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By M. R. Khalesi, Y. Kianinia, A. Seyedhakimi, F. Soltani

"The feed ore to Agh-Darreh gold processing plant (Takab City, Iran) contains 2 ppm Au, 7 ppm Ag, and 120 ppm Hg. After cyanide leaching of the feed at pH 10.4, 80% of the total mercury (in the form of cinnabar and metacinnabar) goes to the tailings dam. In this research, separation of mercury from the tailings by flotation was investigated. The effects of collector type and dosage, pH, and the number of cleaner stages were studied. The results showed that after two stages of cleaning a 40–62% recovery of Hg at a grade of 14.3% Hg is attainable. Recycle water from a test in which 50 g/t amyl xanthate and 30 g/t pine oil was used in the flotation stage showed no adverse effect on the leaching and adsorption of gold onto activated carbon.IntroductionMercury, most commonly found in the nature as the mineral cinnabar (HgS), is a hazardous substance because of its mobility and toxicity (Kyle et al., 2012). Roasting is the wellestablished treatment method for mercury ores, in which the sulphur is burned and volatilized and mercury recovered subsequently by cooling and condensation. However, for low-grade ores, flotation is mainly applied for primary concentration due to its comparatively low costs, low environmental hazards, and flexibility regarding feed variations (Bulatovic, 2007). Particularly, cinnabar can be easily recovered by flotation using pine oil and a collector such as xanthate (Bulatovic, 2007; Crozier, 1991). Floatability of cinnabar is reduced due to surface oxidation when it is exposed to the atmosphere after crushing. This problem can be eliminated by adding copper sulphate and lead nitrate or acetate. The best pH for cinnabar flotation is in the range of 6.5 to 8.5 according to Erspamer and Wells, (1954), who reported that cinnabar and stibnite can be floated with long-chain xanthate collectors and an alcohol frother, with cumulative recoveries of 97.8% and 94.7%, respectively. Lead acetate was used as an activator."

Jan 1, 2017

By Q. Li, B. Ricks

Over the last several decades mineral concentrate long distance slurry pipelines have been installed and successfully operated. Nearly all were installed via the buried construction method. Their record of depend ability and economy has been well proven. However, these systems operate in regions where seasonal soil frost penetration is shallow or non-existent. In recent years interest in long distance mineral concentrate pipelines in northern cold regions has been increasing. For cold regions one must consider seasonal temperatures and soil frost penetration in order to ensure reliable operations through the year. Herein a case study is developed where heat balance and temperatures for small and large diameter long distance slurry pipelines are compared. The study development is as follows: ?Rheological properties are analysed over range of temperatures from near freezing (4ºC; 39ºF) to relatively very warm (40ºC; 104ºF). ?Then assuming similar climatic conditions, soil properties, and pipeline length, a study is carried out for two pipeline diameters, namely: a small diameter (nominal8 inch; 219.1 mm) and a large diameter (22 inch; 558.8 mm). ?The study focus is on maintaining slurry temperature above freezing throughout the pipeline length by illustrating a decision based on burial depth versus coating the pipeline with insulation.

Jan 1, 2007

By E. Van Der Lingen, A. Paton

"The South African ferrochrome industry has been faced with various challenges during the past few years, such as influences from the market, manpower strikes, China’s control over the demand for both ferrochrome and chrome ore from South Africa, and electricity supply constraints, placing increased pressure on the local industry to improve output in order to remain globally competitive. The year 2016 brought a dramatic change in the local ferrochrome industry, being marked by higher chrome ore prices and the takeover of some idle smelters.This study investigates the methods of technology acquisition used in various parts of the ferrochrome smelter value chain throughout a business cycle, and whether there is a preference for a specific acquisition in an explicit part of the value chain. The study also considers whether companies prefer to partner with local or global institutions for collaborative development, and the methods used by companies to protect their technologies.IntroductionSouth Africa holds the world’s largest chrome ore reserves and was the world’s largest producer of ferrochrome until 2012, when China became the leading ferrochromeproducing country. South Africa’s chrome ore (chromite) supply into the Chinese market has risen significantly from 36% of China’s total chrome ore imports in 2010 to more than 70% in 2016 (Fowkes, 2014; Creamer, 2017). China controls the demand for both ferrochrome and chrome ore from South Africa (Fowkes, 2014). China’s high import rate of chrome ore has resulted in ferrochrome prices being driven down and a depressed ferrochrome market. The South African industry meets the chrome ore demands but loses out on ferrochrome beneficiation.Furthermore, the local ferrochrome industry has been threatened with the overall poor competitiveness over the past few years, resulting in four of the eight producers ceasing operations at the beginning of 2016. Challenges experienced by the producers, some of which are directly linked to production costs, include influences from the market, productivity that was affected by wildcat strikes, China’s control over the demand for both ferrochrome and chrome ore, and electricity supply issues (Fowkes, 2014, 2013; Biermann, Cromarty, and Dawson, 2012). Ferrochrome production is energy-intensive and South African producers have faced higher electricity costs, electricity supply complications, and a weaker currency exchange rate since 2009."

