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By B Lavin, R Sanford

This paper examines the application of Lean Manufacturing in a mining environment, based on experience within the Rio Tinto entities: Rio Tinto Aluminium, Northparkes Mines and Hunter Valley Operations. The three applications have tested the flexibility of the Lean methodology. Within Rio Tinto, Rio Tinto Aluminium was the first group to introduce Lean. The rollout began in late 2004. It was introduced firstly at Boyne Smelters, Gladstone, as a model site with the initial application in the Carbon Bake Furnace area. It was later extended to other sites including the Weipa Bauxite Mine. LeanÆs successful application within Rio Tinto Aluminium was in part responsible for its recent adoption by other Australian-based Rio Tinto business units including Northparkes Mines, a copper mining operation in Central New South Wales, and Hunter Valley Operations, a group of four coal mines in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Lean is also being adopted by Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Rio Tinto Aluminium introduced Lean Manufacturing to complement an existing Six Sigma business improvement program and to achieve continuous improvement activities at a workplace level. Lean provides a similar level of rigour and discipline to Six Sigma but its application is everyday and for everyone, everywhere in the workplace. It is a valuable management tool. In a short time, Lean has achieved good and sometimes spectacular results improving productivity and efficiency at all sites, including our mining site. Within Rio Tinto Aluminium, it has also had beneficial impacts on our ability to develop and retain employees.

Jan 1, 2006

By T Blenkinsop, A Jenkins, H Moore, L Fisher, N Oliver, J Cleverley, M Nugus, J McLellan, J Hill, N Brunacci

The 2 Moz Vogue mineral resource is a recent discovery at the Sunrise Dam gold mine (SDGM), lying approximately 600 m vertically below the Sunrise Dam open pit. Unlike most other lodes, which are dominated either by steep vein sets or shallow high-strain (shear) zones, it lies broadly in the hinge of a folded felsic porphyry body, where it cuts intermediate volcanic lavas and volcaniclastic rocks and is not specifically concentrated at a lithofacies contact. The mineralisation is controlled by a complex interplay of moderate to shallow, west-dipping high-strain zones that are transected by irregular and discontinuous high-grade, north-west-, north–south- and east–west-trending breccia sheets that initially caused problems with attempts to model broad domains. However, by combining the structural controls and styles with the distribution of gold, arsenic, sulfur and antimony, we have improved opportunities for scheduling, extracting and processing the most appropriate material considering the current mining and processing constraints.The early delineation process for the Vogue lode revealed a significant mineral resource for the SDGM, coupled with the recognition of some potentially difficult downstream implications for mining and processing. The ultimate success of mining at Vogue will be a consequence of combining standardised data collection and geological modelling techniques with the results of the novel innovative techniques applied at an early stage of the project.Innovation (in the truest sense) drives change and application to deliver efficient and effective outcomes. Initial data generation and interpretation in lodes above Vogue provided a sound geological model based on strong structural foundations, leading to ideas that could be tested and validated by stress inversion analysis and modelling simulations. Geomechanical modelling simulations, based on the structural analysis, then provided an insight into both the structural and fluid evolution of the system and highlighted target areas. This promoted support for deeper drilling and sampling, which lead to the discovery of Vogue.With additional data, the structural model for Vogue was re-engineered through combination with geochemical and hyperspectral analysis and detailed geological and geostatistical domaining. Initial poor results from metallurgical tests from a small batch sample refocused efforts to undertake mineral and chemical characterisation and profiling (geometallurgy) and combine this data with the composite geological-structural-geochemical model. The result is a conditional probability model for differentiating mineralised or waste domains, with direct outcomes for planning, drilling and mining.CITATION:Nugus, M, Oliver, N, Blenkinsop, T, Hill, J, McLellan, J, Cleverley, J, Fisher, L, Brunacci, N, Moore, H and Jenkins, A, 2014. Exploration and innovation – the discovery and evolution of the 2 Moz Vogue Gold Resource, Sunrise Dam Gold Mine, Western Australia, in Proceedings Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014 , pp 323–340 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 18, 2014

