Search Documents

By G. H. Lind

This paper discusses the traditional costing approach currently used in the underground coal mining industry. Activity Based Costing (ABC) is identified as being a potentially more effective manner in which to cost underground coal mining systems. With the use of a costing framework developed by the author incorporating new thinking to eliminate the shortcomings identified in the traditional costing approach, a comparison of two types of underground coal mining systems, viz. continuous miner and longwall, is conducted. It is found that under certain criteria, in all cases, irrespective of the way in which the systems are costed, the continuous miner system is currently the better investment. It is also observed that when a system is costed using ABC that better investment decisions result when compared to costing the same system using traditional costing techniques. It is further seen that traditional costing techniques tend to overestimate the total costs of a mining system. This paper shows one application of ABC that can be incorporated as a management tool.

Jan 1, 2001

By M. J. Nicol

The kinetics of the dissolution of colloidal silver in aerated cyanide solutions has been investigated with the aim of developing a relatively rapid and convenient method for monitoring the ?leaching power? of solutions typically used in the cyanidation process. Experimental results obtained are consistent with an electro-chemical model, in which the mixed potential is set up in the active region of the polarization curve for the anodic dissolution of silver, giving rise to a rate of dissolution which is controlled by the rate of mass transport of either cyanide or oxygen to the surface of the silver. The rate of dissolution of colloidal silver was found to respond to variations in the reactant concentrations in a similar manner to gold (and silver) in a typical free-milling ore. The use of this technique for the monitoring and control of the cyanide leach process is discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By Q. G. Reynolds

DC arc furnaces are widely used for steel scrap melting, and are increasingly being used for smelting applications as well. The electrical resistivity of slags varies widely, from highly conductive slags in ilmenite smelting, to highly resistive slags in applications such as cobalt recovery from non-ferrous slags, and nickel laterite smelting. Models have been developed to predict the electrical behaviour of the DC open plasma arc and the molten slag bath. These models allow the voltage and current ranges of furnace power supplies to be specified.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. D. Mwema

Copper oxide ores deposits in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) contain at variable level cobalt oxide minerals. In contrast to copper oxide minerals which readily dissolve in the sulphuric acid solution, the cobalt oxide bearings are difficult to dissolve, especially if cobalt is present in the third oxidation state (Co2O3). This species become soluble after reduction of Co+3in Co+2. In practice, the use of reducing agent is therefore necessary in order to transform the insoluble minerals into soluble cobalt sulphate species. The following reducing agents are currently used at the Shituru plant: ferrous ions, which are present in leach solutions, pulverised copper or sodium meta bisulphite (MBS). Due to the high consumption of reducing agents (0,8 t MBS/t of solubilized Co; 1,2 t Cu/t-Co), cobalt production is expensive. The use of sulphur dioxide as reducing agent was then investigated in order to reduce operating cost. This reagent also presents the advantage of sulphuric acid production during the leaching process. It has been added in the leaching vessel (tank). From the laboratory and industrial tests, selective leaching of cobalt (78%) has been performed. The cobalt leaching kinetic depend on sulphur dioxide dosage. Dissolution of copper, iron and manganese remained very low. No emanation of SO2 gas was observed during the process.

Jan 1, 2002

Introducing your Council. Mr J. S. Freer, Pr. Eng., after matriculating at Michaelhouse in 1944, obtained a B.8c. degree in chemistry and biology (1948) and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in chemistry (1949) from the University of the Witwatersrand. Mr G. C. Thompson matriculated at Dale College in 1951. He then attended the University of the Witwatersrand, where he obtained a B.8c. (Min. Eng.) in 1959. Mr P. T. Fewell was born and educated in the United Kingdom. After obtaining the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) in 1958 at Sheffield University, he emigrated to South Africa. DtP. R. Jochens, Pr. Eng., has been a member of Council since 1974, serving as President in 1980-1981.

