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The recommissioning of the plant at Mary Kathleen involved several distinct phases. The previous plant process was modified significantly, the plant capacity was increased by the addition of new equipment and the exist- ing equipment was in most cases overhauled. This equipment was either reused in its original duty or relocated. Maintenance requirements after the plant was cmommissioned were high because of the amount of modified equipment and also because some old items of equipment were deliberately not overhauled during recommissioning. The equipment that was overhauled has operated reliably. However some new equipment has not been as satisfactory.

Jan 1, 1978

By Davey CJ

An integrated computer software system has been developed by Fluor Australia for modelling, mine planning and production scheduling of single or multi-strata deposits. Modelling of both quantitative and qualitative variables (e.g., thickness, basal elevation, density, grade/ash content) is performed via continuous, minimum curvature surface representations. These may be developed from inverse distance weighting or geostatistical kriging interpolation techniques in conjunction with bicubic spline surface interpolation. The modelling process, rather than being purely mathematical, incorporates facilities for reflecting structural geology interpretations (e.g., faulting, pinchouts) and geological boundary conditions (e.g., subcrop and outcrop). Volumetric programs provide the facility for continuous integration over models (at any specified integration increment) for any number of specified irregular polygonal panel areas or regular rectilinearly defined block plan areas. Multi-variable integration is available, incorporating any or all operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to provide multi-strata tonnages, etc., (e.g., Volume 1 * density 1 + Volume 2 density 2). These programs provide true three-dimensional integration with the facility for calculating results on an area by area, level by level, strata by strata as well as overall basis.

Jan 1, 1983

By Upfold RW, Nguyen VU

The extraction and utilisation of metals and materials is the basis of modern civilisation, and will remain so for many decades, Traditional metals are facing some challenges and research is needed in specific areas, to improve metal extraction processes, to develop processes for newer metals and minerals, and to develop new applications, The shortage of metallurgists now becoming apparent in Australia is a further significant problem that needs urgent attention, and much more publicity is required for the Mineral Industry, as well as for the utilisation Industries,

Jan 1, 1986

By Cook B, Cunningham J

At Mount Isa Mines, a system has been developed for general monitoring of underground mobile equipment. It can provide unit condition monitoring data such as oil pressures and motor temperatures as well as production type information such as unit location and load. The system does not rely on an expensive data communications infrastructure, using instead inexpensive radio base stations which automatically transfer data from mobile units to a surface database server on the company-wide computer network. This paper includes a general overview of the system and a discussion of the practical benefits it is expected to generate.

Jan 1, 1995

The Rock Mass Rating (RMR) and Rock Mass Strength (RMS) classification systems for jointed rock masses are briefly reviewed, with particular reference to their use in slope stability studies. A correlation is provided between the results obtained from the two classifications and an equation is presented tentatively defining the RMR value for long-term stable slope angles. The validity of the equation is discussed in general terms in the context of slope stability problems commonly encountered in Western Australian open pit gold mines.

Jan 1, 1992

By D Curry, M F. Young

æConventional wisdomÆ believes that fine particles have low flotation recoveries. Plant size û recovery graphs often have the classic æhillÆ shape û high recovery in the mid sizes and low recovery at the fine and coarse ends. Yet if mineral liberation is poor, low fines recovery may be because you don't grind fine enough! This apparent paradox is explained by the old concept of æsand/slimesÆ circuits, which recognises the different flotation needs of fine and coarse particles. This concept is overlooked in the push for simpler circuits and larger equipment. Most plants now treat all particles together in a wide size-distribution. Reagent conditions are set for the dominant coarser particles, so fines are starved of collector. Worse still if there are significant midsized composites û often these have to be rejected in cleaning to achieve target concentrate grade. But the conditions which reject mid-size composites û collector starvation and high depressants û also reject fine liberated particles. In fact, fines flotation can be excellent when flotation chemistry is tailored to fines.

Jan 1, 2004

By Smitham J. B

A selection of Australian washed coal samples was examined to determine the effect of sample hydrophobicity (rank) and particle size on froth stability in the flotation process. The results indicate distinct rank-based variations in froth volume and stability for flotation tests conducted without the use of collector, over a series of particle size distributions.High-rank coals showed a greater tendency to generate stable, high-volume froths than coals of lower rank. Implications for circuit design and operation are outlined.

