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By P Vaikkattil, K Li, J Bullock

Unlocking maximum value is essential when designing a stope and the associated drill and blast packets. This is becoming increasingly important at Olympic Dam as the operation continues to expand south into the new mining areas away from existing infrastructure, increasing operating costs and required capital investment; into areas with less competent ground conditions, requiring smaller stopes and increased interactions. The introduction of Orica’s WebGenTM system is one way in which Olympic Dam can continue to unlock value into the future by decoupling traditional drill and blast limitations. The Lime 390 stope was the first stope at Olympic Dam to trial the new technology on the last blast packet. This paper reviews the drill and blast design of the Lime 390 stope, including the technical and operational challenges associated with the stope and the trial of the Orica’s WebGenTM system for the firing of the last blast packet.

Mar 15, 2021

By G R. Hancock, M J. Saynor, J B. C Lowry, K G. Evans, M Narayan

Tools such as landform evolution models (LEMs) provide a means of predicting how a landform may evolve over extended periods of time. Here, we utilise the CAESAR-Lisflood LEM to assess a proposed rehabilitated landform of the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory of Australia (Figure 1). The environmental requirements for the closure of the mine state that the final landform must be able to physically isolate tailings material from the environment for a period of at least 10,000 years (Australian Government, 1999). However, uncertainty exists as to the reliability of model predictions representing thousands of years.In this study, we use model predictions from an undisturbed pre-mine landform to calibrate the parameters used in model simulations of a post-mining rehabilitated landform over a simulated period of 1,000 years. Specifically, we vary environmental conditions such as rainfall, presence/absence of vegetation and surface particle size characteristics in a series of model simulations to determine their impact on the respective landforms, to revise model input parameters as required. A simulated period of 1,000 years was used as it represents a period in which long term landform evolution patterns and trends may be established and identified. CITATION:Lowry, J B C, Narayan, M, Evans, K G, Saynor, M J and Hancock, G R, 2018. Using an undisturbed landform to calibrate long-term predictions of the evolution of a rehabilitated landform, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2018, pp 133–137 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 25, 2018

By J Coombes

There is much debate on the Competent Persons qualifying criteria for providing classified resource estimates for public reporting. The CRIRSCO family of codes including the JORC Code, SAMREC, PERC and NI43–101, require Competent Persons to have at least five years ‘relevant’ experience and belong to professional bodies. These codes provide further, albeit vague, guidelines to assist individuals with their personal decision to take on the mantle of ‘Competent Person’. There is a risk, however, that these qualifying criteria can result in ill-prepared Competent Persons whose actions and recommendations would undermine their own reputation and that of the organisations that employ them; the integrity of the profession and the principles based reporting systems; as well as the stability of stock markets that rely on these estimates.Based on doctoral study on the development of professional competency within the mining industry, this paper presents an evaluation of the suitability of the current qualifying criteria as well as an analysis of alternative criteria. The research included a series of interviews with industry experts and an online survey of resource geologists. Semi-structured interviews provided a sense of experts’ expectations and interpretation of the current definition of ‘Competent Person’. The comprehensive online survey included a self-assessment, a series of situational questions designed to evaluate responses to typical resource geology scenarios and a set of open-ended questions relating to factors contributing to competency development.A summary of the data analysis, interpretation of the results and a set of recommendations for revised ‘Competent Person’ qualifying criteria are presented. This paper contributes to the conversation on what makes a person suitably qualified to report classified resource estimates and provides practical targets that can be used in the professional development of resource geologists.CITATION:Coombes, J, 2014. Redefining Competent Persons criteria for resource geologists, in Proceedings Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014 , pp 153–158 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 18, 2014

By J Euston

In the 1990s round flotation tanks were introduced as a result of the lower fabrication costs for larger cells. It was soon observed that round tanks held a number of further advantages over the traditional rectangular cells, such as better hydrodynamics, lower costs and reduced footprint per unit volume.In the last twenty years flotation cell sizes have increased almost exponentially and designs of 250 to 300m3 are a well established standard with plans for full scale pilot installations of 500m3. The option to install these large cells gives flexibility in circuit arrangements and allows efficient and economic matching of flotation lines with modern mill designs. The benefits of scale up are well known with reduced numbers of cells required, lower power costs per unit volume, etc. These benefits will be briefly reviewed with specific reference to the installation of 300m3 to 350m3 flotation cells at the Copperton Concentrator of Kennecott Copper in Utah, USA.The sophisticated techniques required to model these ‘supercells’ have led to a critical review of the fundamentals of flotation science and engineering. In addition to outlining the advantages of large flotation cells, this paper will review the science which supports, and occasionally challenges, the ongoing trend to larger flotation cells.

