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By J Li

Cannington Mine has been developing through paste backfilled stopes since the year 2000. These paste drives have been used as either production drill accesses or long-term bypasses. Prior to this study, the ground support requirements for each paste development cut were: an initial 50 mm layer of fibrecrete, weld mesh bolted with 2.4 m split sets, followed by a second coat of 50 mm fibrecrete. Both layers of fibrecrete and the layer of mesh were to be installed before the next cut could be bored and fired. This support regime proved successful at Cannington, however, the total cycle time for each cut was lengthy due to the installation and curing times associated with each layer of surface support. In an effort to reduce the cycle time a study was carried out, with the aid of RocScience’s Phase2 numerical modelling software. The modelling reviewed all of the parameters controlling the stability of a newly excavated development cut. The parameters studied included the early strength of fibrecrete, the ground support load capacity, and the strength of the paste fill masses which varies depending on the cement content. As a result of the study, the ground support standard was revised. The revision has significantly decreased the cycle time as well as fibrecrete consumption, all the while maintaining the safety of personnel and equipment.

Mar 21, 2011

THE area of the State of New South Wales is not great, nevertheless it has very large and important Mineral Resources. This is the more noticeable when the values of the annual mineral production from the individual States of the Commonwealth arecompared with the value of the New South Wales production. The principal minerals mined now are not gold, copper, and tin, as they were in the early years following the gold rush of 1851, the centre of gravity of commercial mineral activity having moved to coal and "oil-shale," water, limestone (with cement), silver-lead-zinc cadmium, sulphur, slate and other building and ornamental stone, road materials, and clays.From small areas totalling only 650 sq. miles, coal to the extent of 311,000,000 tons, valued at £151,000,000, has been won.The estimate of actual and probable reserves by the Mines Department within an area of less than 1000 sq. miles is about 14,000,000,000 tons, while the potential reserves within the remaining 15,500 sq. miles of concealed coal fields must be enormous. Even taking into account only the actual and pI:obable reserves in the 1000 sq. miles known, and assuming a depletion at the rate of 350,000,000 tons a year, or somewhat greater than that of the British Isles at present, and assuming an average value of £1 a ton, with money at 5% compound interest, then the present value of this coal (40 years of depletion) would be £5,575,000,000 approximately: truly an enormous present value for a business of 40 years, dealing only with 1000 sq. miles of country. The location of the main coal basin in New South Wales is one of great strategic importance. It lies almig and near a seaboard, with excellent facilities for anchorage; the coal is of very high quality, and is readily accessible; the climate is admirable. Were this same coal at Port Darwin, its commercial importance would not be be pronounced.

Jan 1, 1926

By L Thorburn

In 2009, the Queensland Government developed a series of amendments to environmental authorities (EAs) for mines throughout the Fitzroy Basin in response to studies that assessed the cumulative impacts of mine water discharges in the basin. One of the key amendments was the requirement for all mines in the Fitzroy Basin to develop and implement a receiving environment monitoring program (REMP). The intent of the REMPs was to provide baseline information on the condition of the receiving environments of the mines and any impacts resulting from release of mine-affected water. Since this time, the requirement to complete a REMP has been incorporated into new or revised EAs for mines (including metalliferous mines) in other regions, as well as for other industries that discharge to natural watercourses (such as coal seam gas). This paper discusses the approaches that can be used to incorporate biological monitoring and direct toxicity assessments into REMPs. It highlights the importance of collecting biological data using sound experimental design principles to investigate whether releases resulted in environmental harm; and the use of monitoring data, coupled with direct toxicity assessments, for setting more realistic, site-specific trigger values and release limits (compared to the default guidelines such as Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC), which may not be appropriate to the region). Implementation of a robust REMP can maximise outcomes for both the proponents and the environment.CITATION:Thorburn, L, 2013. Receiving environment monitoring programs - making the most out of biological indicators and direct toxicity assessments for monitoring of aquatic ecosystems, in Proceedings Water in Mining 2013 , pp 143-148 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 26, 2013