Jan 1, 1988

University education in Australia is changing, driven by greater market orientation, reduced funding available per student, especially in the higher-cost minerals industry disciplines, and the call for more flexible delivery of subjects and courses to meet changing lifestyles and expectations. The opportunity exists for a true partnership to develop between industry, government and academia that will reshape minerals education in Australia and secure the future supply of the specialists industry needs to maintain international competitiveness. If this partnership does not emerge, it is anticipated that AustraliaÆs somewhat fragmented and unstable higher education system, especially in the disciplines of particular relevance to the minerals industry, will be put under further pressure so decreasing its effectiveness to produce quality graduates. The Minerals Council of Australia in 1998 published æBack from the BrinkÆ, a discussion paper which proposed strategies to build a world class minerals tertiary education system in Australia. Those strategies are now being implemented collaboratively with principal emphasis on the disciplines of mining engineering, metallurgy and earth science and as far as process is concerned, on the necessity to æcooperate to competeÆ. For metallurgy, the challenge is to integrate more closely undergraduate teaching with the existing world-class research centres and to link the tertiary institutions in such a manner that the strengths of all components are harnessed and then made available nationally in major population centres and at remote sites where appropriate. For industry the challenge is to build effective partnerships with the academic community that will enable and assist the agreed course of action to take place.

Jan 1, 2000

Before proceeding to the main portion of the above subject, a few remarks as to the general question of our mill slimes seem called for, and, with this in view, it is intended to briefly refer to the salient, points connected with their production, treatment and disposal at the mills.It is well known that, owing to the inticate mixture of the constituents of our sulphide ore, 'a very great deal of crushing and grinding is required to detach the particles of galena from the zinc blende and gangue of the ore, and it will be readily understood that, in this operation, a considerable amount of the material is converted into a slime which consists of minute, but ,(as can be see~ under a glass) well definied particles of all the constituents· 6f the ore arid combinations thereof, the relative proportions of which depend on the dual characteristics of hardness and abundance of the different constituents. An analysis of the slime shows the contents to be as follows :-Galena (PbS)Blende (Zn S)Pyrites (Fe Sll)Ferric Oxide (Fell Os)Ferrous Oxide (Fe 0) contained in garnetsOxide of Manganese (Mn 0) contained in rhodonite and garnets

Jan 1, 1903

By Deutsch G. P

The output of an underground mine often depends entirely on the mine winding system. -Decisions made--at the design stage affect the economy and operation'of the mine'.througb -its entire life. A modern mine winding installation is an integrated system and its design requires a multidisciplinary approach including expertise in the-materials handling, mining, mechanical, civil, structural, electrical and control engineering fields. The paper-sets out the elements of typical mine wind- ing systems-and describes some of the more important decisions which must be made during the planning and design process, It is no longer.adequate to. base the choice of a system on the pre- ferences and experiences of individuals. Major Australian winding install- ations are usually designed on the basis of overseas experience and some of the detail design is often carried, out overseas. Differences in basic design criteria occur from country to

Jan 1, 1973

By Yuanping H

There is a practical method of handling methane in a fully mechanized high output coal face when the methane outflow rate from the face is too high to be handled by ventilation alone, a combined method would be adopted. Before adopting this method, above all, the sources of methane outflow, which can be divided into methane in the intake airflow and methane emitted from the working seam and from the worked-out area, are determined by air-methane measure- ments in the tail gate and intake conveyor gate or by air-methane measurements in the working space of the coal face. Then, in

Jan 1, 1988

By P M. Hetherington, F A. Pym, M P. Murphy, K E. Crook

Consultants in the mining industry have the opportunity to visit interesting deposits all over the world. Each deposit has its own set of challenges to face when it comes to defining and understanding the deposit geology and the economics to make it viable for extraction. Some of the challenges can include appropriate data capture, sampling techniques, structural characteristics, geochemistry, geophysics, lithology definition, and economic boundaries. It is essential that the practices used at each deposit (eg drilling, sampling, geological modelling, resource estimation etc) are documented and the results obtained are robust and defensible. The Competent Person is not always aware of instances where their resource estimation practices have not been substantiated. ‘You don’t know what you don’t know’ is a phrase frequently used during a mineral resource audit. Technical work to substantiate drilling, sampling, density, assaying, geological modelling and estimation processes is not always completed. Audited Competent Persons often comment: • ‘I was unaware that this was required.’ • ‘I have not had training in this area and do not know how to complete the checks required.’ • ‘This is how we’ve always done it.’ Examples of audits where it was found that geological practices were not substantiated are examined here. A discussion is included on why substantiation of these practices is important, and potential reasons as to why there are instances of unsubstantiated processes and practices are discussed.

