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By Isobel Clark

This paper reviews some of the traditional methods of reserves estimation based on lognormal distribution with or without an additive constant. In the rush to computerize mine planning and grade control generaly, proven estimation methods, such as Sichel's t, seem to have been overlooked. By use of a personal microcomputer, the traditional methods were investigated thoroughly, the results being tested against existing tables and figures. The fitting of a lognormal distribution, including estimation of the additive constant, is discussed, and the calculation of Sichel's t estimator and its associated confidence limits is described in detail. Payability calculations for a lognormal distribution are also covered briefly. The advantages of personal computers, particularly speed and ease of use, are emphasized. This low-cost approach permits detailed investigation of some of the assumptions and approximations inherent in the established methods of calculation. Several disturbing discrepancies are revealed in various factors, and some generalized statements made by previous authors are found to be over-simplistic. Full details are given of acceptable approximations and computer algorithms, and concern is expressed over the possible loss of proven methods under the welter of new, sophisticated computer software.

Jan 1, 1987

The results of small-scale resin-in-pulp pilot-plant investigations at Grootvlei Proprietary Mines Ltd, President Brand Gold Mining Co. Ltd, and Western Areas Gold Mine Co. Ltd are reported. At each mine, a pulp was fed simultaneously to a carbon-in-pulp plant, allowing a direct comparison of the metallurgical performance of the two processes. With the Grootvlei pulp, gold was extracted more efficiently by resin than by carbon owing to the Iow concentration of competing base-metal cyanide complexes in solution. With the Western Areas pulp, the reverse was true because of the high concentrations of copper and nickel in solution. Finally, with the President Brand pulp, resin-inpulp was significantly superior to carbon-in-pulp owing mainly to the inherently slow rate of gold extraction from calcine by activated carbon. Results are presented that show the efficiency of the elution of gold and other elements with a variety of reagents from the loaded resins arising from these three campaigns. At Western Areas, a detailed investigation enabled a preliminary cost evaluation to be made of three techniques for the elution of strong-base resins.

Jan 1, 1984

By B. B. Mamba, J Ndalamo

The existence of an impressive reserve of oxidized cobalt-copper bearing ores in the African copper belt area lead the GECAMINES (DRC) to develop specific and adapted mineral processing routes (Mulaba-Bafubiandi, 2001). During the conventional diluted sulphuric acid leaching of oxidized cobalt-copper bearing ores commonly referred to as ?heterogenite?, more than 10% cobalt dissolution yield increase was observed in a plant situation (Mwema et al., 2002) when SO2(g) was flushed into the acidified cobalt leaching solution. The present paper attempts to elucidate mechanisms involved which lead to the increase of total cobalt as SO2 is flushed during the leaching of oxidized cobalt bearing minerals. The kinetics of cobalt dissolution as SO2 is flushed into the acidic solution as well as a full characterization, using UV-Visible spectroscopy, of Co2+ and Co3+ species present in the collected leachate are presented while possible effects of the presence of Cu and Fe on the leachability of cobalt bearing minerals present in the oxidised ore will be discussed. In the view of speeding up the leaching process, the mixed cobalt-copper oxidised ores were microwaves pre-processed. Preliminary results were also discussed.

Jan 1, 2007

By K. Hodgson, J. P. M. Hojem, N. G. W. Cook

Already about one-third of South Africa's coal is mined at depths exceeding 100 metres. Almost all this mining is done by the bord and pillar method. Conventional design procedures call for ever larger pillars as depths of workings increase, resulting in the loss of large amounts of coal and reductions in productivity. Barrier pillars are in general use to ensure against large collapses. The presence of these strong pillars would allow a more efficient design of the bord and pillar layout to yield improved extraction ratios by using smaller, yielding, pillars between the bords. Knowledge of the complete load- displacement curves for such pillars is a prerequisite for the design of such a system. A 100-MN, stiff jacking system for measuring the complete load-displacement curves of pillars with cross-sections of up to 2 m X 2 m is described. The jacks are installed in a slot cut across the central plane of symmetry of a pillar, thereby ensuring that the stress distribution in the pillar during a test, especially at its contacts with the roof and floor, is identical to that caused in a similar pillar by convergence across the seam. Preliminary results in the form of complete load-displacement curves for test pillars of about 1.5 metre square section are given.

