Search Documents

By F. C. Harris, S. J. Gaab, J. Sattarvand, S. Duzgun

Underground mines are inherently dangerous due to potential hazards such as fires, explosions, and caving of rock. Although these events are rare, once they occur a speedy and safe egress of mineworkers is critical to survival. Static evacuation systems use exit signs or directional lines but can get obstructed or be hardly visible in smoky or dusty conditions. This paper presents the investigation of the effectiveness of a smart evacuation technology in underground mining, where a real-time guidance system leads individuals on an optimised path to the egress while avoiding danger zones, compared to conventional practices. Participants simulated an evacuation from a virtual reality mine, using the conventional system and the smart evacuation system with real-time guidance. The highest reduction in evacuation time using the smart method amounted to nearly 40% on average. Moreover, 83% of participants preferred the smart guidance system, and agreed that it could enhance safety.

Sep 1, 2021

By X. Gumede

Mud houses are common structures in most South African rural homes closer to the mining operations. Fulltime dwellers in these properties are often the elderly. The mine codes of practice and the South African legislative instruments attempt to define the damage criteria to limit the effect of the blast-induced noise and ground vibrations to different structures. All these assessment criteria are based on the peak particle velocity and noise generated during blasting. The South African safe limit criterion that was adopted was initially derived from the international standards, which were then used as a local guideline. This paper evaluates the currently adopted safe limit criteria used in South Africa for a mud house, currently rated at 6 mm per second and 120 decibels to134 decibels, for blast-induced seismicity and noise, respectively. Further, a study was performed on a residential house near a coal mine (5.26 km) based in Mpumalanga following numerous complaints by the owner, launched at the mine and to the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources. The aim of the study was to measure the magnitude of blast-induced triggers experienced at the aggrieved homestead and to establish if there is a likelihood that an irritation or damage may be caused by these triggers. The seismometer was installed at about 2 m from the mudhouse, from 1 July 2022 to 31 of July 2022. Five blast-induced triggers were recorded during the period showing an average of 0.09 mm/s and 121 decibels for blast-induced seismicity and noise, respectively. The results obtained indicated a maximum seismicity of 0.15 mm/s. This seismicity was below the perceptible vibrations obtained from daily home activities such as walking, jumping, and door slamming, which produce 0.8 mm/s, 7.1 mm/s, and 12.7 mm/s, respectively. Seismicity was therefore not likely to have caused any annoyance and or damage. For noise, the results indicated a maximum of 123 decibels and an average of 121 decibels from five events recorded. A literature review suggests that slight damage may occur when airblast frequencies match the natural frequencies of structures at 120 decibels. Based on these results, it can be concluded, therefore, that the noise, rather than seismicity, is more likely to be the cause of damage to the structure assessed. For improvement, a new approach is proposed based on relating the safe limits to the structural and human response.

Dec 15, 2025

By R. M. Whyte

The complexities that exist in the nature of the basic feedstock to the metallurgical process call for a high degree of ingenuity from the extractive metallurgist in seeking the best possible treatment method for a particular ore. Drawing from personal experience the author presents four case studies that demonstrate the value of creative thinking in addressing the challenges typically encountered by the extraction metallurgist. It is concluded that creative expression most often occurs in response to a perceived strong need within an organization. By deliberately laying down meaningful challenges management can stimulate innovative thinking and achieve extraordinary results.

Jan 1, 2009

Mr Colin M. Spence took office as President of The Federation of Societies of Professional Engineers on 1st July, 1984. Colin Maynard Spence was born in November 1921, and was educated at the Durban Preparatory and High Schools, in both of which he was a Dux Scholar. He graduated from the University of Natal in 1942 with a B.Sc. degree in civil engineering. In 1958 he received a Diploma in Town Planning from the same university. Cessation of Membership In accordance with Clauses 7.6.1 and 12.1 of the Institute's Constitution, Rules and Policy, the following members have been struck off the Membership list.

Jan 1, 1984

By I. Nolet

Matte tapping is one of the most critical operations of a matte smelter. Every smelter has developed particular matte tapping practices and tap-hole repair strategies that are often based on the experience of the smelter personnel. As a result, very little information has been published on these critical topics. This paper aims at providing the information gathered from a survey conducted in the PGM and Ni industries on matte tapping practices and tap-hole maintenance strategies for different PGM-Ni matte smelting operations.

