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By P Papanastasiou, J Hadjigeorgiou, E Kyriakou

The south west area of Cyprus has a long history of slope instability problems. The location and extent of these landslides has been influenced by ground morphology, geological structure and the presence of weak rocks and cohesive soils. The main triggering mechanisms have been precipitation and/or seismic events. Landslides have contributed to the decision to relocate villages and considerable efforts have been put into maintaining the integrity of the local transportation network. This paper uses a recent case study of road embankment failure near Pentalia in southwest Cyprus to review the available tools for the analysis of slope instability. It further demonstrates how the shear strength reduction technique can be used in a finite element analysis to better visualise the slope instability mechanism of a road embankment and provide a reliable tool in selecting appropriate remedial measures.

Jan 1, 2006

By Grant Loveday, Vincent Dieudonné, Andrew Jonkers

Bateman Minerals & Metals supplies the APIC Technologies which include the under-bed air-pulsed APIC jig and related technologies such as the JigScan controller and advanced mathematical models of the jig process. Bateman have developed a methodology for predicting process performance for jigs from simplified testing and modelling, based on batch equipment matched to industrial designs. Batch tests conducted on laboratory scale air-pulsed jigs can process small batches of material, such as those obtained from drill core samples. The novelty comes from using an advanced jig process model, ASTRAD, to link the results of batch and continuous jigs. The batch jig presented as a novelty in this paper has been designed to be hydraulically equivalent to the full-scale APIC Jig, allowing the generation of equivalent pulse shapes and using JigScan controller. Lump and fine ferrous ore material have been separated in this unit and any feed >1mm can be tested and extracted. The global test procedure and further modelling focus on the stratification of material, with emphasis on key aspects such as pulse shape, feed characteristics and residence time. The splitting of rejects from concentrates is itself more difficult to reproduce in batch jigging, however the ASTRAD model includes a separation imperfection module, and the APIC Technologies have extraction systems adapted to each type of material. Air pulsed batch jigs are available in several locations and are relocatable. They have been used to treat samples from Australia, South Africa and India as part of studies into ore processing using jigs. Each test layer is available for various physical testing procedures (density and chemical analyses). Test-work is performed on a case by case basis, and analysed using an advanced model ?now available over the internet. Some fundamentals of air-pulsed jigging are recapped along with some of the features of APIC jigs. The process of designing a ?hydraulically equivalent? batch jig test is then described. Some results from jigging tests are presented plus the results of the ASTRAD advanced jig model, which was first developed at the JKMRC with ferrous ores and coal and is now being supported and further developed and utilised by Bateman.

Jan 1, 2006

By Frik Badenhorst, René Roux, Peter Terbrugge

This paper presents a case study where economics dictated an aggressive slope angle and where an appropriate slope management programme allowed successful completion of mining to 190m below surface. The Navachab Gold Mine is located in Namibia and is one of the few gold mines in that country. Mining by open pit methods commenced in 1990 with economics dictating an aggressive slope design to minimise waste stripping and make the mine viable. With steep slope angles in the design, and a steeply dipping footwall geology, it was necessary to introduce a comprehensive slope management programme. This required good mining practice in limit blast techniques with pre-splits and trims, and good housekeeping to effect a safe and economical operation. The slope management programme in addition required in pit mapping and logging procedures, regular survey monitoring evolving to a robotic Geomos system, as well as slope instrumentation to monitor stability. Two relatively large scale failures occurred at the mine, the second of which impacted on the east wall access ramp, while the first was confined to an operating stack. The paper describes the design and slope management techniques developed for the east wall.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. Ribacchi, P. Tommasi, C. Consorti, P. Campedel

