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By W C. Burton, J S. Kuszma, T O. Aspinall

The environmental impact of mining and evolving environmentallegislation has received increased attention worldwide in the last two decades (Bradfield, Shultz and Stone, 1996). The potential impacts associated with unstable spoil dumps from mine operations is the focus of concern both by the mining industry, environmental regulatory agencies and members of the public. Engineered slopes of mine spoils may be stable at the end of construction, but they can deteriorate over time. There is thus the need to increase the base of knowledge on the existing practices of spoil dump design and rehabilitation. Efficient engineering design and systematic economic evaluation of spoil dump reshaping techniques for mine rehabilitation assists in maintaining the expected standards of environmental compliance. As part of the overall approach for effective engineering design ofspoil dumps, a comprehensive, computational and efficient tool isrequired for assessing the economics and productivity of existing spoil dump reshaping practices for efficient mine rehabilitation. Such a design tool is useful in linking current spoil dump environmental management practices with engineering design planning and economic impact evaluation. This paper identifies the processes for the economic impact evaluation for existing spoil dump reshaping practices and proposed final site dump designs. Selection of an efficient spoil dump design at optimum costs will ensure operational efficiency. A case study is presented identifying economic impact evaluation in earthmoving equipment selection and the costs involved for the reshaping of spoil dumps to that of varying final site designs.

Jan 1, 2000

The Role of Mineral Processing in the Development of Cement with Low Carbon Emissions

Sep 13, 2010

The energy supply in the 21st century is still secured by coal. According to estimates of the International Energy Agency (IEA), coal will have the same importance as oil for the world-wide supply of energy until 2030. Coal is also an important element of EU policy, its future use is closely linked to effectively addressing the environmental challenges it poses. Hard and brown coal represent approximately 80 per cent of European Union (EU) reserves of fossil fuels and coal utilisation can co-exist with the development of power generation based on renewables. Europe is the world's third largest consumer of coal behind China and the United States.The Czech Republic is poor in energy resources except for coal. Brown coal is relatively abundant (mineable reserves estimated at 1800 Mt, output 48 Mt/a) and significant quantities of hard coal (mineable reserves 900 Mt, 13 Mt/a), much of it suitable for coke production, are also present.Severoceske Doly (SD Company), the biggest Czech coal mining company (22 Mt/a, 48.6 per cent Czech market share) and one of the biggest in Europe, reinforces despite the last deep crisis in the Czech and European economies its long-standing stable and strong market and financial position. From 2009, the SD Company co-owns, with partners, a brown-coal mining company MIBRAG (21 Mt/a). SD Company invests in large mining equipment (eg new giant spreaders and bucket-wheel excavators, extension of overland belt conveyors), rebuilds and upgrades mining and processing installations, auxiliary and other machinery. We should see the investment we make today in tomorrow's mining and reclamation as an opportunity and not as a burden. They enable to make our position more resistant in the longer term. Projects focused on the environment and operational safety went hand in hand with these efforts.R&D activities relate to technical innovations, improvements of mining equipment, research and evaluation of conditions for extracting coal seam and/or overburden and mitigation of environmental impacts, utilisation of coal in new products. The company spends considerable amounts on reclaiming affected land and creating a new post-mining landscape.Our dialogue with influential stakeholders in the region where we operate contributes to the long-term improvement in the quality of life of local residents. Such dialogue with communities in the last ten years has been instrumental for confidence building. SD Company helps to develop many projects of towns and villages in its vicinity. The stable and transparent relations with our neighbours are in accordance with our basic principles of corporate social responsibility.

Dec 6, 2010

By D Laurence, L Ge

This paper demonstrates use of remotely sensed imagery in promoting sustainable mining. Remote sensing technology can be used during all phases of a mining project û from evaluating the resource, to making extraction more cost-effective, through to monitoring, mine closure and remediation. Use of the new generation of satellite platforms with the capability of acquiring satellite data with higher spectral and spatial resolution have the capability to emerge as essential indicator for sustainable development in the minerals industry. A life cycle approach to satellite imagery is discussed. The use of an imagery of the site prior to mining activity establishes the environmental baseline, guides mitigation measures and eventual help in suggesting remediation. Remote imagery provides the cost-effective means of monitoring reclamation, including the growth of planted vegetation, of the mine site and surrounding area. The latest advancements in satellite remote sensing are highlighted to meet the newer challenges of sustainable mining practices. Some of the worldwide successful remote sensing applications for the measurement and evaluation of the sustainable development impact of mining operations are described. Presently available source of imagery and its comparative advantages and disadvantages are provided as a guide. Finally, the limitations of this tool are indicated.