Aug 8, 2011

By S Thacker, M Noakes

The Newmont Tanami Operations (NTO), formerly the Granites Gold Mine, commenced operation in the mid-1980s with tailings deposition evolving over the past three decades as production has increased and the operation has expanded. Paddock-style tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and in-pit tailings deposition have fulfilled the tailings requirements for NTO over its lifetime with the technical specifications of these facilities improving over time in line with the positive development of standards, guidelines and best practice.This paper reviews the options for tailings storage facilities at NTO and the many considerations that have been analysed and deliberated upon before settling on specific TSF types and designs. It also explains the operating philosophies of the tailings deposition and how the facilities have always strongly maintained the optimum capture and retrieval of water. The current TSF design and criteria is presented, along with the introduction of dry tails harvesting for use in paste production as a backfill product for the underground mine. Tailings deposition and recovery remains a critical function of the Granites process to ensure long-term operation and gold production.CITATION:Thacker, S and Noakes, M, 2015. Newmont Tanami Operations – tailings storage facilities, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century , pp 305–314 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 27, 2015

By A Atkins

Six recent case studies were selected based on the eight main causes of mine disasters (Table 1; Quinlan, 2014) and where credible information sources, such as Royal Commission Reports, Coronial Investigations and textbooks, were available. The six case studies are listed below. Details are available via this link or the conference PowerPoint accompanying this paper. 1. Beaconsfield, Tasmania – 2006 Fall of Ground/Seismic Event (Chandler, 2009; Melick, 2007; Wright, 2012). 2. Bingham Canyon, USA – 2013 Manefay Slide (Ross, 2017). 3. Bronzewing, WA – 2000 Hydraulic Fill Inrush (Hope, 2002). 4. Brumadinho and Samarco, Brazil – 2015 and 2019 Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) failures (Bowker, 2019; Darlington et al, 2019; Demajorovic, Lopes and Santiago, 2019; Morgenstern, 2016). 5. Northparkes, NSW – 1999 Cave Air-blast (Bailey, 2003; Hebblewhite, 2003). 6. Pike River, NZ – 2010 Methane Gas Explosion (Macfie, 2013; Panckhurst, Bell and Henry, 2012.

May 5, 2022

By S Bluhm, LádeáOliveira, R Funnell

Taquari Vasouras potash mine (Vale Fertilizantes) has many interesting features including virgin rock temperatures of 50¦C at depths of 700 m. The mine has a relatively small shaft system with limited ventilation carrying capacity, which was not adequate to exploit the full extent of the deposit. This limitation was overcome by installing two large-scale recirculation systems with underground reconditioning centres. This paper describes this unique mine ventilation and cooling system and some of its history over the past two decades. The two controlled recirculation systems have been operating safely for some ten years and the use of large-scale recirculation has been a fundamental component in the increase of production and extending the mining further-and-further from the shaft centre. The recirculation systems have played a huge role in the mine profitability and comprehensively extending the mine life. The paper also discusses a number of novel design and operating features such as reverse running pumps for energy recovery. The underground chilled water system design required a number of special safety features in order to minimise the risk of water leakage since this could be catastrophic in a potash mine. This paper describes a good example of a mine in which the final ventilation and cooling system design ends up very different to what was envisaged at the greenfields stage.CITATION:Bluhm, S, Funnell, R and de Oliveira, L, 2013. Controlled recirculation and refrigeration at ValeÆs Taquari Potash Mine, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 237-248 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

Prior to 1972, Peko Mines Limited at Tennant Creek used a central mill at Peko, which consisted of a gravity circuit, flotation and cyanidation of tailings, to treat their gold ore from surrounding mines. The Warrego concentrator, 60km to the west, was built to handle the Warrego and Gecko copper orebodies, which were being developed concurrently with the concentrator construction The Warrego concentrator consisted of a flotation circuit, using autogenous grinding at 100 - 120 tph, compared to the more elaborate Peko circuit employing rod mill - ball mill grinding capable of treating only 18 - 26 tph. During development of the Warrego copper mine a gold rich ore pod was located, because of which the mining plans were adjusted to allow simultaneous, separate extraction of the copper and gold ores. However, the plans for the concentrator were not affected as the gold ore could be carted 60km to the Peko central mill for processing.

