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Plant based on the New Jersey refluxing process was installed at the Cockle Creek Works of Sulphide Corporation Pty. Ltd. to refine portion of the zinc output from the Imperial Smelting furnace.Refining of impure zinc is effected by distillation in two stages in vertical columns comprising a series of superimposed silicon carbide trays designed such that ascending zinc vapours and descending liquid metal are in intimate contact. In the first stage, portion of the zinc and its cadmium content are distilled from impure feed metal, condensed, and while still molten, fed to the second column in which zinc is boiled under controlled refluxing conditions to remove the cadmium content.The resultant zinc has a purity in excess of 99·995 per cent zinc.The availability of refined zinc has made possible the production of a number of zinc alloys for marketing in addition to the basic grades of zinc.

Jan 1, 1970

By X-F Zhao, J-W Li, L-P Zeng

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. The formation of Kiruna-type deposits has been ascribed to either immiscible iron phosphate melt separated from silicic magma or precipitation from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. The early Cretaceous Ningwu volcanic basin in Eastern China contains tens of Kiruna-type iron deposits. The orebodies are mainly hosted within the top zones of subvolcanic dioritic intrusions and along the contacts between these intrusions and adjacent volcanic rocks/strata.The orebodies are commonly associated with widespread brecciation and wall rock replacement. Magnetite formation was closely associated with extensive hydrothermal alteration that may extend kilometres, with both vertical and horizontal zonation. Field and textural data indicate that magnetite formed slightly later than albitisation but coeval with apatite and actinolite. Elemental analysis of magnetite and apatite from ores shows distinct features to those as igneous accessary minerals in the host dioritic intrusions, suggesting a genetic relationship to magmatic-hydrothermal processes. Magnetites have elevated TiO2 (up to 5 wt per cent) and V2O3 (up to 0.7 wt per cent), which implies that they are derived from incipient high-temperature magmatic fluids. It is concluded that the Kiruna-type deposits in the Ningwu basin most likely formed from high-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. The emplacement of dioritic intrusions into a subvolcanic setting likely plays a critical role in the development of Kiruna-type deposits.CITATION:Zhao, X-F, Zeng, L-P and Li, J-W, 2015. Kiruna-type iron deposits in the Mesozoic Ningwu volcanic basin, Eastern China – origin and relationship to subvolcanic dioritic intrusions, in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 657–662 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By P. S. B. STEWART

As part of a continuing study of mechanisms of breakage, the grinding at Nairne Pyrites Pty. Ltd. was traced by the addition of barytes and the results compared with parallel small scale laboratory tests. It was confirmed that the same basic mathematical functions described the behaviour of the full scale ball mill as those established in the small scale mill. However, an additional classification function was required to define the behaviour for the rod mill and was evaluated as a function of size from the experimental data. The classification and grinding of the pyrites ore was assessed from steady state size distributions around the circuit.

Jan 1, 1971

A process was developed to produce electrolytic manganese dioxide, suitable for use in high quality dry cells, from Risdon anode mud. ImpurItIes present In the anode mud were removed prior to the electrolysis which was performed from a manganese sulphate bath using the following conditions.Temp. 95°CH2S04 50-55 g/l.Mn2+ 55-60 g/l.Anode c.d. 10·0 A/sq. ft.Operation under these conditions yielded current efficiency and power consumption figures of 95 per cent and 0·8 kWh/lb respectively. The product conformed to battery manufacturers' specifications as regards physical and chemical properties and performed satisfactorily in a battery testing programme.

Jan 1, 1968

The nature of the specialty glass and ceramic business magnifies the dependency of the ultimate product on the unique properties of their raw materials used to make them. This dependency has implications in the management of risk in the supply process which requires a special procurement organization and program commitment to be successful. The Coming system of managing critical materials and factors in development of alternate new suppliers and products is discussed.