By E R. Ramanaidou, M A. Wells

Reflectance spectroscopy is now an established technique for mineral exploration and ore characterisation. The efficacy of the technique as a tool to characterise the main iron ore and gangue mineralogy at African Minerals Ltd’s Simbili iron ore deposit in north-central Sierra Leone was tested through reflectance spectroscopic analysis of 13 000 pulped drill reserve samples using CSIRO’s HyLogger-1™ system. Specifically, integration of reflectance spectral data with more traditional methods of analysis, such as geochemical analysis and Satmagan measurements, characterised the mineralogy (ie hematite versus goethite) of the oxidised ore at Simbili, quantified the Al associated with goethite and hematite and evaluated the distribution of the main gangue minerals – kaolinite and gibbsite. Relative changes in the Fe2+/Fe3+-bearing oxide and silicate mineralogy, based on mineral indices derived from reflectance spectroscopic measurements, appeared well-related to changes in the ore profile mineralogy consistent with the main ore types identified at Simbili, as representative of an oxidised banded iron formation sequence. Spectral calibration models, developed from a well-characterised training set of mineral mixtures, representative of the oxidised ore zone mineralogy were used to quantify the distribution of Al associated with kaolinite and gibbsite and the iron oxides, goethite and hematite. Combining these mineral spectral parameters with compositional data enabled the differentiation of Al-substituted goethite and hematite and resulted in the identification of low Al-bearing, or ‘clean’, goethite and hematite from high Al-bearing, or ‘dirty’, goethite and hematite. Spectral quantification of the iron oxide Al composition provides a far more rapid means of quantifying the Al substitution in iron oxides at the deposit scale compared to traditional techniques such as X-ray diffraction analysis. It also enables a level of volumetric characterisation and the potential for large-scale (ie three-dimensional) mapping, which was not previously possible with other techniques. The potential of the technique was also highlighted when mapping the distribution of the main Al-bearing contaminants (gibbsite and kaolinite) identified in the oxidised ore zone at Simbili. Delineation of such zones provides a guide to managing the most appropriate processing options (ie upgrade potential) within a mineralogical framework. Three-dimensional modelling of the gangue phase distribution may also allow the mapping of lithological and/or structural controls that may be prevalent at Simbili. This work highlights the value in the application of HyLogging™ technology for rapid resource characterisation, particularly for volumetric identification and mapping the distribution of both the economic and gangue phases, which otherwise would be difficult to achieve. As such, the technique can provide a fast and inexpensive means to evaluate ore and gangue mineralogy at the deposit scale and provide a first-pass assessment of the mineralogy and compositional attributes, with the potential to better predict ore metallurgical properties.CITATION:Wells, M A and Ramanaidou, E R, 2015. Waste not, want not – delving deeper into the Simbili iron ore deposit using HyLogging™ scanning technology, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 337–346 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By R J. Goldie

The Monty Copper Gold Deposit is an ultra-high grade mine in Sandfire Resource’s Doolgunna region which was completely drilled out and developed within two years of commencing mine development. During this period, a total of 986 grade control diamond drill holes were completed, assayed, and validated, 15 levels developed, and 3136 faces mapped. The aggressive schedule meant a high flow of geological data was produced, validated, and incorporated into regular geological model updates. To process this data at a rate which allowed for timely use, more robust data processing methodologies needed to be generated. A new validation system was implemented which required two levels of validation being applied to any diamond drilling update. Step one was the validation of initial physical data including survey pick-ups and logging. This was done prior to new drill data being added to the geological model. Step two was the validation of assay data which was required prior to resource estimation. The implementation of Seequent’s Leapfrog Geo modelling software also allowed for a more seamless and efficient modelling workflow. The use of the Leapfrog Geo vein systems allowed for more rapid generation of geological models which then afforded more time for stringent assessment of the mineralisation system. An example of this was the introduction of cross-shift peer reviews in which opposing rosters of geologists would rigorously evaluate the previous rosters work prior to reporting. This additional level of validation resulted in more robust geological models and the identification of new ore trends. This presentation will detail the evolution of the Monty Geological model from a simple tabular indicated resource into a complex highly refined measured resource. Themes will include how the model was produced using workflows developed and optimised to meet key deliverables.

