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By G D. Richmond, J C. Chomley

Copper has been mined intermittently at Gunpowder, north of Mount Isa, since 1927. Most ventures have had some initial success but fluctuating copper prices, the small-scale of the operations and the remoteness of the site led to closures or sale. Processing routes have included direct sale of high grade ore, flotation of oxide and sulphide concentrate, and copper cement production from mine solutions. Copper cathode has been produced by heap and in-place leaching coupled with solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW). Aberfoyle Limited recently purchased the Gunpowder operation and is expanding operations. An innovative high recovery tank leaching process, including a low temperature, low pressure autoclave, has been adopted. Copper cathode will be produced from an expanded solvent extraction/electrowinning plant at approximately 45 000 tonnes per year. The combination of expanded throughput and high metal recoveries will make Gunpowder a cost competitive producer.

Jan 1, 1998

By Aiming Z, Shenyi S, Xialei W

Zhangmatun Iron Mine is situated in the suburbs of Jinan city. Shandong, China. Because of surface environmental constraints, no suitable site can he selected to dispose of mill waste. The full mill tailings must be disposed of underground. This paper deals with the work conducted at Zhangmatun mine to develop a total tailings backfill system, taking advantage of a double- shaft blade mixer and an activating agitator to prepare backfill. Cement and ground slag are added to tailings for strength development. Two scopes have been filled and the pillars have been effectively mined out during the field trial. The application of innovative total tailings backfill technology is a new concept at the mine. Detailed planning has achieved a close integration of mining, milling and backfilling. Full mill tailings, with or without rock, are disposed of underground in a continuous process to fill, totally and systematically, the cavities formed by mining.

Jan 1, 1998

By J Rayner, R P. Langmead, J A. R Coote

Gosowong is situated within the Neogene magmatic arc of Halmahera island in the Maluku province of eastern Indonesia. It was discovered as the result of a rigorous ground reconnaissance program in an area with no previous mining activity. The broad structural setting in the Gosowong District comprises an elongate dome formed by the forceful upward intrusion of magma along a deep-seated structure, resulting in associated tensional fracturing trending parallel to the long axis of the dome. Four copper-gold porphyries and numerous low-grade epithermal veins occur within this mineralised corridor, with the Gosowong Deposit being the only economic occurrence discovered to-date. Gold mineralisation is hosted within multiphase epithermal quartz-adularia and quartz-chlorite fissure veins, breccias, and stockworks. High-grade gold mineralisation is emplaced in two gently south-plunging ore shoots along a 400 m section of the north-striking, east-dipping, Gosowong Fault, the primary control on mineralisation. The Gosowong Fault is believed to be a tensional fracture associated with uplift of the dome. Lithological variation and structural intersections play a large role in grade distribution within the vein zone. Host rocks comprise a wide range of shallow marine, intermediate-basic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of ?late Miocene age. The Gosowong gold deposit is a classic example of a low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposit, based on the abundance of adularia and illite in the alteration assemblage, and low base-metal sulphide content within quartz-adularia veins. The indicated resource is estimated at 0.99 Mt at 27 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag for a total of 870 000 ounces Au, using a cut-off grade of 2 g/t Au.

Jan 1, 1999

Mining of the Martha Hill epithermal gold deposit via open pit methods will excavate a pit to 15 m below sea level. Regular geotechnical evaluations of pit slopes have taken place. Details of the various components of these evaluations, including geological structure, material strength, and groundwater, are covered. Pitwall geological structures are represented clearly on pit floor grade control maps with the dominant sets being steeply dipping strike fractures. Cross cutting shears are common. Material strength is reflected by the oxidation status of the hydrothermally altered host rocks, with weaker material occurring in partially oxidised ground. Regional groundwater is generally high, particularly on the north-eastern side of the pit, where it has been little affected by de-watering. Geological structures appear to control the flow of groundwater in the proximity of pitwalls and require draining by the introduction of horizontal drains. An overview of pit slope design is given. Slopes are designed for overall slope stability, allowing for the occurrence of minor interbench failures.

