Search Documents

The rocks of the Serranias Chilla massif of Bolivia are a suite of metamorphosed Palaeozoic basalts and associated continental sediments. Whole-rock trace element geochemistry of the basalts suggest a calc-alkaline affinity and indicate that subduction extended as far north as the Bolivian Altiplano during lower Palaeozoic time.

Jan 1, 1990

The Dizon open pit mine of Benguet Corporation in western Central Luzon, Philippines has yielded some 182 000 t copper, and about 26 000 kg gold and 48 000 kg silver as by products since it started operation in November 1979. The 140 million tonne orebody is associated with a small quartz diorite porphyry stock emplaced in volcanic rocks on the basal slope of a stratovolcano complex as stockworks, fracture fillings and disseminated sulphide mineralization averaging 0.43% Cu, 0.93 g/t Au and 2.5 g/t Ag. Intense hydrothermal alteration accompanied the mineralization that developed fairly distinct mineral assemblages within and around the intrusive. Post-ore volcanic activity later gave birth to an upward-flaring diatreme which broke out south of and adjacent to the orebody and partially destroying it. Subsequent volcanic activity buried the mineralized area along with the rest of the stratovolcano's surrounding slopes under a thick deposit of pyroclastic and laharic debris. Erosion eventually removed the volcanic cappings over Dizon and also exposed the quartz diorite porphyry stock which might have resulted in the truncation of a sizeable section of the Dizon deposit. The chain of stratovolcanoes that comprise southeastern Zambales range hugging the southeastern edge of the Zambales ophiolite is part of a west-facing volcanic arc that extends for some 300 km along the western margin of central and southern Luzon whose development has been correlated to the subduction in the Manila Trench located off the west coast of Luzon. Prominent WNW-trending lineaments that cut across the ophiolite appear to be splays of the Philippine Fault whose intersection with the Mt. Pinatubo stratovolcano complex might have localized the emplacement of a number of intermediate stocks along with the gold-rich porphyry copper mineralizations associated with some of them.

Jan 1, 1987

By B Rohrlach, J Gonzalez, A Buenavista

Located on the island of Mindanao in the Southern Philippines, the Tampakan copper-gold deposit represents a major high-sulfidation epithermal deposit superimposed on an underlying porphyry copper system. With a recent JORC compliant indicated and inferred resource estimate of 1104 million tonnes at 0.65 per cent copper and 0.26 g/t gold at a 0.3 per cent copper cut-off grade, Tampakan represents the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposit in Southeast Asia. Since its acquisition by Indophil ResourcesÆ affiliate Sagittarius Mines Inc in August 2002, the deposit is the subject of an ongoing preliminary feasibility study into project viability that is initially focused on a higher-grade copper zone in the north-central part of the deposit. The deposit is hosted by a sequence of subaerial andesitic flows (Tampakan Andesite Sequence) related to a highly eroded andesitic stratavolcanic complex of Pliocene age. Detailed mapping and geochronological dating has identified four volcanic cycles or centres that have been sequentially developed and eroded. This stratovolcanic complex is interpreted to lie on the northern extension of the Sangihe volcanic arc that extends from Northern Sulawesi in Indonesia. The Tampakan district is located within a complex tectonic setting dominated by WNW trending wrench faults that form part of the trans-Mindanao Cotabato Fault Zone. The Tampakan deposit is located near the intersection of one of several WNW trending splay structures with a prominent NNE trending dilational structure, one of many that transect the host volcanic complex. High-sulfidation style copper-gold mineralisation at Tampakan is broadly associated with and central to a flat-lying tabular body of pervasive silica and silica-clay alteration developed within a district- scale lithocap of advanced-argillic and argillic hydrothermal alteration that extends over an area of 90 km2 within the volcanic complex.