By J T. Sharp, M A. Styler, D McGowan, P W. Mayne

Static liquefaction is a geotechnical hazard in mine tailings facilities. Soils that are contractive in shear are susceptible to static liquefaction. Tailings facilities are dynamic structures, typically growing in height each year. Dilative tailings may become contractive under increased effective stress. In this paper we show that Cone Penetration Test (CPT) data can be used to estimate the future state of in-place tailings under changes in effective stress. Susceptibility to static liquefaction is typically evaluated with the CPT by using a clean-sand equivalent normalized cone tip resistance (Qtn,cs) or by estimating the state parameter (?). An alternative approach is to evaluate the soil-state using the yield-stress-ratio (YSR = ?’y/?’v0). If the YSR equals one it is on the normal consolidation line and the soil-state is contractive. YSR values greater than three are typically dense of the critical state line (CSL) and the soil-state is dilative. In this paper we review how to calculate Qtn,cs, ?, and ?’y; and how the YSR can be used to screen for contractive soil behaviour. Unlike Qtn,cs and ?, it is very simple to estimate how the YSR will change due to an increase in overburden stress. This YSR approach was evaluated at three locations that saw increases in overburden of 10 m, 20 m, and 25 m. We show that the ?’y calculations are consistent and the increase in effective stress moves the soil state towards looser soil states. CITATION:Styler, M A, Mayne, P W, McGowan, D and Sharp, J T, 2018. Predicting changes in static liquefaction susceptibility using cone penetration test results, in Proceedings Mine Waste and Tailings Stewardship Conference 2018, pp 317–332 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 23, 2018

By Atalla YM

Steel rolling mill product finishing pro cesses gradually become or often already are unsuited for current production and marketing conditions. Indications are made as to what has been done to (i) rectify situations of this kind and, (ii) to reduce both product finishing time and costs. The principal features of two separate case studies are reviewed, these being (a) the finishing-end of B.H.P.'s Newcastle o.2 Merchant Mill and, (b) a mixed functions finishing yard and warehouses group (known as he Merchant Mills Loading Yard) which has been perating for a number of years. The areas in ach case are identified as a system while the arious functions, principal product streams nd processing equipment are respectively iden- ified as sub-systems and system elements. etails are given of the models used in each Sub-system dependency on the system as a le is traced by means of an information and ision analysis or by time studies and the sonableness of the system elements is deter- ed by computer programming or by simple com- ison methods. The-accumulated data is used derive improved mill finishing-end or Load Yard,functioning concepts according to pro- rules whilst at the same time considering

Jan 1, 1975

By D Mather, H R. Asche

"In the civil tunnelling field, the use of tunnel boring machines (TBM) has now overtaken the use of conventional excavation methods (drill and blast / roadheader). This is due to a number of reasons, including the increasing availability and reliability of TBMs, the ability to deal with a wider range of face conditions, and the reduced excavation cost that TBMs can bring.Mining companies have spearheaded the advances in shaft boring by mechanised means, both in blind and raise boring. However, mining companies have been slower to adopt mechanised tunnelling.When contrasted with a conventional mining contract, there are good reasons why TBMs in mining applications are relatively rare. A conventional decline contract may have very little geotechnical information. The decline alignment can be subject to change as the tunnelling progresses. The infrastructure requirements are less for a conventional decline, and the sunk cost prior to excavation commencing is lower. Contract documents can be very simple.The history of TBM use in mining is reviewed and lessons are described. From the case histories and lessons learnt, the paper identifies ways that mining companies can maximise the potential benefit of TBM technology.We believe that despite the additional requirements for TBM declines, the cost and time advantage to mining companies is very attractive. The challenge is to recognise and to meet the requirements for success in a TBM drive to achieve the advantages of: faster advance rates reduced rock damage/overbreak reduced support requirements uniform muck characteristics greater personnel safety.From the case histories and lessons learnt, the paper identifies ways that mining companies can maximise the potential benefit of TBM technology.CITATION:Asche, H R and Mather, D, 2014. Use of ?tunnel boring machines in the mine environment, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014, pp 655–662 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Sep 17, 2014

