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By T Niitti, J Turunen, P B, A Rinne

In todayÆs marketplace, with high metals prices, many operations are faced with the challenge of improving recovery in the particle size ranges which are normally difficult to recover. This presentation focuses on the various methods used to alter the flow dynamics in a mechanical flotation cell, thereby improving metallurgical results. Modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools have been used in the design phase, with subsequent validation at the plant. Some of the validated variables include mixing profile, power draw and local air hold-up. This presentation underlines how modern CFD analysis can be used to screen and select different approaches before commencing costly trial-and-error experiments at plant scale. Two methods of affecting flow dynamics are discussed û firstly, by altering the geometry of the rotor-stator area and, secondly, by fitting additional features in the tank. The rotor-stator area can be modified to provide more concentrated turbulent kinetic energy or, respectively, to provide more pumping efficiency with less attrition. The tank can be fitted with various additional features, aimed to create different particle suspension profiles. The benefit of both methods is that they can be applied not only to newly installed flotation technology, but also to existing plant cells, thus enabling potential improvement in the mixing profiles, solids suspension, tank sanding and metallurgical performance. Results of several sitesÆ tests are discussed in terms of flow variables measurement as well as metallurgy. This paper demonstrates the effects of different flow dynamics on the mixing profiles and metallurgical results of existing mechanical flotation cells.

Jan 1, 2006

By S Hawker, M Gibbs, A Craven

Current climate change projections suggest both an increase in the intensity of significant rainfall events and an increase in the variability of rainfall in some regions of Australia. It is necessary for mine site owners and operators to understand the effects that this potential shift in climate may have on their operations. The ability to maintain compliance with discharge regulations and operational security for those sites that rely on surface water run-off harvesting may be negatively impacted if some current climate change projections are realised. Although current regulations require the preparation of water management plans, these are generally developed using historical climate records for the site in question and as such do not give any indication of a siteÆs resilience to the influences of climate change.This study compares design and operational considerations for a case study mine site using historical rainfall records and modified records representing climate change projections. The future climate models are invariably broad scale and are limited in their capacity to be downscaled to a reasonable resolution for developing a site water balance. Instead the local historical data set has been modified to concentrate precipitation to peak periods and propagated through the model. The study looks at the siteÆs response to the potential changes in climate.It is shown that if current climate change projections are realised, this will have a significant effect on both the necessary size of designed surface water infrastructure and operational considerations on-site. A discussion is presented on the potential risks that climate change presents to mine sites and the range of options that could be considered to mitigate these risks. Depending on a number of factors, including location and risk profile of the owner/operator, resilience to climate change can be addressed as either a capital or operational expenditure (CAPEX/OPEX).CITATION:Craven, A, Hawker, S and Gibbs, M, 2013. Site water balance response to variable climatic conditions, in Proceedings Water in Mining 2013 , pp 211-216 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 26, 2013

By Parrington PJ, Bailey A

Serious exploration for carbonate-hosted lead/zinc deposits in the Pillara district commenced in 1971 when Trend Exploration acquired exploration tenements covering stream sediment anomalies in the Limestone Billy Hills area. Shell Minerals managed the project from 1974 to 1976, and BHP Minerals Limited assumed management during 1976. Carbonate-hosted 'Mississippi-Valley- type' Pb-Zn deposits most commonly occur in Palaeozoic shallow marine carbonate complexes. At Pillara upper Devonian (Givetian/Frasnian) reef complexes are preserved on the flanks of Precambrian basement 'highs'. Within platform and atoll facies limestones sphalerite-galena- marcasite-calcite mineralisation occurs as disseminations, veins and breccia matrix, mostly associated with fractures and fault zones. Early exploration concentrated on detailed surface geochemistry and IP geophysical surveys, with geological mapping and shallow target percussion and diamond drilling. Results were discouraging and did not indicate potential for a shallow base metal resource. During 1976-77 BHP adopted a grid diamond drilling exploration technique and commenced testing an area of approximately 50 sq. km, initially using an 800 m square grid. In 1978 high grade mineralisation was intersected in an area subsequently named Blendevale. This was in the seventh diamond drill hole in the 800 m grid drilling programme, and to date more than 400 holes have been cored in the Pillara area. Detailed drilling at Blendevale has defined a number of mineralised breccia zones within an area of 2.4 km x 0.5 km, at depths of 100 m to 600 m below surface. The breccia bodies are associated with a series of north-south trending normal fault zones, forming a graben structure. The mineralisation occurs as breccia matrix surrounding unaltered limestone clasts, as veins filling steep fracture zones, and as

