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By J. R. Thoenen

For several years the Bureau of mines has been investigating the characteristics of ground vibrations produced by quarry blasts. Considerable basic information has been obtained in the course of this study, and the results have been made known to the public through various publications listed in the accompanying bibliography The studies have been confined to obtaining fundamental knowledge of the characteristics of the vibrations themselves, because it was evident at once that he problem was extremely complicated. It was felt that any attempt to predict the effect of a ground vibration on any type of artificial structure would be useless until the complexities of building vibrations are better understood. As opportunity offered, teats wore made in various types of structures and the effects of vibrations from many different sources were measured. In one set of tests (5)4/, it was demonstrated that the behavior of a building as quite different if it was shaken by vibrations originating outside tae foundation walls than if the source of the vibrations was within the building; vibrations coming from the ground outside seemed to shake the building as a single, loosely-coupled structure, whereas mechanically induced vibrations within the house seemed to set floors and walls in motion as independent units, each of which communicated its own natural motion to the adjoining member, causing a very complicated movement that was impossible to interpret.

Jan 1, 1938

By C. Richard Tinsley

INTRODUCTION The economic analysis (Chapter 3), the engineering studies (Chapter 10), the credit structure (and the consequential funding sources) - Chapter 11, and the overall feasibility structure for any venture are all directed to determining one major decision element: How much and how certain is the reward for taking these risks? Risk assessment is a surprisingly weak area of analysis and is usually addressed in a checklist fashion. It is much preferable to deal within a risk system so that the inevitable tradeoffs among risks are correctly made. DEFINITION The first step toward risk definition must be to ascertain all of the risks to which a project or a company is exposed; otherwise one will remain ignorant of the possibility of a financially crippling loss until it occurs. (Carter and Crockford, 1974). However, simply stating what "risk" is can lead to debate. For example, risk could be (adapted from Vaughan, 1982): -the chance of a loss - uncertainty of loss -possibility of loss - uncertainty -dispersion of actual from expected results - probability of an outcome different from the one expected - possibility of an occurrence of an undesirable contingency -a condition in which a possibility of a loss exists. For the minerals industry financier, the last definition is probably the most appropriate. However, from a mineral company's point of view the definition might well include the possibility of not achieving the expected financial return. RISK CLASSIFICATION Risk identification will be readily agreed as the all-important first step. There are five major "branches" of risk classification. These are: -Statistical -Modellers -Checklist -Project Financing -Insurance The Statistical set discovered probability theory and any risk discussion soon deteriorates into a mathematical jungle (Megill, 1977; Hartman, 1976; Reutlinger, 1970; and Pouliquen, 1970).Their use of terminology tells its own story: coin toss (binomial distribution), gamblers' ruin, delphi (oracle) techniques, monte-carlo simulations, random walks, etcetera. These techniques inadequately represent the judgements necessary in an increasingly complicated and interrelated world. The risk Modellers have turned to the computer to handle these inter-relationships but soon find barriers because of "simultaneity". Certainly the computer has its uses to conduct various analyses (marketed as "sensitivity" analyses) but very often one finds that this involves changing one or two variables at a time, all other things being equal. Unfortunately, in a modern and complex world all other things do not remain equal. The statisticians will, no doubt, jump to their own defence by citing this

