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An understanding of the importance of the different components that comprise a rock bolt unit is necessary to ensure the proper use of rock bolts as a means of roof support. The various anchors, bolts and plates in use in Australia have been designed and adapted for Australian con- ditions. As mining conditions change, so will the types of bolts in use. This is apparent in the development of chemical anchors and other recent innovations.

Jan 1, 1971

By Rose CW

Typical rehabilitation programmes for spoil piles and waste dumps in open cut coal mines involve the spreading of topsoil to assist vegetation growth. In the early years of rehabilitation before a protective vegetation cover has been established, this topsoil is susceptible to erosion during rainfall events. Since the long term success of rehabil- itation procedures is sensitive to adequate topsoil maintenance and since, on many mine sites, topsoil is a scarce resource, erosion losses of topsoil (particularly once fert- ilised) can severely restrict rehabilitation Measures.

Jan 1, 1983

By Dawson RD

For the past 45 years, the casting of refined lead ingots by The Broken Hill Asso- ciated Smelters Pty. Ltd. (B.H.A,S,) at Port Pirie has been mainly by use of manually operated rotary casting wheels of Newnam design. This style of operation was quite satisfactory as far as standard of product was concerned, but was manually intensive and a relatively high cost operation. With most other large scale lead producers already using automated-casting equipment, an investigation which commenced in 1966, progressed through stages of enquiry, design and development until the present plant commenced trial operations in late 1973, and fully operative in late 1974. While certain features of the plant are sed on overseas practices the plant was signed and built within Australia to BRAS ecifications. As constructed it consists two almost identical casting lines each pable of producing 25 kg ingots at 25 tonnes r hour using straight line casting machines d automated stacking weighing and strapping

Jan 1, 1975

Silver-lead mineralization at Indooroopilly, Queensland, extends upwards from Upper Triassic rhyolite which intrudes phyllite-containing Palaeozoic mineralization.Sulphides and magma were emplaced in a special structural site which underwent dilational fracturing while surrounding rocks were block-faulted and compressed. This site lies at tbe intersection of dykes, faults, and a lineament adjacent to a Middle Triassic granitic stock.Structural controls at Indooroopilly are attributed to the effects of piston faulting. Exploration for similarly controlled deposits should be directed towards structural intersections near stocks or batholiths which have intruded mineralized belts. Priority should be given to structural intersections which were sites of block-faulting and igneous activity under compressional tectonic conditions.Favourable sites lacking surface mineralization may contain ore at depth as piston faulting produces 'blind' ore deposits.

Jan 1, 1976

A nuclear technique utilising the gamma-ray resonance scattering process is used at Isa Mine for the determination of copper in drill core and bulk mineral samples. The Copper Bulk Analyser (CBA) provides quick and accurate non-destructive copper analysis of drill core at costs two to three times cheaper than conventional chemical techniques.The almost immediate availability of sample results enhances the efficiency of the mine geologist in the duties of grade control, design of diamond drilling programmes, and input to planning. The unit has proven to be a reliable and accurate production tool requiring a minimum of technical support.

Jan 1, 1990

By Dunstan N, Valentine C

Gas power was first used on the Sons of Gwalia mine in January 1911, when a twin-cylinder Crossley engine of 167 hp was installed to belt-drive a 112 kw 550-volt ac generator. This engine was connected with a No 8 Crossley up-draught suction gas producer, using mulga charcoal as fuel.A second Crossley engine, of 400 hp direct-coupled to a 550-volt ac generator, was installed in 1912, and operated by a down-draught wood producer.This was followed by a large Kynoch twin tandem four-cylinder engine, rated at 660 hp, sea level, with a rope drive to the crushing and treatment sections of the plant.These engines operated until January 1921, when the plant and power house were destroyed by fire. After the fire, both Kynoch and second Crossley engines were salvaged and reconditioned and they continued to give useful service for some years.

Jan 1, 1932

Leichhardt Colliery is developed for underground mining of coal seams at depths exceeding 280 m. Investigations of the area were conducted in phases, each designed to delineate seam characteristics more accurately and to indicate with increasing precision the nature of local geological features and the ranges of those coal properties susceptible to variation. The investigational campaign is described phase by phase summarizing evaluation of the area at the conclusion of each phase. Predictions of geological conditions likely to influence engineering planning are contrasted with actual conditions observed during trial mining.

Jan 1, 1974

By Gardner CE

Uranium occurrences and the probable Australian reserves are discussed and the recovery and processing methods used in treatment plants at Radium Hill and Port Pirie, S.A., Rum Jungle and Moline, N.T., and Mary Kathleen, Qid. are reviewed. The broad aspects of the application of nuclear power in Australia are then considered, and those factors of greatest significance are highlighted. It is these factors that are most likely to dictate the future role of nuclear generation in Australia. In commenting on private industry applications, the paper emphasises that each case must be considered on its own merits, and a warning is given that general statements can be misleading. In the long-term situation nuclear power is considered to be capable of playing a leading role and the discussion covers desalination and high load industries although short term applications appear difficult to justify. In non-power applications for nuclear energy reference is made to isotopes and the uses of nuclear devices in mining and civil engineering with a pertinent comment on safety.

