Search Documents

By J. Githiria, C. Musingwini

"Cut-off grade is a decision-making criterion often used for determining the quantities of material (ore and waste) to be mined, ore processed, and saleable product. It therefore directly affects the cash flows from a mining operation and the net present value (NPV) of a mining project. A series of different cut-off grades that are applied over the life of mine (LOM) of an operation defines a cut-off grade policy. Due to the complexity of the calculation process, previous work on cut-off grade calculation has mostly focused on deterministic approaches. However, deterministic approaches fail to capture the uncertainty inherent in input parameters such as commodity price and grade-tonnage distribution. This paper presents a stochastic cut-off grade optimization model that extends Lane’s deterministic theory for calculating optimal cut-off grades over the LOM. The model, code-named ‘NPVMining’, uses realistic grade-tonnage realizations and commodity price distribution to account for uncertainty. NPVMining was applied to a gold mine case study and produced an NPV ranging between 7% and 186% higher than NPVs from deterministic approaches, thus demonstrating improved project value from using stochastic optimization approaches. Background on cut-off grade calculation and optimizationCut-off grade is a decision-making criterion that is generally used in mining to distinguish ore from waste material. Consequently, it is used to determine the quantities of material (ore and waste) to be mined, ore processed, and saleable product. A series of different cutoff grades that are applied over the life-ofmine (LOM) of a mining operation defines the cut-off grade policy for that particular operation. The cut-off grade therefore directly affects the cash flows to be produced and the net present value (NPV) of a project at the mine planning or feasibility study stage."

Mar 1, 2019

By Z. Nzimande

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa advocates the importance of sustainable economic development and justifiable environmental consciousness by business. The government needs to ensure that every citizen of the Republic has access to an environment that is protected, pollution free, and sustainable by enacting certain regulations. However, there are more than 5 700 derelict and unrehabilitated mines of all types in South Africa. Former asbestos operations were among the first to be targeted for clean-up under the programme instituted by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), owing to the proven direct impact of asbestos pollution on health. This paper seeks to investigate the challenges faced by the coal sector as far as mine rehabilitation and closure is concerned. For the purpose of this paper rehabilitation is defined as per the Chamber of Mines Rehabilitation Guidelines publication, which defines rehabilitation as putting the land impacted by mining activities back to a sustainable and usable condition. Some of the current rehabilitation challenges are technical skills (know-how), leadership focus, poor planning, cost saving initiatives, and the government's lack of capacity to enforcement rehabilitation requirements. It is imperative that mining companies identify rehabilitation as a critical strategic pillar that directly influences license to operate. The case study evidence indicates that relevant policies, appointment of accountable people, sufficient leadership support, and the correct choice of rehabilitation equipment can assist to improve the rehabilitation and land management challenge.

Jan 1, 2012

By R. Ajalloian, L. Karimzadeh

This paper describes the engineering properties of Givi dam foundation. Givi dam will be built across the Givi River on the andesitic rocks (Karaj formation) in Ardabil province (northeast of Iran). Geotechnical investigations including drilling, pumping tests, sampling for laboratory testing and discontinuity survey. Physical and mechanical properties of andesitic rocks such as density, water absorption, porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, triaxial compressive strength, durability and direct shear tests are evaluated in this paper. Discontinuity data are process for the determination of dominant sets and for the rock mass characterization in terms of classification systems ( RMR, Q and RSR ). Correlations between these three classifications are discussed. Le barrage doit être construit sur la rivi_re givi qui cou_e sur les andesites (formation de Karaj)dans la province d_ Ardebile situee_ a Nord- Ouest de l_ _Iran. Les études géophsique commesondage, Pompage. Et échantillonnage afin de verifier les discontinutés out éte_ effectuées. Lesproprietés physique et méchanique des roches andesifique ont éte_ verifieés. Les informations concernaüt aux discontinuitiés afin de montrer leur principale direction ont éte_ verifieés, les proprietés des roches dans leurs ensemble ont éte_ etudieés. Les divers classifications(RMR,Q,RSR ) ont éte_ comparés et analyseés. Dieses Schreiben ist zur Erklaerung der Ingenieureigenschaften ueber Baugrund des Givi Deiches.Dieser Deich soll im Givi fluss auf Andesitgesteine (Karaj formation) gebaut werden. Der platzdes Deiches legit im Ardebil Provinz nordwestlich von Iran. Geotechnische Untersuchungen Sind:Bohrungen, pumpen Versuche, Probenentnahme fuer Laborversuche, BrechbarkeitBestimmungen, physikalische und mechanische Eigenschaften der Andesitgesteine wurde hierausgewertet, wie Z.B.: Wasserleitfahigkeit, Porositaet, Scherfestigketswiderstand, Informationenueber Brechbarkeiten der Gesteine wurde gesamelt, und die meisten Brechbarkeiten bestimdamitman die Gesteine besser klassifizieren kann. In Endefekt wrid die Resultate verschiedeneKlassifizierung wie RMR, Q, und RSR besser geachtet und zusammen vergliechen.

