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The coal resources of the Singleton- Muswellbrook area of New South Wales are of major importance to Australia, and are likely to play a significant role in meeting the expanding demands for energy in many countries of the world. Coal resources of 45 thousand million tonnes of which 15 thousand million tonnes lie at a depth of less than 200m have been estimated. The history of coal mining in the area commenced in the mid 1800's and has been one of fluctuations in production but of rapid expansion in more recent years. It is destined to become the largest coal producing area in New South Wales. Coal is being won from the area by strip mining, open pit mining and by underground means. The techniques involved are described. The area is well endowed with infra- structure such as modern towns, railways, road- ways and access to port facilities. Production of both coking coal and steaming coal is expected to rise significantly within the next 25 years. A large proportion of the State's anticipated increased production to between 117 and 177 million tonnes by the year 2000 is likely to come from this area.

Jan 1, 1979

By S Hapugoda, J R. Manuel, M P. Ma, L Lu

Iron ore sinter quality depends heavily on the mineralogy, textures and physical structure of the sinter, which is formed upon solidification of the primary sinter melt. The interactions of the initial sinter melt with its surrounding materials will impact on the properties of the primary sinter melt and consequently the solidified structure of the sinter. By using a high-temperature visualisation system, in situ studies have been conducted on the effects of melt compositions (Al2O3, SiO2 and MgO) on the interfacial phenomena of the sinter melt on a natural iron ore substrate. It was found that the melt composition significantly influenced the wettability between the sinter melt and the iron ore substrate. The interactions between the sinter melt and the natural iron ore substrate were also examined. Such interactions can lead to further changes of sinter melt composition and hence the sinter melt properties that, in turn, further affect the wetting behaviour of the sinter melt.CITATION:Ma, M P, Lu, L, Hapugoda, S and Manuel, J R, 2013. Effects of melt composition on the interactions of sinter melt on a natural iron ore substrate, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2013 , pp 431-440 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 12, 2013

By D Roughsedge, J van der Sandt, L van den Berg

Axial flow fans are commonly used as auxiliary fans in underground mines to supply air to development headings. As diesel dilution requirements increase the fans used in conjunction with ventilation bags are becoming larger in diameter to move greater quantities of air over greater development distances. It is not uncommon for mining operations to sometimes use a number of these larger auxiliary fans with high airflow capacity in parallel as primary fans for the operations. These primary fan stations are often considered temporary installations and the fan selection and fan station design is rarely optimised. These temporary installations may become permanent resulting in an inefficient or unreliable primary ventilation system. A recent study looked at the likely causes of multiple primary fan failures at one operation with axial fans installed as primary units where the fan selection and fan station aerodynamic design was far from optimal. This paper explores some of the typical mechanisms of failure such as high pressure stall, unbalanced airflow, and fan tip speed as well as fabrication material. The paper proposes a number of good practise principles that should be considered during the design of a fan station. A second topic covered is the advantages and disadvantages of using different types of fans such as axial, mixed flow and centrifugal units. Here the concept of fan specific speed and its relevance to fan selection is discussed. Finally the paper quantifies the effect of using a high pressure auxiliary fan as a primary fan in a low pressure circuit, which may increase the mineÆs operation cost.CITATION:van der Sandt, J, van den Berg, L and Roughsedge, D, 2013. Practical considerations when using auxiliary axial flow fans as a primary mine fan, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 63-70 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

Process variables in flotation circuits are outlined with a view to producing mathematical models of circuits. The nature of the kinetics of flotation are discussed and the effect of process variables on the kinetics considered. An approach for a possible model is briefly outlined.

Jan 1, 1971

Following the preparation of tantalum oxide and carbide (1) an investigation of the details relating to the production of tantalum metal powder was planned. From the literature (2) it was evident that tantalum could be produced either by reduction of potassium tantalum fluoride with an alkali metal or by electrolysis of a fused salt mixture containing a tantalum compound. The latter method appeared to be the more suitable and, as there was considerable divergence of opinion in the literature as to the nature of the reactions involved, it was decided to study the electrolytic process. The ultimate aim in any case was to produce tantalum pOWder for use in an investigation of the problems relating to the preparation of consolidated tantalum.FACTORS GOVERNING ELECTROLYSISAfter a few preliminary exploratory electrolyses several factors which needed amplification were revealed. These will be mentioned before the details of the electrolysis experiments are given.COMPOSITION OF THE BATHWithout the knowledge gained in the preliminary experiments it would be thought that the best material for the bath would be that one which underwent electrolytic decomposition. Consider what at first appeared the most likely - namely - potassium tantalum fluoride. The melting point of K2TaF7 was determined to be 630°C with volatilization and decomposition taking place at that temperature so that it would not have been very satisfactory.

