C b Mi i S iCobar Mining SeminarFriday 8th August, 2010

Hydraulic MiningHydraulic Miningd ff lA proven and cost effective way to Re‐Mine Tailings 

for Plant Feed and Sustainable RelocationBy 

Ross Garling and Dave PrenticeRoss Garling and Dave Prentice

Hydraulic Mining d

Hydraulic Mining TodayToday

HistoricalHistoricalHistorical

d f f ll l d• Used for over 150 years for alluvial depositse.g. tin and gold, etcg g ,

• English China Clay Industry developed techniquet i fi d lto mine fine dense clays.

• Higher pressures (10 30‐40 bar)g p ( )• Nozzle design to project a concentrated jet formaximum energy impact at the facemaximum energy impact at the face

• Self balancing design to neutralise forces

Modern Hydraulic Modern Hydraulic MiningMining

• High Pressures 28 ‐ 40 bar, as required by materialg q y

• Jet concentrates pressure –tight impact area

• High densities 45 ‐ 60% in say gold, 30 ‐ 40% in coal

• Densities relatively constanty

• Track mounted, remote controlled

Modern Hydraulic ( )

Modern Hydraulic Mining (cont.)Mining (Cont’)

• High Pressure Pump Station constant location

• Water delivered by steel and flexible HP lines

• Process water, sea water acceptable – no gritProcess water, sea water acceptable no grit

• Minimal evaporation losses

• Slurry can flow distances – depending on size

• Slurry pump station minimal movesSlurry pump station minimal moves

• High production per unit = low costs

History (cont)Fraser Alexander History (cont)

l d f d l

Historical• Fraser Alexander was formed in 1912 as a tailingscontractor

• Fraser Alexander accessed clay designed hydraulicmining technology for re mining tailingsmining technology for re‐mining tailings

• Today Fraser Alexander:‐• Employs some 6,000 people in 12 countries• Hydraulically re‐mines approx 100mtpay y pp p• Emplaces approx 180mtpa

CapabilitiesCapabilitiesCapabilitiesp

• Tailings Re‐Mining

• Constant Density feed to yRe‐Processing Plant

• Re‐Mining for CementedRe Mining for Cemented Paste Backfill

• River Clean ups

Production face gold tailings

• River Clean‐ups

• Mine soft deposits egProduction face gold tailings 

using a single Monitor producing 500 tons per hour

‐ Laterites ‐ Alluvials‐ Clays  ‐ Talc, etc

Fraser Alexander l

Fraser Alexander in in AustraliaAustralia

In 2009 Fraser Alexander formed a 50/50 joint venture with Superior Coal Limited to:‐venture with Superior Coal Limited to:

• Exclusively introduce its technology to Australasiathrough:through:‐

• Experienced Personnel• Specialist equipment and technology

=+

Hydraulic Mining Hydraulic Mining CircuitCircuit

Equipment‐EquipmentMonitor Gun

D l f h S i 5 T k M i

Monitor GunDevelopment of the Series 5 Track Monitor 

Equipment‐M it GEquipment Monitor GunMonitor Gun

Design and construction of High Pressure water 

Design and Construction of High P i

gpump stationsPressure water pump stations

Pump stations designed with minimal civil costs‐all pumps on maneuverable skids.p p

Slurry pump Slurry Pump Stationsstations Sl P t ti d i d ith b k

Slurry Pump Stations

Slurry Pump stations designed with spare pump banks and surge storage tanks to maintain constant flows and 

steady densitiessteady densities.

Vegetation & h l

Vegetation and Trash RemovalTrash Removal

Screening of trash in slurry can be done before pumping to process plant 

In dam satellite In dam satellitePump Stations 

ll d d d d

Pump StationsSatellite pump stations used in dam are designed for easy access to pumps for services and repairs

Mining MethodsMining MethodsMining Methods

Top down herring bone mining method allows:

g

Top down herring bone mining method allows:• Safe cutting angles• Equipment operating on safe examined area• Safe access around monitors

Mining MethodMining MethodsMining Method

B i i b d d i i i f

g

Bottom up mining – can be used during mining of coarse tailings or beach sands.

Production facesProduction FacesProduction faces

d i f k i h d i fProduction faces kept straight to prevent meandering of the slurry with in the dam‐direct route to slurry pumps.

Production FacesProduction FacesProduction Faces

l f f k bAngle of mining face kept constant ‐ it can be changed if required (depending on material).

Production FacesProduction FacesProduction Faces

d l d45 degree mining cut on copper tailings damNB in dam trash such as timber and old pipes have no p p

effect on the production.

Production FacesProduction FacesProduction Faces

T

Narrow trench cut at bottom of Production trench to

T

of Production trench to ensure slurry runs directly to pumps to prevent settlingpumps to prevent settling out and density drops 

Night time lighting along all pipe lines and walk ways.

Production facesProduction FacesProduction faces

• Spare standby Monitors available to ensure constant 

operating hours, standby Monitor used during pipeoperating hours, standby Monitor used during pipe 

extensions or Monitor changes.  

• Control lines used to keep faces at consistent angles.          

Working SafelyWorking SafelyWorking SafelyWorking Safely

Hard Barricades around 

Monitor prevent entry into theMonitor prevent entry into the 

line of fire. The Operator has 

access around the Monitor 

and barricades to assist in 

directing the water jet to the 

t d ti f thmost productive area of the 

mining face.

Working SafelyWorking SafelyWorking SafelyWorking Safely

• Minin fa es barri aded off as prod tion fa e ad an es• Mining faces barricaded off as production face advances 

• Control lines demarcated in front of Monitor to keep cut angle consistent. 

SummarySummarySummarySummary

• Proven Technique and Technology• Experience of many years, projects and tonnestonnes

• Safe• Low CostW Effi i• Water Efficient

• FlexibleFlexible

Hydraulic MiningHydraulic MiningHydraulic MiningHydraulic Mining

Any Questions?