Search Documents

By Teale E. O

The purpose of the present communication is to put on record the discovery, in October, 1916, in the Howqua district, of a new locality for the occurrence of phosphatic rocks in Victoria, and to give a preliminary description of its characters and geological occurrence. Owing to the great use of superphosphates for agricultural purposes in recent years in Australia, search has been stimulated for the discovery of local and workable supplies of phosphatic rocks. Phosphorus is an element very widely distributed in igneous rocks, usually in the form of the mineral apatite, and also occurs in sedimentary rocks and in soils as a detrital constituent. Under these conditions of occurrence, however, the amount of P 205 present in a rock or soil seldom approaches, and very rarely exceeds, 1 %. Very occasionally it occurs in such a concentrated form as to constitute workable deposits. In such cases they are usually of organic origin. Sometimes they occur as geologically recent deposits of guano or rock...

Jan 1, 1918

The purpose of this paper is to cover in a general way the extent, geology, quality of product, working methods and trials of the coal mining industry. of New South Wales from 1946 to the present day, with particular reference to the Western field.It must be clearly understood that any opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Joint Coal Board.The extent of the Western coal field at the present stage of investigation may be said to be from a few miles east of Katoomha to a few miles north-west of the township of Ulan, the total distance being 150 miles.To the west of a line from the Western Highway from Lithgow through Wallerawang, PortIand, Tyldesley, Ben Bullen, Kandos and Rylstone, there are no signs of coal except for one or two outiiers in the neighbourhood of Portland. To the east of this line the coal-bearing areas extend to the seaboard approximately 80 miles to the east.GEOLOGY AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COAL SEAMSThe Western coal measures belong to the Upper or Newcastle series, which have been correlated with the Sciritheru or lllawarra, and the North-western or Gunnedah measures. Being close to the margin of the coal basin the Western measures have an average thickness of only 200 ft. to 500 ft., or approximately one-half of the maximum development of the Newcastle measures. They are underlain by Upper Marine beds which in turn rest directly on Devonian rocks.

Jan 1, 1954

CONTENTSIntroductionNorthern ExplorationDrive ConceptionGeneralDriving CrewDrive Cross Section and Track DetailsVentilation by Electrically Driven FanTemperatures and HumidityFan PerformanceRock Drill Carriage and Rock DrillsStandard Drilling RoundElectric Firing from Power MainsExplosives and DetonatorsCharging and FiringMechanical Loading and Electric HaulageOperating CycleStatisticalEquipmentAcknowledgementINTRODUCTION.The driving project described in :this paper is one of greater magnitude than usual for the Broken Hill field, and in the execution of the work a departure was made from long-established local practice by the introduction of mechanisation. The primary object of the drive is to provide sites for gaining information regarding the behaviour of the ore-bodies well beyond the limits of the present exposures.Due to thermal conditions, the major portion of the work was done on a six-hour shift basis, in contrast to the normal one of seven hours, with a five-day week.

Jan 1, 1946

Up to the end of World War n, flat-back cut and fill stoping with or without square sets was the universal method of ore extraction. Rapid changes in practice occurred during the post-war years; first, ore extraction was fully mechanized; secondly, the stope design for new levels, notably No. 17 Level Zinc Corporation Ltd. and No. 19 Level New Broken Hill Consolidated Ltd., was modified to suit this mechanization; and thirdly, sub-level and shrinkage stopes were developed in orebodies where cut and fill methods would be uneconomical. The following is a brief survey of the changes that have occurred-most of which were inaugurated during the last five years.ROCK DRILLINGDuring 1951 open stoping was investigated in detail. In order to reduce steel handling problems, forged steel onepass detachable bits were introduced, but were soon superseded by the "Swedish method". Investigation showed that when using a bar and arm mounted 3-in. drifter the overall drilling time was approximately 6 min. per ft. compared with 4 min. per ft. using the light jackhammer-airleg combination with 1-in. hex. by 4-in. collared shank tungsten carbide-tipped steel.Although competitive with tipped steels on a cost per foot drilled basis (excluding miner's time), detachable steel bits proved most unsatisfactory for hard drilling conditions.Rapid blunting necessitated frequent bit changes and thus caused lost drilling time. This, together with rapid gauge...

Jan 1, 1957

By Muir DM, Ritchie IM, Gibbons SL

Fundamental studies on the transformations of iron oxides have been carried out and related to the solution conditions in the Becher Process. The results show that a number of iron oxide interconversion reactions occur in the aeration reactor with the products depending on the pH, temperature and oxidation potential of the aeration liquor. It is concluded that the lack of process control in the aeration reactor of the Becher Process significantly hinders the ability to predict and produce high quality single phase iron oxides of a consistent colour.

