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To reflect on the early history of mining in South Australia requires considerable imagination and rashness. The people who were the chief actors in the scene have long since passed away. Accounts of their activities are hazy and debatable. A broad brush account is all that I can hope to accomplish under these circumstances. It is fitting that a picture be painted and possible lessons learnt from the achievements of our pre- Decessors.

Jan 1, 1987

By Morrison R. D

This paper describes major events in the design, construction, camtissioning and operation of the Elura concentrator. It covers the period fran September, 1974 when laboratory testwork on drill core cotmenced to March, 1983 when the concentrator catmenced operation on run of mine ore following successful completion of initial ccnmissioning tests. The concentrator was designed to treat 1.1 million tonnes of lead-zinc-silver ore per year with a plant availability of 89 per cent. This treatment rate has been achieved for test periods.

Jan 1, 1983

No Paper

Jan 1, 1996

The explosion at Appin Colliery on July 24th, 1979, demonstrated the need for a large scale facility to simulate an underground type explosion and study its effects. The effects of an explosion cannot be established quantitat- ively using small scale models. A gallery was constructed for this purpose at Londonderry Centre and commissioned in Feb- ruary, 1980. It is 50 metres long, 2.7 metres in diameter, capable of withstanding an internal pressure of 210 kPa and is the only facility available for this purpose in Australia. The gallery has provided valuable inform- ation on blast effects of explosions in tunnels and is to be used for testing the performance of explosion arresting devices, further invest- igation of explosion effects, research into basic explosion phenomena and instrumentation development. Additionally, it will provide a demonstration facility for training purposes.

Jan 1, 1981

By J Pan

In this paper, the technology of producing fluxed pellets by using hydrated lime as binder instead of bentonite was carried out. The properties of the two types green balls (0.8 per cent bentonite and 2.0 per cent hydrated lime) were as follows: drop numbers of 4.8 - 5.0 times/0.5 m, compressive strength of 19.7 - 24.2 N/pellet and thermal shock temperature of 280° - 385°, respectively, under the same conditions of 1.5 per cent coke, 1.45 basicity and balling at 8.5 per cent moisture for 13 min in disc pelletiser. Comparing with bentonite as binder, the compressive strength of fired pellets with hydrated lime is elevated by 13.8 per cent and climbs up to 3113 N/pellet under the following conditions: preheating at 1050°C for ten minutes and fi ring at 1300°C for 15 min. In the mean time, the hydrated lime also improves the metallurgical performance of fired pellets. The reduction index was enhanced from 68.6 - 70.6 per cent, RDI+3.15+ increased from 90.1 to 98.8 per cent and reduction swelling index dropped from 22.4 - 7.4 per cent, respectively. The mineral compositions and microstructure of fi red pellets shows that the fired pellets containing 2.0 per cent possess more calcium ferrite and magnesium ferrite and compact microstructure, leading to the higher compressive strength.

Jul 11, 2011

By Hayashida O, Numata Y

Ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopic analyses and the extended lluckel molecular orbital method were applied to determine the electronic and binding states of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and the adsorption system of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole on pyrite. 2-mercaptobenzothiazole exists rather in thione form than in thiol forru and the two adsorption peaks in solution were assigned to both 7t--?rt* transitions. 2-mercaptobenzothiazole chemically adsorbs on pyrite mainly due to forming the bond between iron (pyrite) and sulphur (2-mercaptobenzothiazole).

Jan 1, 1993

By A Halim

The European Union (EU) have recently issued new Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) for diesel exhaust contaminants, which are CO, NO2 and DPM. The new limits for CO and NO2 were issued in 2017 whilst the one for DPM was issued in 2019. However, in order to allow EU mines to formulate strategies to comply with these new limits, the EU granted a transition period in which mines could use the old limits until the new limits are enforced. The new limit for CO and NO2 will be enforced from 21 August 2023 whilst the one for DPM will be enforced from 21 February 2026. The new limit for NO2 and DPM is very low, 0.5 ppm for NO2 and 0.05 mg/m3 of Elemental Carbon (EC) for DPM. Combination of these two limits would be the lowest among all mining jurisdictions worldwide. It poses a huge compliance challenge to EU mines if they keep using diesel machines. Therefore, a study and a field trial were carried out by the author in 2019–2021 to investigate whether replacing diesel machines with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) would be the best answer to this challenge. This paper outlines results of this study and field trial.

