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By R. K. Simpson, C. S. Eldridge, M. H. Tyler, J. P. Hodgkison

The WMC Olympic Dam Operation in South Australia is an integrated site, involving brown fields exploration through to production of copper cathode, uranium oxide, gold and silver bullion. The Geology and Analytical Services (GAS) Department reflects this totality and, therefore, is perhaps a unique construct in the industry. It comprises Geology, the Metallurgical Laboratory and the Analytical Laboratory, offering a single point of contact in matters of metal discovery and tracking through mine design, production, beneficiation and final product certification. This structure promotes value adding by removing traditional barriers between groups that can deliver more, collectively, than as individual units. This approach to value adding by bringing disparate groups together is echoed in each of the three sections where enhancements in the traditional value adding activities have been delivered by multi-skilling and encouraging overlapping involvement.

Jan 1, 2002

By W. S. Steinberg

In 1963, the full-scale engineering study for the development of an iron, steel, and vanadium plant was initiated. This was the birth of Evraz Highveld and its process flow as it is known today. Highveld started out as a steelworks that produced steel and vanadium-bearing slag from a titaniferous magnetite iron ore mined from its own mine site near Steelpoort. The process utilized co-current rotary kilns for prereduction, and submerged-arc furnaces for the production of pig iron with approximately 1.15% vanadium. Because of various technical challenges that the submerged-arc furnaces experienced over the years, a decision was taken in 2004 to convert the furnaces to open slag bath (OSB) operation, in order to enable the maximum production of iron and vanadium while improving the control over operational parameters. The conversion proved to be highly successful and, since 2005, three furnaces have been converted to OSB operation. The fourth furnace will be converted in the first half of 2011. The conversion to OSB furnaces not only yields higher vanadium recovery to the metal at the iron plant, but also improves the overall throughput of the steel plant. This is the result of the higher carbon content of the liquid iron from the OSB furnaces, eliminating the need for anthracite addition to the shaking ladle process. This reduces the blowing time by approximately 60%. The conversion of the furnaces to OSB configuration is seen as an enabling technology change and a prerequisite to the implementation of other plant improvements that are envisaged. The long-term vision of EHSV is to convert five furnaces to OSB mode, and permanently decommission the two remaining submerged-arc furnaces. This will allow EHSV to maintain current steel and vanadium production but at a significantly improved overall efficiency.

Jan 1, 2011

By I. Demers

Doyon mine, Quebec, Canada evaluates the possibility of desulphurizing their tailings to produce material to be used in as cover over the acid generating tailings disposal site. Laboratory tests were conducted and showed that a single-layer cover made of desulphurized tailings placed over reactive tailings can prevent the generation of acid mine drainage. Modelling with the software Vadose/W was undertaken to optimize the design parameters, namely cover thickness, water table position, and residual sulphide content of desulphurized tailings following laboratory work. It was found that the optimal configuration includes a 1 m desulphurized tailings cover containing 0.8%S, with the water table kept at the interface between the reactive tailings and the cover. To maintain the cover performance to reduce oxygen flux towards acid-generating tailings even in the event of a long dry period, a sand layer is suggested to protect the cover from excessive evaporation. It is possible to reach the environmental objective chosen for Doyon mine (10 mol/m2/year) with the protective sand layer, even in extremely dry conditions.