Jan 1, 2009

Most people are familiar with Euclidean dimensions: zero for a point; one for a line; two for a plane; and three for a volume. Howeverbobjects are not actually Euclidean, but lie somewhere between Euclidean æend-membersÆ with a non-integer fractal (or æfractionalÆ) dimension. The fractal dimension D is a measure of the relative importance of large versus small. Consider the trace of a coastline on a map. It has a fractal dimension (1 =D =2) somewhere between a line (dimension = 1) and a plane (dimension = 2). The more tortuous the coastline, the higher the fractal dimension, and the closer it becomes towards a plane. The concepts of fractals and spatial geometry can be applied to a wide range of geologicaVmining problems as well as than those dealing with space. One commonly quoted fractal relation is the log-log relationship of ore-grade and tonnage. Until recently, we have never been able to define or measure spatial-geometry, but new developments in mathematics have provided a means by which to quantity and apply it to our problems.

Jan 1, 1992

Recovery of Rhenium from Mineral Raw Materials of Kazakhstan

Sep 13, 2010

By S Jahanshahi, D R. Swinbourne

The classical metal-slag-gas equilibrium technique was used to study the thermodynamic activity of cobalt, iron and their oxides in iron silicate based slags containing under controlled oxygen potential (3.70 x 10-8 to 2.95 x 10-7 atm) at 1573 K. The measured activity of cobalt oxide in FeOx-25 wt per cent SiO2 slags showed positive deviation from ideal behaviour for melts with up to ten wt per cent CoO. At higher silica contents, the behaviour became closer to ideal and in accord with previous studies on silica saturated slags. The activity coefficient of FeO in these slags had virtually no dependence on the CoO content. Partial substitution of silica by lime resulted in an increase of the activities and activity coefficients of CoO, FeO, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4. The results indicate that saturation of the slag with a magnetite phase occurs at CaO contents of five wt per cent and higher. Phase equilibria studies SiO2-FeO-Fe2O3-CaO slags containing cobalt were also carried out using the drop-quench technique. Results from these experiments confirmed the formation of a magnetite solid solution containing about three wt per cent CoO at lime contents of five wt per cent and higher at 1573 K and 2.9 x 10-7 atm of oxygen.

Jan 1, 2000

Bubble Load Measurements in Flotation - A Critical Review of Current Practice

Sep 13, 2010

By D R. Seaman, B Adamson, F Burns, B A. Seaman, P Manton

The Telfer concentrator, located in the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia, consists of a dual train gold/copper operation processing ore from one underground and, currently, two open pit mines with differing mineralogy. The flotation circuit of each train was designed to operate in several modes depending on the feed mineralogy. The majority of ore mined at Telfer is processed in a sequential mode where copper minerals are first floated into a saleable copper concentrate followed by the flotation of an auriferous pyrite concentrate which is treated in an on-site hydrometallurgical plant (carbon-in-leach (CIL)). Gold is recovered as a gravity product within the primary grinding circuit, to the copper concentrate, and to a lesser extent, the CIL circuit.Since Telfer was re-opened, with a new concentrator, in 2004, the processing plant has struggled with poor copper concentrate grades, partially due to the excessive entrainment of non-sulfide gangue minerals in the copper flotation circuit and, more recently, due to composite copper particles produced when processing ore from a supplementary satellite pit that has not previously been processed through the new Telfer concentrator. Gold recoveries in the CIL circuit have also been below industry standard. This paper presents the implementation of recent changes made to the circuit to address these performance issues. The reconfiguration of the circuit has involved the installation of the following major equipment items: two ISAMillsÖ in ultra-fine grinding applications (one in the copper circuit and one in the pyrite circuit), two Jameson Cells to improve fine gangue rejection and a bank of 5 + Outotec TC30s to recovery copper and gold from the reground pyrite stream. The equipment was purchased direct from vendors and an engineering firm contracted to design and install the multi-vendor reconfiguration upgrade.CITATION:Seaman, D R, Burns, F, Adamson, B, Seaman, B A and Manton, P, 2012. Telfer processing plant upgrade - The implementation of additional cleaning capacity and the regrinding of copper and pyrite concentrates, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 373-382 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By R Miller, D Hawcroft

The business environment is never still and there has been enormous change in demand, technology and opportunity during the last decade. In order to succeed it is necessary for organisations to change the way work is planned, scheduled and carried out. This is necessary just to survive over time. The success or failure of the business is strongly influenced by people; the way they work, the way they are guided and their feelings about being part of both a team, as well as an organisation. Our Sustainable Integrated Management System (SIMS) philosophy is built on the belief that people want to be constructive and creative and it is their environment and working relationships that influence how their energies are directed.

