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About 3km2 of the central Luise Caldera, in which the Lihir orebody is located, is geothermally active wit.lj gas seeps and fumaroles, and in some areas, a water table at boiling point.The proposed mine, adjacent to Luise Harbor, will be excavated to more than 200m below sea level and will extend into the geothermal system to depths at which current rock temperatures are 170¦C.

Jan 1, 1994

By S Logan, J Pu, J Milsom, G McDonald

Management of environmental issues is an integral part of the mine decommissioning process. In Queensland, miners must comply with environmental aspects of the Mineral Resources Act and Contaminated Land legislation. Successful decommissioning involves the integration of a final Plan of Operations, decommissioning report addressing the mineÆs commitments included in its Environmental Management Overview Strategy (EMOS), and Site Contamination Report for relinquishment of leases under the Contaminated Land Act (1991). Niugini MiningÆs Red Dome Mine is proceeding through the decommissioning process. This paper discusses the important environmental management issues including sampling programs, management of culturally significant areas, assessment of background concentrations of target analytes, the use of historical reviews and risk assessment techniques, the timing of works, and the remediation/management of large areas of impacted land. The importance of a clear communications plan between key stakeholders is also discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By D S. Stewart, K W. Keskimaki

In 1999, the Henderson Mine commissioned the Henderson 2000 project - a new truck haulage level, a new underground crusher and a 24 kilometre conveyor system to replace a 23-year old rail haulage system. Henderson has been able to continuously improve in almost all aspects of its rubber-tired mining. The rail haulage system represented one of the last barriers to continuous improvement to the overall plant performance. Many of the lessons learned in other areas of the mine were utilised to design the truck level. This paper chronicles the benchmarking, equipment selection and design of the level. Areas covered will include haulage trucks, level layout, ore chute design, traffic control, road design and crusher layout.

Jan 1, 2000

By Armstrong M

The Clermont Coal Mine will export steaming coal from the Wolfang Basin in Central Queensland, Australia. It is expected to be developed in the mid-1990s.The majority of the reserves lie in the 30 m thick Wolfang Seam. Overburden depth varies from 80 m at the subcrop line to 190 m in the centre of the basin.

Jan 1, 1992

By Cowie WJ, Utting BS

The alluvial gold industry of New Zealand is based on the placer deposits in Otago and on the West Coast. Production from these since discovery in the 1850's has been an estimated 480 tonnes (15 million ounces) of gold. Annual output has expanded continuously since 1980 and is expected to be over 2 tonne of gold for 1989.Following a historical review, the characteristics of typical operations, which use hydraulic excavators and mobile trommel units are discussed. Descriptions are then given of alluvial activities in Otago and on the West Coast.

Jan 1, 1990

The Ok Tedi copper and gold mining project is located in the headwaters of the Fly River system in western Papua New Guinea. The project's Feasibility Study was completed in 1979, and in- cluded a preliminary environmental assessment and an environ- mental management program. Construction commenced in 1981, an environmental impact study was completed in 1982, mining and treatment of gold ore commenced in 1984, staged construction of copper ore processing facilities took place during 1986-1988, and a further major environmental study was carried out for the operat- ing mine during 1986-1989. A very considerable data base of environmental information has been assembled by means of a comprehensive monitoring program. Environmental management criteria applied to the Project have reflected the stages and nature of development and operation. Criteria have been designed to regulate potential environmental impacts in the Fly River. An Acceptable Particulate Level of suspended sediment is the principal criterion. Compliance is con- ditional upon -a limited reduction in fish biomass, and upon dis- solved and particulate copper concentrations not exceeding predicted values at various locations throughout the river system. The criteria were established by the Government of Papua New Guinea following evaluation of environmental studies undertaken by the mining company. Compliance is checked by a detailed monitoring program, frequent reporting and statistical evaluation of monitoring results.

Jan 1, 1991

By Vink L, Johnson N. W, Mackenzie J, Young M. F, Johnston M, Landmark V

The influence of ore textures on metallurgical behaviour is poorly understood for most ores. An alternative method for characterising ore textures and for determining the resulting implications on ore processing has been developed for the Geor

Jan 1, 1998

By Pinghui J

The paper describes the detailed hydrogeological studies carried out prior to the sinking of twin shafts at British Coal's new mine at Asfordby, Leicestershire, UK. The test methods for assessing potential groundwater inflows to the shafts are discussed and details are given of the ground freezing scheme employed through the major aquifer zone in the Sherwood Sandstone at a depth of 375 metres. During shaft sinking pressure recovery tests were carried out to further assess potential inflows and the results are compared with those from the surface tests prior to sinking.

