476
Views
6
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Integrated underground mining and pre-concentration systems; a critical review of technical concepts and developments

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon & ORCID Icon
Pages 153-182 | Received 23 Aug 2019, Accepted 20 Feb 2020, Published online: 07 Jul 2020

References

  • V. Topp. “Productivity in the mining industry: Measurement and interpretation.” (2008). https://www.pc.gov.au/research/supporting/mining-productivity
  • T. Prior, D. Giurco, G. Mudd, L. Mason, and J. Behrisch, Resource depletion, peak minerals and the implications for sustainable resource management, Global Environ. Change 22 (3) (2012), pp. 577–587. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.08.009.
  • R. Batterham and R. Elvish, Smarter mineral processing, or, what do mill operators think? 10th Mill Operators’ Conference Proceedings 2009–1.1 Abstract. The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (The AusIMM), Adelaide, Australia. Retrieved from; https://app.knovel.com/hotlink/pdf/id:kt008V7C34/tenth-mill-operators/smarter-mineral-abstract
  • J. West, Decreasing Metal Ore Grades: Are They Really Being Driven by the Depletion of High‐Grade Deposits?, J. Ind. Ecol. 15 (2) (2011), pp. 165–168. doi:10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00334.x.
  • G.M. Mudd “One Australian perspective on sustainable mining: Declining ore grades and increasing waste volumes.” In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Tailings and Mine Waste 04, Colorado, USA (2004), pp. 359–369.
  • T.P.R. De Jong, The Economic Potential of Automatic Rock Sorting, Delft Univ. of Technology, Department of Geotechnology, The Netherlands, 2005.
  • G. Lane, C. Fountain, and S. La Brooy, Developments in processing to match future mining opportunities, in Proceedings First International Future Mining Conference and Exhibition (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne), (2008), pp. 221–228.
  • B. Murphy, J. van Zyl, and G. Domingo. “Underground preconcentration by ore sorting and coarse gravity separation.” In Narrow Vein Mining Conference, Perth-West Australia, (2012), pp. 26–27.
  • C. Carrasco, L. Keeney, and S.G. Walters, Development of a novel methodology to characterise preferential grade by size deportment and its operational significance, Miner. Eng. (91) (2016), pp. 100–107. doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2015.08.013.
  • B. Nielsen, J. Rohleder, H. Lehto, and C. Robben Sensor-based ore sorting to maximise profit in a gold operation [online]. AusIMM Bulletin, Aug 2018: 62–65. Availability: <https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=932069878818740;res=IELAPA> 1034–6775.
  • W. Knissel, H. Jurgen., and F. Martin., Significance of selective mineral exploitation for economical and environmentally beneficial underground ore mining, In Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 7 (1996), pp. 326A.
  • S. Nadolski, B. Klein, D. Elmo, and M. Scoble, Cave-to-Mill: A Mine-to-Mill approach for block cave mines, Min. Techno. 124 (1) (2015), pp. 47–55. doi:10.1179/1743286315Y.0000000001.
  • B. Klein, W.S. Dunbar, and M. Scoble, Integrating mining and mineral processing for advanced mining systems, CIM Bull. 95 (1057) (2002), pp. 63–67.
  • M. Morin, A. Bamber, and M. Scoble. “Systems analysis and simulation of narrow-vein mining method with underground preconcentration.” In Proceedings Second International Symposium on Narrow-Vein Deposits, Westmount, Canada, 2004.
  • M. Scoble, B. Klein, and W. Scott Dunbar, Mining waste: Transforming mining systems for waste management, Int. J. Surf. Min. Reclam. Environ. 17 (2) (2003), pp. 123–135. doi:10.1076/ijsm.17.2.123.14129.
  • A. Bamber, B. Klein, M. Morin, and M. Scoble. “Reducing selectivity in narrow-vein mining through the integration of underground pre-concentration.” In Proceedings of the Fourth CANMET International Symposium on Narrow Vein Mining Techniques, QC, Canada, 2004.
  • A. Bamber, B. Klein, M. Scoble, and J. Widdifield. “Integrated underground mining and processing of massive sulfide ores.” In Proceedings 38th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mineral Processors, Ottawa, Canada, 2006.
  • S. Nadolski, B. Klein, C.J.R. Hart, A. Moss, and D. Elmo, ‘An approach to evaluating block and panel cave projects for sensor-based sorting applications’, in Y. Potvin and J. Jakubec (eds), Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Block and Sublevel Caving, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, Australia (2018), pp. 133–140.
  • A.F. Taggart, Handbook of Mineral Dressing, Vol. 1, Wiley, New York, 1945.
