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The detailed engineering of a coal preparation plant is important from the point of view of optimum constructibility, operational security, ease of maintenance, operating costs, meeting environmental goals, safety, plant housekeeping and reduced corrosion and erosion. This paper reviews the several large coking coal preparation plants engineered by Fluor Australia in the past 10 years, and changes and trends apparent for detailed engineering of future plants. Areas of engineering to be covered are coal feed preparation, conveyor design, plant layout, electrics and instrumentation, noise attenuation, erosion and corrosion protection, magnetite handling, rejects and tailings disposal and coal stockpiling and blending.

Jan 1, 1982

By Potter OE

There appears to have been a swing away from the study of mathematics, the physical sciences, foreign languages and the classical humanities subjects by many students in high schools in Victoria. The same trend is believed to be occurring in other states as well. This has the direct result of many students entering tertiary studies inadequately prepared academically. This is particularly true in engineering and commerce. The position as far as postgraduate training in the areas of concern to the minerals industry is critical with almost no Australian nationals undertaking advanced technological studies.

Jan 1, 1981

Modelling of Magnetic Carrier Separation Process Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Sep 13, 2010

By Quadrio J. S, MacHunter A. M W

The initial development fl6tation testwork on Mt. Windarra op was completed on composited drill core intersections at the.Australian Mineral Development Laboratory. An exploratory winze provided samples, from the 130 M. level of the Mt. Windarra mine, for pilot plant and bench development tests. A limited test programme was initiated on the South Windarra drill core composites. Detailed mineralogy has been completed on selected samples from both ore deposits.

Jan 1, 1973

Twenty years of effort in developing the use of computers in the design and control of mineral treatment circuits has resulted in a sound base for future widespread application of the techniques.. The intent of this paper is to speculate to some extent about future applications of computer related techniques in the mineral extraction industries. The use of simulation methods for the analysis and design of circuits is discussed. In the area of process control, computers have been largely devoted to process monitoring and reporting tasks. The application of computers for the total control and optimization of complete plants is considered. Finally, the role of computer based modelling studies for definitions of optimum treatment flowsheets is suggested.

Jan 1, 1985

The term æindustrial mineralsÆ covers a wide range of minerals, from diamonds to silica sand, which are fundamental to the sustainability of a wide range of industries, from drilling mud to autocatalysts. The paper commences with an overview of the industrial minerals markets, with particular reference to the characteristics that impact on the development of a successful marketing strategy. This is followed by the identification of the steps to be taken in the negotiation and execution of an industrial minerals sales contract, from identification of the appropriate product through negotiation of the contract to ongoing customer relations. An understanding of your customerÆs business is fundamental to a mutually successful long-term relationship with that customer. The paper concludes with an overview of the techniques and approaches through which such a relationship may be achieved and maintained.

Jan 1, 2006

The optimization of management structure systems for coal mines is undertaken with the use of economic and mathematical models of the monitoring, manufacturing, and functional subdivisions of the systems. The main para- meter to be minimized is economic loss result ing from organization faults and this is achieved, in part, by optimum distribution of both technological objects and engineering and technical personnel. Models used are of the "gated" type, parameters for which are derived from analysis of manufacturing processes and from automatic information systems. The use of these models ofmanagement structures is only part of the process of optimization of those structures for coal mining operations.

Jan 1, 1977

By Smith G. A

The scope and complexity of the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Project and the budget restraints on the planning, design and construction of the works necessitated sound manage- ment procedures for control and co-ordination. Project Management Procedures formulated by the Principal Consultant to the Authority, John Connell - Mott, Hay 9 Anderson, Hatch, Jacobs, ensured that the Authority retained overall control of the project at all times.

Jan 1, 1981

By D MacKay, W J. Bruckard

One of the mining worldÆs greatest challenges is to effectively use consumables (ie reagents and grinding media) to maximise metallurgical response, while minimising operating costs. It is anticipated that this paper will provide a logical frame work within which this can be achieved. The current study, at PerilyaÆs Broken Hill concentrator in the lead primary grinding/roughing circuits, examines the dependency of collector adsorption on Eh. The data demonstrates clearly that under the right grinding chemistry the addition of a xanthate collector during grinding can improve galena flotation. Further, operating the ball mill under the desired grinding chemistry regime leads to significant reductions in collector consumption whilst maintaining the metallurgical benefit.

Jan 1, 2008

It is a facet of modern-day life that change, even of a revolu- tionary nature, normally passes without comment. People have become so conditioned to continuous improve- ments in every aspect of their lives that they would be surprised only if there were to be no change. This paper seeks to demonstrate the extent of technical change, and to indicate the need for a fuller advantage to be taken of the technologies available, or potentially available, to the profes- sion. It contends that the mineral industry has been particularly slow to embrace technical change, and has good reason to con- sider an improved attitude for both prosperity and survival.