Jan 1, 1946

The Hishikari gold deposit, discovered by the Metal Mining Agency of Japan, has become a giant class epithermal gold deposit with the highest grade of gold yet recorded in the world through detailed exploration and development by the Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. The exploration strategy involved a regional approach combining geological and gravity surveys over a 900 km2 area which had historically produced over 120 t of gold. These surveys were carried out to grasp the common geologic features of epithermal gold deposits in the survey area. A genetic model for epithermal gold deposits in the area under regional survey was also considered based on detailed research of the Kushikino epithermal gold deposit which was in operation at that time. This model was applied to the targeted areas, and important relationships between mineralization, host lithology, intensive propylitic alteration and gravity highs became apparent. The Hishikari block was selected in this way and bonanza gold was discovered during drilling. Since the development of the Hishikari mine, information useful for further exploration for the same type of deposit has been accumulated.

Jan 1, 1995

By K Lee, L Mann, J Bygrave, G Sheldon

Ausmelt is supplying commercial quantities of an alkyl hydroxamate flotation collector AM28 for flotation of oxide and supergene base metal ores and tailings. AM28 is a non-hazardous product used as a ten per cent to 50 per cent solution in dilute potassium hydroxide. It is a selective flotation collector for oxide or oxidised base metal minerals and replaces conventional sulfidisation for oxide mineral flotation. At Radio Hill, the AM28 is used in conjunction with traditional sulfide collectors, which allows simultaneous flotation of oxide and sulfide copper minerals. The Fox Resources Radio Hill copper concentrator near Karratha, Western Australia, is currently configured to treat supergene copper ore sourced from the West Whundo open pit. This Archean VMS type copper deposit has been deformed and remobilised with uplift, erosion and weathering to form a significant supergene zone. The sulfide copper minerals present in the upper zone are digenite and chalcocite with lesser chalcopyrite and covellite. Oxide copper minerals present include cuprite, with lesser malachite and azurite. Gangue minerals include quartz, talc and chlorite. Plant trials at Radio Hill are reported for supergene West Whundo ore, where the AM28 was stage added into the circuit at nominally 80 g/t. Plant data over three months shows the copper recovery increased consistently from around 50 - 60 per cent to above 70 per cent when AM28 was added. This has been proven statistically. The grade of the concentrate was consistent with and without AM28, at nominally 22 - 24 per cent copper.

Jan 1, 2007

By Morrell S

As more and more autogenous and semi-autogenous mills are run in closed circuit with cyclones the limitations that can be imposed by poor grate and pulp lifter design are becoming increasingly apparent. Relevant literature on the subject is al

Jan 1, 1997

The development of the Moura Coal Preparation Plant is described, commencing with the first'stage of the plant commissioned in 1963. The subsequent expansion stages are traced through to October, 1973. The plant has undergone frequent stages of expansion and modification and this process is continuing. The development programme for 1974 is described as proposed in late 1973. The characteristics of the Moura and Kianga field coal seams with respect to washability are summarised and some comment is made on the blending of these coals prior to washing, to ensure production of export grade coal within specification.

Jan 1, 1974

By J Mar·n, R Anderson, S Strohma, R Harvey

Xstrata is the operator of both Minera Alumbrera Ltd (50 per cent Xstrata, 50 per cent Wheaton River) and Ernest Henry Mining Pty Ltd, (99.99 per cent Xstrata), both copper-gold deposits, using conventional SAG/ball milling at current capacities of 36 Mt/yr and 10.3 Mt/yr respectively. Alumbrera is located in Catamarca Province, in the north west of Argentina. Ernest Henry is located in Cloncurry, north west Queensland, Australia. Both operations started in late 1997, with commercial production achieved in early 1998. Different designs and equipment are in use for both operations, however the evolution of SAG milling performance, although logically related to their specific features, reflect similar trends of consistent increases in throughput. This paper will discuss the main changes to the SAG mill liners in both operations and the results achieved to date. A summary of the operating strategies will be included.

