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By G. Coetzer

"Prior to operating a non-recovery coke pilot plant oven, it was essential to ascertain coal cake stability during the loading of a 1 m3 (1 m × 1 m × 1 m) coal cake into the cold pilot-plant oven by a pusher mechanism. Previously established laboratory-scale compaction parameters, to obtain coal cakes with sufficient stability, were employed during the loading tests of the coal cakes. Two different coals were evaluated, namely Waterberg semi-soft coking coal (sscc) and Oaky North hard coking coal.It was demonstrated that lower applied compaction forces (14%) can be utilized during 1 m3 compaction, in comparison to laboratory-scale tests, to obtain similar wet cake densities, owing to differences in the effect of frictional forces. Wet cake densities for Waterberg sscc improved slightly (3%) to 1.13 t/m3 when utilizing 79 t/m2 applied force for a 1 m3 coal cake, in comparison to laboratory-scale tests. Similar results were obtained for Oaky North hard coking coal, with a 6% density increase to 1.27 t/m3 at a similar applied force. Porosities decreased by 13% and 32% for Waterberg sscc and Oaky North coal, respectively, when 1 m3 compaction was compared to laboratory-scale tests. An opportunity exists to further decrease the porosities of Waterberg sscc during compaction, whereas acceptable compaction parameters were achieved for Oaky North hard coking coal. Most major vertical cracks and the partial collapse of coal cakes were mitigated, and high-stability coal cakes were obtained that could be successfully loaded into the pilot-plant coke oven by a pusher mechanism.Factors contributing to the instability of the coal cake during loading into the oven, such as vertical cracks, are (i) the cubic geometry (1 m3) of the coal cake, (ii) friction exerted by the oven floor, and (iii) mechanical problems, such as a misalignment between the pusher machine feeder plate and the oven floor. IntroductionOperation of the stamp-charging horizontal 1 t electrically heated coke pilot-plant oven at Exxaro Resources requires coal cake stability during the loading of a 1 m3 compacted coal cake into the oven. In this case, a pusher plate is utilized to push the coal cake into the oven over the oven floor. This is in contrast to a ‘spoon’ or bottom plate feeding mechanism as found in industrial horizontal coke ovens. The pusher plate loading mechanism dictates that the coal cake should possess high stability and inherent strength owing to frictional forces exerted by the oven floor. In order to obtain a coal cake of acceptable stability for the 1 t coke oven, various compaction parameters need to be verified and established."

Apr 1, 2019

By H. L. Monro

Contribution by B. K. Martust I congratulate the author on his interesting paper. In my view, the establishment of the level at which South African gold output is at some kind of optimum is an interesting though somewhat academic exercise. Contribution by D. M. Hawkins* The thesis of the paper is a very interesting one, but, before it is used as the basis of any firm proposals to restructure the mining industry, which changes may be irreversible, one should be very sure that the basis of the calculations is sound. Contribution by P. J. Niewenhuizen* The hypothesis advanced by Mr Monro that the demonetization of gold in August 1971 introduced a major new policy variable, namely the supply-pricejdemand-price relationships, into the decision making process touches on a matter that has never really been given serious thought by the industry. Contribution by B. G. Kingsman* As a co-worker on the development of an econometric model for supply and demand in the world gold market with Mr H. L. Monro, it would perhaps be useful for me to make some comments on the various points raised in the discussions on his paper.

Jan 1, 1984

By Brian W. Mackenzie

The mineral exploration environment has observable economic characteristics, the assessment of which provides guidelines for exploration planning in the mining company. The long-term survival of the mining company is directly dependent on successful exploration. Exploration planning contributes to successful exploration through the development of exploration strategies. The objective of exploration planning is to select exploration environments which will enable the mining company to realize best possible profit and corporate risk conditions. Thus, the formulation of exploration strategies is based on profit and corporate risk criteria. Strategic considerations include the selection of commodities as exploration targets, geographic concentration of exploration effort, the realization of acceptable survival conditions, and the structuring of an exploration programme to optimize the economic benefits of the exploration investment process.

Jan 1, 2014

By K. Hodgson, Cook. N. G. W.

Most structures are designed so that the possibility of failure is eliminated. However, some degree of failure in the rock around deep mine excavations is inevitable if mining operations are continued. The presence of failed rock constitutes a hazard the magnitude of which can be predicted by computer models from calculations of the energy change per unit area mined in stopes, or the field stress around service excavations. Empirical relationships between these calculable quantities and the incidence of rock failures and delays associated with them have been established. Experiments on the computer using different layouts enable the mining engineer to select the least hazardous of otherwise acceptable alternatives, and to predict the incidence of damage ahead of actual mining, so that appropriate measures to maintain an adequate degree of safety and productivity can be planned in advance.

