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By Kanau JL, Kilgour I

This paper describes the metallurgical processes at the 80 000tpd Ok Tedi Mining Limited concentrator, which treats copper- gold ore by single-stage crushing, SAG and ball milling and flotation to produce over 500 000tpa of concentrate. Plant and process developments, including installation of column cells, reduction of fluorine in concentrate, use of sulphidisation and process control improve- ments are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1991

By Elliott A, Kingsnorth D. J

The development of a large high grade spodumene orebody, in excess of 30M tonnes containing at least 7M tonnes at 4.0% Li20, by Lithium Australia Ltd at Greenbushes, Western Australia is significantly increasing the world consumption of lithium minerals. The availability of two low cost sources of lithium, spodumene concentrates (7.5% Li20) and glass grade spodumene (4.8% Li20) has been welcomed by the ceramic and glass industries as it assists them to lower their raw material costs at a time when they are facing severe competition from alternative materials. While there is no shortage of lithium reserves in the world, there has been a shortage of high quality lithium minerals. The Lithium Australia development has filled this need. The favourable factors of high grade, low impurities, open cut mining and existing infrastructure make this an ideal low cost source for a long term downstream lithium industry. The Lithium Australia mine development has filled the need for a reliable long term supply of lithium minerals. The long term viability of this resource is ensured by the unique combination of the following key attributes of the development : High grade reserves of 7.OM tonnes of 4.0% Li20 within 130 metres of the surface, contained within a total proven reserve of 30M tonnes of 2.8 % Li20. Open pit mining with stripping ratio of less than 2.5:1 waste:ore. Low impurities levels, particularly in those elements, that have a detrimental effect on the colour of glass/ceramics i.e. iron, manganese, titanium and chromium. An existing mine infrastructure that includes an adequate water supply for all foreseeable processing requirements. A sophisticated spodumene concentrator utilizing statistical process control to produce a consistently high grade product with minimal impurities. A technically qualified stable workforce fully acquainted with spodumene processing techniques. Greenbushes high grade concentrates have found ready acceptance in the specialty ceramic and glass industries during the past four years. The consistency and high grade/low impurity level of the product has enabled its use in the production of television tubes, oven to table ware, glass fibres, specialty glasses and ceramic glazes.

Jan 1, 1989

Devitrification of a glassy volcanic ash equivalent to an alkaline trachyte in composition has resulted in the formation of an interstratified illite-montmorillonite with an 1:1\1 content of 1:4 as the principal clay mineral.A high concentration of potassium ions and a deficiency of magnesium ions favoured the formation of the potassium-bentonite.A poorly ordered mica mineral, equivalent to illite, was produced by weathering of potassic feldspar. Subsequent degradation of the illite through the loss of potassium was responsible for the formation of several interstratified minerals with very approximate 1:1\1 contents of 4: I as minor components.Other authigenic minerals present in small amounts were u-cristobalite, sepiolite, and the zeolite clinopitolite.The non-swelling character of the potassium-bentonite makes it economically unattractive...

Jan 1, 1967

By Arthur A. F, MacKenzie I. H

Copper in zinc/lead sinter charged to the Imperial Smelting Furnace operated by Sulphide Corporation Pty Limited at Cockle Creek, New South Wales, concentrates in a complex lead dross which forms as the bullion is cooled to around 400°C. The 0.35 mm portion of this dross, containing approximatelY 67 per cent of the total copper, is treated via a hydrometallurgical route to produce 5000 tonne/yr of CuSO4 5H2O crystal.Around 3000 tonne/yr of copper-lead dross containing 49 per cent copper is leached at 55°C in continuous leach reactors with ammoniacal ammonium carbonate leach liquors to convert copper to soluble copper amine complexes. Leach ettlciencies of 80-85 per cent are obtained. Leach residues are repulped with ammoniacal liquid diluents from the plant and heated in a four stage steam distillation unit to reduce ammonia levels to between 0.5 and 1.0 g/Iitre. The resultant slurry is directed to an effluent treatment plant for final treatment, and separation and return of solids to the sinter plant.Copper is extracted from leach liquor by solvent extraction techniques based on the use of L1X 54 diluted 3:1 with Shellsol 2046 to give a nominal copper loading of 30 g/litre. The loaded organic is contacted with a sulfuric acid solution of pH 5 to remove the bulk of ammonia and zinc, then stripped at 55°C with a 60 g/Iitre H2SO4 95 g/Iitre copper solution to yield a 15 g/Iitre H2SO4 125 g/Iitre copper solution.This liquor is fed to an adiabatic vacuum crvstalliser operating at 35°C and 5 kPa vacuum where crystals of CuSO4 5H2O are formed. Crystals are separated from mother liquor and washed in a two stage pusher centrifuge, then dried in a hot air rotary drier. The crystal product obtained is of a high chemical purity and readily conforms to both Australian and overseas standards.

