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By Jim Petrie, Mary Stewart, Damien Giurco

This paper describes a generic approach to analysing the environmental and economic performance of a generic global mineral/metal value chain, with the express view of improving the quality of prospective decision-making within the industry in order to ensure more sustainable outcomes. As a point of departure we propose that it is not possible to place metals in the context of the sustainable development of society without paying due regard to the entire metals value chain. Thus, the starting point for this analysis is the development of a global stocks flows and transformations model, for the metal of interest. Any aspect of the value chain, e.g. “metals refining, “goods manufacture”, “use and disposal”, can be assessed, either relative to other stages in the value chain, or in more detail by focusing on the technologies used within that stage. The use of this model as a decision support tool is explored here for the case of copper. Both primary and secondary production routes are enumerated, covering a range of processes, for seven distinct geographic regions around the globe. The value of the modelling approach is explored for different energy mixes. In particular, the case study examines the impact of increased recycling on the (re) distribution of global and regional environmental impacts for technologies-in-place in these different regions. The aim of these case studies is to highlight to the minerals processing and metals refining industries their potential role in a more sustainable global society.

Jan 1, 2003

The use of mining by-products for beneficial use may face approval, and acceptance barriers. This paper described the use of a sustainability framework to assess the safety, effectiveness and economic value of modified bauxite residue (Alkaloam«) for use on agricultural land in the Peel-Harvey region of Western Australia. The results indicate the merit associated with using this by-product from a safety and, private, community and environmental value perspective. They may be used to indicate the worth of pursuing any future community acceptance and agency approval process.   The use of Alkaloam« for beneficial use on agricultural land in Western Australia was first investigated over 25 years ago. Efforts to gain regulatory approval and community acceptance of Alkaloam« have had a complicated and enduring history. Understanding and assessing the value of a by-product using social and economic considerations, in conjunction with an environmental assessment, provided a more complete evaluation to that previously used.

Jun 1, 2010

By S. Mudau, P. Mohasoa, M. J. Cole

Derelict and ownerless (D&O) mines in South Africa have been an ongoing concern for over a decade. While some progress has been made to rehabilitate D&O asbestos sites, significant work remains, exacerbated by the growth in illegal mining. There are concerns regarding the accuracy and transparency of the D&O database, lack of oversight, and constrained funding, and the government is increasingly looking to the private sector to fund rehabilitation. Given these challenges, a new, sustainable approach to D&O sites in South Africa is needed to bring clarity and transparency to the process, recognise responsibilities and promote partnerships, and explore economic opportunities at D&O sites to reduce the financial liability and respond to the growing demand for critical minerals. This article has three components: i) reviews of international D&O good practices; ii) it analyses South Africa’s current approach and the D&O sites; and iii) proposes a D&O framework that addresses data, risk ratings, responsibilities and rehabilitation, economic opportunities, and stakeholder engagement. The study finds that the majority of the 6,100 so-called abandoned D&O mines are quarries and mine site features, 16% are operational, at least 11% have owners, and only 752 (12%) require rehabilitation. The framework aims to bring clarity and fairness to decision-making and to assign risk and responsibility for rehabilitation and seeks to incorporate economic opportunities to reduce the financial burden of rehabilitation, create jobs for local communities, and respond to the growing demand for critical minerals for the clean energy transition.

Apr 25, 2025

By Jaeheon Lee, Junmo Ahn, Jiajia Wu

To reduce the environmental footprint of hydrometallurgical processing of black mass from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), a green leaching system based on glycine and sodium metabisulfite (Gly-SMS) was proposed. The leaching study demonstrated that the highest cobalt and lithium recoveries of 100 percent and 99.8 percent were achieved under optimal conditions. The leaching mechanism revealed that the dissolution of LiCoO2 in the Gly-SMS solution followed the shrinking core model. The apparent activation energies for cobalt and lithium were determined as 48.05 and 41.51 kJ/mol, respectively, indicating a surface chemical reaction controlling mechanism. The leachate was then processed by an acidification- precipitation technique with oxalic acid as the precipitant to remove cobalt. Glycine complexes with metal ions by zwitterionic ligand and recycles in the leaching-precipitation circuit, reducing the reagent cost. Compared to other studies, this leaching system has near-neutral operating conditions and is cost-effective, making it an economically viable alternative for treating cathode materials from spent LIBs.