Jan 1, 1989

The Effects of Collector and Grinding Environment on the Flotation Selectivity of Rosh Pinah Pb/Zn Ore

Sep 13, 2010

Typically, large volumes of data are collected during geotechnical investigations for mining projects but rarely is this done in a comprehensive manner that enables all aspects of the geotechnical environment to be evaluated. A geotechnical core logging process has been developed to record mechanical and structural properties of the rock mass. The method enables data for a wide range of rock properties and geotechnically significant major structures to be collected including rock strength, joint surface condition, fracture frequency and fracture orientation. The logging method is unique in that sufficient data is collected to enable the independent determination of all the major rock mass classification systems including rock mass rating (RMR), (Bieniawski 1976, 1989; Laubscher, 1990) Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) tunnelling quality index (Q) (Barton, Lien and Lunde, 1974) and geological strength index (GSI) (Hoek, Kaiser and Bawden, 1995). The logging system has been specifically developed to allow better and more precise appreciation of rock mass and structural conditions across the project area thereby optimising the use and application of the available geotechnical data and improving confidence in the outcomes of geotechnical investigations. This paper describes the core logging process with case examples showing how the logged data can be used for underground and open pit mine design.

Nov 25, 2010

By S M. Iveson, K P. Galvin, D Kumar

Dry separation of iron ore fines and other heavy minerals has previously been achieved using one of two main approaches. The first is an inclined table with an upward airflow via small holes to help form an autogenous dense medium. The second is based on fluidised beds comprising a dense medium formed by fine particles suspended in an upward flow of air. In either case, vibration can be introduced. This paper describes recent findings using a novel system referred to as the Sink-Hole Fluidiser, which utilises elements of both these two former approaches. This device consists of a conventional gas-fluidised bed of fine medium with a 1 mm aperture mesh located at the surface. This mesh contains relatively large holes that act as sink-holes. The fluidised media flows upwards through the sink-holes and then falls back into the fluidised bed via the fine apertures in the mesh. The particles being separated, which are much larger than the fine media, pass over these sink-holes, where they either sink or float. The sink-holes offer a more precise balance of forces, applied on a single particle basis, resulting in robust density separation.Experiments have been performed using 2.0–4.0 mm tracer particles of density varying from 2.4 to 4.8 relative densities (RD) separated in a 200 mm diameter Sink-Hole Fluidiser with a single 13 mm diameter centrally-located sink-hole. In this preliminary semi-batch work, it was found that the Sink-Hole Fluidiser was able to achieve sharp separations (Ep as low as 0.20). This work underpins the development of a new continuous steady-state Sink-Hole Fluidiser, applicable to the dry separation of iron ore fines.CITATION:Kumar, D, Iveson, S M and Galvin, K P, 2017. A novel sink-hole fluidisation method for dry separation of iron ore fines, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 221–226 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

Rio Tinto has embarked on a journey to use automation to improve the performance of its surface mines. The driver for automation is to improve the accuracy and consistency of mining processes and less to do with cost savings through labour reduction. A key task in most surface mines is blasthole drilling. The degree to how well this is done cascades through the downstream mining process. It impacts scheduling, excavation, slope stability, material handling, beneficiation and final product blending. Improved blasthole drilling was identified as an objective that has a significant business case in most of Rio Tinto's surface mines. This paper describes Rio Tinto's drill enhancement project that has developed a robust system for automating most of the functions on a Terex SKSS16 drill rig. Automated drilling is currently being used in production at the West Angelas iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. A description of the essential elements of the drill automation system is given together with an overview of how automated drilling is performed remotely from the mine office. A review of some of the benefits of the enhanced drill system is given together with the future plans to extend the functionality of the automated drill and the expected benefits.

May 1, 2010

By R H. Sillitoe

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. Geological concepts are employed routinely in porphyry copper exploration at the area selection, prospect appraisal and deposit definition stages. Regional, district-scale, deposit-scale and laboratory-based concepts can all play a role, with the resulting porphyry copper models providing templates for the integration of geochemical and geophysical responses and interpretations. Of the 19 concepts and parameters selected for brief discussion, those relating to subdivision of porphyry intrusions, understanding of diverse and commonly complex alteration-mineralisation patterns and lithocap characterisation are undoubtedly the most influential in exploration. Several of them are of particular importance because of their role in promoting grade development. Additional belt-, district- and deposit-scale features are currently little used but hold promise, whereas others have less practical value but help in underpinning the evolving porphyry copper genetic model.CITATION:Sillitoe, R H, 2015. Recent advances in porphyry copper geology and their exploration utility , in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 35–44 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