The runout of dry blocky rock avalanches produced by planar rockslides affecting a limestone formation with clayey interbeds is analysed by means of distinct element modelling. Numerical analyses are validated by means of the back analysis of a historical rockslide occurred in the investigated area and physical aspects of the phenomenon evidenced by modelling are discussed. On analyse par la méthode aux élements distincts la distance de parcours des avalanches rocheuses sèches produites par des glissements plan interessant une formation de calcaire à intercalaires argilleux. Les analyses numeriques sont validées à l’aide de la back-analysis d’un glissement historique survenue dans le site en examen. On décrit les aspects physiques su phénomène mis en évidence par la modélisation efféctuée. In diesem Beitrag wird die Reichweite von Steinlawinen besthend aus trockenem blockhaftem Fels mittels der Distinct Element Methode untersucht. Die Steinlawinen werden erzeugt von Rutschungen in einer Kalkstein-Formation mit tonhaltige Schichten betreffen. Die numerischen Berechnungen wurden anhand einer Simulation einer historischen Bergsturzen verifiziert, der sich auf den untersuchten Gebiet ereignete. Auf der Basis der erhaltenen Ergebnisse wurden die physikalischen Aspekte der untersuchten Steinlawinen analysiert.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. J. H. Walker, W. H. Gibson

The inclination of any pit wall composed of stacks of benches is limited by the overall quality and structural complexity of the rock mass in which the slope is situated. For a bench stack angle that satisfies the stability criteria, various combinations of bench height, bench face angle and berm width can be used in the slope design. The bench face angle and berm width geometries must be chosen to fit the bench stack angle but must provide a berm that will be capable of catching the volume of failed wedge material from the bench faces above. Other considerations for bench height and berm width are equipment size, ore selectivity and blasting design. This paper studies the effects of different slope configurations on slope performance as it relates to wedge stability, volume of rock safely contained on berms, and rockfall. Optimisation of the geometry is carried out based on the need to minimise the volume of failed material which limits the effectiveness of the berm. This will reduce the number of rocks that can continue to fall further, reaching geotechnical safety berms or pit ramps, that put safety of personnel and equipment at risk. For general study it is most effective to investigate and compare the performances of each of a wide range of geometrical combinations of bench height, bench face angles and berm widths that fit a variety of different bench stack angles. These analyses were conducted for a predetermined bench stack height and three different bench stack angles.

Jan 1, 2006

By H. Gumede

The occurrence of fracturing due to high stress levels is a major factor in hangingwall stability in deep level gold mine stopes. However, rock falls cannot be the result of these fractures alone. Rock falls can result only from the occurrence of unstable rock blocks defined by the interaction of the stress induced fractures and naturally occurring geological planes of weakness. These planes include bedding planes and joint set planes. However, there is a general lack of information on the characteristics of these planes (orientations, spacings and lengths)?it does not appear that any such systematic and quantified information, if collected, has been published. To remedy this situation to some extent, joint mapping exercises have been carried out in several geological environments in two gold mines. The data collected on joint geometry included orientation, spacing and length, and this information is included in the paper. In addition, the paper describes the use of the data collected to evaluate the potential for rock falls and the probability of failure of stope support

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Grabowski, Z. Pokryszka

ABSTRACT: Some residential areas of the iron basin of Lorraine (in the North-East of France) are affected by noxious gas emissions (under oxygenated, carbon dioxide loaded and radon loaded gas mixtures). Site investigations showed that the gas flow was mainly due to natural thermal air circulation between old mines and the external atmosphere. The main hazards associated with this flow of gas and its potential accumulation in confined volumes within buildings are asphyxiation and intoxication. A further study is in progress in order to better understand the origin of the gas generation within the old iron mine workings. Following the first hypothesis, the carbon dioxide emission is mainly due to the specific hydro-geo-chemical process associating the pyrite oxidation with the acid dissolution of carbonates. KEY-WORDS : gas, emission, mine, flow, pyrite. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Einige Wohngebiete der Eisenmulde Lothringen (im Nordöst Frankreich) werden von Ausgasung gesundsheitsschädlichen sauerstoffarmen Mischungen, die mit Kohlendioxid und Radon beladen sind, betroffen. Untersuchungen am Ort haben gezeigt, wie diese Gasstroemung von natürlichem thermischen Luftumlauf zwischen den alten Bergwerken und der externen Atmosphäre ausgelöst wird. Erstickung und Vergiftung sind die wichtigste Risiken, die mit dieser Gasströmung und ihrer möglichen Speicherung in begrenzten Lokalen zusammenhängen. Eine weitere Untersuchung wird durchgefuehrt so dass man die Herkunft der Gaserzeugung in den alten Grubenräume besser versteht. Der ersten Hypothese folgend, Ausgasung von Kohlensäure liegt vor allem an dem hydro-geo-chemischen Prozess, der Pyritrösten mit der säuren Auflösung von Karbonate verbindet SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Gas, Ausgasung, Bergwerk, Strömung, Pyrit RESUME: Certaines agglomérations du bassin ferrifère lorrain (au Nord-Est de la France) sont affectées par des émanations de mélanges gazeux sous-oxygénés et chargés en certains gaz nocifs (dioxyde de carbone, radon…). Les investigations effectuées in situ ont montré que les écoulements gazeux à l’origine de ces émanations sont liées au phénomène de tirage naturel entre les anciens travaux miniers et la surface. Les principaux risques engendrés par ces émanations de gaz et son accumulation possible dans des endroits confinés sont l’asphyxie et l’intoxication. Une étude est en cours afin d’expliquer l’origine de la modification de l’air au sein des vieux travaux miniers. Les émissions de dioxyde de carbone seraient dues à des processus hydro-geo-chimiques associant l’oxydation de la pyrite et la dissolution de carbonates. MOTS CLES: gaz, émanation, mine, écoulement, pyrite.

