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By Driver R. C, Moelle K. H R

This paper is dedicated to the memory of our friend Peter McKenzie who contributed much to the knowledge of the New South Wales Coalfields.ABSTRACTA fossil river system was recently mapped over parts of the Southern Coalfield, N.S.W. This river system occurs in the roof strata of the Bulli Seam. Sandstone of a fluvial nature was deposited in its course. The sandstone exhibits strong sedimentary vectorial properties and has a marked influence on strata-control in colliery workings.The sedimentary features analysed indicate an approximate S200W flow direction. Petrological studies reveal a clastic, well-cemented sedimentologically and structurally anistropic rock type. Washouts have been found and isopach maps of both sandstone and underlying roof-strata have been compiled. Relevant measurements were carried out in existing colliery workings and on bore cores.Optical determinations of feldspars revealed the presence of plagiocIase feldspars with few exceptions. Most of the feldspars are altered to clay minerals. It was found that a geographical trend exists in the distribution of feldspars, with more basic plagioclase in the northern part of the field.The source area of the fluvial sandstone lies to the north of the Southern Coalfield.Petrofabric analyses were done on several specimens of the fluvial sandstone. In the vicinity of major disturbances, penetrative fabrics were discovered.Calcites (e, 0112), micas (001), and quartz (crystalIo graphic c) show preferred orientations.

Jan 1, 1967

By M T. Grigoleit, M S. Schneider

The iron ore industry in Australia has, in recent years, experienced an unprecedented growth phase. But now that major expansions are moving into the operation phase, new challenges have emerged. Whereas initial planning may involve a few modelling studies, ongoing performance monitoring and improvement requires a different, more intense approach. This is especially important in the face of changing factors such as commodity prices, exchange rates and labour markets. Response time is key. As a mining operation proceeds from initial planning to daily operations, the time window for analysis shortens, going from months to weeks to days as the business matures.Simulation models and analysis tools are typically built and run by specialists in the planning phase, but then what? The investment has been made, but realised only once. What if further analysis could be carried out in-house, re-using existing models using up-to-the-minute data? Can we create virtual mines that run in parallel to live operations that allow computers to identify areas of a value creation or operational improvement? These questions can be answered by the innovative application of big data, simulation and predictive analytics. The future will be having this all integrated into one platform that offers, for the first time, an opportunity for non-experts to apply existing modelling and analysis assets – combined with live data – to deliver support for continuous improvement, and the ability to respond quickly to external changes in the best possible way, before they become big problems. These techniques will represent a step change in the ability for operations to maximise efficiency and will underpin the intelligent operations of the future. These issues are addressed in this paper.CITATION:Schneider, M S and Grigoleit, M T, 2015. Maximising productivity through big data, simulation and predictive analytics, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 475–480 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By G J. Lyman, S A. Tittlemier

International regulations exist to manage the concentrations of mycotoxins such as Ochratoxin A (OTA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) in grains and prevent health risks from excessive exposure to OTA and DON. Since the permitted levels of these mycotoxins are very low (existing maximum levels are in the range of 5 ppb for OTA and 1–2 ppm for DON), sampling for these mycotoxins is potentially challenging. Given that the distribution of infected kernels in a consignment of wheat can be highly heterogeneous, detection by current sampling methods is subject to a high variance. Furthermore, the concentrations of mycotoxins in individual kernels vary over orders of magnitude, intensifying the heterogeneity of the bulk grain.In these circumstances, there is much interest in developing sampling plans that inform regulatory agencies, and mitigate the risk of misclassifying grain shipments as compliant or non-compliant within the global grain trade, when correctly implemented.Experimental data from laboratory and field studies describing individual wheat kernel concentrations of OTA and DON were combined with experimental data describing the variance due to the analytical methods used for OTA and DON to calculate the sampling distribution for wheat having various levels of contamination. This work has focused on quantifying the heterogeneity of samples at the point of submission for analysis and within subsequent sample preparation to arrive at total sampling distributions that include uncertainties due to the intrinsic heterogeneity and the analytical uncertainties. The sampling uncertainty that relates to the difference between the primary sample analysis and the true lot analysis is not included as it has been dealt with elsewhere.CITATION:Lyman, G J and Tittlemier, S A, 2017. The sampling characteristics of grains contaminated by mycotoxins, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 281–294 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