By M Scoble, C Hughes, M Roberts

At 14 per cent, the representation of women working in the mining industry is the lowest among primary industry categories in Canada. Despite an increase in research and industry commitment to advance and retain women in the mining industry, the gender gap in mining organisations persists.This paper is based upon a recent Canadian survey of 163 highly qualified women (HQW) working in the mining sector. For the purpose of this research, HQW were defined as women with a BachelorÆs degree or higher. This research sought to identify career progression and retention patterns of women who in theory have the educational qualifications to advance into positions of leadership in mining operations. We considered why womenÆs advancement in mining organisations has stalled; examined the career development pathways of HQW; and investigated the interactions of mining workplace culture on HQWÆs career development and retention within the Canadian mining industry. Results?indicated two distinct career pathway trends for HQW. æThe specialistÆ; a career characterised by multiple professional scientific and technical positions, and æthe corporateÆ; a career characterised by professional administrative roles and roles in mid-level management. It was found that neither æcorporatesÆ nor æspecialistsÆ systematically progressed into senior management and executive roles. These findings suggest that HQWÆs careers in mining are stalled, despite a strong indication by respondents of interest in their professional career advancement. With regards to?workplace?culture, respondents indicated that blatant forms of gender discrim-ination have been reduced in mining workplaces; however, exclusion from informal networks, implicit bias and subtler forms of workplace discrimination persist. Consistent with previous mining sector research, improving work-life balance, work flexibility and mentorship were found as key drivers for HQW to advance and remain in the industry.CITATION:Hughes, C, Scoble, M and Roberts, M, 2012. Where are the women? Highly qualified women in the mining industry, in Proceedings International Mine Management 2012, pp 23-34 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 20, 2012

By L Q. Amorim

The mining district of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF) in southeastern Brazil contributes to 70 per cent of the Brazilian iron ore production, which reached 370 Mt in 2010. Traditionally, four iron ore types were mined in the QF region:1. soft haematite,2. hard haematite,3. friable ‘itabirite’ (the Brazilian name for metamorphosed banded iron formation), and4. canga (an indurated iron-rich crust).With the exception of the hard haematite, these categories derive from supergene enrichment of the Paleoproterozoic Cauê Itabirite. High current iron ore demand means that the QF high grade supergene ores will be depleted in a few decades. Consequently, several mining projects are being developed to exploit unenriched, fresh itabirite. Among them, the Mineração Usiminas Serra Azul project in northwestern QF is one of the most advanced. Four major itabirite types occur in the QF region:1. siliceous (or standard),2. dolomitic,3. amphibolitic, and4. magnetitic.The dominant type in Serra Azul region is a fresh siliceous itabirite, composed essentially of haematite, martite and quartz that averages 36 per cent Fe (51.5 per cent Fe2O3) and 47 per cent SiO2. The second type, the magnetitic itabirite, consisting of magnetite, martite, gruneritecummingtonite, quartz, dolomite, stilpnomelane, and subordinate haematite, is typically a strongly magnetic greenish banded iron formation with the iron grade varying between 25 and 35 per cent. Chemically, it differs from the siliceous itabirite due to the relatively high CaO, MgO and, consequently, high LOI contents. Together with supergene ores, fresh itabirites have been included in the ore reserves of the Serra Azul project. We anticipate that all the four types of fresh itabirite will be incorporated as ore in the QF region, causing a huge increase on the iron ore resources of the district, and representing enormous environmental and technological challenges for the local iron ore industry.