Jan 1, 2014

By G. P. Dyke

With the removal of the majority of the shallow mineral reserves there has been an increase in the mining depths in the South African mining industry. This has, in turn, changed the industry?s and stakeholders? perceptions of risk associated with mining-induced instability. In recent years the increased mining depth, particularly in open pits, has led to an increase in pit slope failures, which has highlighted the need for appropriate and effective pit slope management programmes. Such a programme comprises many facets, including mine hazard plans, regular slope inspections, cleaning of interim and final pit faces, blasting practices, histories of failures, pit depressurization, stormwater control and evacuation procedures. However, it is arguably in the field of slope monitoring that the most significant strides have been made in terms of new technologies and best practice in open pit mining geotechnics, with the introduction of technologies such as laser scanners and slope stability radar. This paper seeks to illustrate the operational benefits associated with the implementation of new technologies into open pit mining, using AngloGold Ashanti?s Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania as an example.

Jan 1, 2009

By N. Theron, R. F. Meeser

The global emphasis on conserving energy resources has led to the adoption of hybrid power systems in vehicles. Optimally applied, hybrid systems can save up to 40% on fuel costs. To optimally manage a hybrid vehicle's energy flow it is necessary to know, in real time, all the energy requirements to complete a given route. The energy consumption depends mainly on the vehicle mass, speed profile, and route topography. Of these, the topographic profile is the one factor that is only route-dependent and not influenced by the vehicle or driving styles. The heading vs. distance profile is also an example of a route characteristic not influenced by the vehicle or driving style. In this study the topographic and heading profiles are used to identify routes, and are easily measured by means of digital barometric pressure and compass sensors. Correlations between the current route and previously travelled/stored routes are performed based on their topographic and heading profiles in a point-by-point manner. Above-ground tests were first performed using a road vehicle and six routes to evaluate the system. The system consistently and correctly identified a 20 km route within the first 4 km. It also proved to function correctly in underground tests through the implementation of an instrumented hand-held surveyor's wheel. This system finds direct practical application in optimizing the energy management of an underground hybrid locomotive used by the mining industry in South Africa, but can also be of benefit in applications where route identification is required and using GPS is not feasible.

Jan 26, 2023

By S. Fazluddin, K. C. Sole, M. R. Serwale, T. Coetsee

The CSIR-Ti process employs lithiothermic reduction of titanium tetrachloride feedstock to produce titanium sponge. The product is therefore contaminated by a range of lithium and chloride species. In this study we examine the effects of particle size, temperature, and HCl concentration as input leaching variables on the removal of chlorides from the crude titanium sponge. A review of the aqueous chloride chemistry of Li and Ti provided initial conditions for leaching of impurity species from the sponge. Experimental results confirm that the effectiveness of leaching and removal of dissolved impurities from the sponge are dependent on leaching kinetics, which are influenced by temperature, particle size, and morphology. Of the variables tested, reaction temperature had the strongest influence on the oxygen content of the leached product. The HCl lixiviant concentration had a negligible effect under the conditions tested. Leaching of crude titanium sponge (−10 mm size fraction after crushing) at 14°C in either 1 M or 0.032 M HCl yielded a titanium sponge product that met the ASTM standard specification for commercially pure Grade 1 titanium, i.e., oxygen content < 0.18 mass% and chloride content < 0.15 mass%.

Dec 13, 2022

By T. Käyhköa, J. Liipoa, S. Khizanishvilic, M. Sinche-Gonzalezb

The use of geometallurgical modelling is becoming more common in concentrator plant design and during the operational phase. Predictive modelling aims to define optimised process parameters for the concentrator plant to accommodate variability within the ore feed. The main objective of this study is to show how the metallurgical response of different types of ore blends can be simulated using kinetic models derived from experimental flotation tests with different geometallurgical end-member ore types and their blends. For these validation tests, four different end-member ore types containing different ratios of chalcopyrite, chalcocite and oxidised copper minerals from Rich Metal Group’s Madneuli copper-gold mine, Georgia, were tested. Kinetic flotation tests, including both rougher and cleaner flotation tests, were carried out. The simulations were performed using HSC Chemistry software based on mineral compositions of the ores and kinetic models using rectangular distribution equations and flowsheet model. Simulated and experimental results of copper grade, copper recovery and concentrate mass pull correlated well with R2 values of >0.95. Based on these results, the metallurgical response of different ore blends can be simulated based on the flotation kinetics of end-member ore types. The use of this kind of simulation will create savings during the test work phase and increase the flexibility and predictability in the processing stage. Keywords: Ore body characterisation, geometallurgy, process mineralogy