Jan 1, 2000

By M Foster

The new environmental legislation of 1986 was left incomplete and to date remains so. The 'missing' process by which environmental consideration should be applied was never embodied in law and has predisposition to a wide interpretation. The Resource Statutes which govern land use and development place demands on the environmental process without that definition. The Resource Statutes are themselves under review by Government. There is a new Government Department of Conservation. It is still in its early days and facing a challenge to compose its role as a steward over large tracts of land holding significant marketable resources, animal, vegetable, mineral, and abstract. It has also taken over numerous consent and advocacy roles in legislation beyond its own empowering Act. Enter the mining company, anxious if not able to get an easy passage for consents to prospect and mine, then at least to have a clear path to tread to get there, within a fixed time period. Whichever options appear available to process environmental approvals, public participation is that being favoured most by the regulatory bodies. Where a public notification of consent applications is mandatory, public participation should lead to the fastest track available.

Jan 1, 1988

Truck fires in a tunnel can create heat release rates (HRR) significantly higher than 100 MW. Because of a fast spread of smoke and heat the self-rescuing period is shortened significantly. Furthermore, it was experienced that firefighters are not able to approach the fire because of enormous heat and radiation. As consequence, the fire may spread to adjacent vehicles, which is reported for distances of more than 50 m. Tunnels can be damaged severely by fires and the repair works causes long closing time of tunnels. In addition to direct costs for the refurbishment of the tunnel, further economic losses will occur due to the closure time. Conventional deluge systems in Japanese and Australian road tunnels have been known since the 1960s. During the last years the research work was concentrated in the development of more effective and cost-effective solutions based on water mist technology. Orientating fire tests as well as specifications of minimum requirements were carried out within the European research project UPTUN. This basic work was extended by the safety of life in tunnels (SOLIT) research project, funded by the German government. The scope of SOLIT was not only to study the effects of water mist fire suppression systems in tunnels, but also the interactions with other safety systems, such as fire detection, passive fire protection or ventilation. Furthermore, the integration of active fire suppression systems into a holistic tunnel safety system was part of the work program. Within this research project a large-scale fire test program with more than 50 fire tests, including 25 truck fires with a potential HRR of almost 200 MW, was carried out in the test tunnel of San Pedro des Anes (Spain). Furthermore, a two-week testing and training period with the Madrid Fire Brigade was carried out after the SOLIT program. Two fundamental results were achieved during the fire tests:Primarily, water mist systems are able to control the HRR of fires in tunnels, so the atmosphere will be improved significantly. Hazardous effects of toxic smoke on people will be reduced and due to the reduction of temperatures and radiation, a firefighterÆs approach is improved significantly. Furthermore, the fire spread will be hampered and the thermal load on the building structure also be reduced. Secondarily, due to positive interactions with the ventilation system, the effectiveness of a tunnel ventilation system, longitudinal as well as semi-transversal, is increased significantly. Based on the results of the SOLIT research project, a water mist system was applied into several parts of the M30 tunnels in Madrid. As a basic principle the technical equipment and the methodology of implementation comply with the UPTUN 251 guidance, recommending minimum standards for water-based fire suppression systems in tunnels.

Jan 1, 2008

Efficiency, Economics, Energy and Emissions - Emerging Criteria for Comminution Circuit Decision Making

Sep 13, 2010

By J Sibbel, K Goh

A key issue facing mine managers in remote locations in Australia and overseas is that of managing a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce. Current Australian research (Sibbel, in prep) indicates that FIFO employees and their families do not differ from the general population in terms of their overall mental health and the well-being of their family relationships. However, they do face unique issues/pressures associated with the lifestyle, the impacts of which are dependent on the policies and practices of the company as well as individual coping and support mechanisms. Successful management of a FIFO site and its employees therefore requires specialist knowledge and skills beyond those of a solely residential operation. The well-being of the FIFO workforce depends on both site and individual employee characteristics, and has implications for productivity and turnover, as well as safety and health. In addition, although FIFO separates individuals and their families in time and space, the interaction between work and home must be acknowledged and taken into account. Drawing on findings from recent Australian and international FIFO research (eg Annear, Poot and Kingston, 2006; Beach, Brereton and Cliff, 2003; Brereton et al, 2006; Gallegos, 2006; Keown, 2005; Parkes, Carnell and Farmer, 2005; Sibbel, 2001, 2004, in prep; Shrimpton and Storey, 1996; Storey, 2001; Watts, 2004) this paper discusses key understandings of both the positive and negative impacts of FIFO employment on employees and their families, and provides practical management strategies as an aid to the development of best practice. Individual impacts including fatigue and loneliness, as well as family issues such as communication, continually changing roles and responsibilities and the impacts of regular parent absence are key areas which can be ameliorated by appropriate management understanding and action. A flexible framework approach is presented that is suitable for a diversity of operations, including principal and contractor workforces of different sized operations.