Jan 1, 2003

In their excellent paper, Milev and Spottiswoode have provided quantitative and definitive descriptions of an important phenomenon that hitherto has been largely the subject of conjecture. They convincingly show that ?site-response? can amplify the strong ground motions on the rock-wall of a stressed tunnel by a factor of 10 to 12 compared with the PPV in the solid rock mass (at the same distance from source). This knowledge gives us a firm foundation from which to begin to build an understanding of the mechanism of damage resulting from a rock burst. Regrettably this understanding is still far from adequate, in my opinion. The authors of this paper, however, have made some statements that are too reassuring and which tend to reinforce the sense of complacency that prevails among many members of the rock engineering community on the deep gold mines.

Jan 1, 2006

By L. Robles-Stefoni

"Multiple-point simulation (MPS) methods have been developed over the last decade as a means of reproducing complex geological patterns while generating stochastic simulations. Some geological spatial configurations are complex, such as the spatial geometries and patterns of diamondbearing kimberlite pipes and their internal facies controlling diamond quality and distribution.Two MPS methods were tested for modelling the geology of a diamond pipe located at the Ekati mine, NT, Canada. These are the single normal equation simulation algorithm SNESIM, which captures different patterns from a training image (TI), and the filter simulation algorithm FILTERSIM, which classifies the patterns founded on the TI. Both methods were tested in the stochastic simulation of a four-category geology model: crater, diatreme, xenoliths, and host rock. Soft information about the location of host rock was also used. The validation of the simulation results shows a reasonable reproduction of the geometry and data proportions for all geological units considered; the validation of spatial statistics, however, shows that although simulated realizations from both methods reasonably reproduce the fourth-order spatial statistics of the TI, they do not reproduce well the same spatial statistics of the available data (when this differs from the TI). An interesting observation is that SNESIM better imitated the shape of the pipe, while FILTERSIM yielded a better reproduction of the xenolith bodies. IntroductionThe simulation of geological units poses several technical problems that challenge the capabilities of available geostatistical simulation approaches and their ability to deal with spatial complexity of categorical variables. The spatial geometry of diamondbearing pipes and their internal facies controlling diamond distributions are a specific and well-known difficult modelling problem. The geometry of a kimberlite pipe is typically like an inverted cone (Figure 1); the wider part is known as the crater and is located near the surface, and the narrower, deeper part is known as the diatreme. Xenolith bodies can also be found inside the pipe. A very important contribution to the geological modelling of the contours of the pipe is the measure of uncertainty about the location of the contact between the kimberlite pipe and the host rock."

