. The method is equally applicable to spray chambers in which the water, rather than the air, is cooled.

Jan 1, 1979

By W. J. Van Den Berg, J. G. Taylor

The paper discusses the introduction of blindhole boring on the South African gold mines of Anglo American Corporation. It covers the boring trials conducted, and outlines the progress made in the development of blindhole borers. The operating costs, and performances, of the latest 1,52 m diameter borer are given. Future trends and requirements In the application and design of blindhole borers are discussed, as well as factors that are of importance in the design of future machines.

Jan 1, 1978