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By K Nesbitt

Draw control at Premier Mine is considered important to avoid conditions of isolated draw, which results in early waste ingress, compaction of the kimberlite ore and loss of ore reserves. The Premier Mine kimberlite pipe is unique in that the pipe is cut at a depth of 400 metres below surface by a 75 metre thick gabbro sill. All cave mining at Premier is below the sill and failure to exercise good draw control could cause early ingress of gabbro waste. Gabbro causes problems in the diamond recovery plant and the amount of gabbro sent to the plant needs to be closely monitored. Fortunately coarse gabbro fragments are easy to recognise in drawpoints. It was anticipated that only 85 per cent of available ore would be drawn from the blocks immediately overlain by the gabbro sill before excessive gabbro waste forced the closure of drawpoints. Data on tons drawn per drawpoint and loaded per LHD as well as the tons tipped per pass is gathered by the vehicle monitoring and control (VMAC) system and information recorded by the load-haul-dump (LHD) drivers. Draw control staff monitor drawpoints on a shift basis and record the occurrence, type and height of hang-ups. Information pertaining to the status of the drawpoint in terms of support, waste and availability is also recorded. A database has been compiled that has been used to analyse the overall pattern of draw control, the frequency of occurrence of different types of hang-ups, secondary blasting efficiencies and drawpoint and LHD productivity. The gabbro sill has provided a unique marker horizon that has allowed the arrival of rock from a level 100 metres above the production level to be recognised. Data shows that ore migrates extensively towards groups of drawpoints that are heavily drawn with many drawpoints more than 100 per cent drawn before gabbro waste was recognised. This indicates that an accurate mixing algorithm is essential for good draw control. Data on tons drawn, drawpoint availability, productivity and the occurrence of various types of hang-ups has allowed better control of the mining operation and provided data for planning future caves. In the BA5 mining block a drawpoint spacing of 22 metres, horizontally across the major apex, has still allowed drawpoints to be pulled to waste with no loss of ore. In the BB1E mining block the drawpoint spacing has been increased to 23 metres and no problems have been experienced to-date. Future initiatives centre on improving the data gathering integrity of the vehicle monitoring and control system and a linear programme that will optimise draw control and productivity.

Jan 1, 2000

By Thirnbeck M, Sione T, Petrie P, Leach TM, Mori W, Digan K, Harry K

Gold and lesser copper mineralisation are associated with porphyry-related vein systems periph-eral to two separate inferred intrusive centres north of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The intersection of NW trending structures, formed parallel to the Markham Fault, with NE trending transfer structures localise porphyry intrusions, and control vein distrib-ution.The Arakompa veins intrude pre-existing fractures in Akuna granodiorite, located proximal to an inferred porphyry. These veins are characterised by early quartz and later pyrite-chalcopyrite. Gold mineralis-ation is associated with Bi-Te phases in the sulphide veining. At Maniape, en echelon gash veins occur within the imbricate portion of a regional structure. Maniape is a high level carbonate-base metal gold system formed distal to the same porphyry source as Z ?-;4 kmmna

Jan 1, 1994

This paper has been developed for æThe Race for SpaceÆ conference. It ranges over various aspects, all of which are within the umbrella of marketing. The question is posed because many engineers, tunnelling and other specialisations, frequently demonstrate an unwillingness to embrace marketing. The accurate reply is probably à ænot an engineer!Æ The paper identifies some of the possible explanations for this reply. The vast majority of the themes, ideas and principles are based on more than 25 years actual experience for the author with Engineers, Tunnelling and other disciplines. This experience has been gained with leading consulting engineering practices; some of the worldÆs largest construction contractors together with other organisations employing engineers in the public, private and tertiary sectors in the UK; US; Europe; the Middle East and throughout Australia and New Zealand. Experience has been gained in design offices; head offices and construction job sites in four contrasting continents. The most significant themes developed throughout this paper are as follows:æLetÆs go and do some ærealÆ work and leave the marketing to others!ÆæMarketing is just a æsoftÆ option and neither technically based nor true management!ÆNIMBY-ism (Not In My Back Yard) so leave well alone!Engineers regularly confuse services marketing -v- product marketing à a useful cop out, or a genuine cry for help?Marketing databasesæLetÆs get rid of the term æsellingÆ and replace it with the more acceptable à and less distracting for tunnelling engineers à 'marketingÆDistinction between benefits and features à in The Race for SpaceSales Comprehension Test, Benchmarking TestJack WelshÆs æmost difficult decision for a CEOÆHarvard Business ReviewÆs (HBRÆs) formula for performanceMany engineers are losing the balance in their lives Sustainable development and engineering æQuality work doesnÆt mean quality serviceÆMajor recommendationsRecommended references

