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Land is of extreme importance to citizens of Papua New Guinea and is fundamental to most of their customs and values. Because of this, matters to do with land cannot easily be separated from other matters to do with the community. Good relation-ships with landowners and the community surrounding a development are, indispensable ingredients that -must flavour and colour the entire ;operati on .

Jan 1, 1994

By Trumpff H

Opencast Lignite Mining requires topwall strata of seams to be fully depleted and footwall aquifers sufficiently depressurized. To prevent a spread of the cone of depression into protected wetlands some distance away, alternatives had been investigated such as closing water works, underground slurry wall barriers and recharge by infiltration. As a result of these investigations, the infiltration method has been chosen and in a first phase during the next decade it will utilize as much as 55 x 106 m3/year. Using this approach, the survival of the wet lands is assured.

Jan 1, 1988

With the progress of modern mining engineering, one of the features of which is the mining from greater depths and the hoisting of greatly increased loads, it becomes a matter of increasing importance that the engineer should be able to determinewith some degree of precision the character of the strains on the hauling rope. But a wire rope is a complex structure; it is made up of spirally-twisted strands, which in turn are composed of spirally-twisted wires, and it is not particularly easy to say exactly what happens when this "doubly-twisted structure is wound round a drum or over a pulley.. The difficulty has been generally evaded in ordinary practice by the simple device of adopting a large factor of safety for the rope-usually from 8 to 10-a factor which experience has shown is sufficiently large to cover the bending strains set "up when the rope is passed over pulleys of the sizes commonly considered appropriate.When, however, we add the stress due to the bending of the rope to the stress produced by" the direct pull, we find that the actual factor of safety is usually more nearly 4 than 10, and frequently the bending stresses in the rope are so large compared with the simple tensile stresses that their neglect may easily lead to disastrous results when dealing with problems a little out of the common run. Common Empirical Rules.-It is always "recognized that the bending of a wire rope round too small a pulley is likely to do the rope serious injury, but as it is desirable in ordinary winding operations to reduce the inertia of the moving parts to a minimum...

Jan 1, 1907

By Parsons A. E

The application of known pelletizing tech- nology was successful in the agglomeration of zinc concentrate into pellets of minus 6mm siz- ing using fine zinc calcine and sulphuric acid as binder. Subsequent roasting trials conducted in a 0.3 m diameter fluid bed reactor, showed that the pellets satisfactorily withstood hot physical abrasion during fluidization. Fines generation was low and the pellet calcine was hard, possessing excellent handling properties. Results of laboratory scale static pellet sinter- ing tests showed conclusively that the deterior- ation in sinter physical quality experienced with fine calcine was not apparent when the calcine was added to the mix in pellet form. Based on the results of small scale exper- imental work, a one tonne per hour pilot plant was constructed and operated. Several thousand tonne of pellets were produced-for fluid bed roasting in Badische Analin and Soda Fabrik (B.A.S.F.) turbulent layer (T.L.) roasters previously designed for roasting iron pyrite concentrate. Continuity of the T.L. fluid bed roasting operations was achieved when the waste heat boilers were replaced with atmospheric coolers and thus eliminated the problems of gas flow restrictions. Sinter plant trials were conducted over a period of two weeks with the addition of pellet calcine to the sinter feed. Results showed a marked improvement in sinter plant performance, and as a result of better bed permeability, increased sinter production was achieved, with- out significant deterioration in sinter quality.

Jan 1, 1974

The scheme of rehabilitation of surface plant commenced in 1936, included the provision of improved and more hygienic changing and bathing facilities for the employees.At that time the Thompson's Shaft section of the British Mine was being prepared for a resumption of operations, and it was decided to repair and re-equip the existing building. Thus any new scheme adopted could be given a thorough trial, and the proved arrangement used as a basis for the contemplated new main changehouse on the North Section.Investigations were carried out to determine the most suitable arrangement for the Thompson's Shaft changehouse, to provide for a total of 120 men, with particular regard to the internal fittings and fixtures. Also, as the mining conditions were such that a large proportion of clothes worn underground by miners, etc., were wet by the end of the shift, the problem of drying these clothes in the availaole time from a man coming off shift to his commencing again some sixteen hours later was one of the most important to be dealt with.The changehouses in use on the North mine section of the lease were provided with racks around the walls for the men to hang their street clothes on, and a section was partitioned off to house the mine clothes and their drying facilities. The actual drying was carried out by means of hanging the wet clothes over racks between which ran pipe coils heated by means of hot water circulated from the hot water boiler supplying the showers.This method had proved to be far from satisfactory for several reasons, the main objections being:-