Jan 1, 1985

By H. Thomas, I. N. M. Nday

"*Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of BSc.Eng (Mining Engineering) degreeThe optimization of the cycle time to increase productivity at Ruashi Mining was an on-site project investigation conducted from December 2017 to January 2018. The main objective of the investigation was to determine the actual cycle time components. These comprise the queuing time, loading time, hauling time, and dumping time of ADTs (articulated dump trucks). Data was also collected on two hydraulic shovels to identify where these could be optimized. The actual cycle time obtained was compared to the theoretical cycle time to ascertain the constraints, which affect productivity. By applying Systems Thinking to the cycle time, man-made constraints of the actual cycle time were identified and recommendations to mitigate them suggested to optimize the cycle time. However, rainfall is a natural constraint that adversely affects the actual cycle time, and which cannot be mitigated.In addition, both the theoretical and actual cycle time were analysed, as well as the theoretical and actual productivity for the year 2017. Based on the findings, conclusions and recommendations were made to optimize the cycle time. IntroductionThe aim of the project was to increase Ruashi Mining’s productivity by 39%, from about 7.537 Mt of broken material mined to 12..367 Mt targeted in 2017.BackgroundRuashi Mining is a copper (main commodity), cobalt (by-product), and acid producer located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 10 km from the city of Lubumbashi. Figure 1 shows the location of the Ruashi Mining open pit.Ruashi Mining started production in 1911 and in 2005 the mine was registered as a DRC company owned by Metorex Group Limited. In November 2013, the Chinese company Jinchua Group International Resources Co. Ltd. bought a majority stake in the business. Ruashi Mining currently produces 38 000 t of copper and 4400 t of cobalt per annum. The company has contracted NB Mining (a contract mining company) to transport its ore. To optimize the productivity of the mine, considering ore flow delivery at Ruashi Mining, the cycle time is the indicator used in this project. The cycle time components were recorded on site using a stopwatch."

Jul 1, 2019

By P. D. White, J. T. Moss, J. S. McNiel

Results of experimental work on the in situ combustion process were first published in this country in 1953' when Kuhn and Koch described results of a three-well test in Jefferson County, Okla. Shortly there-after Grant and Szasz2 described field studies in Nowata County, Okla., in which several modifications of the basic combustion process were investigated by injection of various oxidizing gas mixtures other than air. In the past five years speculation concerning this method of oil recovery has continued, with a number of interesting papers on various aspects of in situ combustion appearing in the literature3,4,5,6,7. However, only one of these' provided actual engineering information on pattern-type field experiments. The primary objectives of the Oklahoma three-well test were to check operation of specially designed electrical ignition equipment and evaluate problems associated with initiation of combustion in a natural oil sand reservoir. Immediately following successful completion of this test in the Pontotoc sand, plans were activated for a second field experiment to be conducted in the same sand a short distance away. The objective of this second field test1 as to establish a relationship between field observations and information derived from laboratory experimentation and computations. Secondary objectives of the test were to develop operating tech- niques and define operating problems, and to obtain information that would assist in the economic and engineering appraisals of the process. Careful planning was required since this test was designed with the hope of providing basic information on the characteristics and operation of a combustion drive. It was necessary to include test facilities which would not only permit precise control and measurement of the process variables but would also provide sufficient flexibility of control to insure that variables in the combustion process could be studied during the course of the test under a wide range of conditions. In order to accomplish these objectives elaborate instrumentation and several control wells were included in the design of the test installation. This type installation was felt to be well suited for an experimental study, but was in no respect intended as a counterpart of a commercial-scale operation. PRELIMINARY LABORATORY WORK An important objective of the field experiment, as stated previously, has been to obtain reliable data on operating variables which might be compared with similar data obtained in laboratory combustion tests. The value of successful correlations between quantities that can be measured in the laboratory and those obtained in a full-scale commercial venture has been well established for other industrial processes. The difficulty of following a process underground should make such correlations even more essential here. Also. approaching the field test phase of development of in situ combustion, it was considered desirable to precede design of test equipment with laboratory combustion studies under a variety of conditions to establish likely ranges of variables. These included temperature, air injection rate, frontal advance rate and produced gas composition.

