Mining crushing, conveying and processing in Australia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 8, 2012 -- Drill and blast
Surface and underground technology
Advances in drilling include the design of less noisy, more environmentally friendly rigs with greater mobility and ease of use/visibility for the operator and advanced positioning systems. Other recent areas of development include the inclusion of ore analysis equipment on-board the drill rig, allowing for better grade control. For underground drill rigs specifically, there has been a lot of focus on ITH technology, especially for the drilling of long, accurate holes.

Hard rock cutting and rapid tunnelling(2 Sessions)
A number of very large underground mining projects, from the new mine level at El Teniente to large planned copper block caves from Rio Tinto and others, are looking at the application of continuous mining techniques in hard rock. This includes both tunnel boring machines as

well as more mobile continuous miner designs. This has been looked at before in the industry, with varying degrees of success, due to the challenges of different rock types, especially material with high abrasivity. Recently there has been a renewed focus on this part of the market, most notably with Rio Tinto’s announcement that it is working with three players – Herrenknecht, Atlas Copco and Aker Wirth – as part of its Mine of the Future programme.

Explosives delivery and detonation
The explosives market remains dominated by only a handful of companies worldwide. The current focus in terms of delivery includes more advanced mixing/homogenisation systems, greater automation implementation and the use of improved carriers. The use of electronic
initiation technology has also increased, providing much more accurate timing, as well as improvements in vibration control and fragmentation.

Load and haul
Automation and safety

A number of high profile mining projects have incorporated elements of automation into their operations over the past few years, both in underground and surface applications. The desire to remove personnel from hazardous mining situations remains, but the actual implementation of automated systems, especially for mobile equipment, is challenging, due to interaction with non-automated machinery and maintaining on-board high technology instrumentation. This session will also cover the issue of mine safety, in particular how mines go about
assessing risk and the effect this can have on accident prevention.

Surface and underground contracting

The Australasian mining market is seen as the global hub of contract mining for good reason. The contracting groups in this region have carved out a unique position in both surface and underground operations, offering very large equipment fleets, vast historical experience and rapid mobilisation to the extent that many of the major miners in Australasia have opted to go the contractor route rather than owner mining. However, many of these groups are now expanding their influence elsewhere, especially in new central Asian and African mining
projects. The importance of the contracting industry in Australasia has also meant a close partnership with the key equipment manufacturers in terms of new machine development and testing.

Increasing machine efficiency

Getting greater efficiency and productivity out of key mining machines is a major focus for operators, key component suppliers and OEMs. The session includes several examples of ways in which companies look to enhance performance results, such as the application of innovative truck body designs and the improvement of operational efficiency at the mine-site itself. Future design is also a focus, including new engine technology. With the designed on-paper performance of mining machines of the same class now very similar,
there is a lot of focus on where further advancement can be made.

Earthmover tyre management
The global shortage of large tyres for mining machinery, both radial and bias-ply designs, was a major headache for the industry prior to the global downturn. Task forces were formed to look at better tyre sourcing, new suppliers considered, better in-use tyre management
employed and in some cases, retreading programmes implemented.

While the situation in terms of shortage has eased somewhat, this is not the case across the board and for all tyre sizes. Key players in this market will discuss the current earthmover tyre situation.

Mining Crushing and conveying
Primary and secondary crushing

Primary crushers are the frontline in terms of mineral processing, receiving ore directly from trucks or loaders at crushing stations. Some of the challenges in upscaling large crushers is their weight, installation and the size of cast components. Underground, the available space is an issue with larger jaw crusher solutions. Key focus areas include simplicity and reliability of design, and the ability to handle higher capacities. The application of sizers in this part of the market is becoming more common. Finally, cone crushers are also increasing in
size for secondary crushing, allowing operators to reduce their circuit size, while increasing overall crushing throughput.

IPCC solutions
The industry focus on delivering high tonnage, fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying solutions remains, and a lot of large mining groups are considering the technology, especially for coal overburden and iron ore. Six companies now have fully designed systems, all with

slightly different design elements and approaches. This session will review some of the latest designs, as well as revisiting the question of where IPCC systems fit into the market versus conventional truck and shovel operations.

Surface miners and conveyors
The market for surface miners in Australasia is one of the largest in the world, focussed on flat-bedded, laterally extensive iron ore deposits. The technology has been applied at a number of sites, including FMG’s Cloud Break and Christmas Creek mines, as well as BHP Billiton’s Yandi operation. The market is expected to grow significantly for these machines where the method suits the deposit. This session will also look at conveyor technology, and areas such as the design of efficient high tonnage overland belt conveyors for mines.

Mining Processing
Milling/grinding circuit technology
The selection and application of the most efficient drive system and the development of very large 38-40ft diameter mills are key focus areas in ore milling. Other mill types beyond SAG/AG/ball designs have also carved out niches in the industry, notably the Xstrata IsaMill and the FLSmidth Polysius HPGR range. Faster and more efficient ways to carry out mill relinings are also being employed.

Optimising metals recovery

Beyond conventional methods, and particularly in the gold industry, gravity-based and other techniques can result in significant improvements in metal recovery as well as the ability to successfully process more complex ores. Another focus area is more accurate grade control
during the drill and blasting phase, allowing for more control over the material reaching the mill.

Stockpile and tailings management
Monitoring of waste material from the processing plant, the recovery of tailings water and the development of thickened tailings technology are some of the key areas that will be iscussed. For bulk materials handling and shipment, new analysis techniques are enabling mines
to calculate stockpile volumes and better visualise stockpile structure.

Read more; http://www.jaw--crusher.com/blog/index.php/mining-crushing-conveying-and-processing-in-australia/
http://www.jaw--crusher.com/blog/index.php/environmental-impacts-of-various-control-technologies-in-stone-crushers/
http://www.jaw--crusher.com/blog/index.php/liming-hydraulic-pulverizer-operation-and-parts-manual/

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