Jul 11, 2011

By M J. Thurley, L Lindqvist, D Degerfeldt, J Nyström, R Nordenskjöld

Rock breakage is a major component of all mining and mineral processing operations with the particle size distribution linked to productivity through the comminution chain. Optimisation and automatic control of comminution, material handling, and agglomeration processes is a complex task with large potential for gains in productivity, and energy efficiency. A key factor in realising these gains is the requirement for fully-automated online particle size distribution measurement to provide the necessary feedback and input for control. Moreover, to enable automatic control system it is necessary to provide a consistent, reliable size distribution measurement that avoids the significant errors resulting from under-sizing overlapped particles and over-sizing clusters of fine particles. Published literature and observation of commercial systems indicate a body of predominantly 2D photographic based particle size measurement systems that suffer from a number of significant errors except in the simplest case of a monolayer of particles under good illumination with limited colour variation in the material. In order to overcome these limitations a university and industry collaboration developed three-dimensional particle measurement (3DPM) between 2006 and 2012, based on 3D surface profile measurement of the visible material on conveyor. 3DPM avoids particle delineation errors due to variation in material colour and shadows, detects overlapping versus non-overlapping particles, and identifies areas of fine particles as fines and not large rocks. 3DPM measures: the visible material and calculates its particle size distribution, bulk volume, detects boulders, and conveyor belt fill factor in an automated consistent manner. Furthermore, 3DPM’s advanced algorithms allow observation of particle variation that would otherwise be undetected without the capacity to identify visible areas-of-fines and overlapped particles. Boliden Mines has installed 3DPM at three operations for measurement between the stockpile silo and grinding mill, and measurement after the primary crusher. Fragmentation measurements across multiple years of measurement are presented with some observations of plant behaviour. In the future 3DPM results will be incorporated into automatic control strategies for plant optimisation. 3DPM is used across a wide range of material types and applications that also includes; limestone aggregate for quality control in manufacturing, agglomerates for closed-loop automatic control in chemical production, and measurement of coke for size-based blending feed control to the blast furnace in steel production. CITATION:Thurley, M J, Degerfeldt, D, Nyström, J, Nordenskjöld, R and Lindqvist, L, 2018. Automated, online measurement of bulk material size distribution on conveyor using 3D profile imaging at Boliden Mines, in Proceedings 14th AusIMM Mill Operators' Conference 2018, pp 641–652 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 29, 2018

By García B., Wolff E.

In Colombia, northeast of Antioquia, there is a gold deposit that has produced continuously since the middle of the XIX century, located within mining title RPP-140, property of Gran Colombia Gold Segovia (GCGS) since 2010. Mining materials are taken to the “María Dama” Processing Plant where 1500 tonnes of materials are processed daily. Before 2010, the previous owner of the mining title processed about 600 tpd and directly discharged almost all tailings, given that they had no capacity to put them into final deposits. El Chocho was conceived as a final tailings deposit to store the pulp produced by the processing plant; it was divided into two phases with two dams (upper dam and lower dam) given that the presence of illegal miners at the lower phase impeded a single dam design. A squatter impeded construction of the upper dam; so afterwards, starting at the higher end was necessary (owned by GCGS), building dam 1B to store tailings in pulp; after the squatter returned the lands to the owner (GCGS), construction of tailings dam 1A was required and thus complete construction of dam 1C or the upper dam. While all of this was happening, GCGS decided to acquire a 1500 tpd filter press which currently dehydrates tailings in order to take them to the valley controlled by dam 1A. Construction of dam 1A was designed following the containment wall model, made with geotextile tubes. These improvements generated reduced pressure on renewable natural resources because water is recirculated and less fresh water contributions are required; less pressure is placed on soil, flora and fauna because the area intervened for tailings storage will have a higher storage capacity and, as such, a longer useful life.