By J. R. Thoenen

For several years the Bureau of mines has been investigating the characteristics of ground vibrations produced by quarry blasts. Considerable basic information has been obtained in the course of this study, and the results have been made known to the public through various publications listed in the accompanying bibliography. The studies have been confined to obtaining fundamental knowledge of the characteristics of the vibrations themselves, because it was evident at once that he problem was extremely complicated. It was felt that any attempt to predict the effect of a ground vibration on an' type of artificial structure would be useless until the complexities of building vibrations are better understood. As opportunity offered, teats wore made in various types of structures and the effects of vibrations from many different sources were measured. In one set of tests (5)4/, it was demonstrated that the behavior of a building as quite different if it was shaken by vibrations originating outside tae foundation walls than if the source of the vibrations was within the building; vibrations coming from the round outside seemed to shake the building as a single loosely-coupled structure, whereas mechanically induced vibrations within the house seemed to set floors and walls in motion as independent units, each of which communicated its own natural motion to the adjoining member, causing a very complicated movement that was impossible to interpret.

Jan 1, 1938

By D. Harrington

This circular presents part I of a series of papers of a review of the literature on air conditioning in mines, with particular reference to the health, safety, and efficiency of miners. It deals with the physiological aspects of exposure to air contaminated by organic matter, noxious and toxic gases, and dusts that emanate from various sources in underground workings; part II will discuss the relation of abnormal mine temperatures and humidities to the health and efficiency of minors; and part III will describe theoretical and practical methods of air conditioning mines to correct or alleviate the conditions mentioned and will discuss the results attained by some of the systems now in use in various parts or the world.

Jan 1, 1938

By M. du Plessis, G. More O’Ferrall, A. Hartzenberg

"Lonmin Platinum has experienced several cases of large-scale hangingwall instabilities during the extraction of the Upper Group 2 Chromitite Layer (UG2) at a number of the Marikana operations along the Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex. These instabilities were all attributed to the presence and interaction of prominent geological features and highlighted that assumptions made in the design of the stable pillars and stable span were potentially overly simplistic in these areas. Investigations into the various case studies over the past ten years have resulted in the identification and classification of the rock mass characteristics of the geological structures causing the instabilities.In order to get a better understanding of these instabilities, it is important to understand the structural geology in general, and the sequence of events that led to the formation of the Bushveld Complex in particular. The tectonics involved in the formation of the various layers around the economic mineralized layers has been investigated, and the influence of these tectonic events on the stability of the UG2 stopes hypothesized.Following this investigation, the behaviour of the various layers in the hangingwall of the UG2 is better understood. This paper presents a description of the ground conditions being experienced in the underground stoping environment, the possible source of the associated structures and the resultant behavioural mechanism of these structures causing the rock mass instabilities."

Jan 1, 2015

The object of this paper is to give a description of the new office and changehouse building and equipment at the Zinc Corporation Limited, the office section of which has now been in full use for approximately three years, and the changehouse section for approximately two years. As the expectations of the design have been fully realized, it is thought that this description will be of interest to members and possibly of some use to others faced with similar problems.GENERALIn the centralization of the surface plant around the new main shaft the combined office and changehouse building forms a prominent feature, being located between the shaft and the mill and facing the workshops on the northern side.The scheme for housing all employees in one building was proposed by the Manager, Mr. A. J. Keast, who was familiar with a similar successful structure built at the McIntyre Porcupine Mines Ltd. in Ontario, Canada.The principal features of this building were adopted as a basis for design, and the present layout evolved to suit the particular requirements of this mine.Some of the advantages of the design are:(a) Economy in first cost and space occupied when compared with plants having separate office and changehouse buildings.(b) Easier and more constant supervision of employees and of the plant by the senior staff members.(c) Close contact between officials of all departments.(d) Close covered connection between changehouse and shaft.(e) Avoidance of duplication of ,essential services such as electric power, water, heating plant, sewerage, etc.The Managing Director, Mr. W. S. Robinson, further instructed that the following requirements be adhered to in the new building:(a) Ample accommodation to be provided for office staff and other employees.(b) Special attention to be paid to lighting, both natural and artificial.(c) Working temperatures to be controlled to facilitate comfort and efficiency.(d) The buildings and equipment' to be of a permanent nature with furnishings and fittings of modern design.