Jan 1, 1970

By B Cope, N Hastings, D Webb

A Feasibility Study was completed in late 2002 to ascertain the risk and reward profile from the proposed deepening of operations at Perseverance Nickel Mine in Western Australia. The system and approach adopted to this brownfields extension work is outlined and the main components of the study are overviewed. In particular, emphasis is given to the integration of mine design and scheduling tools through to financial evaluation. Detailed comment is given on the ability of the system used to provide a robust project schedule complete with 3D animation. The level of importance in eliminating scheduling errors is demonstrated in relation to the reported bottom line viability of the project. It is suggested that this is an area where brownfields Feasibility Studies have lacked clarity and authenticity, leading to the creation of an unrealistic benchmark for project implementation.

Jan 1, 2003

By Weining L

In-situ experiments were performed in a tunnel built in loess soil with the displace- ment components of the tunnel lining and the acceleration components of the tracks measured during the passing of trains. The measured parameters were then studied by the spectral method. As a result, the dynamic forces of trains was simulated numerically and a deter- ministic dynamic nonlinear analysis was carried out by means of finite element method. The results obtained by two different approaches were in fair coincidence. Results of the study indicate, that the low and medium frequency components of the dynamic train loading would be crucial for the dynamic responses of the tunnel lining and surrounding mass, and their effects would increase with the speed of passing trains within a certain range.

Jan 1, 1987

By S Pfaff, R Rajic

In the case when the number of independent variables is greater, a careful design for carrying out tests has to be made in order to obtain, with the smallest possible number of tests, as much as possible neutral information about the influence of independent variables on the dependent ones. Only on the basis of such design and its statistical analysis it is possible to come to right conclusions about the function of the whole system. The influence of pressure, temperature, humidity and granulation of the coal upon the resistance to pressure and the water absorption of the briquettes has been tested, with the aim to examine how each of the two dependent variables changes depending on the values assumed by any of the four independent variables and which of the mentioned independent variables significantly influences the dependent ones. The full factorial design with 16 experiments and the central composite design with 27 experiments have been applied. The influence of the independent variables upon the dependent ones has been examined by applying the analysis of variance. The influence values of individual factors and their interaction upon the dependent variables have been stated as well as coefficients of curvilinear equation.

Jan 1, 2003

The interaction of man with the environment has a double character. From one side, mankind can not exist without co- nsuming the natural resources and, from the other side, we actively alter and exert influence upon nature. Analysis reveals that the ecological problem is, to a great extent, a geological one. The paper deals with the application of grouting techniques to construct impermeable barriers for the protection of ground water and soils from depletion and industrial wastes pollution. A number of case histories in the field of mine construction is given to illustrate the solution of geotechnical problems in concert with environ- mental protection measures.

Jan 1, 1988

During 1995 a catastrophic accident took place at the No 2 Vaal Reefs shaft in South Africa, when a locomotive fell onto a cage, causing the death of 104 people. The subsequent Commission of Enquiry found that the safety detaching hook had opened when hit by parts of the falling locomotive, detaching the cage from the rope and allowing the cage to drop 400 m down the shaft. It was believed that had the hook not detached, the rope would have been sufficiently elastic not to have failed, implying that many fatalities may have been avoided. In addition, the risk of accidental opening of hooks due to impact with smaller falling objects in shafts became a concern. This paper deals with a comprehensive statistical investigation that was performed to quantify this risk, establish acceptable levels of such risks and to derive criteria for the resistance of detachment hooks against accidental opening caused by impacts. The investigation involved a survey, dynamic finite element analyses and Monte Carlo simulations.

Jan 1, 2005

Cable bolts have been used extensively in the development of the footwall of the Mt Whaleback Mine as a part of the ground improvement program since 1986. High tensile seven wire stress relieved steel strand similar to that used in pre-stressed concrete and grouted in place with sulphate resistant cement have been employed for rock-mass reinforcement.Most of the footwall is developed in Mt McRae Shale which contains a 20 m thick pyritic shale layer 14 m below the ore/waste contact. Due to extensive folding of the footwall rocks, the pyritic shale layer regularly occurs on, or close to the pit slope. Rain water run-off seeping through pyritic shale becomes acidic to the extent where its pH value can be as low as 1.5.