Jan 1, 2020

By K. A. du Preez, P. J. van Staden, M. van Rooyen

Mine-impacted water, including acid mine drainage (AMD), is a global problem. While precipitation of dissolved metals and neutralization of acidity from mine-impacted water is accomplished relatively easily with lime addition, removal of sulphate to permissible discharge limits is challenging. This paper presents a high-level comparison of four sulphate removal technologies, namely reverse osmosis, ettringite precipitation, barium carbonate addition, and biological sulphate reduction. Primarily operating costs, based on reagent and utility consumptions, are compared. Each process is shown to be subject to a unique set of constraints which might favour one over another for a specific combination of location and AMD composition. Access to and cost of reagents would be a key cost component to any of the processes studied. The total cost calculated for each process also depends on the type of effluents that are allowed to be discharged.

Oct 1, 2021

OFS Branch Committee Meeting held in the Committee Room at the Welkom Club at 4.15 p.m. on Wednesday, 5th March, 1975. Progress in mineral dressing The National Institute for Metallurgy and the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy are to hold a symposium on 17th and 18th September, 1975, entitled &apos;Recent Progress in Mineral Dressing&apos;. INFACON 74 This book of over 300 pages is a record of the First International Ferro-alloys Congress, which was held in Johannesburg from 22nd to 26th April, 1974, under the auspices of the Ferro Alloy Producers&apos; Association of South Africa, the National Institute for Metallurgy, and the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. NIM reports Report no. 1595 Preliminary tests on low-grade brecciated fluorspar ore from the Ottoshoop district. (5th Nov., 1973, declassified April 1975). Report no. 1612 Flotation tests on sulphide-bearing high-grade brecciated and wad ores. (20th Mar., 1974, declasl>ified April 1975). Report no. 1643 Further tests on low-grade brecciated fluorspar ore from the Ottoshoop district. (12th Jul., 1974, declassified April 1975). Report no. 1654 The determination of osmium in platiniferous media. Report no. 1689 The determination, by atomicabsorption spectrophotometry, of arsenic, selenium, tellurium, antimony, and bismuth on ion-exchange restns. Report no. 1715 Flotation tests on various types of ore from the Ottoshoop district Report no. 1730 The chromitite from the Marico occurrence, western Transvaal, its alteration, and possible reasons for its refractory nature. Report no. 233 A chemical and mineralogical study of microlite from the N oumas pegmatite. 24th Geomechanics Colloquy The above Colloquy is to be held on 2nd and 3rd October, 1975, in the Salzburg Congress Hall. Rosenhain centenary The centenary of the birth of WaIter Rosenhain (1875-1934) will be celebrated by an international conference to consider how physical metallurgy has contributed to engineering practice. Iron and steelmaking The Centre de Recherches Metallurgiques (CRM) and the Verein Deutscher Eisenhiittenleute (VDEh) are jointly to hold the International Meeting on Iron and Steelmaking 1976 in Brussels from 17th to 18th May and in Diisseldorf from 20th to 21st May, 1976. International Symposium on Mine Surveying The III I.S.M. is being held in Leoben, Austria, from 28th June to 3rd July, 1976. Book review Tenth International Mineral Processing Congress. 1973. London, The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. 1208 pp. £20. Particles A course on particle characterization and a symposium on experience in the applications of particlesize analysis will be held during the last week of July in Pretoria and Johannesburg. A.S. & T.S. Trust The A.S. & T.S. Trust was formed on 24th March, 1972, to mark the Golden Jubilee year ofthe Associated Scientific and Technical Societies, with the object of advancing science and technology in South Africa. Second International Congress of Engineering Geology The Proceedings of the above Congress, which was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from 18th to 24th August, 1974, are now available.

