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Experiment of Improving the Quality and Decreasing the Impurity of Titanium Concentrate in Panzhihua Mine in China

Sep 13, 2010

The Australian mining industry is at an interesting stage in its development. Of the large number of mining companies in Australia, some are still solely domestic in their focus, others have made their first tentative forays offshore, and others are global players of significance in tile world industry.   It is not long ago that the entire industry was almost exclusively domestic in its focus. Very few companies before the early 1980s had ventured offshore, and those that did so were considered quite risque. The initial moves were made mainly by large companies who could afford to lose the funds expended in getting started in a range of offshore locations.   Almost all offshore jurisdictions were considered to be high risk compared to the safety of home - I recall the extreme difficulty I encountered in the mid 1980s in endeavouring to persuade a Board to joint venture into an attractive gold opportunity in South East Asia.   One of the problems inhibiting the offshore development of the Australian mining industry was that some mining companies had had unfortunate experiences offshore. Others had heard of those who had had unfortunate experiences offshore and, as such, 'offshore' gained a bad name and the more risk averse boards and. management of the time simply put the whole idea into the 'too hard' basket.

Jan 1, 1995

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

By A P. Brown

Access arrangements required with landowners and occupiers; relaxation on size of permits; lack of confidentiality for information provided; one-stop shop under RMA, removal of standing; plethora of controls; post-closure; funding for long-term security.

Jan 1, 1997

Application of Discrete Element Method for Simulating Feeding Conditions and Size Reduction in Cone Crushers

Sep 13, 2010

In the Ngakuru area, zeolite deposits occur in late Quaternary lake sediments and ignimbrites. The deposits are associated with sinters, hydrothermal eruption breccias, and quartz-adularia altered fault breccias: all indicators of a shallow epithermal environment. Several of the deposits are adjacent to epithermal gold prospects. Zeolites are most abundant in lacustrine tuffs of the Ngakuru Formation, a 100-300 m thick sequence of siltstone, tuff, diatomite, sandstone and conglomerate. The formation overlies the Ohakuri Ignimbrite dated at c. 270 Ka, and is unconformably overlain by alluvial sands and gravels which are younger than 20 Ka. Individual zeolite deposits contain 30-80 per cent zeolite over a thickness of up to 45 m in thinly stratified tuff beds. The tuff beds are locally overlain by diatomite. The tuffs are composed mainly of glass shards and pumice clasts, with minor volcanic plagioclase, quartz and biotite crystals. Glass shards in the tuffs are replaced by the silica-rich zeolites mordenite and clinoptilolite. Amorphous silica (opal A), opal-CT, K-feldspar and smectite are also present. The distribution of the Ngakuru Formation is controlled by northeast trending normal faults, which separate it into the Ngakuru and Guthrie grabens. A silicified (quartz-adularia altered) hydrothermal breccia along one of the fault zones suggests that the faults acted as feeders for heated water that caused the deposition of the zeolite minerals. Some of the zeolite deposits are adjacent to sinters and hydrothermal eruption breccias. The location of the sinter about 20 m above one deposit indicates that the zeolites were formed at a depth of 20 to 70 m below the paleosurface. The hydrothermal eruption breccias contain clasts of altered ignimbrite, which contain geochemically anomalous gold and silver values. By analogy with their occurrence in active geothermal systems in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, mordenite and clinoptilolite in the Ngakuru deposits probably formed at temperatures of 60-150oC from near-neutral pH waters as a result of interaction with glass-rich tuff beds. The Ngakuru zeolite deposits are therefore interpreted as shallow hydrothermal alteration zones within larger epithermal gold-bearing systems.

Jan 1, 2002

Due to highly competitive international coal markets, Stockton mine is bound to produce very high quality coals consistently if it is to maintain and expand its market share. The nature of the deposit is such that coals from various source pits are blended in differing proportions to meet the various coal quality specifications of the customer. The complexity arises due to quality variation within the seam both horizontally and vertically and the fact that up to six different products with completely different quality specifications may have to be produced. With increasing demand for this rare product and with CoalCorp eager to meet this demand comes the requirement for computer methods to handle this highly complex problem of both modelling and scheduling.