Jan 1, 1983

By V Shrotri L Muhmood, P Gandhre

The current work deals with the measurement of some thermophysical properties of Ca(NO3)2 based ternary nitrate molten salts as HTF (heat transfer fluid) / TES (Thermal Energy Storage) material for CSP (Concentrating solar power) plants. The density and viscosity of different compositions of the ternary salt mixture containing Ca(NO3)2, NaNO3 and KNO3 close to the liquidus has been experimentally measured. An attempt has also been made to measure the melting point of the salt using the cooling curve technique as well as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Thermogravimetric analysis has also been performed to estimate the peak operating temperature of the salt. Compatibility of suitable pipe material (SS304) with molten salt has also been discussed. The salt mixture proves to be a viable alternative to the already existing HTFs like Therminol VP-1 (organic oil) or Solar Salt® in regards to its lower melting point, wider operating range, low cost, nontoxicity, sufficiently high density and comparable viscosity.

Jun 19, 2024

To the industrial geologist, as wen as to the general or historic geologist, the possession of a reliable key to the true order or sequence of the stratigraphy or position of the various upper rocky envelopes of the earth's crust, is, equally, a desideratum of the utmost importance. Of similar value to the two groups of students is the possession of facts which throw light upon the relationships which subsist between the puccessive rock formation of different countries, especially between countries lying close to each other, or within the same great geographical division.But there is necessarily a fundamental distinction which marks the respective limits of the field of observations of the industrial geologist, and the purely historic interest of the general geologist. The former has a more definite though less extensive scope. The scope of the latter is wide and indeterminate. In short, the observations of the industrial geologist are, 'from a commercial or economic point of view, of a more practical character, and are, therefore, intentionally restricted to the study of all geological questions which throw light upon the rocks which yield products of economic value and only include the study of the character and history of other rocks, in so far, as they afford aid to the more perfect comprehension of the best manner in which materials of economic value are likely to be sought, and the best means whereby these products may be secured for the material advantage of the community. The motive of the general geologist-in most cases-is a love of the study of some particular branch or province of the geological field, and the fascination of opening a new volume in nature's library, and the hope of extending the realm of knowledge, however slight, are often sufficient, as a motive, to enlist the energy and life's devotion of the true brethren of the hammer, irrespective of considerations regarding the commercial utility of the pursuit.

Accurate geometric models of orebodies establish the framework for reliable mineral resource estimates that provide a basis for further exploration and mine planning, as well as for financial models that ultimately determine the economic viability of a deposit. Traditional, explicit geometric modelling techniques that are utilised for resource modelling by the general mining software packages, such as MineSight«, involve manually digitising interpreted ore outlines that must be carefully linked to create valid geometric solid models. An alternative, implicit modelling method, employed by LeapfrogTM software relies on a fast method of global interpolation, which offers several advantages over traditional modelling techniques. Although previous case studies have documented the relative efficiencies of the two approaches, the accuracy of the two methods has not been previously quantified and compared. This study quantifies the accuracy of solid models created using explicit and implicit methods, and compares the differences between the models. Solid models of the Doris Hinge vein gold deposit (located in the Hope Bay district, Nunavut, Canada) are constructed from preliminary and follow-up drilling data using both modelling techniques. The accuracies of the solid models generated using preliminary drilling data are determined by measuring the 3D distance between the surface of the models and the actual contact location defined by the follow-up drilling data. Additional comparisons based on volume, cross-sectional area and surface differences were made between both phase 1 solid models and solid models constructed from phase 2 drilling information. The overall results of this study find that the MineSight« and LeapfrogTM solid model accuracies are virtually the same, and that their volume, cross-sectional area, and surface differences are comparable. This study concludes that the implicit modelling technique generates accurate solid models that can be used in place of explicit models as ore shells for resource estimation in certain circumstances.