THE method depends upon:--1. The position of the mill.2. The space available for stacking the residue.3. The nature of the residue as discharged from the mill.4. The value of the residue for re-treatment.5. The requirement of the residue for underground filling.Originally the conditions in this district varied mainly in the position of the mill, some mills having an elevated site with plenty of dumping space for the time being, whilst others had a flat site, and very little dumping space near at hand; but in most cases the residue discharged was in the form of filter-press cakes, suitable for conveying on belts, or in trucks, and stacking in a high clump; and, while a portion of the residue was used for underground filling, the dump was regarded as a valuable asset, to be re-treated later. Under these conditions, conveyor belts, electric trams, aerial trams, and hose trucks, all gave satisfactory results, and the following figures, taken from "'West Australian Metallurgical Practice," will show how these methods compared as regards costs...

Jan 1, 1909

By J C. Carlile

Many low sulphidation epizonal gold and zinc-lead vein deposits within magmatic arcs are situated on basement highs, and post-date both the main volcanic episode and porphyry copper (gold) mineralisation. These features are best explained by emplacement of a flat batholith a few kilometres beneath each mineral district, as recently demonstrated by geophysical data in the Baia Mare district of Romania. The batholith provides heat for the hydrothermal system, and results in extensional faulting both through up-doming of the overlying rocks, and in some arcs through incipient collapse of the thermally weakened crust under regional extensional stress. More water-rich magmas emplaced at greater depths could explain some deep epizonal and mesothermal gold deposits situated outside magmatic arcs.

Jan 1, 1995

The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) has developed an airborne sensor, the SWIR Full Spectrum Imager (SFSI) which detects in the short wave infrared range of the solar spectrum from 1220 to 2420 nm. In June of 1995, a demonstration flight was undertaken in the state of Nevada with the support of the companies listed above. The focus of the flight was to collect image data over well known mineral deposits with the objective of evaluating the applicability of this sensor to alteration mineral mapping. Some of the Nevada sites chosen include Cuprite and Goldfield, volcanic hosted acid sulfate systems; Yerington, a structurally complex porphyry copper deposit; and Virginia City, a quartz-sericite-pyrite vein system with advanced argillic pods. Ground spectral data was collected with the PIMA-II spectrometer. Solar reflectance calibration was done by Desert Research Institute personnel at Virginia City and Cuprite. This paper will discuss the configuration of the sensor and present image and ground data for Goldfield and Virginia City.

Jan 1, 1995

Tried, Tested and Proven - 300 m3 Flotation Cells in Operation

Sep 13, 2010

The use of black and white and colour infrared film in remote sensing of natural resources is reviewed. In heavlly-forested areas such as New Zealand, the main value of the method is in surveying the vegetation cover to detect the existence of plant communities characteristic of specific geological formations. By contrast in arid areas of Australia where the vegetation cover is sparse and where rocks and soils are well exposed, the method can be used in detecting different rock types or other geological differences.

Jan 1, 1972

Regions with extensive reserves of brown coal but with inadequate deposits of hard coal provide a particularly suitable field for the application of brown coal petrology.In fact, this discipline is indispensable where brown coal is to form the basis for high-quality products of upgrading. Both chemical and physical analyses are required in addition to the techniques employed in coal petrology, but it is the macropetrographic and the microscopic investigations that are of decisive and specific importance.Foremost among the methods of upgrading brown coal is briquetting. From the raw materials aspect the biochemical rank of coal (i.e. the type of deposit) and the coal variety (i.e. the lithotype) exert a marked influence on briquette strength. These are also the significant factors in the suitability of a brown coal for high temperature carbonization; here the demands on coal quality are even more exacting if adequately sintered and therefore high-strength lump chars are to be obtained. The principle applies also to the char from low temperature carbonization. There are close relationships between the tar yield and the remission of the coal.The reflectivity measurement therefore provides a rapid method for evaluating the suitability of a brown coal for low temperature carbonization. Similar correlations have been established between the content of extraction bitumen (raw montan wax) and the remission. Petrological investigations show that the quality of the coal bitumen is a function of the type of deposit and of the lithotype.

