Search Documents

Research on Universal Depressant of Talc and Serpentine

Sep 13, 2010

The Manto Verde mine is found in the coastal ranges of the Atacama desert, 1000 km north of Santiago, Chile . The deposit is a fault-breccia specularite-oxide copper mineralisation hosted by the Jurassic andesites of La Negra Formation. It is located in a tensional fault that joins twoparallel arms of the Atacama Fault. The mine is in feasibility study: reserves are of the order of 60 Mt at 0.9 wt per cent soluble copper; mining will be undertaken at a rate of 11 000 tpd utilising an open pit and the ore will be heap-leached with acidified sea water, with copper recovery and by SX/EW.

Jan 1, 1992

Trends in Test Filtration to Respond to Decreasing Sample Size There has been a steady decline in the quantity of samples available for testwork when developing new mining processes due to the maturing mining technology and the increasing costs of pilot testing. Larox, a supplier of filtration equipment and its co-operation partner Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) have been actively developing new equipment, testing methodologies and tools to plan test campaigns with the objective of being able to determine the optimum filtration technology and the parameters for sizing full scale equipment with a minimum sample size. With smaller sample sizes, the test scale diminishes from pilot scale to bench scale, and the small equipment size has implications for scale-up. Redesigning the equipment to simulate full scale equipment rather than to match filtration theory has led to some interesting developments. Comparisons between bench scale equipment and production units help identify the limitations of bench scale testing. The nature of filtration is such that it is unreliable to estimate filterability theoretically, and different testing methodologies have been investigated to be able to test the feasibility of filtration from samples as small as few grams. While not optimising the filtration technology, these methodologies provide an adequate level of accuracy for scoping studies. Together with improvements in equipment, a software tool has been developed to reduce the number of tests necessary to optimise filtration technology and parameters for sizing.

Sep 13, 2010

The Harmonious Design on the Beneficiability for the Pt-Pd Ores Containing High MgO Gangue in Yunnan

Sep 13, 2010

By C E. Davies

At present the source of virgin iron for steel produced in New Zealand is titanomagnetite extracted from titaniferous beachsands. Some of these beachsand deposits contain extractable quantities of ilmenite as well as titanomagnetite and both minerals represent challenging sources of vanadium and titanium products in addition to iron. This study looks at some theoretical aspects of smelting these ores directly with coal rather than with electric power, and takes into consideration the properties of the raw materials, the thermodynamics of possible process routes and the background of the economics involved.

Jan 1, 1980

By F T. Suorineni, L Baird, A Papaioanou, D Hines

The Mathews et al (1981) stability graph was developed to provide guidance in the determination of stope sizes to control dilution in bulk mining of large orebodies. Longhole and sublevel open stoping (LHOS and SLOS) are the lower end in scale of underground mass mining with panel and block caving (PBC) at the higher end. Currently, the stability states of stopes in the stability graph are described qualitatively as stable, unstable or cave. The alternative quantitative option to the qualitative stability graph is the Equivalent Linear Overbreak Slough (ELOS) stability graph. The ELOS stability graph only applies to narrow vein orebodies. It is easy for the Mathews et al (1981) and the ELOS stability graphs to be applied outside the limits of their databases. What is currently referred to as ‘stable’ in the present stability graphs has diverse interpretations at different mines depending on their acceptable dilution values. In 2014, a research program was conceptually conceived at the UNSW Australia School of Mining Engineering to develop a quantitative dilution-based stability graph independent of orebody width to address some industry concerns on the use of the stability graphs. A dilution-based stability graph provides the mining engineer the flexibility to determine open stope sizes based on what dilution amounts are acceptable. The graph also unifies both the Mathews et al (1981) and ELOS stability graphs for wide and narrow vein orebodies, thus, eliminating their potential misapplications. To date, the concept is proven with case studies from metalliferous underground mining operations located across Australia. This paper presents the dilution-based stability graph concept, the initial results and future plans to account for other critical factors and increase confidence in its application with the addition of more data outside Australia.CITATION:Suorineni, F T, Papaioanou, A, Baird, L and Hines, D, 2016. A dilution-based stability graph for open stope design, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 511–522 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By P Allen, E Gleeson, D Boakye, R Chesher, S Konopa

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. Not only do epithermal gold deposits provide many challenges in estimating mineral resources, the complexities of these deposits also provide technical challenges in assessing appropriate mining and processing strategies, as well as social and environmental planning and management. The characteristics of epithermal gold deposits include being highly variable with respect to geometry and gold grade distribution, the presence of other economic contributors, mineralogy, texture, rock strength, weathering and alteration overprint. These characteristics influence the economic value of mining projects in an interlinked manner. Consequently, successful exploitation of epithermal deposits requires a holistic approach, coupled with the effective integration of geological data to meet all aspects of mine development decision-making. This paper presents examples of the key technical challenges encountered in estimating and mining epithermal deposits. It also highlights why these issues need to be addressed from the viewpoint of geology, sampling, resource estimation, mine planning, mineral processing and social and environmental planning for the true value of the mining project to be realised.CITATION:Konopa, S, Chesher, R, Gleeson, E, Allen, P and Boakye, D, 2015. Challenges in maximising the value from epithermal gold deposits, in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 127–132 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By L Spencer, H Zwingmann, I Graham, D Cendon, B Kelly, D Burkett, F Lau, P Lennox