Jan 1, 2003

The character of alluvial gold deposits presents severe difficulties, and sometimes limitations, on the extent to which metallurgical efficiency can be measured. Very little monitoring of metallurgical performance is practised. An indication of performance is often extracted from the comparison of production to the estimate. This is a dubious practice. The recovery efficiency of conventional practices, viz sluices, tables and jigs, falls off sharply below 0.2 mm. Field evaluation procedures tend to simulate these conventional practices. Thus the presence of fine gold may not be detected, particularly if obscured by clay. There is increasing evidence that fine gold could, in places, be present in sufficient concentrations to be economic. Most gold in paleoplacers is finer than 0.1 mm. There are established practices elsewhere in the mineral industry that may physically recover gold down to 5 microns in size and which could find application for fine alluvial gold.

Jan 1, 1984

By H Barrie, L Ameglio

"Current methods for acid rock drainage (ARD) mitigation revolve around insulation of the waste from oxygen in the atmosphere with water and dry (soils and liners) covers. Both are of limited effectiveness and present significant drawbacks. Furthermore, while they reduce oxygen influx, they reduce but do not prevent ARD.The inert gas mixture (IGM) technology has been designed to overcome the deficiencies of gas transfer into tailings and waste rock materials across the surface and instead block oxidation by controlling the transfer of oxygen from the atmosphere. Inert gas is injected into the mine waste at low flow rates and the positive but low flow purges the oxygen that tends to diffuse into the sulfide waste across the surface. The positive flow of IGM compensates for inward oxygen diffusion and creates a pressure drop across the cover layer preventing inward diffusion of oxygen and, hence, acid generation.The IGM processes are evaluated in this paper: theoretically, with a review of the theory of ARD and the current state of knowledge about the performance of notably dry covers as atmospheric oxygen barriers via models to predict the performance of the IGM technique practically, with a bench-scaled experiment.The results demonstrate the effectiveness of IGM to prevent oxidation of sulfide minerals and ARD in waste rock. The laboratory experiments further identified key variables to be used to monitor performance and control efficiency of IGM, which is now awaiting field-scale application.The IGM technology is a patented process by Terraquest Technologies Ltd (Canada) in USA, Canada and Australia. The IGM technology can be cost-effectively manufactured on-site with commercially available compressors and gas filtration membranes. It is predicted that low-cost covers can then be utilised with IGM, which in turn lowers the overall capital costs of ARD mitigation.CITATION:Ameglio, L and Barrie, H, 2015. Acid rock drainage prevention using inert gas mixture technology, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century, pp 85–96 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jul 27, 2015

THE paper is principally eoncerncd with experimental work carried out the author whilst a number of the metallurgical staff at the Cockle Creek works. The metallurgical has been discussed sufficiently for the reader to follow the course of the experiments but the actual plant has only been described in so far as it effected metallurgical treatment, since the arrangement of such a smelter is a matter of common knowledge.The lead-roasting plant consisted of Godfrey roaster, Dwight-Lloyd maehines and Huntingdon-Heberlein pots. The usual treatment was in the Godfrey furnaces, followed by sintering in the Huntingdon- Heberlein pots. The paper is divided into two parts in the Godfrey furnaces and Huntingdon-Heberlein pots. An account of experiments on the utilization of the hood gases from the Huntingdon-Heberlein pots for acid making...

Jan 1, 1924

The reduction in the number and duration of machinery and equipment failures is an important source of economical efficiency enhancement in the Polish coal mining industry.Non-dismantling methods have been thus developed to evaluate the technical state of machines. Among these viroacoustical methods are the most effectively employed. Two-directional organisation of the testing can be chosen, such as periodical and continuous inspection. The monitoring methods for ball bearing, rope tension uniformity, longwall shearers, main fans and shafts installations etc. Instrumentation for monitoring measurements are either of intrinsically - safe or explosion - proof construction, which enables using them in a gas-hazard atmosphere. The development of these procedures has led to the trials to insert the diagnostic methods into the organisational scheme of a coal mine.

Jan 1, 1991

This paper outlines the advances made in vacuum filtration as developed by Outomec Process Filters and details the results obtained at a number of Australian installations. The first section of the paper details the technical advances made by the use of ceramic media in vacuum filtration and explains the reasons for the use of the technology. The second part of the paper discusses a number of Australian installations of the ceramic vacuum filter and where possible compares the actual experiences with those predicted from the test work which preceded the installations. The Ceramec Capillary Vacuum Filter is a vacuum disc filter which combines the proven mechanical attributes of a disc filter with exciting new ceramic vacuum technology from Outomec of Finland.

