Blogs
SAP wants to build a digital mining enterprise vision for the African sector
The process of automation in the African mining sector has been a hot topic for a while. Mining Examiner has published some articles about this issue, but there are new technologies out there that can help reduce the difficulties the industry is facing. The software giant SAP is working on solutions for the mining sector in Africa, which holds up to
Itronics will update the procedures used in Au-Ag-Cu mines
The company Itronics Inc. has recently announced it’s updating its technology developments and plans “with a focus on potential applications for silver-gold mines that have a silver to gold ratio exceeding 4 to 1 in the ore”, it’s possible to read on the firm’s website. According to the Nevada-based business, its technology may also “prove to be applicable to certain copper-gold-silver
The consequences of the Marikana massacre one year later
Four days ago, the world pointed the first anniversary of the police massacre that killed 34 platinum miners in the northern town of Marikana, South Africa. The disaster happened last year, on August 16, and also wounded over 75 people. “The attack reminded many people of the massacres inflicted by white supremacist forces during the apartheid era, except this time it was
Australian software reduces coal-stockpiling hazards
How can the mining companies effectively diminish some safety risks? Well, the firm Immersive Technologies has an idea: the SimControl 4.6, the latest version of the software used to control advanced equipment simulators released last May. The company that supplies surface and underground equipment simulator to the global mining industry updated its software to specifically address the issue of safety in
Nautilus Minerals’ flagship Solwara 1 might be closer to dive its toes in Papua New Guinea’s sea
Nautilus Minerals has gone through some bad times over the last year. The difficulties that are affecting the firm are mainly related to a commercial dispute that started in June of 2012 and involves the company and the government of Papua New Guinea. The most affected project was Nautilus’ flagship Solwara 1, linked to a deep sea mining project in the country’s
AngloGold Ashanti has technology that mines gold all the time
AngloGold Ashanti announced a new “game-changing technology” that can safely mine “all of the gold, only the gold, all the time”, said the firm’s new CEO Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan. There’s no drill and blast. Effectively it removes the seismic impact, brings a safe working environment, eliminates dilution and brings all of the gold out. AngloGold Ashanti recently announced it’s cutting 2,000 non-mining jobs. The decision
10 Biggest write-downs of 2013 summer
Table of Contents1. Barrick Gold Corp.2. Newcrest Mining3. AngloGold Ashanti4. Kinross Gold5. GoldCorp6. Newmont Mining7. African Barrick Gold8. Osisko Mining9. Alacer Gold10. Polymetal International Quarterly results are coming up, so it’s time to talk about some write-downs: in this case, the top ten of this summer. It’s not the best time for the mining companies, with gold hitting new record lows this past quarter and commodity prices generally dropping,
Changes in New South Wales mining can boost corruption
The Government of New South Wales, in Australia, is preparing changes for minings assessments that could attract the increase of corruption, says the NSW Greens group. The changes recently announced are more focused on the economic benefits and that is raising general concern in the country. John Kaye, NSW Greens MP, claims these alterations will re-create a Labor’s coal-development at all costs type of mentality:
Colorado Springs – coal mining near streams
Doug Lamborn, Colorado US Rep., is fighting to lift restrictions that keep coal mining companies from operating within 100 feet of watercourses. The bill proposed by the Colorado Springs Republican, also sponsored by the Ohio Republican Bill Johnson, talks about two different kinds of waste. It wants to prevent the “waste of taxpayer resources” by cutting regulations that are meant to prevent “mining waste” from running
Gold Shaking Table in Action
See this Gold Shaking Table in Action to understand its operation.