Jan 1, 1986

By I Gipps

Each of us has a vision of what the future mine will be and, generally, these visions have many similarities and some differences. One of the major discrepancies in visions of the future mine is not the ultimate goal but the path to achieve it. Many of the future concepts require a radical re-thinking of how things are and will be done yet. So how do we reach this visionary future mine? We need a path that satisfies both our future aspirations of a high tech gee-whiz operated from our iPads and the unfortunately mundane approach that says ‘we must know the method works, ie nothing new’.This paper explores how, within a research based organisation, we firstly set our ultimate goal and then divide the path into realistic technology development chunks that would appeal to mining companies to progress within their organisational constraints. Through examples, such as, automated LHDs, communications systems, surveying and localisation, rock cutting and geological sensing, we illustrate how this path will get us from the here and now to the out there future.This paper also demonstrates CSIRO’s short, medium and long-term research in many of the areas needed to create the Future Mine: mining methods, automation and remote control, mine communications, mapping and mission planning, geological sensing and, importantly, human-system integration, which examines how to effectively present data as information to operators and supervisors in an intelligent and useful manner.

Nov 22, 2011

By T Purvis, Z Liu

Ernest Henry mine (EHM) is an underground sublevel caving mine located in north-west Queensland with a production rate of 6.4 Mt/a. The mine has sublevels spaced with a 25 m vertical interval. The production process on each level starts with the drilling and firing of a blind uphole rise to start the slot extraction. These rises are fired as a single shot and routinely need to achieve a design height of 22 m to 30 m depending on the local mine geometry. If the rise fails to perform as designed then the production phase of the level is delayed with significant rework required to remedy the situation.This paper describes the process that the EHM team has followed to improve the first time performance of each rise. The improvement process commenced with a review of results from previous rises and resulted in the identification of a number of improvement opportunities. A revised holistic approach was established for the process, which included involvement from operators and engineers. Through continued measurement and review of rise performance, inputs to the process were improved to a point where reliable results can now be expected. The successful performance of subsequent rises has been verified through a comprehensive quality assurance quality control (QA/QC) program. Before quality control processes were implemented, the success rate of blind uphole rises was only 11 per cent (one out of nine rises) at EHM. In comparison, the success rates have been vastly improved to 25 per cent (one out of four) and 75 per cent (three out of four) respectively following two stages of improvements. This paper concludes with the ‘current’ series of best practices used at EHM and recommendations.CITATION:Purvis, T and Liu, Z, 2017. Improving the performance of blind uphole rises at Ernest Henry Mine – a case study, in Proceedings 13th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2017, pp 335–340 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 16, 2017