  • J.D. Salter and N.P.G. Wyatt, Sorting in the minerals industry: Past, present and future, Miner. Eng. 4 (7–11) (1991), pp. 779–796. doi:10.1016/0892-6875(91)90065-4.
  • N.G. Cutmore, Y. Liu, and A.G. Middleton, Ore characterisation and sorting, Miner. Eng. 10 (4) (1997), pp. 421–426. doi:10.1016/S0892-6875(97)00018-6.
  • H.-R. Manouchehri. “Sorting: Possibilitis, limitations and future.” In Konferens i Mineralteknik 2003: 04/02/2003-05/02/2003. Föreningen Mineralteknisk Forskning/Swedish Mineral Processing Research Association, Sweden, 2003.
  • T. Weatherwax, Integrated Mining and Preconcentration Systems for Nickel Sulfide Ores, M.Sc. Diss. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 2007.
  • H. Buksa and M. Paventi, McCreedy East 153 OB Rock Sorting Investigation, INCO Mines Res. Internal Rep, University of British Columbia, Canada (2002).
  • R. Burt, The role of gravity concentration in modern processing plants, Miner. Eng. 12 (11) (1999), pp. 1291–1300. doi:10.1016/S0892-6875(99)00117-X.
  • B.A. Wills and T.J. Napier-Munn, Wills’ Mineral Processing Technology, chapter 3: Chapter 3: Metallurgical Accounting, Control and Simulation, Buterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, UK, 2006.
  • J. Cui and E. Forssberg, Mechanical recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment: A review, J. Hazard. Mater. 99 (3) (2003), pp. 243–263. doi:10.1016/S0304-3894(03)00061-X.
  • V.R. Miller, R.W. Nash, and A.E. Schwaneke, Preconcentration of Native Copper and Porphyry Copper Ores by Electronic Sorting, Min. Eng. 30 (1978), pp. 1194–1201.
  • J. Drzymała, Mineral Processing Foundations of Theory and Practice of Minerallurgy, University of Technology, Wroclaw, Poland, 2007.
  • Y. Tong, Technical Amenability Study of Laboratory-scale Sensor-based Ore Sorting on a Mississippi Valley Type Lead-zinc Ore, Diss. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 2012.
  • A.H. Bettens and C. Lapointe, Electronic Concentration of Low Grade Ores with Lapointe Picker. No. NP-5508; TR-123/54, Department of Mines and Technical Surveys, Mines Branch (Canada), 1954.
  • W. Valery, K. Duffy, P. Holtham, A. Reple, P. Walker, and P. Rosario. “Techno-economic evaluation of bulk ore sorting for copper ore at the panaust phu kham operation.” In 28th International Mineral Processing Congress: Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Quebec, Canada, 2016.
  • A.S. Bamber, B. Klein, R.C. Pakalnis, and M.J. Scoble, Integrated mining, processing and waste disposal systems for reduced energy and operating costs at Xstrata Nickel’s Sudbury Operations, Min. Techno. 117 (3) (2008), pp. 142–153. doi:10.1179/174328608X396535.
  • S.C. Dominy, T.R. Hughes, N.J. Grigg, A.H. Gray, and G. Cormackd. “Development of underground gravity gold processing plants.” Proceedings Physical Separation, Falmouth, UK (2009).
  • S.C. Dominy, B. Murphy, and A.H. Gray. “Characterisation of gravity amenable gold ores—Sample representivity and determination methods.” In Proceedings International Geometallurgy Conference; The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne, Australia (2011), pp. 281–292.
  • B. Klein, R. Hall, M. Scoble, and W.S. Dunbar. “Simulation of integrated underground mining-processing.” In Proceedings APCOM 2003: 31st International Symposium on Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industries, Cape Town, South Africa (2003), pp. 481–486.
  • A. Reple, A.C. Chieregati, W. Valery, and F. Prati, Bulk ore sorting cut-off estimation methodology: Phu Kham Mine case study, Miner. Eng. Vol (149) pp. 105498 (2018).
  • S. Nadolski, M. Samuels, B. Klein, and C.J.R. Hart, Evaluation of bulk and particle sensor-based sorting systems for the New Afton block caving operation, Miner. Eng. 121 (2018), pp. 169–179. doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2018.02.004.
  • J. Lessard, J. de Bakker, and M. Larry, Development of ore sorting and its impact on mineral processing economics, Miner. Eng. 65 (2014), pp. 88–97. doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2014.05.019.
  • C.M. Rule, R.J. Fouchee, and W.C.E. Swart. “Run of mine ore upgrading–proof of concept plant for XRF ore sorting.” In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Semi-Autogenous and High Pressure Grinding Technology, Vancouver, Canada (2015).