Jan 1, 2008

By H. Zhu, F. Xu, T. Wang

Abstract : The deformation monitoring data of the middle pier of the in permanent ship lock in Three Gorges revealed several interesting deformation phenomena. Conclusions and explanations are made concerning the phenomena in this paper, based on the finite element and engineering geology analyses. Firstly, the fluctuation of the horizontal transformations can be attributed to the alternate excavation of the two neighbouring ship lock rooms. Secondly, the rock mass discontinuities result in the displacement breaks. Lastly, the main reasons for the one-sided leaning phenomena are the natural stress, which is not evenly distributed, and the presence of discontinuities. This paper presents a valuable reference for studying the ‘individual phenomena’ in geotechnical engineering. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Die Beobachtungs claten an der Mittelpier deformation bezüglich Permannenter Schiffsschleuse in den Drei Schluchten offenbaren einige interessante Deformationsphänomene. Die Schlußforgerungen und Erklärungen dazu in dieser Arbeit basseren methodisch anf der ‚’ ‘Endlichen-Elemente-Analzse’ und der ‘Ingenieurnissen-Geograhnie-Analzse’. Erstens kann die Fluktuation der horiyontalen Transformation durch die ungleichzeitige Ausgrabung der zwei benachbarten Schiffsschleusenräume verursacht werden. Zweitens resultzert die Diskontinuität der Felsenmasse ans dem verlagerten Bruch. Drittens: Die Hauptgründe für das Zu-einer-Seite-Neigung-Phänomen in manchen Stellen sind der ungleich eigeteilte natürliche Druck und das vorhandersein der Diskontinuität. Diese Arbeit präsentiert eine wertvolle Referenz für die Untersuchung der Sonderfälle in geotechnischen Bau. Résumé: Cet article a analysé sérieusement et profondément , en utilisant des procèdes d’étude par exemple l’analyse d’éléments défini et celle de la condition géographique de traveaux , des règles typiques de la déformation montrées dans les données surveillantes à propos de la déformation des pierres centrales dans les écluses éternelles du Trois Gorges , on en a tiré une conclusion : 1) le changement des chiffres des déplacements horizontaux des pierres centrales est causé par les creusages séquentiels des cannelure voisines ; 2) l’inclinaison au Nord de toutes les pierres centrales entre les deuxième et troisième chambres d’écluse est causée par la différence de la gravitation entre les deux chambres d’écluse et par l’existence de la surface structurale ; 3) l’existence de la surface structurale cause le changement des chiffres des déplacements horizontaux des pierres centrales au niveau profond . Cet article donne une référence utile pour l’étude du ‘ problème d’indivudualité’( ou les situations anormaux) dans les données surveillantes de la déformation des pierres centrales de la génie civile.

Jan 1, 2003

Approximately half of all the fuel energy used in the United States is now pro-vided by oil and natural gas. A persistent and rapid growth in energy demand during the last 3 decades has been absorbed largely by the liquid and gaseous rather than solid fuels. In 1948 the energy provided by coal was substantially the same as in 1920. Meanwhile, the use of oil and natural gas each had increased fivefold. On a per capita basis, the change is more significant. Coal consumption has dropped from about 6 tons per person to 4-1/2 tons, while oil has increased from 4-1/3 barrels to 14-1/3, and natural gas from 7,500 cubic feet to about 35,000. These facts would have only academic interest if the United States had unlimited supplies of all fuels. However, while the Nation's reserves of coal are adequate to meet our needs for centuries, those of oil and natural gas appear limited. It is obvious, therefore, that the security of our liquid-fuel position would be greatly enhanced if the supply could be based in an increasing degree on solid fuels, such as coal/and oil shale, which make up more than 95 percent of our fuel reserves, instead of natural oil and gas. In addition, this would create new employment and help to stabilize the market for coal, which may be facing comparatively bleak prospects in the near future unless its position with respect to other fuels is improved.

Jan 1, 1950

By Ralph P. Hackl

Ore at the Congress gold property, located near Goldbridge, British Columbia, is extremely refractory with most of the gold disseminated in fine-grained arsenopyrite. Metallurgical testwork conducted by Giant Bay Biotech Inc. indicated that biooxidation pretreatment was capable of increasing cyanide gold recovery from the ore to greater than 90%. To determine if the bioleach process could be successfully scaled up, a 225m' (7950-cu ft) commercial size bioleach reactor was built and tested at the mine site in 1989. At that time, the tank was the largest bioleach reactor ever operated. The objectives of the program were: • to ascertain if the biooxidation rates obtained in lab and pilot-scale reactors could be duplicated in a commercial scale tank; • to identify agitation conditions under which the process will function optimally; and • to demonstrate the bioleach process on a scale sufficient to satisfy the owners and potential investors.

