M I N I N G 119
(3) The Amenability of Australian Uranium Ores to Concentration Workers: W. J. Trahar, I . McColl and H . H . Dunkin
Work has been done on the separation by flotation, in a laboratory test cell, of pitchblende from several ores. I t has been established that under these conditions pitchblende responds readily to anionic collectors of the carboxylate type, but only in a limited way to sulphate or sulphonate collectors. The p H range for maximum re- sponse is from 6-o to about 7-5.
Major difficulties in separation are due to the very intimate associa- tion of pitchblende with gangue minerals in the ores studied, and to the tendency for pitchblende to slime readily. Concentration of slime material by flotation is not easy and this is a major obstacle in the way of efficient concentration.
(4) Variables affecting High Tension (electrostatic) Separation Workers: C. Nilkuha and S. B. Hudson
This project was completed during the year and a thesis has been submitted for examination by the first-named worker. Using a roll type separator, the effects of variation of roll speed, particle size, electrode voltage and electrode position have been examined for a poorly conducting and a conducting mineral. I t is intended to con- tinue the investigation at some later time.
(5) Flocculation in Thickening
Workers: T. W. Healy and J. S. Carr
A study of the flocculation of mineral pulps by polymeric sub- stances started in March 1958. The effect of the commercial flocculant Separan 2610 on the electrokinetic potential of quartz has been examined, as well as the effect of this polymer on the subsidence behaviour of quartz pulps. Principal variables studied have been reagent concentration and pH.
Electrokinetic measurements have been made by the streaming potential technique, and subsidence measurements have been made in Pyrcx glass cylinders.
B. MINING
(6) The Application of Tungsten Carbide Bits to Rotary Blast Hole Druling in Hard Rock
Worker: H. F. C. Nevill
Further work has been clone on design of bits for drilling at slow rotational speeds. A design of bit having a coring face and a core- breaker behind it is giving interesting results.
Thc machine for investigating drilling at high rotational speeds has been rebuilt to allow variation of speed and the application of higher power at the bit.
120 F A C U L T Y OF E N G I N E E R I N G
(7) Investigation of the Validity of P. A. Rehbinder's Theories relating to Hardness Reducers in Rock Drilling
Worker: H. F. C. Nevill (in conjunction with A. J. W. Moore, C.S.I.R.O. Division of Tribophysics)
This project is still in abeyance pending the establishment of a reliable design of carbide tipped bit for hard rock.
(8) Investigation of Rock Properties Worker: H. F. C. Nevill
Equipment including a diamond rock saw is now available, which will make possible the study of rock properties i n conjunction with the rotary drilling projects.
(9) Field Methods for Detection of Metals in Earth and Rock Workers: R. R. Lever and H. F. C. Nevill
Field trials with the paper chromatographic method for estimating gold have proved the method to be simple and reliable. I t is ap- plicable to prospecting and to certain routine mine sampling opera- tions, provided the operating temperature can be maintained above 64° F .
C. INVESTIGATIONS I N CO-OPERATION WITH INDUSTRY Work of this nature has continued. Major projects include the concentration of a complex base metal ore in the Northern Territory and work leading to the adoption of a new process and plant for recovery of gold from a Victorian ore.
Several companies have co-operated in the work on rotary drilling which has already been recorded.
PUBLISHED WORK Research Papers
i . CARR, J. S.— The Flotation of Uranium Minerals, with Particular Reference to Uraninite. Symposium on Peacefid Uses of Atomic Energy in Australia, Section 1 : Materials (Preprint) 1. CORNELIUS, R. J. and WOODCOCK, J. T.— Pressure Leaching of a
Manganese Ore. Part 1 : Kinetic Aspects. Proc. A'asian Inst.
Min. Metall. 185: 65-107 (1958). Part 1: Leaching Aspects.
Proc. A'asian Inst. M i n . Metall. 185: 109-33 ('95^)
3. HUDSON, S. B. and BLASKETT, K. S.— Recovery of Monazite f r o m the Beach Sand Deposits of Eastern Australia. Proc. A'asian Inst. M i n . Metall. 186: 161-85 (1958)
4. In addition, seventeen reports of investigations conducted by officers of the joint Univcrsity-CS.I.R.O. Ore Dressing Labora- tory were issued, as follows:
M I N I N G 121 Report
No. Title Date 552 Treatment of gold ore from thc Golden Crown mine, Yarrambat 28/3/58
553 A paper chromatographic method for field assay of auriferous
materials 3/6/58 554 Magnetic concentration of uranium from El Sherana 23/4/58
555 Concentration of magnetic separator beach sands residues from
Capcl, W.A. 23/5/58 556 Electrostatic separation of garnet and ilmenitc from Gilespie's Beach,
Sth. Westland, N.Z. 1/6/58 557 Slag from Silver Spur mine, Texas, Qld. 18/6/58
558 Treatment of antimonv ore from King Pin mine, Mitchell River,
N . Qld. ' 8/8/58 559 Pcllctizing kopi (flour gypsum) from the Ivanhoe district, N.S.W. 5/8/58
560 Preliminary concentration test on manganese ore from Ccbore, New
Guinea ' 8/8/58 561 Jig concentration of table feed from Wattle Gully 8/9/58
562 Determination of fibre in asbestos ore from Fine Flower, N.S.W. 2/10/58 563 Concentration of oolitic iron ores from Roper Bar, N.T., I I I 3/12/58 564 Treatment of calcine residue dump from Bendigo, Vic. 10/11/58 565 Treatment of table concentrate from thc Golden Crown mine,
Yarrambat 17/11/58 566 Strongly magnetic product Irom beach sand treatment as a possible
source of heavy media for coal cleaning 2/12/58 567 Table concentration of manganese ore from Rippon Hills, W.A. ' 5 / ' / 5 9
569 Concentration of oxide cobalt-nickel ore from Kilkivan, Qld. 5/l/59 Other Papers
5. DUNKIN, H . H . — Ore Dressing Developments in Australia, 1957.
Chem. Engng M i n . Rev. 50 (6): 43-50 and 50 (7): 40-9 (1958) 6. DUNKIN, H . H . (with N I X O N , J. C.)— Research in Mineral Dressing.
A'asian Inst. M i n . Metall. Melb. Branch Symposium on Re- search, October /95c?
7. The Flotation of Fluorite: A Review. Joint University-C.S.I.R.O.
Ore Dressing Laboratory Information Circular No. 4 (1958)
THESIS PASSED FOR HIGHER DEGREE M A S T E R O F M I N I N G E N G I N E E R I N G
R A N K I N , R. I . T h c D e s i g n a n d C o n s t r u c t i o n of Small-Bore T u n n e l s o n the K i e w a Project