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By J. Zwartendyk, A. Azis

"Every nation must decide how it should exploit its mineral resources so as to contribute most to its national objectives. It is argued that the present value of the future corporate income tax flow derived from mineral exploitation may serve as a useful indicator in moving toward a taxation policy that would contribute optimally toward the greatest public benefit.The future stream of corporate income taxes depends largely on the mineral endowment, consisting of deposits now being mined, known unmined deposits, and unknown deposits.Unknown deposits may be estimated by geological inference. Both known and unknown deposits can be categorized according to grade and size, and divided into economic and uneconomic deposits on the basis of certain prices, costs, rate of return and taxation levels.Computer simulations can be run of discounted cash flow models at various taxation levels to show the impact of taxation changes on future tax revenues."

Jan 1, 2014

The key functions of project evaluation are to assess potential profitability and to develop an effective operational design. For mining projects, design aspects include mining methodology, ore treatment methodology and production rates. All of these characteristics impact on project economics and overall value. Resource models, which form the ultimate basis of project evaluation, typically consist of tonnes above cut-off, grade above cut-off and the spatial distribution (connectivity) of tonnes/grade above cut-off, for one or more variables. Dilution, ore loss and metallurgical recovery are all modifying factors applied to the resource model during evaluation and determination of profitability. A key issue is: how is the value determined? In addition to traditional combination of in situ tonnes/grade, the following merit serious consideration: the concentration of deleterious elements, throughput rates, mining/processing costs and - importantly - metallurgical recovery. Geometallurgy is an emerging field targeted at integrating these issues by identifying either direct measures or proxies for throughput (hardness, grindability), recovery (liberation, mineral shape/texture, etc) and concentrate quality from easily collected macro-, meso- and microscopic data. These 'geometallurgical variables' drive project costs and revenues in a fundamental way. For geometallurgical characterisation to have a real impact on business design, it must enable improved mine planning. When creating spatial estimates for such variables, it is preferable to find proxies that can be measured as close to the intact rock mass as possible. However, spatial estimation of proxies for geometallurgical properties and responses is complex and requires special consideration. Unlike grades, both proxies and absolute measures of geometallurgical variables are not necessarily linear or additive and therefore require very careful geostatistical consideration. In some cases, models must predict extreme values of geometallurgical attributes rather than averages. Incorrect characterisation of metallurgical recovery/throughput can (and has) led to misspecification of the scale of projects, and thus can be seriously value destructive. Aspects of geometallurgy have long been important in iron, bauxite, manganese and coal deposits and are increasingly on the radar for base and precious metal miners. However, as more metallurgically complex deposits are developed and mining of large-scale, low-grade deposits becomes more commonplace, the importance of characterising the metallurgical response in order to generate properly optimised projects will rapidly increase. It is possible that in many `traditional' (ie grades and tonnes) reserve models, the variables that drive the project are missing!

Jan 1, 2007

By M. B. Díaz Aguado, I. Á. Fernández, C. González Nicieza, B. S. Menéndez

This paper summarizes the works that the Research “Group of Ground Engineering”, belonging to the Mining Department of the University of Oviedo, Spain, has been developing in close cooperation with the Regional Mining Department, since 2001, in order to control and monitor an experimental underground limestone exploitation by the room and pillars method. The aim of the current research is not only the geotechnical characterization of the rock mass (by means of laboratory and site tests) or the instrumentation of its displacements and stress changes (using convergence meters, INCREX probe, extensometers and rigid inclusion cells), but, moreover, to undertake intensive monitoring and control of such pilot mine, which is mined exclusively in order to accomplish this research. The data transmission was made on line via Internet, to achieve a full understanding of the behaviour of the experimental mine, to access data from remote locations and to visualize results from a website. All the collected information becomes input data for several numerical models using finite differences under a program developed in the research Group, ALMEC. The simulation and a final economical analysis lead to a design of an underground exploitation, at production scale, for a resource that is traditionally mined by means of open-pit process methods that could be worked underground with less environmental impact. The main purpose achieved by this exhaustive analysis is the technical and economic viability of such mine, for their optimisation for a future productive exploitation.