Mar 22, 2022

By P Craig, I Canbulat, J Naylor, J Emery, A Sykes

Longwall mining is by far the most common method of underground coal extraction in Australia. Industry trends and expectations are placing increasing emphasis on the reliability and productivity of these operations. Longwalls are becoming wider and longer while retreat rates are continuously increasing due to significant improvements achieved in longwall equipment reliability and automation. This increased longwall productivity is placing significant emphasis on the reliability of longwall panel development.Although there have been significant improvements in the reliability of continuous miners and hydraulic drill rigs, the traditional resin-encapsulated bolt installation is still the principal method used in all major coal producing countries around the world. Anglo American realised that an opportunity existed to introduce an alternative roof bolt installation technique called ‘spin-to-stall’ (STS) into Australia. STS was first introduced by Anglo American Coal in South Africa, where it has been successfully used for over a decade, though implementation of South African STS resin in Australia has proven to be near impossible. Therefore, a new STS development project was initiated between Anglo American Coal and Jennmar Australia. This paper summarises the journey of this project, the results achieved and the successful implementation of STS at Grasstree mine.CITATION:Emery, J, Canbulat, I, Craig, P, Naylor, J and Sykes, A, 2014. Development and implementation of spin-to-stall resin at Anglo American’s Australian Underground Coal Operations, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 287–294 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

By A K. B Opitz, M Becker, J L. Broadhurst

"One of the key drivers of geometallurgy is to define the ore characteristics and their variability to build a geometallurgical model. The inclusion of waste rock properties and their variability is just as important, given that the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD) poses one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the mining industry. Formed through the oxidation of sulfide minerals in the presence of oxygen and water, ARD generation is exacerbated through the regeneration of lixiviates by naturally occurring iron- and sulfur-oxidising micro-organisms. In order to manage the potential risk of ARD pollution, timely, accurate, reliable and robust characterisation and prediction of the ARD potential of waste material is critical from an early stage in the mining process.This study demonstrates the use of the biokinetic-accelerated weathering test developed at the University of Cape Town to characterise the ARD potentials of gold waste rock samples under microbial conditions. These tests are performed in conjunction with standard characterisation tests to provide an indication of the potential for ARD generation under both chemical and biological conditions. Results provided information regarding the relative rates of acid neutralisation and acid generation, with the contribution of specific minerals to the observed behaviour considered through use of a detailed mineralogical assessment. Overall, the addition of the biokinetic test to the current geometallurgical characterisation and prediction toolbox will allow for relatively rapid assessment of the bulk kinetics of ARD generation.CITATION:Opitz, A K B, Becker, M, Broadhurst, J L, Bradshaw, D J and Harrison, S T L, 2016. The Biokinetic Test as a Geometallurgical Indicator for Acid Rock Drainage Potentials, in Proceedings The Third AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference (GeoMet) 2016, pp 183–192 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jun 15, 2016

By Massacci P

A review has been made of the studies focusing on methods for the description of grain -size distribution after breakage and, separa- tely, of the degree of liberation of the miner- al species making up the various grain-size classes of comminution products. The purpose of the study has been to de- velop an overall model of the phenomenon which, owing to the very effect of comminution, leads to the formation of grains that are generally of mixed composition. A calculation procedure has thus been de- veloped for the liberation function taken as the assessment of the distribution of mix com- ponents in the products obtained after a commi- nution process. The aim is to identify a func- tion which may, to a certain extent, simulate the variation of the grade-recovery function of an ore in relation to its degree of comminu- tion. The numerical model thus obtained has been tested out on results obtained experimentally.

