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The author presents various procedures for the choice of dri-ving systems for mining, including the method of indeterminate Lagrange factors and linear programming.The possible application of the points-awarding method is demonstrated.It allows for taking into account both surd and commensurable characteristics of a driving system for mining. Also, the method of economic efficiency factors is outlined.All these methods make possible the best choice of a driving system, from the as-pect of electric energy saving. Two examples are given.

Jan 1, 1985

The north-eastern half of the Yilgarn Block of Archaean Rocks lies in the and zone of Western Australia. In recent years a large number of gold mines have been established there, all requiring water supplies from local groundwater. The groundwater sources that have been utilised canprise bedrock, pre-Quaternary channel deposits, and Quaternary alluvium. In the search for groundwater each type of occurrence is considered, and the choice is made on the supply potential and logistics. This paper deals with groundwater in bedrock. Using examples, sane principles of the geology of groundwater occurrence are illustrated.

Jan 1, 1988

The design of the grinding section is discussed and details are given of the equipment installed for the autogenous grinding of ores from the C.S.A. mine at Cobar.The first section of the concentrator commenced treating ore in June, 1965 and operating experience and maintenance requirements since that time are outlined.

Jan 1, 1969

One of the often overlooked factors affecting the capital investment decision in new or existing plants is the value of stock holdings necessary to maintain the plant. This paper puts forward a simple decision matrix on whether a part should be stocked depending on 1. the criticality of the item of equipment in terms of the effect on cash flow of its failure, 2. the lead time of the part, and 3. the stock holding value if it were Stocked.

Jan 1, 1986

The Australian Mineral Industry has to compete on world markets, so its mineral research has to be aware of overseas developments, it must be of world class, and it must utilise as many ideas as possible in order to solve those problems that uniquely affect Australian minerals processing. North American mineral and resource research may be taken as a guide to world government, industrial, contract, and entrepreneurial research trends and ideas. A number of interesting findings are noted that may guide Australian developments and strategies for the future, in minerals research and exploitation.

Jan 1, 1986

By Longtin Z, Jin C, Zixin C

This paper proposes a new idea of disintegrating mode (division into simpler sub-problems) for complex problems, and based on -it, a study of the structure and the design of a knowledge base and inference engine for layout design of mineral concentrator expert systems. There is also a study of the formalisation method for describing the layout picture, and the work derived therefore found a formalisation method for expressing the knowledge and experience of layout design. There is also a study of the general characteristics of layout design knowledge.

Jan 1, 1993

Following plant trials in 1972 Mount Lyell installed an AMDEL On Stream Analysis system for measuring copper and density on the flot- ation feed and final plant tailing streams, in August 1973. As a result of poor performance of the final tailing system these probes were changed over to the rougher tailing stream, back to the final tailing stream and finally to the final copper concentrate stream where the system is currently performing satisfact- orily. The history of the development of the system to its current operational status is Described.

Jan 1, 1978

Legislation, if it is to be effective, must be enforceable by the state and acceptable to the industry. In the mining industry the relationship between the government inspector on the one hand and the mine management and employees on the other, must be one of full co-operation before the system can be effective. To understand our present system, which is-duplicated in most countries of the world, an examination of the history from which it evolved is necessary.

Jan 1, 1975

The development of metallurgical training is briefly reviewed. The reasons for the current trend for Metallurgy Schools to become Schools of Materials Engineering or Materials Science are mentioned as is the role of Departments of Chemical Engineering in the teaching of extraction metallurgy. Some problems on academic staff recruit- ment are highlighted and predictions concerning future difficulties in industry getting adequately trained professional staff are made. The need for a special effort to attract and retain the best undergraduate students is put Forward.

Jan 1, 1987

Some of the problems of flotation, un- Solved in the mid-1950s, and possibly still unsolved today, are discussed with emphasis on dynamic aspects. These prob- lems include the nature of the air-water interface, particle-bubble contact and bubble attachment, and the effect of par- ticle size. Questions are also raised on the possible influences of the variability of minerals on flotation, particularly variations in composition and in foreign inclusions, both solid and fluid.

Jan 1, 1984

Several coal preparation plants are presently "automated" to the extent of automatic sequencing and interlocking via digital means, together with closed loop control on various level and density circuits. This paper will explore the potential for second generation automation utilizing on-stream ash analysers and other measuring elements so as to optimize the total metallurgical process. This would enable maxim-ization of recovery, improved product homogeneity and minimum reagent consumption.

