Life of Gold MIne

From Exploration to Rehabilitation: the Life of a Gold Mine 1
FROM
EXPLORATION
TO REHABILITATION:
THE LIFE OF A
GOLD MINE
Outline:
•Exploration to discovery
•Mining techniques
•Processing techniques
•Uses of gold
•Rehabilitation
Where do we look for gold?

In the Eastern Goldfields, gold is predominantly
found in:
• structurally controlled zones (faults or shear
zones)
• quartz veins and sulphide-rich zones within
greenstones (ultramafic to mafic rocks, and
some sedimentary rocks), less commonly in
granite
In the Eastern Goldfields:

• the gold mineralization event is thought to
be largely about 2640 million years in age
• ore grades vary from 30 g/t to 2 g/t (e.g.
in the Superpit)
About 300 000 kg of gold are produced every

year in Australia, the majority of which is
extracted in the Goldfields of Western
Australia
Exploration to discovery
Exploration is commonly the longest and riskiest “stage” on the road to establishing a gold
mine, and can take up to several years for each project.
For one successful prospect that will develop into a gold mine, many more will be
abandoned without any further development.
The cost of exploration can vary incredibly depending on a number of factors, but can
easily run up to $60/oz (by comparison, mining costs are about $300/oz).
Exploration activity is largely conducted by geologists and geophysicists, assisted by field

samplers, drillers, and laboratory personnel (for chemical assays).
Greenfields exploration
• in previously unexplored areas
Brownfields exploration
• in areas with known occurrences,
typically adjacent to mining centres
where the same commodity is
already extracted
How exploration is conducted and its cost can vary significantly, depending on whether a
company is exploring greenfields or brownfields areas. The difference between these two
types of exploration is described in this slide.
Panning after rain, Coolgardie

Laboratory work
Gone are the days when prospectors were roaming the country in the hope of stumbling
across a lode of gold or a gold-bearing quartz vein. Old-timers found gold in the loose
surface material and then dug in the hope of finding the source of the gold (or ‘mother-
lode’). Although the location of historical digs is still a useful indication in the search for
new mineral deposits, gold mining has come a long way from the panning and dryblowing
of the original diggers.
Today exploration avails itself of many technological advances that allow the ground and
what is below it (up to a depth of several kilometres) to be evaluated in great detail.
Tools for mineral exploration:

Remote sensing tools:
• aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys
• gravity surveys
• seismic surveys
Ground exploration:
• historical data
• geological mapping
• GIS (Geographic Information System)
• magnetic surveys
• drilling (RAB, RC, diamond)
• sampling (soil, chip, rock, etc.)
• chemical assays
Mineral deposits possess physical properties that are different from those of the
surrounding rocks. Explorers use scientific techniques called geophysical methods to
measure these variations in physical properties of rocks (e.g. density, magnetism,
electrical conductivity, natural radioactivity, heat capacity, etc) as a tool to locate mineral
deposits.
Geophysical methods offer a means of seeing into the earth itself, something few other
exploration techniques can do. They are a very important component of most modern
exploration programs.
When conducted from the air, geophysical exploration is known as remote sensing. It may
be undertaken from fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters normally flying 60 to 200 m above
the surface or from satellites up to 1000 km above the earth.
Ground geophysical surveys can be expensive and are generally only undertaken over
relatively small target areas of particular interest.
What tools are used depends on:

• whether we are exploring in brownfields or
greenfields areas;
• the size and accessibility of the area to be
explored;
• whether we are looking for deposits exposed
at surface or ‘blind’ deposits (i.e. deposits
hidden under variably thick cover —up to
several hundreds of metres);
• the stage of exploration.
Aeromagnetic surveys
Source of photo:
http://www.fugroairborne.com.au/Services/airborne/MAG/index.shml
Aeromagnetic maps depict in different colours the content of magnetic minerals (e.g.
magnetite, pyrrhotite, etc) for different rock types, with red = high magnetic mineral
content, and blue = low magnetic mineral content.
Aeromagnetic surveys are commonly conducted by flying airplanes at a constant altitude

along variably spaced regular grids. The response measured is influenced by the depth
and magnetic ‘strength’ of the variably magnetic rocks. For example, banded iron-
formation and ultramafic rocks are highly magnetic, whereas granites and most
sedimentary rocks are less magnetic. In the Eastern Goldfields, this allows clear
separation between areas of greenstones and areas of granite.
Aeromagnetic maps also highlight structures such as folds, faults or shear zones,
lithological boundaries between different rock types, crosscutting features (e.g. dykes,
borders of intrusions) — all features that can assist in locating a mineral deposit.
Gravity and radiometric surveys

K radiometric image of
Mount Belches
Gravity map of Australia

Source of image: http://www.ga.gov.au
Gravity surveys record the density of different rock types, and are influenced by the types
of rocks present at depth. Typically, many ore minerals have a higher density than the
surrounding rocks. By measuring variations in the Earth's gravity field over an area, an
indication of the nature of the underlying geology and the likely presence of deposits can
be obtained. Surveys are often undertaken over large areas, and provide regional
information on the nature of rocks, even those at considerable depth.
Radiometric surveys measure variations in the natural radioactivity of an area (as many
rocks and minerals are naturally radioactive at very low levels). Surveys of this type are
normally undertaken from the air. Radiometric images differentiate between geological
units with distinct gamma-ray spectra, and basically depict the distribution of Th, U and K
in different rocks. The potassium channel is displayed as red, thorium as green, and
uranium as blue. Radiometric images allow easy separation of different geological units
and are particularly suitable to identify granite and greenstones.
Seismic
surveys
Interpreted seismic profile