Jan 1, 1989

By using knowledge-based technology to create a Virtual Mining Enterprise and integrating it with existing technical and financial computer systems, a gold mining company has been able to reduce the time taken to produce a mine plan from 14 weeks to less than one week. Typically, the mine planning process requires circulating and managing large amounts of information. Even with the use of computers in todayÆs business, this is often still a manual process involving file transfers and individualised spreadsheets. Mine planning also involves understanding and managing large quantities of complex and interrelated variables. Added to this is the ever changing dynamics and constraints associated with the business of mining. These issues not only hamper the planning process but also question the validity and usefulness of the mine plans being generated. By integrating the information and knowledge of the numerous departments involved in mine planning into one core Knowledge Base - so called æone version of the truthÆ, - mining companies are able to overcome these pitfalls experienced in traditional planning methods. Once set up, the Knowledge Base creates and runs a virtual mining enterprise with which to visualise and test various scenarios of mining, business and logistical activities. The final output is an optimised enterprise-wide plan with clear and detailed instructions for each of the divisions of the company.

Jan 1, 2000

Eco-Efficient Gravity Separation Solutions in India Sustainable development and social responsibility issues are a principal aspect of mineral processing operations around the world. With the need for more environmentally effective technologies, some gravity separation systems have provided eco-efficient mineral processing solutions in places where it is not otherwise viable because of lack of fresh water or for other environmental reasons. Advanced spiral separation technologies developed in Australia offer a cost effective and environmentally viable way to process minerals. In particular, we review recent case studies of spiral plants commissioned in India where environmentally sustainable solutions to design problems included the use of spirals operated with sea water and the use of high capacity (HC) spirals to provide low consumption of energy and materials and a reduced plant footprint. This paper evaluates the performance of various spiral plants in India and how critical environmental issues which affect the overall viability of wet concentrating processes where resolved.

Sep 13, 2010

Ground conditions at the Kencana mine, Indonesia, are generally poor and an underhand cut and fill mining method is used for extraction. Due to these poor ground conditions, all vertical development has been conducted using blind, top-down, sink and line excavation methods. Due to time constraints, raiseboring was considered the only viable excavation method for the installation of a return ventilation system for the K2 (Kencana extension) project. In order to achieve successful raiseboring in the poor ground conditions a number of strategies were used including: a detailed geotechnical study for optimal position of the shaft/s, splitting shaft excavation vertically, raiseboring of multiple smaller diameter shafts, extensive pregrouting, installation of drainage holes, and rapid installation of support following excavation.

Nov 25, 2010

By M Wilson, D Whiteman, P Kuiper, S Talu, G Watt, A van As

Once the draw process has begun in a block cave, it is very difficult to identify which regions of the cave have successfully propagated, where the caved material is flowing from and where it is flowing to. The uncertainty around cave flow increases as the cave is drawn and can be further compounded by poor draw control practices. These uncertainties make it difficult to plan effective draw strategies to control dilution, as flow model predictions tend to gradually diverge from the actual state of the cave. There have been documented occasions where observed caving phenomena, such as muck pile surface rilling, could not be reproduced with the cave flow models of the time. The ultimate consequence of cave flow uncertainty is generally manifest as higher dilution and lower grades.In order to measure the real-time flow of caved material within an active block cave, CRC Mining and Elexon have developed, together with Rio Tinto, a cave flow monitoring system called Cave Tracker, which is being trialled at Argyle Diamond Mine (ADM) in Western Australia. The Cave Tracker system at ADM comprises electronic ‘beacons’ that have been installed down long HQ diameter drill holes located above the extraction level. As the cave-back propagates and the rock mass fragments, beacons are released into the muck pile and flow along with the caved material to the drawpoints below. At Argyle, the beacons are configured to emit a signal every three days. These signals are picked up by detectors installed on the extraction and undercut levels, allowing the positions of the beacons to be determined.By examining the real-time material flow in different regions of the cave, flow mechanisms can be better defined. Draw control strategies can then be actively tailored to manage the current state of the cave. Thus, previously undetectable indications of excessive rilling, rapid cave propagation, cave stall, air gaps and dilution entry can now be identified early and assessed continuously as the cave progresses. For the first time it is possible to amend draw strategies based on measurements from inside and outside of the fractured zones, allowing caves to be managed more effectively.CITATION:Whiteman, D, Talu, S, Wilson, M, Watt, G, Van As, A and Kuiper, P, 2016. Cave Tracker flow monitoring system installation at Argyle Diamond Mine, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 479–488 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

Macraes Mining Company Limited operates a 2.1 million tonnes per annum gold processing plant at Macraes Flat, Otago. This uses a conventional CIL route to treat oxide ore, and a flotation, grind, CIL route for sulfide ore. This paper describes the design and operation of this process plant.

