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By K D. Tuckwell

The Treasurer, the Hon Wayne Swan, has nominated ‘maximising our advantages’ from ‘Mining Boom Mark II’ as the focus of the 2011/2012 Australian Budget. Australia therefore requires a bolder and better integrated economic reform agenda if it is to convert current strong demand for mineral commodities into lasting prosperity that benefits all Australians. Lasting prosperity, well past 2012, will only be achieved if Australia can effectively reverse a decade-long deterioration in the minerals industry productivity performance due largely to capacity constraints that inhibit growth. This requires improving the efficiency of energy networks, transport infrastructure, water markets, health and education services, access to skilled people and by streamlining costly, inefficient project approvals’ processes. The common thread that holds this economic fabric together is the importance of having the right people using the most appropriate technology within the correct policy framework.In December 2010, employment in the minerals sector stood at 187 200; 21 per cent higher than one year earlier, 15 per cent higher than the industry employment peak prior to the global financial crisis in 2008 and 14 per cent greater than anticipated by industry modelling published in 2008. Managers and professionals make up approximately 15 per cent of the total workforce, yet minerals-related higher education programs (mining engineering, metallurgy and geoscience) continue to be chronically underfunded, requiring direct industry subsidies of more than $25 M over the last decade. Also, the publicly-funded Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector continues to fail the industry in the delivery of quality training programs. Importantly, the industry is a key driver of economic activity in regional and remote Australia and is the largest source of private sector employment for Indigenous Australians who comprise up to a quarter of employees in certain locations.This presentation looks at what our industry and country need to achieve to ensure we have the right people for the challenges ahead. **This is an abstract only. No paper was provided for this abstract.**

Nov 22, 2011

By B Whiteley, B Gee

The Northside Storage Tunnel is a TBM driven rock tunnel system designed to collect and store sewage from four major storm overflow points along the existing Northern Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer. At present, sewage overflows during wet weather are the main source of pollution for Sydney Harbour. The tunnel system comprises a 16 km long by 3.8 m to 6.5 m diameter tunnel from Lane Cove to the North Head Sewage Treatment Plant and a 4 km long by 6.3 m diameter branch tunnel from West Chatswood. The tunnel will have a typical rock cover of about 50 m to 150 m. Most of the tunnel alignment is contained within the Hawkesbury Sandstone Formation which is generally an excellent tunnelling stratum, and offers few geotechnical constraints. However, the tunnel is required to pass beneath incised palaeochannels at Middle Harbour and Manly with each palaeochannel containing about 70 m of sediment.Innovative geotechnical and geophysical investigations were undertaken to examine the tunnel route and characterise the rock beneath the palaeochannels. These investigations have located zones of poor quality rock beneath one palaeochannel in particular, suggesting significant stress relief had taken place in the rock at times of lower sealevel producing structural features indicative of valley bulging. This paper presents the geotechnical model developed for the tunnel, and the models and constraints for tunnelling beneath the palaeochannels.

Jan 1, 1999

By A Turns

In a survey conducted by symplexi with underground miners in Australia; 78 per cent of participants believed that ‘safety’ is all about people. If ‘safety’ is about people, then is the mining industry focusing on the wrong thing? It would be fair to say that the mining industry is heavily systems focused. Companies develop a safety management system and use this to show regulators that they comply with legislation – however, that is only half of the picture.

May 5, 2022

By Stewart C. A

The Northparkes copper-gold project is being developed in Central Western New South Wales approximately 30 km NNW of the town of Parkes and approximately 350 km west of Newcastle. The project is a joint venture between North Limited (80 per cent) and the Sumitomo Group (20 per cent). North is the manager. The basis of the project is three copper-gold orebodies, the northern two of which are being mined by conventional open cut methods with the third and largest orebody at the southern end of the lease to be mined by block caving. A fourth mineralised body has been identified in the centre of the lease. While further evaluation of this deposit is required it would appear to be amenable to block caving. Oxide caps of gold ore and copper-gold ore over-lie the two northern orebodies. Development commenced with the construction of a carbon-in-pulp (CIP) plant to treat the oxide gold ore. Construction of a flotation plant to treat oxide copper-gold ore and sulphide copper-gold ore is underway. When full-scale operation is achieved late in 1996 the plant will treat 5.0 million tonnes of ore per year of which 1.1 million tonnes will be open cut ore and 3.9 million tonnes will be block cave ore. In terms of annual ore tonnage the underground mine will be the largest metalliferous mine in New South Wales and the second largest in Australia.