(Drummond, Goleby, and Swager, 2000)
Deep seismic transect
VIBROSEIS
Seismic profiles allow geologists to study the ground beneath the surface to depths of
several kilometres, up to the transition between the crust and mantle (which in the
Goldfields occurs at a depth of about 35 to 45 km).
A seismic profile is obtained by producing surface vibrations that propagate through the
ground (using explosives or specially designed trucks called VIBROSEIS). These are
reflected back to the surface whenever a change in rock type or a structural discontinuity
are encountered at depth.
By studying and interpreting the profiles obtained in this way, it is possible to identify
structures that might have acted as favourable conduits to mineralizing fluids. Of
particular interest are structures that tap into the mantle and emerge at surface, such as
the ones identified in the recent seismic profiling from Leonora to Laverton and Yamarna.
Ref: DRUMMOND, B. J., GOLEBY, B. R., and SWAGER, C. P., 2000. Crustal signature
of Late Archaean tectonic episodes in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia: evidence
from deep seismic sounding: Tectonophysics, v. 32, p. 193–221.
Geological mapping
Landsat image Sampling
Aerial photography
Geological mapping allows geologists to identify all rocks and structures exposed at
surface and to characterize the cover (or regolith) that most commonly hides them.
In the Eastern Goldfields the regolith cover represents about 90% of the surface
exposure. In the search for ‘blind’ deposits, it is very important to recognize whether the
regolith cover is in situ or has been transported.
Due to the limited exposures of rocks in the Goldfields, geological mapping and
interpretation always take into account information provided by other sources, particularly
aerial photography, Landsat images, and aeromagnetic images. With all the available
information, a geologist will interpret the likely distribution and structure of rocks beneath
the cover, a very important step to identifying the possible location of mineral deposits.
Geological mapping
Field work
1:100 000 map sheet
Field work
GIS — Geographic Information System
GIS (Geographic Information System) is a powerful tool that allows us to explore the
spatial relationships between different parameters by means of statistical analysis.
For example, it allows analysis of gold deposits that have yielded a certain production in
relation to their distance from structural lineaments (faults, shear zones) with a particular
orientation, or the distance of gold occurrence from the margins of granite intrusions.
From this type of analysis, it is known that 70% of gold findings are in mafic rocks
(gabbro, basalt), within a distance of 5 km from major faults or shear zones.
Drilling: RAB (rotary air blast)
RAB chips from drilling at Yardilla
Drilling is a very important tool to ‘see’ what is hidden under the ground. Three main
techniques are used in the Goldfields: RAB (rotary air blast), RC (reverse circulation), and
diamond drilling.
Rotary air blast (or RAB) drilling is the cheapest and least penetrative type of drilling used
in the Goldfields. It makes use of compressed air (or a mixture of compressed air and
water) to ‘break’ the ground. Compressed air is pumped down the hole through a drill
pipe, and the cuttings are blown up the hole along the space between the drill pipe and
the wall of the hole. The cuttings are laid in distinct mounds (each representing 1 or 2 m
of drilling), and then described, identified, and analysed.
RAB drilling only penetrates the weathered cover above fresh (or unweathered) rocks,
and generally extends for only some tens of metres (60–70 m on average). Typically, the
cost of RAB drilling is in the order of about $6/m.
Drilling: RC (reverse circulation)
RC drilling at Darlot
Reverse circulation (or RC) drilling penetrates deeper than RAB drilling and can usually
reach depths of 70–200 m.
The system makes use of a dual-wall pipe. High-pressure air or water is forced down the
outer pipe to the drill bit, and is then directed to the centre of the pipe. The air returns the
cuttings to the surface via the inner pipe. RC chips are typically stored in plastic bags,
each representing 1 m of drilling.
Typically, the cost of RC drilling is in the order of $30–35/m for the first 100 m of drilling,
and $42–44/m from 100 to 200 m in depth.
Drilling: Diamond
Diamond drilling in the Goldfields
Diamond drilling is the most expensive type of drilling (of the order of $75–100/m,
depending on the diameter of the core), but it also allows the greatest penetration and
recovery of whole samples of rocks (not just chips). A depth of several hundred metres is
commonly reached in the Goldfields; elsewhere diamond drilling has been extended to a
depth of several kilometres (e.g. in sedimentary basins in the search for oil).
Diamond drilling allows clear identification of rock types and their relationships, as well as
providing samples for analyses. It also allows 3-dimensional assessment of the lateral
extent and depth of an orebody.
Drilling: Diamond
GSWA Kalgoorlie core library
Abandoned core yard at Nepean
Diamond cores can have variable diameters, and are usually stored in core yards. The
GSWA (Geological Survey of Western Australia) core libraries in Perth and Kalgoorlie
house a selection of representative cores from various parts of the State that represent
different styles of mineralization and mineral deposits from different localities.
Sampling techniques
Sampling techniques are aimed at
mapping the distribution of gold and
various elements associated with gold
(e.g. so-called pathfinders such as
As, Te), using samples of soil,
alluvium, rock, chip (after drilling),
and so on.
Sampling of various media is done at different stages during exploration. For instance,
soil sampling over large areas can help in establishing background values for a region
and can assist in identifying more prospective areas and specific targets. Chip and
diamond core samples are specifically targeted at identifying mineralization grades in
later stages of exploration.
Chemical assays
Drilling results from near Leonora
Hole North AMG East AMG Interval (m) Gold intersection Type
BMR054 6811081 356681 32–36 4 m @ 4.1 g/t RAB

BMR354 6816143 352178 53–57 4 m @ 1.54 g/t RAB
BWR216 6820084 348522 20–28 8 m @ 3.42 g/t RAB
CAR186 6804678 361634 9–13 5 m @ 5.60 g/t RAB
CAR192 6804668 361616 15–19 4 m @ 1.53 g/t RAB
CAR219 6804536 361792 33–37 4 m @ 1.55 g/t RAB
CAR221 6804498 361720 38–54 16 m @ 3.07 g/t RAB
CARC001 6804506 361735 40–51 11 m @ 2.57 g/t RC
CARC002 6804487 361700 54–59 5 m @ 1.72 g/t RC

72–78 6 m @ 2.24 g/t
CARC005 6804365 361810 73–77 4 m @ 3.46 g/t RC
CARC007 6804524 361770 112–113 1 m @ 14.5 g/t RC
CARC019 6805276 361485 88–110 22 m @ 1.78 g/t RC
88–94 6 m @ 2.79 g/t RC
107–110 3 m @ 5.00 g/t
CARC021 6804647 361660 22–24 2 m @ 11.3 g/t RC

CARC023 6804661 361686 39–47 8 m @1.76 g/t RC
Chemical analyses (or assays) of samples collected during exploration provide the
precise gold content of rocks and allow geologists to establish what the distribution of the
gold mineralization is in the area under assessment. This allows the exploration
geologists to make a decision as to whether or not a gold mine is feasible.
MINING
For this presentation, a few mines in the Kalgoorlie region have been used to exemplify
the different styles of mining. In particular we would like to acknowledge the use of visual
material from the Empress gold mine near Coolgardie and the Black Swan nickel mine
near Kalgoorlie (MPI Mines), and from the KCGM Superpit in Kalgoorlie.
Mine planning
Once exploration drilling has defined a viable

orebody to mine, geologists and engineers will
work together to determine the most efficient
method of mining.
Mining methods and techniques