Oct 1, 2018

By K. Lomberg

In this paper the process of sampling and assaying as it relates in particular to the platinum group elements (PGEs) is presented. A discussion of the geology of PGE deposits is included to provide an understanding of the mineralization that is considered necessary prior to sampling, as this has a direct bearing on the mineral resource estimate and also the selection of an appropriate mining cut. The discussion includes the selection of the sampling technique (drilling or face sampling), the size of the sample relating to the requirements of the laboratory, the potential mining cut, as well as a reference to sampling theory. The selection of an assay technique that is appropriate and will yield the optimal result based on sample turnaround, precision, accuracy, and cost is then considered. Examples are drawn from work undertaken on the Bushveld Complex (Merensky Reef, UG2 Chromitite Layer, Platreef) and Great Dyke (Main Sulphide Zone). A discussion of the appropriate QA/QC programme includes the chain of custody, CRM selection and the QA/QC process. Keywords sampling, assaying, QA/QC, platinum group elements.

Jan 1, 2014

1. Book review Technology of metal powders- recent developments, edited by L. H. Yaverbaum. New Jersey, Noyes Data Corporation, 1980. 400 pp. (Reviewer: B. K. Loveday) 2. New books The use of microprocessors, by M. Aumiaux. New York, Wiley, 1980. 176 pp. $25,50. Aluminium smelter technology, a pure and applied approach, by K. Grojtheim and B. J. Welch. Diisseldorf, Aluminium-Verlag GmbH (P.O. Box 1207, D-4000, Federal Republic of Germany). 146 pp. DM48. Coal-bridge to the future. New York, Harper & Row, 1980. $35. System modeling and response.. theoretical and experimental approaches, by O. Doebelin. New York, Wiley, 1980. 576 pp. $26. Environmental and climatic impact of coal utilization, edited by J. J. Singh and A. Deepak. New York, Academic Press, 1980. 646 pp. $39,50. Proceedings of the Third European Conference on Mixing, York, England, April 1979, edited by H. S. Stephens and C. A. Stapleton. BHRA Fluid Engineering (Cranfield, Bedford Mk43 OAJ, U.K.), 1980. 2 volumes. 500 pp. $50. Lignite technology, edited by P. Nowacki. New Jersey, Noyes Data Corporation, 1980. 228 pp. $42. The application of rock mechanics to cut-and jill mining. London, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1980. Papers presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Jet Cutting Technology, Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, June 1980, edited by H. S. Stephens and B. Jawis. BHRA Fluid Engineering (Cranfield, Bedford Mk 43 OAJ, U.K.), 1980. 438 pp. £38. World coal resources.. methods of assessment and results, by G. Fettweis. Amsterdam, Elsevier, 1979. 425 pp. $80,50. Geophysical and geochemical techniques for exploration of hydrocarbons and minerals, edited by M. Sittig. New Jersey, Noyes Data Corporation, 1980. 300 pp. $40. Financial Times mining international year book 1980. Longman Group Ltd (Periodicals and Directories Division, Longman House, Burnt Mill, Harlow, Essex CM20 2JE, England). £24 surface, £34 airmail. National Symposium on the Availability of Strategic Minerals, edited by M. J. Jones. London, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1980. 109 pp. 3. NIM reports Report No. 1941 The recovery of chromite and platinum from the UG-2 Upper Chromitite Layer .of the Bushveld Complex at the Pandora Mine (first published 10th Mar., 1978). Report No. .2012 A mineralogical investigation of borehole cores from the Trompsburg Complex (first published 6th Apr., 1979). Report No. 2038 The leaching of sphalerite in acidic ferric sulphate media in the absence of elemental oxygen. Report No. 2052 An investigation of the impurities in native gold by neutron-activation analysis. Report No. 2056 The mineralogy and geochemistry of the copper, lead, and zinc sulphides of the Otavi Mountainland. Report No. 2058 A n elementary introduction to image analysis - a new field of interest at the National Institute for Metallurgy. Report No. 2059 Distributed computer control of industrial processes. Report No. 2060 The analysis, by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry, of activated charcoal.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. J. Taute, G. Chisakuta, P. Bwando, G. Mitshabu