Jan 1, 1986

By Mine F. J, Woods P. H

Waste waters from mine sites may be screened for all constituents of significance as a first step in establishing water quality criteria for protection of aquatic ecosystems. Inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) offers the capability to screen water samples and digest solutions for virtually all elements in the periodic table. This technique is therefore able to identify elements whose concentrations are elevated in waste waters and may be rarely present in background surface or ground waters. Such elements may be present in waters at only a few ¦g/L. ICP-MS has sufficient sensitivity to detect sub-¦g/L or even ng/L levels of many elements. Waste waters from most mining activities in the Northern Territory have been examined by ICP-MS. The concentration data provide the basis of a contaminant data base. The data can show specific tracers in the ore or mineral itself, subsequently found in waste water. An example is the presence of rhenium in uranium ore. Such trace elements may be present in soluble or insoluble chemical forms and are more useful as indicators when soluble and exemplifying conservative chemical behaviour. The approach described, based on ICP-MS screening of mine site waste waters, together with general physico-chemical variables, provides the most comprehensive means yet available of selecting variables for monitoring programs and ensures that key elements and/or their chemical species are not excluded from monitoring programs.

Jan 1, 1994

By Green A. D M

The establishment of the Imperial Smelting Furnace at Sulphide Coporation Pty. Limited for the smelting of zinc and lead made it necessary to design and install sintering capacity to produce approximately 500 t.p.d. of zinc-lead sinter. The updraught sintering process installed is a recent development and the plant was designed with adequate flexibility and equipment to enable operating staff to investigate the process and achieve maximum production under optimum operating conditions.Sulphur dioxide gases from the sinter machine are passed to a contact acid plant for the manufacture of sulphuric acid.

Jan 1, 1964

Brief summary of results obtained by a French-Japanese cooperative study on the bottom of trenches around Japan. The geophysical prospection, multi beam echo sounding and direct observation with submersible dives of the trench bottom clarified the details of the subduction of oceanic plates. It may be noted, among many new facts found: 1. The subduction and geologic structure resulted from the process is different according to the nature of subducting oceanic plate, and the geology of the land behind the trench. Thus the Nankai trough characterized by the developpement of accretionary prisms is contrasted to that of the Japan Trench where the basement rocks are exposed on the land side cliff of the trench wall. 2. The compressional tectonic situation prevailing in the trench bottom provokes the venting, along the fissures on the bottom, of water contained in sediments. Hydrocarbons contained in the sediments are comming out with water and give nutrients for bacteria. Clams, tube warms, sea slugs and shrimps are taking these bacteria as their food and biological communities with exceptionally dense population for the deep sea of more than 3000 meters in depth are formed on the field of accretionary prism and wall of the land side cliff. 3. An intense compressional tectonic field resulted from the subduction is inducing the transition from the subduction of oceanic plate to the collision of a part of the plate to the continental plate.

Jan 1, 1987

By D T. Feinstein, M B. Gotkowitz

In Wisconsin, state laws and regulations governing metallic mine permitting stipulate that protection of groundwater quality be assured indefinitely through all phases of the mining project, including development, active mining, reclamation, and long-term closure. By rule, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) requires that permit applicants use a numerical model to assist in the assessment of compliance with this requirement for all proposed mine-waste facilities. As a part of the compliance assessment, model calculations are used to predict groundwater solute concentrations through time at designated boundaries for comparison to current groundwater quality standards. In practice, this modelling requirement has involved the application of numerical solute-transport models. Our review of a solute-transport model submitted by the developers of a proposed mine near Crandon, Wisconsin, provides us with an opportunity to assess the usefulness of transport modelling as a permitting requirement. Recent evaluations of solute-transport models by other workers suggest limitations in predictive accuracy. Our review of the model submitted for this project also identified important limitations due primarily to uncertainty in calibration of model parameters at the undeveloped site. The utility of any model to predict project compliance or non-compliance with numerical standards is limited by the range of uncertainty of key model parameters, such as dispersivity and porosity. Uncertainty in the future behaviour of the solute source(s) also reduces the predictive power. Moreover, the site characterisation provided by the model may have limited power to describe the site condition post-development. Although these inherent shortcomings accompany the use of solute transport models at undeveloped sites, the requirement for model development and the ensuing technical review has substantially assisted in our evaluation of site conditions and project design. Through this process we have identified elements of the waste facility design that are crucial to the environmental viability of the project, resulting in modifications to original project proposals. While results from this model review will be used to evaluate compliance, additional benefits come from the identification of critical design features that enhance groundwater protection.