Scrap printed circuit boards were selectively smelted at 1 200°C to produce a metallic alloy having three phases. These phases were identified as a lead-rich phase, a low tin content alpha bronze phase, and a high tin delta phase. Electrochemical leaching studies on this alloy were done in 1 mol/dm3 sulfuric acid or in 2 mol/dm3 hydrochloric acid (adjusted to an ionic strength of 3 mol/dm3). The lead rich phase was more strongly passivated in sulfate media, and in this medium the high tin content delta bronze was more resistant to corrosion than the lower tin alpha bronze phase. In chloride medium the lead phase and both bronze phases corroded readily, but with current densities about an order of magnitude lower than in sulfate medium (static conditions) for the bronze phases. The high tin delta bronze phase was found to form a passivating layer in sulfate media. A similar layer was not seen in chloride medium. The leaching studies in sulfate medium also showed the existence of an alpha bronze phase of lower tin content in the centres of the alpha phase grains. This phase was quite resistant to leaching in sulfate medium.

Jan 1, 2009

By R. Hoare

TSG Consulting works with many of the major global mining companies using simulation modelling as an integral component in their development team's processes to determine which combination of infrastructure options, operating performance and operating rules best achieve project goals. All systems can be divided into a series of subprocesses. Conventional management and design practices focus on the optimisation of these system components. However, the interaction between subprocesses means that improvements made to the individual components do not necessarily translate into total system performance improvement. TSG Consulting advocates a `total integrated system approach' to understanding the behaviour and performance of complex interacting systems. In a constraint-based integrated set of processes, the instantaneous system capacity is limited by the subsystem component capacity that is the bottleneck at that point in time. Additionally, real world stochastic and dynamic influences tend to have knock-on effects across subsystem boundaries. This necessitates the requirement for simulation modelling to develop and validate solutions that are sufficiently robust to deliver sustainable outcomes. The key to maximising production is to understand the causes and effects the inherent variability has on component performance, subprocess performance and most importantly, the total integrated system performance. The correct use of simulation modelling techniques allows study teams to evaluate the relative merits of different capacity enhancement proposals. Put simply, when done well, simulation modelling provides a quantitative and rational process to enhance the knowledge and insight needed to make informed decisions.

Jan 1, 2007

The Copperbelt areas of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have recently been seeing the development of a significant number of new projects. Due to the current economic climate, some of these projects have been delayed but the region remains an important resource for copper and cobalt for future years. Many of these projects will utilize an agitation leach followed by solvent extraction and electrowinning to recover both copper and cobalt. The flowsheet route for copper is fairly well established while the processing options for cobalt vary considerably depending on the final product (metal or salt) the operator wishes to make. The mineralogy of ores in the area is typically associated with high gangue acid consumption during the leaching process. This has resulted in acid availability to the area being constrained and acid prices have risen accordingly. Agitation leach circuits, typically, have a tight water balance which needs to be maintained and a bleed of process liquor needs to be continuously removed from the circuit in order to maintain this balance. This bleed, typically, contains fairly high levels of acid and requires neutralization prior to tailings disposal or secondary metal recovery. It is, therefore, desirable to minimize the acid concentration in this bleed stream in order to decrease total acid requirements and neutralization costs for the process plant. An in depth case study by Cognis and Bateman Engineering evaluated three different flowsheets with the aim of determining relative operating costs between the three alternatives, together with differences in plant capital cost requirements.