Jan 1, 2006

By J Webster-Brown

The Tui Mine is an abandoned Pb-Zn mine giving rise to water quality problems in the Te Aroha region of Coromandel, New Zealand. When sampled in September 2002, for example, both the Tui and Tunakohoia Streams draining the mine site exceeded ANZECC (2000) water quality guidelines for aquatic life protection (Cu, Cd and Zn) and recreational quality (Cd). Based on trace metal mass flux (kg/yr) from parts of the mine site, the principal pathways by which Cu, Zn and Cd contamination reach these streams have been identified as:the tailings dam leachate,the diverted stream water from above the dam,the drainage from Adit 5 (which accounts for 95 % of Zn and Cd contamination in Tunakohoia Stream), andto a lesser extent, run-off from waste rock piles below Adit 4 level. Of the various remediation options, which have been proposed for the site, the following are identified as providing the best protection for the Tui and Tunakohoia streams:stabilising the tailings dam embankment and capping the embankment and tailings,constructing and/or cleaning out engineered diversion drains around the perimeter of the tailings dam to divert surface water away from the tailings dam, andinstalling bulkheads within Adit 5. A formal postal survey of the people of Te Aroha (66 respondents from 230 surveys) indicated that their priority was that the site be made safe for the public to visit, and used for recreation. As soil samples in potential recreational areas of the mine site, significantly exceeded guideline values for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and As, soil removal or capping clearly also needs to be part of a remediation plan. Development of the site as a historical/ecotourism area was viewed favourably, as this may encourage more visitors to the Te Aroha area as well as educate local residents.

Jan 1, 2003

By Chand F

The silver deposits of Rockvale near Armidale, N.S.W., occur in fissure veins in epi-Permian granite. The ore is fine grained, mineralogically complex, and contains twenty-seven different minerals including eleven silver minerals. The ore is characterized by a unique multiple unmixing from a sphalerite solvent. The following minerals have exsolved from solid solution in sphalerite: pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, cubanite I, cubanite II (chalcopyrrhotite), valleriite, "brown" stannite, "olive" stannite, argentian tetrahedrite, pyrargyrite, and an unknown grey-white mineral. Several of these minerals derive from a second-stage unmixing, the immediate solvents of which are the products of earlier exsolutions.INTRODUCTIONSmall silver-rich base metal deposits occur at several localities near Armidale in the New England district of New South Wales. Chief among these are the Tulloch Mine and the Rockvale Mine at Rockvale, 27 miles SE. of Armidale, and the Tait's Gulley deposits some 15 miles NE. of Armidale.At Rockvale (Kenny, 1928), irregular lenses of lode material, principally quartz and calcite, occur along a zone of shearing in biotite granite and altered sediments. The orebodies had a maximum width of 6 ft but averaged 2 ft 6 in. The largest lens was 150 ft long and 50 ft high. The Rockvale deposits were worked for both arsenic and silver; 2,897 tons of arsenic were produced but no figures are available forsilver.Little is known of the Tait's Gulley deposits which occur in folded arenites containing small but rich veins of pyrargyrite with base metal sulphides.The sediments in these localities are possibly Silurian.

