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By H. Möhle

Premier Mine is a large underground diamond mine, situated at Cullinan in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The mine hoists over 3 millions tons of diamond bearing kimberlite per year, from a modern, mechanized panel retreat block cave mining operation. Troughs sited at the base of the cave are developed into the overlying caved ore, allowing loading access to the ore through draw points. Trough opening is therefore a vital aspect of the mining operation. Most of the production is dependent on fast, reliable and safe trough opening. Successful trough openings are achieved under difficult mining conditions due to restricted void, long up-holes and the inherent properties of kimberlite?soft, elastic rock with a high swell factor. Early in 1998, Premier Mine undertook a joint development project (with an electronic initiation system supplier) to determine whether the use of a fully programmable electronic detonator system would enhance the mining cycle in the trough opening process. Blasting commenced in February 1998, initially with blasts of a similar size and duration to those that had been previously blasted with shock-tube systems, to confirm the operational capabilities of the blasting system. The accuracy, reliability and flexibility of the electronic delay detonators (EDDs) minimized associated risks for re-engineering of the trough opening process. Further, as blast timing was optimized, larger blasts were successfully initiated. To date over 20 troughs have been opened successfully with the use of EDDs. Not only did it take less time to open troughs, but also drilling and blasting operations have been optimized, as well as an overall improvement in safety. This paper details the benefits that EDDs have delivered to Premier Mine in this area. The logic followed is: ?Review of the original trough opening practices ?Re-engineering of the trough opening process ?Implementation of EDDs ?Evaluation of improvements and conclusions.

Jan 1, 2000

By J. F. Shao, G. Duveau, W. Z. Chen, O. Ozanam

In this paper, we present a sensitivity study for the numerical modelling of hydromechanical coupling around a shaft in partially saturated claystone. Two representative constitutive models have been used: an elastoplastic damage model (IDEPLML) and an elastic perfect plastic model based on the Hoek and Brown failure criterion (H&B). A series of comparative studies have been performed with respect to main parameters involved in coupling process (mechanical, hydraulic and hydric properties). The emphasis is put on the evaluation of induced plastic, damaged and failed zone due to excavation and drying process. Dans ce papier, nous présentons une étude numérique paramétrique du comportement hydromécanique couplé d’une argilite partiellement saturé, lors du creusement et de la maintenance d’un puit L’étude paramétrique porte à la fois sur le type de modèle et sur les principaux paramètres (mécaniques hydrauliques et hydriques) intervenant dans le couplage. L’accent est principalement porté sur l’évaluation des zones plastifiées autour de l’ouvrage lors de la désaturation. In unserem Beitrag geht es um eine digitale parametrische Untersuchung über das hydromechanische Verhalten eines teilweise durchtränkten Tons beim Abteufen und dem Betrieb von Schächten. Die parametrische Analyse konzentriert sich auf den Modelltypus und auf die wesentlichen bei der Verbindung wirksamen Parameter, d.h. die mechanischen, hydraulischen und hydrologischen. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Bewährung der plastifizierten Bereiche des Bauwerkes während der Austrocknung.

Jan 1, 2003

By G. van Hout, D. Rahal

Caving is a mass mining method that is normally applied to large, low grade orebodies because of its low production cost and high capacity. However, equipment breakdown and poor draw management can cause mining costs to exceed that of all other mining methods. One way to minimize the effect of disruptions in the mining cycle is to use Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) for long-term scheduling. This paper describes a MILP goal program which has the dual objectives of minimizing deviation from the ideal draw profile while achieving a production target. Schedule optimization is performed using a life of mine approach in which all production periods are optimized simultaneously. The underlying assumption being that material mixing in the short-term (between monthly optimization cycles) has a minimal effect on the long-term state of the panel. Schedule optimization is carried out using six general constraint types to model and control production. The constraint types define: deviation from ideal practice, panel state, material flow conservation, production quality, material flow capacity and production control. These constraints define production targets and drive production toward the ideal profile while maintaining correct mining practice. Application of the model using production scheduling data for a De Beers kimberlite mine. It is shown how different production control constraints regulate production from individual drawpoints as well as recovery of the ideal panel profile by implementing an optimised draw schedule.