Mar 22, 2022

Drilling has disclosed a sequence of Cainozoic sediments immediately to the west of the Ediacara mineral field containing little or no dolomitic debris in the lower and middle sections, but with gravel beds of dolomite derived from local rocks in the upper part. It is suggested that the lower and middle sequence of Cainozoic strata was deposited over the area of the Ediacara Range, and that this range was uplifted, probably as a horst block, during Quaternary times and was first exposed to subaerial erosion during the upper Pleistocene epoch.Lower Cambrian dolomites with associated stratiform lead mineralization, which formed the target of drilling on the western downthrown block of the Ediacara Fault, were eroded before deposition of Cainozoic sediments.Intense leaching of basal Cambrian dolomites around the periphery of the Ediacara Basin took place during Mesozoic and Tertiary times. This leaching process has resulted in enrichment of copper and lead mineralization in a thick marginal zone of residual clayey material overlain by dolomitic collapse breccia. These zones of leaching and enrichment were preserved under Cainozoic sediments which have subsequently been eroded. The Ediacara Fault appears to have been a major conduit for mineralizing fluids and is the main lineament of the Torrens Hinge Zone. Contemporaneous movements on this fault have controlled rates of depositionand thickness of sediments across the fault during Adelaidean and Cainozoic times. Though latest movements of this fault have been west block down, the predominant movement has been east block down with associated thickening of sediments to the east in the Adelaide Geosync1ine.

Jan 1, 1972

Mine planning is difficult. Even for small operations, it involves reasoning with complex variables and the practical difficulties of mining. It is also about predicting and planning the future in an unpredictable physical and economic environment. Yet we rely on a handful of individuals and their spreadsheets to tell us how to do it û planning the business and activities of mining to hopefully produce results that will please stakeholders. Does it work? Not as well as it could. Planning affects everyone in the organisation. Company executives are demanding more reliability and stability in cost and revenue forecasts from their operations. Management want to explore ways of being more cost effective. Miners and contractors want more useful plans and realistic targets. And the planners have to describe the method that will translate business objectives into implementable plans. Even with the use of computer technology a lot of effort is expended to produce plans that are largely qualified by the level of knowledge and experience of individuals. Better use of information and the application of Intelligent Technologies can improve the quality and reliability of mine plans and schedules. By capturing the knowledge within the organisation and speeding up the planning process, Intelligent Technologies allow more options to be considered more rigorously. But it is not just about technology. It is about how technology is implemented and embodied in the way the business is managed for performance. When this happens, the real benefits of better planning start to flow.

Jan 1, 2003

In Australia a social impact assessment (SIA) is generally required prior to the approval of a mineral resource extraction or processing projects as a part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. In recent years there has been increased attention on the adequacy of the SIA process applied in major project assessment. Most applications have focused on the impact identification process with little attempt given to the community negotiating power over how impacts will be addressed. The impact assessment tends to occur at a single point in time, with no subsequent re-evaluation or ongoing social impact management and monitoring process. The assessments rarely specify how responsibilities for impacts on communities may be apportioned between project proponents and government, and have been inadequate in dealing with cumulative project impacts. In Queensland, concern about these shortfalls have led to the release of the Sustainable Resource Communities Policy 2008 and requirements for social impact management plans (SIMP) to be developed for each resource development in the State. In this paper a 'pressure-state-response' approach to impact assessment is used to develop an 'impact-response-monitoring-evaluation' (IRME) framework that can be applied to ongoing evaluation and monitoring of social impacts. The framework is applied to coal resource developments in the northern Bowen Basin in Queensland to identify core requirements in a SIMP. The IRME framework is flexible enough to be implemented at various spatial and time scales, for the wellbeing of the local and regional mining and non-mining communities in Australia. The framework can be further examined in other mine developments and could be integrated with the existing mining or environmental protection acts.

Jun 1, 2010

By Collins D. N

The Olympic Dam Copper Smelter Acid Plant is a hybrid plant capable of producing sulphuric acid from either sulphur burning, metallurgical gases or a combination of both. Commissioning of the Acid Plant on sulphur burning commenced in early April 1988 and commissioning on combined sulphur burning and metallurgical gas commenced in August 1988. During commissioning on sulphur burning a number of acid spills occurred due to balancing of tower flows and control of acid dilution. A number of other significant problems were encountered including failure of boiler gaskets, failure of strong acid pumps seals, the fracture of the teflon dilution water injector and the subsequent failing of the acid circulation pump, tank steel failures and various instrumentation problems. The Commissioning of the Acid Plant on metallurgical gases commenced in August and with the exception of the production of oleum in the boiler economizer was relatively trouble free. Oxygen Plant commissioning commenced in May 1988 and was without significant incident. An outline of the basic equipment for the Acid Plant and Oxygen Plant is presented together with aspects associated with the commisisoning of both plants.