Jan 1, 1999

By A E. A Northcote

The drive to maximise performance, reduce maintenance times, improve safety of operation and maintenance on mining equipment while keeping both operational and capital costs down has provided good nourishment to the creative thinking of designers of skip loading facilities for hoisting systems. Early systems were as simple as manual loading which evolved into a surge bin feeding a skip through a chute finally maturing into a measuring flask discharging into a chute to feed the skip and more recently high capacity skip feed conveyors. This paper will compare the concepts of the skip loading flask and the skip loading conveyor systems over a range of winding distances and hoisted tonnages. The comparison will draw on actual installations and review operational, maintenance and safety. An order of magnitude capital cost estimate will be used to complete the financial comparison. This will enable the reader to understand the concepts and costs and assist in selecting the appropriate skip loading system.

Mar 21, 2011

Young professionals are riding the current wave of high demand for their services and relatively little competition for placements. The attraction and retention of quality incumbents has therefore become a significant strategic issue for companies in our industry. Money is important, but poorly structured career development and lack of learning opportunities can discourage the highest paid professionals from being enthusiastic and striving for excellence. This will inevitably lead to the search for a new position. Important factors at play include the young professionalÆs lack of understanding of career pathways and poor quality, or lack of, structured on-the-job training and professional development. Too often young and not so young professionals are faced with the reality that fabulous looking (and paying) jobs can be quickly reduced to the monotony of repetitive tasks in an isolating environment. While it is the responsibility of the incumbent to manage their own career and professional development, without experience, how is anyone meant to understand the importance of their roles and the options for career development? Mentoring is therefore essential to the strategic plans of every organisation and the strategic plans of every professional. Mentors will accelerate learning, guide decision making and develop both competency and confidence as they share their experience, both technical and regarding the machinations of a particular discipline, within our industry. Mentors need not be from the same organisation as the mentee and in some cases this may be a distinct advantage. This paper discusses mentoring as an opportunity for young professionals and mentors to initiate and maintain a supportive relationship, the responsibility of management to get mentoring right and the responsibility of young professionals to demand the opportunity for professional development through mentoring.

Jan 1, 2006

By J Kwiri, T Zvarivadza, R Mitra, F Cawood

It is crucial to record ground movement of any magnitude to enable the safe and economical design of excavations and infrastructure. The DigiMine Laboratory is equipped with technologies to record such movements. This paper analyses the effectiveness of the Digital Mine instrumentation in recording earth movements in light of the Botswanan earthquake which occurred on the 3rd of April 2017 at 17:40 UTC. Recordings from the Digital Mine are compared with other ground sensing technologies which also captured the event (USGS and GEOFON systems). USGS and GEOFON system’s recordings suggest that, there are a number of possible mechanisms that could have resulted in the earthquake as discussed in the paper. Compared to the USGS and GEOFON systems, DigiMine system could not provide an analysis that could give possible source mechanisms. However, the system’s success in recording the Botswanan earthquake, is an indication that the system works and can be further developed or improved. For a comprehensive analysis, more data from various sensors needs to be collected. For example, DigiMine connecting to the national seismic monitoring system or to the local mine’s seismic monitoring system. Such connections will enable the development of a better self-analysis system and possibly prediction of future events. More importantly, it will contribute to better understanding of regional seismicity and its potential impact on excavation design. CITATION:Kwiri, J, Zvarivadza, T, Cawood, F and Mitra, R, 2018. How efficient is DigiMine technology in recording earth movements? A look at the Botswanan earthquake, in Proceedings The Fourth Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference (AusRock), pp 414–419 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 30, 2018