Jan 1, 1984

By I. Benning

Since the dismal performance of the Rand Mines management was called to account by its shareholders in 1994, the waves of change have continued to ripple across the South African mining industry .The number of listings on the gold board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, that once numbered 40 or 50-odd, have now dwindled to no more than a handful as unprecedented restructuring has taken place. The redefining of the industry has not been limited to the gold sector, but across the base metal, coal, diamond, platinum and industrial mineral sectors as well. At the same time the Mining Houses began to reconsider their funding strategies. Originally established in the early part of the century to ensure the long-term sustainability of their group mining operations by providing substantial financial muscle and technical support, the Mining Houses were faced with a rapidly changing political environment, which proved to be a critical catalyst in giving momentum to the change. Furthermore, the significant development costs and increasing risk profile for new projects, coupled with pressure from shareholders demanding respectable returns, opened the door to opportunities for banks to begin providing external debt by the way of project finance. However, the provision of long-term debt to the South African mining industry had generally not been common since mining companies had financed new projects with equity, or with the cash flows from existing operations. Those banks that had the appetite for exposure to the perceived high risks of the mining sector rapidly built up specialist resource banking divisions capable of addressing the increasing demands of the industry. The application of project finance, the principles of which were developed in the 1970s specifically for infrastructure projects and privatization, is now commonly applied in the financing of greenfield and brownfield mining projects. This paper outlines the approach that lending banks would typically adopt when arranging or providing mining project finance, their usual areas of concern and the way in which the finance is structured to mitigate the many inherent risks.

Jan 1, 2000

By P. T. Slatter

The efficient and accurate design of pipe and pumping plant for non-Newtonian mineral slurries remains a problem. The objective of this paper is to present the development of the Balanced Beam Tube Viscometer (BBTV), an instrument which could facilitate more accurate design for these slurries. The background of rotational and tube viscometry is reviewed and the fundamental principles and inherent advantages of the BBTV are given. The design, data acquisition and processing techniques are introduced and results showing the reliability of the new instrument are presented and discussed. It is concluded that the BBTV is a reliable and versatile instrument for both routine analyses and research work, and has the potential to provide data for the refinement of the design procedure for mineral slurry pipe and plant design.

Jan 1, 1998

By S. J. Swart

This paper discusses the principles and application of risk assessment and management as the basis for environmental management within the mining industry. Unlike in other industries, mines are required to obtain closure certificates in terms of section12 of the Minerals Act, which should ultimately release them from further environmental responsibilities. It is emphasized that the concept of environmental risk assessment and management, when applied correctly will mean that the mine will be identifying and managing environmental issues beyond those set by current legal requirements and management strategies. The focus shifts from conventional minimum legal compliance management to management of real environmental risks. The advantage of this approach is that the perceived ?shifting of legal and management goal posts? due to changing environmental laws or management principles, will not influence or dictate the mine?s short or long-term management objectives or actions, mine closure funds can be more accurately determined and mine closure should become a relatively simple procedure. The risk assessment approach has been applied to the planning of mine closure at Iscor?s Durban Navigation Collieries (Durnacol) in Kwa-Zulu Natal and certain key risk issues such as the long-term risk of water pollution from coal discard dumps have already progressed to fully quantitative risk assessment. This paper will discuss the process, which has been followed to date, with particular emphasis on the most recent phase, namely quantitative risk assessment and management of pollution from coal discard dumps. It is believed that the approach that is being pioneered at Durnacol and which overcomes some of the more obvious deficiencies of both the EMPR and the traditional IEM process will ultimately serve as the model for all responsible mines in South Africa. It is also believed that this approach will enable the authorities to issue closure certificates with the confidence that there will be no unforeseen surprises in the years after closure.

Jan 1, 1998

By P. K. Sahoo, C. R. Ray, S. S. Rao

This paper deals with various factors affecting the strength of chromite briquettes which plays a vital role in the smelting of charge chrome / ferro chrome production. Appropriate briquetting parameters like molasses and lime binder level, molasses quality, particle size distribution and segment condition etc. are essential to guarantee quality briquettes in the successful use of briquette and chromite ore fines. In developing a technology for briquetting of chromite ores, it is important not only to study the grain size characteristics of the chrome ore fines but also to make an informed choice of the type and quality of the binder and the condition for producing a physically and chemically competent green and cured briquette. This paper also describes the effect of strength of briquettes on various parameters of charge chrome production as the use of quality briquettes in the production of high carbon ferrochrome alloys has a number of operational, metallurgical and economic advantages. It is also a requirement for submerged arc furnace operation that the charge be adequately porous to allow gaseous products of the reduction reaction to escape from the furnace charge burden without hindrance. Otherwise, furnace material would erupt causing electrodes and furnace other equipments damage and risking the safety of the work force. The briquette, because it replaces lumpy charge but has an advantage of smaller size, allows for an uniform and porous charge so that the ascending gaseous products can escape freely. Finally this paper deals with furnace operational results with varying proportion of briquettes having same strength.

