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By J Taylor, L Richards, M McKenzie

When a collapse in its services shaft caused rapid gas build up and its premature closure in. 1951, the Blackwater Mine at Wiauta was in full production with significant ore reserves yet to be mined. A total of nearly 23 tonnes of gold was produced from the mine during its 44 year life. It was New ZealandÆs deepest underground mine, producing gold from an extensive sub-vertical mineralised quartz reef that averaged 0.6 m in width. Mining was by stoping between adits and short shafts, latterly with the main mine access through the 840 m deep Prohibition shaft. Macraes Mining Company Ltd are presently investigating the possibility of reopening the mine. This paper outlines a preliminary assessment of the main geotechnical factors for achieving the reopening, using recent exploration and old mine information. The greywacke host rock mass in the vicinity of the quartz reef has been evaluated using both these sources, and the paper discusses how the geological structure, intact and rock mass strengths, the rock mass defects, in situ stresses, and groundwater inflows may effect the reopening and support of the prohibition shaft, the excavation methods and support for a new supplementary shaft, and the likely excavation and support requirements for working adits and stopes in the rejuvenated mine.

Jan 1, 1996

By L O. Filippov, Q Dehaine

Variographic analysis, a classical tool from the Theory of Sampling (TOS), can address practical situations with multiple variables; however, its application has very often been limited to one variable at a time. Recent developments have shown the benefits of using multivariate approaches for variographic characterisation of a set of variables instead of considering individual variables sequentially. Among these approaches, the multivariogram has been revealed itself to be a powerful tool when the overall time-variability of a process must be summarised in terms of a large set of properties (variables) to assess its true global variability. However, even when choosing the properties of interest carefully, the resulting global variance obtained with this approach may be very high. In particular, some variables that contribute to a major proportion of the global (multivariate) variability could be less important for the process performance than others having a lower variability. To address this issue, a new approach is proposed, combining the multivariogram with process modelling and multivariate data analysis methods such as partial least squares (PLS) regression from chemometrics. An example from the mineral processing industry is presented, for which the process performance could be linked to key process variables (sensor data) using the PLS regression. Once introduced in the multivariogram equation, PLS model parameters (loading-weights or regression coefficients) can be used to weigh the variables according to their relevance for the process. In addition, this also permits characterisation of process performance variability with time using only the process input variables and a weighted metric according to the PLS regression model. Ultimately, this method helps to find an optimised sampling procedure in terms of frequency, sampling mode and number of increments according to the actual overall process performance. This approach has potentially many applications in the mining, feed and food, pharmaceutical or any other industry for which it can be used to reduce risks and ensure a better use and management of resources.CITATION:Dehaine, Q, Filippov, L O and Glass, H J, 2017. Optimising multivariate variographic analysis with information from multivariate process data modelling (partial least squares regression), in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 381–390 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

By P N. Holtham

Magnetic separation is routinely used in the processing of titaniumminerals, and the efficiency of these operations can be determined bymeasuring the magnetic properties of the process streams. The valuable components in the feed to a titanium minerals plant have specific magnetic susceptibilities ranging from -10-9 m3 kg-1 (zircon) to 10-6 m3 kg-1 (ilmenite). However, in an industrial environment, in which the mineral temperature may range from 20 to 120¦C, it is difficult to measure susceptibilities lower than about 10-7 m3 kg-1. Hence laboratory testing of spot samples from magnetic separators is currently required to obtain accurate performance data. This is an inherently slow process and where feed grades are variable, optimum performance of magnetic separators is generally not achieved.This paper describes the development of an inductance-basedinstrument for measuring very low levels of magnetic susceptibilityon-line. The signal from the instrument can be used for process control purposes to maintain optimum magnetic separator performance.A prototype instrument has been installed in the zircon scavengercircuit in an Australian titanium minerals plant. The circuit consists of a roll magnetic separator treating a feed consisting mainly of monazite and stained zircon. The monazite-rich magnetic fraction is returned to the mine site for disposal, while the non-magnetic fraction is recycled to the zircon wet circuit. Splitter positions in the separator are adjusted when the final zircon product fails to meet specification, or the magnetic fraction contains more than 30 per cent zircon. Weekly composite grain counts show that sub-optimal operation of the magnetic separator results in significant zircon losses into the magnetics fraction.Using the instrument, the zircon content of this stream can now beaccurately determined from the measured magnetic susceptibility,provided a correction for the effect of mineral temperature is applied using the Curie - Weiss relationship.