The following brief paper is intended, to apply to the concentration of the silver-lead ores at Broken Hill, New South Wales, generally, but more particularly to the process as applied to the ores in the Block 10 mine. The attached plans are similar inmany respects to those prepared, recently for the Block 10 company.Most of the information here given is already well known to those members who are conversant with the concentration practices of this field, but it is the writer's object to give just a few of those figures which he found difficult to obtain when first engaging in practical work. At that time no text-books were at hand from which it was possible to get sufficient details for practical working purposes.It is first supposed that the mine has been thoroughly explored and has been found to contain a lbde sufficient in size ·and quality to warrant the erection of a concentrating plant. The points then to determine are:-(1.) The quantity and cost of water available for steam-making and ore-dressing purposes.(2.) The most convenient site for the mill.

Jan 1, 1904

Characterisation of Computer Printed Circuit Boards for Hazardous Properties and Beneficiation Studies

Sep 13, 2010

I am wearing two hats today. When the invitations went out to participate in this forum, two were received in the head office of the Department of Lands and Survey - one addressed to the Director-General of Lands and one to the Chairman of the National Parks Authority. It seemed logical that as the department is responsible to the Government for the administration of the National Parks Act 1952, we should respond by providing one speaker to cover both the department's interests and those of the National Parks Authority. I hope, however, that this will not blur the clear distinction which exists in the context of the mineral industry between Crown land on the one hand administered by the department for the statutory Land Settlement Board and national parks and allied reserves on the other hand which are the responsibility of the National Parks Authority.

Jan 1, 1976

The mining industry to the lay mind is one which appears peculiarly dangerous, partly because the accidents which take place are usually of a very tragic nature, and partly because other, industries claim victims more from disease than fromviolence, and their fatal nature is not advertised to the same degree so that in spite of this idea of unusual risk, it is a fact that mining will compare favourably, as regards vital statistics, with nearly all other trades requiring special training.Neverthelessthere are a larger number offatal and serious accidents occurring year by year than one would like to see, and could the deaths which take place by accident be eliminated, it is safe to say that mining would become one of the most healthy of all species of skilled labour. If we examine the accidents appearing yearly in the reports of the Mining Departments of the various colonies, it will be at once admitted that many of them need riot, and in many cases ought not to, have occurred.It is, therefore, the object of tbis essay, to pass under review the ordinary precautions which should be adopted to minimise, as far as possible, the dangerous factors whereby fatalities are brought about.

By Xu Z, Hu C

An attempt has been made to investigate the performance of green pellet formation of the Daye magnetite concentrate from the weak-magnetic separation plant. The optimum conditions for the commercial production of green pellets was found through experimental research. The satisfactory size range for balling is 75 ¦ 3 per cent -200 mesh. The suitable moisture content is between 8.7 and 9.1 per cent and the optimum amount of bentonite added is between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent. The emphasis is on the size of the feed materials since the grinding fineness, which can be obtained at the plant, at most is 78 per cent -200 mesh. If the optimum fineness for the pellet formation is above this value, this means that the concentrate must be re-ground before balling. The results from experiments showed that a good quality green pellet can be attained by using materials below 78 per cent -200 mesh, which provides a strong foundation for the commercial production of green pellets.

Jan 1, 1999

By Madsen I. C, Langberg D. E

Recent advances in X-ray diffraction (XRD) technology have made it possible to conduct powder XRD measurements on samples at high temperatures during reaction. State-of-the-art detectors are now capable of rapidly acquiring diffraction patterns across a wide angular range (typically 120"20) enabling phase transformation rates to be measured directly during sample reaction. In this study, the phase transformations during the reduction of hematite to metallic iron by five per cent hydro ºen in nitrogen gas mixtures, were measured in situ between 500 - 700 C. Complete X-ray diffraction patterns were acquired within 15 seconds every one minute, enabling direct measurement of the transient phase abundances during the reaction. The data were quantitatively analysed by the Rietveld method to yield the abundances of hematite, magnetite, wustite and metallic iron, as functions of time during the reduction process. A first-order reactions-in-series model was proposed, and the reaction rate constants and activation energy were determined from the time-dependent phase abundance data.