Jan 1, 2003

By E. J. Magri, A. Couble

Kriging estimates of geological resources are sometimes conditionally biased because the kriging plan contains too few samples. This may be done purposely in order to match the variance of the estimates to the true block dispersion variance. This work aims at evaluating the influence of conditional bias over the ultimate optimum pit design in relation to its shape, size and NPV (Net Present Value of profits). It has been restricted to two real case studies: a ‘carrot shaped’ gold porphyry in northern Greece and a manto-typeexotic copper deposit located in northern Chile. The methodology applied to each deposit consisted of generating a ‘real block model’ and four resource estimates by the use of conditional simulation and the application of four different kriging plans to the drillhole databases respectively. The estimation models vary in smoothness and conditional bias. Ultimate optimum pits were determined for the ‘real’ and the four different kriging models. Pit comparisons lead to the following conclusions: •In the worst case, conditional bias overestimated the project's NPV by 32% and 5% for the gold and copper deposits respectively. •The overestimation of high grades is more relevant than the underestimation of low grades. This resulted in a tonnage over-extraction of 148% and 1% for the gold and copper deposit respectively. This difference was attributable to the vastly different geometry of the deposits. •The smoothing effect of kriging, without or very little conditional bias, produced open pits that were different to the ‘true’ (ideal) ones and furthermore, underestimated the project's NPV by 10% and 6% for the gold and the copper deposits respectively. •Other factors that influence the optimum open pit design and to some extent control the effect of conditional bias are: the cut-off grade, the orebody geometry and distribution of grades within it and the amount of over-burden. Keywords: conditional bias, ultimate pit design

Jan 1, 2003

By R. J. Cocks

Water auditing and water efficient practices are evolving as the quantitative tools for water balance reporting in the mining and minerals processing sector. This paper was written to describe the process of water auditing in a gold mining environment. It will contribute towards building an appropriate water management framework for The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for sustainable resource processing (CSRP). The research assists with the assessment of water balances in mining and hydrometallurgical processes and provides, on the ground, steady-state data for ongoing probabilistic modeling underway at most of Newmont?s gold mine operations. Five Newmont case study mine sites including the Tanami Granites Goldmine are central to this PhD water project study. The function of the Tanami-Granites water audit exercise was to measure a controlled flow of various water quality types and set a framework to establish further research for water efficiencies and water conservation in mining.

Jan 1, 2009

With the advent of the First World Conference on Sampling and Blending (WCSB1) in Denmark in 2003 and the subsequent biannual meetings, together with other sampling conferences held on a regular basis, the central tenets of sound sampling practice and theory are spreading throughout the minerals industry. End-users and project houses, or groups who execute the projects, are all now better-informed about the principles of ?correct? sampling and preparation. To support this, many large mining companies now have their own in-house champion who will advise and ensure that the supply of sampling equipment is correct in terms of design and application, which further contributes to improved metallurgical accounting. The presence of a sampling champion also ensures that consistent and acceptable standards in regard to sampling practice are maintained throughout the group. This has, in turn, placed a greater degree of responsibility on the shoulders of sampling equipment suppliers, in terms of their equipment designs and product offerings, as well as applications knowledge for effective installation of equipment on client plants. This paper attempts to highlight the significant challenges that sampling equipment manufacturers often face with regard to complying with the newly understood requirements of best practice and sampling equipment design. Manufacturers invariably face issues with end-users or project houses, including project cost control, restricted headroom for samplers in plant layouts, and a lack of knowledge in certain quarters. These all have a potentially negative effect on the final outcome of a proposed sampling solution or implemented project. In reality, what is intended by all parties and what is ultimately installed are at times very different, with undesirable consequences for all concerned. Against this challenging background, there are, however, a number of instances where intent and implementation are complementary, with very satisfactory results. Keywords sampling, mechanical samplers, design, installation, sampling theory.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. C. van Dyk, F. B. Waanders, J. Brand, C. A. Strydom

"Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a fast-emerging, in situ mining technology that provides access to low-cost energy through the utilization of coal reserves that are currently not technically or economically exploitable by conventional mining methods.Groundwater monitoring for conventional coal mining in South Africa is well established, with SANS, ASTM, and ISO standards for the specific environment, location, and purposes. South Africa’s groundwater is a critical resource that provides environmental benefits and contributes to the well-being of the citizens and economic growth. Groundwater supplies the drinking water needs of large portions of the population, and in some rural areas it represents the only source of water for domestic use. Implementation of, and adherence to, groundwater monitoring standards are thus non-negotiable.The groundwater quality management mission, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation in South Africa, is set in the context of the water resources mission and reads as follows:‘To manage groundwater quality in an integrated and sustainable manner within the context of the NationalWater Resource Strategy and thereby to provide anadequate level of protection to groundwater resources and secure the supply of water of acceptable quality.’ (SABS, 2016).In this paper we propose fit-for-purpose groundwater monitoring standards for a commercial UCG operation. It is important to proactively prevent or minimize potential impacts on groundwater through long-term protection and monitoring plans. Scope of study / standard proposal The purpose of this paper is to set out a National Standard Proposal to emphasize groundwater monitoring as one of the five strategies of the ‘Policy and Strategy for Groundwater Quality Management in South Africa’ (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, 2000) and to align it with the National Water Act, Act no. 36 of 1998 (Republic of South Africa, 1998).The focus of this standard is directed solely towards groundwater monitoring during underground coal gasification (UCG). Groundwater in this context refers to water as sampled from dedicated monitoring wells around the targeted site, which will include the shallow aquifer referred to as groundwater, and water flow at the level of the underground gasifier, referred to as ‘coal water’."

Oct 1, 2018

By L. Dison

There are many potential uses in gold mining for an initially stiff element of backfill that will yield at a predetermined load and maintain that load to beyond a compression of 30%. Such elements could be used as yielding rib pillars, as replacements for more conventional supporting packs, as con- fining bulkheads for mass backfill, as supports to provide lateral constraint, and load-carrying augmentation to overloaded rock pillars. The paper describes a system of reinforced cemented backfill that can be used to provide the above requirements. The necessary characteristics of the reinforcing and the cemented tailings are described together with the method of design to obtain a predetermined stiffness and yield load. The load-compression characteristics of the reinforced tailings elements are described and the effect of changing various of the design parameters is demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1988

By A. Chiappone, M. Barla, U. Rabagliati, L. Repetto

ABSTRACT: The paper describes the application of both continuum and discontinuum modelling to the study of the stability conditions of the Alpetto mine, a high rock cut located in Cesana Brianza (Italy). The main objective is to provide valuable information for future mine planning and for the assessment of the stability conditions of the abandoned high rock cuts. Continuum modelling involved the applications of the finite difference method, whereas the distinct element method was used for discontinuum modelling. RESUME: L'article décrit l'application des méthodes de modélisation continue/discontinue pour l'étude des conditions de stabilité de la mine d' Alpetto, située à Cesana Brianza (Italie). Le but du travail consiste à determiner des paramètres utiles vis-à-vis du projet et d'estimer les conditions de stabilité de l'amas rocheux au terme de l'exploitation de la mine susmentionnée. La modélisation continue a impliqué l'application de la méthode des différences finis alors que la méthode des éléments distincts a été utilisée pour la modélisation discontinue. KURZFASSUNG: Der Artikel beschreibt die Verwendung der Modellierung von continuum und discontinuum zur Untersuchung/Studium der Stabilitätsbedingungen von der Alpetto Mine, hohe Aushubsfront in einer Felsmasse die sich in der Gemeinde von Cesana Brianza befindet. Das Hauptziel dieser Arbeit ist die Festlegung von Parametern die zur Planung nützlich/behilflich sein können sowie auch die Möglichkeit zur Analyse/Auswertung der Stabilität der Felsmasse-Front nach Aufhebung der Nutzung derselben. Die continuum Methode/Analyse wurde verwendet durch Unterstützung der Finite Differenz Methode da man für die Analyse der discontinuum (Fels als discontinuum beschrieben) der Distinct Elemente Methode verwendet hat.

Jan 1, 2003

By Kym L. Morton

Ground water and associated pore pressure represent elements which can have a negative impact on surface mining and slope stability. Ground water flow and deformation within a slope influence each other. An increase in pore pressure will result in a decrease of effective stress; and conversely if the pore pressure decreases, the effective stress increases. Slope analysis and slope design calculations require good information on pore pressure distribution around an open pit excavation. Until recently very little pore pressure data was available and assumptions had to be used. Location and design of measuring points depend on geological and structural setting, geotechnical domains and practicality. Good planning and the use of sensitive point piezometers to measure in situ pore pressures means that real-time data can be collected and used for the construction of flow nets, the determination of pore pressure distribution around an open pit mine, the validation of the dewatering/depressurization requirements, the calculation of the efficiency of the dewatering system and finally the use of pore pressure data in slope stability analysis. The recommended layout for a monitoring system, types and design of piezometers, data collection and use of the pore pressure data are presented.

