Exploration in the 1980s discovered a large sub-bituminous coal deposit 800km north of Adelaide, South Australia. Altona Resources, an AIM and Australian stock exchange listed company is implementing a development plan using a number of established technologies to convert coal-to-liquid (CTL) fuels and provide gas for power generation.
A unique application of oil and gas well drilling fluids has created a profitable new opportunity for the Bernic Lake pegmatite in Manitoba, Canada. Drilling for oil and gas requires the well to be filled with a dense fluid or drilling mud to prevent highly-pressured fluids and gases entering the well bore and flowing to the surface, cesium formite drilling mud improves project economics and reduces the operational risk of developing oil and gas reservoirs.
Structural geology techniques can assist in mineral exploration and resource development. Structural restoration and validation of 2D and 3D models allows the prediction of palaeo-surface geometries, fault architecture and fluid migration pathways, through geological time.
Michael Forrest reports on the use of computer modelling software by mining company St Barbara Ltd, in Melbourne, Australia. The company has used Gemcom’s Surpac geology and mine planning software at its Sons of Gwalia mine in Australia.
A look at the process to set standards in the reporting of ore reserves around the world, and the effort to ensure that mining reports issued by companies are accurate.
Significant reduction in liberation size of mineral deposits in worldwide has challenged the minerals industry to come up with efficient technologies to reduce the enormous energy required for fine and ultra fine grinding and to achieve economically the required recovery and grade for targeted minerals. Mingwei Gao and Ralph Holmes of CSIRO Minerals, Australia discuss the various mill types including the Tower Mill and IsaMill.
Ariana Resources, UK, has compiled a substantial geographical database on Turkey, including geological, mineral occurrence and structural and mineral alteration data derived from open file sources. The system underpins the company’s exploration strategy and has resulted in a portfolio of prospective licences including promising gold projects at Kiziltepe and Kinik.
The process developed for the treatment of ores from the Panton, Western Australia, deposits involves calcining at 400-450ºC. Included in the process is the treatment of the products recovered through flotation, with calcination of the rougher concentrate providing superior results than those obtained from the whole ore.