Jan 1, 2016

By L. Hansen

Sulphuric acid plants now and then see unexpected increases in SO2 emissions. Our experience is that it is not always easy for the acid plants to pinpoint the exact reason for the SO2 increase. Sometimes a catalyst bed is sacrificed even though reliable temperature readings and gas analyses could have verified satisfactory activity. Hence the leaking heat exchanger is never discovered and after the shutdown the SO2 emissions are still too high. This paper will look into some basic catalyst management tools: good record keeping is a necessity for collection of representative catalyst samples; reliable operating data is an inevitable starting point for all analysis; and trending of operating data is a must for plant optimization and troubleshooting. In addition, these catalyst management tools will give continuous updated knowledge of the catalyst status in each bed, providing the basis for a more effective replacement strategy. The most typical reasons for increasing SO2 emissions will be presented together with easy guidelines for cross-checking operating data, temperature optimization and good record keeping.

Jan 1, 2009

The extraction of minerals and coal at greater depth, employing higher-powered machinery to improve production levels, imposes an increased burden on the ability of a ventilation system to maintain an acceptable mine climate. Hence, mechanical mine cooling systems are often adopted, which can be expensive in terms of both their associated capital and operating costs. Consequently, in order to optimize the total mining costs, it is essential to provide the mine operator with a method with which to determine the most cost effective and efficient mine cooling system. In a previous paper1a novel energy analysis employing the concept of exergy was proposed and applied to cooling systems applied to two conceptual model mines, representative of UK deep coal operations, and their resultant subsurface thermal environ-mental conditions predicted. This paper presents an analysis of the results obtained from the application of this novel technique to assess the performance of various cooling systems applied to a current UK colliery that is experiencing climatic problems due to its depth and highly mechanized production and development workings. To perform this analysis, ventilation and climatic data collected at the case study mine were used to construct balanced mine ventilation and climatic network models to replicate the subsurface environment. Where air conditions exceeded specified climatic limits within identified climatically control zones, mechanical mine cooling systems were employed. A number of cooling system configurations were applied to these model to investigate the potential to satisfactorily regulate the thermal environment. The heat energy transferred out of the air stream by the various cooling methods was absorbed using a variety of chilled water systems, which were designed to operate at various water flow rates and temperatures. Models of various cooling system were developed and applied to control the underground climate within this mine network to within pre-set climatic limits. The results of a comparative analysis of the energy transfers that were produced by the application of the different cooling systems are presented in the form of exergy performance indices. The results produced by simulation models constructed to represent chilled water distribution networks to supply the various air coolers, are designed and balanced. The results of the exergy analyses applied to the operation of the various chilled water pipe networks are discussed and used to assess the exergetic performance of the application of each proposed cooling system to the mine ventilation network.

Jan 1, 2004

By B. Haimson

A new loading apparatus was fabricated and used to conduct true-triaxial compression tests on KTB amphibolite, a crystalline basement rock. Tests in dry jacketed samples reveal that the intermediate principal stress has a significant effect on the onset of dilatancy and on rock strength, contrary to the implicit assumption made by Mohr-type failure criteria. Failure is induced through a shear fracture that dips steeply in the direction of the least principal stress. Experimental results lead to a new generalized strength criterion in terms of all three principal stresses. Unjacketed KTB amphibolite specimens, exposed to confining fluid, are considerably weaker than the jacketed ones, despite the negligible porosity and permeability. Failure is facilitated by several closely spaced subparallel tensile cracks normal to the least stress direction. SEM analysis suggests that microcracks developed upon dilatancy onset are penetrated and extended by the confining fluid, bringing about the unexpected rock failure mechanism at reduced stress levels. Un nouveau dispositif à chargement fut fabriqué et utilisé afin de réaliser un vrai essai de compression tri-axial sur KTB amphibolite, une roche cristalline du sous-sol. Les essais effectués sur échantillons enveloppés et secs révèlent que les contraintes principales intermédiaires affectent considérablement le début de la dilatance et la résistance de la roche, contrairement à la supposition fondée sur le critère de rupture de Mohr. La rupture est produite grâce à une cassure de cisaillement très incliner en direction où la contrainte principale est moindre. Ces résultats expérimentaux indiquent un nouveau critère de rupture général en fonction des trois contraintes principales. Les échantillons de KTB amphibolites sans enveloppe, exposés à un liquide confiné, sont considérablement plus faibles que ceux enveloppés, malgré la porosité et la perméabilité négligeable. La rupture est facilitée par plusieurs fissures de traction adjacentes et sub-parallèles, normales à la plus petite contrainte principale. L’analyse SEM suggère que les micro-fissures développent suivant le début de la dilatance, elles sont pénétrées et agrandies par le liquide confiné, produisant un mécanisme de rupture de roche inattendu, ceci à un niveau de contrainte réduit. Ein neuer Ladungsapparat wurde hergestellt um real - triaxiale Druckfestigkeitsversuche in KTB Amphibolit, einem kristallinen Grundgebirgsgestein, durchzuführen. Messungen in trockenen, bedeckten Proben zeigen that die mittlere Hauptspannung eine bedeutende Wirkung auf das Einsetzen von Dilatanz und auf die Stärke des Gesteins hat, im Gegensatz zu der impliciten Annahme auf Grund von Mohr-ähnlichen Versagungskriterien. Versagen ist induziert durch eine Scherfraktur die sich steil in die Richtung der geringsten Haupspannung nach unten senkt. Messergebnisse führen zu einem neuen, verallgemeinerten Stärke Kriterium dass auf alle drei Hauptspannungen basiert ist. Unbedeckte KTB Amphibolit Proben, die unmittelbar den umgebenden Fluiden ausgesetzt sind, sind wesentlich schwächer als bedeckte, trotz geringfügiger Permeabilität und Porosität. Versagen wird gefördert durch mehrere, nebeneinander liegende, sub-parallele Spannungsbrüche, normal zu der geringsten Spannungsrichtung. SEM Analyse lässt vermuten dass Mikrobrüche, die sich beim Überschreiten der Dilatanzschwelle entwickeln, durch die umgebenden Fluiden fortgepflanzt und weiter verbreitet werden, und unerwartet, auf Grund der reduzierten Spannungswerte, den Versagungsmechanismus des Gesteins einleiten