Jan 1, 1990

By Erkan Bayrak, Serkan Erkara, Ozkan Duzgun, Ekin Gungor

This paper presents part of the outcomes of the drill and blast optimization project carried out at Kisladag Gold Mine in Turkey. Kisladag Gold Mine is the largest gold mine in Turkey with a low-grade, bulk-tonnage, open pit operation that uses heap leaching for gold recovery. After blasting, the ore is fed to a three-stage crushing circuit which prepares crushed ore approximately -10 mm (0.39 in) for heap leaching. Crusher downtime analysis showed that blocky material and insufficient feed are causing significant downtimes with the primary crusher. This was supported by the fragmentation data collected to date. It was decided to initiate a fragmentation project to understand the variation in the run-of-mine (ROM) size with a view to provide a consistent feed to the crushing circuit. The study includes the analyses of the ore strength and structure, image analysis of the fragmentation pictures acquired from blasts, blast auditing and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) analyses. During this project, over 200 fragmentation pictures were acquired from 47 blasts to optimize ore and waste blasts. Ore strength varies between 30 and 120 MPa and rock quality designation (RQD) ranges between 30 and 100. A site-specific fragmentation model was used to calibrate the fragmentation for blast domains formed. In addition, alternative cases were simulated to achieve blasts designs with consistent ROM fragmentation size distribution. Alternative blast designs that include stemming length and powder factor changes were suggested. Long stemming length, drill cuttings use, free faced blasts, small shot sizes and poor stemming length control were some of the key issues causing coarse fragmentation.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. Cichowicz

The objective of this work is to quantify the effect of the rock mass surrounding a stope or a tunnel on the seismic signal so that the rockburst damage on the excavation can be derived. It has been shown that the transfer function of rock mass surrounding an excavation can be modelled using a damped oscillator. The method of estimating the transfer function is extended in this paper. The parameters of a damped oscillator are estimated using inversion techniques and the transfer function is modelled as a time-varying system. The technique is tested on data acquired at three different sites in two deep gold mines. Employment of a modal model of the transfer function was suitable in two cases. Application of this technique is essential to track the time variation of the natural frequency during ground motion caused by a seismic event.

Jan 1, 1999

By M Hourn, D Turner, P Voigt, D Mallah

The GPM Gold Project is located in Armenia, and consists of an open cut mine at Zod, near the Azerbaijan border, and a CIL processing plant at Ararat near the Turkish border. Mining at Zod commenced in 1976, and focused on near surface oxide ores, which overlay deeper refractory sulphides. Historical mining has now almost depleted the oxide ores, and the sulphide content of ore delivered to the processing plant at Ararat is increasing. Gold and silver recoveries through the Ararat plant were declining steadily.GeoProMining, the owners of the project, have expanded the Ararat facility to deal with the increasing sulphide content in the ore. In 2014, GeoProMining refurbished an existing concentrator on site to recover a sulphide concentrate from the ore, and have constructed an Albion ProcessTM plant to oxidize the refractory concentrate. Glencore Technology (GT) provided the Albion ProcessTM plant as a technology package.In July 2014, the progress of the GPM Gold Project Albion ProcessTM Plant was reported (Hourn, Voigt and Turner, 2014). At the time of writing, the construction of the plant was nearly complete. This paper presents an update of project progress, covering commissioning and ramp up of the GPM Gold Project.The commissioning phase occurred over June to August 2014, which included an M3,000 IsaMillTM fine grinding plant, a 6 tph limestone milling plant, a 60 tpd vacuum pressure swing adsorption oxygen plant, a 10 m residue thickener and a 12 tph Albion ProcessTM oxidative leach plant. Since commissioning was completed, ramp up occurred over the following three months with downstream gold recoveries from cyanide leaching reaching over 98%.CITATION:Voigt, P, Hourn, M, Mallah, D and Turner, D, 2015. Commissioning and ramp-up of the Albion Process at the GPM Gold Project, in Proceedings MetPlant 2015, pp 207–219 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 7, 2015