Jan 1, 1989

The Australian Gas Light. Company was established in 1837, the first gas being sent out from the Kent Street Works, then the headquarters, in 1841. Mortlake Works were opened in 1886, and has since grown to the vast undertaking inspected by members of the Institute.The Kent Street Works were closed in 1921. The area of the, company's property at Mortlake is 117 acres.Some interesting figures from the statistics of the company's activities for 1937 are:-

Jan 1, 1938

By H W. Wu, D Humphreys

The structure of a comprehensive research project into mine fires study applying the Ventgraph mine fire simulation software, preplanning of escape scenarios and general interaction with rescue responses is outlined. The project has Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) funding and also relies on substantial mining company site support. This practical input from mine operators is essential and allows the approach to be introduced in the most creditable way. The effort is built around the introduction of fire simulation computer software to the Australian mining industry and the consequent modelling of fire scenarios in selected different mine layouts. Application of the simulation software package to the changing mine layouts requires experience to achieve realistic outcomes. Most Australian mines of size currently use a ventilation network simulation program. Under the project a small subroutine has been written to transfer the input data from the existing mine ventilation network simulation program to æVentgraphÆ. This has been tested successfully. To understand fire simulation behaviour on the mine ventilation system, it is necessary to understood the possible effects of mine fires on various mine ventilation systems correctly first. Case studies demonstrating the possible effects of fires on some typical Australian coal mine ventilation circuits have been examined. The situation in which there is some gas make at the face and effects with fire have also been developed to emphasise how unstable and dangerous situations may arise. The primary objective of the part of the study described in this paper is to use mine fire simulation software to gain better understanding of how spontaneous combustion initiated fires can interact with the complex ventilation behaviour underground during a substantial fire. It focuses on the simulation of spontaneous combustion sourced heatings that develop into open fires. Further, it examines ventilation behaviour effects of spontaneous combustion initiated pillar fires and examines the difficulties these can be present if a ventilation reversal occurs. It also briefly examines simulation of use of the inertisation to assist in mine recovery. Mine fires are recognised across the world as a major hazard issue. New approaches allowing improvement in understanding their consequences have been developed as an aid in handling this complex area.

Jan 1, 2005

In the plumbing of vertical shafts the methods employed and equipment used, are generally made to best suit existing conditions. Undoubtedly, there is no method that can be called standard or that can be used with equal ease and success on all shafts. At the Mount Isa Mines Limited property in Northern Queensland, Australia, local conditions have presented no major difficulties to be overcome in shaft plumbing work. In fact, compared to those at many shafts, the problem has been rather simple. There are three vertical shafts connecting main mine workings, with the greatest plumbing depth for any single lift, 350 ft.Other conditions pertaining to plumbing work have been generally normal.The method we have employed is, in principle, similar to the Weisbach orientation method with a variation that does not necessitate damping of the wires to bring them to rest. Although conditions encountered have not been such that damping the wires would have been inconvenient, we feel we have saved much time and eliminated unnecessary...

Jan 1, 1940

By A J. Scogings, W J. Shaw

The successful development of industrial minerals projects requires an integrated, holistic understanding of the metallurgical and product performance test work in the context of the geological setting of the deposit and applied to mining, processing and marketing of saleable products. The product specifications provide the essential starting point for geometallurgical studies. A sound understanding of the desired product is needed to design and interpret a program of test work. Examples are provided from recent studies on bentonite and graphite deposits.For bentonite projects, the naïve testing of only the cation exchange capacity (CEC) as a measure of purity can lead to unexpected outcomes when the deposit is mined. The CEC attribute may remain the same, while other important properties such as pH and swelling index change markedly with depth, due to weathering and oxidation, leading to disappointing production outcomes.For graphite projects it is not enough to report only total graphitic carbon content (TGC). Knowledge is required of the in situ flake size and textures in addition to purity and flake size distribution of extracted graphite, which may all vary from one domain to another across the deposit. Such geometallurgical attributes of the ore will impact on the ‘basket price’ used to estimate the value of marketable parcels of expected product.Disclosure of such information must be considered part of fully informing the market. As with all new project developments, consideration of the JORC (2012) and VALMIN (2015) Codes requires disclosure of all material information. This includes the geometallurgical characterisation, ie those aspects of the mineralogy that impact on resource evaluation, ore reserve definition and project valuation.CITATION:Shaw, W J and Scogings, A J, 2017. The importance of geometallurgical test work for industrial minerals projects, in Proceedings Tenth International Mining Geology Conference 2017, pp 83–92 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 20, 2017