Jan 1, 1992

By T Graham

The invention of the traditional belt and idler conveyor system is attributed to Thomas Robins in 1892. This basic concept, ubiquitous in most mining operations, has not changed markedly in 125 years and still suffers from five forms of energy losses. Firstly, Wheeler, Roberts and Jones (2004) showed that indentation rolling losses, a consequence of the indentation a roller inflicts on the belt, consume 60 per cent of all energy. Secondly, Wheeler (2006) explained that bulk solid flexure resistance resulting from material interaction and movement absorbs 20 per cent. The remaining energy is lost by idler rotating resistance (5 per cent), belt flexure resistance (5 per cent) and secondary resistances (10 per cent).Traditional conveyor systems are continuous as opposed to batch systems, implying both positive and negative features. On one hand, continuous systems have high availability (available infers ‘ready to run’), but, on the other, utilisation of availability is often low; for example, when a conveyor is running empty or below capacity. This converts into reduced system OEE (overall effective efficiency). Many attempts have been made to mitigate energy losses and low OEE issues, including development of rail-based systems. The key drawbacks have been higher capital cost, low flexibility, poor availability and lack of market acceptance.A recent conceptual development known as the ‘autonomous rail conveyor’ (ARC) promises to address issues of energy loss and poor availability and provide increased flexibility by offering solutions for difficult applications. The ARC uses a series of interconnected skeletal bogies covered with a conventional conveyor belt as a load bed running on relocatable light rail. The bogeys have two axles, each driven by integrated variable speed-geared motor and brake systems, and are connected to previous/next bogeys by specialised couplers. Power is provided by a generator (located in a dedicated bogey) and ‘daisy chain’ plug in cables. Centralised redundant control is provided at a preferred point. Although the system is batch in nature, the number of carriages and trains is flexible, meaning that the system is effectively continuous. Loading is achieved by feeding the ARC from a perpendicularly oriented apron feeder, while material off-loading is accomplished by a twist-dump operation in which the belt is twisted through an angle of 50° below the horizontal, causing material to flow from the belt into a receiving conveyor.The ARC system can run multiple trains over any distance, although benefits are more significant in distances of over two kilometres. Capital and operating costs are predicted to be lower than competitive products, with planned maintenance being simple to perform.CITATION:Graham, T, 2017. The autonomous rail conveyor significantly reduces ore haulage costs, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 467–472 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

By A P. Brown

Comparison of legal permits required for mining (as opposed to prospecting or exploration) inNew Zealand, under the Mining Act 1971 and the Resource Management Act/Crown Minerals Act 1991. Mining generally receives the same treatment as any other industrial or commercial activity.

Jan 1, 1995

By X Dahe

SLon vertical ring and pulsating high gradient magnetic separators (VPHGMS) possess the advantages of high efficiency and high reliability in beneficiating weakly magnetic minerals. In recent years, models SLon-2250, SLon-2500, SLon-3000 and SLon-4000 have been developed. This paper gives several examples of their applications in oxidised iron ore and ilmenite processing flow sheets to improve iron and ilmenite recoveries.CITATION:Dahe, X, 2017. Recent development and application of SLon vertical ring and pulsating high gradient magnetic separators in the iron ore and ilmenite processing industries, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 461–466 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

