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The role and policies of the Aboriginal Sacred Sites Protection Authority are described in conjunction with the provisions of the N.T Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1978. Comment is made on the application of the legislation and these policies to development proposals in the Northern Territory. A brief review of criticisms by both developers and Land Councils is provided together with responses to these Criticisms.

Jan 1, 1984

By Adamiak Z. P

A study has been made of the influence of bentonite type on the wet strengths, dry strengths and drying rates of pressed iron ore pellets. Measurements of the influence of bentonite on the kinetics of growth of pellets are also reported. The results show that bentonite decreases the rate of growth of pellets and the drying rates of pellets while increases are observed in both wet and dry strengths. The results have been interpreted in terms of the physical and chemical charact- istics of the bentonite and the suitability of a given bentonite for particular pelletising operations has been discussed.

Jan 1, 1973

By Moxon NT

The detonation pressure of ANFO can be significantly reduced by the addition of low density materials such as polystyrene, bagasse, sawdust or perlite. Laboratory and field test results have shown that homogene- ous mixtures of these low density explosives can be produced in a bowl truck and loaded into a blast hole without segregation. The detonation pressure of the mixture can be tailored to suit the material to be blasted by varying the quantity of low density additive incorporated into the mix- ture. Results obtained in the field indicate that these low density explo- sives can lead to significant cost savings without compromising fragmentation or production.

Jan 1, 1988

In July 1997 Macraes Mining Company Limited deferred a 9 Mtpa expansion of the Macraes Gold Project because of the uncertainty of the future gold price and its impact on equity markets.  Additionally delays in the resource consenting process led to further uncertainty.   It has subsequently announced that a study has been commissioned to recommend a staged approach to development of its New Zealand business. The best economic development path will be determined to maximise returns to shareholders.

Jan 1, 1997

By Coskun B

The classification of selective mining units (SMU's) and the assignment of grades to those classified SMU's are very important in open pit mining, especially for precious metal mining. During ore control planning, the classification of mineral

Jan 1, 1998

By Waddell S

A new procedure has been developed for the direct determination of metals loaded on activated carbon. It involves preparation of a suspension of the powdered carbon in water, followed by direct sampling of the suspension with a micropipette,and analyses by atomic absorption spectroscopy using carbon rod atomization. Advantages of the method include the simplicity of sample preparation and the ability to provide a complete metal analysis in 1 - 2 hours. This enables carbon-in-pulp operators to respond quickly to changes in plant efficiency arising from carbon fouling. The successful application of the method has been demonstrated for gold, copper, nickel and iron. Other elements to be surveyed include calcium, magnesium and silicon.

Jan 1, 1984

By Chaves AP, Delboni H. Jr

Thermal comminution is an industrial process specially suited to very abrasive material, when contamination with Fe from wearing parts of conventional crushing and grinding equipment must be avoided. It involves an initial step of heating the material to be comminuted, followed by sudden cooling (quenching) and finally by a conventional mechanical process to disassemble the particle aggregates. The thermal step is, in fact, a pre-fracturing process. The heating operation causes changes in phase of the minerals and changes in volume of these minerals and other substances included in pores and cracks. The cooling operation causes thermal shock reversions or the phase transformation and consequent generation of internal stresses, high enough to fracture the solid.

Jan 1, 1993

By D R. van der Meulen, P Ande, D J. Lunt

Pressure hydrometallurgy is becoming an increasingly common unit operation in the treatment of gold and base metal ores and concentrates. The design of an adequate and appropriate pilot-scale testwork program is, therefore, essential in order to minimise the risks associated with developing a project in which autoclaves form a key part of the operation. This paper identifies the approaches that have been taken in the piloting of oxidative and pressure acid leach operations. Particular emphasis is placed on the determination of scale-up ratios between the pilot and commercial plants and the pilot-plant run durations. The issues, both metallurgical and project-specific, that can impact these key parameters are reviewed.

Jan 1, 2004

By Brennan D. J

The trend worldwide is for increasingly stringent control of sulphur dioxide emissions to the environment. It is therefore likely that Australian industry will be placed under increased pressure to restrict such emissions, and this will have implications for Australian smelters of mineral sulphide ores. Traditional outlets for sulphur dioxide emissions have been in sulphuric acid manufacture, but Australian demand for sulphuric acid has declined markedly in recent years. This paper examines the balance of supply and demand for sulphur and related products in Australia, the shifts occurring in that balance and the underlying causes of those trends.

Jan 1, 1994

Self Advancing or "Poweredtt supports are a successful means of supporting roof and designs have reached the stage where adequate support capa- bility is available for all conditions. Some designs have resulted in equipment being too difficult to transport underground and too complex to maintain. Current trends are reducing those problems and simplicity in hydraulic systems is now the keynote of both supplier and user. There is a good possibility that the "Shield-Chock" support will be the universal design of the future. So-called t'shortwall supports" have been developed to the point where they can be applied with a high degree of confidence to conditions of great variety. Develop- ments by manufacturers and practices of users related to maintenance should result in consistent achievement of designed performance.

Jan 1, 1974

By Keren Z, Huanguo G, Jlchuan Q

In this paper, the authors introduce a new flotation technique, a double collection flotation precess, which succeeds in separating feldspar from quartz effectively in weak acidic medium (pH = 5-6). In the presence of sodium hexametaphosphase(HMP), sodium oleate selectively improves the floatability of feldspar in the first collection step. Dodecyl amine- hydrochloride is used as collector in the second collection step to separate feldspar from quartz. The flotation tests with pure minerals as well as artificial mixture give out satisfactory results. The mechanism of reagent effect was investigated briefly, which is helpful for understanding the Process.