By G. A. Harrison

The introduction of extra low profile (XLP) mechanized equipment within Anglo Platinum is aligned with the overall New Mining Technologies strategy to focus on continuing modernization of our mining operations` incorporating injury-free production and cost-effective mining technologies. The method allows for the introduction of a suite of ultra-low profile equipment in narrow reef (1.2 m) stoping operations. For the first time it is now possible to achieve total trackless mechanization at these widths and indications are that XLP mining has the potential to add more value when benchmarked with conventional mining and low profile (1.8 m) room and pillar methods. Various mine layouts were tested at different sites within Anglo Platinum and the XLP breast mining layout proved to be the most effective. This paper describes the results of the trials at Waterval Shaft and concludes with recommendations on our future strategy on implementation of XLP technology within Anglo Platinum.

Jan 1, 2006

By Basem Sh. Hazzan

In the last four decades significant effort has been devoted to designing piles in expansive clay soils. Nevertheless, only a scant effort has been devoted to the elimination of heave forces acting on the upper part of lightly loaded piles. For this purpose, an investigation site was established in Karmiel in Northern Israel. On this site sixteen unloaded cast-in-situ piles, both uncoated and coated, were installed in a moderately expansive clay soil in the end of summer 1996. The piles were executed to different depths ranging between 2m and 7m and were observed over a period of 27 months. Another nine unloaded cast-in-situ bored piles were installed at the end of summer 1998 for carrying out pullout tests. These piles were embedded two meters from the ground surface. Results obtained from observations and from full-scale static pull out tests showed that separating the piles from the surrounding clay in the active zone by a twin walled sleeve eliminated the heave forces significantly. The scope of the work is, determining of the elimination degree of the heave forces due to the provision of the above sleeve.

Jan 1, 1999

By Thomas J. Weaver

Piles extending through soft soil near the ground surface will have a relatively low lateral stiffness. As a result, lateral serviceability limits may control the number of piles required for foundation support. Improving near surface soil properties may significantly increase lateral pile stiffness and thus reduce the number of piles required for the foundation. A series of analyses have been performed to assess the depth and lateral extent of soil improvement required to significantly increase lateral foundation stiffness. Analyses consisted of Winkler type beam on a spring foundation and three-dimensional, linear elastic finite element analyses. Results from the analyses show that lateral pile foundation stiffness can be doubled when soil properties are improved to a depth and lateral extent of 5 pile diameters. In order to achieve this increase in foundation stiffness, the modified/improved soil modulus of elasticity needed to be approximately 5 times greater than adjacent unimproved soil. This magnitude of soil improvement over such a limited lateral extent suggests that limited soil improvement can result in more economical foundation designs at soft soil sites.

Jan 1, 2006

By Bruce Vandenberg, R. Frank Chiappetta, John Foley

Recent advances in solid-state, field portable, fast framing compact video camera systems and PC based frame capture hardware now allow blast imaging up to 1000 frames per second. Up to 4.1 seconds of data can be captured directly into the unit, downloaded to a PC or archived to a standard VCR without data compression. Since no film processing is involved, motion analysis can be performed instantly and on-site within a few minutes. This paper will describe the design features and applications of the MotionMeter system and compare these with the analogous aspects of film-based cameras and other systems. Of all blast monitoring systems and techniques available today, high-speed motion picture photography and videography still remain as the most valuable, stand alone, diagnostic techniques for troubleshooting and evaluating full scale blasts in the mining and explosives industries. High-speed image data, coupled with information obtained from other instrumentation systems, such as continuous velocity of detonation recorders, laser surveying systems, refraction and ground vibration recording seismographs, etc., can eliminate many assumptions about what actually took place in a blast. Thus, diagnostic confidence in evaluating both excellent and poorly designed blasts is increased, and optimum blast results, (which are application dependent), are achieved considerably faster when compared to the trial and error approach of relying on strictly the experience factor. Applications include developing site-specific blast designs, decay equations relating burden, burden velocity and explosive energy, determining ground response times, reducing coal damage, quantifying backbreak, evaluating the effectiveness of sternming, checking delay detonator firing times, evaluating air decks and for studying general dynamics. Motion analysis is performed with a 2D and 3D software package developed specifically for video analysis, but is also directly applicable to film analysis when using a digitizer. Dimensional controls, lens aberration, field set-ups and camera orientation are all automatically corrected for with matrix analysis.