Jan 1, 2001

By French D

In presenting this paper may I preface my remarks by recognizing the presence here to-day of the many delegates from the overseas mining communities throughout the world. That is to say - those delegates not representative of Companies resident in Australia. This does not mean that my comments following are directed solely to the Australian exporter - far from it. The Company which I represent is internationally based. The experiences we have had in dealing and negotiating with our good friends the mineral cargo shippers vary very little in any operational area. However for the purposes of this exercise this address is based on some of our experiences within the Australian trade scene with the emphasis on the fact that we believe it has application to all trading areas.

Jan 1, 1989

The construction of the pipeline was completed in June 1956 and the line placed into operation in December 1956, ie. it has now been in continuous operation for approximately three years under an operating pressure of up to 350 lb. p.s.i.In reviewing the operating experiences of the line we must consider three major factors, which are:(a) The effectiveness to date of the protective methods for prevention of corrosion of the pipeline, ie. the preservation of the asset.(b) The maintenance of the line in regard to interference as to its stability which could be occasioned by erosion of the line, land-slides, accidental interference by the public, or construction authorities, etc.(c) The operating techniques employed.PROTECTIVE METHODS OF THE PIPELINESo to permit a clearer appreciation of the effectiveness of the protection of the! steel pipe against corrosion, I will briefly describe the methods used in the construction of the line.The line, which is 18 in. O.D. by %6 in. thickness steel pipe, is located approximately It miles south of the main Melbourne/Gippsland electrified railway.The steel from which the pipe was manufactured conforms to ASA.A33-1937 with the following modifications.Minimum elongation on a 2 in. test specimen...

Jan 1, 1960

By D Craw, J Youngson

Recent exploration for mesothermal gold deposits in the Otago Schist has focussed largely on extensions of, or analogies to, the reverse fault-hosted Hyde-Macraes Shear Zone deposit. Abundant normal fault-hosted mesothermal and epithermal vein deposits in the Otago Schist have attracted less attention, largely because they have limited lateral extent and steeper dips. Northwest-striking normal fault-hosted vein sets near Barewood and Hindon in east Otago crosscut schist foliation on the Barewood-Hindon plateau at a high angle along a combined strike length in excess of 20 kilometres. The trend of the vein sets is not linear, but rather contains several right lateral steps. Almost all veins dip steeply to the northeast. Angular discordance between schist foliation and the plateau surface along the trend increases from near zero at the northwest end of the veins to about 30¦ at the southeast end. Crude formation depth estimates decrease from about 7.5 km at the Barewood end of the zone to

Jan 1, 2002

THE following really forms the second part of, or a sequel to, a paper, " Ventilating Metalliferous Mines: a Method of Attack," read before the Broken Hill Branch of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy in May, 1920. In that paper the writer advocated a consideration of the question of ventilation in metal mines from a different aspect to that 'which had hitherto prevailed locally. Various factors regarded as having an important bearing on the subject were set forth, together with the results of observations made during ventilation tests carried out at the mining department of the Zinc Corporation.During the subsequent discussion the question was raised of the possibility of any practical application of the method of attack described, and also whether the theoretical considerations mentioned were likely to be of any real utility to the mining engineer engaged in ventilation work in a metalliferous mine.

