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Strata bolting/dowelling reinforcement techniques are being reintroduced into the mines of the National Coal Board. There are strong reasons for the selection of the full hole anchorage principle of bolting and for the development of the wood/resin dowel. There are strong reasons also for the measurement of strata bed separation as the method of assessing the effectiveness of a roof bolting system. There are several designs of bolts. Instruments have been developed for investigation and control purposes. Different drilling and bolting machines have been employed in trial sites. In addition comparative laboratory model work has been conducted on simple non-bolted and bolted systems.

Jan 1, 1971

FOR some reason there is not any extensive literature in print on the electrolytic refining of copper, although the method is in general use in America and Europe. In Australia there are but three plants in existence one small one at Wallaroo, in SouthAustralia; one at Lithgow and one at Port Kembla the last two being in New South Wales. The largest of these is the Port Kembla plant. It is also the most modern, and embodies all the latest appliances and improvements of electrolytic practice.The plant and methods about to be described is that at Lithgow, with which the writer was associated for some years, and the experience gained there may be of interest. Electrolytic refining of copper is one of the simplest operations of metallurgy, but, like all metallurgical operations, it requires constant attention and a large amount of common sense. The man in charge should be endowed with an insatiable curiosity as to why certain things are occurring, and an instinct of cleanliness, whichmy first mentor in chemistry, Mr W A Dixon, once impressed on me was better than godliness.

Jan 1, 1911

By Vnenk L, Hargraves AJ

Metropolitan Colliery has some areas of roof where immedi- ate support is required in development. The disadvantages of percussive roof bolting at the face have led to recent produc- tion trials with rotary boring and rapid=setting resin anchored roof bolts developed at the Colliery. The three innovations involved are: (1) the wet drilling of small holes with an all- hydraulic, portable rotary boring machine; (2) the rapidity of loading a "point anchored" resin bolt; and (3) the consistently high anchorage strength available. All three innovations provide striking advantages over the previously available alternatives. The greatest disad- vantage - that of cost of resin - is not prohibitive, and there is promise of improvement in the future. There are possibilities of variations of the techniques for special support problems in particularly difficult roofs.

Jan 1, 1971

This paper describes the operation involved in the sinking of a concrete-lined elliptical-shaped shaft at North Broken Hill Limited.Major factors such as geological features, future ventilation, ore haulage at depth and their relation to the location and selection of the type of shaft are described.Features covered in the sinking of the shaft include equipment details, with special reference to mechanical mucking, operational cycles based on time study analyses for sinking, concreting and the placing of steel sets. Safety precaution and statistical data is alsoincluded.INTRODUCTIONDue to the northerly pitch of the ore bodies in North Broken Hill Limited leases at approximately 42°, and the deepening of the active mining zone, it became apparent that No. 2 Shaft, the main operating shaft, would become unsuitable for the extraction of ore from the lower levels.Another major problem was the ventilation of the lower levels, and it was evident, that to ventilate efficiently these, and deeper levels, another upcast ventilation system would be required.Consideration was given therefore to the following: 1. Sink No. 2 Shaft from the existing bottom at 2770 ft. to 4200 ft., or Sink an internal shaft from the 2600 ft. level approximately 1000 ft. N. of No. 2 Shaft.2. Sink a new haulage and downcast shaft from the surface.3. Sink a new upcast ventilation shaft from the surface.It had been suspected that the ore bodies might flatten or even undergo a pitch reversal before reaching the...

Jan 1, 1956

Filter aids are currently used in many industries to increase filtrate clarity and filtration rates. In other industries filtration could be improved if accept- able filter aids could be obtained cheaply. The present paper describes a simple thermal process for making filter aids from coal, outlines the effects of coal properties and major operating variables, and discusses the properties of satisfactory products. Several possible variations in reactor design have been used experimentally, involving fluidized beds of carbon or inert material, reaction of the particles while entrained in air, and a combination of entrainment and fluidization. The limits imposed on product yields by the composition of the parent coal are considered in relation to a range of Australian coals and one New Zealand coal; and the effects of temperature, residence time, and reactant flow rates have been studied in relation to product yields and characteristics.