Jan 1, 1991

By Rosenblatt M, Gilroy J. A C Cunningham C V B

Vaal Reefs Exploration and Mining Company Limited operates one of the largest producing gold mines in the world. The annual production of 76 tons of gold from 12 million tons of ore treated is obtained mainly from underground sources. Daily some 6.6 km of stope face is blasted and 41 tons of explosives is used to break the rock. The mine employs 45 000 men of whom 35 000 work underground. The company operates nine large vertical shaft systems of which seven extend more than 2000 m below surface and an eighth, currently being sunk, will bottom at 3700 m below surface.

Jan 1, 1995

This paper summarises the influence of slurry rheology on the grinding throughput of batch laboratory and continuous plant-scale mills operating in open and closed circuit configurations. The results of controlled changes in percent solids, particle size, slurry temperature, and viscosity control chemicals are demonstrated. An underlying rheological explanation of the above factors is offered which involves tying the specific rates of breakage that are occurring in the mill with the specific rheological character that the slurry is exhibiting at any given set of operating conditions. Some industrial scale operating guidelines are presented which have proven useful in increasing the net pro- duction capability of grinding circuits.

Jan 1, 1978

By A R. Sale

This paper highlights two aspects of the mineral sands industry in Australia: the development of the industry from approximately 1870 through to 1980, and the author’s experience in the industry from 1966 to date.The first real heavy mineral (HM) mining in Australia started in 1870 with the mining of heavy mineral slicks on the beaches along the east coast of Australia. The real potential of Australian heavy minerals was however only realised in the 1920s with the first production of a heavy mineral concentrate that was shipped to Canada for processing. Post WW 11 and the Korean War, Australia was the largest producer of mineral sands products in the world as well as a significant developer of associated separation equipment and technology. The number of producing companies in the east coast peaked at 33 in 1957, was reduced to ten by 1965, and subsequently further reduced to five in 1980 as a result of potential mining areas being declared National Parks or Conservation Reserves. Today there is one company, Unimin Australia Pty Ltd (formally Consolidated Rutile Ltd) operating on the east coast. In contrast there were three companies on the west coast in 1965, four companies in 1980, and four companies today (albeit not the same companies).There have been considerable ups and downs for the industry in Australia, however world wide it was renowned in the past as being an industry that attracted numerous interesting and innovative characters that played a major role in developing it into the vibrant industry that it is today. This, given the current climate, is predicted to continue into the future.The author has been continuously involved in the industry for over 45 years from 1966, initially as an electrician at Consolidated Rutile Ltd culminating in the role of General Manager/President of Iluka Resources Limited USA, prior to his retirement in 2009. His exposure has been world wide and has covered all aspects of the industry but in the main focused on project development and operational areas. During this time there have been significant technological advances, yet to some extent the basic principles have not changed at all. Some of the most noteworthy advances include the development of the Wright Spiral in 1977, the development of the Reading High Intensity Wet Magnet (WHIMS), the rare earth magnets, the CRL floating thickener and the improvement of analytical techniques. From a safety, health and environmental perspective there has been significant advances that the industry has much to be proud of. These include wetland restoration both in Australia and in the US, the restoration of farmland in Virginia and Capel, and the re-establishment of native species, for example at Eneabba and Richards Bay to name but a few.

Oct 5, 2011

In the flotation of fine particles, problems arise which do not occur with coarse-ground pulps. For example, the presence of colloidal or near-colloid- al gangue particles gives rise to ex- cessive entrainment in the froth, with reduced grade as a consequence. If the values themselves are finely dissemi- nated, the recovery usually decreases as the particles diminish in size, so a low recovery is combined with poor grade. Sutherland and Wark (1955) referred to the complications arising from the presence of fines, indicating (p.382) that fine grinding "introduces diffi- culties that have not yet been satis- factorily overcome". At the time of writing, very little work has been done on fines flotation specifically, yet the groundwork has been well laid. The availability of better scientific instruments, together with the general advance of understanding in a wide variety of relevant research fields, has taken us a long way toward finding the reasons behind the problems as- sociated with fines, and also toward finding practical solutions. It would be useful to define what is meant by "fine" particles before going further. To some extent, the definition is somewhat elastic as far as flotation is concerned, because the density of the particles has a bearing on whether or not they act as fines. But in general we are dealing with particles less than about 20 pm in Diameter.

Jan 1, 1984

Any future developer of underground mining on the Bendigo goldfield will need to understand the unique geology and gold occurrence of this field. The development and sloping system employed will be primarily designed around these unique features. Modern techniques and equipment used in narrow vein mining will be applicable in this situation.The purpose of this paper is to examine the important geological features of the field as well as the known historical occurrences of the type of gold deposition in the ore bodies. This information will point to a system of development and extraction which will accommodate these features.

Jan 1, 1993