Jan 1, 2008

By S. Kauchali, J. van Dyk, J. Feris, S. Pershad, M. van der Riet, D. Love, J. Brand, C. A. Strydom

"This paper offers an introduction to and strategic context for the other papers included in this special UCG edition of the Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. South Africa is facing long-term energy security challenges, brought about by a myriad of factors that are somewhat unique or exacerbated in the global context. Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a process used to produce synthesis gas from coal in situ, that is, in the coal seam. UCG is an emerging, advanced clean coal technology that offers a potential solution for these challenges, as it can cost-effectively and cleanly liberate vast coal resources in the country that currently cannot be economically exploited using traditional mining technologies. One of the tasks of the South African Underground Coal Gasification Association (SAUCGA) is to advance the development of UCG in South Africa by compiling a technology roadmap. This paper presents the initial findings of the SAUCGA Roadmap (Draft), and contextualizes the technology opportunities and challenges, stakeholders, and provides a basis from which to progress further plans for technology development. Firm development plans and deadlines are not yet possible due to the reliance of the UCG Roadmap on the higher level South African energy policy and regulatory framework. However, the draft roadmap has taken the first step of identifying these policies and stakeholders, and should be seen as the seed from which this embryonic technology and industry can be further developed. IntroductionSouth Africa’s long-term energy security challenges include energy access and affordability, dwindling reserves of accessible bulk primary energy, mounting environmental concerns with all forms of energy generation (especially coal and nuclear), balancing the electricity grid by incorporating an increasing proportion of non-despatchable renewable energy sources, mounting environmental liabilities regarding defunct mining operations, and lastly but by no means less important, fluctuating exchange rates and energy commodity prices.Correctly managed underground coal gasification (UCG) is an emerging, advanced clean coal technology that offers a potential solution for these challenges, as it has been shown to have the potential to cost-effectively and cleanly liberate vast coal resources in the country that currently cannot be economically exploited using traditional mining technologies."

Jan 1, 2019

One of the most critical and complicated steps in mine design is a suitable mining method selection based upon geological, geotechnical, geographical and economical parameters. Since there are many factors involved in mining method selection, the decision-making process is very difficult. In this paper, the Analytical Hierarchy Process, with 13 criteria, is used to develop a suitable mining method for the Golbini No. 8 deposit in Jajarm (Iran). Six alternatives (conventional cut and fill, mechanized cut and fill, shrinkage stoping, sublevel stoping, bench mining, and stull stoping) are evaluated. The studies show that the suitable mining method for this deposit in the present situation is the conventional cut and fill method.

Jan 1, 2008

By V. Matou?ek

The paper addresses pipe flows of aqueous medium-sand slurries at velocities lower than the deposition-limit velocity. Laboratory test results including measurements of particle concentration distributions are used in order to describe a flow with a (pseudo-) linear concentration gradient above a stationary bed. Particle dispersion within the flow is evaluated and a stratification-ratio equation is formulated, estimating a portion of contact load in the flow. The formula is incorporated in the proposed predictive model for the hydraulic gradient for a medium-sand flow above a stationary bed.

Jan 1, 2007

By K. Richardson

Although the De Beers group has a long history of placer mining on land, the group only became actively involved in deep water marine diamond exploration and mining in1983 with the formation of De Beers Marine. Full-scale commercial mining commenced around 1991. Since then, the group marine mining capability has grown into a formidable fleet of 8 large deep water (>70 m) mining vessels, as well as other special purpose geo-survey platforms. Marine diamond production by the group is expected to be just short of 1 million carats in 2006. DeBeers operates across the entire value-chain spectrum from geology and geo-survey, through sampling to mining, and finally ore processing into high value concentrate. Supporting these operations involves significant service activities such as maintenance, security, logistics and environmental management. Specific challenges exist in terms of developing or acquiring appropriate technology for marine mining. These challenges have resulted in DeBeers operating extensive in-house R&D and projects departments, as well as drawing extensively from technology partners. An array of computational and test facilities are also available to support R&D and projects activities. Hydro transport in various guises is key to the current approaches to marine mining and ore processing. Use is made of airlift and centrifugal pumping for hydraulic hoisting of very coarse gravel, while splitters, launders, dewatering, elutriators, jet-pumps, centrifugal pumps, dense medium circuits, pipeline systems, and instrumentation for coarse abrasive particles are used extensively in the ore processing plant.