Jan 1, 1988

By Floyd JM, Richardson P

The extension of theoretical and laboratory studies of the roasting of tantalite and cassiterite concentrates from Greenbushes Tin Limited to pilot and semi- commercial plant developments is detailed. A rotary pilot furnace was used to prove the feasibility of the process and a semi- commercial plant was constructed at Greenbushes to produce large quantities of roasted calcine. The additions and conditions of the laboratory study were employed to achieve marketable grades of calcine from the two materials. As well as producing calcines with less than 0.1% Sb, most of the tin in tantalite was recoverable to a separate fume product. Tin fumed during cassiterite roasting on a semi-commerical scale amounted to less than 1% of the tin in feed.

Jan 1, 1986

This paper examines the properties of Australian indigenous crude oil and the changes to Australian refinery process- ing required after the Gippsland crude finds in the late '60s. In addition the paper details the dif- ferent crudes available to Australian ref ineries and the relative product yields in relation to Australian crudes. Market demand for petroleum products both now and in the future is then related to the products yields. The paper also examines the impact of the OPEC induced crude price spiral and the subsequent changes in refinery engineering, current and projected market demands, and energy conservation measures both inside and outside the industry.

Jan 1, 1982

By Welch B. J

Results obtained from linear sweep voltammetry at a graphite anode in cryolite-alumina melts are presented, together with those obtained from a chronopotentiometric investigation of the influence of dissolved metal. The results, consistent with both production information and other fundamental studies, showed that the following two reactions occur at the anode.Equation 1Al (dissolved) ? Al3+ + 3eThe latter accounted for some of the loss in currentefficiency.The rate of the former reaction is limited by the slow desorption of the CO from the electrode surface. Mass transfer conditions, and hence cell design, influence the importance of the second reaction.

Jan 1, 1976

Economic mathematical methods have been developed and applied in the design, planning, development and managing stages in the mining industry. Economic and technological efficiency is achieved with the aid of a large range of probability models, which are used to enable decisions to be made progressively during the different stages. The entire operation is considered as a total system made up of sub- systems and the models representing these are consecutively interrelated with each other. Algorithms and programmes representing the economic mathematical models for all the stages involved were tested and were found to be applicable to the various important mines in the Donetsk basin. Currently, these models are accepted and widely used.

Jan 1, 1977

By Dalmijn WL, Valk HJLvd

At the Faculty of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, the Department of Raw Materials Technology, a mathematical model has been developed to predict the porosity distribution in an uniform jig bed. If the porosity distribution in an uniform jig bed is known, it is possible to correlate this to the settling velocity of particles with a density different from the density of the bed grains and thus model the stratification in a jig. For measuring the porosity distribution in the jig bed a method has been developed based on light absorption techniques.

Jan 1, 1993

Prediction of large-scale underground opening stability in quite complex mining circumstances is being undertaken on a routine basis at The Zinc Corporation, Limited, (ZC) and New Broken Hill Consolidated Limited (NBHC) Broken Hill, Australia. A three- dimensional numerical modelling technique has been developed that gives good correspondence with the observed behaviour in many stopes. New insights into the rock mechanics of under- ground mining are flowing from this work. The modelling practice can be taught to engineers in a reasonable time-frame. In-house computing facilities including graphics workstations are needed. The RMS software is designed to be user-friendly and very robust.

Jan 1, 1983

By Aziz NI, Beafi EY

In designing for a highly productive new mine during the present declining coal market, a very detailed ò planning is necessary. Attitudes of both management and coal operators may have to be changed, with more initial participation by the unions, governmental agencies, and the coal owners. A considerable number of Australian mines are remote from labour source and this trend is likely to increase particularly in the state of Queensland. Consequently such 'mines must be developed on the basis of the future technological and social changes in order to minimise both the capital and operating costs.

Jan 1, 1988

By Marsham B, Baker D. C

The expansion of New Broken Hill Consolidated Limited (NBHC) concentrator necessitated the installation of hydrocyclone classifiers where rake classifiers had previously been used. Commissioning of the circuit and optimisation of circuit performance has highlighted problems related to classification of sulphide minerals. Testwork initiated to solve these problems has been used to develop cyclone models which have been incorporated in a ccnputer control strategy for the grinding circuit as a whole. The modifications to the circuit during the commissioning phase and the control philosophy are outlined.

Jan 1, 1983

In recent years rehabilitation of mine sites has become a principal focus of mining legislation in Victoria. In previous eras, managed rehabilitation commenced, if at all, towards the end of mining operations. Planning for rehabilitation works now commences before an exploration licence is granted.The paper gives a brief overview of the requirements for rehabilitation under the Mineral Resources Development Act 1990, Extractive Industries Act 1966, and related environmental planning legislation including rehabilitation bonds and enforcement provisions.A brief review of the current taxation provisions is also included.

Jan 1, 1992

The Elgas Underground Storage Facility at Port Botany, Sydney, is the first purpose-built cavern of its kind in Australia and provides large capacity, safe and environmentally benign storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The facility will provide Elgas with the flexibility to source product at competitive prices and ensure long-term security of supply. Construction has provided Orica Australia, formerly ICI Explosives, with a unique opportunity to provide a bulk explosive delivery system specifically designed to meet the exacting demands of the site and of the project.

Jan 1, 1999