Rock Mass Attributes, Environmental Indices and Process Indices

Program one investigates the rock mass to allow characterization of mineral deposits. The program aims to develop small scale, fast and efficient lab tests that predict levels of dust and deleterious elements present in the ore body, and derive information for blasting, comminution and flotation.  The multi-parameter attributes and indices generated through this program will be suitable for incorporation into the spatial resource model.

The overarching methodology will examine the intrinsic and generic properties of a rock mass and combine them with new small scale tests to measure machine type reactions to create an integrated and predictive modelling approach.

At the core of the problem are large amounts of data collected across different disciplines in different campaigns. The specific data required by specialist disciplines is often not considered relevant or compatible with other disciplines, resulting in multiple testing campaigns conducted in the same area. This non-integrated campaign approach compromises cost, efficiency and speed to data.

Rock Mass Attributes

The Rock Mass Attributes sub program is focused on providing knowledge and technologies to produce a 3D Rock Fabric Model (RFM) with the primary aim of providing more effective inputs into mining methods.

Researchers will use synthetic rock mass simulations and new tools for measuring discontinuities and bulk strength, leveraging outcomes from ongoing mass mining, blast optimisation and geometallurgy research. Opportunities are available for CRC ORE to support commercial delivery and implementation of advanced research prototypes, which will aid mine optimisation while providing additional data to prove process validity.

Characterisation will be facilitated by a range of new and customised hardware delivered by AMIRA’s P843A project, which will be matched to new or modified software and protocols to support geometallurgical modelling. Analysis such as geotechnical core imaging and hardness testing will feed large scale development of proxy models, process domaining and population of the resource model for mine planning optimization.

Processing indices include blasting, crushing, leaching and flotation, and must represent inherent geological variability. These indices can be scaled up to mining blocks, but must preserve options for a range of processing routes and decisions. Spatially distributed multi-parameter indices are key inputs into the optimization, design and resource valuation models that feed into programs 2 and 3.

Environmental and Process Indices

Environmental indices provide early predictive geometallurgical information on rock characteristics likely to impact on environmental management, resulting in more effective resource management and life of mine valuation. Knowledge of input constraints will guide efficient circuit design, improve product quality, waste management and will streamline mine closure. This research is driven by new and modified testing technologies backed by advanced microscopy and textural analysis tools.

The Environmental Indices sub program will produce new and improved environmental indicators for significant mineral reactions, dust and trace element mobility, in the form of innovative chemical tests and customised software for data analysis and visualisation which can be made commercially available. These novel techniques will be validated through mine site case studies in cooperation with CRC ORE’s industry partners.

Additional outcomes will include the development of an accredited training and education program, research publication in high profile journals and training of PhD and masters students.