Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of Thermal Fragmentation in Australian Hard Rock Underground Narrow-Vein Mining

  • Published:
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents the results from the investigation of the application of thermal fragmentation in Australian hard rock underground narrow-vein mining. Two geologically similar samples from an underground narrow-vein hard rock gold mine were collected to obtain a measure of the technology’s ability to recover ore by the creation of large thermal openings to assess the applicability of the thermal method. Particle size distribution showed a higher generation of fine product, − 2 mm, by thermal fragmentation compared with selective blasting by 31%. The Bond work index for thermal ore (12.62 kWh/t) is half to that of the blasted ore value (25.32 kWh/t). The average grindability obtained for the thermal ore sample was greater than the blasted sample by a factor of 2.44, a higher value indicating a decrease in the energy required to grind. The thermal fragmentation method generates product with higher dissolution of gold in cyanide, by 14% for the − 9.5 + 2 mm size fraction samples. Additionally, the thermal fragmentation results in higher production of − 9.5 + 2 mm material by 15 % compared with selective blasting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig 2.
Fig 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brisebois D (2016a) About us - corportate presentation. Retrieved from Nippon Dragon Resources: http://www.nippondragon.com/images/PDF-Documents/Corporate%20Presentation%20Nippon%20Dragon%20Resources.pdf

  2. Brisebois D (2016b) Change mining mindset. Nippon Dragon Resources Inc., Quebec

    Google Scholar 

  3. Brisebois D (2016c) RE: Pictures thermal

  4. Brisebois D, Brisebois J-P (n.d.) Thermal fragmentation: reducing mining width when extracting narrow precious metal veins. Quebec, Canada

  5. Brown J, Gaudin A (1960) Mechanism of intergranual comminution by heading. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brown J, Gaudin A, Loeb C Jr (1958) Intergranular comminution by heating. Mining Engineering 211:490–496

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dominy S, Phelps R, Sangster CA (1998) Narrow vein mining techniques in the United Kingdom. Underground Operators’ Conference, (pp. 227-237). Townsville

  8. Dominy S, Annels A, Barr S, Hodkinson IA (1999) Gold grade distribution and estimation in narrow vein systems. PACRIM ‘99. Bali, pp 411–425

  9. Fecteau J, Poirier SA (2001) Narrow-vein mining project: a special initiative of natural resources Canada. 6th International Symposium on Mine Mechanization. pp 11–16

  10. Herbst JA (2000) Mine-to-mill optimisation - research and practice. University of Utah, Department of Metallurgy, Melbourne

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kenyen VP (1984) Million dollar grinding mill - is it for you? Mining Engineering 1984:1422–1426

    Google Scholar 

  12. Larsen P, Richard CA (1990) Application of longhole drilling methods for narrow vein mining. CIM Bulletin:35–40

  13. Lynch A (2015) Comminution. The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Melbourne

    Google Scholar 

  14. McCarthy P (1993) Economics of narrow vein mining. Narrow Vein Mining Seminar. Bendigo, Victoria, pp 89–98

  15. Poirier S, Fecteau J-M, Brisebois D (2002) Thermal rock fragmentation applications in narrow-vein extraction. Vancouver

  16. Powell M (2013). Infographic - counting the cost of comminution. Retrieved October 8, 2016, from mining-technology.com: http://www.mining-technology.comfeaturesfeaturecomminution-energy-costs-mining-industry-savings

  17. Scott A, Kanchibotla S, Morrel S (1999) Blasting for mine to mill optimisation. Kalgoorlie, WA

  18. Scott A, Segui J, Kanchibotla S (2000) Ore characteristics for mine to mill fragmentation. 4th International Mining Geology Conference. Coolum, QLD, pp 247–253

  19. Tavares L, King R (1995) Application of thermal treatment to improve comminution. Denver, Colorado

  20. Wills BA, Napier-Munn T (2006) Mineral processing technology, 7th edn. Elsevier Science & Technology Books, Brisbane

    Google Scholar 

  21. Zeng Y (1992) Energy consumption in fine crushing and dry rod grinding. SME nonmeeting paper 91-657, pp 69–72

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by the Federation University, Australia, in the preparation and dissemination of this article to the mining community.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Australia

    Bradley Drake, Larissa Koroznikova & Michael Tuck

  2. Safescape, Golden Gully, Australia

    Steve Durkin

Authors
  1. Bradley Drake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Larissa Koroznikova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael Tuck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Steve Durkin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Tuck.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Drake, B., Koroznikova, L., Tuck, M. et al. Application of Thermal Fragmentation in Australian Hard Rock Underground Narrow-Vein Mining. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 37, 219–229 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-00154-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-00154-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation