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By G Chitombo, G Lewis

The knowledge of the expected run of mine (ROM) fragmentation during the feasibility study of a green field site is essential for the design of downstream crushing and milling processes. However,the prediction of blast fragmentation can be a challenging process due to the uncertainty related to the blast design and rock mass parameters. In general,a number of possible blast designs are considered in a feasibility study,with factors such as bench height and blasthole diameter influencing the design. Rock mass parameters are normally derived from a limited number of geotechnical diamond drill cores. Although diamond drill core can provide detailed information concerning intact rock strength (unconfined compressive strength and point load),it provides limited structural information to predict the in situ block size distribution of the rock mass. The in situ block size is an essential input to the prediction of the fragmentation distribution, in particular the coarse end. This paper outlines the methodology of blast fragmentation modeling undertaken for a green field feasibility study at the Riska gold deposit in Indonesia. The favoured milling process for the feasibility study was dump leaching,with no crushing of the ore material extracted from the pit. For this reason,blast fragmentation was a critical issue to be addressed by the study. A range of blast designs were considered with bench heights and blasthole diameters ranging from 4 m to 7 m and 76 mm to 102 mm respectively. Rock mass data was obtained from 19 diamond drill cores across the deposit (total drill length approximately 2200 m). Intact rock strength was estimated from qualitative strength descriptors,while the in situ block size distribution of the rock mass was estimated from the Rock Quality Designation (RQD) of the core. The methodology of fragmentation prediction involved a number of steps including the estimation of rock mass parameters from diamond drillhole data including the estimation of the in situ block size, delineation of blast domains within the deposit,and the assessment of the impact of various blast design parameters and rock mass variation on the predicted fragmentation distribution. The modelling process for the Riska green field site highlighted the need for additional rock mass data to be collected post feasibility stage and once the development of the mine commenced.

Jan 1, 2004

This paper examines the broader implications of recent and ongoing changes in mineral resource managementå and reporting practices and the impact that these might have on mining companies. It is likely that an International Reporting Code will be developed in the near future, based on a number of National codes produced in recent years. However, this is only part of the reporting story, as an International Code brings with it a range of further issues to resolve. For the Code to be effective, there needs to be international recognition and perhaps licensing of Competent Persons and an expanded base of sponsoring professional bodies. Also, in an increasingly global business, shareholders, regulators and other interested parties need to know and understand the general processes involved in resource and reserve estimation and reporting in order to recognise companies that maintain the highest standards. There is a current trend towards greater scrutiny of company performance in a range of areas under the banner of corporate governance, and many changes are happening that will place greater disclosure burdens on all companies in the future. Good corporate governance means management of company assets for the benefit of the stakeholders. For a mining company, there is no greater asset than its mineral resources and reserves and directors are just as responsible for effective management of their mineral resources as they are for financial good practice. The paper looks at the relevance of corporate governance principles to mineral resource management and the changes that this could bring to the way that companies deal with regulators, shareholders, financiers and others. Finally, increased scrutiny and further regulation inevitably means greater effort by the industry and higher costs. Despite this the author believes that there are substantial offsetting benefits to be gained by companies prepared to take the initiative in improving resource management practices and communicating these improvements to shareholders. In order to achieve the benefits however, the industry needs to fully engage in the changes that are taking place û setting its own standards and working with the regulators rather than sitting back and being legislated against. Mineral resource reporting provides a good model of how this process can work and there will be other opportunities in the coming years as the industry seeks to develop best practice in mineral resource management. The author is an employee of Rio Tinto but wishes to point out that the views expressed in this paper are his own and not necessarily those of Rio Tinto.

Jan 1, 2002

It is a common misconception that the grant of mining tenure, whether it be an Exploration Permit, Mineral Development Licence or Mining Lease, will entitle the holder to access all land within it in order to explore or mine. The ability for miners to access their tenure in order to undertake activities is critical to the industry. While significant time and energy is quite rightly dedicated to resolving native title and cultural heritage issues before the commencement of mining operations, the same cannot always be said for addressing potential impediments that arise as a result of the overlap between mining and other tenures. Miners should be aware of the overlaps that occur with other tenure and the impact of these overlaps on the minerÆs ability to explore or produce from the area. The existence of an overlap with petroleum tenure, nature refuges, national parks, wild river areas or reserves such as aboriginal land leases are all likely to have an impact on the minerÆs ability to access the area and conduct activities. In some instances, such as an overlap with petroleum tenure, Queensland legislation encourages the miner to reach agreement with the holders of the overlapping tenure. However, in other instances, such as an overlap with a national park, mining tenure is unlikely to be granted at all. This paper summarises the impacts and impediments that arise as a result of overlaps of tenure that are likely to affect mining operations. It also provides examples of how these impediments can, if possible, be overcome under Queensland legislation.

Jan 1, 2007

By T N. Little

This paper is concerned with the influence of engineering geology on design of Wall Control Blasts. In the Introduction, the Blast Management Framework and the Blast Design Requirements classification system (previously developed by the author) is drawn upon to set the context. Blasting objective for all wall control blasts involves both profile and damage control. Four classes of approaches for blast design are outlined and briefly discussed. Five distinct wall control blasting techniques are summarised. The general relationship between geology and blast design is explored in the paper. Influence of geology on pre-split and post-split design and blasting direction is highlighted. Wall damage modelling from the closest row of blastholes is also introduced using the Analytical Damage Model (ADM). The relationship of rock properties and explosive selection and in particular the Mach wave generation is introduced to assist blast designer in this regard. Finally a Conceptual Model that relates vibration, damage and rock mass condition has been presented along with some applications that have been undertaken by the developer. Eight conclusions have been formulated based on extensive work in this area and the current study.

Jun 22, 2022

By M J. Kelleher

CREAM is an acronym for coal recovery, evaluation, analysis and management and is a business improvement project at BMAÆs Goonyella Riverside mine that is focussed on maximising coal recovered. In August 2003, Goonyella Riverside was set a challenge to quantify coal loss and dilution and their relationship to cost, revenue and ultimately profit. While the mine was confident in its site forecasts of recovery (and loss), it was clear that the traditional measurement and analysis systems were inadequate to firstly, identify key loss areas and mechanisms and secondly, successfully quantify the benefit of various coal recovery initiatives. The path that BMA Goonyella Riverside has travelled to maximise coal recovered can be divided into four key steps: Mapping the process û This step involved the development of a coal flow process map for Goonyella Riverside that stepped through each component of the process from the coal reserve to the customer and identified key measurement points for the purposes of reconciliation. Understanding coal loss and identifying opportunities û This step involved conducting two detailed Reserve to Customer projects at the mine site to track a block of coal from the reserve to the customer and to gain a greater understanding of the relationship of dilution, coal loss mechanisms, revenue and costs associated with recovering additional coal. Coal data systems development û Two important coal data systems have been developed and implemented at Goonyella Riverside in the past twelve months, namely SnowdenÆs Coal Reconcilor and SeamFix. These systems enable coal losses and dilution to be quantified and reconciled back to the initial coal reserve. Implementation of loss reduction initiatives û This step involved the formation of a business improvement project referred to as æCREAMÆ in August 2004, for the purposes of improving pit coal recovery and maximising business value. To date a series of coal recovery trials have been run in a number of pits at Goonyella Riverside that have yielded significant improvements in business value. The key to the success of this project has been the discipline to follow a defined process map, management commitment through resourcing and shared key performance indicators, a successful acceptance strategy resulting in holistic ownership and the implementation of sustainable reconciliation systems. Coal loss and dilution are now quantifiable and their relationship to cost, revenue and ultimately profit is well understood. This paper discusses the process that Goonyella Riverside has adopted to maximise coal recovered.

Jan 1, 2005

It would be a good thing when reviewing the challenges to be faced by the Australian gold industry to set the backdrop and scene for them, by briefly examining the history of this vital and dynamic industry in the Australian context. Gold mining in Australia had its official beginnings in 1851 when John Lister and William Tom discovered gold at YorkyÆs Corner, later renamed Ophir by Edward Hargraves. From that first tentative beginning, the ensuing rush of prospectors into New South Wales and Victoria meant that the annual gold production in those early years surpassed that of the next 40 years. This early rate of production was only eclipsed when AustraliaÆs production was once again lifted by the discovery of gold on the other side of the continent, in Western Australia. (Figure 1). The years leading up to the First World War saw Australian production peaking once again at over 115 tonnes of gold, a production rate that would not be surpassed until 1988. This renaissance in production at the beginning of the 1980s was achieved by the application of technology. The advent of bigger trucks and shovels meant that earth-moving costs dropped dramatically. This, coupled with the highly effective and efficient carbon-in-pulp processing route, stimulated the Australian gold mining industry into a state of frenetic activity. These two innovations were the principal factors that enabled the economic exploitation of the lower grade haloes left by the æold-timersÆ around the deposits exploited at the beginning of the last century-no high finding costs here. AustraliaÆs production through the 1980s and the early part of the 1990s was largely supported by the exploitation of these haloes. As these were depleted, the aggressive exploration effort stimulated by the strong cashflows of these early oxide deposits resulted in new æblindÆ discoveries which are now emerging as the backbone of the Australian industry (Figure 2). Gold production is a major contributor to the Australian economy. In 1998/99 the Australian gold industry accounted for approximately 16 per cent of the value of all mineral exports, which in turn accounted for over 35 per cent of AustraliaÆs total exports. As such, the Australian gold industry, by itself, accounts for just under six per cent of AustraliaÆs total exports (Figure 3). Consequently, the industry is responsible for over one per cent of AustraliaÆs gross domestic product. These statistics are all the more compelling when we consider that, at the beginning of the 1980s, goldÆs contribution to exports and GDP was insignificant (Figure 4). Within the Australian resources industry, gold mines and associated infrastructure account for ten per cent of all capital expenditure (Figure 5). From an employment point of view, in 1997/1998 the industry directly employed (excluding contractors) about 7700 people, approximately 15 per cent of all those employed in the minerals industry. Just under nine per cent of the workforce in the minerals industry are female, whereas in the gold industry over 16 per cent are female.

Jan 1, 2000

Batterham and Algie began their paper on: `The role of technology in the minerals industry' (1995) by noting that while: it is often stated that innovation is central to the economic survival of mining and minerals processing in the face of global competition, .. . technology is often far from a core strategy in our industry. This point is correct. Throughout the world, as a broad generalisation, mining companies do not value technology development as a principal means of gaining competitive advantage. It is important to understand why this is the case. Batterham and Algie address this question by making distinctions between innovation, technology and research. They note that while: all successful (mining) companies are good at innovation . . . that innovation can proceed without any research and development and that it is innovation that generates the competitive advantage, not research and development per se. In this paper we accept these arguments. However, our focus is somewhat different. Whereas Batterham and Algie took a mining company's perspective on the technologies of mining and processing, we take a broader view of the opportunities for technology development for company Australia but, in order to focus the argument, we restrict our discussion to the area of mining (rather than processing); we focus particularly on mining systems and mining equipment. We begin by looking at the motivation of companies operating in any industrial sector to invest in research and development. Figure 1 recognises four levels of industrial maturity. For companies in the embryonic and growth stages R&D often is essential to initiating and developing the business. Mining, on the other hand, is a mature industry. In mature industries the conventional roles for R&D are to reduce costs, to extend product differentiation, or to develop new technology with the aim of rejuvenating the business. Next we ask whether these general-industry arguments apply to the mining industry. If they do then the mining industry should value R&D more highly; after all cost reductions and business rejuvenation are goals that are worth achieving. On the other hand if, for whatever reason, these general arguments do not apply to mining then this may lead the mining industry to invest only modestly, or not at all, in R&D. In this event, while this may be a rational decision for the mining industry, it may not be in the best interest of a nation like Australia where revenues from the sale of mineral products represent an important part of the country's economy.

Jan 1, 1997

This is the seventh major symposium organised by Illawarra Branch over the past five years and the fifth dealing with various aspects of coal. It is clear that all of you here need no convincing that black is beautiful! This symposium is on a broader canvas, covering the overall field of occurrence, preparation and utilization of black coal throughout Australia. It is thus the most comprehensive treatment of the subject by the Institute since the symposium organized in 1950 by the Sydney Branch with the co-operation of the then newly formed branches in Newcastle, Illawarra, Central Western N.S.W. and Southern Queensland, all of which shared coal as a major interest. The 1950 symposium was adopted as a volume in the series of seven published by the Fifth Empire Mining and Metallurgical Congress in 1953. This historical reminiscence brings to our minds the circumstances in which these new Institute branches were formed. This happened in the year of the presidency of the late Frank Hockey, and at the time the Australian black coal industry was in many ways at a very low ebb. It was the time of extreme shortage of coal following World War II, and the industry was beset by industrial unrest on such a scale that daily bulletins were posted listing the number of idle pits, of idle miners and of tons of lost production. There could not, of course, be any thought of export marketing. Some of the more picturesque bulletins recorded the number of pits at which the ceremonial emptying of billies took place, and the number of pits at which the aroma of the horses' breath was insupportable. At an Institute conference at the time it is on record that the late lamented Austin Edwards, that tireless mineral researcher, author and editor, in his gentle way chided the personnel of the industry and the members of the Institute for having allowed a situation to develop in which a whole generation of Australian children could grow up without ever having seen coal or knowing what it was. It is sad that most children and most Australians have still never seen coal, and think of it as something dirty and uninteresting. The desperate situation of the black coal industry inspired moves by people in industry and in governments, whose plans and efforts have been recorded elsewhere, to modernize coal mining methods, to introduce coal preparation, and generally to restore the mines and the mining communities and to re-cast the steel industry and electricity generation. Amelioration of the traditionally troubled industrial relations was an integral part of this overall programme, and whilst one would wish this aspect had progressed further the situation has, in fact, improved immensely. New investment in exploration, mining, preparation, transport and utilization both by the existing coal mining groups and by new entrants, Australian and overseas, have played a large part in bringing about the transformation of the industry to such a point that Australian needs are being fully met and a large export market is being supplied - a situation that few would have dared to hope for in those dark post-war days. Forecasts of exports from New South Wales and Queensland show coal becoming a dominant foreign exchange earner for an indefinite term. Old King Cole may have vanished from our children's nursery rhymes but King Coal is here to stay, providingthat costs in the industry can be kept within competitive limits. It is all too easy for an industry to price itself out of the export market by inflation, by increased costs for a variety of reasons, and through currency readjustments. A second proviso is that we must continue to encourage a balanced attitude to environmental matters.