Jan 1, 2003

By N. Steven

Published parameters from the Mufulira copper in situ leach (ISL) in Zambia are used for order-of-magnitude flow-rate calculations for an envisaged gold ISL in back-filled Witwatersrand stopes. A successful leach operation requires that the porous medium, usually a sand, has a hydraulic conductivity in excess of 5 x10-7m/second (i.e. a permeability >50 millidarcies).Empirical evidence suggests that average linear velocities would be of the order of 60 m/day if the backfill has the grain size of a fine sand. The proposed gold lixiviant would probably be an alkaline or ammonium thiosulphate, not cyanide. The resultant sulphate-rich ground and drainage waters could probably be processed using existing purification techniques to produce gypsum and magnesium/calcium carbonate. Within the next 100 years it is inevitable that solution mining will find widespread application on the Witwatersrand, if not for gold extraction, then certainly for water remediation purposes.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. Rowe

The attrition of activated carbon, and the loss of gold associated with it, is of significant economic importance to the operation of a CIP/CIL circuit The focus of this study was on activated carbon recovered from an elution circuit which was deemed too fine for reuse. Results of cyclosizer and laser particle size analysis identified that most of the carbon was contained in the larger size fraction suggesting formation by abrasion. Digestion and AAS analysis of the individual size fractions identified a disproportionate concentration of gold in the finer size fractions which was identified by scanning electron microscopy to be due to the presence of fine metallic gold formed as a result of the acid washing process. Attempts to strip the remaining gold using sodium hydroxide or sodium sulphide based solutions proved unsuccessful due to poor elution efficiencies and re adsorption of gold. Upgrading of the material by froth flotation was also investigated using various conventional flotation reagents which had some success in concentrating the free metallic gold, however, grade and/or recoveries were considered less than desirable. Greater success was ultimately found in the transfer of gold from the fine carbon material onto coarser virgin activated carbon using a caustic cyanide solution. Sodium sulphide, sodium chloride and ammonium chloride based solutions were also trialled but proved less successful owing to their inability to mobilise metallic gold or gold cyanide species. Repetition of the transfer process proved capable of stripping 97% of the gold contained on the carbon fines for abed volume ratio of 6:1.