Jan 1, 2003

By G. A. Kordosky

The concept of selectively extracting copper from a low-grade dump leach solution followed by stripping the copper into an acid solution from which electrowon copper cathodes could be produced occurred to the Minerals Group of General Mills in the early 1960s.This simple, elegant idea has resulted in a technology by which about 2.2 million tonnes of high quality copper cathode was produced in year 2000. The growth of this technology is traced overtime with a discussion of the key plants, the key people and the important advances in leaching, plant design, reagents and electrowinning that have contributed to the growth of this technology. Some thoughts on potential further advances in the technology are also given.

Jan 1, 2002

By A. Butler

This paper explains the politics of mine nationalization in contemporary South Africa. Nationalization and privatization typically occur in the oil, mineral resources, and state utilities sectors, and they tend to follow one another in a long-term cyclical pattern. The paper explains why the current international environment has encouraged demands for nationalization and other forms of ?resource nationalism? in the South African minerals sector. It goes on to describe how the resurgence of resource nationalism has been influenced by internal factional politics in the African National Congress. It concludes that nationalization is unlikely to be the outcome of current policy deliberations within the ANC.

Jan 1, 2013

By A. D. Engelbrecht

An investigation was undertaken to ascertain the suitability of four selected low grade, South African coals for gasification in a bubbling fluidized bed for production of synthesis gas and for the development of integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC). This study consisted of the characterization of the coals, laboratory evaluation of intrinsic reactivity, and experimentation with a pilot-plant fluidized bed gasifier. Results of the characterization experiments show that the selected coals are high in ash, rich in inertinites, very dense (low porosity), with low caking indices and high ash fusion temperatures. Reactivity measurements with a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA), under reaction rate controlling conditions with carbon dioxide, showed that the reactivity of the coal chars decreases with increase in rank of the coal, as expressed by the vitrinite random reflectance and carbon content of the parent coals. The fixed carbon conversion achieved in the fluidized bed gasifier also correlates well with the rank parameter of the coal, with higher conversions being obtained with the lower rank coals. Thermal shattering and attrition of the coal particles produce significant amounts of fines, which correlate with the grindability indices, and no agglomeration (non-caking) was observed. It is concluded that fluidized bed gasifiers are able to utilize typical low grade, high ash South African coals for synthesis gas production and for inclusion in integrated gasification combined cycles for power generation.