Jan 1, 1969

Where vertical or near vertical faces are required in open excavations in soils and rocks, some form of stabilization of the 'cut is often necessary. Stressed anchors either alone or in combination with steel, timber or concrete-lagging are often an economical and versatile means of providing support. Stressed anchors are also-a very economical means of anchoring a wide range of structures such as dams, cranes, transmission towers, retaining walls, spillway aprons, bridge piers; and - stacks. The anchors need not be stressed always on installation.other than to proof load them. A number of examples illustrate some of-the more practical aspects of.the design and construction techniques used. No new methods of design or construction are involved, but merely some consolidation of the engineering design, soil and rock mechanics,thinking applied to the stressed anchor tech- nique.

Jan 1, 1971

By M Ewart

The securing of a reliable water supply for a prospective mine in the North West Queensland Mineral Province is usually one of the most influential factors in determining the mine's feasibility. The Ernest Henry Mine required a reliable water supply to serve a demand estimated at feasibility stage to be up to 20 ML/day. Numerous options were considered before a decision was made to construct a 113 km long pipeline from Lake Julius as this was the most cost effective, reliable source of supply. The North West Queensland Water Pipeline is a multi-user, Queensland government funded project initially supplying up to 7000 ML/year of water from Lake Julius to Ernest Henry Mine, with provision made for expansion to serve future users in the region. This paper discusses the history of the pipelineÆs development, together with a summary of the scheme's design features. Environmental and licensing requirements, construction and operational issues are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By B H. Yin, S Mendoza, M Nusheh' C W Bumby, A Zhang

Hydrogen-direct-reduction of iron ore in a vertical shaft furnace is a potential process that could significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the steel industry. This approach requires the pelletisation of iron ore fines, which then undergo high temperature induration to strengthen the pellets before they can be fed into the shaft furnace. Here we report on investigations into the disc-pelletisation behaviour of New Zealand titanomagnetite ironsand, and its subsequent induration and hydrogenreduction behaviour. Initial studies focused on the effect on pellet strength of varying ironsand particle size and induration conditions using bentonite and a commercially sourced carboxymethylcellulose binder. Green pellets formed with ironsand of average particle size of 65 μm exhibited optimal strength. The compressive strength of these pellets after induration at 1200°C for 2 hrs in air was measured to be 976 N. Interparticle bonding within the indurated pellets occurs due to a combination of titanohematite recrystallisation (from oxidation of titanomagnetite), and the formation of a liquid bonding phase due to interdiffusion with the bentonite and subsequent melting. Further investigation with various binders showed that a combination of both organic and inorganic binders was essential to achieve optimal pellet strength. Carboxymethyl-cellulose binders provides green strength, whilst inorganic binders such as bentonite promoted high indurated pellet strength. Hydrogen reduction tests in a thermogravimetric furnace showed that all the pellets could achieve a maximum reduction degree of 97 per cent at 1100°C, indicating that the different pellet preparation procedures had no significant effect on reducibility. Pellet recipes developed in this work are now being used to investigate vertical shaft hydrogen-DRI processing of NZ ironsand in a kg-scale laboratory reactor.

Sep 18, 2023

Silver-lead ores are widely distributed through- out the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges, but none of the deposits is large. Historically the Glen Osmond Mines are the most significant as the site of the first metalliferous mining in Australia, but Talisker was one of the three largest producers of silver-lead in a state whose mining history is dom- inated by copper. The mine is located in a magnificent natural setting on Talisker Conservation Park, near Cape Jervis, southwest of Adelaide (Figure 1). It is exempt from the operations of the Mining Act and listed on the Register of State Heritage Items. The mine and associated township of Silverton were dominated by Cornish influences during the period of principal activity between 1862 and 1872. Silverton, located on a ridge overlooking the mine, grew to a population of about 300 at its peak in 1870 and the area was very much another 'little Cornwall'.