"BASF Mining Solutions have developed a new generation of copper solvent-extraction reagents that offer significant benefits over the existing reagents available to the industry today. Initial laboratory studies and pilot-plant trials have shown that these new reagents offer the benefits of a dramatic increase in resistance to degradation and are nitration-proof. This paper details a recent pilot-plant campaign at a commercial solvent-extraction plant. The main focus was to evaluate the copper/iron selectivity, copper recovery and net transfer of the new reagent compared with the conventional oxime reagents. The new reagent displays similar copper recovery and net transfer capabilities from typical agitation leach solutions. The pilot-plant results show a step change improvement in copper/iron selectivity in comparison with the existing modified and non-modified hydroxyoxime reagents used on the commercial plant. INTRODUCTION Copper solvent extraction (SX) from an acidic aqueous solution is typically accomplished using a hydroxyoxime extractant (Jergensen, 1999; Kordosky, 2000; Szymanowski, 1993). There are three hydroxyoximes from which all standard formulations are derived: 5-nonyl salicylaldoxime (NSAO), 5-dodecyl salicylaldoxime (DSAO) and 2-hydroxy-5-nonyl acetophenone oxime (HNAO). In the case of NSAO, it is necessary to use equilibrium modifiers in order to increase the copper stripped from the extractant (Kordosky & Virnig, 2003). Blends of DSAO, NSAO and HNAO are used to cover a wide spectrum of conditions (Kordosky, 2008). Use of modified aldoximes and reagent blends over the last 30 years has influenced the way copper producers and equipment manufacturers have approached the operation of copper plants. Existing solvent-extraction reagents cater for typical pregnant leach solutions (PLS) of copper mining systems which do not have significant effects on the reagent. Table I illustrates the range of copper concentration, pH values, temperature and iron concentrations for different leaching operations. As conditions become increasingly aggressive (i.e., higher PLS temperatures in primary sulfide leach or high iron content), current reagents become less capable of functioning according to expectations. One example is the effect of high iron (Fe3+) concentration in PLS and operating SX to achieve high copper recoveries. The ferric is partially chemically extracted and is transferred to elctrowinning (EW) during the stripping stage. To avoid a build-up of iron in electrolyte, which negatively affects current efficiency, a bleed of electrolyte is required. This bleed leads to excessive consumption of reagents, such as cobalt added to the EW process, and thus increases operational cost."

