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In planning its production and investment activities the mining industry has generally paid too little attention to perceptive analysis of its market environment. The nature of world economic difficulties over the past decade is not a mystery. Essent- ially prolonged affluence has engendered a false sense of security and fostered entrenched vest- ed interests hostile to economic change. The overall outlook remains poor. For mining projects mineral demand affects both product prices and the availability of specific sales outlets. Long-term projection of demand is complex and a key to success is concentrating on analysis of fundamental deter- minants and avoiding mindless extrapolation.

Jan 1, 1983

The treatment of slimes has of late years been the chief difficulty in connection with cyanide work, in which much time and money has been spent in endeavouring to find a practical solution of this problem.The processes at present in use are:-1. Filter pressing, as practised in Western Australia.2. Decantation, as practised in South Africa.Filter pressing after apitation affords a ready and efficient means of separating the gold bearing solution from the slimes and admits a perfect washing thus ensuring a high extraction but the very high working costs forbids its application except on high grade material, the chief items being the necessary large amount of labour, compressed air, and general upkeep, none of which can be materially reduced. The decantation method has the ad vantage of low working cost but on the other hand the low extraction obtained, due to imperfect washing, the length of time occupied in' the treatment, and the enormous bulk of solutions to be handled, are serious disadvantages.In either process it is absolutely necessary to obtain a perfectly clean solution before starting the gold precipitation by zinc, which is a source of much trouble. Also the high first cost of installing either plant is such that they can only be adopted on mines with very large working capital.

Jan 1, 1903

This paper will provide an overview of the coal mining industry operating in the Wollongong area, covering: the history and heritage of mining in the Illawarra region;unique features affecting mining in the region û opportunities and threats;current mining operations in the area;challenges facing coal mining in the region, including managing environmental impacts and seeking community support for mining approvals; andthe future for coal mining in the region. The paper aims to showcase the size and history of the coal mining industry around Wollongong and to emphasise the specific benefits and challenges that are faced by companies operating coal mines in such close proximity to urban and environmentally sensitive areas.

Jan 1, 2008

Exploration and mining title administration in the Northern Territory has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. These changes have occurred due to legislative amendments, technological developments, and the changing face of the mining industry. The first legislation to control mining in the Northern Territory was the Northern Territory Gold Mining Act (1873) of South Australia. In 1911, control of the Northern Territory was passed from South Australia to the Commonwealth. As a result of the mining boom which followed the discovery of gold in Tennant Creek in 1932, the Commonwealth passed the Mining Ordinance of 1939. This legislation was amended 39 times and stayed in force until July 1982, when the self-governing Northern Territory passed the Mining Act 1980. This Act is still in force and is continuously under review. The first computerised mining titles system, REGIS, was created in 1984/85 and was, to all intents and purposes, just a computerised index. Various modifications ensued, and in 1989 the Titles Database was unveiled. The database has developed to be one of the most sophisticated yet user-friendly mining titles databases in Australia. In excess of 50 companies have access to the database from their own offices. Work continues on its development and fine-tuning. The paper outlines the development of the database since inception.

Jan 1, 1994

Supergene enrichment of ilmenite occurs through a complex series of reactions with initial oxidation and hydration followed by leaching and dehydration. Lateritization appears to be associated with the early phase of the supergene process and if ilmenite grains are encased in iron oxides no further alteration proceeds.

Jan 1, 1986

The nature of exploration in Australia is reviewed from its inception to the present time. It is seen as consisting of three phases: the first, prospecting; the second and third, mainly company-based activity. The first yielded the discoveries on which the mining industry was originally built. The great recent growth of the industry has been due mainly to the discoveries of the third. The technical, organisational, legis- lative and other aspects are reviewed. The overall result has been a very great increase in the known mineral resources and, viewed collectively, exploration is seen as providing the principal means of assessing, evaluating and building up the nation's mineral resources.

Jan 1, 1973

Mine evaluation methodologies are well suited to evaluating many projects in capital-intensive industries other than mining. These industries include oil, gas, power generation, transport and infrastructure projects. A case study of an open cu

Jan 1, 1998

By Pollard P. J

Australia is well endowed with both tin and tungsten resources, and is currently a significant producer of both commodities for the international market. The intensity of exploration activity for both metals has been rather sporadic, reflecting the changing market situation. Thus tin has experienced three major boom periods around 1880, 1907 and 1983, while tungsten prices peaked around 1917, 1953, 1970 and 1977. During the earlier periods, the major discoveries were located utilising simple prospecting techniques involving creek travers- ing and stream sediment panning. The resulting location of tin alluvials quickly led to the discovery of adjacent primary deposits. The major tungsten deposits were composed of quartz- wolframite, which was readily visible as mineralised float both within the drainage systems and on scree slopes. Thus by the early 1900s most of the currently significant deposits had been located. More recent exploration approaches have combined these tradi- tional methods with the development of exploration models based on evolving genetic concepts. Within tin systems the emergence of province styles of clas- sification combined with enhanced perceptions of tonnage-grade characteristics and improved geological models has enabled more effective exploration strategies. Province classification at the inter- national scale demonstrated a clear relationship between deposit type and geological environment and thus considerable attention was given to the range of provinces present within Australia. Tonnage-grade diagrams enabled the refinement of economic per- spectives, while detailed models provided the basis for localised search parameters.