Jan 1, 1991

By C Sellens, L D. Fabbro, S Vink

The Fitzroy River Aqua-Eco Health Project is a collaborative research project between the Central Queensland University, the University of Queensland and BMA. It is designed to assess the aquatic ecology and health of the streams within the Fitzroy catchment located adjacent to mine sites. The universities are conducting an independent sampling program expected to yield the most comprehensive monitoring to date. The project design incorporates in situ testing of water quality variables including temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, oxidation reduction potential, pH and turbidity. Water and sediment chemistry incorporate testing for sulfate, suspended solids, nutrients and metals. This sampling is complemented by quantifying changes in the abundance and diversity of a wide range of biota, including microbial, macro invertebrates and fish.This paper will detail the program and highlight some of the particular difficulties in conducting this type of research in ephemeral stream systems. Case study examples will be used to illustrate insights being gained from the program. CITATION:Fabbro, L D, Vink, S and Sellens, C, 2013. The Fitzroy Aqua-Eco Health Project, in Proceedings Water in Mining 2013, pp 117-120 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 26, 2013

By M I. Pownceby, N A. S Webster, A J. Studer, I C. Madsen, J A. Kimpton, M J. Fisher-White, L Lu

In situ synchrotron X-ray and in situ neutron diffraction-based experimentation have been implemented to characterise the formation of the complex calcium ferrite iron ore sinter bonding phases silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium (SFCA) and SFCA-I. Experiments were carried out using fine-grained (<20 ¦m) sinter mixtures containing ~77 wt per cent Fe2O3, 14 wt per cent CaO, 3.5 wt per cent SiO2 and 5 wt per cent Al2O3, with diffraction data collected during heating until 1300 - 1350¦C, which was enough to ensure complete melting of the SFCA phases. In the case of the in situ synchrotron experimentation, results showed that altering the nature of the starting sinter mixture (ie substitution of goethite for hematite; substitution of an amorphous Al2O3-based mineral for gibbsite) did not have a significant effect on the thermal stability range of the SFCA phases. It did, however, have a profound effect on the formation and rate of consumption of the calcium-rich ferrite phases C2F and CF, and on the formation mechanisms of SFCA and SFCA-I. The in situ neutron diffraction experimentation is the first described in the context of iron ore sintering, and the observation of both SFCA-I and SFCA formation in the in situ diffraction data represents the first step in achieving the goal of charactering iron ore sinter phase formation in large volumes of industrial sinter starting materials with a wide range of particle sizes (up to 6.3 mm).CITATION:Webster, N A S, Pownceby, M I, Madsen, I C, Studer, A J, Lu, L, Manuel, J R, Kimpton, J A and Fisher-White, M J, 2013. In situ x-ray and neutron diffraction studies of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminium iron ore sinter phase formation, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2013 , pp 487-494 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 12, 2013

By R N. Lamb, A N. Buckley

Experiments have been carried out to establish whether time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is able to differentiate monolayer and multilayer coverage of thiol collectors on sulfide minerals. The systems investigated were those for which x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is able to provide an independent determination of the extent of coverage, and included diethyldithiophosphate (DTP) and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) on chalcocite, DTP on Ag2+MS prepared by sulfidising metallic silver, and isobutyl xanthate (BX) and MBT on galena. For monolayer adsorption of MBT on chalcocite, peaks from MBTû but not Cu(MBT)û ions were evident. For multilayer coverage, Cu(MBT)2û ions were clearly present, notwithstanding the fact that other data had identified the principal multilayer species as Cu(MBT). For adsorbed DTP on copper and silver sulfides, DTPû and metal(DTP)Hû peaks were observed for monolayer and multilayer coverage. Although the multilayer species was expected to be predominantly metal(DTP), metal(DTP)2û ions were evident for multilayer (but not monolayer) coverage. For the PbS/BX system, intact Pb(BX)2 or Pb(OH)BX ions were not detected for multilayer coverage, although Pb-containing ions heavier than PbBX were. Indeed, for all the systems studied, ToF-SIMS was able to differentiate monolayer from multilayer coverage. In general, however, the SIMS evidence alone might not be sufficiently definitive to effect the differentiation. In the case of collector adsorption on copper and silver sulfides, if the multilayer species detected had been the metal monothiolate only, and had not involved the formation of some metal dithiolate, then ToF-SIMS might not have been able to provide an unequivocal differentiation of the two coverage conditions.