Jan 1, 2015

By C. K. Chabedi

"This paper discusses the difficulties associated with the potential exploitation of the deep multi-seam resources east of the Daarby fault in the Waterberg coalfield. The resources occur at a depth greater than 250 m and the thickness of the coal is roughly 110 m, but the top 50 m comprises coal intercalated with shale and the bottom 60 m contains five seams with sandstone and shale partings. Various factors affecting multiple seam mining at these great depths are discussed with reference to lessons learned from local and international experience on multi-seam mining. Field geological and geotechnical data was utilized to assess the stability of the roof of the seams. There is no specific rock mass rating for the Waterberg area, therefore approximate coal mine roof rating (CMRR) values were used to propose appropriate support strategies. Analysis of Multiple Seam Stability (AMSS) was used to analyse the strength of the parting or interburden between the various seams, the mining sequence, and the interaction between the various seams.The research indicated that it is possible to mine seams with a low CMRR at high mining rates using longwall mining, although support for gateroads is expected to be expensive, time-consuming and onerous to install, and will impact gateroad development rates. It will not be possible to simultaneously mine zones in close proximity and failure of the interburden is predicted, thus dangerous mining conditions are anticipated. However, it will be possible to mine just two of the eleven zones using longwall mining. IntroductionThis paper discusses the difficulties associated with the potential exploitation of the deep multi-seam resources east of the Daarby fault in the Waterberg coalfield using bord and pillar and longwall mining. Figure 1 illustrates the location of the Waterberg coalfield relative to other coalfields in South Africa, while Figure 2 shows the areas containing deep and shallow resources. The Waterberg resources are expected to contribute to South Africa’s future energy requirements, and are currently exploited at the Grootegeluk open pit mine. Grootegeluk produces coal mainly for a power station, with the higher quality product supplied as metallurgical coal. The deposit is technically unique and challenging, being a multi-seam coal deposit with a total of 12 seams over a thickness of 110 m as shown in Figure 3, including Zone 5. There is currently limited knowledge on the multi-seam mining of the deep Waterberg resources. Multi-seam mining utilizing the bord and pillar method has been practised in South Africa before, but at a depth of less than 100 m in the Witbank coalfields. Multi-seam mining in thin seams has also been performed in the Natal coalfields at a depth of less than 160 m, but mostly using bord and pillar mining and secondary mining (partial pillar extraction)."

Jan 1, 2016

By R. T. Muller

Contribution to the above paper by R. T. Muller (Visitor) Demands are being made and pressure is being brought to bear on employers in South Africa to narrow or eliminate the wage gap between their White and Black employees. Few thinking people will dispute the fact that a constant improvement in the wages of Black personnel is essential, but this cannot be done merely by a redistribution of income in South Africa.

Jan 7, 1974

By D. Limpitlaw, A. Alsum, D. Neale

"Ecological footprint analysis (EFA) was first described in 1996 as a measure of carrying capacity appropriated by human activities. EFA is a resource and emissions accounting tool designed to track the demand on the biosphere’s regenerative capacity. Ecological footprints are increasingly used as indicators of organizational and corporate environmental performance and product sustainability. There is a compelling argument to develop an EFA tool for mining companies.To determine the size of a mine’s ecological footprint, land requirements for all categories of consumption and waste discharge must be summed. This land is only made up of the ecologically productive land and water in various classes (cropland, pasture, forests etc.) required on an ongoing basis to provide all energy and material resources consumed and absorb wastes.A challenge in conducting an EFA for a mine is the shortage of accessible data. Undertaking an EFA for a corporation or individual site entails compiling consumption and emissions data (which can be used for other reporting applications). The footprint results themselves highlight the most critical aspects of an organization’s impact on the environment and provide a platform for focusing actions and for educating the workforce to improve their contribution to best-practice operations. This paper discusses the benefits and challenges of undertaking an EFA for a mining company, and provides examples of the various components of ecological footprints associated with mines, as well as showing how an EFA can be used to understand and communicate some of the impacts associated with mining activities.IntroductionFundamental biophysical and economic limits are now being experienced in many countries around the world. Herman Daly, a former World Bank economist, described this scenario as ‘uneconomic growth’, where the costs of growth exceed the benefits (Daly, 2005). This occurs when the economy’s expansion encroaches excessively on the surrounding ecosystem, sacrificing natural capital. Under such conditions the sacrificed natural capital is more valuable that the resulting economic growth. Consequently, the world faces largescale threats to sustainability and especially to the viability and continued existence of the ecosystems that support human settlements (El Zein et al., 2014). In recognition of this sustainability imperative, mining companies are increasingly concerned with their ecological footprint (EF)."

Jan 1, 2017

By B. K. Cross

This paper, which adopts a philosophical approach, attempts to analyse the contribution that the computer is capable of making in geological analysis, financial evaluation, and mine project control. Also examined are some reasons for non-utilization of these capabilities. As with most computer associated problems, the cause is primarily human and not mechanical. The paper gives one numerical example of the analysis of geological data and one of the evaluation of mine-design data. The values used in the examples are intended only to emphasize certain points and are not necessarily reproducible.