Jan 1, 2007

By P. M. Cole

An unprecedented expansion of the global zinc industry is currently under way. While most new projects and plant upgrades remain committed to traditional processing technologies, recent advances in zinc solvent extraction (SX) have created opportunities for new process routes for both primary and secondary materials. The first commercial plant to use zinc SX for the mainstream processing of a low-grade ore is under construction and promises to become one of the lowest cost zinc producers. Several other oxide and sulphide projects in various stages of feasibility are considering the inclusion of SX in their process flowsheet. Zinc SX has also proved advantageous in the reprocessing of secondary materials, particularly for the treatment of zinc residues and furnace dusts. This review focuses on recent installations and projects underdevelopment that feature zinc SZ as the key separation step.

Jan 1, 2002

The 103rd Annual General Meeting of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy was held in the Gold Room, Transvaal Automobile Club, 60 5th Street, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg on Wednesday, 16th August, 2000. Welcome The President extended a special welcome to the guests and representatives of our sister institutes and other associations. Also to recipients of awards, senior members of industry, Honorary Life Fellows, Past Presidents, our Members and other guests, among them the following: Reinie Meyer, President, The Geological Society of South Africa Dr Nielen van der Merwe, Chairman, The South African Institute of Rock Engineering Chris Fourie, President, Institute of Mine Surveyors of South Africa

Jan 1, 2000

By R. Thomason

Thank you Dr Barcza, President of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, for inviting me to share our experiences in Australia as regards the competency movement and my Association?s experience in assisting engineers become managers. This is my second visit to South Africa, and I am struck by the similarities between our countries. This extends to the professional issues associated with engineering and competencies in particular. I propose to outline two exciting stories today. ? Development of competency standards for professional engineers in Australia. ? Development of a management programme which has assisted professional engineers regain positions of leadership in Australian industry and government. First of all I would like to outline the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia(APESMA).

Jan 1, 1997

By D. Pillay

Outsourcing? and ?sub-contracting? have become buzzwords in recent years, as SA industry becomes increasingly exposed to the global economy, and global competitiveness. In its effort to ?catch up? after years of relative isolation, there is a concerted effort to learn from global ?best practice?, in order for South African companies, and the SA economy, to become ?winners?. There seems nothing wrong with this approach at face value. Companies need to compete and be profitable if they are to remain in business. Failure will in the end mean bankruptcy, and the loss of jobs. However, if one interrogates the precise practices, and their implications for all concerned?not just shareholders and employers, but workers, communities, the environment, future generations, the national economy?then the picture can change dramatically. ?Best practice? for whom?

Jan 1, 1999

The paper deals with the importance of design and of codes of practice in ensuring safe working conditions in mines. The design principles involved in the design process are dealt with, and the importance of a logical design process is emphasized. The links between the requirements for developing a code of practice, embodied in the existing guidelines for the preparation of such a code, and the design principles and process are considered in some detail. Finally, suggestions are included, which may provide improvements to the code and hence, ultimately, lead to further improvement in safe working conditions.

Jan 1, 2004

By K. I. Afewu

A modified approach to the implementation of Gy?s sampling theory is discussed and used to design a procedure for sampling crushed gold ore feed to metallurgical process plants. The approach involves calibration of certain ore-specific parameters. These parameters were calibrated for two different crushed gold ores en route to grinding mills in process plants. The model predictions were compared with the predictions from Gy?s original model. Far smaller masses of samples are required by the modified model than by Gy?s model at the same relative variance. The representativeness of the sampling procedure if normally distributed errors are assumed was also calculated. These procedures and evaluations lead to significant savings on cost of handling and preparation of the samples and to a quantifiable degree of confidence in the analytical results for the process plant.