Jan 1, 2007

By L. A. Cramer

There are a couple of dozen junior platinum mining companies coming into existence in Southern African and most intend to mine, concentrate the PGM?s in a flotation product and sell the concentrate to one of the major producers in South Africa. The price they will receive for their product and hence the return they achieve for their investment will depend upon the large number of factors that influence the market for such a product. Unfortunately the number of buyers is severely limited as it is dominated by the two major local producers, Impala Platinum and Anglo Platinum. Furthermore the current smelting technology has limited capacity for UG2 concentrates and high nickel concentrates will quickly fill any available base metal refining capacity. Few if any overseas buyers can compete for the bulky flotation concentrate produced. This paper will explore those factors such as metal recoveries, metal prices, operating costs, capacity constraints, deleterious elements, transport issues, metal premiums and discounts that are in play, types of flotation concentrates, processing capital costs, PGM grades, etc and their impact up on what smelters and refiners might be prepared to pay for such PGM concentrates. Ultimately simple graphs and equations can be developed for probably payment terms for such concentrates. Those who negotiate well will move to the higher return section of the envelope and those who use the concentrator facilities to produce the most saleable combination of flotation concentrates will enhance their returns. A deep and firm understanding of the issues surrounding this market is necessary in order to negotiate the best possible price for the seller.

Jan 1, 2008

By C. G. Carey, M. P. Mullins

BHPBilliton is a large (US$32bn market capitalization) diversified mining group. Significant organic growth is planned through the development of a number of mining, processing and oil and gas projects, totalling some US$5.2bn over the next three years. The investment standards underpin the capital approval process, and incorporate the requirements for range and risk analysis of key input variables, including mineral resources. Public reporting codes for mineral resources and ore reserves (such as JORC) stipulate deterministic reporting of estimates, but are generally silent on any requirement for range or risk assessment, although they acknowledge the risk and uncertainty in the production of resource estimates. In contrast, public reporting of petroleum reserves allow for the use of either deterministic or probabilistic estimation, and for the latter, mandate the level of confidence required for proven versus probable reserves. Conditional simulation techniques, popular in the petroleum industry, provide an ideal tool forrange and risk assessment of the range of outcomes of key resource parameters, such as tonnagesand grades. Examples of a diamond deposit and of a porphyry copper deposit are presented. The understanding and quantification of mineral resource risk through a technique such as conditional simulation provides quantified information on the potential upside or downside. These techniques should be more widely utilized in the high-risk minerals extraction industry. Keywords: mineral resources, conditional simulation, risk, capital investment standards, BHPBilliton.

Jan 1, 2003

By C. Musingwini

The South African platinum mining industry is using a number of different mining methods, including variations of the same method, to extract the narrow reef tabular platinum deposits of the Bushveld Complex. These mining methods fall into three broad categories, namely conventional, mechanised and hybrid mining. A question sometimes asked in the industry is whether mechanized mining methods are more efficient than conventional mining methods. An objective answer requires the methods to be evaluated against multiple criteria simultaneously, whereby each criterion has a relative degree of importance in the overall decision. The most efficient method is the one that scores highest on each criterion. However, some of the criteria can be conflicting, such as by increasing dilution the shaft head grade decreases. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology was selected for the study because it is used to solve problems of this nature. A survey was carried out to determine the relative importance of each efficiency criterion by drawing on the knowledge and experience of mine technical services and project management practitioners in the industry. Efficiency data for four different mining methods drawn from the Egerton (2004) study were used as a case study. The conventional mining method ranked as the most efficient mining method from the four methods considered. The exercise indicates potential for the AHP to be used in the South African platinum mining industry as a tool for selecting optimal layout designs, conduct regular evaluation of the performance of production shafts, or objectively evaluate line managers for promotion. The work described in this paper is part of the methodology used in a current PhD research study at the University of the Witwatersrand. Keywords: Analytic hierarchy process (AHP); multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA); decision-making; conventional mining, hybrid mining, mechanized mining.