Jan 1, 1980

By S. Kahraman

The prediction of rock properties from indirect testing methods is important, particularly for preliminary investigations since indirect tests are easier and cheaper than the direct tests. In this study, we investigate the predictability of the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) of rocks from the indentation hardness index (IHI) obtained using point load apparatus. Forty-six different rock types, 14 of which were igneous, 15 were metamorphic, and 17 were sedimentary were tested in the laboratory. The UCS and BTS values were correlated with the corresponding IHI values and the results were statistically analysed. The influence of rock classes on the relationships was also investigated. A strong correlation between UCS and IHI was found for all data. The correlation between BTS and IHI is not as strong as the correlation between UCS and IHI. However, it is in the acceptable limits. When the regression analyses were repeated for igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, the correlation coefficients were generally increased. The results show the UCS and BTS can be estimated from IHI. In addition, the effect of rock classes on the relationships between IHI and both UCS and BTS is important.

Jan 1, 2012

The Namakwa Sands heavy mineral deposit is located along the West Coast of South Africa and the mine is a world class producer of high quality zircon, ilmenite and rutile concentrates from essentially unconsolidated marine and aeolian sands of Cainozoic age. The objective of this study was to characterize rutile with respect to distribution, grain size, textures, colour and mineral chemistry within the Namakwa Sands orebody with the aim to explain its overall poor recovery. A representative suite of heavy mineral concentrates from various sections of the orebody and stages in the recovery circuit has been investigated microscopically and by means of SEM-EDS and LA-ICP-MS. The rutile grain size distribution displays a wide range and is directly related to its variable chemistry and consequently density. In placer deposits such as Namakwa Sands, mineral sorting is a function of hydraulic equivalence, and high density grains are smaller than the lighter grains when deposited under similar conditions. Grain size is also a function of sediment maturity, and the highly mature red aeolians and (RAS) component of the deposit has a coarser grain size than the less mature orange feldspathic marine sands (OFS). The above primary characteristics of rutile are responsible for the loss of the coarse-grained fraction during screening and, given the empirically determined relationship that increased substitution elements reduce conductivity, also during electrostatic separation. Provenance studies using geothermometry have shown that the heavy mineral suite has been sourced mainly by the proximal medium-to high-grade Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex. The positive relationship between substitution elements and temperature of formation explains their high concentration in rutile of this deposit. The heterogeneity of rutile, produced by the combination of a high temperature primary source and the typical marine-aeolian placer genesis is deposit specific and unfortunately not conducive to high recovery levels in the current Namakwa Sands beneficiation circuit.

Jan 1, 2010

By D. Gerhart, J. Hung, J. Hackwood, A. Pix

A computer-based, real-time mine management system has been installed in a number of underground operations. The system’s innovative software application is coupled with wireless data acquisition and database management to provide complete mine monitoring and control execution in closed-loop control fashion. The system is well suited to automatically assign equipment, acquire status, and reassign resources based on status; and to automate information handling. The system has provided mines with improved utilization of the equipment fleet and mining crews, and reduced workplace cycle time. This paper describes the deployment of systems at a number of underground mining operations and discusses future development of the system. Keywords: Computer-based: Real time: Utilization: Mining cycle control: Monitoring: Productivity

Sep 1, 2001

By B. Talbot

How this simple plant generates a large revenue stream. The concept behind the Tailings Scavenging Plant (TSP) is simple: it is a non-complicated modular plant which is designed to be more stable than upstream plants. This, plus the use of ?high energy?, enables the plant to recover any metal missed by the upstream operation. Impala Platinum?Mineral process started pilot plant exercises in June 2003. The pilot plant ran for one year before the capital for the full-scale plant was approved. This year was used to motivate, design and cost a full-scale plant. The metal produced during the pilot and feasibility study enabled this part of the project to run at a small profit. The scale-up to full-scale was relatively simple as the pilot plant had a capacity of 180 m3/hrand the full-scale plant was designed for a capacity of 550 m3/h. The design for the full scale plant was completed in May 2003, with ground breaking taking place on 19 May 2003. The construction phase of the project went well with the commissioning of the first two modules taking place on 22 October 2003. The remaining two modules were commissioned two weeks later. The plant was at full capacity by the 20 November 2003. A review of the plants performance for the first 5 production months is as follows: the plant has required only a few minor modifications and additions, it has run well in excess of 95%availability with no major wear apparent. In addition to this, the plant has produced 3 times the metal forecast.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. B. Cortie