Jan 6, 1975

By K. C. Naidoo

There are two main types of densifying cyclones currently available in the market, namely polyeurethane (PU) and ceramic. The PU densifying cyclones are currently used throughout the Grootegeluk complex and coal beneficiation in general. It has been identified that PU densifiers wear relatively fast depending on the operating pressure and need to be replaced frequently as a result. The motivation for this paper is to achieve an increase in the densifying cyclone lifetime through less wear and an increase in efficiency resulting in the ability to build higher relative densities (RD) more quickly. This will allow for a reduction in downtimes due to replacing densifying cyclones as well as building RD and a reduction in the operating costs associated with replacing worn densifying cyclones. Some of the major findings of the study indicated that the ceramic cyclone theoretically undergoes less wear than the PU cyclone, but since wear is application-specific and was evaluated, the wear on the polyurethane cyclone was found to be minimal. The RD differential is higher on the PU cyclones than the ceramic cyclones, showing that the PU cyclones perform better in a densifying application. This is the first test conducted on this application and type of cyclones. It should therefore be noted that having the PU cyclone significantly outperform the ceramic cyclone was not expected, due to the only change being the material of construction. This is an indication to take the material of construction into account when selecting cyclones as it can have a significant impact on the cyclone performance in specific applications. Keywords: Ceramic, cyclone, densifying, density, dense medium, polyurethane, wear

Jan 1, 2020

By B. G. Meyburgh

E. H. D. Carman: The results achieved at Buffelsfontein Gold Mining Company Limited are very encouraging and it seems certain that as far as the conventional uranium recovery process is concerned solvent extraction must entirely supplant the old resin ion exchange process. The operational costs given by Mr Meyburgh indicate that the chief cost items in solvent extraction are reagents. In other words 38.4 per cent of the operational cost at Buffelsfontein is due to the replacement of the organics lost from the plant. It is reported from a wide field of experience that loss, particularly of amine, is a direct function both of the quantity and nature of finely divided suspended solids in the pregnant solution and the extent to which the design of the mixers causes the formation of secondary dispersions which do not easily separate in the settler. There is in addition the unavoidable loss of amine due to its solubility in the aqueous solution which is thought to be about 4 p.p.m. In order to minimise solvent losses therefore, efficient clarification at the head of the solvent extraction plant would appear to be a most important requirement. For this reason the newly erected plant at West Driefontein Gold Mining Company Limited has two Funda Pressure Filters each with a filtering area of 540 sq. ft. which are together designed to handle up to 440 g.p.m. of filtrate. This plant has not yet been commissioned but preliminary testing indicates that suspended solids in the sub micron size range which do not settle even on protracted standing of the solution, will rapidly blind the clarifiers. This should not affect solution clarity but frequent backwashing adds to the cost of precoating. The difficulty was countered in the laboratory with continuous additions of filter aid in addition to the precoat but, as Table 11shows, cost of filter aid is high and its use will have to be optimized against organic losses due to less efficient clarification. This will need much careful observation over a relatively long period of time. Costs shown in Table 11 are based on Mr Meyburgh&apos;s figures adjusted to probable conditions at West Driefontein Gold Mining Company Limited. The assumption based on small scale testing is that it will cost 5.2c/ton in filter aid to clarify filtrate to a level of about 5 p.p.m. of suspended solids, in order to restrict the amine loss to 10 p.p.m. which is likely to be equivalent to an entrained organic loss worth approximately only 2.6 cents per ton. Of course poor clarification as mentioned earlier is only one of two or even more causes of organic losses and it seems obvious on the above basis that the operation and economics of pressure clarification will need close investigation. A second important consideration at West Driefontein has been the design of the pump-mixers which must perform the dual function of phase mixing and providing the necessary hydraulic gradient for counter current flow of the two phases. The arrangement is shown in Fig. 1.

Jan 10, 1970

By J. A. Kinnaird, B. J. Youlton, K. L. Youlton

Methods for treating and processing refractory gold ores are well established. However, what is less well understood is how the formation of the gold-bearing deposits affects gold processing and extraction. In order to evaluate the effect of ore genesis on gold extraction a number of South African gold deposits were studied. These included complex Pilgrim’s Rest samples as well as refractory Fairview, Barbrook, and Consolidated Murchison samples. We found the refractory nature of gold ores is controlled by a limited number of well-understood mineralogical factors. Solid solution gold is linked to low temperature and pressure conditions in fine-grained sedimentary lithologies, while reactive pyrrhotite can form from hydrothermal fluids associated with mafic magmatic rocks. These formational controls can be used to identify and avoid complex deposits at a desktop study phase, or address and reduce complications further along the pipeline using early mineralogical studies.