Jan 1, 1988

The progress between 1983 and 1989 towards Management Guidelines for R16 was extremely slow and painful because protection of the mining heritage was a new function and administrative activity not referred to in any Queensland mining law. Also, until 2 December 1989 the Queensland political climate was anti-preservation. Therefore an understanding had to be achieved between John Hay, the Mines Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to ensure preservation of the mining machinery in situ rather than being removed to a town site such as in Ravenswood.

Jan 1, 1990

The Carnilya Hill Mine, a joint venture project between Western Mining Corporation Limited (WMC) and The Broken Hill Proprietary Company (BHP), is a nickel sulphide deposit being developed by the Kambalda Nickel Operations (KNO) of Western Mining Corporation. Seven months elapsed from the time a decision to proceed with the project was taken until the first ore production. During the first month of operation a new KNO record for decline development was set. Equipment used includes an electro- hydraulic drill jumbo, 4 cubic metre front end loaders, and 35 tonne haulage trucks.

Jan 1, 1981

China has large amounts of iron ore reserves, but iron ore in China, with low-grade, small disseminated particles and many other associated minerals, is difficult to dress. In recent years, with the fast development of China's steel industry, the demand for iron ore has increased markedly. The new technologies in iron ore dressing in China are very effective in processing haematite and other difficult to dress iron ores. The iron ore grade and recovery rate has been improved. This result alleviates the difficulty in iron ore supply in China.

Jan 1, 2007

By Henley R, Harris L

High resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data have been shown to optimize exploration for epithermal gold deposits in the vicinity of Charters Towers, northeastern Queensland. The radiometric data allow extrapolation of poorly outcropping geology to provide a cost-effective mapping technique, even at exploration scales (eg. 1:25,000). At a regional scale (eg. 1:100,000) the magnetic data reflect the regional tectonics and divide the area into domains for the application of different genetic models. For example: 1. the Ravenswood Batholith is characterized by multiple intrusions dating from Ordovician to Permian age. The polarity of the magnetic anomalies implies an age for the intrusions and indicates a deposit style for exploration. 2. extensional and wrench tectonics along the northern margin of the Drummond Basin are interpreted from the magnetic data and indicate favourable blocks for detailed exploration. Genetic exploration models may be tested in favourable environments by the recognition of geophysical signatures. These signatures reflect structural, lithological and alteration patterns arising from controls on ore deposits and can be applied at regional or detailed scales.

Jan 1, 1989

By Hutton W

The Argyle Diamond Mine is the first significant diamond producer in Australia. The project has been developed with new concepts in circuit design, process control technology, organisational development and training. After its first year of operation, the Argyle Heavy Medium Separation Plant has proven extremely efficient in recovering diamonds. Apart from cyclone wear, no major problems have been encountered. Ferrosilicon consumption is well below the design level which is a reflection of the sound design of the medium circuit. An Audit Plant continuously monitors the Heavy Medium Separation Plant tailings for diamond loss.

Jan 1, 1987

Increasing attention is being focussed worldwide on the strategic environmental assessment of mining projects, including consideration of cumulative environmental effects. In New Zealand there is now an end in sight for inappropriate delays in resource consent approval of responsible mining projects. This paper investigates six case examples of recently consented mining and quarrying projects, whose applications were notified. It also explores the nature of delays that occurred, the factors that contributed to the delays, and whether the consent process delivered fair and effective public participation and desirable environmental outcomes.

Jan 1, 2005

By Kubik K

Recent significant advances in the Global Positioning System (GPS) have contributed to making real-time kinematic/dynamic process for decimetre to centimetre-level positioning more reliable and ready for the production-use. As a result of research and development efforts in this area, a robust real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS positioning prototype system has been established at QUT for both scientific and engineering purposes. This system is finding applications in a wide range of automobile robots or automatic guidance vehicle systems. This paper first summarises the theoretical basis necessary for centimetre real-time kinematic positioning, then gives a brief description for the real-time dynamic GPS system developed at QUT. The paper summarises the results of a designed vehicle tracking test. The results demonstrated that the differences between RTK filtering solutions and OTF solutions are in the order of magnitude of about 20 centimetres and the accuracy of OTF solutions are in the levels of two centimetres. This confirms that the RTK system delivers three-dimensional position with decimetre-to-centimetre accuracy. This particular RTK processing system is robust and reliable, although the system is referred to as a prototype and will be further developed.