Dec 1, 2024

By J Planner

As Australia’s coal and iron ore export volumes increase to meet international market growth, port terminals, mining operations and rail transport systems can be the source of increased dust emission. Current and future sustainable expansion must minimise dust emission from bulk handling and transport operations located in close proximity to residential areas. Lower level dust emissions can be controlled by operational measures such as water addition to products, and use of water spray on stockpile surfaces. Recent research has shown that higher levels of dust emission can be more effectively controlled by understanding and treating the dust characteristics of each individual bulk product. Application of this research, progressively being applied at Australia’s coal and iron ore port terminals and rail transport systems, is achieving compliance with health standards and minimising dust nuisance effects to an acceptable level.

Nov 22, 2011

In the context of sustainable development, the Minerals Council of Australia (2010) states that 'investments in minerals projects should be financially profitable, technically appropriate, environmentally sound and socially responsible'. In other words, the business of mining can only be sustained if these criteria are met.   Science and technology plays a major role in all four of these criteria. This paper will present the technology and innovation emerging from the Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship which brings together CSIRO and more than ten of Australia's leading universities to work with industry to drive efficiency, productivity and environmental performance. This work is required if the Australian minerals sector is to thrive and continue to deliver national benefit in the face of increased global competition, declining ore grades, depleting ore deposits, increasingly constrained national resources (land, energy, water and people) and changing societal expectations.   Science and technology to reduce emissions and water use, discover greenfields resources, enable deeper mining operations and transform mineral processing are described. Technology is presented as an enabler of sustainability: a means to this end but not as an end in its own right.

Jun 1, 2010

By M. Andrews, B. J. Göhre, G. Strong, C. Terblanche

Mechanized mining can be experienced as a symphony by substituting the instruments for the different machines that each perform their own function and thus have different sounds. The drill-rig is the soloist around which all the other machines must play their part in harmony. Each machine can function on its own, but productivity is achieved only when all of the machines function in a holistic manner, as the different sounds of instruments form a symphony when playing together. To produce a symphony is to have the ability to put together all the pieces. It is the capacity to synthesize rather than to analyse. Today?s managers have to apply this harmonic way of thinking to make the system of mechanized mining work. In other words each of these people must have the ability of a conductor, whose job involves corralling a diverse group of notes, instruments and performers, and producing a unified and pleasing sound. At Modikwa Mine the introduction of the MAPS (Mine Activity Performance System) has allowed management to obtain a clear view of all the activities associated with the equipment. Through synthesis the issues that hampered productivity were identified and addressed to improve production and reduce costs.

Jan 1, 2006

IT is not intended that this paper should be regarded as an account of the geology of the Lyell district. It is merely a synopsis of some of the conclusions recently arrived at in regard to the stratigraphic and structural geology, compiled to act as a guide to those members of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy attending the Queenstown meeting who are interested in economic geology. The attempt has been made to present certain salient features, omitting a mass of detail, which, although important in the complete investigation and understanding of the economic geology, yet would be confusing to a group of geologists making a short visit. The location of some of the significant occurrences bearing on the main problems and conclusions are indicated in the text in order to enable members to plan the location and direction of their excursions...

Jan 1, 1927

By Richard Mills

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are proven technologies used across market segments for survey, exploration and environmental monitoring tasks. When coupled with other autonomous platforms or sensor packages AUVs become part of an holistic system approach to exploration and environmental assessment and monitoring. Recent developments have seen AUVs deployed remotely with instantaneous access to data via the cloud. Our goal is to deliver the capabilities of each of these elements and present a cohesive data set with automated processing tools over a cloud based interface. nmanned Technology AUVs The HUGIN AUV System is the most commercially successful AUV ever built. Operated as a single vehicle, or as part of a swarm, HUGIN’s area coverage rate is unrivalled. Equipped with a comprehensive sensor package including Kongsberg’s synthetic aperture sonar, it collects a data set. Some of these data are processed in-mission to enable operators to readily access it when the vehicle is recovered. HUGIN is well suited to mining survey and exploration. Capable of reaching 6000 metre depths and conducting missions greater than 60 hours, HUGIN collects seabed sonar imagery, sub-bottom profiles, laser and camera images plus environmental data, with sensors running concurrently.