Jan 1, 2003

By Pekka Taskinen

Advanced optimizing control of the fluidised bed zinc roaster has been in use for an extended period at Boliden Kokkola and the implications are seen as extended bed stability, increased throughput and far better on-line availability. The roaster furnace control system developed is based on a dynamic and predictive furnace model, with parameters determined experimentally at the site. The controller maximises the concentrate feed and keeps the furnace operational parameters inside limits given by raw material mix and equipment constraints. The products of a zinc roaster, calcine, sulphur dioxide and the side products, such as mercury, meet gradually more stringent requirements, in particular as to their assays and total recoveries in the process chain. The end users of sulphuric acid in northern Europe, among others in the pulp and paper industry, require mercury levels much less than the conventional 0.2-0.4 ppm Hg. Therefore, secondary de-mercurising circuits have been used over the last five years for further cleaning the SO2 stream allowing production acid grades with less than 0.08 ppm Hg.

Jan 1, 2008

By M. Olalde, I. Watson

"The consequences of ineffective mine closure in South Africa are evident from the number of abandoned mines and operations on extended care-and-maintenance, the on-selling of mines to less well-resourced companies to close, and increasing illegal mining activities. However, the data to substantiate these observations and provide insight into the underlying issues has not been available. Through the Promotion of Access to Information Act, a list of mine closure certificates applied for between 2011 and 2016 and a list of certificates granted over the same period for all nine regions of South Africa was obtained. From the analysis of this data, we show that the mine closure system as implemented in South Africa is largely ineffective. Although closure certificates are being granted, these are for prospecting sites and small-scale mines, which have a relatively small environmental impact. No large mines of any environmental significance were relinquished over the period under review, with very few applying for closure certificates. Furthermore, the issuing of closure certificates varies significantly between regional offices, with the success rate for applications being generally low and issuing of certificates taking an extended period. IntroductionThere are a number of concerns with the mine closure process as practiced in South Africa, and these have largely been laid at the door of government. Alberts et al. (2017) stress that the legislation generally conforms to international best practice. However, the system is ‘complex and unwieldy’, involving various pieces of legislation and different government departments with overlapping requirements and different interpretations of the law. A further area of concern is the capacity and competence of government to implement legislation. The ‘shortage of relevant mine closure skills and knowledge within the regulator’ was identified by van Druten and Bekker (2017) as a key contributor to unsuccessful closure. Lack of capacity and resources within the regulator has also been highlighted by Botham, Kelso, and Annegarn (2011) and Milaras, McKay, and Ahmed (2014). A recent study of the mineral application process by Corruption Watch (2017) indicates that positions in the regulator have been frozen for many years, leading to a shortage of staff, and that unqualified individuals have been appointed. There is also the perceived reluctance of government to grant closure in order to limit transfer of the liability to the state and delay the inevitable job losses."

Jul 1, 2019

By I. A. Mutemererwa

This paper investigates the role of vertical integration between chrome ore mines and ferrochromium smelters in the location of ferrochromium production capacity in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Vertical integration is important in understanding the increasing competitive position of these two countries as observations show that an increasingly larger share of the global market has been coming from integrated producers. The paper argues that the increased vertical integration between mines and smelters in South Africa and Zimbabwe has led to a lower cost of chrome ore as an input compared with other producers. Underlying this hypothesis is the basic tenet that, more likely than not, production will take place where the costs are lowest. The paper concentrates on high carbon ferrochromium (HCFC) production in market economy countries (MEC). Using an ordinary least squares model, the study tests the relationship between low chrome ore costs and vertical integration shows a statistically significant relationship. These findings partially support the view that the control of sources of chrome ore is a major source of competitiveness. Keywords: competitiveness, ferrochromium (ferrochrome), ordinary least squares, dummy variables, vertical integration, southern Africa.