Jan 1, 1941

By Daniel Connor, O&apos

The Cal-Sag Relief Sewer is a 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in.) diameter 9.1 km (5.7 mile) rock tunnel bored in dolomite for the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago. Included in the project are 18 shafts varying in depth free 70 m (230 ft) to 41 m (135 ft). This paper discusses how Healy/Vanessa reduced costs by eliminating conventional hand excavation by hoisting muck from a high production Robbins TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) through small diameter drilled shafts and using a trailing rail-utility backup system.

Jan 1, 1985

By I. Jauhari, F. Stober, D. Fowler, B. O. Wasmund, T. Miraza, C. Nichols, A. Taofik Hidyat, K. Said

The existing PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) ferronickel smelter located at Pomalaa, Indonesia consists of two RKEF lines with reduction furnaces nominally rated at 17 MW and 18 MW, respectively. The low power densities and heat fluxes allowed both furnaces to operate with falling water film shell cooling systems. The furnace campaigns comprised a 5-yearly cold shut -down for metal taphole area rebuild and a 10-yearlysidewall and hearth perimeter repair. Towards the end of these campaigns the furnaces would typically be operated at below nominal power due to excessive sidewall temperatures. In January 2001 Hatch performed a smelter study which proposed options which indicated the possibility of a single furnace operation for the smelter, elimination of lime addition and transition to shielded-arc operation with associated efficiency and throughput gains. This paper discusses the process of uprating the second?line furnace capability from 18 MW to 32MW following the decision by Antam to implement the recommendations proposed by Hatch. It will cover the development of scaled-up furnace design basis by Hatch and Antam with the enabling application of Hatch cooling and binding technology. To optimise the capital cost and maximise Indonesian supply content and post installation support, the scope was carefully and clearly divided between Hatch and Antam. The challenges, set backs and valuable learning experiences gained during the implementation of the retrofit include; ?The support and re-use of existing roof system and challenges presented in re-use of existing crucible support steel. ?Training and technical assistance for Antam operators to perform refractory and copper cooler installation and maintenance of crucible integrity technologies. ?Hearth integrity during start-up and development of an initial charge and start-up procedure to achieve planned thermal expansion of the hearth prior to bath formation ?Implementation of a sidewall hold-down system within the refractory sidewall due to space constraints ?Existing furnace foundation reinforcement to overcome lateral forces on furnace piers during crucible support steel expansion ?Conversion of an open-loop gravity feed cooling water system to a closed loop pressurised system with integrated emergency gravity feed and backup system ?Existing water treatment system and pumping system improvement and modification to meet copper cooling system requirements ?Integration of the new instrumentation control system designed by Hatch to increase performance of the furnace monitoring system and operation ?Uprate transformer capacity from 25 MVA to 40 MVA to meet with requirement of Shielded- Arc Furnace Operation.

Jan 1, 2007

By A Webster, T Murphy

Block cave mining, in its broadest sense, has transitioned from an orebody/rock mass determined method of extraction, to a low-cost and high production mining method that may be applied to any large ore deposit. This inherently means that caving is now required in more complex rock mass conditions where assistive damage, through preconditioning, may be necessary. This requires comprehensive understanding of the geology, and its interwoven relationship with geotechnical parameters, and is made more challenging due to limited exposure in block cave mines. Limited mine development throughout the cave volume equates to a heavy reliance on drilling data in terms of observations, modelling of the mine geology, and collection of geotechnical data. This translates as increased uncertainty of geological and geotechnical models and has potential to impact significantly on the ability to make informed decisions in the design and operation of the cave mine.Modelling of cave propagation behaviour requires a complex, coupled system of draw of material, flow of material through the cave stocks, and propagation of the cave-back assisted by autogenic stress-related breakage of the rock mass, manifested as seismicity. The role of geological features in the process of cave propagation is not well understood and requires evaluation on a mine-specific basis, given the diversity of geological controls/settings of ore deposits and local variability of stress fields.Seismic monitoring systems can elucidate key geological features and domains, as heterogeneous seismogenic activity is observed ahead of the advancing cave-back. The observations made from analysis of seismic monitoring data may have potential to be used as a validation tool for numerical modelling of predicted cave behaviour in similar geological settings (eg next lift/panel).Understanding of the geological structure, at all scales, is critical to optimise the design and operating decisions made in a block cave operation. At present, intermediate-scale structure, anisotropy, mineralogy and model uncertainty may be neglected or under-represented despite their likely significant role in the mechanisms of cave propagation.Insights from an analysis of the Ridgeway Deeps block cave mine are discussed in this paper.CITATION:Murphy, T, Webster, A and Chitombo, G, 2016. Beyond rock mass characterisation – the impact of geology on block cave mining, in Proceedings Seventh International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining (MassMin 2016), pp 861–872 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2016