Jan 1, 1962

By D Brereton, C J. Moran

In this era of rising focus on the social and environmental costs and benefits of mining operations, the valuation methodologies used to assess such impacts become increasingly important. Within an industry dominated by an engineering culture that places emphasis on net present value (NPV) calculations using high discount rates, difficulties often arise when attempting to justify projects with longer-term, harder to quantify benefits. This is particularly so when these benefits fall in the social and environmental domains and involve other stakeholders. In this paper, we summarise the results of a recent literature review on this subject, which focused on the valuation of æBeyond ComplianceÆ initiatives in the mining sector. We discuss a range of approaches including the quantification of hidden internal costs, financial methods of incorporating risk into calculations, the integration of quantitative and qualitative information, and also the valuation of æexternalitiesÆ or costs and benefits borne by others. We then use a series of examples relating to the management of water in the minerals industry to illustrate how some of these approaches could be applied. There are high-level commitments from both individual companies and groups such as the ICMM to incorporate sustainable development criteria into decision-making processes within the industry. We conclude the paper by arguing that, to meet these commitments, there is a need for the industry to adopt a broader range of valuation methodologies than appears to be the case at present.

Jan 1, 2006

Using Dynamic Simulation Throughout a Process Plant's Life Cycle

Sep 13, 2010

It is now five years since the advent of gold-dredging in Australia, the State of New South 'Wales, or colony as it was, being the first to adopt this system of gold-getting, and the credit of its introduction rests with a member of this Institute, Mr. Chas. L. Garland, who commenced operations with his dredge on the Macquarie River, at the junction of the Muckerawa Creek, in the month of March, 1899. In this paper it is intended to give a brief history of the career of the gold dredge in New South Wales from that relate up to the present time, during which period the writer, as a designer of many dredges, has been constantly in touch with the subject in all its phases in this State; the points noted are the outcome of his observation in a general way, and to a great extent are apart from the design proper.Gold-dredging in New South Wales up to the present moment can hardly be designated an unqualified success...

Jan 1, 1904

Development of aggregate resources for use in structural concrete has been encouraged in Japan to support infrastructure improvement and national land conservation. Natural aggregate is a valuable resource necessary for sound economic development, and its importance is growing. After completion of aggregate mining projects, planting and afforestation are implemented. But sandy soil in excavation sites is not optimum for the growth of vegetation, and many years are needed before forests are restored. Planting techniques should be improved to support efficient reforestation in a shorter period of time. For this purpose, problems hampering growth of vegetation must to be solved through application of physical and physicochemical techniques to ensure that the environment and the ecosystem will be conserved in project sites.

Dec 6, 2010

The need for legislative reform of health and safety legislation has been recognised in New Zealand for about a decade. Previous legislation did not cover all work places, many areas were excluded from coverage, and there were at least 14 different acts and dozens of sets of regulations dealing with various aspects of health and safety.

Jan 1, 1993

Performance of Outotec FloatForce« Flotation Mechanism - A Study in Both Computational Fluid Dynamics and Industrial Scale Measurement

Sep 13, 2010

By Van Dusen M

The involvement of concerned parties in all aspects of the Lihir Project from an early stage has promoted good relations between all groups. Activities involving landowners, the Lihir community, the New Ireland Provincial Government (NIPG) and the prospective developer include the Lihir Liaison Committee, Lihir Working Group, Environmental Planning Committee, Provincial Mining Task Force and the Lihir Mining Area Landowners Association (LMALA). With modifications, the Lihir Liaison model may be of use in promoting good relationships among parties in other mineral developments.

Jan 1, 1991

By Z Li, A Fleming, S Webster, L Snyman

Northparkes Mines is developing the E26 Lift 1 North block cave mine, which is adjoined to the existing E26 cave. This paper presents the challenges and methods used to design the ground support system during the feasibility study. Calibrated numerical simulations were conducted to forecast the levels of rock mass damage and to assist the ground support design. Generally, low to moderate rock mass damage is forecast on the extraction and undercut levels. However, poor ground conditions are expected in sheared and preconditioned zones adjacent the existing E26 cave. This will result in difficult ground conditions during development, undercutting and drawbell establishment. Empirical assessments were conducted to make sure the ground support system is able to handle both the static and dynamic load demand, and to accommodate the deformation values. A safety factor of 1.5 was used for the designs to cover the unknown rock mass conditions and potential for larger seismic events. Learnings from the E26 Lift 1 and SLC, also mining against the E26 cave, are incorporated into the design. Fibrecrete, mesh and resin bolts / mechanical anchors are the primary ground support system used, and cable bolts for intersections with a span of more than 6 m. Following undercutting and during the operating life of the mine, secondary ground support and rehabilitation will be required.