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. The Kulumadau deposit represents an intermediate-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit (3.8 Mt at 2.3 g/t, Ag:Au = 1). Mineralisation is primarily confined to hydrothermal breccias within pre-existing fault zones, where it is disseminated throughout a hydrothermal matrix comprising chlorite-quartz-adularia-illite-I/S clays-calcite-pyrite. The host sequence represents numerous mid-Miocene pyroclastic flow eruptions within a tectonically active emergent shallow marine to subaerial depositional setting. Subsequent growth faulting was responsible for debris avalanches, which were subsequently cut by reverse faults. Faults were exploited by hydrothermal fluids, with the heightened porosity at the juncture between faults and debris material facilitating boiling of the ore constituents. Fluid inclusion studies suggest that fluid mixing between meteoric fluids and magmatic fluids, accompanied by boiling, were the primary mechanisms for gold deposition. The occurrence of anhydrite/gypsum as late-stage veins and their sulfur and oxygen isotopic values indicate post-mineralisation mixing of sea water with hydrothermal fluids.CITATION:Burkett, D, Graham, I, Spencer, L, Lennox, P, Cohen, D, Zwingmann, H, Lau, F, Kelly, B and Cendon, D, 2015. The Kulumadau epithermal breccia-hosted gold deposit, Woodlark Island, Papua New Guinea, in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 205–212 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By A Harris, N Fitzpatrick, F MacCorquodale

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. The Gosowong epithermal Au-Ag deposits, located on the island of Halmahera, North Maluku Province, Indonesia, are owned and operated by PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals, a joint venture between Newcrest Mining Limited (75 per cent) and PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (25 per cent).The Gosowong deposit was a greenfields discovery in 1994. Subsequent brownfields discoveries, most recently in 2009, have resulted in a total endowment of more than 6 Moz Au. The three main deposits include Gosowong, Toguraci and Kencana, and as of December 2013, production comprised 5.7 Mt Au at 24 g/t for 4.3 Moz with remaining resources of 4.2 Mt Au at 13 g/t for 1.7 Moz.Mineralisation primarily occurs in multistage veins, breccias and stockwork veins, with at least four texturally- and mineralogically-distinct vein events, including: banded crystalline quartz, quartz-adularia, quartz-chlorite and quartz-sulfide stages. Vein mode, texture and mineralogy are zoned around areas of maximum dilation, vein width and vein grade. Within banded quartz-chlorite, grades of >1000 g/t Au are common. Anomalous Au-Ag-Pb-As-Sb-K-Li geochemistry in rocks is commonly associated with the epithermal mineralisation. Four major types of hypogene alteration are recognised at Gosowong: silicification (quartz-illite-adularia-pyrite) within the immediate vein zone, argillic (illite-quartz-pyrite) alteration enveloping the vein zone, advanced argillic (dickite-kaolinite-quartz) alteration above and adjacent to the vein zone and within the overlying Kayasa Formation, and propylitic (chlorite-epidote-albite-calcite-pyrite) alteration within the footwall and distal to the vein zone.CITATION:Fitzpatrick, N, Harris, A, MacCorquodale, F and Wardiman, D, 2015. The Gosowong goldfield – a world-class epithermal gold-silver district in Indonesia , in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 235–242 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By W Akpan

The Royal Bafokeng community in South AfricaÆs North West Province represents a unique case in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of its positioning in the natural resource economy. It receives royalties directly from mining firms for the extraction of Platinum Group Metals, which include platinum, ferrochrome, rhodium and palladium. In 2007, royalty income of about R290 million (approximately US$32.2 million) was reported. Such direct revenues have enabled the community to invest in educational, medical and other social infrastructure, thus complementing governmentÆs social provisioning efforts. Indeed, the Bafokeng community owes its present-day modernisation efforts to mineral rights, and in particular, the legal-institutional arrangement that has enabled it to play an active role in South AfricaÆs lucrative extractive economy. However, the distribution of platinum wealth in this community is not only uneven, but also appears to have had little impact on the broader socio-economic conditions in the community. Despite claims by community leaders of heavy investment in education and skills development, the community continues to be faced with very high levels of unemployment, illiteracy, sprawling informal settlements, poor access to medical facilities and malnutrition. This paper examines the sociological paradoxes and contradictions thrown up by the approach adopted to involve community members in the mobilisation of mining royalties for developmental ends. The central argument is that the current æmodelÆ contradicts the communityÆs stated goals of using platinum wealth to drive up broad-based development and modernisation. This is mainly because it leaves out the vast majority of community members, who are uneducated and unskilled. The core analysis is based on pilot data from an ongoing study in the Royal Bafokeng community.