Jan 1, 2000

By S. du Plessis

Nationalization is high on the policy agenda in South Africa. This paper considers the case for nationalizing the local mining sector from an evidence-based perspective, which is derived from theoretical considerations and related to the known features of the South African mining sector and economy. A strong case against nationalization emerges, which can be summarized as follows. The mining sector is competitive and therefore a poor candidate for public ownership. Furthermore, the resources sector does not dominate the South African economy nor does it create the risk of a decrease in the competitiveness of the industrial sector via the unintended adverse impact of an appreciating real exchange rate due to a commodity boom (Dutch Disease). Nationalizing the mining sector will cost the government more than it receives. This is not only a bad idea in itself, but it will limit the scope for distributive policies on the national budget. The contemporary international experience demonstrates the risks of fiscal imprudence. Finally, nationalizing the resources sector will undermine support for those very market-based institutions required to achieve a higher long-run growth trajectory.

Jan 1, 2013

By P. Mogodi

The purpose of the project was to propose a coal clearance system (coal transportation system from the mining face to the plant) that could be used for the planned underground operations at Zondagsfontein Colliery. Components of the current coal clearance system were overlooked during feasibility studies. Subsequent studies of the coal clearance system revealed that the combined capacity of the two trunk belts does not match that of the shaft (main) belt. As a result production downtimes will be encountered due to bottlenecks in the system. Ways of addressing this challenge were analysed by weighing both advantages and disadvantages and ultimately a surge bin option was selected. Belt conveyor simulations were conducted in order to determine the optimum capacity of the surge bin. The configuration of the surge bin in relation to the two trunk belts was chosen by considering development cost, advantages, and disadvantages of each option. It was concluded and recommended that a 500 tonnes capacity surge bin is required to remove the bottleneck from the system.

Jan 1, 2010

By K. Blaski

his paper reports an investigation aimed at optimizing the compaction of granulated hard-metal powder for the production of cutting tool inserts. The optimal compaction is that which yields optimal shrinkage during sintering, i.e. minimum porosity in the sintered part. Extensive compaction tests on 23 different hard-metal powders have been carried out and have shown that the ideal ?green density? of a hard-metal compact, i.e. the density after compaction, increases linearly with the apparent density of the powder. On the basis of this result, an equation has been derived, which allows one to predict the optimal shrinkage that a hard-metal compact undergoes during sintering once the following data are known: the required sintered density, the volatile content of the powder and the apparent density of the powder. Since these data are available to the tooling designer, this equation allows one to design tooling for the compaction of hard-metal, which leads to optimal shrinkage

Jan 1, 2007

By B. Elevli

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the implementation of multicriteria analysis in selection of the most suitable underground ore transport system for a chromite mine in Turkey. The related problem includes five possible ore transport systems and six criteria to evaluate them. The adopted evaluation and ranking method for this study is PROMETHEE. PROMETHEE I revealed a partial order of alternatives where incomparability exists. PROMETHEE II gave the absolute ordering of alternatives. The results have shown that the PROMETHEE method can be successfully used in solving mining engineering problems. Keywords: multi-objective, decision analysis, mining, ore transport system

Jan 1, 2004

By D. Diering

Having agreed to perform this task, I naturally started to wonder what on earth I was going to talk about, and on reviewing the literature I was surprised at how little I knew and how much I?d forgotten about the origins of this industry. For example: ?I?d forgotten that the Chinese invented black powder at least 1 000 years ago, back in the 10th century (although some say this invention occurred 2 000years ago). ?I didn?t know that Roger Bacon was the first person in the Western World to give exact directions for the making of gunpowder in 1242 and to understand its potential. Pepper?s Playbook of Metals quotes:?...above all, he is named as the discoverer of gun-powder, a material which has brought more wonderful changes in the great family of man than the most potent elixir that could have been devised to prolong life?.