Jan 1, 2005

By V Rimal, d M. Tangstad

Multiphase slags form the basis of the reduction pathway for manganese ferroalloy production. The present work aims to understand the flow of slag through the coke bed based on experimentation in controlled conditions. Synthetic slags of different basicities were evaluated for their phase composition, viscosity, and flow. The two-phase slag will have two zones: a liquid slag zone and a multiphase zone. The multiphase zone will consist mostly of a solid phase with some liquid slag between the solid particles. The multiphase part will hence have a high viscosity. The liquid zone will flow into the coke bed while the multiphase area will stay. With increasing reduction, the multiphase area will decrease in size until the solid phase is gone and the whole slag will flow into the coke bed. The effective viscosity of slag will decrease with the lowering of the solid oxide phase. The results from flow experiments confirmed that the segregation of phases occurs when slag flows through the coke bed. It is observed that the flow is dependent both on the size of the void and the viscosity of slag.

Aug 21, 2024

By M I. Pownceby, A Guiraud, S Purohit

Sticking and breakage of iron ore pellets during high temperature reduction can result in several operational challenges during shaft furnace ironmaking. With the shift to H2-based DRI processes and decreasing iron ore quality, this issue becomes more prominent. It is therefore important to understand how the iron ore chemistry and mineralogy affects the sticking and breakage of pellets inside the shaft furnace. This study provides a review of the mechanisms that lead to sticking and breakage of pellets inside the shaft furnace. The sticking index of pellets is related to the rate of metallic iron production as well as the precipitation morphology of product iron. Sticking of pellets is also enhanced by the formation of low-melting slag phases. The breakage of pellets inside the shaft furnace is often associated with the mechanical load of burden and pellet swelling, which is caused due to iron whisker or protruded iron formation. This paper investigates how the composition of iron ore, particularly the presence of different impurity oxides such as SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO and alkali oxides in the pellets, influences the sticking and swelling indices. The effect of ore mineralogy on these adverse behaviours is also discussed.

Sep 18, 2023

By JSrvinen A, Yll÷ E

At Cominco's Zinc Refinery at Trail, British Columbia impurities are removed from zinc sulphate electrolyte by a two-stage purification process using zinc dust. Copper, cadmium and thallium are removed in the first stage whereas cobalt is removed in the second stage. Cobalt removal kinetics are affected by soluble antimony and copper additions to the electrolyte. This study was focused on the kinetics of cobalt removal by zinc powder cementation. Experimental variables included copper and antimony concentrations, pH and temperature. Common organic additives employed in zinc plants were studied to determine potential interactions with the cobalt removal process. Cementation products obtained from laboratory experiments and plant practice were studied using SEM. A number of significant results were obtained: 1. Copper and antimony ions were sustantially removed from solution during the early stages of the cementation reaction (within the first 15 minutes). Cobalt cementation kinetics are slow and follow a first order kinetic regime. 2. A drop in the cobalt removal rates can be correlated with a rise in the Eh of the slurry. 3. Ligninsulphonate, Percol 351 and animal glue at levels of 2 mg/L significantly impede cobalt cementation.

Jan 1, 1993

By Forrester P. I, Richardson W

Methane in coal mines is an ever present hazard resulting in loss of lives and serious economic consequences. For effective control of methane, ventilation alone may not be totally adequate in some situations. In order to deal with such cases, new methods for the control of methane are being researched. One such method based on biotechnology has been investigated in Canada in the past several years. This method involves bringing methane oxidizing micro- organisms into contact with coal to oxidize the methane released to non-flammable products.