By Y Durkheim, P Saunier, L Ameglio

"In the last decade Afitex developed the Draintube™ geocomposite, which provides simultaneous drainage and waterproofing functions. This new type of drain tubes planar geocomposites (DTPG) differs from other geocomposites as the drainage core is composed of multiple corrugated and perforated pipes instead of biaxial or triaxial nets. It is furthermore associated with needle-punch stitched layers of non-woven geotextiles, which act either as capillary mediums or as filters.In this paper, the structure of the Draintube™ drainage composite is presented along with its key properties and the drainage mechanism associated with its particular structure.The relevance of this kind of structure is then reviewed based on past and current laboratory bench evaluations and field installations for mining applications such as the covering of acid rock drainage (ARD) tailings for the Central Manitoba Mine (Canada) site-rehabilitation; and as a pregnant solution collection layer in heap leach pads.Some of the demonstrated critical advantages of Draintube™ in the mining industry are as follows: reduction of the thickness, hence lower volume of granular drain layers improvement of fluid and gas collection and reduction of the hydraulic load reduction of secondary collector network mechanical protection of the sealing membrane fast and economical installation of interlifts stability under extreme conditions (compression, temperature, pH) increased stability of entire covering system and reinforcement of protection of dykes filtration of the covered material customised drainage positive connection of the geocomposite to collector pipes enable leaks detection (using a conductive textile layer) with an electrical test.CITATION:Saunier, P, Ameglio, L and Durkheim, Y, 2015. Tubular drainage and lining geocomposite for mine tailings and heap leach pads, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century, pp 297–304 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Jul 27, 2015

By S G. Li

Mine intelligent ventilation is an important guarantee to realise intelligent mining. It is the integration of the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, internet, cloud computing with ventilation technology, forming a complete ventilation system with intelligent perception, intelligent decisionmaking, intelligent emergency response and airflow control. In order to fully grasp the progress and trends of mine intelligent ventilation research in western China. The paper based on literature analysis and field application research, comprehensively expounds the main research and practical results of mine intelligent ventilation in western China, mainly analyses the development status of key technologies such as accurate and rapid determination of mine ventilation parameters, intelligent analysis and decision-making of ventilation and intelligent regulation of ventilation equipment, and introduces the field test or application of mine intelligent ventilation technology in western China. It lays the foundation reference for related research and improving the intelligent level of mine ventilation.

Oct 12, 2022

By S Bouzalakos, W Timms, H Malli

Combining ultramafic mine tailings and acidic mine drainage via mineral carbonation to sequester carbon dioxide, presents an opportunity to minimise waste on mine sites. Low pH mine water with trace element concentrations can be effectively treated by high magnesium mine tailings, a useful source of finely ground reactive matrix. By using milled tailings for mineral carbonation, there are negligible energy requirements for communition of ore rocks to reduce particle size. This study aimed to assess the technical applicability of reacting ultramafic tailings and acidic mine water through mineral carbonation technology in the mining industry. Dissolution has been identified as the rate limiting stage in mineral carbonation; hence the study focused on identifying optimal dissolution conditions. Ultramafic tailings (particle size <100 µm) derived from serpentinite ore, were reacted with a typical mine water that was synthesised in the laboratory. Through variances in the solid to liquid ratios and temperature of dissolution, a maximum five per cent magnesium dissolution efficiency was reached at 50 g/L and 100°C. The acidic mine water was neutralised (from pH <2 to pH ~6) and iron, copper and zinc ion concentrations reduced significantly during the formation of solid precipitates. Carbonation was undertaken by injecting carbon dioxide into the magnesium-rich solution to form stable carbonates. The experimental work demonstrated proof of concept; however, dissolution efficiency and carbon dioxide sequestration was low, indicating that further research would be required before larger scale implementation.CITATION:Malli, H, Bouzalakos, S and Timms, W, 2015. Ultramafic mine tailings to treat acidic mine water and lock away carbon through mineral carbonation, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century , pp 133–136 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 27, 2015