Jan 1, 2009

By D. Limpitlaw, A. Alsum, D. Neale

"Ecological footprint analysis (EFA) was first described in 1996 as a measure of carrying capacity appropriated by human activities. EFA is a resource and emissions accounting tool designed to track the demand on the biosphere’s regenerative capacity. Ecological footprints are increasingly used as indicators of organizational and corporate environmental performance and product sustainability. There is a compelling argument to develop an EFA tool for mining companies.To determine the size of a mine’s ecological footprint, land requirements for all categories of consumption and waste discharge must be summed. This land is only made up of the ecologically productive land and water in various classes (cropland, pasture, forests etc.) required on an ongoing basis to provide all energy and material resources consumed and absorb wastes.A challenge in conducting an EFA for a mine is the shortage of accessible data. Undertaking an EFA for a corporation or individual site entails compiling consumption and emissions data (which can be used for other reporting applications). The footprint results themselves highlight the most critical aspects of an organization’s impact on the environment and provide a platform for focusing actions and for educating the workforce to improve their contribution to best-practice operations. This paper discusses the benefits and challenges of undertaking an EFA for a mining company, and provides examples of the various components of ecological footprints associated with mines, as well as showing how an EFA can be used to understand and communicate some of the impacts associated with mining activities.IntroductionFundamental biophysical and economic limits are now being experienced in many countries around the world. Herman Daly, a former World Bank economist, described this scenario as ‘uneconomic growth’, where the costs of growth exceed the benefits (Daly, 2005). This occurs when the economy’s expansion encroaches excessively on the surrounding ecosystem, sacrificing natural capital. Under such conditions the sacrificed natural capital is more valuable that the resulting economic growth. Consequently, the world faces largescale threats to sustainability and especially to the viability and continued existence of the ecosystems that support human settlements (El Zein et al., 2014). In recognition of this sustainability imperative, mining companies are increasingly concerned with their ecological footprint (EF)."

Jan 1, 2017

One of the key issues facing gold producers is the management of cyanide and the implementation of the International Cyanide Management Code. Many operations now use cyanide destruction processes to ensure that the material being discharged to the tailings dam is compliant with regulatory requirements and the International Cyanide Management Code. One of the problems for operations is the quantification of both cyanide species and their reaction products throughout the leach and destruction circuits. Therefore methods have been developed utilizing high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure free cyanide, cyanide complexes of metals such as copper and iron, and other species formed from reactions in leaching and cyanide destruction, including cyanate, thiocyanate, and sulphur species (eg. sulphite, thiosulphate and sulphate). This enables a complete mass balance for cyanide and sulphur in both leaching and cyanide destruction. This paper outlines the methodology which has been developed and discusses the application of these methods in the fundamental research currently being conducted on the impact of sulphide minerals in cyanidation and cyanide destruction chemistry.

Jan 1, 2009

By A. E. Voigt

Iron ore samples representing the input and output of several jigging experiments were analysed to determine the effect of particle size, shape, and density on jigging performance. Traditionally, the manual measurement of the size and shape of individual particles is very tedious and prone to inaccuracies and inconsistencies. Using a novel multi-view imaging technique the 3-dimensional representations of each particle in the sample was determined. From this representation several size and shape measurements were extracted, and these were correlated with the individual particle density measurements. A rigorous investigation into the confidence associated with density and the size and shape features as a function of sample size was conducted, thus allowing the significance of correlations in the data to be determined. The jig?s performance was seen to be clearly sensitive to density and markedly so to particle size, while the results for shape indicated the need for continued work in the definition of particle shape.

Jan 1, 2012

Many industries base their decisions on the assaying of tiny analytical sub-samples. The problem is that most of the time several sampling and sub-sampling stages are required before the laboratory provides its ultimate assays using advanced chemical and physical methods of analysis. As long as each sampling and sub-sampling stage is the object of due diligence using the Theory of Sampling it is likely that the integrity of the sought after information has not been altered and the generated database is still capable to fulfil its informative mission. Unfortunately, more often than not, unawareness of the basic properties of heterogeneous materials combined with the unawareness of stringent requirements listed in the theory of sampling, lead to the conclusion that massive discrepancies may be observed between the expensive outcome of a long chain of sampling and analytical custody, and reality. There are no areas that are more vulnerable to such misfortune than sampling and assaying for trace amounts of constituents of interest in the environment, in high purity materials, in precious metals exploration, food chain, chemicals and pharmaceutical products. Without the preventive suggestions of the theory of sampling serious difficulties may arise when making Gaussian approximations or even log-normal manipulations in the subsequent interpretations. A complementary understanding of Poisson processes injected in the theory of sampling may greatly help the practitioner understand structural sampling problems and prevent unfortunate mistakes from being repeated over and over until a crisis is reached. This paper presents an overview of the theoretical, practical and economic difficulties often vastly underestimated in the search for quantifying trace amounts of valuable or unwelcome components.

