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Fluidised Bed Combustion technology has expanded since the first fluidised bed boiler steamed in 1974 with 58 companies currently supplying units. In Australia the market has been in small boilers and the goal of a limited attendance coal fired boiler has been achieved. On the world scene, the major incentive for development has been emission control with sulphur capture and low NOX. The potential of significant reduction in plant size is encouraging development of pressurised fluidised bed combustion.

Jan 1, 1987

The Airport Link Railway utilises innovative solutions to a number of issues associated with underground development and transport infrastructure planning. It is typical of the major change underway in the countryÆs rail and air transport industry. It involves the private sector providing transport facilities in competition with the public sector, a convergence of planning and transport imperatives, the use of the most technologically advanced engineering practices to minimise construction impacts on the community and a commercialised way of developing and maintaining railway infrastructure and services.

Jan 1, 1999

An Ore Reserves and Exploration System has been under continuous development at Mount Isa Mines Limited since 1970. The task of re-engineering the system has now begun, and the first stage is operational. This paper describes how the application of data base concepts, and table driving techniques has resulted in a design in which the input documents, validation procedures and file data content are redefinable by parameters, thus allowing the system to be tailored to suit varying geological Environments.

Jan 1, 1977

Contractors have penetrated all areas of the Australian mining industry over the last 15 years. The process started in the WA gold and nickel mines and has since spread around the nation to iron ore, base metals and coal mines.The mine contracting industry has progressed from tentative beginnings in the 80s to the current situation where it is now providing high standards of professional management, safety and workmanship with competent people and high quality plant and equipment.

Jan 1, 1998

By Toffeg A. N, Abdul-Hameed I

More than 1000 Ian of seismic reflection data correlated to ten exploration wells along with geological, gravity and magnetic data are used to construct the subsurface structure, in particular the crystalline basement, along a corridor approximately 100 Ian wide that traverses central Iraq in SE-NW direction for a distance of about 500 km from Baghdad in the central part of Iraq to Dohuk near the Turkish border. This transect is one of few such transects that represents the Iraqi contribution to the Global Geoscience Transects (GGT) project. The transect crosses two out of three major tectonic elements of Iraq: the unfolded zone and the folded zone.

Jan 1, 1990

By Khosrowshahi

A scientific approach to analysing grade control has been applied at a number of mining operations. By dividing the grade control process into the various stages of data collection and interpretation, errors can be identified using reconciliations of production against predictions. The merits of different mining styles in large and small open pit mines are examined.One factor in successful grade control is estimation of the expected ore loss and dilution. Empirical methods developed in two dimensions have been refined to enable 3D modelling of the effects on mineable grade and tonnage of varying the bench height, sampling orientation, and sampling Resolution.

Jan 1, 1992

The present practices in electro-refining of copper are shown to be the result of piecemeal and gradual improvements and innovations as metallurgists responded to changing cost pressures and the availability of new technology.Major changes were inhibited by capital cost restraints and a reluctance to build unproven ideas into new plants.It is suggested that the level of technology available today, combined with the greatest cost pressures the industry has known, call for fundamental re-appraisal and a questioning of widely accepted conventional practices.Examples of the industry reaction to changing pressures are given, and directions for future developments are suggested.

Jan 1, 1985

The role of marketing in the development of a new project will be affected by political, commercial and technical pressures. Marketing success will be determined by the ability to predict and react to tomorrow's environment. In the Australian coal industry there is an emerging transition from production to marketing orientation. As a result, greater technical awareness of customer needs will be required. In particular, the industrial product nature of coal markets will need to be recognised. Greater attention will also need to be paid to product options and quality in mine planning. Marketing personnel will become more involved at every phase of the development of a new mine.

Jan 1, 1983

By B Sulistianto, D Carrugan a, R K. Wattimena

Geological structure at PT Karimun Granite Quarry, in Karimun Island û Indonesia, has three primary joint sets that cross between them. These primary joint sets are the principal factor influencing the geotechnical safety of this quarry. In order to get stable geometry of the quarry in terms of height, width, and slope for single and overall bench, we need an appropriate stability analysis method to prevent failure and maintain stability. The Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) is used for this rock mass system. The geometries resulting from this analysis have been implemented and have given a stable quarry until now.

Jan 1, 2003

The impact of computers on the mining industry has increased for the past twenty years in most parts of the world. The application of computers in the mining industry has been demonstrated in areas such as geological data analysis, ore reserve estimation, mine planning, and manpower training. There is also a general concern in this country regarding the computing background of graduating mining engineers from the Australian higher institutions of learning. This paper describes specific steps which have been taken at the Department of Civil and Mining Engineering, The University of Wollongong to provide adequate computing background to mining engineering graduates. Specific topics discussed include hardware and software available to students and how "computers" have been integrated into the mining engineering course.

Jan 1, 1986

Traditionally mill operators have been employed with varying educational backgrounds with little if any formal training in aspects of mineral processing. Pasminco Mining-Rosebery, in line with other organisations, saw the need for a prerequisite entry level for operators to enter the industry. After initial discussions between various West Coast Mines personnel, union and government representatives, an industry working group was formed in 1989 with the aim of developing a traineeship suitable for the mineral processing industry. Training and technical representatives from four of the West Coast Mines and TAFE were commissioned with the curriculum development. The resultant course, which is recognised under the Australian Traineeship system, involved an integrated on and off-the-job training program, including 13 weeks of formal off-the-job instruction.