By V. F. Parry

[Subbituminous coal or lignite when stored in random piles or in ordinary bins in which the temperature fluctuates and air circulates quickly undergoes objectionable physical and chemical changes, which decrease the utilization value of the fuel and increase its tendency to ignite spontaneously. Slacking takes place, and the heating value decreases. These changes are accelerated by fluctuations of temperature and by circulation of air through the storage space. When such coals are exposed to the weather they lose moisture rapidly. If evaporation from the surface of a lump proceeds at a faster rate than that at which it is replaced by moisture from the interior, the rate of shrinkage at the surface is greater than that at the interior; consequently, stresses are generated at the surface which cause the coal to disintegrate. Likewise, when moisture is absorbed by the air-dried surface the outside layers expand at a faster rate than the interior, which results in further break-down. As these cycles are repeated the lump may disintegrate completely. Therefore, successful storage of low-rank coals depends on control of the factors that influence change of moisture.]

Jan 1, 1941

By Northcutt Ely

This volume summarizes mining and petroleum legislation in 22 jurisdictions of the Near East and South Asia. Within these jurisdictions, primary attention is given to requirements that must be met in each country for acquisition of rights to permit development of mineral resources. Coverage includes : First, identification of the controlling laws or statutes governing minerals acquisition and reference to the administrative authority; second, analysis of the laws governing mines and quarries and their products; and third, analysis of laws applicable to natural gas, petroleum, and related materials. Where pertinent, sections dealing with historical background or administration have been added. In countries where minerals are subject to control of states or provinces, those areas are considered separately from the central government.

Jan 1, 1972

By E. C. Lane

This paper is the first part of a report giving the results of the Bureau of Mines' twenty-third semiannual survey of motor gasoline marketed in the United States. A companion report, Part II, is in preparation and will give a more detailed discussion of the whole survey. Results of the determination of copper-strip corrosion, color, sulphur content, copper-dish evaporation residue, and gum content as given by the Bureau of Mines steam-oven method will be presented in the second paper, which will also include the prevailing retail price and the tax at the time the sample was taken. This paper deals specifically with data relative to gravity, Reid vapor pressure,5 and distillation (method 100.13).6 The samples tested were divided into "competitive-price gasolines" and "premium-price motor fuels," a method of presentation that was begun with the twenty-second semiannual survey.7 A total of 312 samples were collected from service station pumps in 20 cities throughout the United States. Of this number of samples, 207 were "competitive-price gasolines" and 105 were "premium-price motor fuels." All of the samples were collected in March, 1931, and analyzed at the Petroleum Experiment Station of the United States Bureau of Miner at Bartlesville, Okla.