Oct 12, 2022

By B, T Norgate, S Sanetsis, R Davidson

Global cement production accounts for about five per cent of man-made CO2 emissions (WBCSD, 2002). Such operating practices will increasingly be considered unsustainable, unless significant reductions in environmental impact can be realised by the industry.Slag is a high volume waste product from ironmaking, with about 300 kg of slag being produced per ton of iron. Critically, one ton of slag waste, if used as a replacement feedstock for Ordinary Portland cement (OPC), can prevent around one ton of emitted CO2 since no calcining is required. Slag cement blends can also show superior properties compared to OPC, such as lower heats of hydration and higher late strengths, but more development is needed to overcome their low early strengths. Rapid quenching of molten slag is required to produce æhydraulically-activeÆ binder when reacting with OPC; but water quenching can also require between five to ten tons of water per ton of slag at the plant. æDryÆ granulation (atomisation) is emerging as an alternative technology, the resulting solid product does not require drying, and possibilities exist for recovering heat energy from the hot slag.CSIRO Minerals has well-developed skills and equipment in pilot-scale pyrometallurgical treatment, and granulation of molten slag, including traditional wet, and also dry methods. Techno-economic desktop studies can also be used to help quantify factors such as value-adding of treated waste products, potential reductions in CO2 emissions and carbon credits, reductions in water consumption, and the possible decreased energy costs associated with fine grinding of dry slag granulate.The authors will present preliminary results from slag atomisation/dry granulation testwork (0.5 - 2.5 kg scale) and associated modelling studies, conducted using a æsyntheticÆ and industrial ironmaking slag. Outcomes from a techno-economic study on production of cement utilising wet or dry atomised slag granulate will also be discussed in detail.

Jan 1, 2004

The design and operating characteristics of the hydraulic cyclone elutriator were described in detail by Kelsall and McAdam (1963), and the method of operation of the commercially available version, the Cyclosizer, is described in the manufacturer's pamphlet (Anon). Complete details of the operating procedure are given in the relevant operating manual (Anon, 1964).The cyclones which form the basis of the Cyclosizer (Fig. 1) under normal operating conditions produce typical cut sizes of 44, 33, 23, 15, and 10 µm for cyclones one to five respectively for material with a specific gravity of 2·7. At the end of the selected elutriation period each sized fraction is discharged and collected for subsequent assay or analysis but all material rejected by the fifth cyclone (e.g. minus 10 \lm quartz) normally passes to waste. When this material is needed for separate study, although its amount and average analyses can be calculated by difference, it may be necessary to collect more than 250 I. of very dilute suspension, flocculate the solids, allow to settle, and decant off the supernatant liquid.This procedure is cumbersome and inconvenient and the simple technique to be described may offer some advantages. The temperature of the water fed to the Cyclosizer is maintained at a constant value for added reproducibility.PROCEDUREThe present overall treatment of the subsieve material (minus 37 \lm) fed to the Cyclosizer incorporated several refinements compared with normal operation and these may be best illustrated by anactual example. Material to be cyclosized (25 to 100 g depending on size distributIOn and specific gravity) is completely dispersed in water at 23 QC by vigorous stirrmg, using suitable dispersants if necessary, in a...

Jan 1, 1974

By Ryan A, Dennis R, Dekker D, Ellis W, Sowerby B

An automated facility for non-destructive elemental analysis of mine samples has been developed and tested at Mount Isa in association with the CSIRO. The analysis is based on the prompt and delayed measurement of gamma radiation emitted by the sample during and after separate fast and thermal neutron irradiation. No sub-sampling or sample preparation is required and the analyser is operated by one person that would otherwise be splitting drill core in preparation for conventional analysis. The analyser has been calibrated to measure the following (precision in parenthesis): Ag (14 ppm), Pb (0.5 wt%), Zn (0.5 wt%), Cu (0.04 wt%), Fe (0.7 wt%), S (1.1 wt%), SiO2 (0.8 wt%), A1203 (0.07 wt%), Mn (0.05 wt%), specific gravity (0.02 g cmt). Crushed or whole drill core samples that range in size between 0.5 m and 1.8 m of equivalent BQ size drill core can be analysed at a rate of six samples per hour. If required, drill core samples can be re-packed in their original configuration for storage following analysis. Standard samples are measured every day to ensure operational stability. The analyser is controlled by a personal computer which prints the results and stores them along with the raw data on the computer hard disk. This paper reports the performance of the analyser during 1992 for routine analysis of drill core from the lead ore bodies of both Mount Isa and Hilton mines.