Jan 1, 2014

By G. A. Brown

Major mining projects are developed with the assistance of lending institutions who provide hundreds of millions of dollars in funding over several years, and of course expect those funds to be returned with interest. Two Australian banks have adopted the Equator Principles, an emerging financial industry benchmark for assessing and managing environmental and social risk in project financing. Project financiers have encountered environmental and social issues that are both complex and challenging, particularly with respect to projects in the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific and elsewhere. There are many recent and historical examples of failures by resource companies to effectively manage their environmental, social, safety and security risks, some of which have caused the project to fail completely, and some of which have caused the temporary cessation of production. These events put the financial institutions' funds at risk through inadequate management capacity and non-compliance adversely affecting the ability of the borrowers to repay the loans. They can also reflect adversely on the reputation of the lending institutions. In assessing these risks, lenders are increasingly looking at the track record of the borrower in its country of origin and in other countries where it operates. Lenders are wary of companies that have one standard for operations in a developed country, where the regulatory environment may tightly control what they do, and another standard for operations in countries where the regulatory regime is perhaps less stringent. Lenders may require environmental and social reviews or audits to be conducted on their behalf by competent third parties prior to a loan being approved, and annually over the life of the relationship. The mining industry's concept of the unwritten `social licence to operate' is highly relevant in relation to the delivery of community benefits that are sustainable post-mine closure. This paper provides examples of recent practices that support financial viability and sustainable development, as well as examples of some failures that have put lenders at risk.

Jan 1, 2007

By M. Yavuz

Equipment selection in mining operations is an important issue, and also difficult to solve in multiple criteria environments. The paper in question has aimed to develop computer software for solving equipment selection problems in mining. In their paper, Basçetin et al. have analysed two case study problems related to open pit and underground mining method selection. By using Yager?s method1, the authors have selected 18 different criteria in the first case study and 21 criteria in the second case study. However, as emphasized by Ozdemir2, in pair wise comparison matrices the appropriate number of criteria should be seven as the maximum, from the point view of validation, consistency and redundancy. In cases where there are more than seven criteria to be handled, it is suggested that the criteria should be clustered and then the maximum number of clusters and subcriteria of every cluster should be limited to seven4.

Jan 1, 2007

By PC Pistorius, DR Groot

The South African base metals industry has been one mainly focused on the production of metals or metal compounds from primary ores. This is true for metals such as titanium, vanadium, chrome, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc and aluminium. The steel making industry has traditionally used a substantial portion of scrap steel, and could thus be considered to be somewhat of an exception. Secondary sources have played much less of a role, possibly due to at least some of the following factors. Scrap material is often of unknown composition, and thus it requires additional chemical analysis, and possibly special treatment. Tonnages are relatively small, and the incorporation of secondary materials is possibly seen to carry undue risk and inadequate benefit. South African consumers are still not very conservation and recycling conscious, which limits the amount of scrap made available. This attitude might also be expected to influence decision makers in these industries. Finally, pressure from environmentally motivated activists locally has not been unduly large. This landscape has been changing, and is continuing to do so. Various municipal authorities such as those of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town are reporting increasingly limited landspace for waste (Bondolfi, 2007). There are increasing concerns regarding the leaching of hazardous metals such as chromium, mercury and cadmium from landfill waste, especially electronic and electric wastes ? the so-called eWastes. In more developed countries such as the United States of America and Western Europe the problem of eWaste has grown to the extent where legislation has been enacted, such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation of the EU (European Union Directive 2002/96/EC). The 19th and 20th centuries have seen major technological advances. Relevant to this paper is the availability of centrally generated electrical power, telecommunication, entertainment through recorded and transmitted music and images, the growth and pervasive influence of electronics, and the handling of digital data by computers and microprocessors. These developments have placed ever increasing demands on resources for the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment, as well as on the generation of electrical power. Most of the resources required are non-renewable: copper, steel, aluminium and other metals, various thermoplastic polymers such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polyethylene and ABS ( acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), thermosetting polymers such as epoxies, elastomers such as butyl rubber, glasses and ceramics, and composites such as fibre reinforced plastic (fibreglass). The conservation of non-renewable resources inevitably includes recycling. To a certain extent, recycling of materials locally is well established. Thus glass, paper, used oil, car batteries, ferrous scrap such as beverage cans and non-ferrous scrap such as

Jan 1, 2007

The following letter has been received from Professor P. A. Young, Head of the Department of Mining and Mineral Engineering at The University of Leeds, England. Extractive and process metallurgy The first annual TMS-AIME Extractive and Process Metallurgy Fall Meeting:1983 International Sulfide Smelting Symposium, will be held from 6th to 9th November, 1983, in San Francisco.