Jan 1, 2009

By B. Mulcahy, M. Valenta

"The purpose of executing a project in a stagewise fashion is to evaluate all potential options in a cost-effective manner and develop an understanding of the project drivers, thereby minimizing overall project risk to the client. Among the more valuable tools for this exercise are production and financial models that can be used to quantify the sensitivity of the project to the critical parameters.The mine and concentrator used in this case study are located on the Kalahari Copper Belt, which extends from Zambia through northern Botswana into Namibia. This area of Africa has seen very little industrial development and the project will create much-needed employment and development in the region.The success of this project thus far can be attributed to the close cooperation between the geological, mining, and metallurgical disciplines. Regular updates of projected capital and operating cost estimates coupled with project outputs guided the teams in optimizing their various discipline models, ultimately delivering a compelling argument for the execution of the project. Key to the success was the development of a geometallurgical model for the prediction of concentrate tonnage, grade, and recovery for the life of the mine from the mining plan.This paper summarizes the metallurgical findings and the outcome of the various project stages. The development of the model is discussed, as are the challenges faced in developing a suitable metallurgical process route. IntroductionThe Kalahari Copper BeltThe Kalahari Copperbelt, which extends from Zambia across northwest Botswana into Namibia, is considered to be a broad time equivalent of the Central African Copperbelt, with a similar style of mineralization. However, at shallower depths (<25 m), chrysocolla and malachite exist in significant proportions in certain geological areas. As illustrated in Figure 1, the project is located in the Ghanzi-Chobe Fold Belt which forms part of the Kalahari Copper Belt. The Ghanzi Group, which overlies the lowest stratigraphic unit (the Kwebe Formation), consists of three formations, namely the Ngwako Pan, the D’Kar, and the Mamuno Formation (Hall, 2012)."

Jan 1, 2016

By E. Molobi

"Studs are rods threaded on both ends and are used as mechanical fasteners for two or more components. Stud finds usage in industries such as automotive, construction and aviation. The advantage of studs is that they allow for disassembly of components during maintenance. Studs are continuously subjected to both tensile and shear stresses, depending on the application, therefore they should be manufactured from suitable materials that are capable of withstanding all these external forces. Studs are sometimes manufactured from re-sulphurized steel due to its improved machinability; however, there is a certain limit on the amount of sulphur, above which failure may occur. Premature failure of studs has been a common problem, but failed studs are commonly replaced with new ones without conducting failure investigations. The present work investigates the premature failure of two re-sulphurized steel studs used on a rocker arm assembly and recommends alternative materials. The investigation was carried out by conducting visual examination, microstructural analysis, hardness measurements, chemical analysis and a detailed scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation on the fracture surface.IntroductionTwo rocker arm studs used on a 16-cylinder diesel locomotive engine failed prematurely after being in service for less than 5 months. The rocker arm studs had a life-cycle of 5 years. The studs were manufactured from resulphurized steel. The paper aims to establish whether re-sulphurized steel is applicable for the manufacture of studs in the automotive industry.BackgroundLocomotives are classified as either electric or fuel-powered. Diesel locomotives are an example of fuel-powered locomotives. This type of locomotive uses a diesel engine as a means for propulsion. An engine converts chemical energy into mechanical energy required for traction. In an internal combustion engine a rocker arm is an oscillating lever that conveys radial movement from the cam lobe into linear movement to open and close poppet valves of cylinders (Husain and Sheikh, 2013). The rocker arms are secured on to the cylinder head by rocker arm studs."