Jan 1, 1940

By Schofield D

The problem of production scheduling is sufficiently complex to negate the use of many conventional optimising techniques as there are numerous and diverse factors that must be considered when trying to produce an optimal schedule. These factors include: grade distribution, orebody geometry, production rate capacity, processing constraints and market price of the minerals amongst a variety of others. In addition it may be observed that many of these factors incorporate a degree of uncertainty and any schedule produced must inevitably consider risk as a primary consideration. The very nature of the problem has limited the use of conventional optimisers. Genetic algorithms use methods based upon evolution and natural selection to produce `optimal' solutions to complex system problems. They are extremely flexible and robust in their nature and it is these characteristics that are important in this particular problem domain. A particular strength of the genetic optimisation approach is the ability to handle the multiple and non-linear constraints that are typically encountered in mine scheduling problems. This paper concentrates on the development of a prototype application of a genetic algorithm to the problem of scheduling the output from multiple production points in an underground mining operation. In particular it.describes a system (GO-SCHED) that can be customised to handle a wide variety of underground scheduling problems. GO-SCHED, a Windows-based system, can interface with a variety of databases and spreadsheets for data input and output and provides a simple intuitive approach to the solution of the scheduling problem.

Jan 1, 1995

MERLIN, the Queensland Department of Minerals and Energy's corporate geographic information system, provides ready access to all georeferenced data held by the department. Its aim is to provide a consistent, current, statewide coverage of timely information to assist in tenures management, exploration targeting and competing land use decision-making. Initially developed in 1988 and under continual enhancement since then, its functionality is the result of on-going close consultation with a wide range of departmental clients and potential users. A true geographic information system, MERLIN maintains both graphical data with linked textual information on a wide range of features of interest. The proprietary software products Arclnfo and Oracle are used to hold the graphics and attribute information respectively. Access to information is provided by a specially designed graphical user interface programed in-house. Hardcopy output of graphics displays including related attribute data as well as detailed reports of textual information can be retrieved at any departmental office. MERLIN is a network of computer systems which link each of the Department's regional offices and head office in Brisbane. The current state of exploration and mining is maintained by departmental officers processing tenure applications, transactions and dealings directly into the system. Data entered at regional offices are transferred overnight to head office to up-date central records and maintain a currency of data statewide as at the close of business the previous day. Through MERLIN the Department of Minerals and Energy now offers a much streamlined tenures management service as well as access to information about past exploration and mining, Queensland's mineral and energy occurrences and resources, and up-to-date information on the state's geology including maps, boreholes, geophysical surveys and field observations. In the future, this Geographic Information system will be invaluable to the mining industry in the development of mining projects.

Jan 1, 1995

Western Mining Corporation, managing partner of the Windarra Nickel Project are in- stalling a raise-bored haulage shaft and under- ground crushing system at the Mt. Windarra Nickel Mine. The system will be the second of its type installed by W.M.C., the first being in- stalled at the Otter-Juan mine in Kambalda in 1976/77. Both haulage systems became necessary as a result of the increasing production limi- tations, and escalating costs of a deep decline mine. The Windarra haulage system required a single 3m diameter vertical raise drill hole to a depth of 470 metres. Two five tonne skips in balance will hoist crushed ore and mullock to the surface, at a design rate of 200 tonnes per hour, effectively reducing truck haulage leads by up to 50%. It is expected the project will be in full operation by mid 1982 and will enable the mine to achieve an annual production rate of 600,000 t.p.a. by 1983.

Jan 1, 1982

By W A. Peppin, D N. Riley, N W. Schulenburg

In June 2008, a joint airborne collection using hyperpspectral systems was tested on a single Twin Otter aircraft. This experiment was designed to incorporate two airborne hyperspectral sensors for geological and environmental projects. Mineral exploration and environmental impact statements are two areas where full spectrum hyperspectral data can document the mineralogy at the surface prior to mining operations. Many previous hyperspectral remote sensing collections were collected on a single aircraft with a single sensor. Mineral mapping using hyperspectral sensors that measure in complimentary regions of the electromagnetic spectrum is cost effective as it allows for the mapping of clays, sulfates, carbonates, feldspars, quartz, garnets and many other minerals. This report describes the experiment using the following two hyperspectral sensors: ProspecTIR, a visible near and shortwave infrared (VNIR-SWIR) sensor with 356 channels and spectral range of 0.4 to 2.5 ¦m, along with a spatially enhanced broadband array spectrograph system (SEBASS), a midwave and longwave infrared (MWIR-LWIR) sensor with 128 channels from 2.5 to 5.3 ¦m and 128 channels from 7.6 to 13.5 ¦m. SpecTIRÆs ProspecTIR system and The Aerospace CorporationÆs Spatially Enhanced Broadband Array Spectrograph System (SEBASS) are pushbroom sensors, have high signal to noise ratios, have similar swath widths and instantaneous fields of view. Examples of data collection experiment will be shown with a focus on mineral/lithologic identification and mapping along with environmental assessment in the western United States. An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation.