Jan 1, 2018

By Erie F. Wolstenholme

The purpose of this paper is to describe work undertaken, within the System Dynamics Research Group at Bradford Management Centre, into the development and application of a System Dynamics model of an international mineral industry; aimed at providing a basis for analysis of the interrelationship of supply, consumption and price over time, under different production and stocking policies. A review is presented of some of the major characteristics and problems associated with such industries. This is followed by an outline description of the model and the way it has been applied to examine various supply responses, in the light of changing consumption patterns. Demonstration results deal with model validation and with analysis of international buffer stocks and conflicting supply policies on the historic situation in the copper industry.

Jan 1, 1979

By Mir Ahmad Mohammadi

Land uplift due to mine flooding has become a significant challenge with extensive historical mining activities, particularly in Germany’s Ruhr district. The cessation of coal mining operations has led to a gradual rise in groundwater levels, altering geotechnical and hydrological conditions and causing surface uplift. This study develops a system dynamics (SD) model to investigate the dynamic interactions of influential variables such as groundwater levels, total stress, porosity and permeability with land uplift over time. The model integrates causal loop diagrams (CLD) and stock flow diagrams (SFD) to comprehensively understand the system’s behavior. SFD illustrated that for a 10 percent increase in groundwater level, the land uplift increased by about +6 percent, and a rise of 200 percent in total stress caused an 18 percent increase in effective stress, which decreased the land uplift by about 20 percent. This study highlights the importance of dynamic modeling in informing land-use planning and mitigating the long-term impacts of land uplift after mine closures.

Mar 1, 2025

By E Nettleton, A Melkumyan

A probabilistic system for autonomous tracking of excavated ore in mining would be highly valuable. Currently, mine sites can have a vast array of sensors; examples include excavator load cells, bucket volume estimators and haul truck strut pressures which can be used to gather information about the excavated ore at different locations. These sensors can be utilised efficiently to increase the accuracy of mine estimates by introducing a real-time ore tracking system. This requires the introduction of a probabilistic ore tracking framework to consistently fuse information from any sensor input. Current modelling practices are manually intensive, deterministic (no recognition of the quality of data) and generally not a complete end-to-end system. This paper will provide a novel method for tracking extensive ore properties (mass, volume) and intensive ore properties such as chemical composition (eg Fe per cent, SiO2 per cent, Al2O3 per cent). This method is proved to ensure that correct correlations between states are conserved as material is transferred, combined and/or separated at different locations with any configuration of sensor inputs. This ensures that consistency of estimates is maintained and other benefits such as real-time probabilistic reconciliation can be implemented. A method for combining material of different mass and chemical compositions is also developed to enable accurate and efficient operation of the system. Representative experiments on a small-scale and a larger field trial which mimic the mining processes of excavation, haul and unload to ROM Stockpile will be used to verify the approach.

Sep 26, 2011

By R Hughes

"Spring Creek Mine uses high pressure water to extract the thick Main seam in the Upper Rewanuicoal measures. The extraction method results in the creation of large voids which collapsespontaneously. This can result in the displacement of large volumes of methane, which may create a signifi cant hazard if not correctly managed. A system of automatic dilution doors is employed to mitigate this risk. This paper describes the evolution of the system and gives some examples of its eff ectiveness."

Jun 1, 2012

By Masaji Kato, Yuusaku Tominaga

To maintain good condition of ventilation for both safety and economy, many regulators are installed in a network. In case the open state of a regulator is different from the set point, identification of a broken regulator and a countermeasure to recover airflow distribution in a network must be initiated as soon as possible. An experienced mining engineer can sense a deviation from ordinary airflow quantity. In this paper, a new system to monitor all the regulators in a network is introduced. The basic concept of the system is utilization of both human sensing of airflow rate and computer simulation to understand the macroscopic characteristics of a ventilation network. A fuzzy pattern distinction method is used to process human determination of airflow rate that may be ambiguous. The applicability of the system is demonstrated using the ventilation network of the Horonai coal mine, Japan. In particular, it is shown that the system can identify the regulator to be repaired from information supplied by workers relating to air- flow in a few sensor branches.

