Papers And Discussions Association Of Mine Managers Of South Africa

This third edition of the SME Mining Engineering Handbook reaffirms its international reputation as "the handbook of choice" for today's practicing mining engineer. It distills the body of knowledge that characterizes mining engineering as a disciplinary field and has subsequently helped to inspire and inform generations of mining professionals.Virtually all of the information is original content, representing the latest information from more than 250 internationally recognized mining industry experts. Within the handbook's 115 thought-provoking chapters are current topics relevant to today's mining professional: Analyzing how the mining and minerals industry will develop over the medium and long term--why such changes are inevitable, what this will mean in terms of challenges, and how they could be managed Explaining the mechanics associated with the multifaceted world of mine and mineral economics, from the decisions associated with how best to finance a single piece of high-value equipment to the long-term cash-flow issues associated with mine planning at a mature operation Describing the recent and ongoing technical initiatives and engineering developments in relation to robotics, automation, acid rock drainage, block caving optimization, or process dewatering methods Examining in detail the methods and equipment available to achieve efficient, predictable, and safe rock breaking, whether employing a tunnel boring machine for development work, mineral extraction using a mobile miner, or cast blasting at a surface coal operation Identifying the salient points that dictate which is the safest, most efficient, and most versatile extraction method to employ, as well as describing in detail how each alternative is engineered Discussing the impacts that social and environmental issues have on mining from the pre-exploration phase to end-of-mine issues and beyond, and how to manage these two increasingly important factors to the benefit of both the mining companies and other stakeholders

State-of-the-art in science; engineering aspects of rock mechanics in the areas of safety ; environmental protection. Discusses various aspects concerning modelling in safety analysis, stability of underground structures, and the contribution of incident and accident cases to the progress of rock engineering activities. The influence of the environment is also considered, namely in heat ; mass transport, contaminant migration, and underground storage of waste; products.

The International Conference on Ground Control in Mining has a rich history of advancing ground control techniques and knowledge. It provides a unique platform for researchers, regulators, consultants, manufacturers, and mine operators to present and exchange challenging industry topics as well as to expedite solutions to ground control problems that require immediate attention. This proceedings from the 37th International Conference is no exception. It includes 47 peer-reviewed research papers from industry experts covering topics of importance for today and the future.

This book offers an in-depth analysis and interpretation methods applicable to mine-induced seismicity. It is based on over 40 years of experience in mine and exploration geophysics. Another unique feature of this book is the complete history of the caving process as evidenced by the recorded seismicity at the South African copper mine Palabora Lift 1. Until now, the literature has only presented theory and case studies discussing the interpretation of results, and there has been no discussion of the input-data quality or why a certain interpretation technique was applied. This book fills that gap. This book is a fascinating read, written by one of the world’s leading mine seismologists. It summarises the history and progression of mine seismology. It outlines the practical use of back analysis of data and how it can be used on a daily basis. The book explains how mine seismology can be used as an effective monitoring tool for key events as the mine progresses as well as for future caving operations.Anthony Allman MAusIMM, CP(Min), RPEQ Antcia Consulting Pty Ltd, Director, Mining Engineer The content of the book is really solid and robust and I have no doubt it is going to be considered a great contribution for the mining community.Raul Fuentes, Former Director of Master Program in Geomechanics Applied to Mining, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile This book is long overdue and helps to present some difficult concepts in a way that they can be clearly understood by non-experts in this area. Stefan has personally managed to take mine seismology from being a black-art into a useful tool to help make mines a safer and more controlled environment. Neil Hepworth C. Eng, MIMMM, Geomin Consultorio – Brazil, Consultant Mining and Geotechnics Seismic monitoring is an important tool in cave management. The information from monitoring allows a number of key production factors to be determined including cave advance rates, the approximate location of the cave back, insight into the size of the air gap and allows the tracking of broad changes in stress. These all assist in the day to day management of a safe and successful cave. Dr. Glazer’s book provides guidance on the application of microseismicity to cave management through a review of appropriate theory and more importantly illustrates its use through case histories, particularly from the Palabora block cave. The text will be a good addition for all practitioners in cave engineering and operations.Allan Moss, General Manager – Grasberg Underground Liaison, Copper Development, Rio Tinto

This book illustrates how mine seismology can be used to improve underground safety standards. It describes several preventive actions that have been put into practice at the 5B Area of No. 5 Shaft Vaal Reefs gold mine after issuing seismic warnings. These included additional safety pillars, changes in mining sequences and directions, and a review of the mining strategy for the entire 5B area. The presented experiment with seismic warning concept was a success because it was an internal mine project. Further, the Vaal Reefs management adopted the philosophy that the success rate should be measured in the preventive actions taken, not in the success of the prediction itself. Reviewing these and other aspects, the book clearly demonstrates how mine seismology can effectively improve underground safety standards. Stefan Glazer’s book (...) addresses in a very comprehensive manner both technical and practical problems of implementing and then effectively using microseismic networks and data. (...) Stefan proves that through comprehensive microseismic data analysis the location of potential rock burst can be assessed and then prevention action plans can be developed, providing more confidence to management and workers that deposit[s] can be mine[d] safely. Michal Stawski, VP Strategic Geomechanical Specialist, PT Freeport Indonesia I began reading this story expecting to find a technical review of the science of seismology and its application in mining, [but] this book is much more than that. (...) This is a must-read for those managing seismically active mines and should provide a wake-up call to the industry as the complex morality surrounding the management of seismic risk needs to be clarified in order for this to advance. Eric Strom, Director Underground Mining, New Gold Inc. As a mining geotechnical practitioner having experience in large open pit and underground massive mining operations, I have learned that mining induced seismicity can have a significant impact on the safety and economics of operations. However, seismicity is a complex field that is generally left to specialists with little input from geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists. (...) This is a must read for mine seismologists, geotechnical practitioners and mining engineers alike, and will be a welcome and much needed addition to my own book cabinet. This will be [an] invaluable work as our industry progresses to the mining of new depths in both the underground and open pit environments. Desmond Mossop Pr.Sci.Nat., Principal Engineering Geologist, SRK Consulting