Jan 1, 2004

The segment of the Upper Cenozoic volcanic chain (CVZ) located on the western border of South America (16-28¦S lat.) is constituted by an association of strato- volcanoes and ignimbrite sheets, with high K calco-alkaline affinities. Strata-bound volcanoes, mainly of andesitic and dacitic composition, present along the whole chain, and various hydrothermal alteration zones, on the slopes and in the cores of eroded volcanic structures. Some of these altera- tion zones bear epithermal precious metal ores and sulphur deposits, which at present are being exploited. The studied Salar de Gorbea area, located in the Andes of northern Chile (25-26¦S lat.) contains a numer- ous group of Miocene to Quaternary stratovolcanoes, with advanced argillic and extreme silicification hydrothermal alteration in their cores and on their slopes, favoring the formation of great volumes of alunite within altered zones and sulphur deposits in the higher parts of the volcanic edifices. Simultaneously, siliceous hydrothermal breccia of the phreato-magmatic type, with evidences of hydromag- matic explosions are recognizable, allowing, in some cases, the ascent towards the surface of rock fragments belonging to the Paleozoic pre volcanic basement. Radiometric ages obtained in some of the hydro- thermal alteration zones (K-Ar in alunite) are slighty young- er than the unaltered rocks which constitute the strato- volcano. Trace element (Hg, As, Sb, S, Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo) patterns in orientative rock samplings show that the studied alterations zones correspond to high sectors of the cpithermal system, without evidences of metallic minerali- zation on surface. The weak erosive action due to the ex- tremely and climatic conditions in this segment of the Andes, has not allowed the cropping out of deeper areas of the hydrothermal alteration zones, in contrast to other Miocene more eroded volcanic edifices and Miocene vol- canic terranes of the Andean Range.

Jan 1, 1987

By Golding S. D, Price P. L

The Early Permian Aldebaran Sandstone is the main hydrocarbon reservoir in the Denison Trough. Contained hydrocarbon gas has a wet gas index (C1/CI - C4) of between 0.87 and 0.97 (N=10), and constituent methane has 813CPDB values ranging from -51.5 to -36.2% (N=10). These values clearly indicate that the gas is thermogenic rather than biogenic. Considering the predominantly humic nature and maturity of all organic source material for the gas, the methane 813C values are anomalously low, with typical values for humic methane present in natural gas formed at similar maturity levels significantly higher at -26 ¦ 5%o. This suggests that, in addition to disseminated organic matter in underlying marine mudrocks of the Cattle Creek Formation, methane substantially more depleted in 13C was derived from coal seams of the Reids Dome beds, a thick coal measure sequence which underlies the Cattle Creek Formation and, in the south, the Aldebaran Sandstone. This methane is likely to have S13C values of between -75 and -40 oo, based on the known isotopic composition of dry gas trapped in humic coals of similar rank in the Sydney Basin and elsewhere in the Bowen Basin. In addition to the low methane S13C values, the contribution of coal seam methane would explain the fact that, (1) methane S13C values do not show the normal increase with decreasing gas wetness, and (2)013C%o (ethane-methane) values do not show the expected decrease with decreasing gas wetness. The presence of co-existing, isotopically heavy CO2 (S13C = +2.0 to +3.4%0, N=3) in the Glentulloch and Merivale Fields is consistent with the view that natural gas in the Aldebaran Sandstone is in part coal seam derived.

Jan 1, 1991

By A Cheatle

GoldcorpÆs Musselwhite mine in north-western Ontario, Canada has in recent years become a world-class deposit. Initially discovered in the early 1960s by Alan and Harold Musselwhite, the then marginal mine eventually started production in 1997 and has to date produced 2.6 Moz of gold. Two million ounces of gold are currently classified as Mineral Reserve and a further 1.2 Moz of gold are classified in the Mineral Resource category for a total gold inventory approaching 6 Moz. Growth of the mineral inventory has been achieved through the successful implementation of strategic planning that sought to extend the mine life through discovery of additional economic zones and increased mined tonnages. Accelerated exploration activity commenced in 2001, at a time when gold price was at its lowest in decades. Focus was placed on building, developing and retaining a highly skilled geological team, maintaining purpose, conducting external reviews and developing a new geological model through research partnerships. Ongoing collaborative research between Lakehead University and Musselwhite mine has seen the development of new structural and geological models through post-graduate and academic studies. Research has included lithogeochemical, stable isotope and structural and metamorphic studies and has led to the evolution of a new mineralisation model (for the mine) and the recognition of brittle and ductile deformation regimes within the mineralised horizons. Exploration drilling continues to provide support for the new geologic model. Gold discoveries have extended known mineralisation 2.3 km along strike from mineral reserves and laterally into parallel zones. The exploration potential to further increase production rates, Mineral Reserves and Resources remains very positive and increases in overall gold inventory are likely. Musselwhite mine has significantly exceeded initial projections for a ten year life-of-mine and a marginal existence.