  • W.E. McCulloch Jr, R.B. Bhappu, and J.D. Hightower, in Copper Ore Preconcentration by Heavy Media Separation for Reduced Capital and Operating Costs, Hancock B.A, Pon M.R.L, editors, Copper 99, 1999, Vol (2) pp. 13–27.
  • A.S. Bamber, Integrated Mining, Pre-concentration and Waste Disposal Systems for the Increased Sustainability of Hard Rock Metal Mining, Diss. University of British Columbia, 2008. Vancouver, Canada
  • M. Powell and A. Bye. “Beyond mine-to-mill: Circuit design for energy efficient resource utilisation.” In Tenth Mill Operators Conference, Proceedings, Adelaide, Australia (11) (2009) pp. 357–364.
  • T. Norgate and N. Haque, Energy and greenhouse gas impacts of mining and mineral processing operations, J. Clean. Prod. 18 (3) (2010), pp. 266–274. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.09.020.
  • S. Lynch-Watson, R. Valle, K. Duffy, D. La Rosa, and W. Valery. “GeoMetso™: A site-specific methodology to optimize production and efficiency over the Life-of-Mine.” 10th International Mineral Processing Conference, Santiago, Chile (2013), pp. 517–526.
  • C. Carrasco, L. Keeney, and S.G. Walters, Development of geometallurgical laboratory tests to characterise metal preconcentration by size. in: proceedings xxvii international mineral processing congress, santiago, chile, (2014), pp. 1–24.
  • A.S. Bamber, B. Klein, M. Morin, and M.J. Scoble. “Integration of pre-concentration underground: Reducing mining costs.” In Proceedings XVII International Conference on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection, Banff, Canada (2005).
  • J. Baines, T. Bell, and N. Grigg 2017, ‘Underground mineral processing – Gekko Systems modular Python’, in M. Hudyma and Y. Potvin (eds), Proceedings of the First International Conference on Underground Mining Technology, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, Australia (2017), pp. 625–635.
  • O. Peters, M. Scoble, and T. Schumacher, The technical and economic potential of mineral processing underground, in Annual General Meeting, Can. Inst. Min. Metall., Calgary, CD ROM, 1999.
  • T. Hughes and G. Cormack Potential benefits of underground processing for the gold sector – Conceptual process design and cost benefits, in Proceedings First International Future Mining Conference and Exhibition, Sydney, Australia (2008), pp. 135–142
  • P.J.D. Lloyd, Potential of integrated mining and extraction systems on the Witwatersrand, in 11th Commonwealth Mining and Metallurgical Congress, Hong Kong, 1978.
  • I. Schindler, Technical Evaluation of an Underground Pre-concentration of a Narrow Vein Copper, Nickel Deposit, (Diploma), Aachen University, Germany, 2002.
  • R.B. Devereux and A.H. Gray, The continuous mining, transport and treatment system, Patent Application PCT/AU1996/000174,  World  Intellectual  Property  Organization, In. Pat. Appl. WO 96 (1996). Available at:https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/  detail.jsf?docId=WO1996030629
  • W.A. Hustrulid, Underground Mining Methods Handbook, USA, 1982.
  • R.L. Bullock, Comparison of underground mining methods, in SME Mining Engineering Handbook. USA: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Englewood, USA, 2011, pp. 385–403.
  • M. Dammers, C. Schropp, P.N. Martens, L. Rattmann, and C. Robben Near-to-face processing; an approach towards improved primary resource efficiency. 6th international conference on Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry (SDIMI), Milos Island, Greece. (2013).
  • B.W. Lawrence, Considerations for sublevel open stoping, in Underground Mining Methods Hand Book, R E Gertsch and R L Bullock eds., Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc, Littleton. Sec, 2007.pp 227–247.
  • F. Sotoudeh, M. Nehring, M. Kizil, and P. Knights. “Application of Pre-concentration Technologies in Sublevel Stope Mining.” In International future Mining Conference, Sydney, Australia (2019), pp. 114–122.
  • F. Sotoudeh, M. Nehring, M. Kizil, and P. Knights. “Economic and Environmental Impacts of Utilising a Pre-concentration Process in Underground Metal Mining.” In International Symposium on Mine Planning & Equipment Selection, Perth, Australia (2019), pp. 326–332.
  • M. Dammers and C. Robben Productivity improvement in underground mines through sensor-based ore sorting. 6th international conference on innovation in mine operations, Santiago, Chile (2016).