Jan 1, 1978

By A Grigg, L Hackett

Alcoa operates two bauxite mines at Huntly and Willowdale, located within the jarrah forest south-east of Perth in Western Australia. Ore reserves are shallow but extensive, and mining pits averaging around 20 ha in size are distributed across a mining region in a mosaic pattern, linked to a centrally-located crusher by a radiating network of haulroads. A mining or crusher region is defined partly in terms of economic haul distances, and new regions are opened once the current regions’ reserves have been mined. Since commencing in 1973, the Huntly mine has constructed and progressively closed three previous mining regions and is presently in a transition from the fourth and current region of McCoy to the new region of Myara. At present rates of production, approximately 450 ha is cleared, mined and rehabilitated each year.The value of topsoil in returning a diverse mix of native jarrah forest plant species and supplying nutrients, organic matter and soil biota to rehabilitated areas has long been recognised. Managing the topsoil resource is therefore a critical element in the success of rehabilitation outcomes, but the distribution and dynamic nature of mining operations pose significant planning and logistical challenges. The regionalised approach to mining at Huntly also presents a range of issues for what are, in effect, soil management plans for episodic mine closure. The nature of mining and rehabilitation operations are described, together with the planning processes that Alcoa follows to quantify, track and report on soil movement. A case study of the Huntly mine demonstrates that an integrated operational and life-of-mine planning process is essential for successful and cost-effective mine rehabilitation.CITATION:Hackett, L and Grigg, A, 2014. Topsoil management for long-term mine operation and closure – a case study from Alcoa's bauxite mining operations in south-west Australia, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2014 , pp 609–614 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 16, 2014

By E Corpuz, J Weissman, S Winter, R Evans

The surface-to-inseam (SIS) directional drilling technique has been utilised at Oaky Creek Coal for more than a decade to predrain both the Oaky No 1 and Oaky North mining areas. The cumulative drilling program constitutes a total of 140 lateral and 200 vertical holes, and 405 km of lateral drilling.The use of SIS gas drainage has been successful with the following site-specific benefits being recognised:ability to drain German Creek seam gas contents to residual gas levels of new mining areas within an 18-month period from commencement of well productionstructural geological verification of the mine design well in advance of development mining occurring in an areaability to conduct successful predrainage of the overlying Aquila seam to reduce subsequent goaf emissions.Appropriate and up-to-date geological knowledge during the design and drilling process is a significant influence to achieving success. Vertical production wells need to be located in a position that is most effective to remove water from hole. The lateral hole should not include intersections with significant geological structure.SIS drilling provides continuous seam roof/floor data to help define seam geometry and locate geological hazards with high accuracy. In faulted ground and with variable seam gradients, SIS data can resolve geological ambiguities from seismic sections and enhance seam correlation that would otherwise be available only from discrete and closely-spaced infill vertical exploration drilling.Here, we review some examples of SIS configurations and practice to highlight key learnings in drilling long inseam holes (up to 1900 m per arm) ahead of development and mining. Aspects on prerequisites, evolution of network design, tolerances and drainage outcomes in a variety of geological situations are discussed as technical basis towards a viable and effective SIS drilling program.CITATION:Corpuz, E, Evans, R, Weissman, J and Winter, S, 2015. Surface-to-inseam (SIS) drilling at Oaky Creek coal mine – SIS design aspects and drilling environment, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference, pp 93–104 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 31, 2015