Jan 1, 2009

By P. R. Jochens, D. D. Howat, A. A. Hejja

The effect of the reactivity of lime on desulphurization efficiency in the basic oxygen furnace A. A. HEJJA, Dipl. Ing. (Budapest) (Visitor) D. D. HOWAT, B.Sc. (Glas.), Ph. D., F.I.M. (Fellow) P. R. JOCHENS, Pr.Eng., M.Sc. (Eng.) Rand, Ph.D., A.I.M. (Member) The iron charged to the basic oxygen furnace at the steel plant of Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation has a relatively high sulphur content. Considerable emphasis is therefore placed on the reactivity of the lime. An investigation of the lime used at the steel plant showed that its reactivity had deteriorated considerably both during transport from the supplier (Northern Lime Company) and during storage and handling at the steel plant. The deterioration on the steel plant is the more severe, and is due to hydration and carbonation. Rapid deterioration is a characteristic of highly reactive lime when exposed to the atmosphere. Plant tests showed that the desulphurization efficiency decreases with a decrease in the reactivity of the lime. The addition of slag rich in manganous oxide to the furnace considerably improved the efficiency of desulphurization that can be achieved with limes of lower reactivity and with lime that has deteriorated. A decrease in particle size of lime of lower reactivity greatly increased the desulphurization efficiency. Less lime of higher reactivity is required for the same degree of desulphurization to be achieved. Lime of higher reactivity gives rise to slags with lower ferrous oxide contents and hence the steel yield is increased.

By E. Uslu

The kinetics of the reduction of chromite from the LG-6 layer of the Bushveld Complex in Fe-Cr-C alloys were studied in the temperature range 15OO°C to 1680°C under an inert argon atmosphere. The rotating cylinder technique was used, and the rotational speed of the chromite cylinder ranged from 0 to 1000 r/min. The melt consisted of 30 to 80 per cent chromium and 2 to 8 per cent carbon. The initial chromium-te-iron ratios of the melts varied between 0,42 and 4,95. The reduction of chromite spinel was analysed in terms of the decarburization of the metal. It was found that decarburization increased with an increase in the temperature, the carbon content of the bath, and the rotational speed of the cylinder up to 400 r/min, after which it remained almost constant. Decarburization also increased with an increase in the chromium content up to about 50 per cent chromium but, at higher chromium contents, it decreased. In the early stage of the reduction, up to about 30 minutes of reaction time, the liquid-state mass transfer of oxygen was found to be the most likely rate-determining step. The apparent activation energy was calculated to be 84,864 kJ per mole of oxygen. In the later stage, diffusion of iron and/or chromium in the solid state is the most likely rate-determining step. The apparent activation energy for the diffusion was calculated to be 471,18 kJ/mol.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. D. G. Salamon

In view of an urgent need for a simple means of simulating the behaviour of stratified rock masses, a long-dormant linear model is revived, generalized, and discussed in some depth. The model is piecewise homogeneous, consisting of a pile of homogeneous isotropic laminae in which the interfaces between beds are parallel and free of shear stresses and cohesion. The continuity of stresses and normal displacements is assured across the bedding planes and, to maintain simplicity, the theory of thin plates is used as the kernel of the model. The paper covers the case where the rock mass consists of discrete beds in which the layers are arranged either heterogeneously or systematically. The stratification is regarded as uniform when all the layers are of the same thickness and their Young's modulus changes exponentially with depth; and as homogeneous when all the laminae have identical thickness and properties. The case of uniform stratification is also treated on the basis of an equivalent quasi-continuum derived from the basic model. Attention is focused on the derivation of influence functions. It is demonstrated that the quasi-continuous models, when they are available, can replace their distinct-layer counterparts. The homogeneous quasi-continuum, which permits the derivation of its influence functions in closed form, facilitates the determination of the roof and floor convergence. In the case of a significant class of problems, the convergence distribution is defined by a second-order differential equation in the xy plane, which simplifies to a Poisson's equation if the mining excavations are unsupported. With this result, the paper prepares for the solution of a host of practical problems. These solutions are presented in a series of papers that are in the course of publication.

Jan 1, 1991

A method, based on the macroscopic population balance equation allowing the dynamic simulation of a multistage adsorption plant given an arbitrary rate expression, is described. The partial differential equations resulting from this method are simplified using the method of characteristics. The simplified equations can then be solved using standard ODE integration techniques. The procedure is illustrated by means of data typical of a CIP application. Requirements for data structures which allow the incorporation of the carbon-in-pulp (CIP) model (and other unit models) into a general metallurgical simulator are described. Based on these considerations, it is concluded that more generality in the description of distributed quantities such as loading and particle size is provided by the use of mass density at fixed class boundaries, rather than discrete masses within fixed classes as has hitherto been used by ore-dressing simulators.