Mar 15, 2021

By J Penman, N Turner, H Liu

This paper aims to present a snapshot of the risk profile for tailings storage facilities within Western Australia by comparing the spatial distribution of known facilities against common geohazards such as cyclonic activity, climate, and peak ground accelerations from earthquakes. The analysis also includes an assessment of proximity to populations at risk including towns and sensitive receptors including significant river systems and wetlands.

Jul 1, 2021

By K Ringwood, J Cummings, C J. Moran

The development of a water accounting framework that enables consistent and contextual reporting of minerals operationsÆ water use, represents a key sustainable development objective that many Australian minerals companies have committed to. A future water accounting framework will require: key terms and definitions for water metrics for use in the Australian minerals industry that are consistent with the wider water sector, a suite of metrics representing key components of an operationÆs water balance, a calculation method for some of the metrics, and a reporting protocol. This paper presents the methodology that was used to derive these four components. Existing accounting frameworks were reviewed and key terms and definitions that were consistent with current regulatory requirements and voluntary approaches were proposed. A calculation methodology was developed to obtain some of the key indicators and variables that cannot be easily measured directly (eg water loss through evaporation). The adopted terms and definitions typically require a combination of empirical and estimated data. To test the proposed definitions and calculation methodology, values for water metrics were derived for eight sites, selected to test a variety of commodity and biophysical situations. The proposed framework and definitions could deal with the specific situations selected as case studies. The associated calculation methodology produced complete accounts at various levels. Some elements of the accounts could be directly checked against available data and simulations. The framework captured well variations in the reuse efficiencies; reuse efficiency could even vary for similar processes. It is concluded that this preliminary accounting framework provides a consistent language and metrics for quantifying and communicating water management, both at the intersection of the site with the surrounding landscape (through detailed reporting of site inputs and outputs) and within operational activities. Using this consistent framework for quantifying and documenting water use within an operation will provide a platform for compiling and comparing minerals industry water use with other sectors. This may support benchmarking activities within regions or companies and help demonstrate leadership amongst water users in water resource stewardship. The approach presented here is applicable to a wide variety of mining and processing activities, and biophysical environments, and following a period of stakeholder engagement and third party review, is being refined as a first step towards developing nationally consistent water use reporting for the Australian minerals industry.

Jan 1, 2009

This paper contains an account of some creep tests on electrolytic lead and some of its alloys. The stresses used in determining creep were 500, 350, and 200 lb. per sq.' in. The alloys contained silver, bismuth, tellurium, antimony and zinc respectively. All were castin vacuo, and tested "as rolled." Tests were done also on electrolytic lead which had been cast in air.The electrolytic lead contained 0.0005% total impurities.The preparation and vacuum casting of this lead have been described in a previous paper in this series. The preparation of the alloys, and the air casting of the electrolytic lead, are described in the next section.EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE.Every effort was made to keep the vacuum-cast specimens from contact with the atmosphere throughout their history.The ingots were stored eIther in a vacuum desiccator or immersed in heavy oil. The creep specimens were coated with vaseline except during rolling, etching and photography, which involved exposure to the atmosphere for about 45 minutes all told.It is not claimed that vaseline is a perfect shield against the intrusion of atmospheric gases. Possibly during the months that some tests were in progress the gases diffused through the vaseline and gained a limited access to the lead.Nevertheless, the use of vaseline gave protection that brought the tests nearer the ideal at which the author aimed, *Research Fellow, Dept. of Metallurgy, University of Melbourne.

Jan 1, 1936