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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.
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Mining and processing activities in Zimbabwe and some thoughts on mining the Great Dyke. Dr Michael Roberts, TWP SAIMM Zimbabwe Branch May 2010
What do we do? A generic description of some project work undertaken in Zimbabwe by TWP.
Activity Pickstone-Peerless hydrothermal gold deposits.
Activity 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 Unki declines on the Great Dyke. Declines completed.
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 group elements. How done. Optimise mineralogy, mining and process engineering by recognising that the ore body is not homogeneous.
Mining on the Bushveld and Great dyke There might be some commonality with respect to structure in the Bushveld and the Great Dyke.
Great dyke Some commonality with respect to structure in the Bushveld and the Great Dyke. Flexural slip thrust faults.
What is a flexural slip thrust fault? Flat Ramp Ore body Flexural slip thrust fault Flat Section
Flexural slip thrust fault Ramp Flat
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. Scientific description of a flexural slip thrust fault Part of the Platmine Research Programme funded by: Anglo Platinum Impala Platinum Lonmin 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.
Fall of ground fatalities over a set period Breakdown as to cause of 32 fall of ground fatalities
Pillar failure due to gouge on flexural slip thrust fault Gouge
Understanding the structures • Understanding geological structures within the ore body. • Rock mass ratings. • Rock strengths • Mining method. • Appropriate mining span • Excavation support Knowledge gap Rock engineering Mining engineering Structural geology
Understanding the structures • Understanding geological structures within the ore body. • Rock mass ratings. • Rock strengths • Mining method. • Appropriate mining span • Excavation support Knowledge gap Rock engineering Mining engineering Structural geology 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 No knowledge gap Rock engineering Mining engineering Structural geology Expect smoother production profile