Jan 1, 2000

By James R. Wait

The present final report constitutes the total productivity of a series of contracts from the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences over the period 1971-1979. The emphasis on the research has been analytical. In this "executive summary" we give a succinct description of each phase of the investigation. In the first phase of the investigation that was stimulated by the National Academy of Engineering, we concentrated on the analytical studies of techniques relevant to mine rescue. Several specific procedures for locating a buried source were analyzed. In the next, but overlapping phase of the investigation, we dealt with the fundemental character of how electromagnetic waves propagate in mine tunnels. At the outset we allowed for the finite conductivity of the tunnel walls and the presence of axial conductors such as cables, pipes, and tracks. The third phase of the investigation was devoted to the analyses of various specific geophysical engineering problems. The related fourth phase dealt with the general subject of non-destructive testing of wire ropes such as used for mine hoists.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. Shang, P. Howarth, B. Morris

Tailings from the nickel refinery in Copper Cliff, Ontario, consist of fine silicates mixed with a variable amount of conductive and magnetic minerals mainly associated with sulphides and iron oxides. Subsequent oxidation of sulphide- rich phases within the tailings results in the formation of an acidic leachate that may contain significant concentrations of trace metals. Mapping the spatial distribution of regions of higher sulphide concentration therefore provides insight into the distribution of the acidgenerating potential within the tailings. Electrical conductivity is constrained by two parameters — the concentration of metallic sulphides and the ionic concentration of acid in groundwater. Magnetic susceptibility is directly related to the pyrrhotite and magnetite content. It is proposed that combining information derived from airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys can provide an indication of metallic sulphide distribution. Preliminary investigations of airborne electromagnetic and magnetic data acquired concurrently over the sulphide-rich Copper Cliff tailings site reveal that these parameters can provide information on mine tailing extent and permit separation of tailings with varying compositional and alteration levels. Airborne geophysical data provide information about the subsurface while a digital elevation model (DEM) and hyperspectral imagery record surface conditions. Integration of the two data sets can reduce ambiguity when interpreting mine tailing distributions and their subsequent alterations.

Jan 1, 2001

By D. Nutakor

Rock joint stiffness is not only a poorly known parameter, but also has no established laboratory measurement procedure. This paper presents methods used to determine the normal and shear stiffnesses of healed joints filled with vapor-altered minerals obtained from the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. Results show that these joints behave linearly up to 85% of their loading history and are stiff with strengths very close to the strength of the intact rock. Factors that might have contributed to the linear behavior of these joints are discussed and areas requiring further investigation are provided. Joint normal stiffness ranges from 7.16 to 64.77 GPa/mm with an average value of 26.93 GPa/mm, while joint shear stiffness averages 11.41 GPa/mm and ranges from 3.09 to 28.41 GPa/mm. Young?s modulus of the vapor-altered joint infilling was calculated from the stiffness of the healed joint. Young?s modulus of the vapor-altered joint filling material averages 7.89 GPa and ranges from 2.15 to 19.43 GPa. Given the pervasive presence of such altered rock, usually in the form of sub-spheroidal 3-D pockets, this property should be of value in any numerical modeling attempting to describe the mechanical behavior of these tuff formations at the level of detail where inclusions might be a factor.