Jun 17, 2024

By A Gerdes, H BrStz, E GSbler, D Davis, F Henjes-Kunst, S Dewaele, T Graupner, T Oberthnr, M Sitnikova

Following the United Nations initiative to fingerprint the origin of conflict materials, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has decided to fund a pilot study on coltan ores. Since 2006, our working group has been investigating columbite- tantalite (coltan) mineralisation, especially in Africa, also within the wider framework of establishing certified trade chains. More than 300 samples were obtained from the worldÆs major coltan producing areas. Special attention is, however, directed to samples and concentrates from Ta-Nb-Sn provinces in Africa: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Namibia. Using state of the art analytical tools, we investigate mineralogical and chemical parameters obtained from columbite-tantalite ores and concentrates in order to distinguish between ore provinces, likely even down to the deposit scale. Methods employed include fully automated electron microscopy (mineral liberation analysis), electron microprobe analysis (major and minor elements), laser ablation plasma-source mass spectrometry (trace elements and U-Pb dating), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (bulk major and trace elements), X-ray diffraction analysis (mineralogy and structure) and thermal-ionisation mass-spectrometry (U-Pb dating). Major and trace element concentration patterns, mineral assemblages in the ore concentrates, and zoning characteristics in the different pegmatites from Africa distinctly differ from each other. Furthermore, the following age populations are evident:Archaean (>2.6 Ga);Palaeoproterozoic (1.9 - 2.1 Ga);early Neoproterozoic (æKibaranÆ; 0.98 - 0.93 Ga); andlate Neoproterozoic to early Palaeozoic (ca 0.5 Ga). Currently, we focus on the resolution of the fingerprinting system from region via ore province down to deposit scale. Our preliminary analytical results indicate that a certification scheme including fingerprinting of sources of coltan ores is feasible.

Jan 1, 2008

By Tzung-mow Yao, S Ki, J Word, J Vinson

Properly designed evapotranspirative (ET) cover systems can greatly reduce the amount of infiltration and groundwater recharge (deep percolation) into potential acid generating mine waste. In arid and semi-arid environments, infrequent precipitation, low measurable subsurface fluxes, spatial variability within mine waste and cover material, and evapotranspiration from below the cover system create challenges to monitoring moisture flux in these systems. Sloped ET single-layer (monolayer) cover depths and a variety of reclamation treatments are being studied at a copper tailing impoundment in Arizona, USA. To monitor the performance of different ET cover systems in response to precipitation patterns, four different test plots consisting of two different cover depths and two different vegetation densities were instrumented with heat dissipation sensor nests. The sensors measure the soil water pressure potential and allow hydraulic gradients to be determined within and below the cover systems to depths of 180 cm. Three replicate sensor nests were installed in each test plot to account for variability in materials and test plot treatments. Data collection occurs twice daily and is ongoing. Weather during the 26-month monitoring period was characterised by two months of greater than normal precipitation followed by nine months of normal precipitation and 15 months of abnormally dry conditions. Monitoring data indicate that deep percolation occurs in response to periods of extended precipitation, however, drying was observed to depths of six feet below the surface in all test plots. Using conservative assumptions regarding tailing hydraulic properties, one-dimensional downward flux predictions based on the monitoring data indicate very low (Additional long-term monitoring and installation of deeper and replicate monitoring sensors into tailings without cover systems are recommended to evaluate the long-term ET cover system performance and develop a better understanding of deep percolation rates at the sites.