Jan 1, 1982

By Didier Kasongo NYEMBWE

The paper circumscribes the base metal casting industry in Southern Africa. It essentially consists in the founding of copper and zinc alloys. The challenge related to the scarcity and the unaffordable quality patterns and dies faced by the industry is discussed. New manufacturing technologies for foundry tooling called Rapid Prototyping that can possibly be used to alleviate the above mentioned challenge are then presented and their benefits assessed.

Jan 1, 2007

By T. Ramamurthy

ABSTRACT : Rock mass classifications RMR, Q and GSI do not suggest decreasing modulus ratio with the decrease in the quality of rock. These have been linked to joint factor, Jf , for better prediction. An engineering classification is suggested based on strength and modulus applicable to both intact and jointed rocks. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG : Fels Masse Klassifizierungen RMR, schlägt Q und GSI daß das Abnehmen von modulus Verhältnis mit der Abnahme in der Qualität des Felsen nicht vor. Diese sind zu gemeinschaftlichem Faktor, Jf, für bessere Voraussage verknüpft worden. Eine technische Klassifizierung wird auf der Basis auf Kraft und modulus vorgeschlagen die zutreffend sind zu beiden unversehrten und jointed Felsen. RESUME: RMR de classifications de masse de Rocher, Q et GSI ne suggèrent pas la proportion de modulus décroissante avec la diminution dans la qualité de rocher. Ceux-ci ont été reliés au facteur de jointure, Jf, pour mieux la prédiction. Une classification construisant est suggérée basé sur la force et modulus applicables intacts et les rochers de jointed.

Jan 1, 2003

By L. A. Cornish, L. H. Chown, S. N. Prins, R. Süss, L. Glaner, A. Douglas

Platinum-based alloys are being developed for high temperature and special applications for good corrosion and oxidation resistance. The microstructures are similar to those of nickel-based super alloys, and comprise ~Pt3Al particles in a Pt-based matrix. After assessing binary alloys, the best candidate system was found to be Pt-Al. Testing and selection of alloys based on Pt-Al were undertaken, where the ternary additions comprised Ru, Cr, Ta, Ir and Ti. As well as phase characterization work, mechanical and oxidation tests were undertaken. The best alloys were found to be Pt-Al-Cr and Pt-Al-Ru. However, the volume fraction of the ~Pt3Al was only around40 per cent instead of the ~70 per cent found in Ni-based super alloys. To increase this, trials were conducted on a range of Pt-Al-Cr-Ru alloys, the optimum composition being Pt80:Al14:Cr3:Ru3.Currently, further additions are being made to the quaternary alloys to change selected properties. As well as developing the alloys themselves, another part of the project is to compile a thermodynamic database using Thermo-Calc?. Phase diagram work has been undertaken so that the results can be input to Thermo-Calc? so that the descriptions of the phases can be optimized. The final database will allow the phases and compositions of selected alloys to be derived, thus predicting the alloys? components without necessarily undertaking further experimental work. This will aid the development of the alloys and will be a useful tool to the final developers of the alloys. Good agreement with experimental data has been observed, which is very encouraging for usefulness of the database. Keywords: platinum-based alloys, intermetallic compounds, high temperature

Jan 1, 2004

By N. Kinoshita, Y. Inada

The authors have proposed and discussed storage of low temperature materials such as LNG, LPG and frozen food in rock caverns. In this case, as the rock mass around the caverns will receive effects of low temperature, it is necessary to consider the thermal behavior and the stability of caverns. In this study, strength and deformation characteristics obtained by the uniaxial tension test and the compression test at low temperatures were discussed. Using the results, temperature and stress distribution around caverns when LNG was stored, were analyzed. Then thermal behavior of the rock mass around caverns was discussed. Die Autoren haben Lagerung von Niedertemperatur-Materialien wie LNG, LPG und tiefgefrorenen Nahrungsmitteln in Felskavernen vorgeschlagen und diskutiert. Da in diesem Fall die Felsmasse um die Kavernen den Effekten der niedrigen Temperatur ausgesetzt ist, ist es erforderlich, das Thermalverhalten und die Stabilität der Kavernen zu berücksichtigen. In dieser Untersuchung wurden Stärke-und Deformationseigenschaften, die durch ein-axialen Spannungstest und Kompressionstest bei niedrigen Temperaturen erhalten wurden, diskutiert. Mit diesen Ergebnissen wurden Temperatur- und Stressverteilung um die Kavernen bei Lagerung von LNG analysiert. Dann wurde das Thermalverhalten der Felsmasse in der Umgebung der Kavernen diskutiert. Les auteurs proposent et discutent l'entreposage de matériaux à basse température, tels que le GNL, le GPL et des aliments congelés, dans des cavités rocheuses. Comme, dans ce cas, la masse rocheuse entourant la cavité subit les effets des basses températures, il est nécesaire d'étudier le comportement thermique et la stabilité des cavités. Dans cette étude, les auteurs discutent des caractéristiques de résistance et de déformation, obtenues par essai de tension uniaxial et essai de compression à basse température. En se servant des résultats, ils analysent la répartition de la température et des pressions autour des cavités, lors du stockage de GNL. Ils discutent ensuite le comportement thermique de la masse rocheuse autour des cavités.