Jan 1, 2000

By R. G. B. Pickering

The purpose of this report is to chronicle the interaction between Anglo Platinum and Sandvik Tamrock during the development and application of Long Hole drilling as a viable, practical method of narrow reef mining. Appendix I identifies the people from Anglo Platinum and Sandvik Tamrock who participated in the project. Experiments in long hole drilling and blasting were conducted in a number of mines during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Some of the advantages envisaged were: ? The face would require no daily examination ? No barring down or immediate face support required ? No sockets to clean ? Only a few well drilled holes rather than large numbers of short blast holes ? Avoidance of poorly-marked holes, inaccurate drilling and improper charging ? Better supervision and better face advance. Holes 50 mm in diameter were drilled parallel to the stope face by pneumatic rock drills from advance strike gullies. Holes were charged with amon gelignite cartridges. All holes were traced with detonating cord to ensure propagation of the explosive along the entire hole length. Rock was blasted onto a rolling scatter pile. A number of reasons have been cited for the failure of this mining method. The two most important were: ? problems in controlling hole deviation which was exacerbated by the fractured ground ? difficulty of charging up holes in fractured ground, due to relative movement of rocks along fracture surfaces over the hole length. The idea of drilling a few long holes parallel to the face rather than a large number of short blast holes perpendicular to the face was an attractive option to mechanize narrow reef mining. This particular project started in 1998. Initial trial The Union Section of Anglo Platinum purchased a Solo H 606 RA long hole drilling rig from Sandvik Tamrock in 1997. In order to evaluate long hole drilling as a basis for face mechanization. The Solo series of drill rig was selected because it combines high drilling performance and good drilling accuracy with high versatility with a compact size. The mining method proposed by a consultant to Anglo Platinum was based on the current trackless mining method practised by Union Section. The trackless mining method is better described as a trackless development and transport method. Reef strike drives were installed approximately 40 metres apart on dip using trackless equipment. Reef was mined using hand-held pneumatic rock drills and scraper winches and the excavation was supported by sticks and crush pillars at the top of the panel. Rock scraped from the panel was loaded by Lad Haul Dumps (LHDs), trammed to an inclined haulage, and loaded into trucks for transport to the surface. It was intended that the Solo would drill from the bottom advance strike drive to the top advance strike drive. Blasted rock would still have to be scraped from the panel. It is also difficult to understand how well the support would have survived. In the initial motivation it was stated that drilling accuracy was of the utmost importance. Previous work by Sandvik Tamrock had shown that, in other parts of the world, 20 metre long holes could be drilled with a deviation not exceeding 100 mm provided that: ? holes were collared with low thrust pressure ? operating percussion pressure was kept low -often not ? exceeding 10 MPa ? drilling was to be with tubes, not rods. In early 1998 initial trials with the Solo H 606 RA were inconclusive; attempts were made to drill 40 metre long holes from one advance strike drive to another. Difficulty was experienced in measuring hole straightness and accuracy, there was no survey of the holes, and no blasting was done to expose hole barrels. A long hole mining system was then defined, with a corresponding face mining system, which led to the design of a test programme for the Solo drilling rig. Earlier experience at Telfer The proposed face mining system was based on a mining method that is practised at Telfer Gold Mine in Western Australia. Telfer has a series of domed reefs that dip at angles of less than 20° to more than 40°. The ore bodies are all thin, with widths from 0.6 metres to 0.8 metres. Figure 1 shows the face layout. Experience at Telfer indicated the following: ? The spacing and size of the dip pillars should be based on the rock mechanics of Union Section ? The length of the face is determined by the ability to correctly position the blast holes. Positioning of blast holes is a function of hole straightness and hole direction. Blast holes in Telfer were drilled 64 mm diameter with retrac bits from Sandvik. Extension steel was T38 by 1.8 metre lengths. A guide rod was fitted immediately behind the bit. To achieve greater accuracy' operators drill at relatively low percussion and thrust pressures. Results show that very good accuracy is achieved in 20 metre stopes and only fair accuracy in longer stopes. In 34 metre long stopes 10-15% of the holes are not sufficiently accurately positioned and have to be re-drilled. All blast holes are

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Jele

? Sulphuric acid plant in umbogintwini. ? Double absorption plant, capacity of 550MTPD. ? Build by simon curve during the year 1973. ? Side stream plants such as: ? Liquid SO2 Plant, ? Liquid SO3 and ? Oleum plant