Jan 1, 2008

By F Anthes, U Barow

Two tunnels are being bored using a æHydroshieldÆ in section 3.1 of the extension of the Underground railway line 5. At the end of the two tunnels, directly in front of the Hotel Adlon, the shields cannot be retrieved. The steel shell of the shield will be left in place within a sealed concrete block and the reusable components taken out through the completed tunnel. For the first time in Germany, an Underground tunnel is being lined solely by means of UNI rings. BerlinÆs Underground network is 165 km long and has 167 stations. Some 450 million passengers are transported annually. On account of the urban planning modifications that followed reunification, the network has to be adjusted, particularly in the city centre. The most significant project is the extension of the U5 from Alexanderplatz to the Lehrter Bahnhof. After completion, the U5 will be a continuous east-west traffic artery. It will provide a direct link with the new parliamentary and government district, open up new business districts and the cultural centre of the city.

Jan 1, 1999

Lateritic nickel ore occurs as a supergene or residual deposit as a result of the tropical weathering of underlying ultramafic rocks. The mineralisation may be as hydrated Ni-Mg silicates, like garnierite (silicate ore); or as hydrated Ni-Fe oxide (oxide) ore. Non-sulphide ore represents only 30% of the tonnage mined, but represents 85% of the total world's nickel reserves. A typical lateritic profile consists of 4 zones above the unweathered ultramafic parent rock: Zone 1: the "upper laterite" which is dark red-brown, porous and concentrically structured. It contains 0.2 to 0.8% Ni, 48.0 to 72.0% Fe, and 0 to 9.5% MgO. It is often capped by a ferricrete crust. Zone 2: the "middle laterite", which is red-brown to light brown and more porous than the above zone. It contains 0.8 to 1.5% Ni, 42.0 to 48.0% Fe and 0.5 to 6.0% MgO. Zone 3: the "basal laterite" which is yellow-brown to yellow-orange,

Jan 1, 1974

By D J. Fray

In this work, a fused salt electrochemical process was investigated experimentally for production of metals and alloys directly from respective solid oxides by electro-deoxidation. Direct electrochemical reduction of the oxides was carried out in molten CaCl2-based chlorides in an electrolytic cell, incorporating an oxygen-evolving inert anode, over the temperature range of 850 - 950¦C. The technical viability of the process was demonstrated by the electro-deoxidation of pure oxides and oxide mixtures including NiO, Nb2O5, Nb2O5/TiO2 and Nb2O5/SnO2 to produce nickel metal, niobium metal, NbTi alloys and the intermetallic compound, Nb3Sn. Compared to the conventional metallurgical processes for producing these metals and alloys, this new electrochemical process appears to be much less energy intensive, with lower costs and no direct greenhouse gas emissions from the electrolytic reduction process. The present electrolytic reduction process has the potential to be scaled up for the green extraction of a number of non-ferrous base metals and processing of many advanced alloys.

Jan 1, 2006

The New Zealand Minerals Industry Association was incorporated as the NZ Mineral Exploration Association in 1982, with a membership that consisted of the gold exploration companies then active in New Zealand . As its membership broadened, it changed its name to the Mining and Exploration Association in 1994, and more recently the Minerals Industry Association. It is a non-profit-making incorporated society relying on voluntary membership, and is not funded by industry levies.   It has employed a full time executive director since 1988 when Robyn Ross was appointed, followed by John Pfahlert (1991 - 1996) and now with Doug Gordon managing the Association.   The Association is one of a number of organisations that represent the mining industry in New Zealand. Others include the Coal Association of NZ (CANZ), the Aggregate and Quarry Association (AQA), The West Coast Commercial Gold Miners Association and Minerals West Coast.   NZMIA membership comprises the main exploration and mining companies that account for over 80 per cent of New Zealand Æs mine output, and nearly all of its exploration investment. Its membership has expanded from gold exploration to encompass exploration and mining companies active in coal, gold, aggregates and industrial minerals.   The Association has developed a National Minerals Strategy that determines its priorities, implemented via a Minerals Industry Advisory Committee. This group was established six years ago to advise the Associate Minister of Energy on issues relating to the long term development of the minerals sector in New Zealand.