Jan 1, 1999

Good morning and thanks for the chance to talk to you. It's really pleasing to see so many industry representatives here I want to spend a few minutes talking about issues relating to your industry. At the end of today I would like to leave you with three strong messages from government. The first is that this government supports environmentally responsible mining and the endeavours of the mining industry. The second is that explorers and developers are wanted and welcomed in New Zealand. And the last is that it is up to the industry to keep the public properly informed about how your industry and to constantly work on improving your public image. The mining industry is a high-tech industry which fits snugly with our concept of a growing knowledge-based economy. It has particular value for regional development, the gold mining industry alone provides more than 4,000 jobs û mostly outside of the main cities. The industrial minerals industry is twice as large as that. As well as those people directly employed by the industry there are greater downstream effects for the community. One example from the broader extraction industry of this is of the local pie shop down the road from one of Taranaki's petroleum industry locations. The shop sells over $4,000 worth of pies a week to workers in the industry. That's just one example of the positive benefits the industry brings to its local community and is the sort of real positive benefit you need to be telling people about  

Jan 1, 2000

By Pupazzoni P. D, Meissner D. C

Incorporating an iron ore pelletising plant, a MIDREX'"' Direct Reduction Plant, and a mini mill, the conversion of iron ore fines to high- quality steel slabs in Western Australia is among the lowest cost routes in the world. The cost and availability of iron ore and natural gas, government support, and proximity to the growing Southeast Asian market all contribute to the competitive position of the area. Owing to the lead-time required, this is an ideal time to develop a new project to supply semi-finished steel to Asia for rolling to a finished product. A project contracted now will start up in about three years, when the market should have recovered.

Jan 1, 1999

Author's Note: Since the paper on "All-Flotation at North Broken Hill Limited" was read and discussed, the metallurgical results obtained have conclusively justified the adoption of the All-Flotation treatment.At present the shipping grades of lead concentrate produced from North mine ore range between 74% and 75% Pb, carrying approximately 43 oz. Ag and 4.5%-5% Zn. The lead recovery in lead concentrate is recording 95%-96% of the lead content of crude ore, and the milling and treatment cost on 6400 tons crude ore perweek of 96 hours has dropped to 6s. 3.6d. per ton on ore. With an increased ore tonnage, and with a new mill, considerable further reduction in costs is certain.New flotation machines, with 30 in. vertical depth of overflow (instead of 42 in. depth), are now being tried for the secondary granular treatment, with advantageous results. The treatment to-day is practically the same as that outlined in the paper, excepting that additional concentrate is returned for retreatment in the existing units.(Signed) A. LOWRY.Mr. T. A. READ: The author states (page 356 of Proceedings, No. 79), "The sulphide ore itself was then comparatively coarsegrained, a fact which permitted ready concentration of the galena contents by means of jigs, tables, vanners, etc."

Jan 1, 1931

The only simple sulphide mineral of antimony of importance is stibnite, SbS3, containing 71·8% antimony when pure. It is lead-grey, has a densityof 4·5 to 4·6 and melts at 546°C. It is both friable and sectile (Hardness 2 on Moh's scale) and, as a result, slimes very readily during milling.It is commonly associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite other minerals occurring with stibnite in minor quantities are chalcopyrite, galena, and scheelite. The latter mineral occurs in sufficient quantity at the Yellow Pine Mine, Stibnfte, Idaho, to justify the production of a scheelite concentrate.Stibnite mayor may not contain gold. Other minerals such as pyrite or arsenopyrite may contain gold. At Wiluna at the main mine nearly all the gold is asociated with arsenopyrite the stibnite being almost free from gold, whilst at the Moonlight Mine both arsenopyrite and stibnite carry gold.The mineral, tetrahedrite, which is a complex sulphide of copper and antimony; must also be considered an economic source of these two metals.Part of the copper may be replaced by iron, zinc; silver; or mercury, whilst part of the antimony is often replaced by arsenic.CLASSIFICATION OF ANTIMONIAL GOLD ORESFor the purposes of this paper antimonial gold ores may be conveniently classified as follows: CLASS 1. Ores from which a satisfactory gold extraction may be obtained by fine grinding, followed by cyanidation and which contain insufficient antimony to justify tIie production of an antimonial concentrate.CLASS 2. (a) Ores in which a satisfactory gold extraction may be obtained by straight cyanidation, but which contain sufficient antimony to justify the production of an antimonial concentrate.CLASS 2. (b) Ores from which the gold extraction by straight cyanidation is unsatisfactory. This type of ore requires the production of an antimonial concentrate for reasons which will be considered later.In deciding whether an ore belongs to class 1 or 2 (a) it should be remembered that the normal price of star antimony is about £1.00 sterling per ton and that the value of each 1% of antimony recoverable as metal is worth about £1 per ton.The antimony content of antimonial gold ores is liable to be considerably...

Jan 1, 1944