Jan 1, 2009

By J. -P. Tshibangu, A. Vervoort, A. Lavrov

Abstract: The aim of the research presented is to study the effect of complex loading schemes on the fracturing process during loading and/or unloading. A first set of experiments was done using a poly-axial cell. These experiments in combination with numerical simulations showed a difference in micro-fracturing (shear and tensile cracks), but not in macro-failure between various loading/ unloading schemes. The second set of experiments was based on the three-point bending test and several cycles with or without rotation between cycles were applied. If the specimen was rotated by 90° or 180° about its long axis between the first and second cycle, no Kaiser effect was observed. Résumé: Le but de la recherche présentée est d’étudier l’effet de schémas de charge complexe sur le processus de fracturation durant la phase de charge et de décharge. Une première série d’expériences était réalisée utilisant une cellule polyaxiale. Ces expériences combinées avec des simulations numériques ont montré une différence de micro-fracturation (fissures de cisaillements et de traction) pour les différents schémas de charge et décharge, mais en ce qui concerne la macro-fracturation ce n’est pas le cas. La deuxième série d’expériences était basée sur des essais de flexion trois points avec plusieurs cycles, avec ou sans rotation entre les cycles. Si l’échantillon est tourné de 90° ou 180° selon le grand axe entre le premier et le second cycle, l’effet Kaiser n’est pas observé. Zusammenfassung: Der Zweck der vorliegenden Forschung bestand darin, den Einfluß von komplizierten Beanspruchungsschemen auf den Bruchprozess im Laufe von Belastung und/oder Entlastung von Gesteinen zu untersuchen. Der erste hier beschriebene Satz von Experimenten wurde mit einer dreiaxialen Belastungsmaschine angestellt. Diese Experimenten zusammen mit dazugehörigen numerischen Simulationen zeigten Unterschiede zwischen Be- und Entlastungsbeanspruchungen in Bezug auf mikrobruchmechanische Mechanismen (d.h. Scher- oder Zugrisse) an, aber nicht in Bezug auf den Makrobruchprozess. Der zweite Satz von Experimenten umfasste Gesteinsbeanspruchung in mehreren Zyklen von Drei-Punkt-Biegung, indem die Gesteinsproben zwischen den Zyklen um einen angegebenen Winkel (0°, 90° oder 180°) gedreht wurden. Falls die Probe um 90° oder 180° gedreht wurde, wurde kein Kaiser-Effekt im zweiten Zyklus beobachtet.

Jan 1, 2003

Outotec?s direct leaching process is an atmospheric leaching process for sulphidic zinc concentrates. The direct leaching process, based on special leaching reactors developed by Outokumpu, is the most economical way to produce electrolytic zinc. The production scale applications of the process realized so far are in use at Boliden?s Kokkola and Odda zinc plants. A new full-scale application of Outotec?s direct leaching process will be started in 2008 in China. The process is integrated to the existing production plant, replacing part of the old production facilities by modern technology. Besides high zinc extraction the plant expansion and modernization offers also indium recovery, iron precipitation and solution purification processes. The process equipment includes tailor-made reactors designed on the basis of the work and experience of Outotec research center. Keywords: zinc, concentrate, atmospheric leaching, technology, indium, iron precipitation, solution purification, Outotec

Jan 1, 2008

By J. C. Ashby

Electric utility response to certain amendments of the Clean Air Act has resulted in a production of several types of alkaline coal combustion byproducts. Alkaline combustion byproducts are gaining increased usage for acid mine drainage mitigation and abatement as research leads to a better understanding of their beneficial applications. Since January of 1997, Mettiki Coal Corporation has been injecting alkaline flue gas desulphurization byproducts from Virginia Electric?s Mt. Storm Unit #3 wet limestone scrubber into abandoned portions of the active Mettiki mine. This paper provides an overview of the key design, transportation, regulatory, and environmental issues faced in the project.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. Betzhold

