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By S. O. Bada

Coal samples taken from the No. 2 Seam and No. 4 Seam in a South African colliery were tested in a rotary triboelectrostatic separator. The two-stage triboelectrostatic separation results using the -177 µm size fraction reduced No. 2 Seam coal containing about 30.4 per cent ash to a clean product of 8.9 per cent and 13.1 per cent ash with combustible recoveries of 9.6 per cent and 30.7 per cent respectively. The same separation approach on No. 4 seam feed coal, which contained 36 per cent ash, produced a clean coal product with 10.8 per cent ash at a combustible recovery of 6.0 per cent. Petrographic tests show a significant improvement in the vitrinite content and a reduction in visible minerals encountered when using the triboelectrostatic separator, with about 53 per cent vitrinite reporting to the clean fraction for No. 2 Seam compared to the feed content of 21 per cent, and a 54 per cent vitrinite in the clean No. 4 Seam from a feed content of 21 per cent. Significant sulphur reductions were also observed after separation in both coal samples, with a better separation in the second-stage coal products.

Jan 1, 2012

By L. Forsbacka, M. Nakamoto, L. Holappa

Viscosity of the slag is one of the central parameters when producing FeCr in submerged arc furnaces. It contributes to smelting behaviour and reduction kinetics of chromite ore as well as to the Cr recovery by influencing the separation of dispersed metal droplets from the slag. A typical FeCr process slag contains 5-10pct chromium oxides, CrO and CrO1.5. The neural network computation was applied to the evaluation of viscosity for slags containing chromium oxides, and the prediction of viscosity in FeCr process slag was conducted. The main results in this estimation were that the chromium oxides in FeCr process slag lower its viscosity, and that the effect of CrO on the viscosity decrease is greater than that of CrO1.5.

Jan 1, 2007

By M. du Plessis

This paper describes the evaluation of a limit equilibrium model to simulate the behaviour of crush pillars in platinum mines. An analytical model was derived to calculate the residual average pillar stress (APS) values of the crush pillars. The values predicted by this model were compared to the numerical values obtained from TEXAN simulations. In general, the limit equilibrium model appears to be very attractive for simulating pillar failure as the gradual crushing of the outside of the pillar and the transfer of stress to the intact core can be replicated. The value of the TEXAN crush pillar model was further demonstrated by simulating an idealized layout with crush pillars between two adjacent panels. The simulations illustrated that oversized pillars will not crush close to the face and this may lead to seismic failure in the back area. An important finding of the study is that closure measurements may prove to be a very valuable diagnostic measure in crush pillars layouts. Distinct differences in magnitudes of closure were simulated for a scenario where the pillars crush as expected, compared to the scenario where an oversized pillar is left. Experimental closure data collected in a crush pillar stope provided further evidence regarding the value of closure measurements in these layouts.

Jan 1, 2011

By O. T. Konina, V. A. Masloboev, A. V. Svetlov, E. A. Krasavtseva, D. V. Makarov, A. A. Goryachev

Dusting phenomena have been examined at the tailings storage facility of Apatit JSC Kirovsk, a mining operation located in the far north of the Russian Federation. The material composition of the tailings was identified. Existing dust suppression methods were examined. Field observations were undertaken and official data was obtained from the Murmansk Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, and analysed. A database was built for forecasting dusting according to critical scenarios in order to estimate the peak MPCs of suspended solids in the atmospheric air. Mitigation measures were formulated and recommended to the mining operation. Keywords: Mineral dust particles, apatite-nepheline ore concentration tailings, suspended solids MPC, climate change