By G M. Mudd

Mine tailings represent one of the two largest sources of mine waste from the minerals industries (the other being waste rock). Given the problems of declining ore grades and growing production, tailings generation is increasing exponentially across the global mining industry. Common practice is for mines to build large containment dams to store tailings during operations, which are then rehabilitated following mine closure. At some sites, however, the controversial practices of riverine or marine dumping of tailings is still practiced. As recent tailings dam failures have shown, there are legitimate questions being raised about the long-term viability of leaving tailings above ground due to the risks of collapse and failure. At present, it is rare for mines to emplace tailings back into former mine voids following mine closure, most commonly into a former open pit mine void (although a fraction of the tailings may be used for underground mine backfill, this is minor in scale). The approach of in-pit tailings has numerous advantages, such as inherent physical stability, low to negligible acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) risks, as well as allowing more productive use of formerly mined land. In tropical areas where surface repositories are prone to leakage with potential for AMD and widespread dispersal of radionuclides (in the case of uranium mining), in-pit management provides particularly strong advantages – thorough hydrogeological studies are required, however, to address residual groundwater contamination risks and to establish sound, long-term environmental monitoring regimes for groundwater quality and subsidence issues. This paper presents a study of in-pit tailings management and compares it with surface repositories established in a tropical climate. The comparisons lead to the conclusion that, at least under tropical conditions, in-pit tailings management should be considered as world’s best practice – especially for radioactive uranium tailings.

Aug 8, 2011

By P Hawke, J Hurst, B KrapeP

Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd (HPPL) drilled two deep diamond stratigraphic holes (ECD0001 and RHD0296) within the eastern Fortescue Valley in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Located south of the Roy Hill Iron Ore project, the holes aimed to define the stratigraphy of the Marra Mamba Iron Formation (MMIF) of the Chichester Range and its south-dipping extensions below recent cover. Previous attempts to define the MMIF of the Chichester Range have resulted in differing interpretations due to the data available at the time.The unweathered MMIF beneath the Fortescue Valley in the HPPL drill holes is characterised by dolomitic carbonate interbedded with stilpnomelane-rich shales, chert and banded iron formation (BIF) with hematite staining. This intersection equates to ~75 m of carbonate-facies iron formation, as opposed to the ~230 m thick oxide-facies BIF and shale sequence encountered south of the Fortescue Valley.Various detailed geological core analyses and interpretations from ECD0001 and RHD0296 were integrated with regional diamond and reverse circulation (RC) holes from across the Fortescue Valley. Interpretation of the data indicates that the eastern Fortescue Valley MMIF represents a thinned thickness sequence of the whole formation. The MMIF of the Chichester Range and Fortescue Valley has gamma logs that correlate strongly in parts to the type section used for MMIF south of the Fortescue Valley. Therefore, the outcropping MMIF in the Chichester Range represents an eroded equivalent of the æreducedÆ thickness MMIF observed in ECD0001 and RHD0296.Data from deep diamond drill holes across the valley, from the Hamersley Basin to the Carawine Basin, were correlated. The correlation shows that the depositional site of the MMIF in the HPPL diamond drill holes is consistent with a proximal ramp setting, in which iron-rich shales wedge up-palaeoslope and shelf-derived carbonate turbidites wedge down-palaeoslope. Not only is it the occurrence of these shales that define the MMIF, but they also determine the northward potential to develop orebodies, as they are the source of iron from which iron-rich oxides and carbonates of metamorphic or diagenetic origin form.CITATION:Hurst, J, KrapeP, B and Hawke, P, 2013. Stratigraphy of the Marra Mamba iron formation within the Chichester Range and its implications for iron ore genesis at Roy Hill - evidence from deep diamond drill holes within the East Fortescue Valley, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2013 , pp 91-106 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 12, 2013