Jan 1, 1988

By Markic S, Subelj A

Long-term plan for lignite mine Velenje has been made by using technical parametrisation method where the basis for periodical, middle- term and short-term plans as well as for scheduling has been already fixed. For a certain time period a plan

Jan 1, 1998

Operation of the tankhouse at the Electro lytic Refining and Smelting Company's works has been improved, but further automation is re- quired to cut the labour intensive nature of the routine tasks. Anode quality, both chemical and physical, plays an important role in efficient refinery practice, and impurities such as lead, antimony and nickel have required careful monitoring for smooth operation. The gradual replacement of copper blanks by titanium has markedly improved the quality of starting sheets, but problems have been ex- perienced with surface preconditioning of the titanium blanks. Polishing with emery paper proved to be a successful technique.

Jan 1, 1976

It is argued that the capture of par- ticles by bubbles is primarily caused by hydrophobic ("structural") attraction forces. Neither dispersion forces nor double-layer forces can account for hydro- phobicity, though the latter are known to influence the kinetics of capture. The recent experiments of Israelachvili and Pashley (Nature, 300: 341-342, 1982) with hydrophobic mica plates provide the first measurements of the range and magni- tude of hydrophobic interaction forces.

Jan 1, 1984

When a major mineral find has been announced the general perception is that a battle between Aborigines and the mining company involved will inevitably occur.It is a fact that many miners in the past have not had a good relationship with Aborigines because of their indifferent attitudes towards them. They saw no common future and went their particular way. However, attitudes have changed significantly since Noonkanbah and both miners and Aborigines are seeking common ground in order to achieve mutual benefits from the establishment of a mine on or near Aboriginal land. There are many obstacles that both miners and Aborigines need to overcome inordertofindthiscommongroundtoachieveawin/win situation. The obstacles can be found in entrenched ideas and practices which need overhauling, not the least of which emanate from government policy and requirements.Without going into specifics, the Noonkanbah incident during the 1970's where Aborigines and their supporters confronted miners who were ordered by the Western Australian governmentto drill on Aboriginal land, polarized Aborigines and miners. Since this incident, many Aborigines, particularly those in the cities, have had the attitude that mining and Aboriginal culture are in direct conflict. Aboriginal opinion is generally shaped in the larger cities through mass media coverage of the opinions of urban Aborigines and their supporters. Through no fault of their own, these Aborigines were removedfromthe land of their ancestors and have notlived atraditional Aboriginal life-style for a number of generations and most have little knowledge of, nor have had involvement in, traditional Aboriginal lore and culture. For the most part these people live in awestern life-style and few still know their language. They generally have high profiles, often giving viewpoints that are wrongly considered "Aboriginal" and supposedly representing all Aborigines. This group is very different with their thought processes and values from those Aborigines who live on their own traditional lands with a traditional life-style, and practise their age old ceremonies. Their tribal values are based in their relationship with the land, expressed through complex religious ceremonial rites of song, dance and legend. Today this group is very much diminished in numbers but nevertheless in the region of the Gulf of Carpentaria there is a high proportion ofpeople who practise their lore, speak their own languages and pass on traditions to their children. It is well documented in the history of Australia that Aborigines have been decimated in numbers and whole tribes have been wiped out. Certainly in this region the experience has been no different.

Jan 1, 1993

By S Szylkarski, D N. Graham

In mining, water management is an operational necessity, requiring planning and detailed engineering, as well as risk assessment. Yet, the hydrology of streams and aquifers typically extends well beyond the boundaries of mine operations and intersect with environmental and social values. Mine managers often plan, design and assess the impact of water management activities (such as dewatering, excess water disposal and flood management) with a mine site or process specific focus. The challenge is that the impacts are spatial, long-term and complex – and may be cumulative across multiple mine sites. Further, there is usually little consideration of the feedbacks and interactions between surface water, groundwater and catchment hydrology. Failure to understand these processes can lead to poor decisions and increased costs. This presentation outlines an approach to simulating integrated hydrology in mining catchments that addresses the shortcomings of traditional modelling techniques.CITATION:Graham, D N and Szylkarski, S, 2016. Simulating integrated hydrology in mining catchments from planning to closure, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2016 Conference, pp 101–105 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 28, 2016