Jan 1, 2020

By V. C. Kelessidis

The interaction between rock and drill bit during drilling has been modeled for many years, but a complete understanding of the phenomena occurring has yet to materialize. Successful models will allow the prediction of rate of penetration in a given environment and optimal selection of drill bit and drilling parameters, thus minimizing exploration costs. In most rock-drilling models the value of the unconfined compressive strength of the rock (UCS) is used in the predictive equations, within the concept of specific energy, and the value of UCS is the percentage of the value of the stress applied on the drilling bit in order for the bit to advance. While the exact percentage depends on the model used and it is not known with certainty, good knowledge of UCS is nevertheless required before any decent prediction can be made on rate of penetration. Determination of UCS, normally done via destructive testing, requires not only the availability of sound rock core samples but also expensive testing and significant time for the test, which frequently are not available for routine drillability predictions. Hence, a multitude of methods and techniques has been proposed for estimating UCS from various indirect and/or non-destructive measurements, or combination of measurements with neural networks, such as point load index, block punch index, unit weight, and apparent porosity, water absorption by weight, sonic velocity, and Schmidt hardness. The many proposed approaches are critically reviewed and the results are compared, and what becomes apparent is that after many years, not only in mining but also in oil-well drilling, accurate indirect determination of UCS is still an elusive goal. An equation to predict UCS from sonic velocity data is suggested based on several data sets reported in the literature. Use of the specific energy equation with UCS or sonic data and utilization of drilling data allows an estimation of the efficiency of energy transfer from the bit to the rock and of the friction coefficient. Analysis of data reported in the literature, both from laboratory and field studies, has shown that this approach is sound and enables the determination of energy transfer efficiencies and friction coefficients, which for the cases studied range between 15 and 30% and 0.15 and 0.30 respectively. Thus, the suggested data analysis approach allows drillers to focus on inefficiencies and optimize drilling practices in future campaigns. Keywords Rock drillability, unconfined compressive strength, prediction.

Jan 1, 2011

By J. Ndlovu, R. Hundermark

Keywords: Anglo Platinum, Polokwane Smelter, pyrometallurgy, metallurgy, platinum, platinum group metals, PGM, base metals, nickel, copper, sulphide smelting, electric furnace, Söderberg, electrode, matte, slag, flash drying, matte casting, crushing, granulation Anglo Platinum?s Polokwane Smelter is situated outside Polokwane, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Wet concentrate is received from various concentrators along the Eastern Bushveld Complex, with 60% of the total concentrate received being from UG2 reef and 40% from Merensky reef. The concentrate grade differs from 35 g/t to 110 g/t, and from this a PGM-rich nickel-copper matte is produced. The furnace matte produced is sent to the ACP converter in Rustenburg. The Anglo Platinum concentrators, from which concentrate is received, are Lebowa, Potgietersrus, Amandelbult, and Union, as well as the joint venture Modikwa. The concentrate is fed to two flash dryers that utilise coal-fired, fluidized-bed hot-gas generators to produce the hot gas that will drive off the moisture, leaving a fine bone-dry concentrate to feed to the furnace. The dry concentrate is pneumatically transferred to a storage silo before being transferred to the feed bins situated above the furnace. Lime, if required as a flux, may be transferred separately to the furnace feed bin by a pneumatic system. The concentrate and lime is fed from the feed bins onto airslides and into the furnace. The feed rate is automatically controlled, and the system is set up to optimize the power to feed ratio. The electric furnace is nominally rated at 68 MW and the power is transferred into the furnace using six 1.6 m diameter Söderberg electrodes. Concentrate is melted by energy generated when electric current passes through the electrodes and resistive slag layer. On melting, two immiscible phases form: slag and matte. Furnace matte, containing the bulk of the base metal sulphides and PGMs, is denser than slag and collects naturally at the bottom of the furnace. The furnace is constructed of a combination of refractory brick and water-cooled copper coolers. The furnace sidewalls and hearth are cooled by air drawn through the area by cooling fans. The hearth and matte zone are constructed from refractory bricks. The copper coolers reside only in the slag zone of the furnace along the entire perimeter of the furnace. One staggered row of plate coolers is installed above the waffle coolers along the perimeter of the furnace. Matte is tapped periodically through one of the two matte tapholes into 35-ton refractory-lined ladles, and cast into matte ingots on a casting machine. The cooled matte is discharged onto a concrete slab for cooling and then transferred by front-end loaders to the crushing plant. The matte is first crushed in a jaw crusher and then a Rhodax cone crusher to a size of 2 mm before it is loaded into tankers and sent to the ACP. The low-grade slag is tapped from the furnace through a water-cooled copper insert into a short water-cooled copper ?hot launder? which discharges into a granulation cold launder. The granulated slag slurry flows to three rake classifiers, from which the coarse slag is discharged onto a conveyor to dewatering silos. The dewatered slag from the silos is dumped. The water overflow from the classifiers reports to two thickeners where the water is clarified, and the thickener underflow is returned to the rake classifiers. The smelter is a zero-effluent plant and all the water from the slag silos where the slag is dewatered, as well as the storm water, is pumped to the process water dam from where it is pumped back into the plant for process water use. The off-gas from the furnace is drawn through a forced draught cooler and into a high temperature baghouse. The dust collected in the baghouse is pneumatically transferred into bins above the furnace and is fed via the concentrate airslides. The cleaned off-gas is then vented through the main stack.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Ghoreychi, X. Daupley

