Development of a High Capacity Steep Angle Belt Conveying System. Deep open-pit mining operations rely extensively on fleets of large haul trucks to convey both ore and waste rock. The aim of this project is to develop a high capacity conveying system with the ability to continuously convey ore and rock up steep inclines directly from the pit. The benefits of the research outcomes to the efficient handling of our most valuable export commodities are immense. This innovative new technology will s ....Development of a High Capacity Steep Angle Belt Conveying System. Deep open-pit mining operations rely extensively on fleets of large haul trucks to convey both ore and waste rock. The aim of this project is to develop a high capacity conveying system with the ability to continuously convey ore and rock up steep inclines directly from the pit. The benefits of the research outcomes to the efficient handling of our most valuable export commodities are immense. This innovative new technology will significantly reduce the dependency on haul trucks, reducing energy consumption, minimising environmental impact of the mining process, and improve the health and safety of personnel and the surrounding community.Read moreRead less
Response of residential structures to blast vibration. This proposed project combines the expertise and disciplines of residential construction, structural dynamics and blasting technology. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a rational methodology for assessing the damage potential of ground vibration resulting from blasting on typical Australian residential structures. The project involves field blast vibration measurements, static and dynamic laboratory tests on structural sub-assem ....Response of residential structures to blast vibration. This proposed project combines the expertise and disciplines of residential construction, structural dynamics and blasting technology. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a rational methodology for assessing the damage potential of ground vibration resulting from blasting on typical Australian residential structures. The project involves field blast vibration measurements, static and dynamic laboratory tests on structural sub-assemblages in a controlled environment, and comprehensive analytical modelling of both loading and response. The outcomes from this research will have direct application to the mining, insurance, construction and defence industries.Read moreRead less
Development of a New Generation Low Rolling Resistance Conveyor Belt. Belt conveying systems are employed extensively to transport bulk materials within Australia's mining and mineral processing industries. The energy consumption of belt conveyors are significant and dominated by the indentation rolling resistance of the idler rolls into the bottom cover of the belt. This project will develop technology to design more energy efficient conveyors by employing new laminated low energy loss belt cov ....Development of a New Generation Low Rolling Resistance Conveyor Belt. Belt conveying systems are employed extensively to transport bulk materials within Australia's mining and mineral processing industries. The energy consumption of belt conveyors are significant and dominated by the indentation rolling resistance of the idler rolls into the bottom cover of the belt. This project will develop technology to design more energy efficient conveyors by employing new laminated low energy loss belt covers. With Australian mineral exports exceeding $100 billion, coupled with the considerable transportation distances often necessary in Australian mining operations, the outcomes of this research will result in significant energy savings and economic benefits to these vital industries.Read moreRead less
A new damage model for rock burst in hard rocks during deep mining. This project seeks to develop a new model to predict incipient rock burst in deep mines. Violent sudden energy released during dynamic brittle failure of rocks can kill people and cause serious damages to mining infrastructures. The project aims to investigate formation of micro-fractures on the brittle shear zones during dynamic brittle failure of pristine rocks with a unique experimental methodology under high-pressure-tempera ....A new damage model for rock burst in hard rocks during deep mining. This project seeks to develop a new model to predict incipient rock burst in deep mines. Violent sudden energy released during dynamic brittle failure of rocks can kill people and cause serious damages to mining infrastructures. The project aims to investigate formation of micro-fractures on the brittle shear zones during dynamic brittle failure of pristine rocks with a unique experimental methodology under high-pressure-temperature condition. It is anticipated that a new micromechanics-based damage model for brittle rocks will be developed from this. Implementation of the new coupled thermo-mechanical damage model into a finite element should result in realistic simulation of deep mining operations to identify rock-burst prone areas and allow mining managers to avoid potential hazards.Read moreRead less
Multi-scale, two-phase flow in complex coal seam systems. Australia is the world’s leading coal exporter and a large consumer of coal. This project aims to fill key knowledge gaps that underpin the challenge facing the coal industry and environmental agencies in assessing the impact of coal mining on the surrounding environment, in particular, adjacent river and groundwater systems.
Avoiding catastrophic failure of cable bolts in underground mines. This work aims to identify the factors responsible for the emerging problem of catastrophic failure of high-load cable bolts in underground mines and develop strategies for resisting their failure. The work is of high importance since failure of cable bolts is now being reported in several mines across Australia and is expected to become a problem world-wide. The work is novel as it intends to be the very first study of catastrop ....Avoiding catastrophic failure of cable bolts in underground mines. This work aims to identify the factors responsible for the emerging problem of catastrophic failure of high-load cable bolts in underground mines and develop strategies for resisting their failure. The work is of high importance since failure of cable bolts is now being reported in several mines across Australia and is expected to become a problem world-wide. The work is novel as it intends to be the very first study of catastrophic cable bolt failure. The expected outcome is the development of economically viable solutions for avoiding catastrophic cable bolt failure. It is anticipated that the findings will also be relevant to the civil engineering sector.Read moreRead less
Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on ....Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on land and sea. A laboratory-scale process will be developed and tested at a larger scale. The new knowledge that is gained will be essential for the successful introduction of the new technology into the Australian coal industry.Read moreRead less
Minimization of emissions from dimethyl ether (DME) combustion in a diesel engine. The project works on the utilization of dimethyl ether, an innovative clean fuel produced from coal or natural gas, as a diesel substitute. The utilization of DME in diesel engines can potentially reduce the emissions by 90%, making it possible to meet the strictest engine standard. In the meantime the engine efficiency can be improved. The outcomes of the project will help accelarate the maturity of the DME mark ....Minimization of emissions from dimethyl ether (DME) combustion in a diesel engine. The project works on the utilization of dimethyl ether, an innovative clean fuel produced from coal or natural gas, as a diesel substitute. The utilization of DME in diesel engines can potentially reduce the emissions by 90%, making it possible to meet the strictest engine standard. In the meantime the engine efficiency can be improved. The outcomes of the project will help accelarate the maturity of the DME market in Australia. Read moreRead less
An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon kn ....An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon known as wind blast. The aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon and thus provide a basis on which to develop strategies to mitigate the hazard. Outcomes are expected to be improved levels of mining safety, technical viability and economics.Read moreRead less
Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the ....Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the mining method will be examined rigorously relative to the Australian geological and stress environment and safety requirement. The parameters influencing the applicability of the method as well as the support design criteria and performance will be researched using comparative, analytical and numerical modelling methods.Read moreRead less