Jan 1, 1997

By Min Sunn Ye, Wei Wang, Huawen Xiao, Kai Yao, Fook Hou Lee, Siang Huat Goh

"Previous research have shown that introducing fibers to cement soil mixture is effective in improving the ductility as well as maintaining the strength of cement-treated soil. A good knowledge of stiffness of the improved soil at small strain is essential for realistic predictions of ground movements that may affect adjacent buildings or underlying infrastructure. This paper presents a triaxial system with local strain measurement developed for studying shear modulus degradation of cement treated clay with fibers. Cylinder specimens (70mm diameter by 140mm height) with 50% cement, 100% water, 0% to 1% polypropylene fibers by mass, and 7 days of curing period were used. A local strain measurement system with floating type miniature submersible LVDT is introduced in this paper. Configuration of the mounts including the pin size, length and distance are presented and discussed. Based on the experimental results, a reasonable configuration of the mounts is recommended for fiber reinforced cement treated clay. Results showed that the proposed local strain measurement system is effective for testing the shear modulus degradation of cement treated clay with fibers under both unconfined and confined condition. Comparisons with results from resonant column and bender element tests served to verify the reliability of the local strain measurements using the proposed method.INTRODUCTIONIn many geotechnical engineering problems, the operational strain domain ranges from 10-3% to 10- 1%. A good knowledge of stiffness at small strains is essential for realistic predictions of the ground movements that may affect adjacent buildings or underlying infrastructure. As such, during the last 3 to 4 decades, the importance of using the small strain stiffness of soils for the design of foundation and underground structures has widely been accepted. Triaxial testing has been widely used to study the stress-strain behavior of soil in the laboratory. However, the stiffness obtained from the conventional triaxial apparatus is usually far smaller than those back-calculated from field measurements. This is mainly attributed to the overestimation of axial strains from the external strain measurements, which usually includes compliance effects of the loading and load measuring system as well as sitting, bedding and alignment errors between sample and system (Baldi et al., 1988). The poor resolution of the external strain measurements is another important contribution. Therefore, conventional procedures are inappropriate for small-strain stiffness evaluation due to low accuracy and resolution."

Jan 1, 1900

By K Tungpalan, E Wightman, M Edraki, E Manlapig, L Keeney

The depletion of easily mined high-grade ore bodies resulted in the industry having to exploit lower grade, complex resources (Albanese and McGagh, 2011; Darling, 2011; Randolph, 2011). The trend is now towards mining and processing of low-grade and complex ores (Darling, 2011; Yingling, 1990). Variable geological and mineralogical characteristics, and complex mineralogy and texture can result in large variations in metallurgical response and also cause challenges in processing. (Carson, 1995; Lorenzen and Barnard, 2011; Yingling, 1990). Variability and the complex nature of ores are fundamental sources of risk that often cause the greatest economic impact (Dusci et al., 2007; Williams and Richardson, 2004). Hence it is important to effectively characterise these types of ore bodies and assess their processing performance (ie recovery, grade). To enable this, there is a need for the following: (i) characterisation of geological, mineralogical and metallurgical variability in the ore body; (ii) effective selection of drill core with characteristics that represent the range of ores in the entire ore body. CITATION: Tungpalan, K, Manlapig, E, Keeney, L, Wightman, E and Edraki, M, 2018. A systematic approach of sample selection to predict processing performance of an ore body, in Proceedings Complex Orebodies Conference 2018, pp 67–70 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 21, 2018

By Michael K. O’Leary, William D. Coplin

Risks from political instability and government policies restricting equity ownership, local operations and transfers of payments affect the profitability of foreign mining ventures. More than seat-of-the-pants judgments and old-boy networks are required to anticipate these risks and to take actions appropriate to offsetting them. A system for making political forecasts, called the Prince System, and a series of charts relaying risks to a production of key minerals has been developed.