The following paper describes the refining practice for the production of lead, silver and gold at the works of The Broken Hill Associated Smelters Pty. Ltd., Port Pirie, South Australia.The refinery is situated on the wharf frontage and is built parallel with it. The refinery occupies an area of approximately 3380 square yards. (Fig. 8)There are two buildings, one containing the softening and de-silverising sections, measuring 225 ft. x 57t ft., while the other building, which measures 225 ft. x 90 ft. covers the de-zincing, lead moulding, retorting, cupellation, and dore parting sections. (Fig. 1)The retorting, cupellation, and dore parting sections are completely isolated from the rest of the plant by strong small-mesh wire gratings welded to steel uprights. The dore parting plant and generator room are further isolated by a brick wall, built up to the roof. The two main buildings are steel structures, with outer walls and roof of "Robertson" corrugated sheeting; the side and end walls are open for some distance above the ground, and this, coupled with the high roof which is 50 ft. from ground level, ensures the free access of air and light. Conditions are such that operators work in a clear atmosphere.

Jan 1, 1937

The additional information that Clarke and Taylor (1982) provide about the important but poorly documented Ardlethan deposit is, of course, very welcome. However their contention that structural considerations, in conjunction with petrology, alter the interpretation of the mineralogical and geochemical data presented previously (Scott, 1981) is not accompanied by adequate supporting evidence. Indeed characteristics of the orebodies studied invalidate their arguments.Heterogeneity between matrix and fragments is not a problem in the South Cherry and Ardwest orebodies because most samples are comprised entirely of interlocking hydrothermal assemblages with a fabric and mineralogy that is uniform through both former breccia fragments and matrix. In hand specimen, the rock superficially resembles altered granite and, as indicated by Clarke and Taylor (1982), a brecciated texture is difficult to discern. In thin section, relict brecciated textures can be observed as localized changes in the grainsize or in the distribution of minerals that outline former breccia fragments (P. J. Eadington, 1982, personal communication).Because of the intense brecciation and comminution of rocks (fragments < 10 mm are usual) in the South Cherry and Ardwest breccia bodies, hydrothermal recrystallization was complete, resulting in homogenization of fragments and matrix. Furthermore, the amount of sample analysed (-100 g for drill core and 2-3 kg for hand specimens) is sufficiently large to be representative of both former breccia fragments and matrix. The Carpathia and Stackpool orebodies, with their abundance of sedimentary fragments, have alteration superimposed on a heterogeneous fabric, and were not studied. Thus the problems of differentiating between fragments and matrix (Clarke and Taylor, 1982) are irrelevant to the particular orebodies described in my paper.Within the alteration halo, which is several hundred metres wide (Paterson, 1976), the very uniformity of the alteration assemblages implies that subsequent, postmineralization brecciation is of only minor significance.Indeed tourmaline pipes in the Ardwest pit are less than several metres across (Clarke, 1979) and produce minimal alteration in the surrounding rocks. Therefore the interpretation of the mineralogical zonation is not compromised by the recognition of several periods of brecciation.

Jan 1, 1982

This paper focuses on two sites in the Mount Pleasant - McCormacks Bay area of Christchurch where residential development has taken place either within or immediately adjacent to former quarries for the extraction of volcanic rock. At the Quarry Road site less overburden was dumped on adjoining land around the turn of the century, and c.1980 dwelling and related construction took place on approximately 6 m of relatively loose fill material without the recognition of its presence or geotechnical characteristics. Subsequent settlements led to abandonment of a swimming pool and the underpinning of the 3-storey architect-designed house, whilst litigation brought by the owner resulted in findings of negligence against both the architects and engineers. At the Tramways Quarry site the Council approved subdivision of the former quarry area in the early 1980s without requiring any geotechnical evaluation of batter stability or related issues. During development it became apparent that significant blast damage had occurred to rock faces, necessitating a variety of remedial measures, and that waste materials had been dumped down faces without regard to long-term stability. Both case studies confirm the requirement for careful documentation of former quarry sites by territorial local authorities as part of their administrative function, and for detailed engineering geology and geotechnical evaluation of such areas prior to any residential use of the land.