Jan 1, 2010

By M. Mikolás, L. Pomothy, K. Špakovská, M. Vanek

"Enterprises are faced with increasing economic competition and managers are obliged to look for methods that will ensure a competitive edge in their companies’ markets. These methods include managerial concepts that employ common sense and are low cost. One of these approaches is the KAIZEN methodology, of Japanese origin; kaizen means continuous improvement (CI) when translated. A mining company, despite some of its idiosyncrasies, is just an enterprise where the application of KAIZEN can be advantageous. The company investigated, OKD, is the only domestic producer of hard coal in the Czech Republic and operates four mines that produce 11 Mt of coal annually. The OKD management team opted for KAIZEN as their principal method of continuous quality improvement. This paper suggests ideas for development and application of processes that provide for continuing improvement of production and management. The authors have taken the OKD Company to be their benchmark in the field of mining activities. The paper also focuses on possible difficulties accompanying the introduction of CI sustainable methods. Three years of application of CI methods has increased the income of the company by almost US$38.1 million, which provides a strong argument for continued application."

Jan 1, 2015

By P. C. Schutte

Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Despite the fact that the application of ergonomics principles can make a major contribution to the management of significant occupational safety and health risks, ergonomics is currently applied on a limited scale in the South African mining industry. The objective of this paper is to provide a perspective of ergonomics, the main aim being to create a point of departure for the development of strategic objectives to enhance existing health and safety initiatives through the application of sound ergonomics principles. Two of the major consequences of poor ergonomics, namely work-related musculoskeletal disorders and worker fatigue, and possible means of introducing ergonomics into the South African mining industry, are discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

By S. O?Connor

When one looks back and does assessments of what has been the key ingredient in achieving success in our safety efforts, there are many issues that spring to mind and cover a wide array of elements. One does not know which has the ultimate maximum effect. In his presentation yesterday, Alan Peers, our SHEQ leader, covered a lot of detail with the way we are managing safety at Modikwa. I have attempted to identify some of the key essentials in making the mine safe. Passion Safety is addressed with a passion that is unbelievable at times. When I get phoned because an incident has occurred and in reporting the incident, there are already action plans being put in place to prevent re-occurrences, you understand the commitment to put employees? safety first. You hear the disappointment in your subordinates? voices when they have to share the fact that an incident or accident has occurred.

Jan 1, 2011

By I. Ocak

The modulus of elasticity of rock material (Ei) is an important rock property that is used as an input parameter in the design stage of engineering projects such as dam and tunnel constructions, mining excavations, and so forth. However, determination of the modulus of elasticity is sometimes difficult to obtain by laboratory tests because high-quality cores are required. For this reason, empirical methods for predicting the modulus of elasticity of rock material have been popular research topics in recently published literature. In this study, the relationships between the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), unit weight (?) and modulus of elasticity for different types of rocks were analysed by using 177 data obtained from laboratory tests carried out on cores obtained from drill holes within the area of the Kadiköy-Kartal Metro line (Istanbul, Turkey). Keywords: Kadikoy?Kartal Metro, uniaxial compressive strength, unit weight, estimating the modulus of elasticity.

Jan 1, 2008

By N. Sahay

Open fire in coal mines is one of the most serious threats to miners, as well as to the mine. Open fire can often be effectively dealt with by prompt local action, otherwise it very quickly becomes uncontrollable. In one incident, none of the available open fire control technologies, viz., water deluge and sprinkler systems, high-expansion foam, high-pressure high-stability nitrogen foam, water misting, and ventilation and pressure control techniques, were effective for saving the mine without sealing from surface, since the fuel-rich environment prohibited underground access due to the methane explosion hazard. The authors have developed a methodology for dealing with advancedstage open fires underground by the application of a modified ventilation control technique. It is based primarily on a better understanding of the behaviour of open fires, proper diagnosis of the problem, application of judicious ventilation control techniques, and selection of suitable fire indices for assessing the status of an open fire. This methodology was used to successfully control an open fire in Surakachhar 3 and 4 incline mine Surakachhar, central India. The fire area was sealed underground and production subsequently resumed in record time. The paper discusses the behaviour of open fires, particulars of the mine, diagnosis of the problem, experimentation methods, and the results obtained.

Jan 1, 2014