Jan 1, 2003

The Dizon open pit mine of Benguet Corporation in western Central Luzon, Philippines has yielded some 182 000 t copper, and about 26 000 kg gold and 48 000 kg silver as by products since it started operation in November 1979. The 140 million tonne orebody is associated with a small quartz diorite porphyry stock emplaced in volcanic rocks on the basal slope of a stratovolcano complex as stockworks, fracture fillings and disseminated sulphide mineralization averaging 0.43% Cu, 0.93 g/t Au and 2.5 g/t Ag. Intense hydrothermal alteration accompanied the mineralization that developed fairly distinct mineral assemblages within and around the intrusive. Post-ore volcanic activity later gave birth to an upward-flaring diatreme which broke out south of and adjacent to the orebody and partially destroying it. Subsequent volcanic activity buried the mineralized area along with the rest of the stratovolcano's surrounding slopes under a thick deposit of pyroclastic and laharic debris. Erosion eventually removed the volcanic cappings over Dizon and also exposed the quartz diorite porphyry stock which might have resulted in the truncation of a sizeable section of the Dizon deposit. The chain of stratovolcanoes that comprise southeastern Zambales range hugging the southeastern edge of the Zambales ophiolite is part of a west-facing volcanic arc that extends for some 300 km along the western margin of central and southern Luzon whose development has been correlated to the subduction in the Manila Trench located off the west coast of Luzon. Prominent WNW-trending lineaments that cut across the ophiolite appear to be splays of the Philippine Fault whose intersection with the Mt. Pinatubo stratovolcano complex might have localized the emplacement of a number of intermediate stocks along with the gold-rich porphyry copper mineralizations associated with some of them.

Jan 1, 1987

ABSTRACTFor the binary system copper-lead two relationsEquation 1andEquation 2have been derived for the activities of copper and lead at compositions and absolute temperatures within the liquid region of the phase diagram.These relations give, with greater accuracy than is given by previously published relations, the activity-composition temperature variations for all regions of the phase diagram of interest to metallurgists.These relations are essentially simple forms of the Margules equations but with linear temperature dependence applied to their coefficients. This has been done in such a manner that a phase diagram obtained from these relations agrees well with the data available for this system. The methods of obtaining the relations and constructing a phase diagram from them are both given in detail. The enthalpies and entropies of mixing are compared with those derived by other methods.

Jan 1, 1971

By P Micale

Geological data provides the foundations for the mining value chain. It is used to underpin the modelling and planning and consequently optimise downstream business decisions. However, it is often forgotten or taken for granted. End users often assume the data to be sound without verification. Geological data can be considered a company’s number one asset. Subsequently, the storage, use and management of this data need careful curation and time invested in preserving and protecting it. An established polymetallic mine with 20 000 drill holes could have a data replacement value in excess of $500M at 2020 prices, excluding labour and salary costs. The Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the ‘JORC Code’) provides guidelines for Public Reporting. Within the code, Table 1 requires discussion around the different types of geological data, its collection and use. What is needed is additional details regarding the validation and integrity of the geological database. A comprehensive guideline specifying minimum geological standards for geological databases has been developed. This expands on the critical points outlined in Table 1 of the JORC Code. This guideline can be used by companies where geological databases are managed in-house or used to assess these services’ outsourcing. This guideline will ensure that geological data is reliable and unadulterated and can be used with confidence. Using this guideline will assist in preserving the investment of geological data in the mining value chain

Mar 22, 2022

By J Northfield, L Neesham

The GRE46 Underground Project lies beneath the environmentally unique and culturally endowed shore of Lake Cowal. The ore body is open both along strike and at depth and is currently defined to a strike length of 1.5km and depth of 800m. The Warraga exploration decline commenced in March 2019 and represents the first stage of the Project, which is expected to underpin production at Cowal Gold Operations (CGO) for a period exceeding 10 years. Mining operations at Cowal commenced in 2005, following a period of over 20 years of exploration and permitting. In 2015 Evolution Mining (Cowal) Pty Limited (Evolution) acquired the operation from Barrick Gold Ltd (“Barrick”). Barrick had a life of mine plan that anticipated a cessation of operations in 2024 at a processing rate not exceeding 7.5 Mtpa. Evolution have grown the regional endowment considerably and have a currently approved mine life out to 2032 with a currently approved maximum processing rate of 9.8 Mtpa. This paper examines the history, current status and future path of one part of that plan, the GRE-46 Underground Project. Topics for discussion include discovery, Mineral Resource growth under different ownership philosophies, planning, permitting and commissioning of an exploration decline and bulk sampling project, and integration with the possible future mine. Environmental sensitivities affecting regulatory approvals, timeframes, technical challenges, opportunities and solutions are discussed, along with the path required to fast-track production from the existing 14Mt, 1.4Moz Mineral Resource while complying with the requirements of modern, responsible project development stewardship.