Knowing more about an orebody makes it easier to exploit it profitably. Many orebodies are made up of different rock types, alteration zones or mineralogical ensembles: oxides versus sulphides or facies with different metallurgical properties for example. Being able to model the spatial layout of these different facies is vital to good mine planning and management. Kriging cannot be used to generate numerical models of orebodies with complex geometric patterns because it gives too smooth an image. Over-smoothing has the meaning of changing the natural selectivity. Conditional simulations are required to do this kind of model respecting the natural variability: honouring the natural selectivity, dilution and ore loss. Standard geostatistical simulations cannot duplicate many of the complex spatial relationships seen in the earth sciences, such as differently orientated facies, sets of conjugate veins or ore types where certain facies cannot touch. After a presentation of the case study, it will be shown why traditional methods for simulating indicators like the sequential indicator simulations, or the truncated gaussian method, cannot be used to simulate it. Plurigaussian simulations are then introduced and shown to be more powerful than the previous methods in their range of application. This is confirmed by the case study treated; a Chilean copper deposit, for which the plurigaussian simulations are seen to respect the different orientations of the individual facies as well as honouring the facies seen in drill holes, and respecting the proportion of each facies even if this varies in space (e.g. increases or decreases with depth). Key words: geostatistics, indicators, conditional simulation, plurigaussian method, copper variability.

Jan 1, 2000

By H. Jalkanen, L. Holappa

The main role of slag in oxygen converter processes is to absorb the non-volatile oxidation products of hot metal impurities, Si, P, Mn, Ti, V, etc. The importance of converter slag as deP and de Smedia has ceased with implementation of special pre- and post-converter treatments. The transfer from top blowing (LD) to combined blowing converters has decreased the amount of slagged iron that, together with the tendency towards lower silicon and manganese contents, has decreased slag to steel ratio. Still the control of slag forming and behaviour during the blow is of great importance. In this paper the thermodynamics of the slag forming reactions, the role of slag in the modern oxygen converter process for impurity elimination, splashing, lining wear, dust formation and post combustion are discussed on the basis of common knowledge and experience of Finnish steel plants.

Jan 1, 2004

By C. F. Vos, J. D. Miller, J. C. Davidtz

Small replacements of C12-trithiocarbonate (C12-TTC) for dithiocarbonate (DTC)/dithiophosphate(DTP) in a reagent suite for the flotation of platinum group metals (PGM) have significantly improved the rejection of gangue. Coupled to this is an improvement in kinetics, grade and recovery of PGMs. In a pilot-plant trial, after a 5 mole per cent replacement of the current DTC/DTP collector combination by C12-TTC, large opaque bubbles were replaced by small clear ones. In addition, a similar flotation response was realized with one-third of the current depressant dosage. During a preliminary plant trial on underground UG2 ore, the initial rougher concentrates were characterized by higher PGM concentrate grades and this was in part due to improved chromite rejection. The concentrate produced from the TTC trial also exhibited a much finer particle size distribution. The overall circuit performance, which included secondary regrind and flotation, showed an increase in concentrate grade of approximately 44% while the tailings grade remained unchanged

Jan 1, 2006

By L. Andrews

Electron microbeam analysis of metallurgical samples covers abroad field and has applications in the areas of minerals processing, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, physical metallurgy and corrosion. Some idea of the possibilities of microbeam techniques can be illustrated by examining the following example of a run of mine gold ore sample. Milling and bulk chemical analysis of the ore will provide major and minor element analysis as well as the gold grade. More detailed chemistry can also reveal the presence of trace elements that may be advantageous or deleterious to downstream processing. Electron microbeam analysis can provide additional information in the form of size, liberation, association and composition of the gold, the percentage of refractory gold, the size, liberation, association and composition of enclosing sulphide or arsenide phases and the levels and association of the trace elements that may affect processing. In most cases electron microbeam analysis complements bulk chemistry, and does not replace it. Both techniques should be used in parallel for maximum effect. This paper touches on the origin and history of electron microbeam techniques, as well as the theory behind microbeam analysis and processing. The more common types of instruments and their applications will also be dealt with briefly.

Jan 1, 2007