There are two basic methods of mining:
• Opencut
• Underground
Any ore can be removed from the ground
using these methods
The opencut mine you will be most familiar with will be the Superpit in Kalgoorlie.
Many mines in the Kalgoorlie area extract the ore through a combination of opencut and
underground methods.
Opencut mining
The opencut method is used when

the orebody is near the surface
and little overburden (waste
rock) needs to be removed.
Equipment used underground is limited by the size of the shafts and tunnels and
ventilation requirements.
Opencuts have no such limitation and may use very large mobile machinery to achieve
high production rates.
Costs are much lower in opencut than in underground mining, although disturbance of the
land is very visible and extensive rehabilitation may be required.
Opencut mining
Before mining commences, topsoil and
overburden are removed and stockpiled.
Excavation of an openpit can then commence.
KCGM
Topsoil is stockpiled for future rehabilitation. It contains organic material (including seeds)
that will contribute to successful rehabilitation of plant species. There is an optimum
thickness for storage of about 2 m. If possible, the topsoil will be reused as soon as
possible to avoid sterilization due to climatic conditions.
Opencut mining
In shallow deposits the oxidized material is commonly
soft enough to be removed without blasting by
excavators or back-hoes.
With increasing depth the rocks are harder and it
becomes necessary to drill and blast before
excavating.
Blast rig Blast pattern
KCGM
KCGM
Blast rigs will drill a closely spaced pattern of drillholes to the approximate depth of the
bench (the height of each mined level). The drillholes will then be loaded with explosives
and detonated to produce broken rock that can be moved by excavators or loaders. The
material is then transported to the plant for processing.
Underground mining
More complex
• access
• ground support
• ventilation
• blasting
• haulage
MPI Mines
Underground mining is more complex than opencut mining, and requires considerable
more planning to take into account access, ground support, ventilation, the effects of
blasting, and haulage of material from the mine to the plant.
Underground mining
• To make underground mining
economically viable, access must be
well planned and efficient.
• Access to the underground orebody
is based on the understanding of its
characteristics and those of the
surrounding rock.
• This is determined by initial drilling
from the surface and then more
closely spaced drilling and geological
mapping as the underground
development progresses. MPI Mines
Underground
mine planning
Orebody thickness
contour plan for
Black Swan nickel mine
MPI Mines
Extensive drilling and mapping are used by the geologists to model the orebody, and
determine its relative thickness at various positions. This modelling is then used to plan
how underground mining is conducted, and to design the mine.
This planning is done initially, but also continues throughout the life of the mine, as
different parts of the orebody become accessible and the orebody can be better
modelled.
30
Underground
mine planning
Mining method selection
used at Black Swan
nickel mine
MPI Mines
The mining method used will depend on the characteristics of the orebody, particularly
thickness and dip, and the competency of the surrounding rock. Different methods can be
used in different parts of a mine, as this plan from the Black Swan nickel mine
exemplifies. This type of planning is done continuously as mining proceeds and more
data are acquired on the orebody configuration through underground drilling.
31
Underground mining
Ground support is necessary when voids (empty
spaces) are created underground.
The competency of the rock being mined will

determine how large a void may be created and
what ground support methods will be necessary
to maintain a safe working environment.
MPI Mines
Ground support is essential during underground mining.
For example, the rock units at the Empress Decline near Coolgardie are generally quite
competent and require no excessive ground support. The support methods used here are
mesh, split sets, and gewi bolts, which are threaded solid bars grouted into the rock. The
walls of an area that has been newly blasted need to be made secure before any further
work can be done in the area.
Other mines may require more complex type of ground support.
Safety in a mine is always the first priority, and to ensure that appropriate safety methods
and procedures are in place, government inspectors routinely visit mine operations.
Underground mining
MPI Mines
Adequate ventilation throughout the mine

may be ensured by the provision of a separate shaft
from the surface.
This has a fan that draws fresh air through the mine.
Underground mining
Ore extraction and underground development is
achieved by precise drilling and blasting
techniques.
1. Drilling
2. Blasting
3. Bogging
4. Ground support
This is closely controlled and monitored

by engineers, geologists, and surveyors.
Underground drilling
Ring design layouts
MPI Mines
To allow for the accurate blasting and removal of ore from a stope, engineers, with
assistance from geologists and surveyors, design drilling and blast patterns that radiate
from each level access. Depths and directions are precisely designed to maximize ore
recovery without dilution from the surrounding rock, so that waste is minimized.
Underground mining
Blasting occurs after the rock
face or area to be mined has
been drilled to a
predetermined depth and
pattern.
These drillholes are then
loaded with explosives and
blasted to produce fragmented
rock that can be easily loaded
into trucks and transported.
MPI Mines This ore is taken to the
surface for processing. Waste
may be used to fill voids or
also be taken to the surface.
Safety is the prime concern during mining.
Blasts do not take place unless all workers are evacuated from the mine. Work is
immediately stopped if unsafe conditions are identified. Ground support is of great
importance.
Stoping
Stoping is the removal of the orebody from the
surrounding rock. The stoping method used depends on
the nature and extent of the orebody.
All methods involve:

• drilling a pattern of holes into the rock
• charging (filling) the holes with explosive
• blasting the rock
• bogging (digging) it out
• transporting it to the surface.
An open stope
MPI Mines
There are two distinct ore bodies at the Empress Decline. Both are near-vertical in
orientation. The Empress ore body is on average 4.5 m wide and 80 m long. The benches
are 15 m thick. It is currently being mined at between 220 and 160 m below surface. It is
returning an average of 6 g/t gold.
The Granodiorite orebody is composed of a central granodiorite with associated

stockwork. The East and West lodes are narrow quartz structures that are generally of
higher grade. This orebody is returning an average of 8 g/t gold. It is currently being
mined between 240 and 160 m below surface. The stopes are up to 60 m long and have
widths of up to 20 m.
Underground mining
The general approach is to access the orebody at
regular intervals (generally between 15 and 40
vertical metres) and then stope between these
access drives.
access drive
30 m
orebody
rock fill
MPI Mines
All stoping methods will have different characteristics, The stoping method selected in
each case will depend on the particular orebody and mine planning techniques. The
methods used may vary throughout each mine, depending on the changing
characteristics of the orebody.
Traditional cut and fill stoping

• Bottom up mining method
• Selective mining method
• Generally uses no cement
• Moderate ground support
• Moderate production rates
• Good resource usage
• Not stress friendly
MPI Mines
Longhole mining method

• Traditionally high
production rates
• Large openings with long
open times
• Bottom up mining method
• High ground support cost
• Uses some cement
• Non-selective mining
MPI Mines
• Not stress friendly
• Many equipment types
Machinery used at Empress Decline

1 x Single boom Jumbo — development and ground support
3 x Loaders — 6 tonnes (tele-remote bogging)

8 tonnes (stope bogging & development drives)
12 tonnes (loading of trucks)
2 x Trucks — 35 tonnes capacity
2 x Longhole machines — stope drilling
Equipment used will depend upon the size of the operation (how much rock is broken),
the mining technique(s) used, the operating roster, and the maintenance and condition of
equipment.
This slide exemplifies the equipment used in a relatively small gold mine.
PROCESSING
Three Mile Hill treatment plant, Coolgardie Mining Company

Processing
This section presents an overview of the processing techniques used in some operations
to extract gold from ore-bearing rocks.
The processing of ore at Coolgardie Mining Company’s Three Mile Hill Plant, near
Coolgardie, Western Australia, is featured.
Processing
• Extract metals from ore rocks — metallurgy

• Requires both physical and chemical processes
• Type of processes used will be determined by
the nature of the ore — physical and
mineralogical
The processing of ore rocks to extract metals from them is known as metallurgy.
Processing involves both physical and chemical processes.
The type of processes that are to be used to extract the gold from the ore rocks will be
determined by
• the physical nature of the ore rocks;
• the mineralogy (mineral composition) of the ore rocks.
Processing
• Physical processes
o crushing and grinding
• Chemical processes
o chemical breakdown of ore to enable the
extraction of gold
The processing of ore rocks includes physical and chemical processes.
Physical processes reduce the size of the ore rocks, and include steps such as crushing
and grinding.
Chemical processes are those that separate the metal from the other components within
the ore rocks.
Processing
http://www.mpimines.com.au/investorinfo/prospectus/prospectus_section3.pdf
This flowsheet illustrates all the stages involved in the treatment of ore at Coolgardie
Mining Company’s Three Mile Hill Plant.
The ore is passed through a three-stage crushing circuit and then through the grinding
mill to reduce the size of the ore (physical processing). The gold is recovered from the ore
by leaching, elution, and then via the electrowinning cell (chemical processing).
Processing
• Ore is transported from the mine to be stored
in stockpiles at the processing plant
Ore is transported from the mine and stored in stockpiles near the processing plant.
From the stockpile the ore is transported to the first stage of processing — the crusher.
In some mines ore is stockpiled in separate piles that represent ore of different grades.
To obtain the optimum grade for which gold recovery is best for each particular plant, it
may be necessary to mix high-grade ore with low-grade ore.
The grade of the ore may affect the amount of chemical agents required to obtain the
best recovery, therefore if the grade is relatively constant there should be little variation
required in the treatment process and the chemical conditions required. This would allow
metallurgists and plant operators to concentrate on optimizing those conditions to recover
the gold from the ore.
Processing
• Crushing and grinding

o rocks are reduced in size by crushing and
grinding
o allows for the minerals from within the ore
rock to be released
The purpose of crushing and grinding the ore rocks is to reduce the size and to allow the
valuable minerals to be separated from those that are of no value. Small-sized particles of
ore provide a greater surface area on which the chemical processes can act to extract
gold.
Processing
• Crushing and grinding
o 3-stage crushing process — primary,
secondary and tertiary crushers (jaw and
cone crushers)
o end product must be very fine
o oversized ore rocks are screened out
At the Three Mile Hill Plant CMC use a 3-stage crushing process:
This involves a primary crusher — in this case a jaw crusher
A secondary crusher — cone crusher
And a tertiary crusher — cone crusher
The end product must be very fine to allow the greatest surface area of the rock to be
covered by the solution that will assist in the recovery of gold. Any oversized rocks are
screened out and will not pass on to the next stage of treatment of the ore. They pass
back either to the secondary or tertiary crusher to be put through the crushing process
again.
Processing
Jaw crusher
• rocks are crushed between a fixed jaw and a
moving jaw within the jaw crusher
• rocks are crushed to a size generally less
than 20 cm
Cone crusher
• rocks are crushed between a large solid steel
cone shape that moves back and forth and
around within a steel casing
• rocks generally crushed to around 2 cm
A jaw crusher operates with one fixed jaw and one moveable jaw. The rocks fall within
the two jaws and are crushed as the moveable jaw is pressed towards the fixed jaw of the
crusher. Rocks are generally crushed to a size less than 20 cm.
A cone crusher has a central solid steel cone shape within a steel casing. The solid cone
shape moves back and forth and around within the steel casing. In the cone crusher rocks
are crushed to around 2 cm.
Processing
• Crushed rocks are passed through a vibrating
screen
• Screening ensures only small rocks pass on to
next stage of processing
• Oversized rocks are returned to the crushers
to be reduced in size
As the rocks pass from one crusher to the next, they pass through a screening process
that allows smaller rocks to pass on to the next stage of crushing. Oversized rocks are
returned to the crusher to be reduced in size.
Processing
• Fine crushed ore