Jan 1, 2008

By Huang Zhiwei, Paul Skayman, Kevin Holley

In 1989 The First Brigade for Geology and Mineral Exploration of Qinghai Province discovered gold at Jinlonggou and Qinlongtan, Tanjianshan. Between 1992 and 2002 small scale mining was carried out at these sites using underground mining methods at Jinlonggou and an open pit at Qinlongtan. During 2003 and 2004 geotechnical investigations were carried out in support of a bankable feasibility study. An important objective of this investigation was to meet both internationally accepted standards and codes of practice, and also to satisfy the Chinese requirements. Extensive use of local experience was utilised. Where possible geological drilling information was incorporated into the assessment. Extensive geotechnical mapping of surface and underground exposures, and index testing to gain an appreciation of rock intact strength were used to characterise the sites. Rock mass classification (MRMR) was used to assess indicative overall slope angles and appropriate bench stack heights for the proposed pits at Jinlonggou and Qinlongtan. Measured discontinuity orientations were used in kinematic analysis to assess stability of possible pit slope geometry at a batter and overall scale to provide preliminary recommendations for the pit slope configuration. Numerical modelling was also carried out to improve the understanding of anticipated pit behaviour. Site investigation and preliminary geotechnical design details, that incorporate site specific conditions for the formation of open pits at Tanjianshan, are discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 2006

The expansion of hydrometallurgical operations, declining ore grades and upwardly spiralling production increases the demand for fresh and recycled water with low levels of contaminants. The minerals industry is also increasingly being forced both by regulatory and cost pressures to reduce the amount of liquid waste they produce. This requires a strong focus on waste reduction by recycling, regeneration and reuse. However, these measures are often not enough in arid countries for a forward progress and expansion of their mining activities.   It is often the case that in the arid and semi-arid countries the only available water is either sea water or underground (brackish to hypersaline) saline waters. Brackish waters can be desalted at a reasonable cost but the desalination of highly saline waters is challenging and expensive.   There are emerging reports that sea water and in some cases hypersaline underground waters are now used by various mining industries as process water. This study explores the possibility of the use of sea water in various mineral processing and hydrometallurgical processes and briefly discusses the benefits and problems related to the use of saline waters at the mine and mill site. Several cases studies and preliminary laboratory test results are presented.

Jun 1, 2010

By Francis Chachula, Niel Erasmus

"In 2002, Titanium Corporation Inc. focused its attention on the development of a process for the recovery of valuable heavy minerals, including zircon and titanium bearing minerals from oil sands froth treatment tailings. The development of a process flowsheet to recover the titanium and zircon minerals from the Athabasca oil sand tailings has evolved through many laboratory, bench and pilot scale iterations.Initial development work focused on so-called ‘beach sand’ material, which is tailings material deposited over a period of time close to the tailings pipe discharge. The derived process flowsheet primarily consisted of gravity concentration stages, which is typical of all mineral sands operations. Titanium Corporation’s business plan calls for the utilization of tailings directly from the tailings pipeline – the process developed around the beach material is therefore risky as it differs from the live tailings in a number of aspects, with the effects on the process unknown. Titanium Corporation successfully obtained an intermediate product through a ‘bulk sampling plant’ coupled directly to an Oil Sands operator’s froth treatment tailings pipeline, during the summer of 2005. Subsequent further processing of this material resulted in poor separation or concentration of the heavy minerals due to a number of reasons. A more effective process flowsheet had to be developed.The newly derived process is basically a marriage between mineral sands technology and oil sands technology that can economically concentrate and recover the heavy minerals and entails the incorporation of a flotation process that takes advantage of the entrained bitumen in the feed to separate the heavy mineral fraction from the quartz gangue This paper will describe the newly derived process as well as the successful results of a subsequent on-site concentrator pilot campaign completed during the 3rd Quarter of 2006."

Jan 1, 2008

By A. Adu-Acheampong

Photogrammetry and laser scanning has been employed at a number of Newmont mine sites to mitigate risks associated with conventional structural mapping, determining the geometry of voids from old underground workings, and generating topography in areas of slope instability. Laser scanning has also been used to evaluate as-built pit slope configurations with respect to design assumptions, operational practices, and rock fall potential. Recently, remote sensing applications carried on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) were used to generate base topography at some Newmont sites. UAV are generally more convenient and less expensive and can be utilized in areas where cloud cover prevents manned aerial photography missions. This paper discusses these applications, and provides commentary on their benefits and limitations based on recent experience.

Feb 27, 2013