Jan 1, 2003

By F. T. Cawood

This paper focuses on the role of the coal mine surveyor at the start of the 21st century. It demonstrates that surveyors must look beyond their legal appointment and pursue opportunities to add value at an operational or corporate level of the company. It also exposes the shortfall of statutory appointments in defining the surveyor?s role in terms of key business drivers of the company. One such an opportunity is the potential role of the surveyor in mineral accounting and quality assurance to meet mine requirements, market specifications and standards pertaining to corporate governance and reporting. Finally, some thoughts are expressed on what can be done to elevate current practice to best practice and how to achieve this goal

Jan 1, 2007

By Gerhard Nel, Huziel Masiiwa, Marthie Kotze, René du Preez, Simon Donegan

Tati Nickel is currently operating a hydrometallurgical demonstration plant in Botswana, using the Activox® process developed by LionOre Technology, to produce nickel cathode and a cobalt salt from a sulphide concentrate. Cobalt is extracted using Cyanex 272. This reagent also extracts all the iron, aluminium, copper, zinc, and manganese from the nickel stream. Versatic 10 carboxylic acid is then used as extractant to recover nickel from the stream, separating it from calcium and magnesium, and upgrading it to provide a suitable advance electrolyte for nickel electrowinning. However, the selectivity of Versatic 10 for nickel over calcium is limited, and gypsum formation in the extraction circuit is a problem when it is attempted to maximise the recovery of nickel. Mintek has developed a synergistic system with Versatic 10 for improved separation of nickel from calcium and magnesium. Laboratory test work was conducted on the raffinate of the cobalt solvent extraction circuit to optimise the Versatic 10/Nicksyn? (Mintek synergist) system to be employed. Extraction and stripping parameters suitable for this stream were optimised in the laboratory and then applied on the demonstration plant. A commercial batch (0.5 tons) of Nicksyn? reagent was produced for the demonstration plant. The laboratory test work results and the demonstration plant performance are discussed in detail in this paper.

Jan 1, 2007

By C. E. Hales

In an effort to improve efficiencies and reduce costs, AngloGold has embarked on a process to develop and deliver consistent, high quality, tailings based support or construction products to stopes and tunnels on request. A three-phase approach of product conceptualisation, design and delivery has been adopted. To date a substantial amount of laboratory development has taken place with promising results, indicating that the project aims are achievable. Dans un effort pour améliorer le rendement et réduire les coûts, AngloGold s’est embarqué dans une opération qui vise à développer et fournir aux chantiers d’extraction et tunnels, sur demande, des produits de construction ou de support basés sur rejets qui sont réguliers et de haute qualité. Une méthode à trois volets a été adoptée : conception, création et livraison. A ce jour, un développement important en laboratoire s’est produit, avec des résultats pleins de promesses, qui semblent indiquer que les buts du projet peuvent être atteints. In der Bemühung, die Effizienz zu steigern und Kosten zu verringern, hat AngloGold begonnen ein Verfahren zu entwickeln welches auf Anfrage konsistent hochqualitative auf Haufwerk basierender Unterstützung oder Bauprodukte für Abbaustellen und Tunnels entwickelt und liefert Eine Dreiphasenplan zur Produktkonzeptualisierung, Design und Lieferung wurde adoptiert. Bis jetzt hat eine substantielle Anzahl an Laborentwicklung mit vielversprechenden Resultaten stattgefunden und aufgezeigt, daß die Projektziele erreichbar sind.