is transported to
the fine ore bin
• Conveyor belts
transport the
ore to the
grinding mill
Once the ore has been crushed, it is transported to the grinding mill to be further reduced
in size.
Processing
• Fine ore rock enters the grinding mill
• Mixed with water to make the slurry feed
The grinding mill is where the ore is ground down until it is very fine.
Grinding of the ore occurs by tumbling the material within the grinding mill. The ore is
ground between balls or rods within the mill as it rotates. Water is added to the feed
material to make a slurry.
Grinding mills are named by the implements used within the mill to carry out the grinding.
Ball mills are those using steel balls between which the ore is ground. Rod mills use long
steel rods between which the ore is ground. Autogenous mills are those that do not
contain rods or balls. SAG mills (semi-autogenous mills) have only a few balls or rods
within the mill.
Processing
• Slurry passes through cyclone to separate finer
and heavier, coarser material
• Coarse material is returned to the mill to be
ground to a smaller size
• Finer material is passed on to the next stage of
the processing plant
• Screening of the fine material ensures only
ground ore rock material is passed on to the
next stage
The slurry passes through a cyclone where any heavy coarse material is separated from
the finer material and returned to the grinding mill.
Screening of the fine material ensures that no debris is passed on to the next stage of the
processing of the ore.
A gravity recovery process captures any free coarse gold that has been released from the
ore rocks during the crushing and grinding processes. This works on the principle that the
free coarse gold will be heavier than the other minerals within the rock. The movement of
the material through the gravity recovery circuit will separate the heavier material from the
lighter material. The heavier free gold is then sent to the gold room for smelting and to be
poured into gold bars.
Processing
• Cyanide is added to dissolve gold within the
slurry
• The pH must remain high to enable the
dissolution of the gold
• Lime is added to raise the pH
• Cyanide is consumed, therefore little wastage
into the environment as a gas
Chemical processing
Cyanide is added to the slurry to dissolve gold particles from the crushed ore rocks. Lime
is also added to maintain a high pH of the solution to ensure that the gold dissolves.
Cyanide is consumed in the dissolution process and there is little wastage into the
environment as a gas.
Processing
• The remaining solution is passed through
the Carbon in Leach plant
• Carbon granules
are added to
absorb the gold
from the solution
The remaining solution is then passed through the Carbon in Leach (CIL) tanks.
Here the solution is oxygenated, with oxygen bubbled through the solutions in each of the
tanks. Lime and cyanide are added to assist in the recovery process. The solution is
constantly agitated whilst in the tanks to allow the added carbon granules to be exposed
to as much of the solution as possible. The carbon granules are porous and provide
maximum surface area for exposure to the gold-bearing solution.
The dissolved gold is attracted and adheres to the surface of the carbon granules.
Processing
• Carbon in Leach circuits comprise

numerous tanks through which the solution
is passed
• Oxygen is pumped into the tanks to ensure
that the slurry is well mixed and that the
carbon granules can become well-coated
with gold from solution
At the Three Mile Hill Plant there are 2 CIL circuits operating concurrently, that is 2
circuits of 6 tanks, with 12 tanks altogether.
There is flow of the solution through the series of 6 tanks within the circuit, so that by the
time the solution has reached the sixth tank there is negligible gold remaining in solution
— it has all been absorbed onto the carbon granules.
The carbon that is covered with gold from solution is known as loaded carbon and it is
then passed through to the next stage of the treatment where the gold will be recovered
from the carbon.
Processing
• The carbon granules are porous with a large
surface area to absorb the gold from solution
• The solution is circulated through the numerous
tanks within the circuit
• Solution is screened as it passes from one tank
to the next leaving carbon granules in each tank
• By the time the solution has passed through all
the tanks, most or all of the gold has been
removed from the solution having been absorbed
by the carbon granules
Processing
• Carbon granules within the tanks become loaded
with gold and are collected
• They are placed in the Carbon Elution Chamber
to strip the gold from the surfaces of the
carbon granules
The loaded carbon, which is carbon that has attracted the gold from the solution, is
moved on to the Carbon Elution Chamber.
Processing
Elution
• pressurised column
• water is removed
• caustic soda and cyanide is added
• ‘pregnant’ solution
• carbon granules reactivated by heating to very
high temperatures to prepare them for use
again in the Carbon in Leach circuit
The gold is removed from the carbon in a pressurized column.
Water is removed.
Cyanide and acid are passed through the column. This removes the gold from the carbon
and is concentrated in the resultant solution.
This pregnant solution contains a high concentration of gold.
The pregnant solution is transported to electrowinning cells in the gold room.
The carbon granules are collected and reactivated by heating to high temperatures. They
are then returned to the CIL circuit to be reused.
Processing
• Electrowinning cell
• Electrolysis
• Gold plated onto cathode
The solution containing the gold is known as the pregnant liquor. It is moved to the
electrowinning cells to remove the gold from the solution.
An electric current is passed through the electrowinning cell to plate the gold onto steel
cathodes.
The carbon is collected and heated to reactivate it, making it ready to absorb more gold
when returned to the CIL tanks.
Processing
• Cathodes are washed down
• Gold is collected and then smelted at more than
1000°C
• Gold is poured to make gold bars
• Gold bars are sent to the gold refinery
The cathodes are washed down and the gold is collected and then smelted at more than
1000°C.
The molten material is poured to make gold bars.
The gold is collected and taken to the gold refinery and then on-sold for use in a wide
range of products.
The final solution from the CIL tanks, once the gold has been absorbed onto the carbon,
is sent to the tailings dams. Tailings go through a multistage process to recover water that
can be reused in the treatment of new ore. CMC use Three Mile Hill openpit to contain the
final tailings.
Environmental considerations are a major influence on the way any plant is operated.
Recovery and recycling of process water decreases the demand on potable water
supplies required for the plant.
The storage of tailing in an old openpit means there is less land used by the plant and
less impact on the surrounding flora and fauna.
Uses of gold
Investment bars
• Gold bullion
• An ideal investment
• Most central banks

hold gold as a
reserve asset
Gold and how it is used
Gold can be kept as a gold bar and used for investment purposes. Most central banks
and other official bodies hold gold as part of their external resources. This is because gold
is such a secure asset. It is an asset that can actually be seen and touched and it is
indestructible.
The beauty of gold is that it is universal and is often used in political or economic crises
because gold is valuable throughout the world.
Gold bars are not just held by large companies and central banks but are also available to
the private collector as well. A hundred ounce bar is worth close to A$60 000.
Gold alloys
Gold alloys are used