Jan 1, 1987

By J Bartlett, P Quigley

Historical research has played a significant role in the rebirth of the Bendigo Goldfield. The historical research undertaken by the company has been directed to specific areas such as verifying the total gold production of the field, the gold production from defined blocks on each of the major anticlines, the extent of workings of each mine which exceeded 200 m depth, the size and style of reefs mined in each shaft and also within specific domains of the field. Application of this data has assisted in the determination of possible dimensions of different reef styles and the location of mineralisation within each reef system. Description of grade variation, percentage of quartz and the amount and species of accessory sulphide minerals, as well as early geotechnical observations accompanying stoping methodologies, provides valuable analogues for reef structure being defined in the current program. Historical information on shafts on the two anticlines the company is exploring has allowed the postulation and recognition of repetition of reef development within the same stratigraphy in the hinge zones of the adjacent folds. The similarities of mineralisation styles across the field within both specific lithological units and structural setting has had important implications in respect to exploration drill targeting and the estimation of grade and tonnes.

Jan 1, 2003

By Bayly MG, Harris JA

The current operational practice at the Territory Enterprises Pty, Limited uranium oxide plant,, and some aspects of researc$ and development work at Rum Jungle are outlined with pertinent comments on some overseas practices.

Jan 1, 1968

The long continuing controversy over the Origin of fusain, whether it is a product of primeval forest fires, or of special conditions of weathering (including bacterial decay) of the vegetal debris concerned prior to, burial, has now been extended, to include the possibility that fusain is a product of the coalifaction process subsequent to deposition, so that doubt may reach even to its time of formation.The conflicting views on this point are summarised in the following quotations from two recent publications (my italics in each quotation):1. "Recent observations made in peat and brown coal deposits in Australia, England and Germany strongly suggest that practically all fusain is formed by coalifaction after deposition and 'preliminary compression. In deposits of advanced brown coal rank, it normally takes the shape of pieces of wood compressed parallel to the bedding plane; and some fragments consisting partly of fusain and partly of vitrain exhibit the same amount of compression throughout. This would seem to indicate fusinisation after burial, as hard brittle charcoal would be crushed, or else retain its original irregular shape if strong enough to withstand pressure.In some immature deposits, however, where cover is of a hydrostatic nature rather than a vertical compressionar force, occasional pieces of fusinised wood showing very little flattening are present, but such immature deposits seldom contain the proportion of fusain found in higher rank coals. In view of this, and the possibility of introduction of charcoal into peat deposits, it is felt that a small amount of the fusain in coal may represent wood charred before burial, but most of it almost certaInly originated as a product of fusinisation after burial" (Dulhunty, 1948, p.14).

Jan 1, 1953

By R Dimitrakopoulos, C Paduraru

The optimisation of mine complexes and related value chains is a challenging problem due to the simultaneous presence of a highly-dimensional decision space, integer decision variables, non-linear constraints and recovery functions, as well as geological and market uncertainty. In addition, if the uncertainty is revealed progressively, then decisions need to continuously adapt to new information, which poses additional challenges. Stochastic dynamic programming is a well-known class of methods for addressing problems where a decision-maker reacts to new information. While simplistic applications of dynamic programming using exact representations would be intractable for any realistic mine planning problem, new dynamic programming methods using approximate value function representations have been successfully implemented in the past to address problems of similar complexity. This work formulates the problem of mine complex optimisation as an approximate dynamic program and presents an application of the resulting method to a gold-copper deposit.CITATION:Paduraru, C and Dimitrakopoulos, R, 2014. Mineral supply chain optimisation under uncertainty using approximate dynamic programming, in Proceedings Orebody Modelling and Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2014 , pp 415–422 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 24, 2014