ABSTRACT: The paper is devoted to two major aspects related to the abandonment of salt mines: 1)- Long-term risk associated with the mechanical instability of surface and its consequences for public security and properties. 2)- Long term dissolution and transport of salt resulting from its communication with groundwater. Basic characteristic features of salt deposits and mining methods are presented through the studies already undertaken on French mines. This analysis allows to identify major hazards encountered in different traditional salt mines and solution-mining cavities. In particular, the role of overburden (presence and thickness of salt layer in exploitation roof, presence of clayey rocks or hard rocks e.g. dolomite or anhydrite), presence of water-bearing strata and possibly natural brine levels, discontinuities, etc. are discussed. In the second part, the main features of mechanical behaviour of salt (creep, damage) as well as transfer processes of this material are presented. The influence of these aspects on the long term evolution of abandoned salt mines is then analysed. KEY WORDS: exploitation, abandonment, salt, mechanical, stability, transport, solution, brine. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Der Artikel bezieht sich auf zwei bedeutende Aspekte beim Salzabbau: 1)-Das langsfristige Risiko zur Bodenoberflächeunbeständigkeit und sein Einfluss über Mensch= und Gütersicherheit. 2)-Die langsfristige Auflösung und Beförderung des Salz beruhen sich auf Studien über französiche Bergbauen. Diese Analyse emöglicht es, die bedeutendesten Risiken in verschiedenen Salzgruben zu identifizieren, bzw. Traditionellen oder durch Auflösung abgebauten. Insbesondere wird die Rolle des Deckgebirges (Vorhandensein und Dicke von Salzschicht am Dach des Grube, Beisein von Tanlager oder hartem Gestein wie Bitterkalk oder Anhydrid), Beisein von wasserhaltigem Boden und/oder gesalzenen Wasserflächen, Trennflächen, usw… erötert. Im zweiten Teil werden die haupsächlichen Eigenschaften des Salzverhaltens (Kriechen und Beschädigung) beschrieben. Ihr Einfluss über das Verhalten von stillgelegten Bergwerken lässt sich analysieren. SCHLÜSSELWÖRTER: Bergwerksbetrieb, Stilllegung, Mechanik, Beständigkeit, Ausbreitung, Aussolung, Solewasser. RESUME: L’article est consacré à deux aspects majeurs liés à l’abandon d’exploitations de sel : 1)- Le risque d’une instabilité à long terme de la surface du sol et son incidence sur la sécurité des personnes et des biens. 2)- La dissolution à long terme et le transport de sel sous l’effet d’une communication avec des eaux souterraines. Les principales caractéristiques de gisements et d’exploitations de sel sont présentées en s’appuyant sur les études antérieures réalisées sur les exploitations en France. Cette analyse permet d’identifier les risques majeurs rencontrés dans différentes mines de sel traditionnelles ou exploitées par dissolution. En particulier, le rôle du recouvrement (présence et épaisseur d’un banc de sel au toit de l’exploitation, présence de terrains argileux ou de roches dures telles que la dolomie ou de l’anhydrite), présence de terrains aquifères ou de nappes salées éventuelles, discontinuités, etc. sont discutées. Dans la deuxième partie, les principaux traits du comportement mécanique du sel (fluage, endommagement) ainsi que les processus de transport de ce matériau sont présentés. L’influence de ces aspects sur le comportement à long terme d’exploitations abandonnées de sel est ensuite analysée. MOTS CLES: exploitation, abandon, mécanique, sel, stabilité, transport, dissolution, saumure.