Jan 1, 1923

By B B. Du, Y N. Lu, L X. Wang, S L. Wu

The cohesive zone in the blast furnace is largely affected by the softening and melting behaviour of ferrous burden because of its vital role in the blast furnace process. The Visual High Temperature Methodology (VHTM) has been given to study the softening and melting behaviour of sinter, two kinds of lump ores and acid pellet intuitively. Before softening, both two kinds of lump ore swelled and more serious for lump ore B because of its denser structure than lump ore A. The softening and melting temperature intervals are different from one another and this phenomenon contributed to the gas permeability of ore layer in the cohesive zone since the ‘ore window’ has formed. Besides, the softening and melting behaviour of mixed burdens have been studied, where it has been found that the softening and melting characteristics of mixed burden A (consisting of sinter and lump ore A) is better than mixed burden B (consisting of sinter and lump ore B) and mixed burden C (consisting of sinter and acid pellet) despite the poorest characteristics of lump ore A. The reason is that the high temperature interactivity between lump ore A and sinter is much better than lump ore B and acid pellet. The high temperature interactivity is mainly influenced by the chemical compositions, porosity and contact condition. This paper provides a new research method for the softening and melting behaviour of iron ore and an important technical basis for the optimisation of blast furnace burden.CITATION:Wang, L X, Wu, S L, Lu, Y N and Du, B B, 2017. The softening and melting behaviour of single and mixed iron ore burdens, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2017, pp 605–610 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 24, 2017

In referring to two subjects of interest to the Members of this Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers, I would at the outset desire to express our gratification that to-day we are able to welcome as now united with ourselves, those members who until recently constituted the New Zealand Institute. It is hoped that the amalgamation so amicably arranged may be productive of the best results to all concerned, incorporated as this combination has been at the moment of the fulfilment of that greater political union, the Australian Commonwealth.Since last Annual Meeting held in Brisbane, we have come under the same roof as the Chamber of Mines of Victoria, and we entertain the hope that as that Chamber and this Institute possess so many interests in common in the encouragement and advancement of mining and metallurgical progress in these colonies, that much mutual benefit will ensue. There are many directions in which each body can assist the other, and I trust that a friendly co-operation will be maintained.It is gratifying to feel that in all the colonies a distinct movement is being made to increase the facilities for education in Mining and Metallurgy but if I may refer to our colony of Victoria in particular, we have to express the profound regret that in the means of education in the higher branches, we occupy an inferior position, and it is quite certain that we will continue to do so unless the Government is prepared to subordinate provincial considerations to the weightier.

Jan 1, 1901

This evening I intend to explain the position of the gold mining industry in the light of post war trends and events.I propose initially to comment on gold production throughout the World and then proceed to the state of the industry in Australia, with an account of the efforts made within the industry to maintain levels of production. This will be followed hy a statement on assistance granted to the industry by Federal and State Governments.Annual World gold production is estimated at 51,000,060 fine ounces, made up as followsSouth Africa - 27,300,000 fine ouncesCanada 4,200,000 " "U.S.A. 1,500,000 " "Australia - 1,000,000 " " Others 5,000,000 " "----- 39,000,000 " "Estimated Russianproduction - 12,000,000 " "Total 51,000,000 " "The opening up of new highly payable mines during the post war years has contributed to the preponderence of production in South Africa.In 1962 some 24 new mines produced 73 per cent of South Africa's gold, and contributed almost 90 per cent to the industrial profits.At the same time, 20 old mines were struggling to main...

Jan 1, 1964

In 1948, it became clear that the ventilation system of The Zinc Corporation Limited and New Broken Hill Consolidated Limited mines, would be inadequate for future operations. The,paper describes in detail the process of designing an entirely new ventilation system for a large underground mining operation. The system was based on a single new upcast airway to be located on the boundary of the two properties, which were to be ventilated in parallel as two separate ventilating districts.From calculations of resistance, and assessments of future air requirements, the duties of a new exhaust fan to be located on the collar of the upcast airway were specified as 700,000 cubic feet per minute at 2·6 in. w.g. total pressure for initial operation in 1953 increasing to a maximum of 900,000 c.f.m. at 3·6 in. w:g. total pressure ten years later. The economic size of the new airway was calculated from a consideration of the first thirty years operation of the system, and it was decided to provide a 20 ft. diameter concrete-lined shaft.The new system went into operation five years after the initial planning, and the effect of the difference between actual and predicted rates and distribution or production are discussed. The final result was entirely satisfactory.INTRODUCTIONThe first proposal for an investigation of The Zinc Corporation Limited-New Broken Hill Consolidated Limited ventilation system with a view to putting it on a proper technical basis was made in 1938. A new Main Shaft was then being sunk, and it was decided to postpone the enquiry until this had been completed to No. 14 Level, when operations would be temporarily suspended and the shaft commence to operate as a major airway. The investigation was completed early in 1940, when Z.C. Ltd. upcast fan was...