in the jewellery
industry in the form
of sheet, wire,
granules, solders, and
discs
Gold alloys in the jewellery industry are a common use of gold. Gold is used because it is
highly malleable and easy to manipulate. This is why gold is the prime choice for jewellery
because it’s versatility makes it perfect to create the most exquisite pieces.
Jewellery
• Watches
• Rings
• Bracelets
• Pendants
• Brooches
• Anklets
• Nose rings
• Eyebrow rings
There are so many different types of jewellery. Gold is used in the manufacture of many
different types of jewellery, including watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, eyebrow rings,
nose rings. The beauty of gold is that it doesn’t rust, doesn’t corrode, doesn’t turn your
skin green, and it looks absolutely beautiful.
Catalysts
• Paints
• Glue
• Removing odours
• Improving air
quality
Picture used with permission from World Gold Council
A catalyst is a substance that accelerates the rate of chemical reaction without being
consumed in the reaction.
Gold alloy catalysts are used in the production of paints and glue. Gold catalysts also
have the potential to remove nitrogen oxide from diesel engine exhausts. Gold catalysts
are now also being trialled to help improve the air quality in underground mining
environments.
An interesting and new use of gold catalysts is that they are now being used to remove
odours from public toilets in Japan.
Reflective ability
The reflective ability of gold makes it the ideal for substance for many different uses.
Space shuttles are covered with a thin sheet of gold to help improve the craft’s reflective
ability. Astronauts are provided with gold sunglasses to protect their eyes from direct
sunlight.
Cockpit windows have a thin film of gold over them to reflect the harmful effects of the
sun’s rays. Gold has been used over the years to adorn buildings because its resistance
to corrosion will outlast paint every time.
It is also used in modern buildings to cover windows because it helps retain heat in winter
and reflects it in summer. It is thought to cut heating and cooling costs by 40%. One
ounce of gold will cover 1000 sq. feet of glass.
Electronics
• Calculators
• Mobile phones
• Washing machines
• Automotive
electronics
• Missiles
• Spacecraft
The merits of gold are unparalleled. Gold is malleable, ductile, deflectable, it is resistant to
corrosion, and is the a great conductor of electricity.
We come into contact with gold every single day and probably don’t even realise it. In the
morning when your alarm clock goes off, it’s got gold in it. Also your microwave, your
washing machine, your television, calculators and mobile phones. Some DVDS and
recordable CD-Roms also have gold within their construction. In the electronics industry
gold is an irreplaceable substance.
Automotives
• Ignition control
electrics
• Anti-lock
breaking systems
• Electronic fuel
injectors
• Crash sensors for
air bags
Even cars now use gold in their electrics. Ignition control electrics, anti-lock braking
systems, electronic fuel injectors, and even the crash sensors for air bags have gold
connectors.
The malleability and ductility of gold as well as its conductive properties make it a very
useful and reliable metal.
Medicine
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cancer treatments
• Liver, ear, and eye
diseases
• Drug delivery
microchips
• Pacemakers
• Inner ear implants
Pictures used with kind permission from World Gold Council
Gold has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It has now become
obvious to our medical population that there are many medicinal uses for gold. Gold
injections are used to help alleviate the pain of arthritis.
Inner ear implants are now also made out of gold. Gold’s resistance to bacterial infection
make it perfect for implants. Wires to pacemakers are also made out of gold.
Gold dust in the form of tablets is said to relieve you of fatigue and depression. It has now
also become the focus for new trials in the treatment of cancer.
One of the latest uses of gold is drug-delivery microchips that are injected or swallowed
into the body. These chips contain drug-filled reservoirs that are covered with a thin gold
membranes. The drugs are then released into the system at the required time.
Dentistry
• Gold’s malleability and resistance
to corrosion make it ideal for
dentistry
Pictures used with kind permission of World Gold Council
In dentistry, gold is a very popular substance. The malleability of gold makes it perfect to
create false teeth, caps or crowns. As far back as the 7th century the Etruscans used
gold to secure false teeth into their mouths to replace the ones that were lost.
Art and religion
Religious artefacts have for thousands of years been made from gold. The most famous
piece of gold is probably the face mask of the boy king of Egypt, Tutankhamen.
Gold leaf is used in many paintings and is also used to decorate glass and fine china.
Gold plating
• Pens
• Watches
• Trophies
• Bathroom
fittings
• Spectacle
frames
Trophies are a popular gold-plated item but it is interesting to note that the Soccer World
Cup trophy is actually 36 cm of solid gold.
Many of the things we use around the house can be gold plated.
Gold
• Numerous uses
• Beautiful but not just
ornamental
The uses of gold are numerous. Gold has gone far beyond being just an ornamental
element. Its uses are becoming essential to our modern environment. So without gold we
would be leading very different lives. A life less technologically advanced and definitely a
world less beautiful.
Rehabilitation:
environmental management
in the exploration and
mining industry
Why rehabilitation?
Sites of mining and exploration activity
to be left:
• safe
• stable
• as non-erodable structure
• with sustainable ecosystem
(native fauna and vegetation cover)
Why is environmental regulation a requirement for the mining industry?
Current expectations are that exploration and mining sites have to be left as safe, stable,
non-erodable structures with sustainable native vegetation cover.
This slide shows the Elverton Tailings just out of Ravensthorpe, Western Australia. These
tailings were deposited more than 20 years ago before the mining industry was regulated.
The site is not safe (approx. 5 km out of town), is not stable (dispersing down a creek
line), and is not supporting any kind of ecosystem.
To avoid this type of situation, the State Government (through the Department of Industry
and Resources — DoIR) regulates the mining industry on behalf of the community.
Examples of bad
Excessive clearing
Poor sump placement
resulting in tree death
Rehabilitation during exploration
DoIR has several requirements to avoid environmental damage during exploration

activity, such as that exemplified by this and the following slide. Amongst other things,
DoIR requires:
• drillholes to be capped immediately and plugged at a minimum depth of 40 cm
within 6 months with a concrete conical plug, in order to avoid falling and trapping
of indigenous fauna down the holes
• plastic bags used for sampling to be removed within 6 months
• tracks scarified and access blocked
• rubbish removed
• hydrocarbon spills prevented and removed
• sumps rehabilitated.
Examples of bad
Inappropriately
plugged drillhole
Sample bag in cow

pat resulting in
stock losses
Fauna affected by drilling activity

Western Bearded Dragon
(Pogona minor)
Knob-tailed Gecko
(Nephrurus laevissimus)
Stick
Insect Tree Delta
(Gehyra purpurascens)
With particular regards to the trapping and killing of indigenous fauna caused by
uncapped drillholes, a study undertaken in the early 1980s in the Fitzgerald River
National Park tested 2 shallow drillholes by cleaning them out with a vacuum cleaner.
One hole contained the skulls of 23 honey-possum, 17 dunnart, 8 western-pygmy

possums, and 82 reptiles including 3 bobtail skinks. The other hole contained 17 honey
possum, 9 dunnart, 2 western-pygmy possums, 4 ash grey mice and 127 reptiles.
To avoid trapping of indigenous fauna, exploration and mining companies are now
required to routinely plug holes and they are also required to plug the holes of previous
explorers on their acquired leases.
Fauna affected by drilling activity