Jan 1, 1998

Council for 1999/2000 President J.R. Dixon President Elect M.H. Rogers Vice Presidents Senior Dr L.A. Cramer Junior A.A.B. Douglas Immediate Past President R.P. Mohring Honorary Treasurer J.A. Cruise Members of Council B.C. Alberts Dr N.A. Barcza N.J. Barkhuysen R.D. Beck M.J.P. Bierman Prof. A.N. Brown D. Cockcroft Dr M.B. Cortie Dr L.A. Cramer J.A. Cruise E.G. de Villiers J.R. Dixon A.A.B. Douglas F.M.G. Egerton J.P.W. Fisher C.E. Fivaz K.J.R. Ford Prof. G.A. Fourie R. Graham Dr R.G. Gürtunca Dr R.V.R. Handfield-Jones* M.C. Harris J.P. Hoffman H.E. James P.J. Knottenbelt R.P. Mohring H.G. Mosenthal G.Y. Nisbet N.M. O'Brien R.G.B. Pickering Prof. R.P. Plewman S.J. Ramokgopa Prof. R.E. Robinson M.H. Rogers D.A.J. Ross-Watt Prof. R.F. Sandenbergh Dr H. Scott-Russell C.B. Sheppard D.A.A. Smith Dr T.R. Stacey Dr O.K.H. Steffen D.J. van Niekerk J.C. Viljoen J.N. Wallington

Jan 1, 1999

By J. Roodt

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B. Eng (Metallurgical Engineering) degree This work was done to characterize the leaching of a uranium containing pulp processed by a South African producer to identify parameters that could be adjusted to increase the extraction of uranium in the existing circuit. Batch leach tests were used to characterize the leach properties and especially the influence of the oxidant concentration on the leaching achieved. It was found that relatively high extraction could be obtained even at room temperature by using a high liquid-to-solids ratio and that increasing the oxidant concentration significantly improved the leaching of the uranium minerals.

Jan 1, 2003

By R. Pickering

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of technology to stoping systems. Technology, because for the past 100 years the South African narrow reef mining industry has battled to control working costs in a labour-intensive industry. Stoping systems, because it is the stoping method and methodology which is at the heart of the mining system. Introduce a more efficient stoping system and the mining system will look after itself. The technology applied to stoping over the past 100 years can be categorized as follows: ?The introduction of pneumatic rockdrills early this century, the cumbersome rig mounted units being replaced by smaller, lighter hand-held units which were then made easier to use with the addition of an air leg ?Scraper winches to replace gravity and shovels to move rock both in the face and the gullies were first introduced in the late 1920s ?Hydraulic props as a support method arrived in the1960s ?Some people argue that tungsten carbide inserts were equally important. There have been a number of attempts to introduce different technologies into stoping, the most recent being trackless equipment. Where the stoping layout suits the technology it has been successful. There have been too many instances where a technology has been installed because it is fashionable. At the end of the day the outcome from change in the stoping systems has to be safer and more profitable mining systems. It is the contention of the author that change is only likely to be effective if it is supported by the introduction and application of appropriate technology.

Jan 1, 1999

By K. Ford, R. Urquhart, D. Hobbs

CIS countries are home to some of the world's largest producers of chrome, manganese and silicon ferro alloys and leading suppliers to world export markets. The region's ferro alloys production is rising faster than demand from its domestic steel industry - unit alloy consumption in domestic steelmaking is in fact falling as process efficiencies improve - and there is significant spare capacity available to increase production. CIS producers enjoy certain strategic advantages in the production of ferro alloys - for example, captive ore sup-plies, low power and labour costs - but must also meet certain challenges - such as lower labour productivity and greater distance to market than some of their competitors. CIS producers are ambitious but new investment is needed to upgrade some aging plants and overhaul outdated process technologies if they are to be more competitive with the world's leading producers and address the environmental issues that are now moving up the agenda. This paper describes the structure of the region's ferro alloys industry and discusses its advantages and disadvantages by alloy and by country. It considers how the ongoing process of restructuring and new investment in the industry might move forwards, based on its strengths and weaknesses, technical and environmental factors and the strategies of the main players. It asks how the industry might maximise its substantial potential - in particular, for the production of chrome and manganese ferro alloys - and examines the implications this holds for all global ferro alloys players.

Jan 1, 2007

By N N/A

To the members of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy We have audited the annual financial statements set out on pages 239 to 245. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Institute?s Council. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. Scope We have conducted our audit in accordance with statements of South African Auditing Standards. These standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes: ?examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements ?assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management ?evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Audit opinion In our opinion, the financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of the Institute at 30 June, 2000, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with South African Statements of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Jan 1, 2000