The base metal ore from the hanging wall of White's orebody at Rum Jungle, N.T., is composed of copper and oth.er sulphides in a rock described as a phyllite,.which consists essentially of micaceous minerals with a little graphite.Fast selective flotation was obtained in acid circuit below pH 3·5. In neutral or alkaline circuit flotation was generally slow and selectivity very poor due to the ready flotation of part of the sericite. However, it was found that fast selective flotation could be obtained in neutral or alkaline circuit by either of two treatment methods following pre-conditioning in acid circuit; firstly by decanting or filtering a substantial part of the circuit liquor, and secondly by neutralizing with soda ash or lime, providing the collector was added before neutralizing. Otherwise pre-conditioning with acid brought about no improvement whatever.To explain this behaviour, three possible reasons for the flotation of part of the sericite are examined. There is evidence that some sericite floats because of thin films of either sulphides or graphite, but it seems likely such particles will float under all the conditions investigated.On the other hand, if it is assumed that part of the sericite floats because it is activated by metallic ions derived from the circuit water, a reasonable explanation can be given for the variations in flotation behaviour.INTRODUCTIONWhite's uranium orebody at Rum Jungle, N.T., sixty miles south of Darwin, is mined and treated by Territory Enterprises Pty. Ltd. (a subsidiary of Consolidated Zinc Pty. Ltd.), who are managers of the Rum Jungle project on behalf of the Australian Commonwealth Government.This ore contains a significant quantity of copper sulphides, and a flotation plant recovers a copper concentrate from the tailing remaining after the uranium has been extracted.In contact with the hanging wall of the uranium-copper orebody, a further mass of non-uraniferous sulphide ore occurs, and the present paper relates to the behaviour in flotation of this base metal ore.

Jan 1, 1959

By B Crompton, A Berghorst, G Knox

Laboratory-based dynamic testing provides an invaluable tool in the development of rock bolts for use in highly stressed, burst prone rock masses. While in most cases the laboratory-based test method is not a direct comparison to an in-situ installation due to the purely axial loading and variations in boundary conditions, it does provide an indication of the performance of the tendon system under dynamic loading. The aim of the research described in this paper is to provide an understanding of the effect of the impact velocity of the impact mass during a laboratory-based dynamic test. Understanding the effect of boundary conditions of laboratory testing will improve Geotechnical Engineers understanding of the performance in an in-situ installation. In addition, due to the limited number of dynamic test facilities, an understanding of the effects of the boundary conditions will aid in the comparison of test results for different products from different test facilities. The research was conducted using an impact tester, whereby a known mass is raised to a known height defining the kinetic energy and velocity of the mass at the point of impact with the test sample after release. The impact velocity was varied between 2.7 m/s and 5.4 m/s, while the kinetic energy of the mass was maintained at 11.5 kJ. While a correlation between the impact velocity and strain rate of the system tested was established, due to the properties of the system tested, the range of impact velocity on which dynamic tests were conducted was insufficient to result in a considerable change in the average impact load, the cumulative proximal displacement and the cumulative maximum energy absorbed over multiple impulse. However, due to the reduction in the momentum of the impact mass the impact duration and displacement during each impulse in the series of impulses reduced. CITATION:Knox, G, Berghorst, A and Crompton, B, 2018. The relationship between the magnitude of impact velocity per impulse and cumulative absorbed energy capacity of a rock bolt, in Proceedings The Fourth Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference (AusRock), pp 160–169 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 30, 2018

By J M. Nel

Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has recently undertaken an exercise to improve orebody basal definition. Older mineralisation bases (pre-2005) were highly erratic using old protocol reverse circulation (RC) (also known as Air Core) drilling and interpretation. The erratic nature of this estimation tool, resulted in impractical modelling towards the end of mineralisation (EOM), difficult mine design and unrealistic reconciliation. New protocol drilling, which includes high definition SONIC drilling data, has provided more data to be available for more accurate interpretation. Recent advances in drilling methodology has allowed for better penetration depths for SONIC drilling, which was previously restricted to approximately 80 m (pre-2005). This improved data set allows more emphasis on geological interpretation with factors such as lithology, slime content, and mineral species distribution. These factors when in unique combination enable more accurate and realistic EOM data points. These points are modelled into surfaces using conditional simulation techniques and result in a vastly smoother surface and consequently, a more representative resource.