Jun 1, 2021

By Q. Zhang, X. C. Wang, S. Mao

Phosphate ore is an important strategic mineral resource in which apatite is the main valuable mineral. Flotation is the most commonly used method to separate apatite from middle-low grade phosphate rock. Selective flotation separation is based on the difference of physical and chemical properties of minerals occurring at the three interfaces of mineral/bubble/water. Surface and interface chemistry of mineral have been playing an important role in interpreting and governing its flotation phenomenon. In-situ, visualized and high-precision analytical techniques, such as Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry, Atomic Force Microscopy and Molecular Simulation, have been applied to explore and uncover microscopic nature of apatite flotation. Consequently, a great progress at molecular or atomic level on surface and interface chemistry of apatite flotation has achieved in the past decades. In this paper, the research progress of surface and interface chemistry of apatite flotation such as surface wettability, surface-charging characteristics, surface dissolution behavior, adsorption mechanisms of fatty acid collector and depressor on apatite surface were systematically reviewed. This review will be helpful for the development of more selective reagents and efficient technologies for apatite flotation. Keywords: Apatite, Flotation, Surface and interface chemistry, Surface analysis technology

Jan 1, 2020

By J. Githiria, D. Wachira

The conventional truck and shovel haulage system has become expensive to operate in most mines due to current strict environmental conditions, increase in depth and size of open-pit mines, increase in labour costs, and fuel costs. These factors have motivated the search for alternative material haulage options in open-pit mines. In-pit crushing and conveying (IPCC) system has been regarded as a plausible alternative in material haulage systems. However, usage of IPCC has been limited to a few mines due to limited knowledge of IPCC performance, and other technical factors of the system. This paper investigates, and evaluates the productivity performance of four types of IPCC systems (fixed, semi-fixed, semi-mobile, and fully mobile IPCCs) using mine productivity index (MPi). Using a model developed by MATLAB, the MPi for the four systems is computed using input variables such as availability, utilisation, performance and number of trucks and shovels in a limestone quarry. The mine productivity index for fixed, semi-fixed, semi-mobile, and fully mobile IPCC is obtained as 67.13%, 69.02%, 70.52%, and 71.52% respectively. In conclusion, the fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying system is the most appropriate IPCC in the quarry, due to its better productivity performance compared to the other three IPCC systems and the truck and shovel system currently in use.

Sep 1, 2021

By J. G. M. Mukoya, B. Adebayo

"This work was carried out to determine the influence of rock properties and drilling machine parameters on the penetration rate at the SJ pit of Rössing Uranium Mine, Namibia. Rock properties (uniaxial compressive strength, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity) of samples collected were determined in the laboratory. Drilling experiments were conducted in which feed pressure, air pressure, rotary speed, weight on the bit, and torque were varied to measure their effect on the penetration rate. The uniaxial compressive strength varied from 90–180 MPa for layered marble-quartzite and banded gneiss. Increases in feed pressure, weight on the bit, and rotary speed beyond the optimum level led to a decrease in penetration rate and caused the drill bit to ‘stall’. Results of the study revealed that penetration rate increases with an increase in the feed pressure and air pressure. After reaching a maximum value, the penetration rate begins to decrease despite increasing feed pressure. A very high torque causes the drill bit to stall, since the feed pressure is too high and the air pressure is not sufficient to remove the cuttings from blast-hole at maxium bailing velocities. The average penetration rate varied from 19 to 45 m/h for phase 2 of the pit, and from 17 to 68 m/h for phase 3. The optimum drilling machine parameters obtained in phase 2 and phase 3 were slightly lower than those currently being used at the mine. The trials of the optimum machine parameters will assist in reducing the cost of drilling, which varied from N$29.48 to N$36.31 per metre for the tricone bit. IntroductionDrilling and blasting contribute most to the operational cost in opencast mining and have the potential to influence the cost of downstream operations (Aipanda, 2011). The drillability of rocks depends not only on the rock properties, but also on the drilling tools and operational variables. In rotary drilling, rotational speed, thrust, and flushing are the operational variables, and are known as the controllable parameters. Rock properties and geological conditions are the uncontrollable parameters. Although, many attempts have been made to correlate drillability with rock properties, the rock characteristics affecting rotary drilling have not been entirely defined (Hartman, 1962; Kahraman, Bilgin, and Feridunoglu, 2003). The drill bit is forced into a rock surface from the rotary power head, hence creating stresses and cracks at the bit-rock interface. The performance of a particular bit in any formation i"