Jan 1, 1991

By A Hollonds, R Young

High commodity prices have produced a boom in project expansions and growth projects. Unfortunately, some of the early results have been poor, with some projects suffering considerable cost growth, project delays and start-up problems. The cost growth experienced in some projects is well beyond just escalation, but suggests weaknesses in the development of feasibility studies. Independent project analysis (IPA) has developed a large database containing information on project outcomes in the minerals and metals sector, and has identified, through its front-end loading (FEL) index and team development index (TDI), some key leading indicators of project success and project problems. This paper highlights key areas of weakness in feasibility studies that have driven poor project results, and the best practices that have driven improved project results.

Jan 1, 2009

I have the pleasure to present 6 excellent papers in this section all of major relevance to the mining environment of today where competing social, legal and monetary interests and their often complex interaction require serious consideration. This is particularly true today where huge fluctuations in commodity prices makes mining a perilous undertaking while the world increasingly are becoming aware of the serious threat that mans activities has on his environment. The 6 papers deal with such complex issues as safety in an underground environment; How to protect sensitive wetlands well into the next century; The enormeous waterproblems in China and conflicting dewatering/water supply needs; Disposal of contaminated water in sensitive areas and the dynamic interaction between mining companies and legislation.

Jan 1, 1988

Erosion of unprotected batters, spoil banks, slopes, and stockpiled material creates a multitude of environmental problems. Winds blowing across these denuded surfaces can generate dust clouds capable of depositing un- desirable particulate material a considerable distance from the source. Water eroding these areas continually exposes new surfaces which may be oxidized. Iron pyrites can be dissolved in the flowing water, resulting in the addition of pollutants to streams and water sources. Silting of water sources can also occur as a result of this erosion. Valuable topsoil can be blown or washed away. In addition, the after-effects of erosion leave a visual pollution which is more difficult and expensive to correct than to prevent.

Jan 1, 1976

First of all, I should like to thank you for theopportunity to be with you tonight and tocongratulate the Kalgoorlie and Perth branchesof the Australasian Institute of Mining andMetallurgy in initiating this most importantConference.It could not have been better timed.Gold is riding a crest of the wave, leading theresurgence in the State's mining industry.The strong and stable economic policies whichhave been pursued both by the Burke LabourGovernment in this State and by the HawkeGovernment in Canberra, whilst they have ofcourse only been part of the reason for thestrong recovery in the mining industry - a l o tof it being due t o international factors - havecertainly assisted and ensured that the miningindustry in this state has been able to takefull advantage of the changed world situation.

Jan 1, 1984

By G A. Streltsova

In the paper the main concept of qualitative simulation is determined when computer-aided designing and forecasting of designs of robotised continuous-flow working face complexes for underground mining of hard ores. The parametric model æunderground ore mineÆ and its components û composite models are considered. Frame description of structure of working face complex and methods of organising of rule-oriented representation of knowledge when itÆs operating are given. The architecture of the developed prototype of expert system æworking face complexÆ and construction of a knowledge base for it are described when solving problems of multi-criteria optimisation of computational parameters of the working face complex under conditions of uncertainty. The guidelines for further development of knowledge base and expert system are given.

Jan 1, 2003

The word `environment' may have many different meanings but, for the purposes of this paper, I have assumed the definition included in the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (Western Australia). This Act defines `environment' as `... living things, their physical, biological and social surroundings, and interactions between all of these'. The Act further defines the `social surroundings of man' as `... his aesthetic, cultural, economic and social surroundings to the extent that those surroundings directly affect or are affected by his physical or biological surroundings'. This gives a very broad meaning to the idea of environment and environmental issues, and it is therefore understandable that the influence that environmental issues have on mining activity can vary so much from state to state, and even within states, and why the degree of influence can change so much with time.

Jan 1, 1990

The Australian Centre for Minesite Rehabilitation Research (ACMRR) was established through a mining industry initiative to meet the need of industry, governments and the community for sustainable systems for land affected by exploration, mining and mineral processing activities. The Centre, which is a consortium of the major groups associated with mining rehabilitation research in Australia, has a focus on both strategic research and technology transfer and combines a wide range of multidisciplinary skills covering engineering and the physical and biological sciences. The paper briefly describes the goals, structure, expertise and research and technology transfer activities of the Centre. The major research program areas of waste rock dump and final void stability, acid mine drainage, tailings disposal, and remediation of ecosystem reconstruction are described in the context of national Priorities.

Jan 1, 1995

By Shiels O. J

The paper reviews developments in general galvanising in Australia, including a brief history of the industry and its technology. The changes in galvanising process technology are covered, as well as developments in galvanising bath design, materials handling and pre-treatment. Developments in zinc management through the use of aluminium and nickel alloys are discussed. The paper addresses the cost components of general galvanising and relates this to the competitive position of general galvanising against other coatings used for protecting steel. The environmental aspects of the general galvanising industry in Australia are outlined with respect to the utilisation of process chemicals, problems associated with their disposal and developments in filtering and regeneration of process solutions. The current status of the industry is assessed in terms of zinc usage and usage trends. Likely changes in technology which may impact on the general galvanising industry in the future are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1993

By A E. C Peres, J D. Donda

With the aim of producing a concentrate with silica content lower than 1.0 per cent SiO2, laboratory experiments were conducted using a sample of the final concentrate from the Samarco iron ore flotation plant (mechanical cells circuit). The sample contained 3.08 per cent SiO2. This sample was split in two size ranges: >105 ¦m and 2. The >105 ¦m fraction, representing 23.3 per cent of the initial mass, was re-ground to 100 per cent 2 content were obtained. Considering the mass proportions of the two size fractions, the calculated silica content of the combined concentrate was 0.68 per cent, which is considered satisfactory for the objective of this investigation. The major reasons for the higher (0.90 per cent) silica content of the concentrate from the coarse fraction are the presence of silicon in the lattice of goethite and the presence of residual silicious slimes in the pores of porous hematite.

Jan 1, 2005