Innovative technology in Khanyisa power project
The Khanyisa power project, under development in South Africa, will be the first project of its kind in the region to use the innovative circulating fluidised-bed (CFB) technology. The news was revealed at a workshop promoted by the Fossil Fuel Foundation, attended by the project manager Julian Eslait, who works for the company Anglo American Thermal Coal (AATC). Indeed, although CFB technology has already been internationally proven,
Roping HydroCyclone -Bad Operation
HydroCyclone Roping – Incorrect Cyclone Operation is often caused by too high a volume feeding into the cyclone. If the apex capacity is exceeded a condition known as roping may occur. Normally, the underflow sprays out of the apex. When roping occurs, the air core inside the apex collapses and the spiraling motion is almost lost. The discharge looks like a
Hydrocyclone Efficiency Curves
The Hydrocyclone Efficiency Curves are affected by many operating factors such as feed density, apex and vortex sizes and feed pump pressure. These factors will cause your cyclone classification to operate correctly, in roping or spraying mode. Everyone knows or has seen an “Ideal Cyclone Efficiency Curve” VS an actual real life hydrocyclone Efficiency Curves? I attach one here below (thanks
Deaths, violence and illegalities in South African mining
A conflict between competing groups in a mine located in Johannesburg’s East Rand, South Africa, caused the death of seven illegal miners, about a week ago. Besides the fatal victims, also 12 other men got seriously injured. The local police was alerted on the past Sunday (July 28th) to a violent fight between the groups, which was occurring at an
Sodium Metabisulfite MBS for pH Control and Pyrite Depression in Flotation
Sodium Metabisulfite aka MBS is used for pH control in froth flotation to control Pyrite depression. Below is a graph showing pH VS pyrite recovery at various collector addition rates. It is also used to prevent flotation of sphalerite by copper activation in the presence of Tennantite/Covellite in the ore. For pyrite flotation, you see maximum iron/pyrite depression using Sodium Metabisulfite/MBS takes
Polyurethane Screen Panels Rubbers
Deflectors Helps redirect material toward middle of panels Best suited for conventional lower open area screen panels Cutter Panel Small surface humps situated slot against flow for static flume applications Particularly effective for dewatering and heavy media recovery. Small angled surface humps direct water down and into the apertures – slot against flow. Superior impact resistant capabilities. 30mm thick,
SAG Mill Trommel Screen
A SAG Mill trommel screen lets you control the true discharge size of your SAG mill or the transfer size to the downstream Ball Mill circuit. A well sized trommel should not let rocks pass to the Ball Mill if they are to be more than say 5/8″ or 16mm In the image case below, strangely enough, Metso is the mill
Disseminated Polymetallic Ore Deposits – Mineralogy
You do not know what Disseminated Polymetallic Ore Deposits or Complex Mineralogy until you have seen a QEMSCAN like this: With simple main observations as crazy as these below. ***The proportion of each mineral liberated at a 56µm grind P80 was: Chalcopyrite — 36% liberated Galena — 12% liberated Sphalerite — 45% liberated Pyrite — 85% liberated ***The most abundant binary composites
Prosecutors accuse American businessman of faking Filipino gold mine to get over $1 million from investors
The story goes back to 2007, when a Michigan-based businessman allegedly stole over $1 million from investors that were lured into a scheme based on a fake Filipino gold mine. Freeman “Buck” Carl Reed, from St. Joseph, is the protagonist of this story, as the man is being charged with several counts of fraud by the US District Court. Six years ago,
Pra river in Ghana can become chemically contaminated if the government doesn’t act against illegal mining
Ghana’s government is determined to fight the scourge of illegal mining in the country, especially its scientifically proven consequences to the health of the people that live near the mining areas, announced the vice-president. But what can they really do to stop this disaster? According to Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, “the issue of illegal mining is not just a simple one of the
Iron from space mining might make metal market crash
After we recently talked about the project of the company Planetary Resources, which intends to do some space mining after building its Arkyd 100 spacecraft, Mining Examiner found a related statement from Declan Vogt about the possibility of mining asteroids. “The supply and demand of iron-ore and precious metals is globally well balanced; therefore, the mining of these metals in space
Modal Mineralogy Definition
Modal Analysis is essential in mineral processing and geometallurgy. It is big business for https://www.sgs.com/~/media/Global/Documents/Flyers%20and%20Leaflets/SGS-MIN-WA067-EXPLOMIN%E2%84%A2-EN-11.pdf and others.
Mineralogical Analysis using QEMSCAN and its Photomicrograph
A Mineralogical Analysis done using a QEMSCAN can produce Photomicrograph of chalcopyrite (Cpy), pyrite (Py) attached to and locked in sphalerite. (Reflected Light). Photomicrograph showing pyrite attached to and locked in sphalerite. Bornite (Bn) locked in sphalerite (Reflected Light). Photomicrograph of pyrite and chalcopyrite locked in sphalerite. Arsenopyrite (Asp) locked in pyrite (Reflected Light). Photomicrograph of pyrite and chalcopyrite locked in sphalerite.
Using illegally mined tin to produce the iPhone
Apple might have used illegally mined tin from Indonesia to manufacture its iPhones and some other products. At least, that’s what the international environmentalist group Friends of the Earth said recently. According to the group’s website, tin mining on Bangka Island, in Indonesia, has been connected to “the destruction of tropical forests, coral reefs and fishermen’s livelihoods”. They also call “rotten Apple” to the company