Jan 1, 1995

Energy is central to respond to critical stakes on human and industrial development requirements as well as on climate change. The increase of the share of carbon-free energy sources in the global supply mix will help to reduce significantly greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) as power generation accounts currently for 41 per cent of these emissions from the energy sector. In this energetic mix, nuclear and renewable energies are complementary, the first more focused in the baseload power generation whilst the second is well suited for decentralised power generation. In this context, AREVA's goal is to enable everyone to have access to a cleaner, safer and more economical energy. Regarding nuclear energy, AREVA's strategy is to capitalise on its integrated operation model, which groups together fuel cycle and nuclear power plant construction, aiming at building one third of the new nuclear capacities and securing the fuel cycle supply chain for its existing and future customers. Therefore, the front end of the uranium fuel cycle, from mining to the fabrication of fuel assemblies, has a key role in the sustainability of the nuclear industry. The replacement of the current capacity and the entrance of new countries on the nuclear power generation might lead to a significant rise of uranium demand by 2020. In order to be prepared in time, AREVA defined an ambitious industrial program to expand mineral reserves, increase the production of uranium concentrates, replace the conversion capacity, build two new uranium enrichment plants, one in France and one in the United States and upgrade its fuel manufacturing plants. To support the front-end industrial activities in the short and long term, AREVA invests on a portfolio of R&D projects to find out solutions to meet customers' needs, to improve its competitiveness and to develop new concepts and solutions to anticipate future market evolutions. In particular, some important technological challenges in mining must be surmounted to develop cost-effective methods to explore and exploit low grade deposits while creating sustainable solutions for reducing reagent, water and energy consumptions. In this lecture, an overview of the industrial investments of AREVA in the front end of the uranium fuel cycle and some highlights on its R&D major axis will be presented. This is an abstract only. No full paper was prepared for this abstract.  

Sep 13, 2010

The Olympic Dam deposit is located some 600 km north of Adelaide in South Australia. It was discovered in 1975 by Western Mining Corporation and in 1979 a joint venture was formed with British Petroleum for the evaluation and development of the project. Studies were completed and construction started in 1986 with the plant being commissioned progressively between April and August of 1988. In 1993 Western Mining acquired BP's interest and are now owners of the whole deposit. The scale of the initial development was 1.5 Mtpa of ore for the production of 45 000 tpa of copper cathode, 900 tpa of uranium oxide and some gold and silver. Two expansion programs have occurred in 1992 and 1995 and current performance is at the rate of 3 Mtpa of ore for the production of 84 000 tpa of copper cathode, 1500 tpa of uranium oxide, 24 000 oz per year of confined gold and 380 000 oz per year of confined silver (Table 1). An aerial view of the plant is shown in Figure 1. The benefit of diversifying into the production of more than one product is undoubted and the flexibility of being able to produce variable quantities of copper and uranium also allows advantage to be taken of a change in market conditions.

Jan 1, 1996

By J D. Tolley

The shift towards clean energy technologies is having a significant impact on the mining industry, with the demand for minerals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, and graphite increasing exponentially. To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, mineral requirements for clean energy technologies would need to quadruple by 2040, and to achieve net-zero globally by 2050, mineral inputs in 2040 would need to be six times more than today. The most significant driver of mineral demand is electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage, with lithium seeing the fastest growth, and copper demand doubling over the same period due to the expansion of electricity networks globally. The demand for these minerals is expected to rise significantly as investments in clean energy technologies continue to grow in the future. As the world moves towards a decarbonised economy, the minerals industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental and social impacts and meet the increased demand for minerals. Mining companies are facing additional challenges due to the depletion of near-surface mineral deposits globally, with more mines transitioning from open pits to underground. The transition to underground mining requires the right strategy to economically access deeper mineable inventories and to keep up with future clean energy technology demands to achieve net-zero globally by 2050. One key way to achieve this is through decarbonisation using ‘green’ mining technologies such as replacing current primary diesel mining fleets with battery electric vehicles (BEVs). However, these measures through electrification overlook the bigger opportunity to maximise the socio-economic returns from the mine while also reducing the overall carbon footprint. Corporate cut-off grade policy is one of the most significant influencers on the total environmental and social impacts of the mining industry. The purpose of a corporate cut-off grade policy is to implement strategies aligned with achieving all the mining companies’ corporate goals, with decarbonisation targets becoming a primary driver for mining companies. Table 1 shows the evolution of cut-off theory with the increasing number of dimensions and driving inputs per iteration.