Jan 1, 2003

By P Malkin, S Thomas, P M. Stone, D Kostyuk

In open pit mining, it is common that the bottleneck to productivity and profit lies in the truck-shovel mining operation, especially as strip ratios and mining intensity have increased with resource depletion and advances in mining equipment capabilities. This paper outlines a study of truck-shovel productivity using a new proprietary discrete event simulation platform for truck-shovel operations called MineDES. The study will specifically address the issue of whether truck queuing at shovels should be considered productive or not, and how mining engineers can determine the optimal truck fleet size for specific operational configurations.The MineDES simulation platform will be described and illustrated, highlighting the features that make it an appropriate tool for conducting the experiments at the heart of this study. The study encompasses a set of experiments, consisting of a number of simple truck-shovel operational scenarios for a benchmark open pit mining operation, which are simulated using MineDES. Each experiment is designed to highlight different factors, which are most important in calculating the ideal truck fleet size and for understanding the marginal productive impact of each additional truck added to the fleet. The scenarios will principally address the issues of how different types and levels of unscheduled equipment downtime and process variation, combined with the traffic delays/congestion arising in more intense mining operations, will affect productivity. The results of the experiments are interpreted using a simple fit-for-purpose cost and revenue model in order to highlight the indicative cost of over- or under-trucked configurations.The study has found that the optimal fleet size that maximises productivity and value will, in the presence of even small process variation, lead to non-zero trucks queuing at shovels on average. As process variations and unscheduled downtime events increase in the truck-shovel system, the required fleet size to optimise productivity and value increases. MineDES provides a convenient platform for quantifying this for real operations.CITATION:Kostyuk, D, Thomas, S, Malkin, P and Stone, P M, 2014. Is truck queuing productive?, in Proceedings Orebody Modelling and Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2014 , pp 267–274 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 24, 2014

By Burford B. D, Johnson N. W, Rohner P

Under design philosophy, the Hilton concentrator produced lead, zinc and LGM (lead plus zinc) concentrates. The LGM (Iow grade middling) concentrate was produced by combining coarse middling streams from the lead and zinc circuits, regrinding and subsequent flotation. Mineralogical examination of the zinc circuit middling stream prior to regrinding suggested that production of zinc concentrate from the zinc circuit middling stream should be possible by rearranging existing plant equipment. Laboratory testing of samples of plant products, however, showed that regrinding combined wi th the usual reagent suite was nO1 sufficient to produce a zinc concentrate of the required specifications.Examination of the process water highlighted a problem with dissolved salts in the circuit water, which was solved by in-circuit precipitation of the dissolved ions with soda ash. Implementation of the procedure in the concentrator effectively transferred to the zinc concentrate all sphalerite previously recovered to the LGM concentrate.