Jan 1, 1988

By C R. Fountain, W R. Cannings

The zinc-lead-silver mineral resource at Lady Loretta ranks amongst the worldÆs richest when measured in terms of in situ metal grades. However, the project remains undeveloped 28 years after its discovery in 1969. The primary obstacle to development has been the fine and complex grain structure of its ores, which make flotation concentration inefficient even with fine grinding. The size and remote location of the deposit have also hindered exploitation. BUKA planned to directly fume the volatile target metals from the ore when it acquired the project. Intensive, post-acquisition modeling showed the innovative processing route to be uneconomic, notwithstanding high metals recovery and low waste content in fume product. Progressive modifications and supplements to the underlying fuming process enhanced economics and resulted in a new mine-to-metal processing route for zinc-lead-silver ores. The proprietary, three-stage BUKA Zinc Process offers technical, economic and environmental advantages. It is expected to find widespread application in the treatment of ores and residues. However, neither continued R&D nor application to Lady LorettaÆs currently delineated resource can be justified under prevailing market conditions. The objectives and results of each step in the process development sequence are outlined with reference to their impact on the commercial viability of the Lady Loretta project.

Jan 1, 1998

By Harrison AT, Smart RM

Backfill systems using unconventional cementitious hinders have been successfully used in relatively deep and hard rock tabular mines for longwall, scattered stoping and shaft pillar removals. Two unconventional cementitious systems are discussed: 1. A ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) with an activator containing lime. This has been used with a total tailings 'stable' slurry at a relatively low dosage of less than seven per cent, by mass, based on dry solids. The room and pillar stopes supported with this fill were up to 20 in high and the tailings were relatively high in pyrite. .\ GGBS binder plus a silicate based activator and gelling agent that virtually eliminated all water drainage (and hence post filling shnnkage). The system used a slurry, but the addition of the ;iutivator created a final placed product that had the behaviour of a paste. The system has been successfully used for almost ten years in the following applications: ò sloping widths (mining heights) above 1.6 in; and ò shaft pillar removals in seismically active areas at the end of the life of the shafts. \This paper discusses the technical merits and costs of the systems and compares them to other fill systems (including true paste systems).

Jan 1, 1998

By J Janus, J Krawczyk

Local accumulation of methane in workings of a longwall is one of the most common causes of mining accidents. This gas has many sources: it may leak from goaf through permeable sealings, or through gaps between roof support sections. This stream is then mixed with ventilation air. In the case of auxiliary ventilation ducts, or free jet fans, we have to consider the propagation of a clean air stream in areas with an air-methane mixture. Therefore, modelling the mixing process of methane with ventilation air is important for determining the hazardous areas and thus to ensure safety. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), specifically the finite volume method, provides tools for such modelling. However, this method requires validation. For this purpose, we have compared measurements with simulations for selected test cases having sufficient similarity to the present problems. In typical methane explosion hazard areas, such as a longwall, it is difficult to make measurements sufficiently to confirm credibility of 3D CFD simulations. As a relevant alternative, an injector methane drainage station placed in an underground gallery has been selected. The stream of drained goaf methane is entrained by compressed air powered injectors and then mixed with ventilation air. Research in this area does not interfere with mining operations, it can be performed safely in a repeatable way. Flow within the site has many similarities to conditions in mine drifts of the longwall area. Comparative research of measuring the methane concentration distribution in the mine drift downstream injector station, with simulations of propagation of the methane stream, was carried out. For measuring the methane concentration distribution in the mine drift a multipoint measurement velocity system developed at the Strata Mechanics Research Institute was used. For the simulation a finite volume method for turbulent flow of gas mixtures was applied. Preliminary results of comparison are shown as graphs and tables.CITATION:Janus, J and Krawczyk, J, 2013. An analysis of the mixing of air and methane in the stream produced by the mine injector station - Presenting preliminary results of measurements and modelling, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 49-56 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