Jan 1, 1975

McLeod: Without getting into the argument as to how well we can know our resource levels specifically in the immediate short term, I would like to make one or two points about the future, and perhaps try and persuade people that they are not really facing a doomsday. It is fair to say that over the last few years the rate at which we have increased our resources has far exceeded the rate at which we have used them, and this is likely to continue for quite a few years yet. As people are now looking for a substitute for petroleum, later on we will be looking for a substitute for coal, should the position get serious. After all man is pretty versatile, has plenty of initiative-and makes allowances for experience. It has been demonstrated here by the way people are looking at use of low quality coals and better use of the coals that are available. It would be fair to say that what now we regard as economically submarginal deposits will, by the time we need them, become economic. I think that there is quite a lot in front of us in exploration and finding new reserves. I would like to have comment from yourself sir, because I recall reading a report of a meeting, here in Wollongong I think it was, in which you addressed the local branch on the future of coal in Australia, and you said that the coal basins of Australia had been well explored and there was not much chance of new discoveries. Since that time we have seen some thousands of millions of tonnes turned up in the Galilee Basin of Queensland, we have seen five hundred million tonnes turned up in Lake Phillipson in South Australia. Do your previous comments still apply? I would like to hear from some of the exploration people, who are operating on an Australia-wide basis, as to how they regard our chances of discovering significant new deposits and significant extensions of known deposits. H,artnell: Mr. McLeod has asked me to comment on what he has just said. I think that the important thing is that our knowledge of the main coal basins in Eastern Australia is increasing in detail but for the most part the extent of coal basins is not being increased in respect of their superficial areas. There are additions but they are not substantially changing our expectation of what the main coal basins will be. I believe that our task is essentially to intensify our knowledge of the main coal basins that we know about. This is important for example for the various reasons that Mr. Roach was talking about, that is the problem of surface alienation, jeopardising the chance of recovery when you go to underground operations. My approach to this whole problem is predicated on the belief that coal has a special destiny to perform in the next fifty years. I believe that it is going to take up to fifty years and maybe a little longer before the enormously demanding technology for nuclear power recovery is in fact achieved. When it is achieved the supply of energy to the world will be enormous, much beyond what we have ever even dreamed about. The mind boggles at what the people of the middle of next century, of two thousand and fifty, will command in the way of physical resources. It is going to be, I believe, tremendous, but the technology involved is very demanding. I mentioned to Mr. McLeod the other day that according to the information that I got in November last, 60% of the nuclear power stations in the United States were out of action, by automatic cut offs because of safety requirements. The technology of breeder reactors seems each year to be a bit further off. In the meantime coal I am sure is going to be called on to supply power directly to fluidised bed and other technologies for power generation. It is going to be called upon in the near future, I believe, to supply liquid fuel on a vast scale and the only thing in my view that we should be thinking about is whether the coal producing countries of the world will succeed in producing as much coal as is going to be demanded. I believe the real challenge to the coal mining industries of the world is that they may fail to do what is going to be demanded of them. This is a challenge I believe to mining technology. I think that we should be working deliberately and energetically finding ways and means where underground recoveries, instead of averaging 50%, can average 50% plus, plus, plus, and this is the first requirement. We should be spending many millions every year, here and overseas, on increasing our means of winning coal because every tonne of coal that is alienated and left irrecoverable in the earth is going to weaken the capacity of the coal mining industry to fulfil, what I believe to be its destiny in the next 50 years.

Jan 1, 1975

By D MacKay, W J. Bruckard

One of the mining worldÆs greatest challenges is to effectively use consumables (ie reagents and grinding media) to maximise metallurgical response, while minimising operating costs. It is anticipated that this paper will provide a logical frame work within which this can be achieved. The current study, at PerilyaÆs Broken Hill concentrator in the lead primary grinding/roughing circuits, examines the dependency of collector adsorption on Eh. The data demonstrates clearly that under the right grinding chemistry the addition of a xanthate collector during grinding can improve galena flotation. Further, operating the ball mill under the desired grinding chemistry regime leads to significant reductions in collector consumption whilst maintaining the metallurgical benefit.

Jan 1, 2008

By R Valenta

Most developing projects face a range of technical and non-technical challenges, and examination of development histories can potentially provide insights into improved approaches to project development. The Kestanelik project in the Canakkale region of Western Turkey was acquired by Chesser Resources Ltd in 2008. Turkey is a significant and growing source of gold production, with sector participation by both domestic and international companies. While the broad ranges of challenges faced by developing projects is well known, there are relatively few case studies in which the range of technical, environmental, social and governance challenges are presented in a single contribution. Recent studies of undeveloped complex orebodies have particularly shown the extent to which environment, social and governance (ESG) complexities contribute to project delays and failures. The Kestanelik project faced a full range of technical and ESG complexities, and provides an illustrative example of the associated challenges. CITATION: Valenta, R, 2018. A case study of technical, social and environmental challenges for a gold project development in Western Turkey, in Proceedings Complex Orebodies Conference 2018, pp 73–74 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 21, 2018

By R Burgess-Limerick, J Haight

A review of mining automation experiences was undertaken on behalf of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The research included a review of literature and guidance materials; analysis of automation related incidents and visits to surface and underground mines in Australia, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Sweden and the USA.