Oct 5, 2011

By R J. Longbottom

In this study the bonding within reduced titanomagnetite-coal compacts was investigated. The aim of the study was to better understand the binding mechanisms in the reduced compacts and, based on this understanding, to improve on their strength.Titanomagnetite ore was combined with sub-bituminous coal to form compacts. The compacts were then reduced by heating in a thermogravimetric furnace (TGA) to temperatures between 1000 - 1300°C under argon. The reaction progress was monitored by measuring the weight loss with time. The reduced compacts were found to have low strength in compression testing. The main form of bonding between the reduced titanomagnetite particles in the compact was by the formation of a slag-like material. Increasing the fi nal reduction temperature was found to have a profound effect on the strength of the compacts by promoting the formation of this slag-like material.Attempts to improve the strength of the compacts were made by changing two variables, the type of coal and the addition of rice husks. The addition of coking coal gave reacted samples that had little strength, while the addition of rice husks may have enhanced the strength of the reduced compacts.

Jul 11, 2011

By L Klemettinen, J Biswas, W Malan, D Sukhomlinov, D Lindberg

In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, our society must be able to drastically reduce its CO2 emissions. As the metallurgical industry is a considerable contributor to these emissions, new greener technologies must be invented and developed. One option could be the direct production of metals from oxides using renewable electricity. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using high-temperature molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) for iron and ferrochrome production. FactSage™, ver 8.2 (by Thermfact Ltd and GTT-Technologies) was utilised for estimating a feasible equilibrium electrolyte composition, and the experiments were conducted at 1550–1580°C in conical alumina crucibles with iridium wire as the cathode and platinum wire as the anode. The sources of iron and chromium were either pure FeO powder or industrial chromite pellets. Voltage was applied to the electrolysis cell for 6 hrs and the resulting current was measured, along with oxygen concentration in the off-gas line. The electrolyte comprised of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO and CaO. First, the effect of FeO concentration on iron reduction efficiency was investigated using only pure oxide powders as starting materials. The results indicated that 10 wt per cent FeO mixed with the electrolyte resulted in more efficient iron reduction compared to 20 wt per cent. In further experiments, industrial chromite pellets were ground and mixed with the CaO-free electrolyte. Iron and chromium reduction efficiencies were higher when approximately 19 wt per cent of the total sample mass consisted of pellets compared to increasing the pellet amount to 37 wt per cent. Generally, the chromium solubility in the liquid electrolyte was relatively low, and most of the chromium was confined to the spinel solid solution, from where its dissolution to the liquid electrolyte was very slow, resulting in slow reduction kinetics. For larger scale applications, economically more viable electrode materials should be investigated.

Jun 19, 2024

By J Heyes

Historically mining engineers haven't spent enough time planning waste dumps, but waste movement costs often outweigh ore haulage costs. There is a real incentive to plan waste dumps right the first time to minimise rehandle and final closure costs. At BHP Billiton Iron Ore there has been an increasing sophistication in waste dump design and they are becoming as important as the pit design. Closure landforms are now included in mining studies. Closure is embedded in the business planning cycle. The results from the recent life of mine study at Whaleback is a case in point where a base case of the shortest hauls with no closure constraints was compared against a closure case. A properly planned and executed waste plan revealed that no rehandle was required and haulage costs were eight per cent less if closure design implementation was carried out concurrent with mining. At cessation of mining the landforms were such that decommissioning of critical acid rock drainage dams and coverage of exposed pyrite areas could occur straight away, without the need for additional rehandle.  The paper also covers design and scheduling elements of waste design both in-pit and ex-pit, management of potentially acid forming material (PAF) and trends in PAF management and designing for final landform closure. This paper illustrates that there is value in terms of costs savings, sustainable outcomes and reputation if the mine planners are involved in the closure planning process.