No Paper

Jan 1, 1996

The knowledge in the field has been reviewed by literature studies, and using experience from personal research in sublevel caving. There is a lot of material regarding gravity flow of fine grained materials in bins, but the theory of flow for these materials are normally not applicable for coarse blasted rock. This study was therefore concentrated towards coarse rock fragments created after blasting in orebodies. The goal for this study was to make a report of known knowledge, and identify what we have to learn more about. The Bergmark-Roos theory, which was a paradigm shift in the science of gravity flow, is today the best mathematical theory for calculation of the drawbody for a homogenous material or when we wish to simulate the mean drawbody for a large number of draws. The Bergmark-Roos theory must however be improved, so it can take into account the flow pipe effect. When this is done it will be possible to construct a 3D computer model for calculation of ore extraction versus amount of loaded ore and waste. It is also necessary to find the 3D shape of the flow cone to be able to calculate the 3D ore rest that normally develops on footwalls. Calculations should be done for the draw on several sublevels including determination of the ore losses and temporary ore rests. First when this computer model is developed optimisation of ore recovery and waste rock dilution can start for a given orebody. The author points out the importance for international co-operation and standardisation of methods for determination of material properties. More field tests and model blasting tests should also be done. When enough knowledge is gathered, a handbook of the optimisation of sublevel and block caving should be written.

Jan 1, 2000

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

Synthetic seismograms of reflectivity method and some field records available are studied to detect the amplitude anomalies at the interface of the gaothermal reservoir the gas and/or oil boundary, and the underground tunnel. The first arrival of PO wave on the P-SV record are weak and emergent while those of P wave only rotated with respect to an incident angle are clear. This can, be explained by means of the energy loss of P-SV wave conversion. The primary reflections of P waves about depth fade away as compared to SH waves which do not perform any conversion, although they hold high attenuation in the fully saturated fluid layers. Reflection of comparable strength is present at the P-wave and S-wave... boundaries, but gas-saturated zones correlating with P wave bright spots do not show equivalent attenuation anomalies. Thus the comparative technique of P-SV wave and SI i wave records is very useful to indicate the strong amplitude anomalies at the boundaries of sealing targets.

Jan 1, 1990

By M Hilden, K Barbosa, M Yahyaei, C Ndimande, K Runge, V Jokovic

Classification devices provide a link between comminution and flotation. Basically, it determines which particles are diverted back for additional grinding and which ones pass to downstream flotation. Therefore, the classifiers play an important role in the performance of a mineral processing circuit. Hydrocyclones are the most common classifiers used in wet grinding, despite being associated with poor classification efficiency. Hydrocyclones are widely used due to advantages related to low maintenance as well as reduced capital and operating cost. Other classifiers, such as fine screens, have much better classification efficiency compared to hydrocyclones. The major challenge of using screens in an operation, however, is their large footprint and increased maintenance requirements relative to hydrocyclones. Some researchers have demonstrated that switching from hydrocyclones to screens, as the classifier device in a ball milling circuit, resulted in a 20 per cent increase in plant throughput and significant improvements in coarse particle recovery, resulting in a 6 per cent increase in overall flotation recovery. However, it is known that these benefits of improved classification are very much ore specific, ie depending on the ore response. Therefore, there is a need to estimate the benefits of improved classification in pilot scale testing before the plant could consider the potential classifier upgrade. This paper presents the results of two pilot-scale grinding tests where the ore sample was processed using different classifiers: a traditional hydrocyclone and hybrid classification involving the use of a semi-inverted hydrocyclone followed by a screen. The size specific energy and circulating load were used to compare the performance of the grinding circuit. The grinding product was subject to mineral liberation analysis and the impact of classification efficiency on the mineral liberation is discussed in the paper.

Aug 24, 2022

By García B., Wolff E.

The pellet qualities primarily depend upon the thermal profile and gaseous environment during induration. During the induration of the pellet, it undergoes physical as well as chemical changes. Physical changes are mostly due to sintering and chemical changes are due to carbon burning inside the pellet. The effect of carbon on sintering is investigated on a single pellet scale using an optical dilatometer. Sintering is a complex process that involves transportation through various mechanisms. Sintering is quantified in terms of sintering ratio and the kinetic parameter, exponent ‘n’, under isothermal conditions is deduced using the power law equation. The value of n can be used to estimate the sintering mechanism at different isothermal temperatures. Also, the activation energy is calculated using the empirical Arrhenius equation. The activation energy of 0 per cent coke and 1 per cent coke-containing pellets are 531.0 kJ/mole and 552.6 kJ/mole respectively. The order of magnitude of activation energy suggests the same mechanism in both cases. Although the mechanism of sintering is the same, 1 per cent coke-containing pellet sinters more at any isothermal temperature.

Jun 17, 2024