Jan 1, 1968

By D Kent, J Bullock, M Wilkinson

Over the last few years at Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Operations (MICO) mining conditions have become increasingly challenging through lower head grades and higher work indices. MICO has had great success improving operating efficiencies and increasing productivity through focusing on technology, innovation and operational discipline. The recent implementation of the Mine Site Technologies (MST) ImPact System has supported the continued transformation of the MICO operations through improved personnel safety and direct measurement of productivity. The ImPact System has implemented new safety systems such as the heavy vehicle proximity detection system, underground personnel tracking system and emergency evacuation dashboards improving the overall safety of the workforce. The ImPact System has facilitated productivity improvements via real-time equipment and personnel monitoring, and the implementation of exception reporting (personnel productivity), KPI reports and production dashboards, and transparent reports highlighting developing maintenance issues.This paper discusses the components of the ImPact System, the current installation at MICO, and critically analyses the implementation processes and right sizing of the system to meet the needs of the business today and into the future.CITATION:Bullock, J, Kent, D and Wilkinson, M, 2017. Productivity and safety improvements supported by MST’s ImPact System at Glencore’s Mount Isa Copper Operations, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2017, pp 279–286 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 16, 2017

By Robinson KJ

There has been much debate in recent years regarding the number of Geology (Earth Science) graduates produced in Australia. The key variable has commonly been assumed to be the placement of graduates in the mineral and petroleum industries. Although not wishing to deny the importance of this element, we contend that Geoscience studies should be given to a wider variety of graduates. The essence is to make students and future citizens more environmentally aware. INTRODUCTION Geoscience is fundamental to exploration and to the well-being of the minerals industry and hence the Australian economy. The value of mineral primary products exports for the past three years has been: 1895 $15.3 billion 1986 $14.8 billion 1987 $16.3 billion (Data source: B.M.R) The mining industry supplies about 40% of Australia's export earnings. However the overall value of Geoscience to the Australian economy is much greater. At the opening of the ANZAAS conference in Townsville during May 1987, Sir Bruce Watson , Chairman of the Mt. Isa Mines Ltd., made a plea for a national re-examination of the way science is taught in secondary schools. In particular he emphasized the point that the community should be more aware of the importance of Geoscience and the value of the mining industry to Australia.

Jan 1, 1989

By A Horeth, E Duggan, B Versiani, A Gooch

Iron ore screening plant productivity is strongly affected by the performance of the shuttle operation, with the control system robustness and associated strategies having a direct impact on utilisation and throughput rates. A number of aspects intrinsic to the methods and technologies traditionally applied on the motion control of shuttles are often observed to decrease the efficiency of the ore distribution process across multiple screening modules, which ultimately impacts the plant’s production. Those include the number of operational scenarios that are unmanaged by conventional discrete control logics which may intermittently lead to undesired events, such as ‘high level alarms’ and ‘low level interlocks’ in the screening bins. This outcome usually demands excessive manual intervention by Control Room Operators. A Reinforcement Learning (RL) Artificial Intelligence (AI) solution was deployed to control the motion operation of the scalping and products screening shuttles in an iron ore handling plant. The RL algorithm was trained in advance to handle multiple operational scenarios and generate optimised outputs. In nominal operation, the shuttles are moved in a modulating and highly predictive fashion over the whole range of safely reachable bins. When the need occurs, the AI control agent deviates from that modulation behaviour, limiting its travel range or moving to other groups or clusters of available bins by employing ‘bin jumping’ or ‘ore break’ strategies. The RL platform capabilities include the ability to learn in real time to account for and auto-adapt to new operational patterns and process changes whilst applying improved strategies for shuttle dwelling times, target setting and speed control. The deployed Reinforcement Learning AI solution has better managed the existing challenges associated with the shuttle operation and control, and resulted in a more efficient ore delivery process, superior operations stability and increased production rates.