Jan 1, 2009

By B Hiebl, J Martens, L Petzold

A research team at the Iron and Steelmaking department at Primetals Technologies has established new upgrading measures for improving the efficiency of the beneficiation process in ironmaking plants, relying largely on pre-existing equipment. After the upgrade, the iron content in the final iron ore concentrate was shown to be significantly higher. Remarkably, the costs for employing the respective measures are surprisingly low.This case study is based on a Kazakh iron and steel producer, whose beneficiation process is currently generating a magnetite concentrate with a final iron content of 65.65 per cent. The study shows that the implementation of Primetals Technologies’ intelligent modification measures to the current beneficiation process, the realisation of more effective dewatering, and the utilisation of an innovative binder lead to an increased iron content in the resulting pellets, reaching a concentration of 69.17 per cent (iron ore concentrate) and 66.5 per cent (pellets).The current operation consists of three closed circuit grinding stages, four stages of low intensity magnetic separation, vacuum disc filters and straight-grate pelletising. By dividing the slurry after the second stage of grinding and the third stage of low intensity magnetic separation, it is possible to divert the more iron-rich fines before they would enter the third grinding stage and the fourth stage of magnetic separation. This then reduces the load on the existing third stage ball mill. Afterwards, the ground material is treated in an additional low intensity magnetic separator and mixed with the previously diverted fraction of the fines. An improved filtration procedure, combined with the application of a highly sophisticated binder, further reduces the amount of additives needed, so that a genuine direct reduced (DR)-grade iron concentrate is produced as a result.All laboratory, pilot and pelletising test work was executed at Primetals Technologies’ laboratories in Austria.CITATION:Martens, J, Petzold, L and Hiebl, B, 2017. Enabling iron ore concentrate for the production of direct reduced iron with pre-existing beneficiation lines, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 227–232 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

By J S. Dunlop

At its most basic level, minerals project management may be broken down into a series of logical chronological phases, described in this paper as: exploration, discovery; scoping and pre-feasibility; feasibility and approval; project financing and commissioning; operation; expansion and closure. Each phase has its own peculiarities and challenges, any one of which can potentially upset the forward progress of a minerals project.Reference is made to each of these project phases based on the authorÆs many years of first-hand experience, in an attempt to identify issues within the project management spectrum where additional caution may be warranted. Left un-addressed, these issues can cause undue delays in the project timeline, ultimately delaying approval at significant project cost.Finally, reference is made to the Mine ManagerÆs Handbook recently published by the AusIMM which is an excellent project management resource, considered to be very relevant for minerals treatment plant managers, whether the context be constructing, operating, expanding or shutting down.CITATION:Dunlop, J S, 2013. Mineral project management - A perspective from four decades in the industry, in Proceedings MetPlant 2013 , pp 13-27 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 15, 2013

Commercially interesting deposits of zeolite rich tuffs and amorphous silica have been discovered recently in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), North Island, New Zealand. This paper reviews them and comments on the potential for further discoveries. Potential markets for these unusual industrial minerals are discussed.

Jan 1, 1997

By Driver R. C, Moelle K. H R

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

Jan 1, 1967

The epizonal Ag-Pb-Zn vein deposit at San Bartolome is characterised by a base-metal sulphide assemblage containing the spectacular development of interpenetrating, bladed networks of pyrrhotite which have been replaced by marcasite and pyrite. A similar assemblage displaying the same crystal habits and textures are also a diagnostic feature of the Sn and SnAg deposits ofBolivia. On this basis, it is reasonable to conclude that both deposits were formed from fluids of similar nature and origin. Although no economic accumulation of Sn is known in San Bartolome, further comparison of the geologic setting, age, mineralogy, fluid inclusion data and magmatic association of this deposit with the Bolivian systems has highlighted additional similarities consistent with a hypothesis that more extensive Sn mineralisation might exist in the San Bartolome area.

