International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis

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Ore Dilution Estimation Model in Tanzania Southern Highland Zone: A Case of New Luika Gold Mine

Received: Dec. 22, 2017    Accepted: Jan. 16, 2018    Published: Feb. 02, 2018
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Abstract

This paper brings about understanding of the effect of ore dilution to the economics of mine and reveals that, mining ore dilution is one among factors affecting the economy of mining projects. Dilution factor varies within a single mine for different benches and zones due to changes seen in grade distribution and shape of ore body, also varies based on commodity price obtained. It was necessary to make sure that these variations were taken into account during designing or evaluating a mine. The study identified suitable methods that are supposed to be used for estimation of ore dilution level which are: Geological review method, loading and haulage methods. By checking the number of dilution from the data, the percentage of dilution, the total tons of ore and total tons of waste was computed by the formula of dilution, the computed average dilution estimation was found to be 64% which was then used in determination of an increase level of ore dilution by comparing obtained results to the standards ore dilution used by the company. Normally the company estimated 20% up to 23% as standard ore dilution which brings about the average of 21.5% standard ore dilution. Upon considering the factor of standard planned ore dilution in the Company, the finding proved that there is an increase by 42.5% ore dilution during operation each day. Upon considering factors concerned with the process of comminuting, the results shows that grade from grade control is 4.73 g/t and grade of the final product is 3.95 g/t and the grade difference is 0.78 g/t where by factors like, leakage, slurry overflow, some other chemical agents in the CIL tanks that take place in the process like (CIL) Carbon In Leach process, crushing and grinding are taking into consideration. The study shows that, the dilution per hour in a given bench is above standard planned ore dilution. By checking the line graph from the findings it shows the dilution per hour in a given bench is higher than standard planned by the company which is 29%.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12
Published in International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis ( Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2018 )
Page(s) 7-12
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ore Dilution, Southern Highland Zone, Ore Reserve, Geology, Waste, Cut-off Grade, Mine, Mill

References
[1] Parker H. M. (2012). Reconciliation principles for the mining industry. Published by Maney on behalf of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Metallurgy and the AusIMM, maneypublishing.com.
[2] Anoush Ebrahimi, P. Dilution factor for open pit mining projects.
[3] Gerald D. Crawford (2004) Pincock Allen and Holt, Pincock perspectives, Dilution and ore Recovery, issue NO. 60.
[4] A. Sinclair, G. Blackwell. (2002), Applied Mineral Inventory Estimation, Cambridge University Press.
[5] Wright, A., 1983. Dilution and Mining Recovery, Erzmetal, Vol 36.
[6] Elbrond, J., 1994. Economic Effect of Ore Losses and Rock Dilution; CIM Bulletin, Vol 87, No 978, pp. 131-134.
[7] Ingler, D., 1984. Mining Methods, Rock Dilution and Ore Losses.
[8] Anderson B, Grebenc B (1995) Controlling dilution at the Golden Giant mine. In: Proceedings of the 12th CIM mine operators’ conference, Timmins, February 1995.
[9] F. Leite et al, J. F Domingo, I. Carasco, V. Gouveia, I. Navarro, F. Lozano. (2014). Dilution, ore grade and blast movement calculation model.
[10] Wang, W., Huang, S., Wu, X., & Ma, Q. (2011). Calculation and Management for Mining Loss and Dilution under 3D Visualization Technical Condition.
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    Mtaita Charles Mtoni. (2018). Ore Dilution Estimation Model in Tanzania Southern Highland Zone: A Case of New Luika Gold Mine. International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis, 4(1), 7-12. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12

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    Mtaita Charles Mtoni. Ore Dilution Estimation Model in Tanzania Southern Highland Zone: A Case of New Luika Gold Mine. Int. J. Sci. Qual. Anal. 2018, 4(1), 7-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12