Jan 1, 2003

By A. Fahimifar, H. Soroush

Abstract: In order to develop non-destructive methods in studying physical and mechanical properties of rock and replacing them with difficult and expensive static methods, several ultrasonic tests were carried out on cylindrical rock specimens in accordance with the ISRM suggested methods and velocity of P and S waves were determined. Also, density, porosity, water absorption, uniaxial compressive strength and indirect tensile strength were determined for each specimen in accordance with ISRM suggested methods. According to above tests static and dynamic elastic constants were calculated After statistical analysis of data obtained from tests, the relationships between velocity of elastic waves and physical or mechanical parameters were determined and some equations were obtained. Also similar analyses were performed on static and dynamic constants and some equations were extracted. Using these equations, the physical and mechanical parameters of rock and also static elastic constants can be estimated by conducting simple and quick tests (i.e. ultrasonic tests). Abriß: Um zu entwickeln, die zerstörungsfreien Methoden für Studieren die physischen und mechanischen Eigentümer von Steinen und auch ist für Ersetzen diese Methoden mit schwierigen teuren statischen Methoden, mehrere altrasonic Prüfungen auf zylindrischen Steinproben gemäß ISRM anregenden Methoden und den Geschwindigkeiten von S und P Wellen bestimmt worden sind durchgeführt worden. Außer der Dichtheit und der Porosität betonen Wasser Aufnahme und monoaxial Widerstand und dehnbaren indirekten Widerstand jeder Probe betreffend der erhaltenen Ergebnisse die atmosphärische Aufladung sind bestimmt worden und die dynamischen Faktoren der Steine sind kalkuliert worden. Nachdem statistische Analyse die Korrelation der Ergebnisse zwischen der Geschwindigkeit elastischer Wellen und mechanischer und physischer Eigentümer der Steine erhalten worden ist, und mehrere Verhältnisse sind vorgeschlagen worden. Eine ähnliche Analyse ist auf atmosphärischer Aufladung und dynamischen Faktoren durchgeführt worden und einige Verhältnisse sind erhalten worden. Mit Hilfe dieser Verhältnisse die physischen und mathematischen Eigentümer von Steinen und auch können die Statistik Faktoren durch einfachen und schnellen altrasonic Prüfungen erhalten werden. Resume: Puor le development des method non-destructive et evaluuation des propietes physical et mechanical des rock et superseding avec les methods dificzle et cher statique, c‘ est fait plusieur essayes ultrasonique sur les echantillons cylinrique et par a port le proposale TSRM et le vittesse des ondes P et S et densite et porosite et absorption des eaux le resistant de pression uniaxial et resistance de chaque echantillon est determinee. A la fin en base des resultat obtenue les constant statique et dynamique des roches sont calcule. Apres les analyses statistiquc sur les resultat obtenue du les essaybs, c‘ etait produit les relation entre les viptesse les ondes elastique et les proprietes physic et mechanicue des roches et c est propose quelque relations. Aussi le meme enterpretation sur les constant statique etdinamique. En possezon de ces relations, les spesificatio physique, aussi on peut trouver leur constant statique, avel les essayes sample et raptid a d ultrasonique.

Jan 1, 2003

By L C. Pretorius

Pipe pigging is a technique for the in situ (field) coating application, to create a seamless internal anti-corrosive lining of long pipelines. The technology originated in the cleaning of pipes, and these proven cleaning methods continue to be used today. Firstly mechanical cleaning of the pipeline is performed, using wire brush, razor back, course stud and fine wire pigs, then foam pigs, or criss cross pigs, and urethane blade scrapers to remove loose debris, wax, residual hydrocarbons and corrosion products from the pipeline. Part of the proprietary techniques and expertise is to ensure that these cleaning pigs do not get stuck Next chemical cleaning of the pipeline is performed, using repeated pig runs with detergents, solvents, acid etching, corrosion inhibitors, consecutively batched between two pigs, to ensure a clean, dry metal finish to a visual cleanliness standard of ISO SA2½. These in situ techniques were developed, 40 years ago to apply internal corrosion protection to pipes using a thin layer of epoxy based paint (50 to 100 micron). Until recently these old techniques were never improved upon. Although many thousands of kilometres of pipes were successfully coated with these thin film epoxy based paints and old application techniques, these thin paint films had problems in weld coverage, and were also unable to fill pits caused by pitting corrosion, and unable to replace metal loss caused by channel erosion. New coating material developments, revised application methods and modified pigging equipment have now made it possible to apply thick film coatings as corrosion barriers to the internals of pipes in the field, using these pigging techniques. The thick coating films can be up to 1 mm (40 mils) thick in a single coating run over long distances. The new thick film coating materials and application techniques are similar to continuous screeding, creating a far more robust seamless internal pipe lining when compared to the old technology of thin film paints. With thick film polymers the option now exists to create a structural GRP pipe within a pipe, be it steel or cementicious. It has been preferable, even necessary, to move away from the traditional epoxy paints and coatings. It was found difficult or impossible to use epoxy materials for these pipe coating applications due to the requirement for achieving a suitable viscosity with adequate hold up. In order to reduce epoxy viscosity a solvent or reactive diluent is required. This inevitably lead to solvent entrapment and poor cure characteristics in cold climates. Further mud cracking in over thick areas, the inability to extend or reduce pot life, poor control of cure time and limited resistance to aggressive or chemical environments made solvent based epoxy resins a poor choice.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Stephton, L. A. Cornish, R. Süss, N. B. Maledi, J. H. Potgieter, L. Chown