Jan 1, 1995

By Baker G

The exposures resulting from development work, following on the discovery of a new shoot of hIgh grade ore at the north end of the Sardine tin mine, during 1952, have provided an unusual opportunity to study the oxidation of a stannite-rich ore. Through the kindness of C. C. Morton, Chief Government Geologist of Queensland, an exactly located suite of specimens representative of the exposures was supplied by J. and W. Reddie. This was later supplemented by a number of specimens culled from a parcel ofrepresentative ore submitted to the Melbourne Ore Dressing Laboratory for testing.The Sardine tin mine, near Ewan, Queensland, has been the outstanding producer of the Kangaroo Hills Mineral Field. Since its discovery in 1918, up to 1952 it has yielded about 1,500 tons of cassiterite concentrates, and about 85 tons of stannite concentrates. The outcrop ore averaged 35% tin oxide, but the grade declined with increasing depth, and by 1930 had fallen to 7% tin oxide. In the northern section of the mine the ore shoots show a downward passage to complex primary s.ulphide ore, containing cassiterite and abundant stannite.The orebodies occur in a series of fissures in a crushed zone about 50 ft. wide in slates and quartzites that have been intruded by granite (Connah, 1952). A quartz porphyry dyke forms the footwall of the original main lode in its southern part, being traced' from the surface to' the No. 4 level (173 ft. vertical depth), and two narrow dolerite dykes were encountered in the workings north of the main...

Jan 1, 1954

This paper describes a mine truck hauling process called "Truck Jigging" which is currently the subject of a process patent application.The investigation explores the production and cost advantages of using the potential energy available in a descending haul truck to assist in elevating an ascending vehicle. Applications are studied for both strip cut mines and open pit operations. Various mechanical connections between the two vehicles are considered, based on a pulley mounted rope system. Fifteen year operating cost estimates show savings of up to 26.5 percent over conventional mine truck operations.

Jan 1, 1989

The great problem at Port Pirie and many other lead smelters has always been to keep the lead content of the slags down to a low level. This has been done in the past largely by empirical methods, the lead content varying from less than 1 per cent to over 4 per cent, the more usual figure being something under 2 per cent. Subsidiary to this, but of major importance in the future, was the extraction of the considerable quantities of zinc in the slag. At this stage little was known about the constitution of the slags apartfrom their chemical composition. Some early work on slag constitution was carried out in the B.H.A.S. Research Laboratories between 1919 and 1921, but except for a microscopic examination of a few thin sections the greater part of this investigation wasdevoted to the recovery of the zinc content of the slag by leaching methods.In 1949, therefore, it was decided to initiate a programme of fundamental research into the constitution and properties of the lead blast furnace slags. The information thus gained would give a clearer picture of reactions taking place in the slag, both in the blast furnace and during dezincing.There was also the hope that these results would lead to improved industrial techniques resulting in smaller lead losses, and, taking the long-term view, to efficient methods of producing zinc from the slags.A series of investigations was therefore begun at various centres over a period of time. These were:1. A mineralogical examination of the slags by Dr. A. B. Edwards of the Mineragraphic Section, C.S.I.R.O.2. A study of the thermodynamics of various slag com...

Jan 1, 1956

Refractory gold ores have been the subject of intensive metallurgical study in order to achieve more efficient recovery of contained values and at the same time to minimise environmental impact. Considerable innovative gold processing technology was introduced in New Zealand last century, the most notable being the first successful commercialisation of the cyanidation process by the Crown Mines Company at Karangahake in 1889. The Karangahake gold-silver deposit was second only +to the Waihi Martha mine in total bullion production from the region with active mining from 1882 until about 1920 and sporadic production between 1930 and 1944. Reevaluation at Karangahake with associated metallurgical testing has continued since that time becoming particularly active in the last decade as a result of increasing gold prices. Gold processing technology is reviewed and results of some recent test work are presented and discussed in the context of Karangahake history and future development possibilities. This work confirms the variability and complexity of the Karangahake deposit both mineralogically and metallurgically and suggests flotation followed by new and innovative smelting is the most appropriate processing route for the recovery of gold from the high grade ore which could be produced from the Karangahake workings in moderate tonnages.

Jan 1, 1993

By Tanner A. C, Harraway D. H

Various circuits were tried at Mount Isa Mines during the period 1959 to 19G3 with the objective of improving the differential flotation of galena and sphalerite. Many benefits and disadvantages of the various circuits were revealed. An analysis' of ore characteristics and their effect on flotation was made -and resullted in the design of a proposed circuit which is currently in the process of installation.INTRODUCTIONSince 1936 when lead-zinc sulphide flotation commenced at Mount Isa, at least three types of ore have been encountered.Each ore has presented problems to flotation metallurgists.The three types of ore are,1. partially oxidized upper level sulphide ore,2. Black Star ore from the lower levels with its carbonaceous fraction, and3. Black Rock ore which is similar to 2, but more free milling.In retrospect a number of the metallurgical successes of the past were short lived. Often flowsheets or 0perating practices were designed to solve a single metallurgical problem associated with the current ore being treated. As the ore changed the problem would vanish and the method originally taken to counter the problem could become unnecessary or deleterious to the treatment of the new ore. The general lesson learnt from-the past-is-that thetreatment of Mount Isa lead-zinc ore involves a number of equally major problems...

Jan 1, 1963