Jan 1, 1985

By Michael K. O’Leary, William D. Coplin

"Risks from political instability and government policies restricting equity ownership, local operations and transfers of payments affect the profitability of foreign mining ventures. More than seat-of-the-pants judgments and old-boy networks are required to anticipate these risks and to take actions appropriate to offsetting them. A system for making political forecasts, called the Prince System, and a series of charts relaying risk s to a production of key minerals will be presented.IntroductionFirm s with extractive operations outside their home country do not have to be told that political stability and government decisions play a big role in the success o f their operations. The takeover of copper firm s in Chile during the Allende administration in 1971 and the recent decision by Venezuela to reduce Reynolds Metals equity share in a smelting operation from 50% to 28% are two examples of hundreds of events that have determined the profitability of extractive operations over the past decade. Both risks and opportunities for international firms seeking to produce and market raw materials are heavily affected by political conditions. While news of political events travel much faster than in the past and host governments are more clever in shaping the risks as well as the opportunities, politics has always been part of the mining business.What has changed is the need to be more systematic in approaching the assessment of political conditions and how it affects business. The increasing costs of extractive operations, the need for long-range planning, the importance of financial arrangements and the world-wide scope of man y firm s' activities require that the assessment be updated continuously and be comparable across different countries and different types of investments. Political risk analysis, the assessment o f macro-political changes and specific governmental decision s on the operations of extractive industries needs to become as systematic and integrated into corporate decision -making as economic analysis has become over the past two decade s."

Jan 1, 1983

By Kari Niiranen

LKAB (Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB) is operating iron ore mines, concentration plants and pelletizing plants in Northern Sweden. The largest of the apatite magnetite deposits and the mines are Kiirunavaara with annual production rate of approximately 27 Mt crude ore underground. LKAB produces two varieties of pellets: blast furnace pellets and direct reduction pellets (LKAB DR Oxide Pellets). Meanwhile the concentration process in a sequence of the low intensity magnetic separation (LIMS) and flotation at the concentration plant. In spring 2007 there were noticed great fluctuations of SiO2 grade in the crude ore. The high SiO2 grade is particularly problematic in the case of direct reduction pellets. In consequence, a project was started (called Silica in the Mine) to define exactly the problem related with silica and to find out, if possible, the reason for the great fluctuation of SiO2 grade in the crude ore going to the processing plant. A further target of this project was to develop a simplified method at the laboratory scale, to predict SiO2 grade in the magnetite concentrate in the future, but also predict the physical properties of the ore with respect to mineral processing. The essential stage of systematic characterization of the ore body for mineral processing properties is the estimation and simulation of different parameters from the laboratory scale to the large scale at the concentration plants using empirical data collected at the mineral processing by LKAB in Kiruna. Further a target was also to find useful physical parameters for mineral processing and implant those parameters into the existing geological 3D-model of the deposit. This information will be used for making prognosis of the future mining and the quality of the crude ore. It will also give better control and improve the production planning in the mine and the performance at the concentration plant in Kiruna concerning the decrease of the SiO2 grade of the magnetite concentrate.

Sep 1, 2012

By Oberlando Gonzalez, Claudia Serna, Andrea Alzate, Esperanza López, Maria Holuszko

This paper presents a systematic approach on gold recovery from electronic waste (e-waste) using ammonium persulfate. This process was developed as a response to the lack of hydrometallurgical systems capable of separating gold from its metallic substrate without material grinding, with minimum formation of pollutants, and achieving a lower reaction time. Computer memory boards, electronic processors and electronic pins and contacts were analyzed to determinate base metals (Ni, Fe, Cu) and gold (Au) using microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES). An aqueous commercial grade ammonium persulfate with oxygen and pressure was used to produce the persulfate anion (S2O82-) and the oxidative sulfate ion (SO42-), which partially oxidized and leached the base metals breaking the Au-Ni-Fe-Cu bonds and allowing gold to be recovered in its original non-leaching state. The influence of the oxidative parameters was evaluated using full factorial (FF) and central composite designs (CCD) with response surface methodology (RSM) and first and second order models were developed. Using RSM allowed to obtain a faster recovery of gold, minimizing the agent consumption. The findings presented suggest that optimized quantities of ammonium persulfate, oxygen, pressure, temperature and liquid solid ratio could be used for selective oxidization of the base metals and to extract more than 96% of gold from e-waste.

Jan 1, 2017