Jan 1, 1956

By Peddie F, Low K, Madgwick J, Rajoka M. I, Gutierrez N, Lim C

Percolation irrigation of low-grade quartz feldspar porphyry ore with pH 2.0 H2SO4 at 510 litres/m2/day using particle sizes 1.7 - 6.7 mm in columns measuring 5 cm dia × 126 cm long was used to study effects of interrupted irrigation ('rest' periods) on metal ion release and leaching bacteria. Copper tenors increased approximately 16 fold and bacterial iron oxidation activity three fold following a 14 day 'rest'. A linear relationship between copper tenor and bacterial activity demonstrated that this experimental system was effective for quantitative studies of bacterial leaching in ore colums.

Jan 1, 1981

By J V. Lawless

Mineralisation processes in epithermal deposits in the North Island of New Zealand are best illustrated by considering the two most productive deposits: Waihi and the Thames Bonanza Zone (TBZ), which have different mineralogies and ore shoots geometries. These two deposits can be taken as typical of certain styles of epithermal deposits worldwide, and recognition of their differences can be used to develop mineralisation models of predictive value. Waihi, the major economic producer in the Coromandel Volcanic Zone (CVZ), has laterally near-continuous ore shoots over a vertical interval of 600 m which consist of quartz, chalcedony, pyrite, base metal sulphides and electrum. They are found in the foot wall of earlier quartz veins which contain quartz pseudomorphs after platy calcite and adularia. The Thames Bonanza Zone which was the second biggest producer in the CVZ has discrete near-vertical ore shoots over 300 m vertically, which consist of quartz, pyrite, base metal sulphides, electrum and in their upper parts barite, that are enclosed in veins of quartz.   The gold mineralisation in both deposits is considered to be a co-precipitate with pyrite, with that at Waihi produced by prolonged boiling in an upflow of a hydrothermal system. That at the TBZ was produced by mixing a deep water primed for gold deposition by prior limited boiling, with an oxidised condensate of the steam released by the boiling, in an outflow proximal to the system's upflow.

Jan 1, 1997

llmenite from the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, shows exceptional reactivity with dilute sulphuric acid. Based on this, a cyclic acid leaching process was developed for the production of material with more than 98% TiO2, suitable as a substitute for mineral rutile.Titanium hydrate is recovered from the leach liquor by hydrolysis, and is calcined to give the required product.Ferrous sulphate is crystallized from the hydrolysis filtrates, which after concentration are returned to the leaching stage. The need for further evaluation of the process on a larger scale is indicated.

Jan 1, 1973

The following notes apply more especially to the purchase of silverlead ores produced in the neighbourhood of Zeehan and Dundas; for it is this class of ore that is principally mined in those parts, and which creates competition among the ore buyers.In the early days of this field, most of the ore passed through the hands of the first buyer who had sufficient enterprise to establish himself at Zeehan but in more recent times, competition has been so keen that there are generally three or four buyers tendering. lf the output was large this would not matter so much from the buyers' point of view but when we consider that the output of the field is only some 1,650 tons per month, and that of this 70 odd tons are produced by the Western and Montana mines, aud being sent home for realization, is withdrawn from local purchasers, there is really not enough for four buyers, especially at the present exorbitant prices they pay the miners.Some of the mines have a fixed sampling day, on which it is tacitly understood that the ore buyers will attend. Others, such as Grubb's Silver Mining Oompany, No-Liability, send round a printed reminder, stating the quantity of ore, and the date of sampling.