May 1, 2019

By C. Birch, J. Perold

"Due to the challenging geological environment of the Postmasburg Manganese Field (PMF), a study was conducted to determine if any benefits would derive from the inclusion of resistivity data during threedimensional (3D) modelling of the manganese resource. This was achieved by estimating manganese resources from 2011/2012 drilling data and comparing them with manganese resources estimated from the same drilling data and resistivity data collected during 2013 and 2017.Both models were adjusted to limit their extent to the same 3D modelling space. Significant volume and tonnage differences were observed for all lithological units. The greatest differences were noted in the manganiferous zones of alteration – 7.200 Mt for the geological model versus 3.700 Mt for the geoelectric model.This study showed that the inclusion of resistivity data can reduce exploration costs significantly, as a direct consequence of the resistivity data allowing more accurate siting of boreholes. This decreases the number of boreholes, samples, and analyses required due to the 3D electrical delineation of mineralized areas prior to drilling.An additional benefit is the ability to more correctly forecast the net present value of an operation due to more accurate estimation of manganese resources and stripping ratios. This is clearly demonstrated by the estimated gross profit estimation of R409 million for the geological resource model versus R264 million for the geoelectric resource model.The addition of resistivity data can, therefore, reduce exploration costs and can increase confidence in geological and financial modelling. It would be reasonable to conclude that this approach could also be used for karsthosted massive sulphide deposits. IntroductionAccording to Corathers (2014) and Gajigo, Mutambatsere. and Adjei (2011), South Africa holds between 75–80% of global manganese reserves, followed by Ukraine (10%), Australia (3%), India (3%), and Gabon (2%). The known, land-based, manganese resources located elsewhere are estimated at 2%.The majority of economically important sedimentary manganese ore deposits in South Africa are situated in the Northern Cape Province (Gutzmer, 1996). Manganese ores of the Postmasburg Manganese Field (PMF) were discovered in 1922, and the Kalahari Manganese Field (KMF) in 1940. According to Astrup and Tsikos (1998) and Gutzmer (1996), mining of manganese ore from the PMF ceased during 1989 in favour of the superior quality of manganese ore from the KMF."

Mar 1, 2019

By Y. Wang

Arsenic-bearing acidic effluent from hydrometallurgical processes contains many harmful metal ions and must be appropriately treated before discharge. In the present study, arsenic, copper, zinc, aluminum, and magnesium were co-precipitated by means of the Fenton reaction. The precipitates obtained under different conditions were investigated to determine their stability. The results indicate that pH value and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dosage have significant effects on the removal of various elements. Arsenic, copper, zinc, and aluminum (but not magnesium) can be removed at pH 5–6 and anH2O2/As mole ratio of 2 at ambient temperature. The precipitates were mainly amorphous and granular with particle size in the micrometre range. The arsenic concentration in leachate from the toxicity characteristic leaching test was 3.6 mg/L, which proves that the precipitates are effective in fixing arsenic.

Aug 3, 2023

By L. Aspola

The platinum group metals (PGMs), i.e. ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum, are typically found in association with each other, but also importantly, with nickel and copper. Typically Platinum and palladium have the greatest economic significance and other PGMs are typically produced as co-products of these. With recent increases in the value of nickel, cobalt, and the PGMs and an ever increasing focus on the sustainable use of metals, interest in the processing of secondary feed material sources and metal-bearing residues has also substantially increased. As an efficient, proven, and environmentally sound technology Outotec Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance (TSL) Technology has gained commercial acceptance in the nickel industry, including PGM recovery. For the processing of nickel- and PGM-bearing feed materials, five Outotec Ausmelt Furnaces at four sites are in operation. Two of these furnaces are located in Rustenburg, South Africa, which is by far the biggest mine-based producer of platinum. Outotec also has hydrometallurgical processes available for further treatment and extraction of PGMs, which are also briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 2012

By Y. Lizotte

This paper describes the design and implementation of the dispatching system at LAB Chrysotile Inc.&apos;s Black Lake Mine Operation, Quebec, Canada. The initial system uses a computer in a passive role, to record and display information in ongoing operations. Simulation studies were undertaken at McGill University to assess various heuristic dispatching rules which can be program- med and inserted into the dispatching system. The computer can then suggest to the operator where a truck should be sent to maximize productivity or improve fleet efficiency. The study stresses the importance of considering the effects of implementing computerized systems on those individuals who must use these systems in their daily work. The roles of individuals from the industry and the university in this joint project are also highlighted.

Jan 1, 1987