By M Rafty, A Markham, S Atkinson

Australia contains some of the most productive mining areas and is characterised by ancient landscapes and highly variable hydrology. Historical mining of iron ore, coal and other minerals has targeted ore deposits located above water tables, and elevated above creek lines where possible to reduce cost. The downturn in mining caused by falling ore prices over recent years has triggered a drive to reduce cost, maximise yield and delay capital expenditure associated with opening new mines. So as the ore deposits with more favorable mining conditions become depleted there is an increased focus on mining ore associated with valley floors and creek lines. This is demonstrated by a regional assessment of the extent of Channel Iron Deposits (CID) and Iron Ore (Fe) Mines and Deposits in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia (Figure 1). A large proportion of these mines are, or plan to, target high grade CID ore associated with existing creek systems. Figure 2 shows outcropping and inferred sub-cropping CID extents, which suggests there are vast quantities of CID ore deposits throughout the Pilbara Region, intersected by major creeks which could be mined at some point in the future using creek diversions (Atkinson et al., 2017). A similar picture could also be produced for coal mining in Queensland, particularly in areas such as the Bowen Basin.While creek diversions provide an opportunity to maximise the utilisation of these orebodies and extend the life of mine, creek diversions can involve substantial financial, social, environmental and regulatory risks that need to be carefully managed (Markham et al., 2017, Atkinson et al., 2017). This paper discusses the key issues and opportunities associated with diversion decision making. It highlights the importance of using a well-structured assessment methodology that allows key stakeholders to be part of the assessment process and is complementary to material presented in Atkinson et al., (2017). Design considerations for operational and closure designs are presented, as well as mine planning considerations, risks, cost saving opportunities and the benefits of an integrated approach to design. The role technology plays in diversion design and performance monitoring is discussed as are the potential opportunities for the future.CITATION:Atkinson, S, Markham, A and Rafty, M, 2018. Diversion decision making with an integrated approach to design for operations and mine closure, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2018, pp 74–79 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 25, 2018

By M J. Thurley, L Lindqvist, D Degerfeldt, J Nyström, R Nordenskjöld

Rock breakage is a major component of all mining and mineral processing operations with the particle size distribution linked to productivity through the comminution chain. Optimisation and automatic control of comminution, material handling, and agglomeration processes is a complex task with large potential for gains in productivity, and energy efficiency. A key factor in realising these gains is the requirement for fully-automated online particle size distribution measurement to provide the necessary feedback and input for control. Moreover, to enable automatic control system it is necessary to provide a consistent, reliable size distribution measurement that avoids the significant errors resulting from under-sizing overlapped particles and over-sizing clusters of fine particles. Published literature and observation of commercial systems indicate a body of predominantly 2D photographic based particle size measurement systems that suffer from a number of significant errors except in the simplest case of a monolayer of particles under good illumination with limited colour variation in the material. In order to overcome these limitations a university and industry collaboration developed three-dimensional particle measurement (3DPM) between 2006 and 2012, based on 3D surface profile measurement of the visible material on conveyor. 3DPM avoids particle delineation errors due to variation in material colour and shadows, detects overlapping versus non-overlapping particles, and identifies areas of fine particles as fines and not large rocks. 3DPM measures: the visible material and calculates its particle size distribution, bulk volume, detects boulders, and conveyor belt fill factor in an automated consistent manner. Furthermore, 3DPM’s advanced algorithms allow observation of particle variation that would otherwise be undetected without the capacity to identify visible areas-of-fines and overlapped particles. Boliden Mines has installed 3DPM at three operations for measurement between the stockpile silo and grinding mill, and measurement after the primary crusher. Fragmentation measurements across multiple years of measurement are presented with some observations of plant behaviour. In the future 3DPM results will be incorporated into automatic control strategies for plant optimisation. 3DPM is used across a wide range of material types and applications that also includes; limestone aggregate for quality control in manufacturing, agglomerates for closed-loop automatic control in chemical production, and measurement of coke for size-based blending feed control to the blast furnace in steel production. CITATION:Thurley, M J, Degerfeldt, D, Nyström, J, Nordenskjöld, R and Lindqvist, L, 2018. Automated, online measurement of bulk material size distribution on conveyor using 3D profile imaging at Boliden Mines, in Proceedings 14th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2018, pp 641–652 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 29, 2018

By M Scoble

This paper is based upon the experiences of collaborating academics in two mining schools and their personal view of attempts to integrate the principles of sustainable development into mining education and research. In this quest, the concept of sustainable mining practices is proposed, not only relating to environmental, social and economic performance but also stressing mine safety and efficiency. These practices need to support strategies that enable flexibility and resilience within mine operations to counter recessionary cycles. Also, these counter-cyclical strategies are now imperative for sustaining mining education and research itself. There is a critical interdependence between these two different perspectives on æsustainabilityÆ. The paper concludes by demonstrating models of strategies that promote inter-disciplinarity, collaboration and networking for sustaining mining schools.