Aug 2, 2023

By K Kuganathan, Y Potvin

Enterprise Mine at Mount Isa is to expand ore production from the current 1.4 to 3.5 mtpa by mining the 3500 Orebody, from which production is scheduled to start in February 1998 making this the deepest underground mine in Australia with its lowest mining horizon at nearly 1.6 km below surface. The following fill requirements were defined for the 3500 Orebody during the feasibility study: a minimum filling rate of 250 m3/h, a curing time of 28 days, and minimum free fill water. This paper mainly describes the investigation of high density and paste fills for the 3500 Orebody. The investigation covered all the key issues relating to fill option selection, including design criteria, material supply and demand assessment, drainage modelling, tailing dewatering method, mix design and a pump loop test. Results of the investigation indicate that both high density fill and paste fill are technically feasible. The investigation has led to the selection of a blended tailing paste for the 3500 Orebody as the paste option has significant advantages over high density fill in stope filling rates and fill reticulation. The blended tailing for paste fill is finer than Isa deslimed tailing but coarser than full plant tailing. The paste fill selected has minimum binder and tailing dewatering requirements while a relatively high filling rate is achieved.

Jan 1, 1998

By D Osborne

Current mineral extraction and valorisation activities still have a strong focus on the ‘delivered product(s)’ which might be a bulk commodity such as metallurgical coal, hematite, bauxite, etc., and mineral concentrates such as metal sulphides, oxides, and carbonates; precious metals, such as gold, silver and PGMs, REEs or battery metals; halogen salt forming elements; or industrial minerals, which are non-metals including crushed rock, sand, and gravel etc. With the current focus on tailings disposal the pushback has been to seek alternatives to the currently ‘conventional’ disposal method via increasingly higher risk tailings settling facilities (TSFs) with a changing focus towards ‘dry disposal’. Whichever option is selected, the alarming trend is the increasing cost and ESG impacts. An emerging approach is to pose a focusing question ‘Is there anything else passing into the tailings stream and/or disposable waste streams which could be recovered and pass into the product revenue stream? All of the above ‘primary’ process streams offer opportunities for increasing recovery and offsetting some of the disposal costs. Some secondary opportunities are already being pursued, such as REEs and battery metals from base metals deposits, but other opportunities are still being overlooked, such as building materials and soil conditioning pellets. These potential ‘new’ product streams can also utilise other mining and domestic wastes such as smelting slags, glass waste, plastic waste etc. This paper will address these opportunities and provide examples including process approach, economics and some of the current barriers that exist, which are holding back progress on such initiatives.

Sep 1, 2024

Process mineralogy is an inter-discipline in the fields of mineralogy and mineral processing. As a predicting and trouble-shooting tool, process mineralogy helps address all mineralogical issues and problems related to mineral processing. It provides useful information on process design and optimisation, flow sheet development and cost reduction. As more and more complex and refractory ores are being discovered and processed, it is believed that process mineralogy will gain more attention and play a more important role in process design and optimisation. This paper will first discuss the scope of process mineralogy and mineralogical factors that may affect mineral processing of various ores, and then focuses on the application of process mineralogy in process design and optimisation through case studies.

Jan 1, 2008

By S Sullivan

The key skills for a competent geologist are observation, documentation, analytical thought and the ability to communicate. These attributes have served the geological world for the past two centuries since the field of geology was separated out from natural philosophy. The understanding of the structural setting, lithologies, alteration and 3D distribution of the target mineral species are essential precursors to resource evaluation and potential economic extraction. The advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning has matured to the point where observation by dedicated sensors and analysis by customised AI algorithms can replace manual processes and deliver credible results. In combination with analytical data such as assays, various sensors now collect physical properties of rocks which are used as proxies for mineral identification and rock mass classification. These sensors include X-ray and infra-red spectra, magnetic susceptibility, gravity/density, EH/pH measurements, conductivity, colourimetric readings, porosity, fracturing and fracture intensity. Analysis using machine learning techniques trained using known data sets can determine rock type classification, rock density, quantification of grade/quality attributes, mineral alteration, weathering and geotechnical attributes such as rock quality. This type of data relies on calibration and quality control of a variety of different types of electronic hardware. The resulting data is non-additive, has error ranges and will be suitable for consumption by fast AI methods providing probabilistic analysis. A second stage could include geometallurgical constraints to provide an ‘extractability index’, which is of more interest to miners than pure geotyping. Using resultant interpreted geological criteria, 3D domain models with spatial attributes will be built.