The purpose of any feasibility study is to determine whether a particular investment or management program will enhance shareholder wealth by, for example, producing an economic return in excess of the cost of equity capital.The threshold rate of return conventionally used in gold feasibility studies is higher than the cost of equity capital, meaning that some viable projects are wrongly described as being sub-economic with their development deferred.Is the industry failing to fully realise its potential? Aside from important technical considerations that determine the cost of exploiting inground inventories, feasibility studies need to incorporate expectations about future gold prices, exchange rates, interest rates and tax rates.Rather than revert to speculation, insights from capital markets give a rigorous framework in which these parameters can be determined for feasibility purposes. Separate questions sometimes, and then inadequately, addressed by feasibility studies include: ò Is it optimum? Many projects are expanded soon after project commissioning - what does this say about the quality of the initial feasibility study? Moreover, does the rate of extraction really matter? ò What is it worth? Although feasibility studies are designed to address viability rather than valuation, such studies are never- theless used by the industry as further evidence that the equity markets have got it wrong again! More likely the problem is with the financial slide rule being used. ò Can it be debt financed? The bankable feasibility study has entered the vocabulary of the gold mining industry but what does it mean? Does it matter anyway how the project is to be Financed?

Jan 1, 1991

The unique characteristics of the Target orebody and modernistic approach to mining present significant challenges and a concomitant high potential for new opportunities. The break-away from the traditional labour intensive mining methods improves both safety and productivity significantly. The intention of the paper is to illustrate the application of well known mining methods to the particular requirements of a complex orebody at depth. The evolutionary process followed to establish the final mining method design provides insight behind the finished product, and the modern approach to the planning and service principles equips the reader with a suite of mining engineering ideas.

Jan 1, 2000

Continuing education is recognised as an essential aspect of professional training, but no systematic procedures have hitherto been attempted. The tertiary educational institut- ions are making a valuable contribution without formal financial support. The Australian Mineral Foundation is offering a programme of continuing education in the earth science and related disciplines both by direct initiative and by co-operation with existing tertiary educational institutions.

Jan 1, 1974

By A Mulyadi, J Barber, R Golden

The Deep Ore Zone (DOZ) underground mine will be a 25 000 tpd mechanised block cave operation starting production in 2000. The ore handling system consists of a direct truck dumping 54 +74 gyratory crusher, which feeds into an ore bin. An apron feeder below the bin is used to load a conveyor belt. This paper describes the design, sequencing and methodology of the crusher station, ore bin and feeder chamber excavations. The Geotechnical investigation and analysis of the site are also discussed as well as the design, installation and quality control of the long-term ground support methods.

Jan 1, 2000

The recommissioning of the plant at Mary Kathleen involved several distinct phases. The previous plant process was modified significantly, the plant capacity was increased by the addition of new equipment and the exist- ing equipment was in most cases overhauled. This equipment was either reused in its original duty or relocated. Maintenance requirements after the plant was cmommissioned were high because of the amount of modified equipment and also because some old items of equipment were deliberately not overhauled during recommissioning. The equipment that was overhauled has operated reliably. However some new equipment has not been as satisfactory.

Jan 1, 1978

The Plant Control and Data Logging System for the Loy Yang Open Cut (LYOC) is part of a control and communications network designed to provide a high level of surveillance of open cut plant and facilitate the efficient co- ordination of operations and plant maintenance. The computer system selected utilises a central dual mini-computer and multiple microcomputer data transmission network ,linked to the plant controllers using distributed, microcomputer based remote data collectors or outstations. Several aspects of the computer system are outlined.

Jan 1, 1982

By Neill B. K, Fander H. W, Wong K, Dunlop G, O&apos

Commercial interest in refractory gold is increasing rapidly. This trend is supported by the work patterns of Amdel, where, apartfrom routine process- ing of free-milling and refractory ores, the majority of testing now includes biological and pressure oxidation studies to enhance gold recoveries. Central Mineralogical Services have examined, among other ores, an apparently unique type of refractory coating. A summary is given of experience at Optimet Laboratories, Pty., Limited. Research into nitric acid pre-oxidation, underway at the South Australian Institute of Technology since 1987, has shown significant improvements in gold recoveries, and in some cases, large reductions in reagent consump- tions. Three final-year student research projects were undertaken in 1990, jointly between the University of Adelaide and the S.A. Institute of Tech- nology. These projects involved biological pre-oxidation, pressure leaching, and Scanning Electron Microscope examination of refractory ores, and the resultant pre-oxidation and cyanidation products.

Jan 1, 1991