Jan 1, 2009

By A Mooney, J Marsden, H Grosser, G Dunstan

Carrapateena is a copper-gold deposit hosted in a brecciated granite complex, located 500km North of Adelaide, South Australia. The deposit is being mined using the Sub Level Caving (SLC) Mining method at a rate of 4.25 MTPA. The Carrapateena SLC construction was completed in Q4 2019, with ramp up to a mine production rate of 4.25 MTPA completed within 12 months; ~ 6 months earlier than originally planned (OZ Minerals, 2020b). Traditional SLC designs have had issues with safety interactions on production levels, namely at the perimeter drive, as well as presented challenges for the application of automation due to frequency of activity required to achieve ring turnover rates. Safety in design provides an opportunity to learn from experience at recent modern SLC operations and by considering hazards early in the design process minimise exposure and improve safety, productivity and automation of mining activity. This paper discusses the work carried out during the Carrapateena feasibility study and optimised during project execution; to update the SLC production level mine design, with a layout known as the Carrapateena Crows Foot Level Layout. This paper focuses on: • An introduction to the Carrapateena Operation and mine plan. • An overview and historical challenges of traditional level layout. • An introduction to the Carrapateena Crows Foot level layout, including production level design parameters as well as development metres and productivity comparisons. • Outlines the benefits of the Crows Foot design for safety in design of SLC operations. Provides a roadmap for improved production efficiency, level operational philosophy and the application of automation within the SLC.

Mar 15, 2021

The new law on Environmental Protection and Management (Republic of Indonesia Law 32 of 2009) was passed by the Indonesian parliament in September 2009. This law aims to protect Indonesia's rapidly degrading environment by providing tougher provisions for both polluters and law enforcers. In doing so, the law introduces a number of new constraints and potential business risks that will affect all companies in Indonesia, particularly mining companies. Some of the newly introduced concepts follow.   Mining companies will now require an environmental license, issued by the Minister of Environment or local counterparts. This license is a prerequisite for all other business and operational permits. The Minister can revoke the environmental license at any time in case of an environmental incident or dispute. Mining companies may be exposed to additional environmental taxes and bonds besides already existing reclamation and mine closure bonds.   There is an increased risk of environmental lawsuits, due to more stringent controls on one side and greater protection for NGOs on the other side who make claims, false or true, against the company. Company executives and managers can be sued and they will be held accountable if environmental degradation has indeed occurred due to the company's activities.   Companies may face increased liabilities due to a change in the definition of contamination. The new definition is more stringent (and on occasion may prove too stringent to be practical); it also provides little room for flexibility in its application.   As implementing regulations are prepared over the coming two to three years, mining companies will need to adjust to the new law. A proactive approach is needed to minimise risk. Recommended actions include: upgrading existing environmental impact assessments to a higher standard; conducting baseline studies and thoroughly documenting environmental conditions on a regular basis; closely tracking regulatory changes, especially the forthcoming implementing regulations on the new environmental law; and regularly engaging key government and community stakeholders on environmental issues.

Jun 1, 2010

Vertical retreat open stoping (VROS) is a variation of sublevel open stoping (SLOS) that has been introduced at Cannington to minimise the influence of subvertical geological structures during stope extraction. The first application of VROS is described, where structures within the stope resulted in a change in firing sequence and the extraction of two complete sublevels in a single blast. The use of electronic detonators is critical to the success of VROS and their application is described. Numerous benefits of using VROS have been identified and are described. To date, eight stopes have been successfully mined using VROS. In addition to the first application of VROS, two further case studies are described.