An account is given of the development of ferritic stainless steels since their discovery in the early years of this century. The alloys became very widely used in the 1950s, the market during that decade being driven strongly by a demand for automobile trim made of ferritic stainless steel. The production of ferritic stainless steel declined as a proportion of the total at the end of the 1950s as consumer preferences changed. However, the market is now growing strongly again, this time driven by a demand for oxidation-resistant alloys for motor-vehicle exhaust systems. The tonnages produced, applications, and market shares of the various alloys are discussed and compared. Trends in world stainless-steel production, product forms, technological development, and usage are examined.

Jan 1, 1993

By H. E. Bartlett

Previously, the grade of ore at the shaft head was taken to be equivalent to the grade measured in the faces by means of chip sampling. The tonnage mined from the stopes is determined from survey volumetric measurements. Estimates of shaft head grade and tons include the grades and tons of waste, development ore, sweepings from old areas, and other sources, not all of which are sampled. The tonnage of ore delivered at the shaft is often estimated using skip factors. These factors are subject to manipulation and not all the skips are filled to the same level. Consequently, both the grade and tonnage of ore delivered at shaft head are subject to a measure of uncertainty. For many years, these uncertainties have led to disputes between shaft managers and metallurgists over the reconciliation between shaft tons and grade and plant tons and grade. These problems are compounded when several shafts feed a central processing plant. Shaft bonuses and a shaft?s profitability are affected by poor gold allocation methods. Without measurement of the grade and tonnage from all shafts, a poorly performing shaft could benefit at the expense of the other shafts. In order to improve the measurement of grades and tonnage at the shaft head, which is the custody transfer point between the mine and surface operations, South African mining companies have developed a methodology to measure the mass of ore from each shaft using rail weighing equipment, and the run-of-mine grades delivered from each shaft using cross-stream (go-belt) sampling. Harmony Gold Mining Company has implemented the rail weighing and go-belt sampling methods for their shafts. This paper deals with the statistical tests on the procedures and control measures that are in place to establish confidence in the gold allocations. The metal accounting system for examining the allocations follows the first principle of the AMIRA P754 Metal Accounting Code of Practice namely ?The metal accounting system must be based on accurate measurements of mass and metal content. It must be based on a full check-in check-out system?. The check-in is mass and grade of run-of-mine ore and the check-outs are the plant input grades and the recovery and residue from the plant. The balances between check-in and check-out are the subject of the statistical analyses, which have been conducted using the classical statistical tests and procedures that are generally used in all fields of endeavour. It is concluded that the gold allocation procedures that rely on go-belt sampling and rail weighing of ore from shafts has been successfully implemented, and that the system, which has been in operation at Harmony since 1993, has won general acceptance from stakeholders, with the gold allocations being perceived as being fair to all. Apart from the on-mine issues of bonuses and fair allocations, accurate metal accounting assists in the broader issues of generating accurate production figures for management. An added benefit of weighing and sampling ore at the shaft head has been that shafts now have daily moving average grades, which are used for grade control. The go-belt sample at the shaft head is the first accurate sample of production in the value chain from face sampling to gold bullion. Keywords metal accounting, go-belt sampling, run-of-mine sampling, codes of practice, AMIRA P754, train weighing, statistical analysis, gold split, allocation of gold, metal balance, grade control.

Jan 1, 2014

By D. J. Shields

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed a microcomputer-based mineral modelling system that enhances analytical capabilities of the agency. It draws upon the extensive data base previously developed for the Bureau's Availability studies. The model is first formulated as a generalized network flow optimization problem, the optimal flows from which are fed into a transportation algorithm. The goal of the modelling system is first to fulfill prespecified demand at the minimum opportunity cost and second to identify feasible, optimal trade patterns. The system facilitates the analysis of policy issues on a real-time basis and supports the Bureau's mission to assess mineral resources.