By Campbell Brown G F

THE Mount Morgan mine has, from the time of its historical discovery, been the subject of investigation and speculation by geologists and mining engineers. The first examination was made by Dr. R. L. Jack, in 1884. He came to the conclusion, from theevidence then available, that nothing but a thermal spring in the open air-otherwise a geyser-could account for the formation of the ore body. This report attracted world-wide attention at the time. Since then the mine has been examined by most of the leading geologists of Australia, and by many from elsewhere. In all cases the examination has only extended over a period' of a few days or weeks, and in the light of present knowledge of the deposit we know that sufficient data could not be obtained in such a short time to warrant the statement of definite conclusions. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that a considerable difference of opinion exists as to the genesis of the deposit. That the company considered more detailed investigation necessary is shown by the fact that some thirteen years ago it employed Mr. Charles Walker as geological surveyor on the .mine. At that time also the data available was insufficient to give satisfactory results. It is, however, a matter for comment that none of the geological reports on the property took notice of the increase of copper values in the ore with depth, though the present workings and diamond-drilling...

Jan 1, 1911

By A Radici, M Attwill

The Dampier Port Upgrade Project (DPU) involves an upgrade to Hamersley IronÆs Parker Point iron ore port facility at Dampier, Western Australia. The $US700 million DPU Project will increase Hamersley IronÆs shipping capacity at Dampier from 72 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 116 Mtpa. The DPU Project comprises a new car dumper facility and rail spur, an upgrade to the existing stockyard and conveying system, a new screen-house and a 450 m wharf extension with two new shipping berths and a new ship-loader. This paper discusses the innovative design and construction of the new car dumper facility, which is capable of automatically unloading 240 car iron ore trains at a rate of 10 000 t/h. The facility design is unique compared to more conventional designs currently in operation, and greatly improves operation and maintenance functions.

Jan 1, 2005

By R Buerger, D Barrett, P Hodkiewicz

The Emily Ann nickel mine is owned and operated by LionOre Mining International Ltd. The deposit was discovered during 1997 and is blind, concealed beneath 25 m of transported cover and a further 100 m of unmineralised Archaean felsic rocks. Nickel sulfide mineralisation is hosted predominantly in strongly deformed, altered and metamorphosed Archaean komatiitic ultramafic rocks. Subordinate felsic-hosted, remobilised mineralisation is also present. Mining of ore commenced during late-2001. Since the early days of exploration drilling, through feasibility delineation drilling and subsequent mining, a geological model involving thrusting and folding of a komatiitic-hosted nickel sulfide deposit has been an evolving theme. Development of appropriate mine geology procedures, including detailed mapping, significantly increased the confidence of mine-site geology and engineering staff in the geological model and improved operational efficiencies during start-up. This also allowed the engineering and mining team to develop a tolerance for the large fluctuations in daily production grade, with an understanding that budgeted production targets, on a level-by-level basis, were achievable. This paper describes the development of the current interpretation of the deposit and emphasises the importance of a sound understanding of deposit geology. The direct benefits at Emily Ann included improvements in drill targeting, resource estimation and mine planning.

Jan 1, 2003

Some important mineral fields are referred to in discussing the formation of placer deposits in Australia. Testing methods include boring hand, with percussion rigs; with auger and pit digging drills; and l by vibro drilling. Sampling errors are minimized by the use of correct techniques and equipment for boring, sampling, and sample dressing, A hypothetical set of data is used to demonstrate the final process of evaluation, and some relevant taxation provisions are discussed.