Thorny Mountain Devil
(Moloch horridus)
Pygmy possum
(Cercartetus concinnus)
Goulds sand goanna

(Varanus gouldii)
Teutonic Bore — acid mine drainage
Rehabilitation during and after mining
One of the main causes of environmental damage during mining is acid mine drainage
(AMD). This is caused by the oxidation of sulphidic mine wastes produced by mining and
mineral processing, and typically prevents the vegetation from growing.
The effect of acid mine drainage is greater in higher rainfall areas such as the Rio Tinto
region in Spain (a source of AMD for 2000 years) or closer to home, such as in
Queenstown (Tasmania). Acid mine drainage also occurs in arid zones, as exemplified by
this slide from Teutonic Bore close to Leonora.
This slide exemplifies the need for waste characterization in the planning stages so that
hostile wastes can be isolated and encapsulated to minimize the effect on vegetation.
Erosion due to poorly designed

water-control structures
Rehabilitation after rehabilitation
Rehabilitation needs to be conducted according to proper standards, to avoid damage

such as that illustrated in this slide.
A major cause of serious erosion on newly created landforms (such as rehabilitated waste
dumps) is the lack of adequate drainage control. Drainage control measures have to be
designed and constructed to handle expected rainfall events. In arid zones such as the
Eastern Goldfields, most designs should be water retaining (unless you have other factors
such as AMD or dispersive clays).
Relevant Acts and Regulations

• Mining Act
• Mining Regulations
• Environment Protection Act
• CALM Act
• Wildlife Conservation Act
• Aboriginal Heritage Act
• Rights in Water and Irrigation Act
Acts and Regulations

The Acts and Regulations listed in this slide are the main tools for managing
the environmental impact of mining and exploration.
The Mining Act in particular manages and regulates land tenure, i.e.
Exploration and Prospecting Licences, Mining Leases etc.. The Act is
complemented by several Ministerial Conditions that regulate the size of
specific leases and licences, and impose operating conditions, limitations,
and restrictions on mining activities. Some examples of these regulations
are:
• Prospecting Licences are limited in size to 200 ha, a maximum
handling of 500 tonnes, and are valid for a period of 2 years only;
• Exploration Licences can be granted for areas comprising a
minimum of 1 block (2.83 km) and a maximum of 70 blocks (198 sq.
km2) and are granted for 5 years;
• Mining Leases cannot exceed 10 km2 and extend for 21 yr;
• Special Prospecting Licences may be granted over an Exploration
Licence or Prospecting Licence and are limited to a depth of 50 m
and handling of 500 t.
Notice of Intent — NOI

The NOI must contain a plan of
operations and a programme to
safeguard the environment
1.Existing environment:
• regional setting
• soils
• geology
• hydrology
• climate
• flora and fauna (surveys)
• social environment (e.g. Aboriginal heritage,
national trust, pastoral leases)
Notice of Intent
A Notice of Intent (NOI) has to be submitted by a mining company to DoIR before mining
can start. This document details all matters relating to the environmental management of
the proposed project and the existing environment, and must contain a plan of operations
and a programme to safeguard the environment.
Completion criteria provide the aims and goals of rehabilitation, so that they can be
included into the mine management plan right from the commencement of ground
disturbance (instead of being suddenly introduced at some stage well into the life of the
mining operation, when some environmental damage could have already occurred).
This and the following slides detail all that a mining company has to include in the NOI.

2. Project description:
• Mining (waste dump design, waste
characterization pit design)
• Ore processing
• Tailings storage facility (design, DEP
licensing, waste characterization)
• Support facilities (location of offices,
workshops, camp, accommodation)
• Workforce
• Transportation corridors
• Resource requirements
Notice of Intent
In addition to an assessment of the existing environment (previous slide), a Notice of

Intent (NOI) has to include a detailed project description (this slide), as well as an
assessment of the impact of mining on the environment and specific commitments toward
environmental management (next slide).

3. Environmental Impact Assessment and
the Management Commitments:
• Identify all likely environmental impacts and
determine significance, for example:
land clearing water
flora and fauna waste products
dangerous goods + hazardous substances
atmospheric pollution noise
rehabilitation post-mining land use
heritage and Aboriginal sites
• Provide commitments necessary to minimize, control,
ameliorate, and rehabilitate all of these significant
effects
$$$ Bond $$$
Bond
As part of their commitments towards environmental management, exploration and

mining companies are now required to submit a bond before the starting of operations.
This Unconditional Performance Bond is a contract between the Minister and a third party
of financial standing to unconditionally pay the agreed sum to the Minister on his request,
if it is deemed that the mining company has not met previously agreed environmental
commitments.
The Bond will cover all land required to be rehabilitated, for example, waste dumps,
tailings, stockpile areas, backfilled pits, hardstand areas, plant sites, haul roads, and
camps (pits are not normally bonded as they are not rehabilitated).
During mining, an Environmental Report also needs to be submitted annually. This report
concisely documents the major mining activities, rehabilitation and environmental
management for the reporting year and proposed activities for the following year.
Rehabilitation includes:
• Rehabilitation requirements (e.g.
stockpiling topsoil, deep ripping,
drillhole plugging, removal of
infrastructure)
• Monitoring (e.g. pipelines, tailings
storage facilities)
• Geotechnical review (e.g. tailings
storage facilities, distance of waste
dumps from pits)
This slide lists some of the most important steps to be undertaken during rehabilitation.
Many of these steps (e.g. rehabilitation of waste dumps) can and must start as soon as
mining proceeds. In addition, to satisfy all the standard rehabilitation requirements,
monitoring of existing facilities is routinely conducted during mining (e.g. tailing dams).
Geotechnical reviews are also essential to assess the impact of mining as it proceeds.
Primary rehabilitation tool
The ‘humble’ caterpillar is one of the most important rehabilitation tools in the mining
industry, and it is mainly used in the rehabilitation of waste dumps (i.e. the huge piles of
sterile rocks and materials left behind after excavation at the mine site).
Battering down waste dumps
Waste dumps have to be rehabilitated to minimize erosion.
Erosion control depends on two main factors: angle and length of slope.
DoIR recommends slopes of no greater than 20° with benches every 7–10 m of vertical
height (20° is the maximum slope a machine can safely work on).
However, soil characteristics, rainfall, drainage and topography are all contributing factors
that have to be taken into account in determining the optimal slope angle and slope
length.
For example, the Red October Mine on Lake Carey in the northern Goldfields is within a
salt lake (flat topography) and 90% of the waste material is made up of oxidized clays and
sediments. Consequently the final landform design is low angle, with merging into
irregular alluvial flats (approx. 7°).
Dumping topsoil
Topsoil is one of most important resources in land rehabilitation. It is an important source