Nov 8, 2021

By F M. Weir, M Fowler

A discrete fracture network (DFN) approach involves numerical modelling that explicitly represents how defects may be spatially distributed through a rock mass. A DFN is a 3D realisation of the ‘smaller scale’, non-deterministic defects; it is not an attempt to model larger, deterministic structures that should be identified as part of an engineering geology model. The approach utilises structural data in stochastic analyses to give a range of possible models that provides a tool for visualisation and analysis of a rock mass and indicates the potential large-scale slope or tunnel performance and stability.Stochastic fracture modelling for rock mass characterisation has significantly advanced over the past 25 years. With recent improvements to field data collection and computational power, it has become recognised internationally as a valuable tool for modelling some geomechanical problems encountered when designing excavations in fractured rock masses.This paper provides an introduction to the DFN approach, particularly the necessary input parameters and derivation of these from typical structural data sources, such as boreholes or scan line mapping. Of particular importance for engineering applications is validation of the simulated fracture network and techniques for doing so are discussed here.CITATION:Weir, F M and Fowler, M, 2014. An introduction to discrete fracture network modelling and its geotechnical applications, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 435–444 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

A study of literature on the epidiorite dykes which transgress the Broken Hill lode and its wall rocks reveals a considerable diversity of thought regarding the time of emplacement of such dykes. In this paper it is deduced that the epidiorite dykes were formed at a late stage and were probably post-ore. Detailed mapping, sampling, and correlation of data from over 100 exposures substantiates this deduction. Physical disruption of the epidiorite dykes is indicated and some interaction of the epidiorite and ore at the time of intrusion is inferred.Further petrological study may confirm this.

Jan 1, 1968

THOUGH the literature on the chamber process is considerable, it mostly refers to European conditions. Owing to the demand for acid for flotation and leaching at the mine, it may be necessary to work the process under other conditions. Consequently, some results obtained during the chlorination days at Mount Morgan, within the Tropic of Capricorn, may be useful for reference when working in a similar climate. Though the chambers must be protected against tropical storms, thorough ventilation should be provided, with plenty of space between the chambers, which are almost invariably crowded together. Not only does the space assist in the cooling of the chambers, but it is very desirable during repairs, when lead andtimber have to be hoisted up. The connecting flues between the chambers, which are fairly efficient mixers and condensers, should be round, supported from above, and with the least possible timber about them. Their position and arrangement deserve careful attention. Lattice work will be sufficient protection for the sides of the chambers, and the roof should be high and well ventilated. The Mount Morgan plant, crowded and not well situated, consisted of seven chambers (four over 50 ft. in length), one Glover tower 7 ft. 2 in sq. x 20 ft. high, one Gay Lussac 9 ft. sq. x 30 ft. higb, also one 5 ft. diam. x 25 ft. high. There was one pipe column 4: ft. sq. x 14 ft. 6 in. high. The chambers were run as one unit, and were much lower than those usually constructed in Europe-less than 15 ft. high. Provided that suitable timber can be obtained, 20 ft. is quite low enough. It should be quite satisfactory to use round poles for the studs, and so admit more air space between studs andlead.

Jan 1, 1920

In November 1999 Waihi Gold Mining Company commissioned its new crushing and conveying plant used to transport both ore and waste from the Martha Mine to its ore processing plant and also its tailings dam construction area. To date, a record monthly throughput of 854 000 tonnes throughput has been achieved. This paper outlines the measures taken subsequent to the commissioning of the system to achieve greater than design throughput and to mitigate the environmental and safety issues associated with operating the system in the middle of a town.

Jan 1, 2001

By I Hustwick

New Zealand Steel Mining Limited operates two independent sand mining operations on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Waikato North Head 30 km south of Auckland supplies ironsand concentrate as the raw feed for New Zealand Steel's works at Glenbrook and Taharoa 70 km further south, exports ironsand concentrate to Japan.   Taharoa uses two sets of six low pressure Warman centrifugal pumps in series to load bulk ore carriers 3 km off shore through two underwater pipelines. Waikato North Head delivers the ironsand to Glenbrook 18 km through a 200 mm ID buried pipeline using two stages of high pressure positive displacement (HPPD) pumping.   A high level of operating and maintenance expertise has been developed since commissioning the two systems which are proving to be reliable, efficient and of minimal impact environmentally.

