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As Project Managers for the Blair Athol Coal Mine Project, CMPS selected a number of computer systems to assist in project control. The areas where computers were used were: 1) Planning & Scheduling 2) Procurement Reporting 3) Document Control 4) Accounting 5) Cost Control 6) Control of project management and engineering manhours The computer packages selected were generally effective in their own areas. During 1982, CMPS acquired an in-house project control package called GC/Cue. Project control systems for the project are progressively being set up on this system. The advantages of this type of system are: 1) Improved accessibility of information, due to on-line operation and the use of VDU's. 2) Improved turn around time for computer runs and production of reports. 3) Improved presentation and format of reports. 4) Lower costs.

Jan 1, 1983

The mineralogy of the crocidolite (blue asbestos) veins at Wittenoom Gorge was examined to determine the cause of failure to recover soma of the fibre by the ore-dressing methods currently being practised. As a, result of this yamina.tion, several fo.Ctors pertinent to the problem were found to be a function of the pa.ragenosis of the veins. The occurrenceof magnetite from tho'cap rock within the veins was thought to be preventing fiborisation during troo.tment. Several petrologic features are described and their relation to the ore genesis is discussed, Comparison with the crocidolite deposits of the Union of South Africa is also considered.

Jan 1, 1963

By Wenya X, Bingchen C

About 60 per cent of magnesite ores of Haicheng Magnesium Mine, due to their low grade, are not currently commercially exploitable. In this paper, the flotabilities of the main component minerals of the ores were studied in detail with ether amine as collector. Based on. these, a new technique of reverse-direct flotation with single etheramine as collector for the beneficiation of the ores was developed. It gave highly satisfactory results. On the basis of the calculation by means of CNDO/2 method, of the studies of the solution chemistry of magnesite and of the adsorption tests and Zeta-potential measurements, the key mechanism in the new technique about activating effect of Ca2+ on the flotation of magnesite was suggested.

Jan 1, 1993

Some only types of bank finance are appropriate for mining development, with conventional fixed rate finance having significant limitations of flexibility. New, innovative and flexible instruments have recently been utilised within project financing packages. A strictly limited number of specialist project finance banks exists, with the necessary specialist personnel able to address project cost-competitiveness, cost and commodity forecasting, joint venture negotiations, and completion and sales undertakings. Different techniques of internal bank appraisal are applied, with the usual equity investment project valuation criteria being seldom useful for loan assessment purposes. Company attention paid to the preparation of a sensitively structured bankable presentation can prove most effective for securing development project finance. Substantial scope is possible for savings of time and money.

Jan 1, 1983

By Fulton E, Ring RJ, Waters DJ

The Nabarlek uranium treatment plant of Queensland Mines Limited (QML) is currently treating 600,000 tonnes of ore which was mined and stockpiled in a single four month period prior to commissioning of the plant. During the mining phase, material from the open pit was sorted into ore,'below ore grade uranium material (bogum) and waste using a truck discriminator (radiometric analyser) developed by Australian Mineral Development Laboratories (AMDEL). Ore was stockpiled in a single heap with the location and grade of each truck load being recorded. Bogum and waste were stored separately. From the information recorded, both computer and physical models of the stockpile were constructed. These models are currently used in the planning of day to day reclamation of ore from the stockpile.

Jan 1, 1984

As part of the response to the increased demand for products such as iron ore, coal and gold many resource companies have identified the need to develop strategies focused on attracting high demand professionals and retaining current employees in the business. Recent graduates are entering a time where they can expect high starting salaries, attractive benefits and lifestyle options. At the same time high work expectations and large demands on both personal and professional development will also be the norm. Some of the challenges faced may include high demands on performance, working with limited resources, long hours, and tackling unfamiliar areas of work with little guidance. However, managing your career and these challenges effectively can give you valuable experience in a short amount of time. By offering situations from my relatively short, yet active, career in the mining industry during these boom times I will raise some key points on how to best leverage your commodity and make the most of a bullish market.