Jan 1, 1994

Tomago sandbeds is an unconfined coastal aquifer located 20km. north of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. These sandbeds extend over an area of about 130km. The average aquifer depth is about 20m. with a mean transmissivity of about 400sq.m/day and a specific yield of about 0.2. The city of Newcastle and surrounding areas derive water from Tomago for potable purposes. The average extraction being about 50 ML/day. The iron value of the ground water varies between 5 and 15mg/1. This iron is removed by a conventional water treatment plant using Alum. The aquifer whilst principally quartzose also contains deposits of heavy minerals like rutile, zircon, ilmenite, etc., The mineral sand mining has been in progress at Tomago since 1972. Mining is carried out in a con- structed pond with a water depth of about 5m. on which is floated a suction cutter dredge that moves across the front of the pond using a water jet to entrain the soil from the ground surface to the bottom of the mineralised zone. Effect of mineral sand mining on ground water quality, particularly iron, was the subject of intensive investigations undertaken at Tomago since 1970. The effect on water quality was studied by collecting and analysing water samples from network of observation wells established during the period of mining. Water samples were collected about 4-5 years prior to mining and analysed for iron, sulphate, chloride, pH, etc., After mining the observation wells were re-established at the same locations and water samples were collected and analysed for at least 5 years after mining. Water samples collected from majority of the observation wells indicate an increase in iron levels. The level of increase is very site specific. The increase in iron is also

Jan 1, 1987

By Isobe K, Muchi I, Hsieh YS

Theoretical and experimental studies have been made-to clarify the physical and chemical behavior of the tuyere combustion zone of blast furnace. Gas streamlines around this zone were visualized by the use of the two-dimensional equip- ment. Close agreement between the observed stream- lines and the calculated ones is found. The three- dimensional experimental studies have revealed that there exists a so-called dry zone in the neighbor- hood of the raceway and the trickling liquid be- haves approximately like a continuum. A kinetic model is develdped to describe the behavior of coke combustion in the tuyere zone. The model is based on the reaction kinetics, the differential balances of heat and mass, and the mechanics of gas flows. Regarding-the-axial distribution of gas composition in the tuyere zone, good agreement is obtained be- tween the model prediction and the data observed in a working furnace by the other investigators. Cal- culated results-show that the maximum consumption of coke occurs at the intermediate region of the raceway. For the blowing of oxygen-enriched or high -humidity blast, the position at which the maximum consumption of coke occurs is shifted toward the tuyere nose. Similar effect is found when the par- ticle diameter of coke in the tuyere zone is de- creased. The solid flow pattern around the tuyere combustion zone was visualized by the use of the two-dimensional equipment in which the sublimation of dry ice particles in front of the tuyere was

Jan 1, 1981

By R N. Humphries, R J. K Thompson

Large-scale coal mining in South Wales dates back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries with the birth of ironmaking on an industrial scale. This rapidly gave rise to new and large communities with immigration from far and wide across the United Kingdom (UK). These new communities were largely dependent on coal mining and served as the main form of employment and social cohesion until the industry’s demise in the 1990s. With wholesale mine closure and the concomitant loss of employment, the extensive environmental degradation and chronic mine-related illness left a deep scar on the psyche on many still living in the South Wales mining communities. This coupled with memories of strife in the 1980s has resulted in ongoing hostility toward the surface coal mining of the remaining accessible coal reserves in the proximity of these communities.The purpose of this paper is to set out the historical basis of the concerns of these legacy mining communities in South Wales and explain how they are being positively addressed by both the recently evolved planning and regulation system and by today’s surface mining industry. Reference is made to experience gained from two recent applications for surface coal mining adjacent to former mining communities. Ways are suggested in the approval process that surface mining can work in more harmony with the local communities through working partnerships between the mining company, the authorities and regulators and the affected communities. It is concluded that partnership is key to creating a more responsive mine-operating culture and a means to securing approval for future surface coal-mining prospects in South Wales, and probably elsewhere too.CITATION:Humphries, R N and Thompson, R J K, 2014. Surface mining and legacy mining communities in South Wales, UK, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 399–412 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 16, 2014