By P Nichols, C te Kloot, A Harrison

Ernest Henry mine (EHM) is a sub-level caving operation located in north-west Queensland, Australia. Located below a previously mined open pit, the underground operation ramped up production to 6.8Mt/a in 2017. The EHM ore body dips at 45 degrees to the South and therefore requires each level to “step out” from the level above as seen in Figure 1. Within this step out zone it is important to both maximise recovery and allow for efficient operation of the underground workings production to bring the level up to full production as quickly as possible. Throughout the step out design process, a combination of further defining the ore boundary, using lessons learnt from production performance on upper levels and the introduction of design improvements, has reduced the production ramp-up time, decreased costs and increased recovery for a single level at EHM. CITATION: Nichols, P, te Kloot, C and Harrison, A, 2018. Case study – Ernest Henry Mine: designing step out zones in an inclined sub-level cave, in Proceedings Complex Orebodies Conference 2018, pp 53–54 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 21, 2018

By C R. Ure

To substantially reduce, if not eliminate, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from ironmaking it is necessary to convert from blast furnace (BF) ironmaking using coking coal as the reductant to direct reduction (DR) ironmaking using hydrogen (H₂) and green electricity. Currently, almost all natural gas (NG) based direct reduced iron (DRI) production utilises iron oxide pellets in shaft furnaces, as opposed to fines in fluidised beds. Also, these pellets are ordinarily produced from high-grade magnetite concentrate, rather than hematite and goethite with typically higher gangue contents. The use of high-grade magnetite concentrate is driven by the preference to melt DRI in conventional electric arc furnaces (EAFs), thereby avoiding the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) for making crude steel (CS). However, in replacing BF with DR ironmaking it is not economically feasible to source enough high-grade magnetite to replace the lower grade hematite and goethite currently consumed. That is not to say that hematite and goethite, or even low-grade magnetite, cannot be used in DR ironmaking. However, their higher gangue content, resulting in higher slag production, requires that the EAF producing CS be replaced with a submerged arc furnace (SAF) that will produce pig iron (PI) for the BOF as does the BF. Here, critical issues to be addressed are, what are the technicalities in replacing high-grade magnetite concentrate with hematite and goethite and NG with H₂ in DRI pellet production and melting? This paper summarises certain relevant published information on DRI pellet research, test work and production together with relevant information on Pilbara ores. It attempts to illustrate the inter- relationship of composition and processing conditions on DRI pellet properties. It is intended to serve as a rudimentary guide to understanding the complexities of formulation, testing, evaluation, production and goethite and offer insight into this challenge.

Sep 18, 2023

By E K. Chiw, S-M Jung, S M. Masuka, ika

The world reserves of high-grade iron ore have depleted necessitating the need to utilise any existing natural iron ore deposits to meet the demands of the world’s expanding economy using hydrogen in the reduction process to curb CO2 emission. These low-grade ores include iron ores with high phosphorus content. The thermodynamic conditions in the blast furnace allow for the reduction of phosphorus that readily dissolves into the molten iron. Phosphorus in the gaseous state readily dissolves into the molten iron and therefore must be removed due to its negative influence on the mechanical properties of steel. The removal of phosphorus from molten iron is difficult causing the phosphorus to concentrate in metallic iron. The aim of this study is to provide basic knowledge on the phosphorus distribution after reduction using the CO-H2 and possibly provide the optimum conditions for phosphorus partitioning into slag, increasing the probability of its removal by magnetic separation. Total porosity, pore size distribution and surface area of the pellets used were measured using a mercury pressure porosimeter. The reduction was carried out using thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The reduction rate increased with increasing H2 and was highest when 100 per cent H2 was used. Metal elements distribution in the reduced pellet was clarified using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and showed that phosphorus was distributed in the same areas as Ca. More phosphorus was concentrated in slag when 50 per cent CO–50 per cent H2 was used, increasing the probability of dephosphorization using magnetic separation. The concentration of phosphorus into slag was related to the rate of reduction. Further investigations into the reduction kinetics of this ore by CO-H2 is suggested to validate these findings. Nevertheless, a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of the reduction of phosphorus containing phases found in iron ore with carbon, CO and H2 was provided to assist in selecting the optimal reduction experimental conditions.