Jan 1, 2009

By J Theiler, B Beamish

Spontaneous combustion hazard assessment from an environmental impact perspective is not well understood and is seldom given due consideration in environmental impact statements. In surface mining operations, self-heating, leading to spontaneous combustion may occur when rock units containing reactive metal sulphides and organic carbon are disturbed by mining operations and exposed to the atmosphere. When these rocks are present self-heating will occur in situations where the rate of heat generated from oxidation reactions exceeds the rate of heat lost to the surroundings. The processes and mechanisms that lead to spontaneous combustion events are varied and generally complex. To effectively manage spontaneous combustion in surface mining operations, it is necessary to characterise the spontaneous combustion propensity of the geological materials involved. Until recently there has been no testing procedure for assessing the propensity of waste rock to spontaneously combust that has been adopted by industry. However, new developments in adiabatic test methods have proven successful in determining the self-heating behaviour of coal (Beamish and Theiler, 2015) and coal containing reactive pyrite (Beamish and Theiler, 2017). These adiabatic test methods have now been modified to assess the incubation behaviour of waste rocks and can be used for their spontaneous combustion characterisation in advance of mining (Beamish and Theiler, 2016). The new method provides a practical means to establish the likelihood of developing a spontaneous combustion event for the specific site conditions. This paper presents examples of the use of a cost effective first pass filter for assessing spontaneous combustion potential of waste rock based on geochemical data from four surface mines. This is supported by adiabatic Incubation Test results for three of the mines and visual examination of cores for one of the mines. CITATION:Theiler, J and Beamish, B, 2018. Valid spontaneous combustion hazard assessment for surface mine environmental impact statements, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2018, pp 64–67 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 25, 2018

By Colwell JB, Cronan DS

Manganese nodules cover great areas of deep ocean floor far from land, and have long been considered a major potential resource of nickel, copper, cobalt and perhaps manganese. A decade ago there was a period of intense evaluation of nodule fields, especially those lying between the Clarion and Clipperton Fracture Zones in international waters southeast of Hawaii. There, nodules are abundant and of high grade (average of 2.4% Ni+Cu+Co). The evaluation activity has since declined, but a recent agreement on lease boundaries among all interested parties may lead to a resurgence of work. Indeed, French and Japanese groups have pushed ahead with field and economic assessments.The Southwest Pacific, where there are large nodule fields in the waters of the Cook Islands and Kiribati, has seen considerable assessment of resources in the last ten years, especially through a major field programme of the Japanese Metal Mining Agency. The best prospect appears to be in the South Penrhyn Basin, in Cook Islands waters, where nodules are very abundant but of only moderate grade (1% Ni+Cu+Co). Using a cut-off of 5 kg of wet nodules per m2, Cronan (1989) and Cronan et al. (1989) have estimated the total resource to be a huge 110 million tonnes of Ni+Cu+Co.

Jan 1, 1990

This paper describes the technical development of the Newman beneficiation plant over its 23 years of operation and how this development relates to the mine ore reserves of high-grade and low-grade ore. It also discusses the importance of the beneficiation product grades in the overall blending of shippable products from a range of mines to optimise overall ore resource utilisation. Also discussed is the importance of the ore reserve reconciliations in resource utilisation. Data is provided on the capacity and quality improvement results of the plant upgrade, carried out in 1999. This shows how the original capacity upgrade targets have been exceeded and the additional quality benefits that have been obtained from this capacity.

Jan 1, 2002

By A D. Campbell, G R. Power

The increasing availability of marker data in sublevel caving operations is changing the way draw can be managed to achieve positive recovery outcomes in these mines. This paper describes how marker data has been incorporated into flow simulations to help calibrate full mine ore recovery simulations for the forecasting and optimisation of recovery.Some flow modelling techniques do not use marker data, relying instead on the outcomes of physical and numerical experiments to guide assumptions about an idealised recovery flow shape. Other mines have access to marker trial data, but find it difficult to specifically link this marker trial information to their recovery models. This can make it difficult to create a link between the marker trial information and recovery forecasting and limits the potential value of the marker trials at the mine.In the simulations shown here, the marker rings are fully incorporated into the flow model, and can be tracked in the model. The model is compared against the real underground marker recovery information to give the user an indication of how accurately the flow settings in the model are reflecting the conditions in the experimental marker rings. An example of use of this system at an operational mine is included.CITATION:Power, G R and Campbell, A D, 2016. Modelling of real-time marker data to improve operational recovery in sublevel caving mines, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 105–110 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By Jena, Anand S, Das R. P