Jan 1, 2009

By Y Peng, B Guo

In gold processing plants, the water from the cyanidation stages is treated to detoxify cyanide species and this recycle water becomes the main part of the process water. Despite the low concentration of free and weak acid dissociable (WAD) cyanides in process water, the recoveries of gold and silver is still affected during flotation, especially when gold and silver are associated with iron sulfide minerals. This is a case at the Hidden Valley (HV) Mine. In this study, the effect of free and WAD cyanides on gold and silver recoveries by flotation from the HV Mine was considered.WAD cyanide (WAD CN) was prepared by mixing sodium cyanide and copper sulfate at a cyanide to copper ratio of 3:1 dosed at different cyanide concentrations. It was found that both free and WAD CN depressed gold and silver and particularly iron sulfides in flotation. The depressed gold and silver recoveries were closely associated with the depressed recovery of iron sulfide minerals, suggesting that free and WAD CN may not depress the flotation of liberated gold and silver minerals significantly. It was also found that 10 ppm free cyanide completely depressed the flotation of iron sulfide minerals and WAD CN depression is probably through the WAD dissociation to free cyanide species (mainly aqueous HCN) during the grinding process, resulting from a decrease in pH. Thermodynamic calculation showed that 5.5 ppm free cyanide was released in the end of grinding at an initial WAD CN concentration of 50 ppm. This research provides a guideline to counteract the negative effect of WAD CN in the flotation of gold and silver minerals.CITATION:Guo, B, Peng, Y and Espinosa-Gomez, R, 2013. The effect of weak acid dissociable cyanide on gold and silver flotation in Hidden Valley Mine, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 341-346 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

By Prosser AP

The large body of knowledge about the relation between chemical process efficiency and mineralogical features is of only limited use. The profession ought to try to improve the methods of using information as well as adding to the knowledge. One attempt isòdescribed. Correlations between process efficiency factors and the mineralogical features of low- grade concentrates have been developed from both a theoretical analysis and experimental measurements. The ultimate recovery of a reactive phase in an inert matrix can be calcu- lated from simple measurements of the particle size, porosity and pore size of the concentrate, and the grain size of the reactive mineral., The rate of recovery, up to 98% recovery, can be calculated from simple measurements of particle size, porosity, proportion of reactive mineral and tortuosity. Some details are given. The correlations are of potential use in process selection and preliminary design. Satisfactory predictions have been made for near-ideal systems. Improvements in the measurement of pore size and tests on more realistic materials are required. The ultimate benefit of the correlations will be determined by the magnitude and frequency of the effects of mineralogical features other than those specified above.

Jan 1, 1975

By M Scoble, A Ostry, J Shandro

Mining companies are not ill-informed on the topic of community health. There have been a number of research studies that have illuminated community health issues associated with mining, especially in the western Canadian province of British Columbia. However, what is missing amongst the literature is the perspective of mine managers and mining executives on this topic. This is important as mine managers and executives face a number of issues related to community health and are under pressure to consider the topic in more detail. This paper presents results from an exploratory qualitative investigation based on grounded theory research techniques into current community health considerations from the perspectives of mine executives and mine managers working in Western Canada. Interviews were conducted between February and May 2012 with 11 mining versus ten mining executives and managers who represented operating mines or mining umbrella organisations in Western Canada. Participants report on general community health issues that are perceived to be important, the perceived role that the mining sector should play?in contributing to community health and how this differs in Western Canada as compared to locations abroad, and?risks companyÆs face in making community health contributions. This paper concludes by drawing attention to pressing health needs that are present in Northern, rural and Aboriginal populations in Western Canada and provides a platform for future research initiatives focused on improving the health and well-being of communities associated with the mining industry. CITATION:Shandro, J, Scoble, M and Ostry, A, 2012. Community health considerations from mining executives and managers in western Canada, in Proceedings International Mine Management 2012, pp 97-104 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 20, 2012