Jan 1, 1987

By M. Gershon

During the exploration phase of mine development, drilling location is in the hands of the geologist, and drilling is spread over the entire domain of the property or deposit boundary. During the mine planning and production phases, however, the mining engineer also needs to use the information obtained from the drilling program. Thus it is important that he/she have some input into the selection of the drillhole locations. Usually, when exploitation will center on one portion of the property for the immediate future, the mine engineer will want to have more of the drilling performed in this area. In the early stages, the purpose of the drilling was to make a decision concerning whether or not to develop a mine. Once the decision is made to proceed with this development, the mine engineer needs to know, with as much confidence as possible, the estimate of the ore grade at each location where mining will occur. This paper addresses the problem of drillhole location for the needs of the mining engineer. The goal is to compare a variety of approaches to drillhole location with a new approach developed by the author. This approach is based on the theory of geostatistics, with the estimation variance used as the quantitative measure of the confidence attained. The goal of the algorithm is to select those locations that minimize the estimation variance subject to constraints on the number of drillholes and the total cost of the drilling program. The kriging equations are used as another set of constraints. The resulting nonlinear optimization model is expressed in terms of binary (0 - 1) decision variables leading to a solution by the branch-and-bound procedure. The algorithm has been applied at a number of operating properties, and practical results and suggestions for implementation are provided.

Jan 1, 1987

By H. H. McGregor

Introductory remarks by author When Mr R. C. J. Goode suggested preparation of a paper in the area of manpower utilization in South Africa, I was, while keen to accept his invitation, somewhat hesitant for two reasons. Firstly, I recognized the great difficulty of making a factual contribution, because of the lack of really relevant statistical information available, the fact that much of it is out of date, and the difficulty of researching and co-ordinating it and of evaluating a statistically sound resultant viewpoint. Experience in the actual preparation of this paper has done nothing to change my view in this respect. Secondly, it is obvious that a paper presented to a meeting of this Institute, by a member of it, would be expected to devote considerable attention to the subject in the mining industry. I am not directly employed by the mining industry, although my company has carried out extensive assignments for various sectors of it both in this country and in other parts of the world, since the 1939-45 war. I am more conscious than most of the tremendous technical and managerial skills at the disposal of the industry in this country, and consequently am equally conscious of the hazards of publishing facts and figures which might be taken to indicate any criticism of performance. I am aware that some of the information that I am about to present may indeed generate comment, and possibly even critical comment. I would like to be regarded therefore in presenting this information, as a member of the group, rather than an external critic. Under these circumstances, comment can only be constructive, and this is my earnest hope. The contribution of my paper, if contribution there is, will I hope be in the area of assessing labour productivity in mining, and in secondary industry in such a way that the performance of each against its own past results is comparable. This task has not for the present been to my knowledge attempted, and in advance I wish to take out authors' insurance against legitimate criticism from professional economists and others, by stating that I am well aware of possible short-comings in the arguments. Nevertheless I believe that under the circumstances I have, with the important assistance of several people, been able to take the subject further than has been the case in the past. Finally, I have related productivity in the mining industry and in secondary industry to a target of productivity in the Republic of South Africa. I was fortunate recently in being able to attend a series of lectures by a prominent economist in America. He introduced his subject by calling it 'A broad survey of macro-economics'. Perhaps I might be permitted to describe my paper, in the same idiom, as 'The macro-management of labour'.

Jan 6, 1970

By B. K. Loveday

A Colloquium on 'Control and Simulation in the Minerals Industry' was held at the Holiday Inn, Milner Park, on 20th September, 1984, in conjunction with the Electra Mining Exhibition. A total of 170 persons attended the very full morning programme, which began with an opening address by the President, The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Mr l.D. Austin. He outlined the reasons why computers were being used to an ever-increasing extent for control and simulation in the minerals industry. The computer was even used to check, among other things, the validity of the signals it was receiving by mass-balance calculations.

Jan 1, 1985

By J. Preussner, U. Glatzel, R. Völkl, S. Prins, M. Wenderoth

Platinum base alloys are very corrosion resistant and have got a high melting point. Similar to Ni-base superalloys, which are used for jet turbines, the hardening effect of the intermetallic L12Pt3Al phase is used to receive a material that is creep resistant at high temperatures. Chromium is added to the alloy system to stabilize the L12phase down to room temperature. With the right amount of nickel the misfit and shape of the precipitates can be controlled. Various alloy compositions have been melted and analysed. With scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) a microstructure can be observed, which is very similar to the one in Ni-base superalloys. To support alloy development with simulations, a thermodynamic database of the Pt-Al-Cr-Ni system is about to be established. The SEM and EDS measurements provide useful input to the thermodynamic optimization. Also many data from the literature have been used to receive the best approximation. The Cr-Pt binary phase diagram has been reassessed and the latest results of thermodynamic modelling are presented.