Jan 1, 1998

Gold was determined directly in eight different mill cyanide solutions, by atomic absorption spectroscopy in an acetylene-air flame. Some of the mill solutions were diluted with water to bring them into the most sensitive absorption region (5-50 p.p.m. Au) whereas those solutions with very low gold content «2 p.p.m.) were concentrated by evaporation.Calcium was complexed with ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) to avoid the undesirable effect of a precipitate on atomization.When added to standard gold solutions, EDTA had no effect on absorption, nor did any of the impurities common in mill cyanide solutions.Known amounts of gold, ranging from 2 to 30 p.p.m., were added to mill solution'aliquots and recovered to within 100 ± 2·5 per cent. For duplicate determinations under normal worKing conditions, standard deviation was 1·32 p.p.m.Excellent agreement was found between atomic absorption gold values and accurate fire assay values.INTRODUCTIONAtomic absorption spectroscopy has been shown to offer a rapid and accurate method for the determination of trace amounts of a number of metal ions. In the field of primary metallurgy atomic adsorption has been used for routine determinations of lead, copper, silver, zinc, cadmium and iron in a variety of raw materials and intermediate products.The scope of atomic absorption spectroscopy was reviewed recently by Willis (1963).The noble metals silver, gold, platinum, rhodium and palladium were determined by atomic absorption from chloride solutions by Lockyer ·and Hames (1959). In their determination of gold down to 1 p.p.m., they found no interference from the noble metals, nor from considerable excess...

Jan 1, 1964

By Rixon K. L

Hargraves (1983) has reviewed the phenomenon of instantaneous outbursts of coal and gas with special attention to Australian occurrences. The purpose of this discussion is to highlight some problems and omissions in his review that reflect particularly on the authors' structural geological investigations of outburst-prone coal seams.It is surprising to find that much of the authors' reported work has either been glossed over or the results distorted by Hargraves (1983) and it is, therefore, important to clarify the contribution that structural analysis of coal seams can make.For many years it has been known that faults provided preferred loci for gas outbursts (for example, Briggs 1920-21) but the roie that faults played in outburstprone seams was unclear. The present authors reviewed the association of faults and outbursts drawing upon local investigations and the world-wide literature (Shepherd et aI., 1981), and discussed some wideranging aspects that result from the high coincidence of faults and outburst sites. Without repeating large segments of this article the authors will discuss four aspects of coal seam faulting and fracturing.

Jan 1, 1983

By Madgwick J. C

A novel, microaerobic, heterotrophic microbial leaching system for manganese dioxide is described. Mixed natural microflora were enriched by addition of sugars and crude plant nutrItIOnal supplements. Between 84 and 104 mg MnH was solubilized per gram sugar at I per cent (w/v) concentrations for fructose and galactose in the presence of 0.03 per cent w/v dried microalgae (a Chlamydomonas species). Some 42 per cent soluble manganese was dissolved by microbial action on MnO, (3 per cent (w/v) pulp density) using a 10 per cent (w/v) molasses growth substrate.

Jan 1, 1983

Demonstration of Solid-Liquid Separations Using Recycled Supernatant that Contains Temperature-Responsive Polymer The effective use of recycled supernatant that contains temperature-responsive flocculant is demonstrated for solid-liquid separations. The recyclability of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) of several different molecular weights and a 15 per cent negatively charged derivative are compared. Batch settling tests of a-alumina suspensions are first conducted at 50¦C, with a subsequent 25¦C period, after which the supernatant is harvested and used to flocculate subsequent suspensions. Using this procedure consecutive separations are obtained with the repeated recycling of uncharged PNIPAM containing supernatant. Batch settling tests indicate that hindered settling rates increase with molecular weight of PNIPAM. Adsorption studies indicate that strong adsorption of PNIPAM onto alumina occurs with PNIPAM at 50¦C and that significant desorption occurs after cooling at 25¦C. However, the extent of desorption decreases with molecular weight resulting in low amounts of PNIPAM for recycling and poor settling behaviour when high molecular weight PNIPAM is recycled. Little recyclability was evident using the negatively charged PNIPAM. On the basis of these findings a recycling-thickener apparatus that uses low molecular weight uncharged PNIPAM is proposed.