Jan 1, 2008

Determination of mineral composition is of significant importance for the mineral sands industry as this information is required for orebody evaluation, the control of mineral processing plants and the determination of product quality. Mineral processing is made more difficult by the presence of pseudorutile, leucoxene, altered-ilmenite and particle inclusions. The paper investigates the properties of such elements from a single product stream using an MLA approach.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Lunt

This paper describes and sets in context the commercially proven uranium extraction processes. It also discusses some of the technologies that are currently being pursued with the aim of reducing costs and overcoming a number of technical issues that are faced by process designers and operators. In doing so, opportunities for the transfer of extraction technology from other industries/commodities are identified. The key processing areas that are examined include: ?The influence of mineralogy. The type of uranium mineralization and the nature of its association within a particular deposit will have a major impact on process route selection. Uranium minerals are classified according to their influence on extractive metallurgy. As the uranium price has risen in recent times, so opportunities are increasing for the recovery of uranium from less conventional resources such as phosphates and fossil fuels. ?The opportunities for employing techniques aimed at reducing the capital and operating costs of the overall process such as heap leach and beneficiation. Preconcentration by screening, gravity separation and radiometric sorting can potentially reduce the mass flow to the downstream leach and recovery plants. ?Purification or separation of uranium in carbonate systems. While it is possible to directly precipitate uranium from clarified leachate, the presence of impurities such as vanadium, molybdenum and others may dictate that ion exchange or selective precipitation is employed. Advances have been made in other industries in terms of improved ion exchange equipment aimed at reducing resin inventories and hence costs. ?Separation in acid leach systems. Earlier developments included the use of combined SX-IX systems (Eluex or Bufflex) and the introduction of continuous countercurrention exchange (CCIX). Column SX has found a ready application to uranium in view of the rapid extraction kinetics. With the renewed interest in uranium processing, efforts are being redirected towards further development of resin-in-pulp (RIP) as a means of driving down capital and operating costs. ?Extraction in a chloride environment. Australia and Namibia are desert countries where good quality water comes at a cost. However, both have access to saline water from either the ocean or subterranean aquifers. The issues associated with operating a uranium extraction operation in such environments is discussed. ?Extraction from less conventional sources. Recent price increases for U3O8 have resulted in a number of companies examining the recovery of uranium from sources such as fossil fuels and phosphate deposits. Both of these areas were examined in the 1970s and 1980s and a number of approaches were commercialized. The paper reviews the extraction options.

Jan 1, 2007

By T. Oberthür

The Great Dyke of Zimbabwe constitutes the world&apos;s second largest reserve of platinum group elements (PGE) after the Bushveld Complex in neighbouring South Africa. Within the Great Dyke, economic concentrations of PGE are restricted to sulphide disseminations of the Main Sulphide Zone (MSZ), which are currently mined at the Ngezi, Unki, and Mimosa mines. Near-surface oxidized MSZ ores have a large potential. Their total resources are in the range of 160-250 Mt; however, all previous attempts to extract the PGE from this ore type have proved uneconomic due to low PGE recoveries (<< 50 per cent) achieved by conventional metallurgical methods. Within the ores of pristine, sulphide-bearing MSZ, the PGE are bimodally distributed. Platinum occurs mainly in the form of discrete platinum group mineral (PGM) grains (mainly bismuthotellurides, sulphides, and arsenides), whereas approximately 80 per cent of the Pd (and some Rh) is hosted in pentlandite. Within the oxidized MSZ ores, the PGE are polymodally distributed. Whereas the arsenide- and sulphide-PGMs that make up approximately 25 per cent of the original Pt content of the ore largely remain stable (relict PGMs), the remaining PGMs are disintegrated. The base metal sulphides are destroyed, partly releasing their base metal and PGE contents, and are replaced by iron oxides or hydroxides. Unspecified amounts of the PGE are redistributed and either form secondary PGMs, are found in chemically and mineralogically ill-defined (Pt/Pd) -oxides or hydroxides, or in iron-hydroxides, Mn-Co-hydroxides, and in secondary silicates. The problematic processing of oxidized MSZ ores is attributable to their complex nature and polymodal distribution of the PGE, prohibiting a significant upgrading of the ores by conventional metallurgical methods. Therefore, only bulk leaching methods are viable for ore treatment, and novel metallurgical methods have to be developed for the processing of these ores. Our ongoing work aims at locating the PGE in their mineralogical form in order to understand the mineralogical balance of the PGE in the ores and thereby facilitate the evaluation of metallurgical options for their recovery. A short overview on options and recent advances regarding the recovery of the PGE from oxidized ores is given.

Jan 1, 2013