Sep 1, 2024

By D E. Tennant

In the fields of geotechnical engineering and slope management, various software packages are used to assess the behaviour or propensity for a slope to fail. Traditional kinematic analysis calculates the probability of failure of design sectors with respect to dominant structural set orientations. A novel methodology is provided here to view potential hazardous slope behaviour in 3D, allowing engineers to make informed decisions regarding various pit slope geometries. Apparent dips are calculated for every point in space with respect to every slope orientation of the entire pit surface/design, specifically in reference to bench and inter-ramp planar failure mechanisms. Implementing a proactive approach to slope design will not only lead to early mitigation of risk but can also add direct value by enhancing or improving upon slope angles for earlier access to ore. From a safety perspective, identification of unfavourably oriented slope geometries can be dealt with before failure occurs. This methodology relies on a strong understanding of the existing rock mass anisotropy, particularly behind the face, thereby removing some of the uncertainty surrounding pit design as well as presenting engineers with an additional means to manage risk.

Nov 29, 2022

By Jankola W. A, Delong O. J

Historically, the silica content of zinc concentrates treated at Cominco's Trail Operations has been low. Silica in the roaster calcine seldom exceeded 1.5 per cent because of the low silica content of concentrate from Cominco's Pine Point mine. With the shutdown of Pine Point, alternate sources of concentrate were required and it was anticipated that calcines containing greater than two per cent silica (with excursions above three per cent) would have to be treated. Previous experience indicated that the existing leaching circuit could not tolerate such high levels. Therefore, a research program was undertaken to identify the key factors affecting silica precipitation; to compare different process alternatives; and to make recommendations for modifications to the existing plant. A project to modify and upgrade the leaching circuit has now been completed. Calcines with higher silica contents are successfully treated, but the upper limit of the circuit is unknown. The results of the research work will be discussed and the new leaching plant will be described. Recent operating results will also be presented.

Jan 1, 1993

By J Stiefenhofer

"*This is an abstract only*Construction of geological models for kimberlites has historically largely been based on visual volcanic textures and features, with chemical data only collected on an ad-hoc basis depending on the level of perceived complexity observed in the geological data. The focus of this paper is a high-level view of the impact an initial absence (or lack) of relevant chemical data had on two kimberlite resource models as well as how the magnitude of the problem increased once the resource estimation process commenced (Stiefenhofer, 2013). The impact of ignoring chemical data on a project assessment where micro-diamond estimation techniques are employed, is also discussed. Resource estimates based on micro-diamond data are critically dependent on the use of the correct geological model since stationarity of the size frequency distribution is key to the generation of correct grade estimates. A multilevel approach is advocated where the volcanological/visual model is verified using chemical data and both are in turn verified by the diamond data.CITATION:Stiefenhofer, J, 2013. The use of chemical and metallurgical parameters to enhance the economic value of kimberlite resource models, in Proceedings The Second AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference (GeoMet) 2013, pp 101-104 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Sep 29, 2013

As an indication of the overall quality for the three periods the expected run of mine ashes are given. Operating Period R.O.M. Quality Years 1 - 4 22.0% Ash (db) Years 5 - 14 18.8% Ash (db) Years 15 - 20 17.3% Ash (db) The size distribution of the coal was found to be generally as predicted in the 1980 study. However the ash, particularly in the smaller fractions, was found to be higher due to the previously mentioned friable nature of contaminant material. Following evaluation of this additional information, the proposed washery design was reconsidered. Three basic process schemes were examined. 1. A jig with two-stage heavy medium cyclones and spirals for treatment of three different size ranges. 2. A heavy medium vessel, two-stage heavy medium cyclones and spirals for the different size fractions. 3. A jig for initial treatment of the total feed (that is all sizes) with single-stage heavy medium cyclones and spirals for rewashing of the intermediate and smaller size Fractions.

Jan 1, 1986

By Bilbrey J. H

Land utitized duxting the past 45 yeans by the mining industty in the United States con all puxpos ez to tal4 neatly 4 million sexes. Ob this axes, 13 pexeent is used bon dL4posal ob bLne -sized mtinexal wastes dL4eaxded by one milling plants. These wastes, especi- ally the inactive taLeLng4 ponds, xequixe some type ob stabULzation to pxevent aix and watex pollution. Because these tailings ponds axe locat- ed undex wideey vaxyting etLmctLe conditions and thetix physical and chemi- cal ehaxactexti5tLes axe not constant, many methods have been developed by the Fedexal Buxeau ob Mines and oXhex inve4- ttigatoxs box 4tabLtLzLng taLtLngs. This papex detfnea.e4 the magnitude ob the pxoblemz associated with the xeelametLon ob milling plant wastes and discusses the vaxtious methods that have been developed and used. Data bxom selected Buxeau o4 Mines taboxato&y xeseaxch pxojects and a s.abAJLzetLon field txtial axe pxesen.ed.