Jan 1, 1992

The Tavua Power Proprietary Ltd. was created in 1936 for the purpose of supplying electric power, compressed air and water to the mining field.The original share capital was subscribed on a two-third:one-third basis by the Emperor Gold Mining Company Ltd. and Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, N.L. In 1940, Fiji Mines Development Ltd. (later changed to Dolphin Mines Ltd.) was admitted as a shareholder, and, in 1950, a further change occurred. The present shareholding in the Company is as follows:A central power station was decided upon to reticulate power and compressed air over the whole field and building commenced in May 1936.The original plant comprised three Belliss and Morcom diesel generating sets 770 b.h.p. 525 kW 3,300 V, 3 phase, 50 cycle; one Belliss and Morcom diesel compressor set 2,09'0 cu. ft. of free air per min. at 90 lb. gauge 300 r.p.m., and two small Ruston-Holman diesel compressor sets each of 525 cu. ft. capacity taken over from Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, N.L., and the then existing Koroere Gold Mining Company.BuildingThe original building was 130 ft. long by 47 ft. wide with an elevated switchgear annex on the west side from which a clear view of the engine room is available.

Jan 1, 1953

By Nag D. K

The Dolphin Scheelite orebody is located near the old mining town of Grassy on the south-east comer of King Island in Tasmania. Surface open cut mining of the Dolphin deposit was conducted for a number of years, then the proximity of the sea and adverse stipping ratio led to underground mining. As a result of the variable orientation and dimensions of parts of the orebody a number of mining methods were practiced at the Dolphin mine until 1990 when a combination of high processing and surface site costs coupled with low tungsten prices led to the cessation of operations. In this paper the different mining methods practised are examined and critically reviewed. The more successful mining methods were developed with experience and improving equipment technology to the extent that the underground operation produced ore at the lowest unit cost during the final years of operation.

Jan 1, 1995

By M Roche, W J. Huxley

Finding a balance between practical and acceptable groundwater management, and providing for the needs and impacts of mining developments remains a challenge. The changes that accompanied the recent implementation of water reforms have provided greater flexibility for the water manager and greater certainty for the resource user. However uncertainty associated with understanding of complex aquifer systems, balanced against providing for the needs of mining developments, the rights of existing water resource users and expectations of the broader community have not diminished the conflicting issues faced by water resource managers and resource developers. Licensing under the Water Act 2000 provides the regulatory link with the taking of water for water supply purposes or as a consequence of the mining activity. This paper outlines key elements of sustainable water resource management involving certainty of access to water and adaptive environmental management that are delivered through conditioning the water licences issued for the particular mining development. Implementation of this approach is illustrated through a case study involving the BHP Billiton Cannington Mine in North West Queensland.

Jan 1, 2003

By Nagai K, Moriyama K

Toyo smelter has been making s veral efforts to reduce and diversify energy for dealing successfully with such :n:;rgy problems as the first and second oil crises. ::,specially it is one of th:; most important subjects to substitute oil by alternative: energy source, because oil is expensive and unstable with respect to its supply. t _'hercfore i was decided to propel tnC ezhstitution of coal *jr oil. in the first place, the supple- mental fuel oil in the reaction shaft was replaced by oil to coal in 1981, and then th, fuel substitution of pulverized coal was achieved in the steam superheater in 1984. 3y these fuel substitutions about 7u,' of the total fuel energy at 2oyo smelter has been replaced by coal. in this paper the fuel substitu- tions at loyo smelter are described in detail.

Jan 1, 1987

By Johnson RD

The variation in coal properties and the coal seam reduced level can be analysed using partial trend-surface analysis techniques. For the area studied seam reduced level and seam thickness data from the Bulli Coal yield trend-surfaces with a high coefficient of determination, since they have relatively small systematic local and random components in their overall variation. Sulphur content appears to have no significant re.gi_onal trend, and phosphorus content has a very weak regional trend. Other analytical variables have regional trends which are of intermediate strength. The strike-directions of.the statistically significant first degree! trend-surface are similar, sug-gesting.: that the variation of the several coal properties was controlled by a set of- related causes. The relations apparent from the dip and strike of the first degree trend-surfaces are similar to- those which are apparent from the trend- surface residuals and'from the results' of canonical trend-surface analysis.'.. It is probable that differential subsidence controlled the areal

Jan 1, 1975

By Nixon J

Open pit mining began in 1978 at the Woodlawn base metals deposit. For its ten years as an open pit the mine was financially unsuccessful as a combined result of difficult metallurgy and industrial unrest. In 1985 CRA bought out two American joint venturers with a view to going underground and a prerequisite to expending capital on developing an underground operation was to improve the industrial climate, work practices and mining methods.Following feasibility work, continuous production from the underground mine began in 1986 using mechanised cut and fill methods and a workforce trained under a multiskilling program. Men with no previous underground experience were trained by supervisors with backgrounds as miners to undertake all the work that is required with increases in skill levels being rewarded with increases in pay.

Jan 1, 1992