Jan 1, 1989

An effective production control system should maximise recovery of economic material from the resource. To do this, internal waste must be accurately delineated and efficiently removed. Achieving this is most difficult in low grade blocks just above and just below the cut off grade, where ore:waste separation follows assay or statistical, rather than geological boundaries. Difficulties arise from sampling errors, configuration of the economic mineralisation, and local variations in geology. Mine bench parameters and mining equipment size apply further constraints to the actual field separation of the ore from the waste. At BCL, management of the resource starts with an effective orebody model for planning, scheduling and ore:waste prediction. Ore production from each mining location is reconciled with concentrator tonnage and grade, and the reconciled grades are compared with the planning orebody model to highlight any Differences.

Jan 1, 1986

In order to meet the increasing demand for coal for their Newcastle Steel Works, the Broken Hill Pty. Co. Ltd., on June 5, 1937, approved of a scheme to sink a tunnel to the Victoria Seam at their Burwood Colliery. This seam was virgin at this locality and lay nominally horizontal at a depth of 320ft. vertical from the surface.For the purpose of despatch of the coal produced it was decided that the tunnel be equipped with a rubber belt conveyor system.This was a comparatively new departure in Australia, and, indeed, was one of the first installations of its kind in the world, designed to raise coal from considerable depth by this means. Later the tunnel was extended to the Borehole Seam, which lay nominally horizontal at a vertical depth of 600ft. from the surface. The whole installation is the subject of this paper.In planning a project of this kind, consideration had to be given to the following:-1. Location of tunnel with regard to existing surface railway sidings and shafts.2. Ultimate tonnage required.3. Width and construction of belt.4. Speed of belt.5. Inclination of belts.6. Number of belts and design of equipment.7. Cross-sectional area of tunnel.8. Inclination of tunnel.9. Surface drainage.10. Type of equipment for drifting the tunnel.11. Method of ventilating the tunnel during sinking.After the general layout and design of the scheme had been prepared it was decided that tunnel drifting would begin immediately and that the belt installation, together with the feeder plant, would be detailed and manufactured by the time the drift...

Jan 1, 1947

By Kaleta S, McTavish LP, Turner RD

Primary production blasting at Hamers- ley Iron began with seven inch holes at Tom Price in 1966 and has developed since then to large multiple row shots of 381 mm holes at Tom Price and 311 mm at Paraburdoo. Up to 1.3 million tonnes are initiated in a single blast with the average around 300,000 tonnes. Development can be traced through Anfo, AlAnfo, slurries, various boosters, initiation and delay techniques, hole loading and daily operating practices. A standard practice could be developed for the two mines for normal pro- duction blasts; this would not apply to such common variations as low "paddy" shots, pre- splitting, tight corners necessitating single row drilling etc. Because of ground variation three or even four sizes of drill holes may well be economic- al for blasting, even though this would be off set by complications in operation, supervision, store stocking and maintenance, particularly in Drilling.

Jan 1, 1978

By T O Aspinall

The Australian mineral industry involves a diverse range of expertise and skills. Within that, the mining industry, representing mine planning, mine management and equipment operation, has capital intensive, high productivity equipment and a small but skilled workforce. Continuing education for all personnel in the workforce after formal school courses will be an important contribution towards improving competitiveness. The non-tertiary sector represents a significant proportion of the workforce and requires as much attention as the tertiary educated group. Competency Based Training is now being developed for the mining industry in Australia under the National Training Board and the mining industry is well represented in establishing standards and curriculum. TAFE is a major source of accredited courses but some mining companies are also developing internal courses not necessarily for external accreditation. Articulation of such accredited courses to tertiary mining engineering courses has been considered. The education and training of equipment operators through continuing education requires attention to operating skills, an understanding of the productivity factors under the direct influence of the operator and providing product quality to the customer. The education and training of mining engineers has been widely covered and continuing close involvement of the mining industry is required to ensure well balanced courses in technical and interpersonal skills as well as motivation to continue learning for life. Postgraduate research is a part of continuing education but the mining industry has to continually address the adequate recognition of post-graduate qualifications for the increased technical or management expertise and the development of better analytical and problem solving skills which can be directed towards improving competitiveness. More attention has to be paid to providing adequate financial incentives to attract suitable students, particularly after attaining some experience, and to address their professional career path with a company so they are not significantly disadvantaged by undertaking post-graduate studies. The Chartered Professional Engineer status as provided by The Institution of Engineers, Australia to qualified candidates is being considered by The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy as a further recognition of a member's specific expertise and competence in mining and metallurgical engineering. Continuing education plays a major part in the maintenance of the expertise and competence required for a professional engineer to develop and also to retain chartered status. Continuing education will be a significant part of the education and training of all the mining workforce towards improving the competitiveness of the mining industry. The major challenges will be the motivation of all towards lifelong learning and the integration of the various programs towards providing the opportunity for a steady and satisfying career progression.

Jan 1, 1994