Jan 1, 1931

By W. Pariseau, S. Puri, S. Schmelter

Introduction Joints often have profound effects on elastic properties and strength of rock masses and therefore on rock slope stability. In surface mine slopes, joints are usually too numerous to be taken into account individually, so an equivalent properties approach is necessary. Previous work that treats a jointed rock mass as an equivalent composite material of joints and intact rock between resulted in excellent agreement between estimated and true rock mass elastic moduli in case of fully persistent joints (e.g., Pariseau, 1999) Rock mass failure mechanisms on joints and through intact rock were retained obviating the need for an equivalent rock mass strength. Impersistent joints, which are not continuous on a joint plane, can be accommodated (Pariseau, 2003). However, slope stability analysis of a large, deep copper mine indicated a need for computational efficiency even in two-dimensional analysis of vertical sections through pit walls (Puri, 2006). The analyses by the popular finite element method used small elements of bench size near the pit slopes and much larger elements away from the pit walls. The reasons for the graded meshes were numerical quality (small elements) and computational economy (large elements). Small elements contained only a few joints, while the larger elements contained hundreds of joints and led to impractical computation run times (days!). A new modeling procedure that recognizes sufficiently large elements as representative volume elements (REV’s) overcomes this obstacle. A companion improvement recognizes the concept of a representative area element (RAE) in association with joint impersistence and the probability that joint material occupies a considered site. Both are steps towards greater model realism and a practical slope stability analysis procedure. Consider the open pit mine photo shown in Figure 1(a), a companion plan view in Figure 1(b), and the problem of slope stability where high slope angles favor economics but low slope angles favor safety. These competing factors in surface mining generally result in some sections of the mine that have unstable slopes that require monitoring and perhaps mitigating action to improve stability. Although stability of a given section may not be easy to quantify with a single number, useful design guidance can be obtained from a finite element analysis of a proposed mining sequence leading to future pit slopes and profiles. The presence of water from rain and snow melt indicates a need for a coupled analysis that links water pressure, effective stress and total stress (Schmelter, 2001).

Jan 1, 2007

By T. J. Driscoll

Methane-air mixtures can ignite as a result of sparking or rubbing of materials, particularly by impact involving light alloys and rusted steel where an exothermic thermite reaction can occur. This report reviews the published literature and describes a new method utilized by the Bureau of Mines for studying the processes occurring during collisions of light metals with rusted steels. The method involves measuring the spectra of sparks and explosions in methane-air mixtures using a photodiode array. Initial results obtained using magnesium and aluminum alloy 6061-T651 projectiles striking rusted steel are reported. These results indicate that the continuous parts of the spectra show a larger intensity for incendive sparks compared with nonincendive sparks, with the largest relative change in the higher energy, ultraviolet region. An unexpected shift of the intensity maximum for the continuous parts of the spectra towards the infrared region was observed for the more incendive sparks. Evaluation of rusted steel samples with electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrography, and Auger electron spectroscopy after they had been impacted by aluminum alloys indicated that aluminum was transferred to the steel in the form of islands that became larger as a function of increasing projectile velocity.

Jan 1, 1982

By Neha Shukla, Nikhil Dhawan

The current study examines the extraction of rare-earth elements from trichromatic phosphor of discarded tube lights via baking processes. The Y2O3: Eu3+ (YOX) and BaMgAl10O17: Eu2+ (BAM) phases completely decomposed during acid and alkali baking with > 90% Eu and Y extraction. Prior, selective acid leaching of the YOX phase enhanced the acid baking process at a lower temperature (< 230 ℃). Feed acid baking showed a maximum 87% Tb, 36% La, and 17% Ce extraction at 500 °C, 0.5 h, 1 ml/g H2SO4, and alkali baking yielded 16.1% Tb, 86% La, and 73% Ce at 300 ℃, 0.5 h, 50 wt.% NaOH. The acid baking of the acid-leached phosphor yielded 72% Tb, 95% La, 63% Ce, ~ 95% Y, and Eu extraction at 300 °C, 0.5 h, 1.05 mL/g H2SO4. Lower Tb extraction during the acid baking of acid-leached phosphor can be attributed to the formation of Ba3Tb( PO4)3 and BaTbO3 phases. Insoluble Si3Tb5 phase formation and partial decomposition of CeMgAl11O19: Tb3+ (CMAT) phase in the alkali baking route leads to lower Tb extraction. The acid baking process is suitable for extracting Tb, Eu, and Y, whereas the alkali baking process is suitable for La and Ce. The thermal analysis of phosphor and flux interaction depicts that alkali baking is less energy-intensive than acid baking. In comparison, the one-step acid baking process and the two-step alkali baking process yielded desirable extraction results (87% Tb, total RE (rare earth) 78.5% and 50.4% Tb, total RE 59.3%). The product yield in the acid and alkali baking route of feed, acid-leach phosphor is 36%, 29%, and 39%, 28.2%, respectively, with ~ 98% mixed rare-earth oxide purity.