Jan 1, 2006

Wollongong* is Australia's largest single centre of mining and metallurgy. Wollongong's total employment in manufacturing of basic metal products (over 26,500 in 1972/1973) was almost 50 per cent higher than that of Newcastle and double that of any other Australian city. Although the great bulk of this employment was in steelmaking, Wollongong's copper industry was also a significant employer. Wollongong's total employment in mining (4,900 in 1971) was second only to that of Newcastle among Australian mining centres. Although the bulk of Wollongong's mining is of coal, there is also considerable mining of blue metal, sand and clay. In all, over 40 per cent of Wollongong's work force is employed in mining and metallurgy. The great bulk of the other

Jan 1, 1976

By Shanahorn C

During the last decade the proper training of operating and maintenance staff has been recognised as directly contributing to the successful startup and continuing operations of a metallurgical project. During this period Bechtel has assisted clients in the design, development and implementation of such training. The clients have been located in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Africa, China and North America. The programmes have addressed mobile and fixed plant operations and maintenance in coal, copper, gold, borax and other mining environments. The level of sophistication has varied from highly structured and documented instruction to less formal, yet controlled efforts to reorient and enhance the skills of experienced workers to training personnel with no previous work experience. Many lessons have been learned, some easier than others. This presentation will recount the elements of various projects which enhanced and detracted from the cost-effective achievement of the goals which training was

Jan 1, 1986

By J-P Franzidis

Hydrodynamic conditions such as gas dispersion, mixing intensity and solids suspension are known to govern the metallurgical performance of the flotation process. Understanding flotation cell hydrodynamics is therefore important for the optimisation of existing cells and for the design of the larger and more efficient cells which are needed to handle the finer, lower grade ores currently being mined. This paper presents the results of numerous studies that have been carried out to characterise the hydrodynamic conditions in a number of different types of flotation machines both in Australia and South Africa. Measurement techniques that have been developed to determine gas dispersion and other hydrodynamic properties in industrial flotation cells are described along with applications for their use. The results show distinct differences between the way flotation cells are operated in the two countries.

Jan 1, 2000

The aim of this paper is to examine the problems confronting the planner, designer, constructor and management when rehabilitating the works associated with road building- and including quarry and borrow areas. The importance of further investigation into the many factors involved, including species, methods of planting and aftercare is stressed as is the need for trained personnel and the consequential availability of specialised training courses. Emphasis is placed upon the relevance of a rational and unemotional approach to rehabilitation with respect to the landscape and to the high degree of co-ordination and co-operation between all disciplines involved.

Jan 1, 1976

The number of employees required to operate a continuous operation was determined. The fixed and variable costs of the operation were separated, generally along the lines of labour and stores components. Proprietary `MicroPlanner' scheduling software was used to assess resource utilisation under the constraints generated by seven-day operation to determine the level of resources required and ensure that the maximum use was being made of all resources. The mine economic model was used to account for both the fixed and variable costs of the various task to determine the cost and net revenue of the various scenarios. The analysis indicated that mine output could be increased while reducing the unit production cost. Several eight- and 12-hour, seven-day rosters were sourced and ranked for their potential to improve production and communication, and for their effect on employee health and lifestyle.

Jan 1, 1995

By Samyguin VD, Filippov LO

The aim of this paper is to emphasise the importance of knowing of the rate of the elementary flotation acts (EFA) - attachment and detachment. By studying the simplest linear model notion of the column flotation, the results of the nonlinear simulaton of flotation separation in the column with lengthwise upward mixing show two principal different types of separative mass-transfer in the column. The first is, the case of a small EFA intensity, almost without the detachment. The second is, the case of a big EFA rate, when the process is close to a local attachment-detachment equilibrium. There is also an attempt to estimate the EFA rate for three different kinds of quartz particles, floated by cation collector in the laboratory column apparatus.

Jan 1, 1993

A new two-metre column self-heating test procedure has been developed at the University of Queensland, which clearly shows the hot spot development phases that take place in bulk coal self-heating. The column results provide a more reliable indication of the self-heating propensity of coal than small-scale index tests. At the same time, off-gas evolution patterns associated with hot spot development are obtained, including the recognition of hydrogen evolution from oxidation at temperatures less than 80¦C. Subtle differences in off-gas evolution from self-heating between gassy and gas-drained coal are also apparent. This new approach to coal self-heating assessment offers an opportunity to further the understanding of the complexities of spontaneous combustion and will enable more accurate risk assessment for the coal industry.