Jan 1, 1964

By T Sirinawin, R H. Murfitt, W Shywolup

The Bong Mieu Project lies within the Pre-Palaeozoic Kontum Craton near the southern margin of the regional Phuoc Son û Tam Ky Suture. The Suture and accompanying Truongson Fold Belt of Indosinian age host significant gold and base-metal bearing districts including OlympusÆ other project at Phuoc Son to the west of Bong Mieu and OxianaÆs Sepon project in Laos. The Bong Mieu Project is located some 90 km south of Da Nang and some 30 km south-west of Tam Ky, the provincial capital of Quang Nam province in central Vietnam. The project area is covered by an Investment Licence of some 30 km2 which was granted in 1991 and a mining permit of some 365 ha granted in 1992. Several mesothermal, gold-silver deposits with assigned resources are present on the property. Deposits with assigned resources contain some 615 000 ounces of gold in situ. These are at Ho Gan and Ho Ray which are potentially exploitable by open-pit mining and Nui Kem which is potentially exploitable by underground mining. Newly discovered extensions to the known deposits at Ho Gan, Ho Ray and Nui Kem, and several other new prospects, are currently being investigated by drilling. The Ho Gan mineralisation is of mesothermal, shear and shear breccia quartz vein, as well as intrusive breccia hosted style. Nui Kem mineralisation is of mesothermal, shear and shear breccia quartz vein style. The Ho Ray mineralisation is of skarn (gold-bismuth-tungsten) and lesser quartz vein style. The deposits straddle and flank the east-west trending Bong Mieu Anticline which trends through the central portion of the Investment Licence. In this paper the geology of the deposits, details of resources, results of recent exploration on the Investment Licence and recent engineering and mining studies at Ho Gan are briefly reviewed.

Jan 1, 2004

By I Y. Maslov, S A. Gorinov

It was demonstrated that the stable propagation of the explosive process is possible in low-density emulsion explosives (EEs) obtained through mixing of emulsion with a significant amount of expanded polystyrene (or other similar) granules. Such a process takes place in the form of a detonation-like wave of emulsion drops in explosive gas streams flowing out of the high-pressure area of the reaction zone.Chemical reaction in such EEs takes place in the form of surface combustion of emulsion particles interacting with the gas stream.A method was developed for determining parameters of decomposition of low-density EEs, and it was demonstrated that a gradual pressure increase takes place in products during the explosion of such EEs.The performed analytical research allowed low-density EEs (obtained through mixing of emulsion with a significant amount of expanded polystyrene) to be recommended for smooth blasting.Industrial-experimental blasts at quarries of Ural and Siberia, with extreme positioning of sides and using low-density EEs, have confirmed the viability of the recommendations given.The obtained results are useful in the advancement of smooth blasting technology using low-density EEs.CITATION:Gorinov, S A and Maslov, I Y, 2015. Physical and technical evaluation of possibility using low-density explosives in smooth blasting, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 555–564 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

By J Finlay, P Betts, D Milton, H Williams

The aim of this paper is to present an innovative method to help delineate potential target volumes for haematite-goethite mineralisation as opposed to more magnetic ores. This is achieved through interpretation and modelling (2.5D and 3D inversions) of ground magnetics and gravity surveys over the Koolanooka South prospect in Western Australia. The targets are assumed to be dense and weakly magnetic and hosted within banded iron formation (BIF) horizons. Geophysical interpretation (2D map) was performed using a variety of processed magnetic and gravity images (Betts et al, 2007) to determine the distribution of lithologies, to understand the structural architecture and to map out any anomalous areas of excess density (possibly indicating goethite alteration). The created geological map is used to build geological cross-sections (geometrically consistent) that were modelled (in 2.5 D) against both potential field datasets. The crosssections are consequently used as the framework to build a 3D geological model. The model defines 3D volumes of rocks including several BIF horizons. The distribution of densities and magnetic susceptibilities of the BIFs is inverted within the GOCAD«-VPmg environment to reduce the misfit between the response of the model and the observed gravity and magnetics. By combining the results of both petrophysical property distribution it is possible to map out (using classical GIS type queries in 3D) volumes of higher density and lower magnetic susceptibility.

Jan 1, 2009