Sep 18, 2023

By P J. McCarthy

Globalisation and consolidation is resulting in the mining industry coming to be dominated by a small number of very large companies seeking to lever assets and knowledge to create wealth. As an important service provider to the mining industry, the minerals tertiary education sector needs to understand these global drivers and respond to them. However, it is under-resourced and its sustainability is under challenge in all Western countries. Through the establishment and funding of the Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC), the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has provided a unique opportunity to build a national, world-class minerals tertiary education environment in Australia that can be sustained in the long-term. This paper reviews how the global changes occurring in the mining industry provide the model for what needs to occur in the minerals education sector and how MTEC is the logical vehicle to facilitate these changes. It concludes by suggesting that the time has come to integrate the minerals tertiary education providers into one business. Furthermore, the vision should be for a global mining education academy based around a virtual university capable of servicing the cultural diversity and continuing education needs of the global minerals industry.

Jan 1, 2001

Our ultimate resources come from the Sun and the Earth System. At this time we face a world crisis in energy, water and soil resources. Global pollution problems are increasing in almost all nations. There is an urgent need to use our vast knowledge with a new wisdom and this requires new integrated teams of experts to provide the best alternatives for the needed new development problems. These teams must include economists, engineers and a broad spectrum of scientists. Today it is possible to produce clean energy, stop soil erosion, clean water and reduce and use wastes of many types.

Jan 1, 1995

By D Semini, B Newcombe

Base-metal sulfide refractory gold ores often contain a portion of ‘free’ gold that is amenable to recovery using gravity concentration methods, whilst the refractory portion of the gold is better recovered using flotation. The decision as to whether a plant treating a refractory gold ore should utilise gravity concentration or a flash flotation circuit (or a combination of both) within the grinding circuit is usually made at the design stage of flow sheet development. Very limited data is available in the published literature which provides an industrial scale comparison on which to base such a decision and conventional laboratory testing methods are often the only way of obtaining such data. The optimum processing route will also be mineralogy dependent.This paper presents the findings of operating a refractory gold plant with either flash flotation (normal operation) or a combination of flash and gravity recovery methods treating the cyclone underflow stream and will demonstrate the regions of the recovery profile that each contributes to. Size-by-assay analysis has been performed on a number of streams around the operating plant to gain an insight into the changes that occur when the gravity circuit is in operation in addition to the flash flotation circuit. A discussion around the implications to overall plant operation in combining the use of a batch process (gravity concentration) with a continuous process (flotation) is presented.CITATION:Newcombe, B and Semini, D, 2014. Interactions between flash flotation and gravity concentration – an industrial case study of a refractory gold concentrator, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 427–436 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 1, 2014