Sep 13, 2010

By P Hunger, H Günter, F Heinicke

High pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) have been used for more than 20 years to grind iron ore pellet feed. Besides coarse comminution (crushing), where HPGR are installed upstream of the ball mill, there are numerous flow sheets where HPGR are used after ball milling and dewatering for re- or finish grinding.There is a clear growing interest in grinding of pellet feed with HPGR during the last few years. In addition to their known advantages of low specific energy consumption, high availability, low steel consumption and improved pelletising processes the lower environmental load (reduced or no water consumption) became a strong driving factor for the application of HPGR in pellet feed grinding.This growing demand increases the interest in better understanding of the HPGR grinding process with fine iron ore concentrates. One of the most important process parameters is the moisture content of the feed material which influences the performance of the HPGR enormously. The HPGR can react to fluctuations of the fresh feed properties to a certain degree by adjusting grinding force and roller speed. Nevertheless, there are limitations by the physics of the compression process and the capability of water absorption by the concentrate. The capability varies for different concentrates and different specific surface areas. This fact has to be considered during engineering of the beneficiation plant.The paper focuses on the influence of feed moisture content on the HPGR performance in view of throughput, increase of Blaine number and process stability on the basis of numerous pilot plant tests, modelling results and industrial experiences.CITATION:Heinicke, F, Günter, H and Hunger, P, 2017. Influence of feed moisture on high pressure grinding roll pellet feed grinding, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 187–194 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

E. W. Stutchbury (Internationa~ Oombustion Aust. Ltd.) : Mr. Callcott made particular mention in his paper of erosion in primary air fans which are placed after the mill discharge. He adds that subsequent reduction in plant performance and resulting increased maintenance costs occur. It is generally assumed that this statement is substantially correct as the fan handles the complete output from the mill, but with modern materials, reduction in performance and subsequent .maintenance are not now a problem. This consideration of handling the pulverised coal in the fan is more than offset by the advantage of operating the mill under suction which results in cleaner operating conditions, simpler feeder arrangements and elimination of complicated seals on the mill.and feeder unit. It should be specially noted that whereas mill exhausters in the past have used chequer plate blades (sometimes with the addition of hard facing by electrode deposit) it is modern practice to provide fan blades of up to 1 in·. thick Ni-hard suitablyheat treated, with the circumferential section of the fan also in Ni-hard. By the use of this material large power...

Jan 1, 1957

The paper outlines the development of a solvent extraction process for the recovery of scandium, yttrium, thorium, and heavy lanthanides from waste sulphate liquor at the Port Pirie uranium treatment plant. A summary is given of known solvents for these elements, including the recently developed alkyl-phosphoric acid esters which are applicable to sulphate solutions.A kerosene solution of di- (2'-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (EHPA) has been suggested by some workers as a suitable solvent for fractionation of the lanthanides. Experimental work with this solvent showed that it could be used for initial recovery of the above elements from low concentrations in the complex sulphate liquor. In particular, scandium could be recovered as a high grade product by extraction with 0·lM EHPA, followed by a purification strip with 9N sulphuric acid, and final stripping of scandium with sodium hydroxide solution.To enable alkaline stripping to be used successfully, the kerosene solution of the reagent was modified by the addition of a small proportion of nonanol. Experimental work included laboratory scale batch tests and small pilot scale continuous tests.A proposed extension of the process for the separate recovery of individual heavy lanthanides, yttrium, and thorium is described.INTRODUCTIONAt the Port Pirie uranium treatment plant of the South Australian Government, large volumes of "barren liquor", free from 'uranium, are at present run to waste. This "barren liquor" results from sulphuric acid leaching of Radium,Hill uranium concentrate, followed by separation of solid residues and removal of uranium from the clear solution by ion exchange. The mineral davidite, from which the uranium is derived, contains other potentially valuable components, notably vanadium, chromium, thorium, yttrium, scandium, and the lanthanides. These constituents are...

Jan 1, 1961

Coal mining in New Zealand is principally a State-owned and controlled operation where the State produces 70 per cent of the coal in New Zealand and 65 per cent of coal mined in the Waikato. The State's flexibility in production quality and price makes them tough competition. Coal in the Waikato varies in quality considerably throughout the region making the high quality coal deposits as in the Huntly district a highly sought after commodity. The high quality of coal is often offset against transport costs as, for example, Maramarua coals can compete effectively in the Auckland market and dollar per calorific value basis.

Jan 1, 1984