Jan 1, 1987

10th COMMONWEALTH MINING AND METALLURGICAL CONGRESS-CANADA, 1974 The Commonwealth Council of Mining and Metallurgical Institutions has received and accepted an invitation from The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy for the 10th Commonwealth Mining and Metallurgical Congress to be convened in Canada in April, 1974, immediately following the Annual General Meeting of The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. It is proposed that the Congress centre will be Montreal and that, after technical sessions, tours of operations will be arranged. Further information will be issued in due course by The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and enquiries should be addressed to the Executive Director of the Institute, 906-1117 Ste. Catherine Street West, Montreal 110, P. Quebec. NOTICE TO ALL STUDENT MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY The Institute offers each year for competition among Student Members of the Institute a prize, or prizes, should entries so warrant it, of up to the value of R100 to be awarded to the Student Member or Members who submit the best paper or dissertation on a topic appropriate to the interests of the Institute. In the case of Student Members who are in full time study at a university the dissertation or thesis which they may have to write in part fulfilment of their university curriculum may be accepted provided it is presented in a manner and on a topic suitable for publication in the Journal. The closing date for the receipt of papers shall be 31st December each year.

By R. C. W. Webber-Youngman

The mining industry in South Africa faces real challenges with regard to the reduction of safety-related incidents. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for alternative interventions in addition to other safety improvement strategies already employed on mines. It furthermore supports an existing paradigm: incident investigations. An investigation into fatalities in the South African mining industry shows that although great progress has been achieved through the reduction in fatalities in all sectors of the industry over the last few years, more can and should be done to achieve status of ?zero harm?. Fatalities and lost time injuries on mines result not only in large financial losses, but also in disruptions of mining operations in general through Section 54 stoppages to resolve the situation. The approach of the paper is therefore not to try and prove whether there is high fatality rate and/or lost time injuries, but in what way incident reconstruction simulations (IRS) can have an impact in the future prevention of such incidents. The challenge therefore lies in the utilization of pro-active systems that would show employees the possible outcomes of being exposed to certain hazards. In real life, these incidents cannot be re-enacted and in most cases we can only learn through the previous mistakes of others. A virtual reality (VR) education and training system will enable employees to be ?exposed? to different hazards in a safe environment, and simulation, in a ?forgiving? environment, of the possible consequences of unsafe acts. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), unsafe acts and unsafe conditions are indirect causes of safety-related incidents, but there are also direct causes; for example, unplanned release of energy and/or hazardous material, and basic causes, for example, management safety policies, personal factors, and environmental factors. The administrative workload associated with any incident investigation places a large burden on the investigation team, and in most cases other employees are informed through vague administrative processes what the ?real cause? for the incident/accident was. New preventative strategies are often put in place without showing the employees what the real causes of the incident/accident were. This can be mitigated through the use of interactive VR simulations/animations of the hazards that they are exposed to and how to deal with them. If VR interventions are not used as proposed by this paper, the real causes and consequences of almost all fatalities and lost time injuries may never be fully understood. This paper also emphasizes what potential impact IRS could have on the prevention of future mine incidents as part and parcel of a pro-active risk prevention strategy. The intention is therefore not to replace any other risk prevention strategies, but to visually enhance the reality of the incident. Keywords virtual reality, risk management, incident reconstruction simulations, interactive safety training, usability context analysis, mine safety.

Jun 1, 2013

By L. Scott, M. A. Goncalves

Effective communication is a sought-after non-technical skill in the health, safety, and environmental (HSE) function and is fundamental in achieving an organization’s safety objectives. While different channels are used to communicate HSE matters, many organizations employ posters, videos, and/ or signs containing images to convey information. Communication through signage and graphical hazard symbols has been regulated in standards, but vast sections of HSE communication are bespoke communications and exist outside the sphere of standards. Effective HSE communication through images requires an understanding of the organizational culture in which the images will be used, as well as an understanding of the semiotics of the images themselves. Creative interpretation within HSE communication can create situations where the message that was received is not the message that was intended, leading to confusion and misinterpretation. This paper is aimed at elucidating the semiotics of South African HSE visual content. It was found that the indexical mode of images was most preferred in visual communication, and text-only designs the least preferred. Senders and receivers of messages differ in their opinions on the complexity of HSE communication.

Feb 2, 2021