Leaching studies were carried out on Indian Ocean manganese nodules using sulphuric acid as the lixiviant. By leaching the nodules with 8 per cent sulphuric acid for 12h at 100°C, copper and nickel could be completely extracted along with 50 per cent cobalt and 6.2 per cent manganese.94.2 per cent of the iron was also dissolved. To increase manganese and cobalt extraction, charcoal was used as a reductant. The role of charcoal was to reduce the manganese dioxide and render it soluble as manganese sulphate as well as to facilitate solution of the cobalt minerals associated with the manganese dioxide. Various leaching parameters were studied including acid concentration, amount of reductant, leach time, pulp density and leach temperature. It was found that by leaching the nodules with 10 per cent sulphuric acid at 100°C for 4h using 5 wt/wt per cent charcoal (0.05g of charcoal per g of nodule) almost complete extraction of copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese could be achieved. However, under these conditions all the iron present in the nodules was also leached.

Jan 1, 1989

Whereas traditionally, stable isotope research has been directed towards resource exploration and development, it is finding more frequentapplications in helping to assess the impacts of resource utilization upon ecosystems. Among the many pursuits, two themes are evident:(1) tracing the transport and conversions of pollutants in the environment and(2) better understanding of the interplay among environmental receptors, e.g. food web studies. Stable isotope data are used primarily to identify the presence of pollutants in the environment and with a few exceptions, the consequence of their presence must be assessed by other techniques. Increasing attention has been given to the isotopic composition of humans with many potential applications in areas such as paleodiets, medicine, and criminology. In this brief overview examples are used from the Pacific Rim to illustrate the above concepts. Stable isotope data will undoubtedly play an increasing role in multi-disciplinary research in the Pacific Rim. However, consideration should be given to more effective strategies, e.g. networking, for pursuing large scale problems such as long range circulation of pollutants.

Jan 1, 1990

By Verma UK

Mining for sand was active in South Delhi during the last four decades disregarding all norms of safety. The aim of the paper is to highlight what is proposed to be done for mining in Delhi. Apart from the damage to the landscape, the earlier operations gave rise to visual pollution to the scenic Delhi area and there is immediate need of land restoration and landscaping. Future mining should be planned so that the resultant land surface completely merges with the topography and gradually assimilates with the green belt. Restoration of old workings, land reclamation and details of plantation in old pit areas are included. The project also provides a demon- stration site to show the impact of eco-development leading to new legisla- tive measures, as it is in the Capital of India itself and therefore more accessible than any other area. What has been suggested for mining is not the latest and the most modern equipments from the Western point of view but the right equipment to meet the specific requirement of the country. Financial projections are included alongwith technical details of the project to show the benefits to the society. It is concluded that eco-development is essential for the mining in the Twenty- First Century.

Jan 1, 1986

By B P. Banerjee, S Raval

In the recent past there have been dramatic advancements in the development of remote sensing platforms (satellite, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles – UAVs) as well as sensor systems (multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and radar). However, selection of the appropriate remote sensing technique for a mining application is complex and requires scrutiny on multiple scales including spatial, temporal and imaging capabilities. This presentation highlights various conventional and emerging remote sensing approaches over a mine’s life.CITATION:Banerjee, B P and Raval, S, 2016. Applications of advanced remote sensing systems during a mine life, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2016 Conference , pp 116–120 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 28, 2016

Safe, efficient production is a common objective for all large open pit mines. Despite comprehensive policies, procedures and regulations aimed at protecting workers, several people die each year in mining equipment-related collisions. The limited sightlines of heavy equipment operators coupled with difficult operating conditions are major contributing factors to the majority of mining equipment collisions. Off road haul trucks are the most common type of machinery involved in surface accidents. These vehicles represent the primary target for improving safety performance by mine operators. Although several commercial products have been introduced to address these issues, none have achieved significant market acceptance. The current collision avoidance solutions lack integration with onboard fleet management and equipment health systems. To achieve acceptance in industry, any collision avoidance system must offer high reliability, minimal false alarms, and value for money. With these criteria in mind, this paper will examine the pros and cons of the various technological approaches to collision avoidance in an open pit mining environment. The unique global positioning systems (GPS) and camera-based proximity detection solution on offer from Modular Mining Systems will be described. This solution uses intelligent filters to minimise false alarms. Tight integration with fleet management provides context information to enhance warnings and enable back-office near-miss analysis. Available today, this combination creates a practical solution to improve the situational awareness of heavy equipment operators, at a compelling price point. Future directions for maximising heavy equipment operator situational awareness will also be examined.