By M D. Uttarwar, R R. Yerpude

India is the world’s third-largest producer of coal and is endowed with the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world. Surface mining straddles the entire domain of the Indian coal mining industry, yielding over 88 per cent of production. With continually rising domestic demands, it has to shoulder the responsibility of sustaining the requisite increase in coal production and chasing commensurate stripping targets. Such an ambitious task calls for the deployment of smart technologies. In such a demanding situation, cast blasting of overburden has emerged as a promising alternative for enhancing production and productivity of dragline pits.The cast blasting technique reduces stripping costs significantly as it utilises the chemical energy of explosives in place of mechanical energy to move large volumes of overburden quickly. Proper application of cast blasting not only reduces overall mining costs but also increases coal production. This paper investigates and evaluates the potential of the cast blasting technique, with special reference to dragline pits employing the rehandle method of extended bench. The economic feasibility of the technique is also ensured under different scenarios so that considerable benefits would accrue to the individual surface coalmines. To underline the efficacy of the technique, different cast blasting models have been formulated under a range of operational and economic scenarios that resemble present day practices in India. In order to test for economic variability in the application of the technique, a risk analysis of all the formulated cast blasting models is performed using net present value.CITATION:Uttarwar, M D and Yerpude, R R, 2015. Potential of the overburden cast blasting technique in Indian surface coalmines – a modular approach and its financial implications, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 655–664 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

By C Nyoni, T Nguyen, C R. W Seymour, G D. Dempers

Unplanned dilution directly adds cost to production from mining, milling, tailings disposal and administration. Additionally, unplanned dilution decreases the productivity, profitability and may affect the planned life of mine. Identifying and quantifying the potential for unplanned dilution allows optimisation of the mining plan and mining practices to minimise the adverse impact on productivity and the cost of production. The Dilution Rating System (DRS) has been developed to more accurately predict dilution thickness and the variable potential for dilution, from individual stopes to life of mine planning. The DRS utilises the methodology developed for the Mining Rock Mass Model (Seymour et al 2007, Jenkins et al 2009) to generate a three-dimensional dilution rating model, which is then calibrated against stoping performance. Dilution can be predicted more accurately and the parameters affecting dilution can be determined and minimised through improved mining techniques, for example blasting and ground support design. Potential high dilution areas can be identified in the planning stages of the mine and systems put in place to mitigate the risk of excessive dilution. This paper presents the methodology used to develop the DRS and then successfully predict dilution for both the hangingwall and footwall of stopes at the Gara Gold Mine. This has enabled the expected dilution to be more accurately predicted and mitigated where possible thus reducing unplanned dilution.

Mar 15, 2021

By S J. Kim, S W. Kim, L Tomas da Rocha, S Jung

Al2O3 has been regarded as a harmful gangue component in iron ore, especially causing reduction degradation in industrial sintering of iron ore. The current study aimed to utilise low-grade iron ore containing high Al2O3 content in sintering process. In order to counteract the adverse effect of Al2O3 on reduction behaviour of iron ore sinter, mill-scale and calcined dolomite were chosen as FeO- and MgO-bearing materials. Firstly, mill-scale was added to high Al2O3 sinter and addition was optimised as 10 wt per cent, then calcined dolomite was added further. Magnetite and magnesio-ferrite were identified as the major phases in iron ore sinter when adding mill-scale and calcined dolomite. As the dosage of calcined dolomite increased beyond 4 wt per cent of in sinter mix, unreacted MgO particles were observed, which is ascribed to the limitation of MgO dissolution into magnetite matrix. Both mill-scale and calcined dolomite were effective in improving compressive load and Reduction Disintegration Index (RDI) of iron ore sinter although its reduction degree was highly decreased. The addition of both FeO and MgO-bearing materials to high Al2O3 sinter has a potential to improve the sinter quality, also contribute to the recycling of industrial by-product. However, the amount should be optimised in views of phase development and deterioration of reducibility.