Jan 1, 2006

By V. N. Medvedev, A. M. Bryukhanov

Stationary mine air control equipment enables monitoring of CH4 concentration only in sensor locations. CMC-4 individual indicator built into a caplight has been developed in Ukraine, extending CH4 monitoring to manned job sites. Major technical characteristics of the indicator are demonstrated. It features two operation thresholds: 1st threshold 1.0 to 2.0% vol. 2nd threshold 1.5 to 2.5% vol. Basic absolute accuracy ± 0.2% Caplight battery is a common power supply for the lamp and CH4 indicator, providing at least 10 hours of the system non-stop operation. Average pre-failure life is at least 10,000 hrs. It features: an explosion proof design and intrinsically safe test circuit; a small-sized sensor as an integral part of the caplight; a hybrid microcircuit to facilitate functioning of methane monitoring unit. The CMC-4 indicator weight is the weight of the caplight itself and equals 2.4 kg. A two-threshold design makes possible to distinguish between methane sources: slow accumulation due to diffusion or sudden rushes due to a gas-dynamic event. CMC-4 indicators in addition to stationary equipment minimize the risk of CH4 explosion underground determined as a product of accident intensity by calculated time interval.

Jan 1, 2003

By P. H. S. W. Kulatilake

The paper introduces a computer simulation technique to estimate the target detection probabilities associated with search surveys. The technique takes into account the inherent randomness associated with the distributional properties of geologic targets. Use of the technique is illustrated through examples. The paper provides information as to how this technique can be used in obtaining the optimum sampling pattern and optimum spacing associated with target detection surveys.

Jan 1, 1987

By C. C. E. Pretorius, V. M. Mathoho, A. van Zyl, R. J. Mostert

The in-service degradation of the mechanical properties of steel components through the damage mechanism of high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), is a topic of concern in the refining and green hydrogen industry. This damage mechanism occurs in susceptible steels operating in environments at high temperatures and hydrogen pressures. The current investigation deals with the indirect monitoring of mechanical degradation via tracking of the swelling strain in affected structures. An autoclave with an AISI 316 shell was utilized to simulate accelerated HTHA damage at 550 °C and 46 bar for exposure times ranging from zero to 700 hours. The progress of the HTHA damage was tracked using encapsulated high-temperature strain gauges. The correlation between the swelling strain and mechanical property degradation was studied to develop a methodology for the continuous monitoring of embrittlement. The tensile sample orientation of the carbon steel plate was included as a variable, i.e., samples parallel, transverse, or perpendicular to the plate rolling direction were included, since it has been shown that the sample orientation influences the HTHA damage features. For the through-thickness orientation, and upon exceeding a threshold value of exposure time, all tensile properties were severely degraded, with values in the order of a 90 per cent reduction being observed. It was found that the degradation of carbon steel mechanical properties can be correlated to the swelling strain measured during exposure. The critical point for mechanical property degradation in the plate through-thickness orientation, whereafter a severe decrease in the ductility of the material occurs, was found to be in the order of 1% of the total swelling strain measured during exposure, equivalent to 65 microstrain. This threshold was found to be significantly lower than that expected from the literature, where limits of 400 to 1000 microstrain were postulated.

Nov 27, 2024

By R. Morris, W. D. Clough

SYNOPSIS The design of an opencast coal mine over areas previously mined by underground mining methods presents several potential methods of mining the coal. The paper describes some basic methods of mining for the No. 2 seam of the Witbank Coalfield, which had previously been mined by the bord-and-pillar method.

Jan 1, 1985

By P. C. Seligmann

The theory of firing of electric detonators is developed insofar as it affects the design of blasting circuits. Practical values for the firing conditions suited to detonators of local manufacture are tabulated. The design principles of blasting circuits are outlined. This information can be used by mine management to ensure that electric blasting will be done efficiently and economically.

Jan 1, 1979