By G McMillan, P Mulvey

"Geochemical characterisation is done based upon the geology and metallurgical batch testing prior to commencement of the operation of the plant.  Tailings repository design is based upon geochemical assessment of the waste material, as well as the geomechanical issues associated with storing the waste. The resultant conceptual and detailed design is incorporated into the environmental impact statement (EIS), upon which mine approval is based. The entire environmental monitoring and harm mitigation program, which is usually a condition of the Mine Lease approval, is based upon the applicability of the original characterisation.Tacit to this process is that there is no change in the geochemistry of the tailings, i.e. no change in the implications for acid & metalliferous or saline/neutral mine drainage (AMD/SNMD) generation. But any changes in milling and processing can have a substantive impact on the geochemical behaviour of the tailings metallurgy, and potentially render an operation non-compliant within the conditions of the mine license.Environmental and statutory approval implications for continuous improvements of metallurgy need to be understood because unintended consequences could cost more than the benefits of the improvement, and in some cases cost more than all the profit made from the mine.  Examples uncovered during audit and consultant practice will be presented together with a process to ensure implications for adverse environmental harm and license conditions are fully considered.*This paper is only available for individual download. It is not included in the conference proceedings*CITATION:Mulvey, P, 2013. Continuous improvement - how changes in metallurgy can have a substantive impact on environmental impact and closure - lessons learnt from environmental auditing, presented to MetPlant 2013 Conference (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jul 15, 2013

By P G. Rutherford, A W. McOnie

A volcanic sequence is described from the Golden Cross Mine, Waihi, New Zealand. The sequence includes seven lithostratigraphic units comprising flow and pyroclastic units of Coromandel Group andesite and dacite and overlying Whitianga Group dacite and rhyolite which is intruded by the Golden Cross dacite porphyry and rhyolite dykes. The sequence is mineralised and is unconformably overlain by two post-mineral units, the lacustrine Waitekauri beds and Omahine Subgroup andesite.   Detailed structural analysis of mine data has identified four deformational events (D 1-D4) and related these to the gold-silver mineralising events. Faulting was coeval with the mineralization and directly controlled the development, localisation, style and geometry of the ore shoots. Mineralization developed in competent lithologies where dilation occurred during faulting. The Empire Fault is the master shear which controlled fluid flow. Mineralised veining developed in response to tectonic pulses occurring at slightly different stages as represented by the underground Empire vein complex and the open pit vein array. The mineralising events culminated with the deposition of barren calcite veins. Post-mineral movement along the Western Boundary fault appears to have offset the orebody.

Jan 1, 1995

Study on Mineral Processing of Refractory Copper-Nickel Ore

Sep 13, 2010

By B Mobilio, M Secheny, J Rachocki, G B. Sharrock, A Jäger, J L. Lett, I Brunton, G W. Capes

Establishment of the Cadia East Panel Cave Stage One (PC1S1) commenced with the firing of the first bell in early 2011. Production began with the completion of the undercut in May 2014. PC1S1 used a post-undercut composed of 114 drawbells covering a footprint area of 73 438 m². The extraction level is located at a depth of 1200 m below the surface and is based on a 32 × 20 m El Teniente layout. Cave establishment required the construction of multiple conveyor drifts, a large-capacity jaw-gyratory crusher and ancillary ventilation and pumping infrastructure. Preconditioning via hydraulic fracturing and blasting was implemented at various locations of the cave block height. This paper presents an overview of the key learnings from the commencement of undercutting to surface breakthrough, including rock mass classification and modelling, stress measurements, preconditioning, numerical modelling and cave monitoring.CITATION:Lett, J L, Brunton, I, Capes, G W, Jäger, A, Mobilio, B, Rachocki, J, Sharrock, G B and Secheny, M, 2016. Undercutting to surface breakthrough – Cadia East panel cave (stage 1), in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 65–82 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

Previous published papers by Fraser (1), Hey (2), and Stillwell (3), have given respectively, details of:-1. The practice in the pilot plant operated at Zeehan for the treatment of ores from the Rosebery field.2. The design, based largely on the experience gained at Zeehan, of the concentrator built at Rosebery.3. The nature of the orebodies of the zinc-lead lode at Rosebery.Changes and developments, at the Rosebery concentrator, since operations commenced, are now described with particular reference to recent practice.Three concentrates are produced, viz.: a copper, a lead, and a zinc concentrate. The current flow-sheet is shown in Fig. 1. Typical concentrate assays are...THE OREThe ore treated is derived from the Rosebery and Hercules Mines and is, milled in the ratio of, approximately, two parts of the former to one of the latter. The ores from the two mines may be considered as being similar in general character, although the Rosebery ore contains more pyrite. It is from this mine that any increased tonnage is expected. The ore is a mass of fine-grained, intimately associated sulphides, with practically no coarse...

Jan 1, 1949