Jan 1, 1985

By Runge IC

The mine planning process is reviewed and appropriate software considered in terms of "line process" or "support function". The mine planner's requirements of a geological model and the elements of and requirements of a computerised mine planning system are all discussed. The use of "support" software for mine planning is considered and general rules for its development are given. Important changes involved in implementing a computerised mine planning program are listed.

Jan 1, 1983

New and more cost-effective methods of haulage and hoisting will be needed to develop the underground mines of the future. A review of the development of technology since the 1950s shows that once mechanised equipment became available it took 25 years for appropriate mining methods to be developed and the equipment made reliable, then a further 25 years to reach todayÆs level of automation and reliability. Suggestions are made about possible areas for ongoing research with the observation that there is little research worldwide into disruptive technologies. A call is made for better organisation and presentation of the opportunities and potential benefits of new underground mining technologies.

Jan 1, 2005

The Department of Mineral Resources is the lead agency in mine site environment management and control in New South Wales. The Department introduced a Mining, Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Plan (MREMP) process several years ago in order to integrate the activities of other government agencies who may have a material interest at the mine site. The MREMP process has resulted in a spirit of trust and co-operation between agencies and between agencies and mining companies. The spirit of co-operation has been reflected in greater public confidence that mining is environmentally responsible.

Jan 1, 1995

Subsidence data resulting from longwall mining in the northern part of the Newcastle Coalfield of New South Wales has been reviewed. Themain factors influencing subsidence variability in this area (apart from width/height ratio) are strong bridging strata, the effects of the first major goaf fall, mining direction and depth of cover. In 1987 the NSW Department of Mineral Resources produced a guide to subsidence prediction for the Newcastle Coalfield which is still widely used. The current study shows this guide to be no longer appropriate for this area. An alternative prediction curve, incorporating more recent data, is suggested.

Jan 1, 1998

Utah Development Company began prospecting for coking coal in 1961 and Blackwater Mine became a reality in June 1967. Exploratory and develop- ment drilling has been a continuing effort and reserves have been assessed at several stages. Some of the history of exploration and reserves assessment is given and practices in drilling, sampling and testing are described, particularly in regard to objectives of drilling and reserves estimation. The current methods for calculation of reserves are described and some comment is made regarding use of the data in mine blending control and plant operation including correla- tion of results.

Jan 1, 1979

By P Gy

When it comes to sampling theory, a bad sampler is a bad sampler, no matter what, and a sampler is either bad or good. It also is of critical economic importance to tell and understand the difference, especially in a metallurgical plant. In this paper, the grand principles of Sampling Theory are first recalled, then the most popular types of sample cutters for plants are critically reviewed. It is concluded that the industry has a lot of progress to make in that direction, although improvements usually pay for themselves very quickly.

Jan 1, 2002

By Groudeva VI

The biohydrometallurgy of gold is based on different processes which could be grouped into four main groups (Attia, Litchfield and Vaaler, 1985; Karavaiko et al, 1988; Groudev, 1990): 1. bacterial oxidation of gold-bearing sulphide minerals by chemolithotrophic bacteria to facilitate the subsequent chemical extraction of gold; 2. solubilisation of gold from oxide ores by means of heterotrophic bacteria; 3. recovery of gold from solutions by biosorption; and 4. microbial modifications of the surface of gold-bearing sulphide minerals to improve the subsequent gold concentration by physical dressing methods (eg flotation, oil agglomeration).

Jan 1, 1993

The title of my address today is "Oil and Gas Valuations - A Simplistic View of Some Critical Issues". Alternatively I could have called this address "Pitfalls for investors' and corporates in accessing Independent Experts Reports" 'as in this brief 12 minute talk I will briefly comment on some common misconceptions with regard to the valuation of exploration areas and production interests, and comment on how the draft release guidelines address these issues.

Jan 1, 1989

Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. I was delighted to be invited, and to accept the invitation, to welcome to this specialist meeting on an intriguing subject, the local participants and - most importantly - the international contributors. Technical o analysis of blast furnace operations has for many years formed the basis of intense research throughout the iron and steel industry, world wide, because the efficiency of blast furnace operation estab- lishes the foundation for all subsequent processes in a steel plant. So much depends on the constant, efficient performance of iron melting units in relation to costs, quality, regularity of operations and reli- able delivery performance to our customers.

Jan 1, 1981