By J Jackson

The term geometallurgy (or geometallurgical) first appeared in the literature some 40 years ago and has a wide range of definitions and perspectives which increases the barriers of communication between practitioners and across functional groups and management levels within organisations. However the consistent theme running through the diversity of definitions and perspectives is the requirement for close collaboration between the relevant disciplines. This concept of geometallurgy arguably goes back to the earliest days of the exploitation of mineral deposits, through the mid-1500s to the beginning of the 20th century.This holistic and integrated view was diminished during the 20th century due to a number of factors which included the commencement and continuing upward trend of large-scale mining and the expansion in production, the rise of scientific and classical management theories and methodologies, increase in specialisation and the development of traditional project planning. The re-emergence of geometallurgy in the late 20th century required the relevant functional units and disciplines to collaborate as a team. This necessitates a common understanding that the geometallurgical program’s goals must be obtained, which requires clear and consistent communication, particularly with the modern trend of virtual teams.A multi-dimensional construct is proposed to assist in providing a consistent approach in the communication of the context and purpose of both general and specific geometallurgical programs, thus simplifying communication. This geometallurgical construct consists of the dimensions of process span, response knowledge, variability knowledge, spatial knowledge, application and project phase in relation to extraction process(es) applied to geological materials from a mineral deposit. These dimensions are then linked to the phase of mineral project development in which the geometallurgical program is being applied, which ranges from advanced exploration through to operational execution. This paper outlines the multi-dimensional construct with examples of how the context, purpose and scope of geometallurgical programs can be clearly delineated and communicated.

Sep 5, 2011

By Cox SJD, Kramadibrata S

One of the major causes of accidents and loss of production in underground mines is falls of ground.As mines go deeper, higher stresses are encountered and strain energy stored in the rocks is more likely to be released dynamically. This results in bumping in the rock mass around a stope or development face. Such noises and increasingly difficult ground conditions are obviously a warning of more serious problems ahead. The activity is collectively referred to as rock bursting.In Australia the mining of metalliferous deposits is taking place at increasing depths at Mt Isa, Broken Hill and the Eastern Goldfields and ground control problems with rock bursts has already been experienced at all three sites.

Jan 1, 1990

Pongkor Gold Mines is one of seven units of production owned by PT Aneka Tambang (State owned mining company). The mine is located in the western part of Java Island, Indonesia. It is in the Bogor District and approximately 110 kilometres to the south of capital Jakarta. It is located in very steep hilly terrain intersected by many river valleys and the mine site is approximately 500 metres above mean sea level (see Figures 1 and 2 - Mine location map and picture)

Jan 1, 1997

By J Rutter, E Amini, D La Rosa, N Beaton, M Scott, F Faramarz, L Keeney

Anglo American’s Los Bronces copper mine in Chile has been conducting detailed assessments investigating value adding options for their asset. The mine has conducted several detailed Mine-to- Mill and Grade Engineering studies to investigate increased throughput and head grade and to quantifying the impact of these approaches across the life of mine. CRC ORE has two key technologies namely Grade Engineering and the Integrated Extraction Simulator. These two technology suites have been combined to understand the technological landscape and associated value drivers suitable for application at Los Bronces. Detailed ore characterisation test work was conducted to:  measure and spatially model the propensity of ores to naturally deport and  develop customised blast models for Mine-to-Mill and Grade Engineering evaluation The outputs of this work were utilised to develop a block model populated with a range on new Grade Engineering and blasting parameters suitable for scenario analysis. To facilitate scenario analysis a high-fidelity value chain model of the Los Bronces operation from blasting to concentrate production was built in IES. IES was combined with sophisticated analytical tools such as Neural Networks to develop and reconcile a fully integrated value chain. The value chain model made it possible to simulate in IES all available blocks in the block model to predict throughput and grade changes for different strategic scenarios. The scenario analysis was run across 24 strategic combinations of Mine-to-Mill and Grade Engineering and comprised several million simulations. The scenarios investigated each technology independently and jointly to provide an attributed block model that can feed forward into technoeconomic modelling to determine optimal execution strategies for the mine. This paper presents the first published study combining Grade Engineering and IES to provide mass simulation capability to investigate strategic options for a mining asset.

Nov 10, 2020