Jan 1, 2005

By Hutchinson H

Froth flotation is applied to mineral sand concentrates in order to produce commercially viable xenotime concentrates. Experiments indicate that a xenotime product containing 38% Y203 at 47% recovery or 34% Y203 at 83% recovery can be obtained from a 27% Y203 feed. The process involves a primary stage of reverse flotation at which oxide and silicate gangue is floated, and secondary stage of direct flotation at which xenotime is floated. Of the various collectors screened an amphoteric compound was found to be effective at both stages. This was made possible by the addition of sodium silicate at the second stage, which acted as depressant for the remainder of the gangue. Similar studies on a low grade feed material were somewhat unsatisfactory as the grade achieved fell short of what was targeted.

Jan 1, 1990

By Wickham P

Digital computer based control systems are used to implement control and monitoring over most unit operations in Mount Isa Mines Limited lead-zinc concentrator and copper concentrator. Implementation has been gradually devel- oped and expanded since the first process computer installation in 1969. Operations currently using high level control logic include crushing, grinding, on-stream analysis of flotation products, flotation reagent additions, and tailings thickening. Details of gains in metallurgical efficiency for each system are considered.

Jan 1, 1978

Three main divisions of the. Proterozoic are recognised in the North- West of Western Australia. These are referred to, in order of decreasing age as the Mt. Bruce Supergroup, the Bresnahan Group and the Bangemall Group. The stratigraphy and distribution of each is described, their relative ages discussed and a brief geological history of the whole area is Presented.

Jan 1, 1964

This paper sets out a number of means by which professionals can reduce or eliminate the risk of professional liability whether as directors, employees, partners, independent consultants or contractors. A relationship between client and professional is commonly cited as an example of a fiduciary relationship: the professional "undertakes or agrees to act for or on behalf of or in the interests of' the client "in the exercise of a power or discretion which will affect the interests of that other person in a legal or practical sense."2 As a fiduciary, a professional must ensure that his or her exercise of power does not result in a position of ascendancy or undue influence over the client. Also, a professional must avoid situations where there is scope for even the perception of potential conflict between his or her professional duty to the client and his or her own Interest.

Jan 1, 1995

Dynamic hydrothermal modeling is a tool that can aid in studying problems associated with hydrothermal ore deposits and can help increase our understanding of the spatial distribution of ore within hydrothermal systems. Models are constructed by a sequence of steps involving development of a conceptual model, followed by its mathematical description in terms of governing equation with accompanying initial and boundary conditions. This equation is then solved either analytically or numerically. The four model types ò that fully describe a hydrothermal 'system are those for fluid flow, heat and ore solute transport, and deformation. At Renison, models have been used to help understand two major exploration problems. These are the controls on ore localisation in dolomite horizons and feeder faults respectively. The types of models used ò have simulated the distribution of all mineral zones, pyrrhotite, and temperature in the dolomites. This has allowed evaluation of the effects on ore localisation by physical and chemical heterogeneities within the dolomite host rocks, and allowed estimation of potential controls in different physical and chemical environments.

Jan 1, 1987

EARLY HISTORYIt is 91 years since the epic discovery of gold at the eastern end of Kalgoorlie's main street appropriately named Hannan's Street after the prospector who found the first gold here on17 June, 1893.The Spirit that motivated the early prospectors in their search for gold in this thirsty sun-burned land, unmapped, uncompromising and difficult is characteristic of gold prospectors the world over. Conditions have changed since then substituting comparative comfort for previous austerity and privation, but the quest-ing spirit, the everlasting optimism, the perseverance in the face of frustration .and disappointment still exists.It exists with the prospector who more often than not is a company geologist; it exists with the shareholder enjoying through his investment a vicarious participation in this wonderful, exciting industry and not the least with those people who have chosen the goldmining industry as their career.

Jan 1, 1984

The published safety policy of Mount Isa Mines Limited, together with details of the organisation and control techniques adopted by management to pursue an active safety programme within the company, is presented. The importance of communication by management through the organisational hierarchy and procedures instituted to ensure rapid and concise feedback on safety concerns are detailed. The paper also describes the role of the occupational health department and safety committees in assisting management to monitor the safety effort of supervisors and employees. Current safety performance levels are tabled together with details of some aspects of the programme on which safety effort will be concentrated in the future.

Jan 1, 1975