Jan 1, 1990

A President, soon after he is appointed, sees looming ahead of him the Presidential Address; and in something approaching despair wonders what he can possibly talk about which might hold the interest of his audience. After various casts about, it occurred to me that perhaps prospecting, and more particularly prospecting in Australia, might provide a subject. This is because, 'in the first place, 'prospecting is passing from the stage of chance surface discovery to that of systematic search applying scientific methods to theproblems involved, and in the second, it is the section of the industry with which I have been concerned through much of my: working life. As it makes an address of this sort more interesting if it includes specific reference to actual experience, I hope you will bear with me in such references to actual prospecting as I may use to illustrate the argument. Prospecting has always carried the glamour of sudden wealth. The picture of the prospector engaged, perhaps for years, in fruitless search suddenly coming on riches beyondhis hopes is, deeply etched in the Australian imagination. In few other places has the fervour of prospecting run higher than it did in Victoria in the generation beginning little more than a century ago following the discovery of gold.People arrived from overseas in great numbers. Most of them proceeded to: the goldfields. They moved in thousands from new find to new find. In 'so doing' they determined much of the course of the State's development. The experience of prospectors led them to formulate all sorts of theories little impeded by awkward facts, to account for the apparently unpredictable occurrence of gold.The ideas which men followed, occasionally to success, and which they were prepared to back with all they had were strange and, various, many stories are told of them.

Jan 1, 1959

The Greymouth Coal Project is a proposal to mine by the application of proven hydraulic, and room and pillar underground mining methods; and to process the equivalent of an average of 1.7 million tonnes per year over a forty-year period. The proposed mine site is located ten kilometres north of Greymouth, on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Of the three separate mineable seam groups, the thick Main Seam Group, which makes up 77% of the total resource, will be mined by hydraulic mining technology.   It is proposed to market and produce a high volatile bituminous type coal with low ash (6%) and sulphur (0.4%). Because the inherent ash content is low, the requirement for coal treatment will only be the use of a single cell jig circuit to control the effects of rock dilution and partings. The resulting coal product is tentatively planned to be transported by rail to the port at Lyttelton for loading on to Panamax or Post Panamax size vessels.

Jan 1, 1997

By X Tian, J Forster, A Olmsted, E R. Bobicki, M Goldbaum, D Boucher, C A. Pickles

As the global demand for metal values expands, it becomes increasingly important to create more sustainable mining operations. Consequently, considerable research and technology development is required to produce processes which are both more energy efficient and have a minimal environmental impact. One potential technology is the utilisation of microwave pre-treatment to reduce the energy requirements in comminution. Microwaves can preferentially heat the valuable mineral phases in an ore and the resulting differential thermal expansion leads to the formation of microfractures along the grain boundaries. As a result of the preferential heating, ore competency is reduced, mineral liberation is enhanced, a coarser grind size can be employed, and plant throughput can be increased. Furthermore, microwave pre-treatment can be combined with advanced ore sorting, to decrease the quantity of gangue material processed downstream and hence reduce tailings production. Previous studies on the microwave treatment of ores over the last 30 years have mainly been limited to low power bench-scale studies and there is a paucity of information on pilot and/or commercial scale studies. In the present research, the microwave heating behaviours of over 40 ores have been studied at the bench-scale. These results were used to generate a database, from which a unique classification system was developed. This system was used to rank the amenability of any given ore for microwave pre-treatment. This knowledge can be employed to predict the performance of the ores in the high-power pilot scale tests and thus can be used as a pre-screening tool. The effects of high-power microwave pre-treatment on grindability and liberation were reported. Additionally, the ore sorting potential was evaluated using a combination of X-ray transmission (XRT) and microwave infrared (MW/IR).

Aug 24, 2022