Jan 1, 1976

By M Alston

Organisations’ incident classification processes are plagued by the overclassification of events, often leading to excessive workloads and suboptimal outcomes. This presentation addresses the pressing need to rethink how incidents are classified to maximise organisational learning and minimise systemic risk. A major issue in the current incident classification landscape is the tendency to classify events at high levels, overwhelming organisations with investigations they cannot efficiently handle. This results in inadequate risk reduction and learning opportunities. The link between injury classification and investigation methods further compounds these problems, creating unnecessary administrative clutter. Challenging the misconception that every event, no matter how minor, requires a comprehensive investigation, this presentation advocates for a shift in perspective. The key recommendation is to decouple injury classification and risk matrices from the decision-making process regarding what and how to investigate. Instead, the emphasis should be placed on identifying opportunities for organisational learning and risk reduction. Organisations can streamline their incident management processes by adopting a more pragmatic approach that aligns incident classification with the organisation’s investigation capacity. This transformation focuses on achieving meaningful outcomes, enhancing safety and improving performance. This presentation provides an innovative process for organisations to revamp their incident classification practices, enabling them to harness the full potential of incident data for learning and risk mitigation. It highlights the importance of aligning incident classification with the opportunity for organisational learning, ultimately leading to more effective incident management and enhanced safety outcomes.

Apr 16, 2024

By E A. Agorhom, P N. Aabulleh

The bulk of the worldÆs production of iron ore is processed into steel. The needs of the steel industry therefore demand a high exploration and exploitation of iron ore. One trend within the industry has been a great increase in the demand of iron ore and this is reflected in an increase in world steel production from 1955 to date. In addition to the high demand for steel, is ChinaÆs high appetite to feed its steel industry. It is therefore important that the iron ore potential of Ghana is showcased for eventual exploitation by potential investors to meet this enormous demand for the commodity in the industry globally. Ghana has three main iron deposits of potential industrial and commercial importance. They are: Shieni sedimentary iron ore (reserves: 1.270 X 106 metric tonnes), Pudo titaniferous-magnetiferous iron ore and the Opon-Mansi lateritic iron ore deposits. The Opon-Mansi iron ore deposit occurs in the Western region of Ghana. The ore deposits are located on top of the range of 15 hills, which extend over a distance of 24 km from Opon-valley, south of the Western region to Dunkwa. The area has an estimated 147 Mt of iron deposit, with Fe content of 52.5 per cent. This paper looks at the iron ore potential of Ghana and how it is capable of attracting potential investors to exploit this valuable mineral for global consumption.

Jan 1, 2007

THE following paragraphs represent an endeavour to describe, briefly the equipment used for the manufacture of sulphuric acid and superphosphates by the Corporation.SULPHURIC ACID PLANTS.Two separate units are in operation, No. I Plant working on sulphur dioxide generated from pyritic ore, No. 2 Plant working on sulphurous gases obtained from the Huntingdon-Heberlein desulphurizing process. The latter plant is unique in being the first installation for the successful use of these gases.

Jan 1, 1918

By R Russell

The relative infrequency of fatalities and other serious events can give them an appearance of being random, of being beyond any reasonable degree of anticipation and prevention. In fact, the vast majority of these events result from exposures that are identifiable, measurable, and manageable. The lessons of prominent incidents, such as the Space Shuttle Columbia, OxyÆs Piper Alpha, Esso Longford, BP Texas City, Massey Mine, as well as lessons from single fatality events, is that alongside the proximate causes of each incident, there also coexisted an underlying fabric of systems, mechanisms, and culture that allowed risk in the workplace to persist and often to become normalised. All of these ingredients of the organisationÆs safety fabric lend themselves to the influence and intervention of senior leaders. The difficulty is that traditional injury prevention paradigms are not sufficient for addressing the precursors that lead up to catastrophic and fatal events. A recent study of such events, led by Dr Thomas Krause concluded that the descriptive aspect of HeinrichÆs safety triangle is useful, but that the predictive aspect is not. The study surfaced reasons why a reduction in less serious injuries does not necessarily correspond to a proportionate reduction in catastrophic and fatal risks. This presentation expands on the findings to include the concept of exposure to the event potential linked to precursor events and the framework for leading an organisation to be both cognisant and effective in eliminating such events.CITATION:Russell, R, 2012. Shifting the cultural paradigm for the prevention of catastrophic and fatal events, in Proceedings International Mine Management 2012, pp 91-96 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 20, 2012