  • F. Khodayari and Y. Pourrahimian, Mathematical programming applications in block-caving scheduling: A review of models and algorithms, Int. J. Min. Mine. Eng. 6 (3) (2015), pp. 234–257. doi:10.1504/IJMME.2015.071174.
  • R. Burns and A. Grimes. “The application of pre-concentration by screening at Bougainville Copper Limited.” In Proceedings of the AUSIMM Mineral Development Symposium, Madang, Papua New Guinea. 1986.
  • P.C. Newman and P.F. Whelan. “Photometric separation of ores in lump form.” In Proc. Symp. Recent Developments in Mineral Dressing. Instn. Min. Metall London, UK, 1952.
  • G.F. Colborne, Electronic ore sorting at beaverlodge, Can. Min. Metall. Bull. Canada (1963), Vol (56) pp. 664–668.
  • N.J. Keys, R.J. Gordon, and N.F. Peverett, Photometric sorting of ore on a South African gold mine, J. South. Afr. Inst. Min. Metall. 75 (1974), pp. 13–21.
  • A.H. Winckers, The use of rubber mill liners at Cominco’s Sullivan Concentrator, in 13th CMP Annual Meeting. Ottawa, CIM, Montreal, Canada, 1981, pp. 300–310.
  • P.D. Munro, I.S. Schache, W.G. Park, and R.M.S. Watsford. “The design, construction and commissioning of a heavy media plant for silver-lead-zinc ore treatment—Mount Isa Limited.” In Proceedings of the XIV International Mineral Processing Congress, Toronto, Canada (6) (1982), pp. 1–20.
  • A. Kennedy, Mineral processing developments at Hammaslahti, Finland, Min. Mag. 152 (1985), pp. 122–125.
  • O.K. Paki and V.I. Koginmo. Crushing and screening operations at the Bougainville copper limited. AusIMM 3rd Mill Operators Conference, Cobar, NSW, Australia, (1988), pp. 43–47.
  • J.D. Salter. “A 100t/h pilot plant for sorting kimberlite from waste rocks using microwave attenuation discrimination.” In Proc. The Role of the Practical Metallurgist Symp. Mine Metall. Mangrs. Assoc. of S. Afr, Johannesburg, South Africa (1989).
  • T. Brewis, Andina develops for the future, Min. Mag. 172 (1995).
  • G.T. Trafford, Results Nearly Double Grade to 13 Grams Gold per Tonne, News Release, Weymin Mining Corporation, 1998.
  • M.T. Vatcha, L.B. Cochrane, and D.H. Rousell, Preconcentration by magnetic sorting of Ni–Cu ore at Whistle mine, Sudbury, Canada, Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. 109 (3) (2000), pp. 156–160. doi:10.1179/mpm.2000.109.3.156.
  • P. Kinver, Anglo Platinum’s Western Bushveld Operations, Anglo Platinum Annu. Facility Visit Presentation (2002).
  • A.N. Mainza, M.S. Powell, and R.D. Morrison. “A review of SAG circuits closed with hydrocyclones.” In Proceedings of SAG, (2), Vancouver, Canada, pp. 326–341. 2006.
  • J. Goode, “Ore Sorter to Shake Up Nickel Production.”, Aust. Paydirt, Perth, Australia (2006).
  • D.F. Denysschen and B.N. Wagner. “Pre-concentration of low grade lateritic sulphide nickel ore.” In Base Metals Conference, Kasane, Botswana (2009), pp. 291–306.
  • C. Carrasco, Development of Geometallurgical Tests to Identify, Rank and Predict Preferential Coarse Size by Size Au Deportment to Support Feed Preconcentration at Telfer Au-Cu Mine, Newcrest Western Australia, Published Mphil Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2013.
  • H. Kurth suitability of on-belt elemental analysis for real-time ore quality measurement and bulk sorting. Proceedings of the 49th annual conference of metallurgists, Vancouver, Canada, (2017).
  • P. Coghill, D. Miljak, and A. McGann, Modelling grade variation in crushed ore at Cadia Ridgeway and its potential consequences for bulk ore sorting, Third AusIMM International Geometallurgy Conference; Perth, Australia. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (Ausimm, 2016, 89–96 http://hdl.handle.net/102.100.100/90312?index=1.
  • C. Espejel, M. Scott, and M. Nehring ‘Economic benefits and technical complexities of grade engineering® in strategic mine planning of metalliferous projects’, in: 26th international symposium on mine planning and equipment selection. luleå university of technology, luleå, Sweden. (2017), pp. 189–197
  • M. Dammers, Development and Evaluation of Novel Integrated Underground Mining and Sorting Systems, in Shaker Verlag, Düren and Maastricht, Germany, 2017.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.