Jan 1, 2006

By I M. Platten

Narrow reef gold deposits are generally less than 4 m in width and relatively complex geological phenomena. They often display variable geometry, attitude, continuity and internal architecture. Economic grades are mostly restricted to specific structural domain(s) and localised within discrete ore shoots that have a nuggety internal grade distribution. On account of the often extended history of geological events, the specific factors localising gold-rich domains are likely to be unique to a particular mine or even reef. These features lead to a high resource risk and require careful management during both evaluation and mining. The gross form, location and global continuity of gold reefs can generally be determined from surface diamond drilling leading to the definition of Inferred Mineral Resources. It is likely that for the definition of Indicated and Measured Mineral Resources underground development and/or close- spaced diamond drilling will be required. Understanding geometry and continuity permits the resource to be more effectively managed, lowering risk/uncertainty. This in turn will allow for well-informed financial and operational decisions. Most importantly, project expectations and milestones can be set at achievable levels.

Jan 1, 2008

Samples weighing O·25 g are fused with 1 g potassium hydrogen sulphate, leached with 5 ml. of hydrochloric acid, and then diluted with another 5 ml. of acid. After settling, an aliquot of the clear solution is reduced with stannous chloride, and then a zinc dithiol solution is added to form a coloured tungsten complex which is extracted with petroleum spirit for comparison with standards.Concentrations down to 4 p.p.m. may be analysed at a rate of 100 determinations per man-day of 8 hr.

Jan 1, 1970

Samples weighing 0·5 g are fused with potassium hydrogen sulphate, leached with 4 ml. of 4 M nitric acid and diluted to 10 ml. with water. An aliquot of the clear solution is treated with EDTA, adjusted with ammonia to give a pH value between 5 and 6 treated with cyanide, ammonia, and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate then bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate is extracted with chloroform and the yellow colour is compared visually with a standard series. Alternatively, the bismuth complex may be filtered on a "Millipore" filter and subjected to x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Jan 1, 1971

A system of decline mine entries and ore haulages has been designed for the Mt. Windarra mine. This choice was controlled by the nature of the ore- bodies, the mining method chosen and the capital cost of development re- quired for production. Mine entries are being driven 4 metres high and 5.5 metres wide and decline at 11%, to accommodate diesel haulage vehicles of 35 tonnes capacity. The.Mount Windarra haulage system and the design parameters used in its selection and design are discussed, and general design and selection parameters are proposed.

Jan 1, 1973

Bauxite Resources Limited is grade drilling in its Western Australian Darling Range tenements to firm up resource definition and to develop mine plans. The Darling Range bauxite is generally in shallow deposits with minimum overburden. In the northern tenements, the ore is characterised by a higher silica layer which may extend from 0.5 to 1.5 m below, which high grade bauxite is found to a depth of four to 7 m. When grade drilling samples are taken, every 0.5 m and the recovered sample is weighed, logged and bagged. To eliminate splitting errors, the whole sample over the short interval is pulverised. Twinning holes variations are observed when using various drill rigs. Diamond core has been shown to give close to 100 per cent recovery and grades have been verified by digging bulk samples. As such, diamond core is used as the reference. It is intended to include sonic drilling as an alternative to diamond cores. This presentation details and attempts to explain the reasons for the observed variations in the various drilling methods used by Bauxite Resources Limited. This is an ABSTRACT ONLY no paper was prepared for this presentation.

Mar 1, 2010

By M Francoeur

Oct 12, 2022

By K Brown, J Webster-Brown

Coal mining activity first began on the West Coast in 1864 and has since led to the exposure of large areas of coal and host rock to chemical weathering. These exposed abandoned workings have led to the formation of acid mine drainage, which flows into selected rivers and streams impacting on the natural environment. A previous study conducted for the West Coast Regional Council identified four catchments receiving mine drainage which had elevated arsenic concentrations. The aim of this research is to expand on this initial study by determining the spatial distribution and attenuation of the arsenic within the sediment and water column in each stream of concern. Cannel Creek is influenced from drainage from the Bellevue coal mine adit and exhibits a low pH of ~3, elevated sulfate concentrations and high arsenic and iron concentrations in the sediments. This pattern is repeated in the Rapid Stream and Soldiers Creek catchments, which are also affected by adit inflows from the Sullivan and Blackball coal mines respectively. Soldiers Creek also has significantly high arsenic in the waters, with an accompanying pH of ~5.5. Snowy River exhibits a similar trait with a pH also of ~5.5, but with very low sulfate concentrations. Arsenic concentrations in the waters are consistently around 30 ppb, with sediment concentrations up to 900 ppm. These sediment values might be partially attributable to the operation of the Snowy battery gold ore production facility, but the consistently high As concentrations in the water column and in the sediment upstream of the battery have an as yet unconfirmed source.

Jan 1, 2002