Apr 16, 2024

It is my role at this juncture to report to you on behalf of the Council of Mining and Metallurgical Institutions itself. In essence, the Council is an orbital body - a little like Halley's Comet - it returns to earth, in spectacular style, once in every four years. We must acknowledge, however, that the spectacle is provided by the constituent member body organising the particular event and, on this occasion, it is The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. On behalf of the Council and its other constituent bodies may I thank the Australasian Institute most sincerely. Our thanks go to Sir James Foots, the President of the 13th Congress, and to all the members of the organising committee and to the five sub- committees. Over 40 people are involved as full members and I am certain there will have been many more involved in very meaningful ways. None of this great- team would ask me to mention them individually, I'm sure, but to fail to acknowledge the role of John Funnell, the Honorary Secretary, would be an unforgivable omission. We must also thank the kindred institutions in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia who all helped with the tours themselves or with the initial preparations. Qantas, Jetabout Australia, and Jetabout Singapore have all also made very important contributions and, in our different ways, we each owe our thanks to them. At the two most recent meetings of the Congress - in Hong Kong and Johannesburg - Professor Marston Fleming made this report on behalf of the Council and was supported on both occasions by Robert MacWilliam as vice- chairman. Marston died in 1983 and Robert died in 1984; both men contributed a great deal to CMMI and we will miss their counsel for a long time. As you know, Sir Alistair Frame succeeded Marston Fleming as chairman in 1984 and I succeeded Robert MacWilliam as Vice-chairman.

Jan 1, 1986

Throughout the industrial world, Ilmenite, Rutile, Monazite and Zircon mineral sands play a KEY role in numerous industrial processes. Australia's ilmenites, rutiles, and synthetic rutiles are of vast importance in the world of titaniferous ores, and Australia has been the world leader in the field, and continues to adapt to new demands with alacrity. These materials enter a world titanium dioxide market that will exceed three million tonnes in 1990 at an expected growth rate of 2.3%. Many experts place current use in excess of 2.5 million tonnes of contained Ti02. Here we have a slide that illustrates projected growth rates in consumption, in SCM's view.

Jan 1, 1986

By A Prill

Safety First and zero accidents are the targets most mines in Australia are aiming for, but manual processes and procedures limit the capabilities and response time in emergency situations. Even with a high safety focus, accidents and incidents still happen, too often with tragic outcomes. Dangerous areas, narrow roads and winding curves are all daily obstacles that threaten workforce safety. Every unforeseen event, such as traffic collisions and other accidents, puts lives in danger and weakens production. Safety must be guaranteed.

May 5, 2022

By T P. Tafirenyika, K C. Corin, C T. O’Connor

There is a growing demand for copper driven by its applications in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Sulfide ores are an important source of copper. Flotation is a critical front-end process used to remove gangue minerals and concentrate the copper minerals. The electrochemical activity of sulfide minerals contributes to their overall activity in the flotation pulp. The mineral rest potential dictates how collectors interact with the mineral surface, and hence ultimately on the flotation response. Dissolved oxygen, (DO), pH, redox potential (Eh) and water composition and ionic strength are also significant in controlling flotation performance. The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of the electrochemical environment both during milling and flotation on the flotation behaviour of bornite and chalcocite. For this investigation, the interactions of collector with bornite and chalcocite were studied using synthetic plant water (SPW1) and deionised water (DIW) at 5 different pH levels. Sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX) was used both in microflotation, collector adsorption and zeta potential tests.

Aug 24, 2022

We all live in professional silos û comfort zones, where we talk to like-minded people with the same training, experience and view of the world. We note in passing the existence of other disciplines, but they are tolerated rather than embraced. To the geologist, the metallurgist is a mad scientist conjuring gold out of some foul solution about which the less said the better. To the metallurgist, the geologist is a bearded, self-appointed sage who guesses what is under our feet by sniffing the air, and drives a Land Rover badly. As to the view of mining engineers held by both geologists and metallurgists, this is best left to the imagination. And of course we are all confused by the term æmetallurgistÆ. I am called a metallurgist though my skills are in mineral processing not metal processing, but I canÆt be called a mineralogist because that definition is already taken. *Please note that this is available as an extended abstract only*

Jan 1, 2005

By C Nucifora, M Landers, J Jones, G Maddocks, K Mandaran, A Forbes, W Wilson, S Newman

Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines Limited (MIM) operates the Mount Isa open cut and underground copper (Cu) and zinc-lead (Zn/Pb) mines near Mount Isa in Queensland, Australia. Tailings from processed Cu and Zn-Pb ore is contained in a 1,315 ha shallow (< 35 m deep) multi-cell valley fill tailings storage facility (TSF). Static geochemical testing conducted by MIM over the life of mine (LoM) verifies that the Cu, and Zn-Pb tailings has a wide range in sulfide content and diverse mineralogy with significant acid neutralising capacity (ANC) in some samples. The tailings are predominantly classified as potentially acid forming (PAF) using static analytical methods. Kinetic leach testing using free draining columns and humidity cell tests simulating tailings placed on the surface of the TSF suggest that the tailings samples are likely to remain non-acid forming (NAF) for 10 to 40 years under aerial exposure, and much longer than this under saturated conditions within the TSF. During this period of weathering, as ANC is depleted, the neutral pH drainage may contain elevated concentrations of some elements including sulfate, manganese and zinc. Only when the ANC is depleted would the tailings then begin to produce acid drainage. CITATION:Mandaran, K, Jones, J, Nucifora, C, Maddocks, G, Landers, M, Forbes, A, Wilson, W and Newman, S, 2018. Mount Isa Mines Rehabilitation Materials Sampling and Analysis program for closure planning, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2018, pp 138–140 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 25, 2018

By R Burgess-Limerick, D Lynas

A number of standards and guidance materials currently exist to assist equipment designers. The ISO process, however, is a formal process and change often lags behind technology development. In some cases, this may result in weak or ineffective standards that need to be written in general terms to accommodate future technology developments, meaning some standards may only establish minimum requirements and not be overly helpful to equipment designers, in particular when designing for workforce diversity and inclusivity. By contrast, advisory information as issued by various mining regulatory bodies is able to respond more quickly to changes in technology. Standards do however have a safety and productivity focus providing design consistency between equipment manufacturers, a basis for auditing purposes, assistance in mining regulation and compliance, and in the development and application of safety management systems. As an example of challenges facing equipment designers, ISO3411 (2020) provides data approximating the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile of the ‘earth-moving machinery operator population’ for numerous static dimensions relevant to the design of earth-moving equipment. These data are then utilised in ISO6682 (2020) to provide recommendations regarding the location of controls. Attempting to utilise the data provided in ISO3411 (or other sources of static anthropometric data) creates further challenges for equipment designers, in that reference percentiles is problematic for design purposes. There is no ‘5th or 95th percentile operator’ as individuals vary along each dimension (Robinette and Hudson, 2006). Although dimensions have some degrees of correlation, when multiple dimensions are considered, the range of individuals which fall within a given range on all dimensions reduces substantially. For example, only about 82 per cent of individuals in a population will fall within the 5th to 95th percentile ranges for both height and weight. The more dimensions are considered, the smaller the range of people who actually ‘fit’ the description.

Apr 16, 2024

By C M. Côte, S Worden, K Svobodova

Mines in Queensland are transitioning to the progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRCP) framework. Mine operators are required to select and justify appropriate and viable post-mining land uses (PMLUs) following consideration of the surrounding landscape, community views and the objectives of local and regional planning strategies. The new approach offers opportunities for considering innovative PMLU options and collaborative use of post-closure mine assets, such as infrastructure (power, road/rail, buildings), dams and residual voids. Consideration of regional planning strategies will require a shift in thinking as mine closure is regulated and planned on an individual site basis and selection of PMLUs are commonly considered from this perspective. Planning at regional rather than site-specific scale offers strategic advantages, including the ability to align PMLU selection with the regional context and stakeholder aspirations (which could foster sustainable outcomes); address cumulative environmental and socio-economic impacts; consider options that are only viable at scale (ie across larger geographic areas); establish more extensive and connected ecological habitat corridors; reinstate larger expanses of functional agricultural land; and optimise regional resources (Hattingh, Williams and Corder, 2019). This paper presents the findings from a multidisciplinary project that identified PMLU options within Queensland’s four mining regions: the North-west Minerals Province, North Queensland, Bowen Basin and Clarence-Moreton and Surat Basin (Figure 1). To enable spatial analysis at the appropriate scale and to accommodate geographic diversity, North Queensland was divided into three geographical ‘focus areas’ – Weipa, Charters Towers and Tablelands. Delineation of the areas captured most of the mines within the wider region as well as regional characteristics and features.

Aug 2, 2023