of: seeds, nutrients, mycorrhizal fungi and microbial biomass that facilitate the re-
establishment of the native flora.
Topsoil is removed at the start of mining operations, and needs to be stockpiled

appropriately to prevent sterility (usually in small piles, no greater than 2 m high).
During rehabilitation of waste piles, topsoil is dumped and spread on top of the waste
dump. If topsoil in not available (e.g. due to poor planning that has led to it being under
the waste dump or if it has not been preserved and stockpiled properly) then rehabilitation
may never happen or will take an extremely long time.
Spreading topsoil
Topsoil spread on waste dump

Paddington mine
contour ripping and seeding operation
Beasley Creek
rehabilitated
waste dump
Mount Morgans
tailings capped and
rehabilitated
In addition to waste dumps, tailings (a byproduct of ore processing) are also rehabilitated.
This is done by capping them with various materials, with topsoil spread over the top.
DoIR recommends that the tailings are covered with at least 500 mm of waste in all cases
where saline process water has been used. This acts as a capillary break and prevents
surface expression of salts.
This slide depicts a successfully rehabilitated waste dump and a tailing dam, with
indigenous flora already re-established.
Mining is the most highly self-

regulating industry in Australia
Mining occupies only 12 000 ha of land in WA,
(i.e. it constitutes only about 0.007% of land
use in WA)
Parks/reserves ~14% Other ~2% Pastoral grazing/

Livestock ~58%
Agriculture ~13%
Traditional indigenous
use ~13%
Relative impact of exploration and mining
Although public opinion commonly has a very negative view of exploration and mining
activity because of the perceived damage to the environment, it needs to be stressed that
exploration and mining are at present the most highly self-regulating industries in
Australia.
Also, it is worthwhile to point out that in Western Australia, the land directly affected by
exploration and mining activity represents only 0.007% of the total land, a much smaller
proportion than the land used for agriculture, pastoral grazing and livestock, and so on.
Data for the pie chart in this slide were derived from:
Beeston, G.R., Hopkins, A.J.M., and Sheperd, D.P., 2002, Land-use and vegetation in
Western Australia: Department of Agricolture, Resource Management Technical Report
250, p.6–7.
Acknowledgements:
• Antonia Goode, Education Officer,
WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy
• MPI Mines
• Coolgardie Mining Company
• KCGM
• Eugene Bouwhuis, Environmental Officer,
Dept of Industry and Resources, Kalgoorlie
• Geoscience Australia (www.ga.gov.au)
• Fugro Aiborne Surveys Australia
(www.fugro.airborne.com.au)
• World Gold Council
This presentation would not have been possible without the valuable input of Antonia
Goode, Education Officer for the WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy.
The producers of this presentation would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the
following people and organisations in providing information and images to make this
presentation possible:
MPI Mines
Coolgardie Mining Company
Eugene Bouwhuis, DoIR
Geoscience Australia
Fugro Airborne Surveys Australia
World Gold Council

Life of Gold MIne

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Life of Gold MIne

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

From Exploration to Rehabilitation: the Life of a Gold Mine 1

Where do we look for gold?

In the Eastern Goldfields:

About 300 000 kg of gold are produced every

Exploration activity is largely conducted by geologists and geophysicists, assisted by field

Panning after rain, Coolgardie

Tools for mineral exploration:

What tools are used depends on:

Aeromagnetic surveys are commonly conducted by flying airplanes at a constant altitude

Gravity and radiometric surveys

Gravity map of Australia

Interpreted seismic profile

Deep seismic transect

Landsat image Sampling

1:100 000 map sheet

GIS — Geographic Information System

Drilling: RAB (rotary air blast)

RAB chips from drilling at Yardilla

Drilling: RC (reverse circulation)

Diamond drilling in the Goldfields

Abandoned core yard at Nepean

BMR054 6811081 356681 32–36 4 m @ 4.1 g/t RAB

CARC001 6804506 361735 40–51 11 m @ 2.57 g/t RC

CARC002 6804487 361700 54–59 5 m @ 1.72 g/t RC

88–94 6 m @ 2.79 g/t RC

107–110 3 m @ 5.00 g/t

CARC021 6804647 361660 22–24 2 m @ 11.3 g/t RC

Once exploration drilling has defined a viable

Mining methods and techniques

The opencut method is used when

Blast rig Blast pattern

The competency of the rock being mined will

Ground support is essential during underground mining.

Other mines may require more complex type of ground support.

Adequate ventilation throughout the mine

This is closely controlled and monitored

Safety is the prime concern during mining.

All methods involve:

The Granodiorite orebody is composed of a central granodiorite with associated

Traditional cut and fill stoping

Longhole mining method

Machinery used at Empress Decline

3 x Loaders — 6 tonnes (tele-remote bogging)

2 x Trucks — 35 tonnes capacity

2 x Longhole machines — stope drilling

Three Mile Hill treatment plant, Coolgardie Mining Company

• Extract metals from ore rocks — metallurgy

Processing involves both physical and chemical processes.

The processing of ore rocks includes physical and chemical processes.

• Crushing and grinding

o oversized ore rocks are screened out

This involves a primary crusher — in this case a jaw crusher

A secondary crusher — cone crusher

And a tertiary crusher — cone crusher

• Fine crushed ore

• Carbon in Leach circuits comprise

The gold is removed from the carbon in a pressurized column.

This pregnant solution contains a high concentration of gold.

The pregnant solution is transported to electrowinning cells in the gold room.

The molten material is poured to make gold bars.

• Most central banks

Gold and how it is used

Gold alloys are used