In today?s gas turbines, the emphasis is on saving energy and reducing the amounts of pollutants emitted. This can be attained only by designing alloys with higher melting points and the capability to retain mechanical integrity at increased temperatures. The development of nickel-based superalloys (NBSAs) has reached its limit, as the alloys are operating at critical temperatures close to their melting points. Further increase in the operating temperatures will result in dissolution of the strengthening phases and even melting. Recent trends are towards developing materials that are adequately strong but have much higher melting points and corrosion resistance than the NBSAs that are currently in use. Studies conducted on Pt alloys with similar structure to the NBSAs have presented mechanical results that are promising. This has led to further development of these alloys as a replacement for NBSAs. The operations of gas turbines are usually limited by hot corrosion, which could lead to catastrophic failures. Increased temperatures have an adverse effect on the corrosion of the alloys by making the environment more aggressive. Hence, during a material selection process, the corrosion behaviour of any selected material for a highly specialized application such as gas turbines needs to be assessed. Generally, coatings are applied to combat degradation by salt deposits, hence coated and uncoated NBSAs were selected as benchmark alloys. Corrosion mechanisms and kinetic studies of the Pt alloys were conducted. High temperature hot corrosion (HTHC) tests were conducted at 950°C for540 hours. Analysis of the corrosion products was conducted using a Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction study of the phases that formed. Both coated and uncoated NBSAs failed under the test conditions. Samples were covered with a porous non-adherent greenish layer which is characteristic of NiO. Pt alloys displayed superior corrosion properties compared with the benchmark alloys.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. T. Jones

DC arc furnaces are widely used for steel scrap melting as well as for reductive smelting of ore fines. Industrial smelting applications include the smelting of chromite to produce ferrochromium, the smelting of ilmenite to produce titania slag and pig iron, and the recovery of cobalt from nonferrous smelter slags. A number of myths and misconceptions are widely held, especially regarding: the age of the technology, the use of a hollow electrode, arc stability and shape, arc and bath radiation, interaction between the arc and molten slag, electrical behaviour of arcs and slags, a comparison between AC and DC furnaces, DC reactors, the lifespan of bottom electrodes, and the applicability of DC arc furnaces to various metallurgical systems.

Jan 1, 2011

By T. Khumalo, L. P. Coetzer

This paper addresses the impact of the variable speed drive on the particle size distribution in the product of a fully autogenous UG2 grinding circuit. It further discusses the impact of a varying particle size distribution in the product of the mill on the downstream classification and milling circuits. An industrial case study was used and data is presented to illustrate the techniques applied to identify the root cause of the shift in operational efficiency. The results achieved from both the investigation into the shift in plant efficiency and the sub-sequent corrective action taken illustrate that the root-cause methodology used in advance control can be effectively applied on production sites to both detect the shift and identify probable root-causes. The industrial example used confirms that the variable speed drive in a UG2 autogenous milling operation is a critical control parameter to ensure that the plant operates to design specifications.

Jan 1, 2006

By G. van Aswegen

The geometry and morphology of a set of low-angle fractures around a stope in a deep Witwatersrand gold mine are explained in terms of extension fractures forming under variable conditions of stress. Primary extension fractures (E1) form some distance ahead of an advancing stope along the s1, s2 plane. With stope advance, a couple of these fractures end up in a stress regime conducive to transpressional shear and a secondary set of extension fractures(E2) is formed at a high angle to the primary fractures. i.e. at a low angle to the stope. As the E2 fractures are undermined, they migrate into a stress regime of transtensional shear and a third set of extension fractures (E3) may develop between E2 fractures. These have sigmoidal shapes, being parallel to the E2 fractures at the E2 discontinuity where s3 is negative, and curved through the un-fractured rock between E2 fractures where s3 is positive at the instant of fracturing. The fractures all display fractographic features characteristic of dynamic extension failure with striae indicative of the direction of rupture propagation and the local, instantaneous orientation of s1.

Jan 1, 2012

By T. van Heerden

A range of supported gold catalysts was prepared by ion exchange, varying many of the preparation variables, including concentration in the precursor solution, washing procedure, as well as drying and calcination procedures. These catalysts have been characterized extensively. TEM images show essentially the same crystallite size distributions, between 2?5 nm, for almost all catalysts, the only exception being catalysts not washed in ammonia, which did not show any small crystallites. Additional characterization with SEM yielded an interesting discovery. Catalysts that appear identical on the TEM also contain some large crystallites in the range of 50?500 nm. Differences in dispersion due to the drying procedure not seen on the TEM can now be observed. Oxygen chemisorption is being investigated as an additional method to characterize gold based catalysts to complement the typically used electron microscope techniques.