At Copper Refineries Pty. Ltd., Townsville, two reverberatory furnaces of 420 tonnes capacity are used to melt 210000 tonnes/year of copper for subsequent anode casting. When the refinery commenced production in1959, these furnaces were of 300 tonnes capacity. The original furnaces featured a silica brick hearth, magnesite and chrome magnesite side 'walls, and a sprung silica brick roof, but were unsatisfactory because of thelow refractory life and high costs. With continuous expansion in production and the incentive to increase furnace life and capacity the design of these furnaces has changed greatly since that time.The present furnaces feature all basic brick, a flat suspended basic brick roof, very extensive use of watercooled copper sections, and are of substantially increased (420 tonnes) capacity. Particular attention has been concentrated on high wear areas such as the taphole, side walls, and charging door jambs. Each furnace in its 24 h cycle, is charged, the copper melted, impurities skimmed off, metal "poled" prior to casting, and cast.The service condition during each of these operations is important in considering furnace refractory life.The improvements in operating practices and furnace 'construction which enabled the capacity of the furnaces to be increased are discussed. The life between major repairs to side walls has increased from 90 charges to300 charges.The scope for future improvement is considered and areas for development are suggested.

Jan 1, 1977

By F E. Grader

A linear motor properly wound can serve as a mechanism for separating paramagnetic sulphide minerals, like pyrrhotite, from other sulphides and associated gangue minerals. The effectiveness of separation depends on the energising current of the separator, the frequency of the ac cycle, and the particle size of the minerals. The speed of travel of the minerals over the surface of the separator is also a function of particle size, and appears to be constant. The movement of pyrrhotite, magnetite and iron filings of comparable size fraction (150 ¦m +74 ¦m) on the linear motor surface has been observed using a cine camera. An attempt, has been made to give a theoretical basis for the movement of the particles by calculating the minimum electrical energy required to move them. Further, the rate of decay of magnetic moment of the particles has been estimated for magnetite and it has been found that sufficient residual magnetism existed in the particles after they had been exposed to the first half of an ac cycle for them to have like polarity with the second half of the cycle. The particles are therefore repelled from the motor surface every second half of the cycle. This repulsion due to remanent magnetism is the probable cause of particle movement over the linear motor surface.

Jan 1, 1980

By R F. G Phelps, C J. S Sangster, G S. C

Narrow vein metalliferous mining in the UK has a long history, but there are only two small gold operations at present (Clogau and Gwynfynydd). Four further gold properties are at various stages of evaluation (Calliachar, Cononish, Curraghinalt and Maestryfer). The South Crofty tin mine closed earlier in the year. Narrow veins are exploited underground and are challenging to evaluate because of their geologically variable nature. They are generally less than 3 m wide, discordant, of variable dip (

Jan 1, 1998

Taking the third meridian as the eastern boundary of proved payable auriferous country, there is a stretch of country, nearly 600 miles in width, in which no appreciable amount of gold has yet been discovered. Many prospectors have attempted to .penetrate or traverse it, but comparatively few have thought it worth while proceeding with the examination.The desolate stretch of waterless desert-the very few and insignificant outcrops through the sand and the almost total absence of feed for horses have, combined, presented such a barrier as to preclude prospecting. The few who have traversed the country are eloquent in denunciation, yet their investigations, necessarily hurried, are not quite satisfactory. The absence of water utterly debars a thorough examination being made. Gold may exist in quantity, yet it would have to be extraordinarily plentiful to render its obtaining profitable. Too fantastic is the idea of its ever being a mining district; shifting sand to traverse, utter absence of wood and water render the notion absurd. Likely looking belts occur, but these in all "cases are small and remote from water. Gold has been obtained from likely look ing quartz reefs, but only by fire assay, and then but a few do to the ton. Without wishing to be pessimistic, I would unhesitatingly declare that east of the third meridian, and between the parallels 25 and 30 degrees in West Australia, there is no gold in payable quantities.

Jan 1, 1901

Particle Size Measurement of TiO2 Nanoparticles in Non-Aqueous Solvent by Interactive Force Apparatus Under an Electric Field

Sep 13, 2010