Jan 1, 2016

By H. Sasao, Y. Obara, A. Hirata

In the upper part of the planned location of the portal of a highway tunnel, there was a steep rock cliff with several unstable rock blocks. It seemed that the risk of those rock blocks to fall was very high. The cut-out to stabilize the rock cliff was monitored with various measuring instruments to prevent the sudden fall of the rock blocks. This paper discusses the measurement of acoustic emission and interpretation of its result during excavation of the rock cliff. We calculated displacements by integrating the accelerogram twice in terms of time, and demonstrated that slight displacements can be calculated from the measured AEs. Dans la partie supérieure de l’emplacement prévu pour le portail d’un tunnel autoroutier, il y avait un escarpement rocheux raide avec plusieurs blocs rocheux instables. Le risque de chute de ces blocs semblait très élevé. Lors de la coupe pour stabiliser l’escarpement rocheux, le suivi a été effectué avec différents instruments de mesure pour éviter la chute brutale des blocs rocheux. Cette thèse présente les mesures d’émission acoustique (EA) et l’interprétation de leurs résultats pendant l’excavation de l’escarpement rocheux. Nous avons calculé des déplacements en intégrant l’accélérogramme deux fois par rapport au temps, et montré que de petits déplacements sont calculables à partir des EA mesurées. Im oberen Teil des geplanten Ortes des Stollenmundes eines Autobahntunnels gab es einen steilen Felsen mit mehreren instabilen Felsenblöcken. Die Gefahr schien sehr groß zu sein, dass diese Felsenblöcke einstürzen können. Beim Abbau um die Stabilisierung des Felsens wurde das Monitoring mit verschiedenen Messinstrumenten zusammengestellt, um den plötzlichen Verfall der Felsenblöcke zu verhindern. Das vorliegende Papier diskutiert die Akustische Emission und die Auslegung deren Ergebnisse während des Abbaus des Felsens. Wir berechneten die Verschiebungen durch zweimalige Integrierung der Accelerogrammen in Bezug auf die Zeit. Die dargestellten kleinen Verschiebungen können aus den gemessten akustischen Emissionen berechnet werden.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. Visser

This paper is based on the Townlands Ore Replacement Project whereby the concept of conventional sinking of one large diameter shaft was declined and replaced with three smaller raise bored shafts. A wire line geophysical survey was done and the results indicated that a single shaft larger then 4 m diameter unsupported would not be suitable. The shafts were placed 28 meters apart measured from centre to centre. To ensure that the skin to skin pillars between the shafts remained regular and to minimise any deflection, the pilot holes were drilled with the Rotary Vertical Drilling System. The different shaft sinking methodologies are discussed explaining the risk associated with each method.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. T. M. Amphlett, C. A. Sharrad, M. D. Ogden, R. I. Foster

"A renewed interest in nuclear power around the world in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is going to increase demand for uranium as fuel. This will result in more uranium being mined, which will in turn increase associated environmental pressures, such as fresh water use. A move to lower quality waters containing impurities such as chloride would help alleviate these pressures. In this work, we determined the uptake characteristics of weakly basic anion exchange resin Ps-EDA towards uranium from saline solutions in a dynamic flow column. Breakthrough curves were produced, with suppression of uptake being observed for chloride concentrations above 5 g L-1. Calculated resin saturation capacities at zero and 5 g L-1 chloride are comparable with literature values for strong-base anion exchange resins, and exceed those published for weak-base resins up to 20 g L-1 chloride. Data has been fitted to multiple breakthrough models, with the modified dose-response model most effectively predicting uranium recovery. The results show that the ethylenediamine functionality could be suitable for use in future uranium processing flow sheets where a high-saline lixiviant is used. IntroductionIon exchange (IX) is a key technology in the uranium mining industry and is well established for the extraction of uranium from both acidic and alkaline leach liquors (Edwards and Oliver, 2000). It was first employed in 1952 at the West Rand mine in South Africa (Ford, 1993; Taylor, 2016). H2SO4 and Na2CO3 are the most commonly employed lixiviants used to solubilize uranium in acidic and alkaline leach conditions respectively. The chemistry of these systems causes uranium to form anionic sulphate or carbonate complexes, which can be taken advantage of by anion exchange resins.Another major technology for the extraction and purification of uranium from leach liquors is solvent extraction (SX). This technique involves the extraction of uranium from the aqueous phase into an immiscible organic layer. Although this is a commonly used method, there are major drawbacks to it, including the use of large volumes of flammable solvents, solvent loss, phase disengagement, third phase formation, and the production of problematic degradation products (Veliscek-Carolan, 2016). These problems can be circumvented through the use of IX resins."