By J Ta’ala, M Handyside

Mechanical sampling from conveyors has historically been a staple in the iron ore industry when information related to chemistry, sizing and moisture is required. In order to comply with ISO 3082:2009, samples can be taken either on a mass or time basis provided no bias is introduced by periodical variation in quality or quantity. With the introduction of mechanical sample carousels, you also have the opportunity to collect samples on a mass or time basis. In order to optimise automatic sample stations in a changing production environment, BHP Billiton Iron Ore (BHPBIO) has developed a simulation model that enables the various combinations of mass–mass, mass–time, time–time and time–mass to be investigated.The sample station model can utilise actual (variable) feed rates to achieve high resolution and enables the simulation of sample size variation. Cutter speeds and other settings can then be adjusted to better optimise the performance of the sample station with regards to optimal sample size as well as ensuring the sample station is in compliance with ISO 3082. The model can also assist process engineers in adjusting settings to better optimise the sample station and reduce unwanted events such as blockages. The model can be easily modified to conform to various sample station designs. This paper demonstrates the use of the model and the benefits that can be achieved.CITATION:Handyside, M and Ta’ala, J, 2014. Simulating time versus mass basis?sampling, in Proceedings Sampling 2014 , pp 155–164 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 29, 2014

As the title indicates the central themes discussed in this contribution are sustainable development, information systems, and extractive industry. More specifically, the objective is to present a prototype for the systematic generation of extractive industry (henceforth: EI) û specific sustainability information. The paper begins with the authorÆs viewpoints on the core notions of sustainability, and development, as well as their relationship to information. These set the stage for the introduction of the information system (IS), as well as the follow-up sustainability information system (SIS) extractive industry sustainability information system (EISIS) concepts and related discussions. The paper continues with a second part, in which, efforts to research and develop an EISIS prototype are described. First, the team is presented. Second, the systemÆs aim and target groups are briefly discussed. After, an articulated overarching EISIS conceptual model emphasising capital accumulation, and service flow concepts û is presented. This is followed by a detailed description of the assembled prototype with a focus on data and information generation. The formulation of data generation, storage and transmission processes, as well as its use in sustainability interpretation rules and their embedment in the conceptual model is made with respect to monetised stock and flow parameters, measured in the appropriate dimensions. In the third part, the author presents and discusses the results of a first round of prototype experimental development in three major EI firms. First, the system observation, and data analysis protocols are described. Second, a review of protocol implementation, and respective results, is made. Finally, the overall performance of the proposed prototype, and development process issues are discussed, before suggesting areas for improvement and future research. The paper ends with a conclusion in which the author provides a retrospective balance of the æknowledge creation projectÆ, as well as a prospective outlook for research in this field; before acknowledgements are made and references provided.

Jan 1, 2009

By N Javati, G D. Carman, D Kikiha, B Likia, K Dala, J McPhie, R Johnstone, D R. Cooke, J L. Blackwell

The 40 Moz Ladolam gold deposit on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea is the worldÆs largest, low-sulfidation, epithermal gold deposit, in terms of contained gold. The deposit has average grades of 2.42 g/t Au (LGL Resources Reserves Update, 2008) and gold is hosted primarily in refractory pyrite. Lihir Island is part of the 150 km long, Tabar-Lihir-Tanga-Feni, alkalic, volcanic island chain located in the New Ireland basin. Five volcanic blocks comprise Lihir; Plio-Pliestocene Huniho, Kinami and Luise volcanic edifices are built on top of remnant Pleistocene Wurtol Wedge and Londolovit Block (Wallace et al, 1983). The Ladolam gold deposit is located in the central portion of the dissected Luise volcanic edifice and is composed of four main orebodies: 1. Minifie, 2. Lienetz, 3. Coastal, and 4. Kapit. An active geothermal system is overprinted on the ore deposit, localised along north-trending lineaments, and is expressed as hot mud pools and fumaroles. The focus of open pit mapping and drill core logging, as part of ongoing PhD research, has been in the Minifie and Lienetz orebodies. The deposit geology is grouped into four main phases: 1. volcano-sedimentary host rocks, 2. porphyry-style biotite alteration and related hydrothermal breccias and veins, 3. epithermal-style breccias and veins, and 4. modern geothermal alteration. Gold is associated with epithermal-style alteration and mineralisation. Ongoing observations of the Minifie and Lienetz orebodies are highlighting differences in the geology and paragenetic histories. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008