Mining and processing activities in Zimbabwe and some thoughts on mining the Great Dyke.
40
Projects THE BASIL READ GROUP Mining and processing activities in Zimbabwe and some thoughts on mining the Great Dyke. Dr Michael Roberts, TWP SAIMM Zimbabwe Branch May 2010
description
Mining and processing activities in Zimbabwe and some thoughts on mining the Great Dyke. Dr Michael Roberts, TWP SAIMM Zimbabwe Branch May 2010 . Who are we?. Who are we?. What do we do?. A generic description of some project work undertaken in Zimbabwe by TWP. Activity. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Mining and processing activities in Zimbabwe and some thoughts on mining the Great Dyke.
ProjectsTHE BASIL READ GROUP
Mining and processing activities in Zimbabwe and some thoughts on mining
the Great Dyke.
Dr Michael Roberts, TWP
SAIMM Zimbabwe Branch May 2010
Who are we?
Basil Read
Construction
Buildings
Roads
Civils
Mining Developments Engineering
Basil Read Engineering
TWP
Who are we?
A generic description of some project work undertaken in Zimbabwe by TWP.
What do we do?
Pickstone-Peerless hydrothermal gold deposits.
Activity
Location
Pickstone-Peerless hydrothermal gold deposits.
A plant will be built on site to treat a sulphide dump. Later there might be consideration given to going underground.
Activity
Unki declines on the Great Dyke.
Activity
Activity
Unki declines on the Great Dyke.
Declines completed.
Activity
Activity
Evaluating and assisting with respect to efficient Chrome mining associated with the Great Dyke.
Activity
Optimise mining and process engineering on the Great dyke with respect to Platinum groupelements.
How done.
Optimise mineralogy, mining and process engineering by recognising that the ore body is not homogeneous.
The Bushveld complex
The Great dyke
There might be some commonality with respect to structure in the Bushveld and the Great Dyke.
Mining on the Bushveld and Great dyke
Easy mining on the Great Dyke
Easy mining on the great dyke
Easy mining on the Great Dyke
Easy mining on the Bushveld
Difficult mining on the great dyke
Difficult mining in the Bushveld
Some commonality with respect to structurein the Bushveld and the Great Dyke.
Flexural slip thrust faults.
Great dyke
Flexural slip thrust fault
What is a flexural slip thrust fault?
Ore body
SectionFlexural sl
ip thrust f
ault
Flat
Flat
Ram
p
Flexural slip thrust fault
FlatRam
p
Flexural slip thrust fault on the Great Dyke ?????
Flexural slip thrust fault - origins
Flexural slip thrust fault - origins
Flexural slip thrust fault - origins
Flexural slip thrust fault - origin
Scientific description of a flexural slip thrust fault
Part of the Platmine Research Programme funded by: Anglo PlatinumImpala PlatinumLonmin
Peer reviewed scientific paper referenced:
S. Perritt and M.K.C. Roberts “Flexural-slip structures in the Bushveld Complex, South Africa?”Journal of Structural Geology, Volume 29, Issue 9, September 2007, Pages 1422-1429.
S. Perritt and M.K.C. Roberts “Flexural-slip structures in the Bushveld Complex, South Africa?”Journal of Structural Geology, Volume 29, Issue 9, September 2007, Pages 1422-1429.
S. Perritt and M.K.C. Roberts “Flexural-slip structures in the Bushveld Complex, South Africa?”Journal of Structural Geology, Volume 29, Issue 9, September 2007, Pages 1422-1429.
Fall of ground fatalities over a set period
Curved joint moved as a precursor to fall of ground
Thrust fault or curved joint directly fell on deceased
Seismic causes
Other reasons for fall of ground
9/32 15/32 2/32 6/32
Breakdown as to cause of 32 fall of ground fatalities
Pillar failure due to gouge on flexural slip thrust fault
Pillar failure due to gouge on flexural slip thrust fault
Gouge
Pillar failure due to gouge on flexural slip thrust fault
Understanding the structures
• Understanding geological structures within the ore body.
• Rock mass ratings.• Rock strengths
• Mining method. • Appropriate mining span• Excavation support
Structural geology Rock engineering Mining engineering
Knowledge gap
Understanding the structures
• Understanding geological structures within the ore body.
• Rock mass ratings.• Rock strengths
• Mining method. • Appropriate mining span• Excavation support
Structural geology Rock engineering Mining engineering
Knowledge gap
Expect surprises and production disruptions
Understanding the structures
• Understanding geological structures within the ore body.
• Rock mass ratings.• Rock strengths
• Mining method. • Appropriate mining span• Excavation support
Structural geology Rock engineering Mining engineering
Expect smoother production profile
No knowledge gap
TWP Plant Design Example
Thank you