Jun 19, 2024

By M Barden, G Lane, B Quilliam

NQ Minerals PLC, through Hellyer Gold Mines Pty Ltd, plans to reprocess the contents of the Hellyer tailings dam to produce lead/silver concentrate, zinc concentrate and pyrite concentrate (containing Au and Ag). This paper discusses the project development, mineralogy, metallurgy and chemistry of processing Hellyer tailings and the associated environmental benefits. The Hellyer and Fossey orebodies were volcanic hosted polymetallic massive sulphide deposits located within the Mount Read volcanic arc of western Tasmania. Mineralisation was hosted in massive sulphide (pyrite) and comprised predominantly of sphalerite, with lesser galena, chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite. The Hellyer orebody was mineralogically complex (fine grained) and was treated through differential flotation with initially modest recoveries. Fossey ore processing characteristics were similar to those of Que River ore and simpler than Hellyer but treatment still resulted in significant grades in flotation tailings. CITATION: Lane, G, Barden, M and Quilliam, B, 2018. Hellyer tailings – complex mineralogy but higher grade than many ore bodies, in Proceedings Complex Orebodies Conference 2018, pp 35–38 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 21, 2018

By Y Li, Z Fu, D J. Williams, E Topal

Mine waste rock is unavoidable in the recovery of ore by open pit mining methods. Effective management of waste rock movement covers the removal and placement of the waste rock, generally in a surface dump in the most cost-effective way while satisfying the long-term environmental expectations. Since the 1960s, there has been significant research carried out into planning of ore movement from open pit mines such that the overall net present value (NPV) of the project can be maximised. Currently, several software packages are available to achieve this task as a common practice within the mining industry. However, planning of mine waste rock movement is still achieved manually, as the available software does not consider optimal waste rock movement and dump design. This paper describes a tool to optimise waste rock placement, which minimises the haulage cost while creating environmentally friendly waste rock dumps through selective placement and encapsulation of the reactive waste rock in the dump. The embedded methodology in this tool has been developed based on the mixed integer programming (MIP) modelling technique to optimise the waste rock movement. The methodology provides an easily-manipulated and fully-automatic tool for professionals to complete waste rock dump scheduling in four main steps: data input, model construction, model computation and solution retrieval. The application of the new tool into a real case project in this paper shows that it can determine economically and environmentally optimised waste rock dump schedules in an acceptable time frame.CITATION:Fu, Z, Li, Y, Topal, E and Williams, D J, 2015. A new tool for optimisation of mine waste management in potential acid forming conditions, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century, pp 333–342 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 27, 2015

By C G. Sweeney

The underground mining industry is seeing unprecedented shortages in skilled labour. Migration to Australia being at an all-time low is a leading concern, with pandemic-induced border closures and lockdowns only exacerbating the skills shortage, not causing it. The skills shortage is forecast to peak in 2023 and remain high beyond 2025. With this skills shortage in mind, mining companies throughout Australia are trying to deal with stricter protocols around Health and Safety (H&S) legislation, as well as more stringent controls on quality assurance, particularly as underground mines are reaching greater depths and extending into ‘unchartered territory’. The cumulation of this is proving to be a major hurdle in ‘effective’ operational geotechnical management. The drive for automation in mining is bringing another level of complexity. However, ‘once automation is up and running, it presents the opportunity to access talent pools that may not normally be available. There is also a change in skillset that will be required to drive automation. ‘The top two emerging roles that will be critical for the future of the mining industry are artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) specialists, and process-automation specialists’ (Writer, 2021). If anything positive has come from the pandemic, it has shown that remote working can be effective and that the drive for automation and critical evaluation of skills required on-site should be given greater priority. UQ acknowledges that the industry is changing, and that digital technology is required to be offered in mining related disciplines. Industry and academia need to do more to promote geotechnical engineering in mining and balance the curriculum to suit the future of mining and make it more enticing. The average cost of a geotechnical failure is about $5 million in coalmines and can be into the hundreds of millions of dollars if production is affected (Cartledge Mining and Geotechnics, 2020). The cost of a good geotechnical design far outweighs the potential losses if a failure were to occur. This alludes to the growing importance of experienced geotechnical consultancies playing a pivotal role in managing mine site geotechnical hazards, while the industry is developing the next generation of geotechnical engineers.

Nov 29, 2022