Jan 1, 1993

By P Warner

Mines are often located in remote areas that are not well served by æstiffÆ power grids. Radial transmission networks, high lightning incidence (eg in South Africa the Witwatersrand experiences seven to ten strikes/km2 per year), low short circuit strengths and diesel generation are not uncommon. All these factors result in the electric power supply to many mines being unusually prone to dips and disturbances. æLegacyÆ winder drives û cyclo converters and dc drives û convert power directly from the supply to the motor, with no intermediate energy storage element. Further, they rely on the supply network for commutation and are therefore sensitive to supply voltage disturbances. There is a high probability that a dc or cyclo mine winder will trip during a supply disturbance, often resulting in lost production time and call-outs for technical staff to reset or even repair equipment. In contrast, a voltage source inverter (VSI) ac drive stores a large quantity of energy (in the dc link capacitors) and is fully self-commutating. Hence, this topology is inherently more immune to supply voltage disturbances. Indeed, vendors of ac VSI mine winders make general statements about the superior performance of their drives during supply disturbances. However, the advantages have apparently not been previously quantified. This paper compares different winder drive topologies and their sensitivity to supply disturbances, considers categories of supply disturbances and quantifies the cost of the effects on the different drive types.

Jan 1, 2005

Diamond bearing deposits are extremely low grade and require large bulk samples to be tested to determine the grade and quality of the stones. The semi portable plants, for treatment of these bulk samples, have followed the development of commercial processes for diamond concentration. These processes included jigs and diamond pans, which have been largely supplanted by heavy media processes for primary concentration, due to the higher efficiencies in all size ranges. A number'of flowsheets including these processes are presented. The final recovery of diamonds from the bulk sample concentrates can be accomplished by rejigging, adherance to grease or by X-ray sorting. Flowsheets incorporating all the processes are presented. Two plants are described; one incorporating jigging, rejigging and hand sorting; the other using heavy media separation, and wet X-ray sorting.

Jan 1, 1984

Tumbling mills have been used in the minerals indusu) for occr WO years, with the design changing little, but the size of the individual pieces of equipment increasing significantly with the lowering of head grades, and the push for greater

Jan 1, 1997

By A K. Bayer

When the human eye fails in the evaluation of quality parameters in the extraction of minerals the use of laser-induced fluorescence analysis (LIF) can supply more detailed information on the composition of rocks. On the basis of measurements of selected raw materials engineering concepts for the use of this method in the mining industry as an innovative system for horizon control of mining machines will be described and the most important analysis parameters, influencing factors and interference variables are presented.

Jan 1, 2003

Traditional methods for the production of transition metals from their ores usually include the electric arc smelting of the ore or concentrate to produce a ferroalloy. This is subsequently refined to produce either a ferroalloy or to produce the metal or metallic carbide. Recent trends in the treatment of iron ores have seen the development of many processes for solid state carbothermic reduction followed by melting of the prereduced iron to produce steel and similar types of processes are under consideration for the production of ferroalloys. There are clear potential savings in energy and control of emissions from such processes. This paper discusses some research which is currently underway at La Trobe University into the solid state carbothermic reduction of chromium and tungsten ores to produce the metallic ferroalloy or the carbide for subsequent further processing. The kinetics of the carbothermic reduction of both chromite and scheelite were found to be dominated by gaseous CO rather than by direct carbon reduction. However the diffusion of carbon into the ore is certainly an important feature of the process. The production of tungsten carbide from the metal is the slow step in tungsten reduction. The development of phases during reduction were studied using a scanning electron microscope and an electron probe and knowledge of the phases produced allows analysis of the reduction process.

Jan 1, 1997

This paper briefly reviews the background of mobile primary crushers and their current main areas of application. The benefits of applying mobile primary crushing and belt conveying systems are analysed. The impacts of applying such systems to different steps of the mine process are discussed, including mine development and planning. Application examples are used for demonstrating further possibilities to apply mobile primary crushing and belt conveying systems in mining projects successfully.