Jan 1, 2003

By B. K. Loveday

The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy hosted a School on 'The Practical Design of Comminution Processes' at Megawatt Park (near Johannesburg) on 14th to 16th May, 1991 Derek Barratt, a Senior Consultant of Wright Engineers, Canada, and the main speaker, provided a good insight into how Wright Engineers design milling circuits, particularly large semi-autogenous mills. He was ably assisted by Jens Lichterof Allis Mineral Systems, who described some interesting examples of pilot-plant testwork and summarized South African milling practice. Mike Moys of the Witwatersrand University spoke on the influence of pulp viscosity on mill performance, and Johan Engelbrecht and Jeremy Bosman of Multotech

Jan 1, 1991

By J. A. Taylor, R. J. Fowell

Abstract: The amount of published literature pertaining to the field of rock mechanics has increased markedly in recent years. Whilst computer applications aid our understanding of the mechanisms of pillar instability, the applications do not take into account the effect of time; thus the determined pillar factor of safety has limited meaning. A more realistic approach would be to consider pillar stability in terms of time to failure. However such an approach would require a reasonable estimate of the in-situ pillar mass strength and a validated methodology linking the time to failure with in-situ pillar mass strength and the geometric layout of the working. Résumé: Le volume de bibliographie au sujet de la mécanique des roches a augmenté considérablement ces derniêres années. Alors que des modeles informatiques aident a la compréhension des mécanismes d'instabilité de pilliers, ces modèles ne prennent pas en compte les effets du temps; ainsi, la determination du coefficient de surete du pillier a un sens limité. Une approche plus réaliste devrait considérer la stabilité du pillier en fonction du temps de défaillance. Cependant une telle approche exigerait une estimation raisonnable de la resistance du massif rocheux du pillier ainsi qu'une méthodologie qui lie le temps de défaillance avec la résistance in-situ du massif rocheux du pillier et la géometrie de l'excavation souterraine. Zusammenfassung: Die Anzahl der Veröffentlichungen auf dem Gebiet der Felsmechanik ist in jüngster Zeit sehr gestiegen. Computerprogramme sind wertvoll um den Mechanismus der Pfeilerunbeständigkeit zu verstehen, aber sie vernachlässigen den Zeiteffekt. Daher haben die errechneten Sicherheitsfaktoren der Pfeiler nur begrenzte Bedeutung. Eine realistischere Bewertung wäre, die Stabilität der Pfeiler auf Grund der Zeit bis zum Verfall zu beurteilen. So ein Verfahren würde eine Schätzung der in-situ Gebirgsfestigkeit und eine validierte Methologie, die die Zeit zum Verfall in Abhängigkeit der in-situ Pfeilerfestigkeit und der geometrischen Auslage der Grube zusammenbringt, brauchen.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Yavuz

Two different methods of fuzzy multiple criteria decision making have been proposed to solve the problem of mining method selection in the paper titled ?Mining method selection by multiple criteria decision making tool, by Bitarafan and Ataei. This problem is really important and also difficult to solve because of the need of handling many criteria simultaneously in the process of decision making. Bitarafan and Ataei have selected 15 criteria for the case study in their paper and those criteria have not been clustered/grouped yet. The number of selected criteria is only 15, although there are more criteria that should be handled in a real case, because they have used Saaty?s method in the section ?Fuzzy multiple attribute decision making? in their paper. Saaty?s method considers the pair wise comparison of criteria and uses random indexed which have already been derived and published. Available random indexes, however, have been derived for maximum 15 criteria so far.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. Chatterjee, F. Suparno, A. Paithankar

Estimating reserves and quantifying resources stand as pivotal and intricate endeavours within the realm of coal mining operations. Intricate geological formations compound the challenges in resource estimation, thereby complicating reserve calculations. The uncertainties tied to geological attributes of coal, encompassing parameters like tonnage and coal quality, wield significant sway over resource and reserve computations within coal mines. This research delves into the domain of geological uncertainties, with a specific focus on calorific value, aiming to numerically characterise resources and reserves within an open-pit coal mine situated in Indonesia. To quantify resources, the coal seam geometry underwent simulation via a multipoint geostatistical technique known as single normal equation simulation. A geologically established coal seam served as the training image for generating 20 equiprobable coal models. To simulate CV, 50 realisations were generated for each simulated coal seam, utilising sequential Gaussian simulation. Deviations of the simulated coal seams ranged from -0.07% to 5.48% in comparison to the training image. The CV simulation yielded an average value of 5,920.29 kcal/kg, accompanied by a standard deviation of 586.54 kcal/kg. However, the average CV spanned from 5,305.26 kcal/kg to 6,526.55 kcal/kg across diverse simulations. For reserve calculation within the context of geological uncertainties, an algorithm rooted in maximum flow graph theory was employed to construct the ultimate pit for the coal mine. Within this final pit, the average stripping ratio was 1.62, coupled with a CV value of 6,019.66 kcal/kg. When juxtaposed with the deterministic model, the findings underscore that the stochastic ultimate pit delineates a more expansive excavation, accompanied by a heightened undiscounted cash flow.

Oct 2, 2025