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Coal Preparation

Optimising Coal Fragmentation for Improved Recovery

Coal Preparation » General

Published: January 20Project Number: C6046

Get ReportAuthor: Joan Esterle, Darren Thornton, Graham O'Brien, Alan Cocker | CSIRO Exploration & Mining, JKMRC, C Clarkson & Associates, Quality Coal Consulting

Uncontrolled fragmentation, in particular that resulting in the generation of coal fines (

This is the final report for ACARP Project C6046 conducted through the Centre for Mining Technology and Equipment (CMTE) by members of the CSIRO division of Exploration and Mining and University of Queensland Julius Kruttschnitt Minerals Research Centre (JKMRC), with contributions from C. Clarkson and Associates and Quality Coal Consulting. Funding came from ACARP, BHP Australia Coal Pty. Ltd. Norwich Park and Goonyella Riverside Mines, and the CMTE.

The major deliverable from the project is a beta version of a computer application-CoalFrag- that links a series of spreadsheet-based models that describe coal character and fragmentation resulting from blasting, handling and crushing. Models were developed and validated against data collected during large scale mine audits. The outcome enables a user to optimise fragmentation for controlled size distribution and potentially improved coal recovery. The program will allow mine personnel, consultants and researchers to explore various mining and handling scenarios for different coals from their desktop, and estimate the relative impact of change on plant feed sizing before engaging in expensive field trials.

Other deliverables from the project are:

  • a unique data set from case studies at two mine sites;
  • empirical relationships between fragmentation, mining method and coal character; and
  • empirical relationships between mining method and recovery.

The main report, appendices and raw data are included as is the installation program for the CoalFrag application.

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