Jan 1, 2012

By A. D. Pienaar

The aqueous chemistry of niobium and tantalum compounds with hydrofluoric acid is a mature field of investigation. In contrast, very little attention has been paid to reactions of these compounds in non-aqueous environments. Similarly, reactions of elemental fluorine with niobium and tantalum compounds have received little more than cursory attention in literature. This work discusses the isothermal reaction kinetics derived from thermogravimetry, using a less redundant approach than is currently the standard. We also discuss the most likely kinetic models for this reaction.

Jan 1, 2012

The AMIRA Code of Practice and Guidelines for Metal Accounting was developed in response to demand from a number of sponsor companies, including one major platinum producer. Since its publication in 2007, the Code has become widely accepted in the mining industry world-wide as a guide for best practice in metal accounting. With the changes in the structure of the platinum mining industry in South Africa over the last 10 ? 15 years, in particular, the starting up of a number of small platinum producers who must have their concentrate smelted and the contained valuable metals refined by third parties, the need for metal accounting systems that are accurate and have an acceptable level of precision has become even more critical to the success of a platinum-producing operation. The current state of metal accounting in the industry is discussed and possible areas for improved accounting and associated metallurgical efficiencies are identified.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. H. Zietsman, S. Maharajh, J. Muller

In the chlorination process for TiO2 pigment production, blends of titania feedstocks such as ilmenite, synthetic rutile (SR), natural rutile, upgraded slag, and chloride-grade slag are reacted with coke and chlorine at a temperature of around 1000°C to form TiCl4 (the main product) and other waste metal chlorides. The TiCl4 is the main feed material for the TiO2 pigment-making process. Feeding different titania materials to the chlorinator affects the amount of coke and chlorine required for the process, the amount of waste generated, waste disposal costs, the amount of TiCl4 produced, and bed build-up rates. These factors influence the value of the feedstock. Generally, a higher TiO2 feedstock is more valued since less waste is generated and less reagents are consumed. To quantify the impact of different feedstocks on the chlorinator, a techno-economic model was developed to describe the chlorination process and estimate process variables at steady state. This paper describes the development of the model and studies in which the model has been used to quantify effects of using different feedstocks.

Jan 1, 2015

By J. Muller

Keywords: Pyrometallurgy, blast furnace, slag viscosity, slag liquidus temperature, phase equilibria The viscosity of molten slag in blast furnace operations is an important process variable, influencing the rate and location of reactions inside the furnace, as well as the ease with which the final slag could be removed from the furnace. To optimize these processes, it is necessary to estimate the slag viscosity and liquidus temperatures as accurately as possible, and know the target values. Models to predict viscosities and liquidus temperatures, incorporating phase equilibrium calculations, have been developed and validated with measured data. Various diagrams have been developed to illustrate how the properties vary with composition and temperature, including pseudo-ternary diagrams of SiO2-MgO-CaO-Al2O3 for viscosity and liquidus temperature. Models were also applied and methodologies developed to analyse historical blast furnace operations and determine target values.

Jan 1, 2011

Orange Free State Branch Minutes of a Committee Meeting held in the Boardroom of Western Holdings on Thursday, IIth October, 1973, at 5.00 p.m. Present Messrs E. T. Wilson (in the Chair), E. Dunstan, W. B. Evans, C. J. Isaac, C. Mostert, N. Shand, R. Williams, and G. Young.

Jan 2, 1974

By T. Z. Mugodi, D. R. Fleming

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is defined as ‘The goods and services that support the electronic display, processing, storage and transmission of information’. Early in 2002 the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) commissioned a study into the diffusion and adoption of ICT in eight sectors of the economy. The platinum mining Sector was one of these. The key findings presented in this paper are based on the platinum sector component of that study. The paper examines the theoretical basis behind technology transfer and innovation diffusion and presents the results of an ICT diffusion survey carried out in the South African platinum mining sector. ICT is shown as the modern day technological tool which is an accelerator of economic development. The current state of ICT diffusion in the platinum mining sector is defined and projections for the near future are given. Recommendations which will ensure smooth and full adoption are presented and justified.

Jan 1, 2003