Jan 1, 2005

By J E. Everett, D Linden, P Maney

In response to the implementation of a new schedule for iron ore fines in the International Maritime OrganizationÆs (IMO) International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, improved measures for the management of moisture have been developed. In particular, prediction of cargo moisture allows management of iron ore fines within the supply?chain to facilitate the safe?shipping of iron ore fines.An ARIMA model, augmented to allow for shipment tonnage, has been developed to predict the moisture level from previous shipments of the same product. The model explains about 60 per cent of the moisture variance. It was found that inclusion of other available information, such as ore composition, train/rake assays and recent rainfall at port and mine, did not add to the predictive power of the model.CITATION:Everett, J E, Linden, D and Maney, P, 2013. Predicting iron ore fines shipment moisture, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2013 , pp 17-26 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 12, 2013

By T Huynh, K Tungpalan, E Wightman, M Edraki, S Palaniandy

Most preventive environmental management practices promote proactive integrated approaches to waste management. For example, life cycle assessment is often used to find the ‘hot spots’ of environmental burdens. This kind of approach is often based on generic data and has rarely been used for tailings. Besides, life cycle assessments are less useful for designing operations or simulating changes in the process and consequent environmental outcomes. It is evident that an integrated approach for tailings research linked to better processing options is needed.The aim of this Nextmine™ project is to develop new tailings management models by streamlining orebody characterisation, process optimisation and rehabilitation. We present an integrated tailings management approach and preliminary results from a case study. Combined grinding and flotation models were developed using geometallurgical data from the orebody, to predict the properties of tailings produced under various processing conditions. The modelling scenarios based on the case study data provide the capacity to predict the composition of tailings and the resulting environmental management implications. For example, the type and content of clay minerals in tailings will affect the geotechnical stability and water recovery. Clay content will also influence decisions made for paste or thickened tailings and underground backfilling.CITATION:Edraki, M, Huynh, T, Wightman, E, Tungpalan, K and Palaniandy, S, 2015. An integrated approach to proactive tailings management, in Proceedings Tailings and Mine Waste Management for the 21st Century , pp 323–332 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 27, 2015

By A B. Bayooke, A C. Robertson

In terms of underground tunnelling in metres advance per capita, Australasia compares well with the best world performers. This is because of the large number of metalliferous mines, coalmines and civil tunnelling projects, with the Australian tunnel advance for civil and mining projects exceeding 625?km/a. In terms of hard rock quarry extraction, Australia produces approximately 200?Mt/a of aggregates, roadbase, fill material and specialist rock products from its quarries, which equates to approximately 8?t/capita. Australian mining and tunnelling contractors are also of world standard and are used to excavating in a variable range of ground conditions in a competitive environment. One author has been involved in tunnel and underground space planning and quarrying in Australia for the past 25 years and predicts that, over the next 20 years, there will be a major swing towards underground space for commercial uses. This paper identifies the potential uses of underground commercial excavation and the planning and geotechnical challenges for the future. Underground quarrying creates new opportunities to extend existing quarries within their urban footprint with minimum impact on the surrounding community. Investigations by the authors reveal that there are very few cities in the world that actually incorporate underground space planning in their city plans. However, cities such as Helsinki have been planned in detail to utilise the rock resources beneath them. Brisbane is used as a case study for a practical application of commercial underground space and underground quarrying in Australia.CITATION:Bayooke, A B and Robertson, A C, 2014. Geotechnical challenges for underground commercial space and quarrying in Australia, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 317–322 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

By R G. Moreby, S Bluhm, FávonáGlehn, C Pascoe

Resolution Copper Mine in Arizona, USA, is planned to be a 2000 m deep panel cave mine with virgin rock temperatures exceeding 80¦C in rock with high crystalline silica content, resulting in a very challenging ventilation and cooling system design. This is one of the largest copper orebodies ever found and, with a planned rock production rate of 120 kton/day. The project is currently in its prefeasibility phase and the paper discusses features of the ventilation and cooling system design which includes multiple ventilation shafts with total primary ventilation flow of about 3000 m3/s and both surface and underground refrigeration plants producing more than 140 MW refrigeration capacity. The cooling system features large surface bulk air coolers chilling all downcast air supplemented by an underground secondary air cooler system and a chilled service water system. This will be a very challenging mine to ventilate and cool but this work has demonstrated that it will be technically achievable with the application of existing technology.CITATION:Bluhm, S, Moreby, R G, von Glehn, F and Pascoe, C, 2013. Life-of-mine ventilation and refrigeration planning for Resolution Copper Mine, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 125-138 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013