Jan 1, 1993

By Wadsley MW

This paper gives an overall view of the CSIRO-SGTE computer system for thermodynamic calculations. The basis of the system is the coupling of a large self-consistent numeric data bank of thermodynamic information to a modular set of application programs. These seven programs cover management of data files, calculation of thermodynamic properties for species and reactions, plotting of predomin- ance area diagrams, equilibrium and enthalpy balances for complex processes, analysis of thermodynamic efficiency and the estimation of unknown properties. The data bank contains a wide coverage of species and data types so that the system may be applied to many areas of chemistry and metallurgy.

Jan 1, 1984

The unique characteristics of the Target orebody and modernistic approach to mining present significant challenges and a concomitant high potential for new opportunities. The break-away from the traditional labour intensive mining methods improves both safety and productivity significantly. The intention of the paper is to illustrate the application of well known mining methods to the particular requirements of a complex orebody at depth. The evolutionary process followed to establish the final mining method design provides insight behind the finished product, and the modern approach to the planning and service principles equips the reader with a suite of mining engineering ideas.

Jan 1, 2000

By Walker G. S, Sparrow G. J

Dissolution of S02 into water-acetone mixtures results in the formation of 2-hydroxy-2-propane sulphonic acid. The pH, or acid strength, of water-carbonyl-S02 mix- tures can be controlled by varying the concen- tration of the carbonyl compound or the rate at which S02 is added to the water-carbonyl mixture during a reaction. The ease with which the acid strength of these mixtures can be controlled means that they have significant potential for use as a selective lixiviant. We have used water-acetone-S02 mixtures to selectively dissolve phosphate minerals in Christmas Island and Duchess phosphate ores and also uranium minerals in Yeelirrie uranium ore and Olympic Dam copper concentrate.

Jan 1, 1987

We live in a world in crisis. One where the tides of change run ever faster. Where the only thing we can be sure of is change itself. The challenge we face, therefore, is not how to resist the forces that move us nor even to try to predict where they will lead us, but to harness their energy and use their momentum to find new and innovative solutions to problems that can seem intractable. Indeed, crisis is often the catalyst which energises a business to change its technology and to form a partnership with a company which specialises in pioneering new technology.

Jan 1, 1993

By Brown P. L

A study has been made of the geochemistry of the Ronneburg mine district as input to the overall management strategy for the rehabilitation of the mine site. The study drew on the geological data and information store developed over the 40 years of mineral exploration and mining at Ronneburg, and on chemical data from the literature which described the chemical processes of weathering, oxidation, dissolution and precipitation of minerals. The geochemical processes were divided into three groups based on their rate of reaction. Fast processes were assumed to proceed to equilibrium and were modelled using equilibrium chemistry equations; slow processes were assumed to be proceeding at a quasi-steady state rate and were modelled using chemical rate equations; very slow processes were assumed to have no role in describing the geochemistry for rehabilitation purposes.

Jan 1, 1995

Mineral exploration management has undergone major changes particularly in the last decade. Parallel to these changes in management, and partially responsible for them, have been the changes in governmental laws and regulations at both National and State levels reinforced by a highly competitive climate created by the exploration boom in Australia. The influence of overseas methods and approaches have been married to the Australian techniques resulting in a management climate which is not only familiar with the technical aspects of exploration, but is also familiar with the personnel, economic and legal phases associated with the expenditure of very large sums of money. The utilization of all the geosciences coupled with mathematical models and computer techniques for pre-selection and assessment of areas are now normal aids used in management decisions. Management techniques developed and being developed will ensure that successful exploration will be carried out if sufficient incentives are guaranteed.

Jan 1, 1974

Examples are given of the different management approaches used to improve a mine's profitability and the view is put that attention to mine design is very important but easily overlooked. The need for humans to use graphics to ccanprehend and develop strategies to exploit ore deposits is discussed. The use of two and three dimensional representations for geology, mine design and survey data is reviewed. The current use of computers in mining is discussed and reasons for the limited use of ccanputer graphis are proposed. Suggestions are made as to how more extensive use may be made of catputer graphics in mining by using recent and possibly forthcoming advances in computer hardware and by adopting certain software approaches.

Jan 1, 1983

Kensington is a joint venture between Echo Bay Mines and Coeur Alaska, a subsidiary of Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp. The venture is of equalparticipa- tion and is governed by a management committee with Echo Bay as the operator. The project site is 50 miles north of Juneau, Alaska on the eastern shore of the Lynn Canal. The mine and mill are being planned for a production rate of 4,000 stpd. Currently, probable reserves stand at just over 11.3 million tons grading 0.149 oz Au/ton. The project is now in final feasibility study with a production decision anticipated by the end of 1990. Commercial production would begin early in 1993. This presentation dis- cusses the anticipated mine, mill and support aspects of the project.

Jan 1, 1991

The aim of this paper is to examine the problems confronting the planner, designer, constructor and management when rehabilitating the works associated with road building- and including quarry and borrow areas. The importance of further investigation into the many factors involved, including species, methods of planting and aftercare is stressed as is the need for trained personnel and the consequential availability of specialised training courses. Emphasis is placed upon the relevance of a rational and unemotional approach to rehabilitation with respect to the landscape and to the high degree of co-ordination and co-operation between all disciplines involved.

Jan 1, 1976