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    AMA Style

    Mtaita Charles Mtoni. Ore Dilution Estimation Model in Tanzania Southern Highland Zone: A Case of New Luika Gold Mine. Int J Sci Qual Anal. 2018;4(1):7-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12,
      author = {Mtaita Charles Mtoni},
      title = {Ore Dilution Estimation Model in Tanzania Southern Highland Zone: A Case of New Luika Gold Mine},
      journal = {International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis},
      volume = {4},
      number = {1},
      pages = {7-12},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsqa.20180401.12},
      abstract = {This paper brings about understanding of the effect of ore dilution to the economics of mine and reveals that, mining ore dilution is one among factors affecting the economy of mining projects. Dilution factor varies within a single mine for different benches and zones due to changes seen in grade distribution and shape of ore body, also varies based on commodity price obtained. It was necessary to make sure that these variations were taken into account during designing or evaluating a mine. The study identified suitable methods that are supposed to be used for estimation of ore dilution level which are: Geological review method, loading and haulage methods. By checking the number of dilution from the data, the percentage of dilution, the total tons of ore and total tons of waste was computed by the formula of dilution, the computed average dilution estimation was found to be 64% which was then used in determination of an increase level of ore dilution by comparing obtained results to the standards ore dilution used by the company. Normally the company estimated 20% up to 23% as standard ore dilution which brings about the average of 21.5% standard ore dilution. Upon considering the factor of standard planned ore dilution in the Company, the finding proved that there is an increase by 42.5% ore dilution during operation each day. Upon considering factors concerned with the process of comminuting, the results shows that grade from grade control is 4.73 g/t and grade of the final product is 3.95 g/t and the grade difference is 0.78 g/t where by factors like, leakage, slurry overflow, some other chemical agents in the CIL tanks that take place in the process like (CIL) Carbon In Leach process, crushing and grinding are taking into consideration. The study shows that, the dilution per hour in a given bench is above standard planned ore dilution. By checking the line graph from the findings it shows the dilution per hour in a given bench is higher than standard planned by the company which is 29%.},
     year = {2018}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Ore Dilution Estimation Model in Tanzania Southern Highland Zone: A Case of New Luika Gold Mine
    AU  - Mtaita Charles Mtoni
    Y1  - 2018/02/02
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsqa.20180401.12
    T2  - International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis
    JF  - International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis
    JO  - International Journal of Science and Qualitative Analysis
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
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    AB  - This paper brings about understanding of the effect of ore dilution to the economics of mine and reveals that, mining ore dilution is one among factors affecting the economy of mining projects. Dilution factor varies within a single mine for different benches and zones due to changes seen in grade distribution and shape of ore body, also varies based on commodity price obtained. It was necessary to make sure that these variations were taken into account during designing or evaluating a mine. The study identified suitable methods that are supposed to be used for estimation of ore dilution level which are: Geological review method, loading and haulage methods. By checking the number of dilution from the data, the percentage of dilution, the total tons of ore and total tons of waste was computed by the formula of dilution, the computed average dilution estimation was found to be 64% which was then used in determination of an increase level of ore dilution by comparing obtained results to the standards ore dilution used by the company. Normally the company estimated 20% up to 23% as standard ore dilution which brings about the average of 21.5% standard ore dilution. Upon considering the factor of standard planned ore dilution in the Company, the finding proved that there is an increase by 42.5% ore dilution during operation each day. Upon considering factors concerned with the process of comminuting, the results shows that grade from grade control is 4.73 g/t and grade of the final product is 3.95 g/t and the grade difference is 0.78 g/t where by factors like, leakage, slurry overflow, some other chemical agents in the CIL tanks that take place in the process like (CIL) Carbon In Leach process, crushing and grinding are taking into consideration. The study shows that, the dilution per hour in a given bench is above standard planned ore dilution. By checking the line graph from the findings it shows the dilution per hour in a given bench is higher than standard planned by the company which is 29%.
    VL  - 4
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Author Information
  • Department of Civil Engineering, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Mbeya, Tanzania

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