Dec 1, 2018

By S. Curry

The Objana Cement Plant is located in central Nigeria, approximately 200km south of capital city Abuja (figure 1). It is the second largest cement plant in Africa, and the fifth largest in the world [1]. The selected mining location is unique as it has all the major raw materials (except gypsum) in close proximity. This includes limestone, clay, marl, laterite soil, and laterite iron. [ ] The plant has a capacity of 5 million metric tones per year (~15,000 tones per day). A 135 megawatt gas-fired power plant, with 90 km of natural gas pipeline, was constructed to power the plant. The total project cost is approximately 1.2 billion US dollars. The lifeline of the plant is two overland conveys totalling 7.7km in length. The first 800m conveyor is relatively mundane. The second conveyor however, is unlike any other troughed belt conveyor in the world. It 6.9km length transports 2,400 T/H and operates at 5.0 m/s. Its ?snake? profile consists of 11 vertical cuvees, and four horizontal curves. The last of which is 2,000m in radius, has a length of 2.2km, and is located at the high tension head end of the conveyor. Although these specifications are noteworthy, the unique feature of this system is that it is entirely elevated from head to tail using a triangulated truss gantry structure (figure 2).

Jan 1, 2008

By S. Asokan, Ch. V. G. K. Murty, R. Upadhyay

Zircon (ZrSiO4) is the most frequently found zirconium ore occurring in heavy mineral sands, from which it is extracted as a co-product in the production of ilmenite and rutile. Estimated world reserves of zircon are 124 million tonnes, highest in Australia (around 56 million tonnes), followed by Mozambique (15 million tonnes), India (12.6 million tonnes) and South Africa (12million tonnes). Zircon finds its application in ceramics (54%) and refractory industries (14%), which account for 68% of zircon?s total world consumption of 1.20 million tonnes. The rest (32%) is consumed in foundry, TV glass, zirconia chemicals and other applications. It is a long recognized feature of the zircon industry that supply is totally dependent upon the concurrent production of titanium minerals. But in recent years, several new developments such as the discovery of zircon-rich mineral sands in Australia, the continuing trend of higher prices of zircon and increase in trade of lower quality zircon have changed the scenario. These factors have prompted more intensive efforts to increase the recovery of zircon, particularly in the process for separating zircon from alumino-silicate minerals. Tata Steel?s proposed heavy mineral sands deposit contains on an average 10% heavy mineral content and 15% slimes of the size below 63 micron. Mineral assemblages of the resource contain65?70% ilmenite, 4?6% rutile, 4% zircon, 16% sillimanite and other minor minerals. Wide size range and tenacious iron oxide coating are the inherent characteristics of this deposit. High concentration of sillimanite among the non-magnetic heavy minerals and heavy surface coatings on the minerals are challenges for high recoveries and production of premium grade zircon. This paper outlines various process steps that were taken at pilot plant stage to produce zircon of premium grade and subsequently develop the appropriate flow-sheet.

Jan 1, 2007

By B. P. Watson

In South Africa, the Bushveld platinum group metal deposits are unique in that they are the largest platinum group metal deposits in the world. These deposits occur as two distinct stratiform tabular orebodies and strike for many hundreds of kilometres. Mining is extensive, with depths ranging from close-to-surface to 2 000 m. The mining method is a variation of planar open stoping. Pillars are widely used to support the open stopes. Crush pillars are commonly used in this role, where the residual pillar strength provides the required support resistance to stabilize the stoping excavations. This paper describes the direct measurement of stress within these crush pillars, and describes the stress?strain behaviour of these pillars. These findings indicate that the measured pillar failure stress is too high. The implications of these findings are that roof damage and pillar bursting could occur, and some examples of this type of damage are shown. The paper concludes that this problem could be mitigated if the three dimensional pillar geometry were modified and the pillars were cut smaller.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. C. van Dyk, F. B. Waanders, J. Brand, C. A. Strydom

"Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a fast-emerging, in situ mining technology that provides access to low-cost energy through the utilization of coal reserves that are currently not technically or economically exploitable by conventional mining methods.Groundwater monitoring for conventional coal mining in South Africa is well established, with SANS, ASTM, and ISO standards for the specific environment, location, and purposes. South Africa’s groundwater is a critical resource that provides environmental benefits and contributes to the well-being of the citizens and economic growth. Groundwater supplies the drinking water needs of large portions of the population, and in some rural areas it represents the only source of water for domestic use. Implementation of, and adherence to, groundwater monitoring standards are thus non-negotiable.The groundwater quality management mission, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation in South Africa, is set in the context of the water resources mission and reads as follows:‘To manage groundwater quality in an integrated and sustainable manner within the context of the NationalWater Resource Strategy and thereby to provide anadequate level of protection to groundwater resources and secure the supply of water of acceptable quality.’ (SABS, 2016).In this paper we propose fit-for-purpose groundwater monitoring standards for a commercial UCG operation. It is important to proactively prevent or minimize potential impacts on groundwater through long-term protection and monitoring plans. Scope of study / standard proposal The purpose of this paper is to set out a National Standard Proposal to emphasize groundwater monitoring as one of the five strategies of the ‘Policy and Strategy for Groundwater Quality Management in South Africa’ (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2000) and to align it with the National Water Act, Act no. 36 of 1998 (Republic of South Africa, 1998).The focus of this standard is directed solely towards groundwater monitoring during underground coal gasification (UCG). Groundwater in this context refers to water as sampled from dedicated monitoring wells around the targeted site, which will include the shallow aquifer referred to as groundwater, and water flow at the level of the underground gasifier, referred to as ‘coal water’."

Oct 1, 2018

It is almost eight years to the day when we launched the original SAMREC Code in March 2000. Since that date I think the SA minerals industry has matured beyond recognition in its approach to reserve and resource reporting, and I believe we can be justifiably proud of that progress. Many of those companies that have led the way in reporting standards are listed on our sponsors list. We thank them for their sponsorship but even more for their considerable support in all aspects of the SAMCODE organization. Matt Mullins, my co-speaker here today, has been instrumental in the revision of the SAMREC Code over a long period of time and also took up the reigns with the SAMVAL Code after the retirement of Rob Croll. I would like to formally thank Matt for his immense contribution in producing the two Codes; he can take great pride in the final product and fully deserves the many accolades that we have already received from our international counterparts. He has done all this whilst still maintaining a very demanding day job at BHPBilliton. Matt will be the first to admit that he has received tremendous support from more than 100 people who participated in the various working groups, many of whom are employed by our sponsors. There are obviously too many to mention by name but they deserve a big vote of thanks for their personal contributions. In addition to launching the two Codes we are also launching our ?branding? initiative with our own SAMCODE logo and the SAMCODE website: www.samcode.co.za. All the slides used in the presentation today will be on the website later today as will a newsletter which will serve as a media release.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. Portal

One of the key products produced by the mineral sands industry is the titanium dioxide slag, a process that requires grinding of a coarse product down to a valuable saleable product. Traditional methods have included the vertical roller mill in tandem with dynamic air classifiers and, alternatively, two-stage grinding and crushing through an AG mill in closed circuit with a dynamic classifier and secondary gyradisc crushers. The products produced, commonly known as chloride and sulphate slag, are differentiated by the particle size distribution of the final product. The more valuable chloride slag must, by specification, be a product sized in the range between 850 and 100 microns?the more fines generated in the grinding process, the less higher valuable final chloride slag is produced. This paper will explore a technology that is new to both the mineral sands and to other mineral processing industries. Inter particle communition, or IPC as it is known, has been applied in the cement industry to improve the performance of clinker grinding mills. The principle is to create a process of material on material comminution under high pressure that fractures the material along the grain boundaries rather than breaking it smaller than a gap setting in the crusher. The process is now looked at for the TiO2slag producers because of the potential benefits of energy savings and with a minimal generation of minus 100-micron fines. Discussions will revolve around the design and functionality of the Rhodax® both from a process and maintenance perspective, a typical test regime and results on slag grinding. The development of the flowsheet necessary for the process will be examined, the ancillary equipment required and finally the scale-up from the test to an industrial plant will be investigated. Full-scale results of an operating plant will also be given showing the benefits that can be realized. A promising new flowsheet with fines reintroduction to the Rhodax® crusher will be presented.

Jan 1, 2007