May 1, 2010

By J R. Ruiseco, D La Rosa, L Julian, W Hunt

The DeGrussa copper-gold deposit is located 900 km North of Perth. Copper-gold bearing massive sulfide lenses occur in lower greenschist facies meta-sedimentary and mafic volcanics of the Bryah Basin. Regional folding, faulting, and tilting of the stratigraphy primarily occurred during the Capricorn Orogen (Johnson, 2013). The Shiraz Fault and Merlot Fault are regional oblique-sinistral faults that offset the DeGrussa massive sulfides lenses into three fault blocks by ~350 m and ~120 m, respectively. A network of deposit-scale brittle-ductile faults splay from, and in one example are cut by, the Shiraz and Merlot faults. This results in localised ore displacement, selvage alteration and degradation of the rock mass integrity. Historically, only the Shiraz and Merlot Faults were modelled and validated during mining and grade control. The requirement for a comprehensive structural model became more relevant as mining became advanced and confining stresses on local rock mass became more complicated. The DeGrussa Structural Model has been developed to delineate areas of structural complexity and is an important tool in mitigating rockfall risk through well informed technical design. During this process, every accessible excavation was walked and structurally mapped. New workflows in Leapfrog Geo and new technology, including an app that runs on mobile phones streamlined the validation process. Drill hole orientation was a limiting factor during validation. At the time of writing this submission, the DeGrussa Structural Model consists of 34 faults, and is now an important tool for the Technical Service team when developing mine plans and schedules. Applied structural geology is often seen as exclusive to those with a PhD in the field. Faults at DeGrussa have been modelled and reconciled by a Mine Geologist and Geotechnical Engineer, using first principles geological characterisation. This is a simple process that demonstrates any geologist can contribute to a structural model, provided they understand the fundamentals of unbiased structural measurements and consistent record of observation

Mar 22, 2022

By J-P Franzidis, M Esvelt, E V. Manla

The Floatability Characterisation Test Rig (FCTR) is a self-contained, highly instrumented, mobile pilot plant that is able to treat up to 2 tph solids. It consists of a bank of six 130 L WEMCO« SmartCells« and a bank of six 50 L WEMCO« SmartCells«. It was developed as part of the AMIRA P9 Project, primarily to determine ore floatability characteristics and to develop and validate flotation plant modelling, scale-up and simulation methodologies. However, it may also be used to carry out pilot-scale flotation test work. This paper briefly describes the circuit modelling, simulation and scale-up test work performed using the FCTR and the use of the FCTR in pilot-plant test work performed by the metallurgical staff at WMCÆs Kambalda Nickel Operations and Mount Keith Nickel Operation. At both Kambalda and Mount Keith the FCTR was found to be very flexible and straightforward to run, with an easily changeable circuit configuration and stable operation. Testwork was facilitated through having full stream sampling on all streams, and a high degree of instrumentation providing accurate measurement of process variables. The results obtained from the FCTR testwork were highly repeatable. As a consequence of using the FCTR, WMCÆs Kambalda Operation and Mt Keith Operation were able to complete a rigorous programme of pilot plant testwork more quickly than in the past, and with a high degree of confidence in the results.

Jan 1, 2003

By D H. Bell

Slab-buckle failures in coal sequences involve thin slab deformation in strata dipping parallel to the footwall, and are a consequence of both unloading and the weak nature of the thinly bedded rock mass. Methods of modelling and predicting such occurrences include: +        a conceptual model using a base friction table, +        a mathematical model using the Euler solution for column and beam bending (after Goodman, 1980), and +        computer analysis techniques such as UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code after Cundall and Hart, 1993).   Slab-buckle failures have the potential to seriously disrupt production because of their volume and rapidity, and to endanger both equipment and personnel working on the pit floor.   In July 2004 a large slab-buckle failure occurred overnight after a new batter and bench had been formed at the Malvern Hills Opencast Mine in inland Canterbury. This involved the entire length of the pit (85m along strike) when a 2m thick intact slab with a total volume of ~3500m3 translated down dip 6.2m on the base of a thin coal seam to form a pronounced buckle at the toe. The coal measures consist of finely laminated mudrocks with multiple coal seams of varying thickness dipping ~45¦ to the southeast, and the opencast mine had been designed with footwall batters formed parallel to bedding with a vertical bench separation of 15m.   Back analysis of the Malvern Hills failure was necessary to investigate the controls on footwall instability, and for future mine design. An engineering geological model was created and samples of the slab material and failure surface were collected and tested to establish the required parameters for use in the Euler solution for column and beam bending. Back analysis using the Euler solution provided unrealistic results that overestimated the overall length of a stable slope by more than 10 times.   No further large scale slab-buckle failures have developed at the mine site, in part because of the slow rate of coal extraction, but precautionary drainage of the footwall slopes has been undertaken to improve overall batter stability. The location of the slab-buckle failure on a critically positioned pre-sheared thin coal seam with full hydrostatic head is considered the most probable cause of the July 2004 failure, rather than inherent instability of the generic bench and batter arrangement adopted. The use of a precedent-based engineering geology approach to future mine design is considered the most appropriate solution in the circumstances.