Jan 1, 2007

By M B. Lovitt

At present there exist few engineering calculations and principles to determine exclusion zones for personnel in the vicinity of underground explosive storage areas. This paper is written to encourage discussion and proposes a method to determine the impact of a blast wave through scientific principles. Then, criteria to determine an ‘exclusion zone’ need to be identified.There has been much work on identifying the pressure rise and the energy of explosive detonations underground but little to develop standards in criteria that can be used to identify exclusion zones for useful design of underground infrastructure. The author presents the newest ways of calculating the pressure rise and energy (impulse) of detonations and puts forward some criteria to be used in the identification of personnel exclusion zones to spark peer review and discussion of these criteria towards developing standards for engineering design.Smith and Sapko (2005) used Sach’s scaling laws to develop a relationship for both pressure rise and impulse, which incorporated factors for intersections. Intersections will have a large bearing on the peak pressure and the energy of the blast wave and needs to be incorporated. Silvestrini, Genova and Leon Trujillo (2009) developed the scaling laws with an energy concentration factor to predict blast propagation in partially confined geometries and together the author has proposed equations for determining the peak side pressure and the impulse in a tunnel. Given the weight and type of the explosive, the average cross-section of the tunnel complex and the number and type of intersections encountered, the pressure and impulse can be calculated.The military has carried out many investigations as to the influence of blast pressure and impulse on the human body. Lung damage, ear damage and velocity knock down are three of the criteria standards that are presented as possible methods of determining exclusion zones around an underground explosives magazine. The author suggests that the velocity curves presented by Bowen, Fletcher and Richmond (1968) could be an acceptable method of determining an exclusion zone as it incorporates the side pressure and the energy of a blast wave to determine the ability of the wave to knock down personnel.CITATION:Lovitt, M B, 2014. Exclusion zone calculation for underground explosives storage, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 319–326 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Mar 24, 2014

By D T. Feinstein, M B. Gotkowitz

In Wisconsin, state laws and regulations governing metallic mine permitting stipulate that protection of groundwater quality be assured indefinitely through all phases of the mining project, including development, active mining, reclamation, and long-term closure. By rule, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) requires that permit applicants use a numerical model to assist in the assessment of compliance with this requirement for all proposed mine-waste facilities. As a part of the compliance assessment, model calculations are used to predict groundwater solute concentrations through time at designated boundaries for comparison to current groundwater quality standards. In practice, this modelling requirement has involved the application of numerical solute-transport models. Our review of a solute-transport model submitted by the developers of a proposed mine near Crandon, Wisconsin, provides us with an opportunity to assess the usefulness of transport modelling as a permitting requirement. Recent evaluations of solute-transport models by other workers suggest limitations in predictive accuracy. Our review of the model submitted for this project also identified important limitations due primarily to uncertainty in calibration of model parameters at the undeveloped site. The utility of any model to predict project compliance or non-compliance with numerical standards is limited by the range of uncertainty of key model parameters, such as dispersivity and porosity. Uncertainty in the future behaviour of the solute source(s) also reduces the predictive power. Moreover, the site characterisation provided by the model may have limited power to describe the site condition post-development. Although these inherent shortcomings accompany the use of solute transport models at undeveloped sites, the requirement for model development and the ensuing technical review has substantially assisted in our evaluation of site conditions and project design. Through this process we have identified elements of the waste facility design that are crucial to the environmental viability of the project, resulting in modifications to original project proposals. While results from this model review will be used to evaluate compliance, additional benefits come from the identification of critical design features that enhance groundwater protection.

Jan 1, 2003

Arrow Energy NL has been operating a number of coal seam gas wells in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. At the time of writing this paper, the region is enduring an extended drought period. The local aquifers are depleting and have not been significantly recharged in over a decade. The local communities (both rural and townships) are struggling to obtain water. Currently, coal seam gas (CSG) operators (under licence) draw water from the coal seams as part of the gas production process and the majority of operators choose to evaporate this water, as it is characteristically brackish to saline in quality and as such must be contained. Although the water produced from one CSG operator is not sufficient to drought-proof the greater area of the Darling Downs, there is potential to supply smaller local areas and contribute to the sustainability of these communities. This paper outlines the work completed by Arrow and its local community partners on the Darling Downs to date, and discusses the application of the produced formation water for:stock watering in feedlots, as a feedstock for coal washing, as a potable water supply for Dalby, as an agricultural water supply for cotton farming, and use as a medium for growing salt-water fin fish.

Jan 1, 2006

By K Nilsson, G Cheong

Troy Resources NL acquired a 70 per cent interest in the Mina Sertpo gold project in Goißs State, Brazil, in 2001 following a successful bid for the highly competitive international tender of a tenement package put out by Western Mining Corporation (WMC). The Sertpo deposit is located on cleared grazing land 380 km west of Brasilia and is 30 per cent owned by Amazonia Mineracao Ltda, a private Brazilian company. It is a small high grade open-pittable orebody with a measured and indicated resource of 108 000 tonnes at a grade of 49.7 g/t for 172 500 ounces using a 2.0 g/t cut-off. Troy undertook the project management and development of the project while Amazonia managed the exploration activities and provided other services as required. The project development involved drilling metallurgical test holes, scouring the world to locate an available and suitable second-hand plant, and arranging shipping to andreconstruction in Brazil.

Jan 1, 2004