Jan 1, 2006

The Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Absorbing Lithium of Ion Sieve Preparing Pollymetallic Nodules

Sep 13, 2010

Change is inevitable but learning from change is an option. Willingness to learn is one of the first lessons that a leader must learn. Get comfortable and get left behind. I propose to outline the main social changes which are taking place and their impact on the Minerals Industry. Also the changing way we do business and what are the skills needed to manage that change and diversity. How are Associations and Institutes responding to this ever changing environment? More specifically, what is my Vision for the Institute to assist professionals to achieve greater and continuing professional excellence in their chosen professions?

Jan 1, 2000

By T Trott, M Lewis, G Lumley

The analysis of equipment trends in The AusIMMÆs revision of Monograph 19 - Australasian Mining and Metallurgical Operating Practices (AMMOP) (in prep) in the paper by Graham Lumley raised some interesting, and in parts disturbing, trends in the Australian open cut mining industry. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011) the productivity of the whole mining industry is down by 34 per cent since 2001. In terms of open cut equipment, median output for draglines is down by 15 per cent since 2003, electric rope shovels are down by 41 per cent since 2003, hydraulic excavators are down by 39 per cent since 2008, front-end loaders are down by 39 per cent since 2007 and trucks are down by 41 per cent since 2006. Clearly e boom has not been good for the efficiency of the mines. During this same time, best practice (defined as the average of the top ten per cent by annual output per unit of input) has declined, but not by as much as the median (eg shovels down by eight per cent, excavators down by 19 per cent and FELs down by five per cent). This paper will build on the analysis of AMMOP to understand the differences occurring between median and best practice and identify the factors contributing to the decline in performance. As the industry enters a period of potentially lower prices for commodities and reduced margins, pressure will be brought to bear on mine sites to start moving more with the equipment they have. An understanding of where efficiency has been lost will be a key component in that. The information contained in AMMOP, and the subsequent analysis of that information in papers such as this one, will be crucial to reversing the decline in open cut equipment performance.CITATION:Lumley, G, Trott, T and Lewis, M, 2012. Reversing the trend in open pit mining equipment output, in Proceedings Eighth Open Pit OperatorsÆ Conference , pp 75-82 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 18, 2012

Reason Analysis of Impurity Containing and Technology Discussion of Quality Improvement for Low-Quality Iron Concentrate

Sep 13, 2010

By Y Xie, D Willingham

Predictive maintenance (also known as ‘condition/health monitoring’) refers to the intelligent monitoring of equipment to avoid future failures. In contrast to conventional preventive maintenance, the maintenance schedule is not determined by a prescribed timeline; instead, it is determined by analytic algorithms, such as machine learning, using data collected from equipment sensors and/or via simulation.Predictive maintenance offers the following benefits for operators and equipment manufacturers:- reduces equipment downtime by identifying issues before failure, thereby enabling convenient scheduling of equipment service and extending equipment lifetime- determines the root cause of the failure, enabling appropriate service to be performed without utilising resources to determine a diagnosis- avoids the unnecessary costs of maintenance and unexpected failures- improves safety and product quality.Algorithms and data are critical to predictive maintenance success. Sensor data is first preprocessed using advanced statistical and signal processing techniques; it is then combined with predictive modelling techniques, such as machine learning, to estimate equipment health.Once tested, predictive maintenance algorithms may be used in an operational setting within an IT environment, such as a server or cloud. Alternatively, algorithms may be implemented in an embedded system directly on the equipment, allowing for faster response times and significantly reducing the amount of data sent over the network.CITATION:Willingham, D and Xie, Y, 2017. Predictive maintenance modelling for bearing-based equipment, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 627–630 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

Bioleaching of E-Wastes

Sep 13, 2010