Jan 1, 2007

By R H. Knight

Production mine geology must be accurate and efficient in order to reduce risk and ensure that ore value and mining operation revenue are maximised. Present grade control practices are commonly based on outmoded and inaccurate 2D geological mapping techniques where spatial relationships are estimated by eye, sketched by hand and projected to arbitrary reference planes. The 3D mapping approach outlined in this paper integrates 3D photogrammetric imagery with implicit modelling techniques to enable more accurate grade control and reconciliation in underground mines. High-resolution stereo photographs are taken of daily ore development headings. Ore contacts are traced directly on a 2D face photo using a stylus and rugged tablet. Area-weighted face grades are estimated and calculated on mapped 2D face planes. In the office, a 3D photorealistic mesh is processed and georeferenced. 2D face mapping data is transformed into its actual 3D location and true 3D mine mapping is performed by digitising oriented 3D polylines representing ore contacts and other geological features directly onto the image surface. Three-dimensional spatial relationships are fixed, eliminating the projection error of traditional 2D methods. Ore envelope and waste solids are modelled within the closed, drift-round mesh. Volume-weighted ore envelope and round grades, as well as round volume and tonnage, are calculated. Ore/waste classifications, grade, tonnage and per cent dilution are quantified per round, visually assessed in 3D and reconciled with short- and long-term models on a daily basis. Updated geological continuity models provide geological guidance in development headings under geological control and accurate 3D structural and form-line mapping improves definition drilling and stope planning. Three-dimensional imagery provides a permanent detailed survey and geological record of mine workings that can be revisited virtually to reinterpret geological ore controls in light of new observations and insights. In addition images can be used to monitor daily production performance, create training scenarios for miners, engineers and geologists and prepare management presentations. This approach adds value to underground mines by improving the accuracy and efficiency of mine geology practices. The method is particularly effective in mines with visually distinct and geometrically complex orebodies, such as those in the Balmat zinc mine located in New York State, USA, which are used to illustrate the method.CITATION:Knight, R H, 2017. 3D mine mapping – improving grade control and reconciliation in underground mines using photogrammetric imagery and implicit modelling techniques, in Proceedings Tenth International Mining Geology Conference 2017, pp 203–212 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 20, 2017

By N Armitage, C Young

In the dynamic realm of mining health and safety, addressing psychosocial hazards is crucial. Legislative requirements now demand employers navigate this complex terrain, but uncertainty often clouds effective management. The resource industry’s skills in managing physical hazards are showcased in their adaptability in this case study. Integrating the Critical Risk Management framework with organisational psychology, a mining company achieved a transformative breakthrough. They identified and assessed psychosocial hazards and established a sustained and risk based approach to managing these hazards within the workplace. This innovative approach encompasses strategic steps. Key learning from the case study was: - Beyond Bow-tie Analysis: Discover why a linear risk analysis tool, like Bow-tie Analysis, falls short in capturing the dynamic and interdependent nature of psychosocial hazards. - Psychological Safety Power: Learn why psychological safety is vital for gathering accurate data and ensuring control effectiveness. - Dive into how it creates a data-driven foundation for success. - Broadening the Brush: Explore the impact of preloading Broad Brush Risk Assessments, an educational and dynamic hazard-identification tool. Control Mastery: Gain insights into how the Critical Risk Management framework ensures ongoing control monitoring and effectiveness for psychosocial hazards. While this implementation’s outcomes are still in their early phases, promising key indicators such as absenteeism, turnover and cultural engagement have emerged. These metrics are set to experience positive shifts as controls prove adequate. As the conference nears, we anticipate having data to showcase these transformative results. Join us in this illuminating presentation as we journey toward a safer, more psychologically resilient workplace.

Apr 16, 2024