Jan 1, 1997

By Herbst JA

During the last decade, it has been established that conventional mineral-processing control strategies based on classical control theory result in significant increases in plant throughput and operating-cost saving. The proper education and training of personnel using dynamic simulators of the principal unit operations is vital for proper design and maintenance of control systems. Severe multivariable interactions and numerous constraints on both manipulated and state variables in grinding/classifica-tion and flotation systems can be studied using time domain analysis with proper dynamic simulators. Two interactive programs are described, and the basis of each simulator and its structure are discussed. Two examples concerned with choosing, tuning, and decoupl-ing of manipulated and controlled variables for a grinding/classification circuit (DYNA-MILL II) and for a rougher flotation circuit (DYNAFLOAT II) are presented. The way in which these dynamic simulators can be used for the design of model-based control strate-gies is also outlined. A brief description of the use of these dynamic simulators for screening alternative strategies and circuit optimization is given.

Jan 1, 1985

The paper reviews the majority of associations and institutions which operate in support of the Australian mineral industry. The review covers historical aspects of each organisation and the current activities and management structure. The linkages between the organisations through membership are briefly discussed. The paper comments on the evolution of the formation of the organi- sations and the networks between them that do exist and operate regu- larly. Rationalisation or a process to consider formation of new groups to fill gaps in the network are recommended for further research.

Jan 1, 1988

By Mitchell G, Clarke C

The high oas emissions which are associated with high production lonowall mining have provided a need to investigate the limitations and reouirements of the various gas control methods. The major relationships between oassiness and various other parameters are presented with computer analysis being adopted to assess the respective correlations. Some of the relationships are studied in detail with emphasis being placed on methods for overcomino the changes in conditions resulting from high production levels. The importance of the various drainage systems which can be adopted to combat high gassiness levels are analysed. Logical and necessary steps are also proposed for gassiness prediction and data monitoring as well as various combinations of gas drainage systems. The gassiness prediction methods which are discussed outline the need for a sound knowledge of the established worldwide methods together with a comprehensive study of the local mining and geological environment in order to develop a system which is adaptable to the changing conditions. This is particularly important in mines where high coal production levels are anticipated and the need for accurate gassiness relationships is essential.

Jan 1, 1988

By T Martin, M Martin

Mining of sulfide-based ore deposits typically creates a potential for release sulfate and acid to groundwater, and many operating mines are thus predicted to require long-term post-closure treatment of groundwater. Toward the goal of selecting an optimal treatment, this paper compares costs of four demonstrated technologies for long-term treatment of sulfate-contaminated groundwater: in situ biological reduction (ISR), in situ permeable reactive barrier (PRB) composed of compost and zero-valent iron (ZVI), and two ex situ æpump-and-treatÆ technologies ù ex situ biological reduction, and ex situ nanofiltration with lime precipitation. Costs for each technology are estimated for treatment of a model aquifer system containing sulfate-contaminated groundwater, with the goal of treating 1 m3/min of groundwater from 1500 mg/L sulfate to a target level of 500 mg/L. (Metal removal is typically achieved by these technologies, and thus excluded from this analysis.) Costs are estimated for each technology as a function of treatment duration (ten to 60 years) and, for PRB and ISR, required replacement frequency (ten to 60 years). Estimated costs include capital and operation and maintenance, using a seven per cent net discount rate. Results indicate that ex situ technologies (biological reduction and nanofiltration with lime precipitation) are the most expensive. In situ technologies may be much less expensive, with PRBs having by far the lowest potential cost, followed by ISR as the next least expensive. However, actual costs for the in situ technologies are very sensitive to poorly constrained parameters, particularly the ZVI content of the PRB, and the effective life of PRB and ISR systems. This large cost uncertainty supports delaying remedial actions where viable, and suggests that feasibility analyses are generally warranted for specific applications to focus on these sources of uncertainty.

Jan 1, 2003

By Thatcher R

In areas where land suitable for development is a scarce resource, an upgraded post-mining land use can result in economic benefits to both the mining company and to the community.A study undertaken at Aberdare Colliery near Ipswich during 198611987 assessed the costs and benefits of developing the site following mining for grazing, forestry and residential uses. The proposed fmal land use plan comprised a combination of these uses that can be upgraded to higher valued uses once subsidence monitoring of backfilled open-cut areas and dumps indicates that total settlement has reached acceptable levels for development to proceed.The study involved the documentation of existing site environmental parameters and the delineation of site opportunities and constraints. The unpredictable nature of settlement over backfilled open-cuts and overburden dumps represents the major constraint to urban development on mined areas.

Jan 1, 1990