May 5, 2022

By M. E. Poad, J. K. Whyatt, T. J. Williams

Researchers at the U.S. Bureau of Mimes monitored rock mass response to mining of an experimental underhand longwall stope in Hecla Mining Co.&apos;s Lucky Friday Mine, Mullan, ID. This stope design, the Lucky Friday underhand longwall (LFUL), was proposed as a means of controlling rock bursting while also allowing increased mechanization of mining operations. Instruments were specifically manufactured to monitor three geomechanical factors (backfill performance, ramp stability, and rock mass response) that directly affect the success of stope design. Despite considerable difficulties with instrument installation and survival in the harsh mine environment, especially within the stope fill, sufficient information was collected to suggest that the LFUL method was successful in achieving project goals. This conclusion, in addition to favorable economic and operational evidence, led the mine to adopt the method throughout the mine. Indeed, this study and mining experience suggest that underhand longwall mining could be considered a feasible mining method for rock-burst-prone ground throughout the Coeur d&apos;Alene District. Further Reports of Investigations (RI) in this series present in-depth analyses of the effects of backfill on rock bursting and calibration of a stope numerical model.

Jan 1, 1992

Mining has long been an important activity for the people of Australia . The Aboriginals used rocks and minerals in their culture many thousand years before European settlement. It was not until 1840 that silver-lead ore was discovered in the Mount Lofty Ranges , and developed as Australia&apos;s first metalliferous mine. The mining industry contributes significantly to all aspects of the Australian economy, generating substantial employment opportunities, investment and income, export earnings and royalties for Governments. While the mining industry in South Australia is small by comparison with Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, it is nevertheless a very important industry in the State. &nbsp; With the discovery of the world&apos;s third largest Cu-Au-U-Ag resource at Olympic Dam in 1975, the State saw a period of intense exploration activity through the early to mid-1980s. However, failure to locate additional world class deposits saw a dramatic reduction in exploration activity during the late 1980s. A perceived lack of prospectivity was compounded by the recognition that exploration for such deposits was neither easy nor inexpensive in South Australia because more than 80% of the State is masked by surficial sand and silt.

Jan 1, 1995

By H. Razavizadeh

The recovery of copper from oxide ores containing from 2% to 4.1% acid-soluble copper from the Sarcheshmeh mine in Kerman province of Iran was investigated by agitation leaching in sulfuric acid media. Quartz, as a major constituent, and malachite, as the major copper mineral, were identified in the ore by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microscopic studies. A series of leaching experiments on the ore was performed over a concentration range of 10 to 20 g/L and temperatures from 15° to 50°C for a maximum of 3 hours. An initial high dissolution of copper was followed by a very slow reaction. By increasing acid concentration and temperature, the dissolution rate of copper was accelerated. However, by increasing acid concentration, the acid consumption of ores was also increased. Surface morphology of solid residues at various leaching times was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). All SEM micrographs of the partially reacted particles displayed a needle structure. The kinetic studies showed that the malachite dissolution rate could be modeled in two stages. About 85% of the malachite dissolution occurred in Stage 1, while the remaining 15% occurred in Stage 2. The data obtained for the leaching kinetics indicate that the dissolution for Stage 1 was a diffusion-controlled reaction with an activation energy of about 20.6 kJ/mole, and the dissolution for the Stag 2 was a chemical-controlled reaction with an activation energy of about 87.6 kJ/mole.

Jan 1, 2008