Mar 15, 2021

By M Erskine, R Mills

This paper approaches tailings dam risk management from the perspective of how other high hazard industries approach the management of their catastrophic event risks, with the aim to provide recommendations from these learnings for the industry to adopt.

Jul 1, 2021

By P Guj, J A. Bell

The valuation of early-stage exploration projects requires a valuer to take into account a large number of uncertain value drivers, the interplay among which may be non-linear. This paper examines some of the key value drivers including geology, target metrics, project area and maturity, the market and the psychology behind the decision-making process. The commonly accepted valuation methods and their underlying logic are outlined, including a view on why they evolved, what value drivers they attempt to address and their potential shortcomings. These methods include the multiple of exploration expenditure, geoscience rating, expected values and market based methods. The potential future valuation methods of replacement values and neural networks are also introduced along with how to minimise heuristic bias and error within the market-based approach.CITATION:Bell, J A and Guj, P, 2012. Exploration value drivers and methodologies, in Proceedings Project Evaluation 2012 , pp 17-28 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 24, 2012

By Abishev D. N, Balakirev V. F, Davydov G. I

The problem of recovery of cobalt products from poorly oxidised nickel ores (Kempirsaisk deposit) and pyrite concentrates with a low content of cobalt (Sokolovsk-Sarbaisky deposit) has not been solved to the present time in Kazakstan. The balance reserves of nickel ore of the Kempirsaisky deposit make up more than 35 million tons with a nickel content of 1.13 per cent and cobalt content of 0.05 per cent; besides there are 110 millions tons of out-balance ores (Anon, 1995). In a tailing dump of Sokolovsk-Sarbaisk Mining and Productional Association more than 320 million tons of tailings of wet magnetic separation have accumulated, which contain 7.2 per cent of sulphur, 0.022 per cent of cobalt, 0.012 per cent of nickel, 0.094 per cent of copper, 0.079 per cent of zinc, 16.45 per cent of iron, and from which a high quality pyrite concentrate car) he separated through flotation, containing 48 - 50 per cent of sulphur, 44.15 per cent of iron, 0.141 per cent of cobalt, 0.07 per cent of nickel, and 0.10 per cent of copper. The well-known technological flow charts for cobalt and nickel recovery from the tailings of sulphide-magnetite ores dressing (to give pyrite concentrate) and from oxidised nickel ores, are not profitable at the existing prices for metals, but are not worthless and require significant capital investments for the realisation of their value. The flow chart `sulphate roasting - leaching - solution processing' is used widely for combined processing of cobalt-containing pyrite ores and concentrates.

Jan 1, 1996

By H-S Yang, H Park, S-J Kim, Y-H Ko, H-S Kim, S-H Cho, J-K Kim

An investigation was undertaken to devise a new method for reducing dust spread during blasting demolition utilising water tube and detonating cord. Modelling of smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) with AUTODYN software was initially completed to determine the expected diffusing behaviour of the water tube. The actual behaviour was then captured with high speed videos during each experiment, and each result analysed in detail. Water mist diffusion was generated and analysed by changing three key variables. In sequence, these included changing the location of detonating cord in the tube, the charge quantity and the tube diameter.As a result of experiments and simulation, optimum design for ideal diffusion behaviour was suggested and each behaviour of water mist was classified by diffusing shape of water tube as the design criteria.CITATION:Ko, Y-H, Kim, J-K, Kim, S-J, Park, H, Kim, H-S, Cho, S-H and Yang, H-S, 2015. Mist diffusion experiment and evaluation of water tube for blasting demolition dust control, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 809–814 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015