Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SYNOPSIS
The usual figures quoted for water usage in South African gold mines are 1 ton of water used per ton of rock
broken, which represents a consumption of 4000 litres of water every second. Owing to the limited sources of
underQround water, the high cost of surface-water supplies, and the environmental problems of effluent disposal,
water IS recycled continuously for underground use.
This paper reviews the various types of water treatment and why water needs to be treated. The uses of lime
and some flocculants are considered, since much of the mine service water requires only simple neutralization
and clarification. Where mining depths necessitate the installation of underground refrigeration plant, more stringent
water requirements must be met, and where plant performance is to be maintained, the prevention of system scaling
and corrosion is necessary. The families of chemicals added to provide such protection are outlined, together with
a description of the mechanisms of control.
SAMEVATTING
Die gebruiklike syfers vir waterverbruik in die Suid-Afrikaanse goudmynbedryf is 1 ton water per ton gebreekte
klip, wat verteenwoordig 'n verbruik van 4000 liter water elke sekonde. Vanwee die beperkte bronne van ondergrondse
water, die hoe koste van bogrondse watervoorrade, en die omgewingsprobleme in verband met die wegdroeing
van uitvloeisel, word water voordurend vir ondergrondse gebruik gehersirkuleer.
Hierdie bespreking noem die moontlike soorte waterbehandeling en verduidelik waarom water behandel moet
word. Die gebruik van kalk en sommige uitvlokmiddels word in oenskou geneem aangesien baie van die gebruiksmyn-
water slegs eenvoudige neutralisasie en verheldering vereis. Waar die myndiepte die aanbring van ondergrondse
koelinstallasies vereis, moet daar aan strenger watervereistes voldoen word, en om die volgehoue werkverrigting
van die installasie te verseker moet skaalvorming en korrosie van die stelsel voorkom word. Die soorte chemikaliee
wat bygevoeg word om sodanige beskerming te verleen, word uiteengesit, tesame met 'n beskrywing van die
beheermeganismes.
Introduction
This paper deals with a study of underground waters In the provision of water for a particular process, the
and their treatment, and does not refer to the water- type of water treatment to be used is dictated simply by
treatment procedures used by the gold-mining industry the water's 'fitness for the purpose'; that is, the purpose
to provide water for reduction works or for final for which the water is intended is the criterion for the
discharge to a water course. degree of water purity required.
The major uses of underground water are for cooling, The major types of water treatment can be grouped
drilling, water jetting, and the provision of hydraulic as follows:
emulsions. The water used in underground workings (1) biological treatment or sterilization,
originates from the surface of the mine (e.g. from sur- (2) water conditioning,
face dams or a potable supply), or from underground (3) sequestration or anti-fouling, and prevention of scale,
fissures within the mine. The supplies from the surface and
are generally of good quality, whereas fissure waters have (4) corrosion inhibition.
a high content of total dissolved solids (TDS) and are
invariably acidic. The reason for the high TDS levels is Biological Water Treatment
to be found in the geochemical history of these waters. As there is always a danger that mine service water may
In general, waters in the Orange Free State have higher be drunk by mining personnel, all the piped water in the
chloride levels (more than 2000 mg/l) than those in the mines is 'sterilized'. This water is non-toxic and should
Witwatersrand areal (approximately 1000 mg/l). Vast cause no ill effects if drunk in small quantities. Most
volumes of water are used by the gold-mining industry bacteria and viruses are killed by chlorine, and a residue
in South Africa (1 ton of water per ton of rock broken, of 0,5 to 1 mg/l will usually destroy most organisms.
or 4000 litres of water every second). Because the con- Problems often arise in the treatment of water that is to
sumption and the costs of surface supplies are so high, be used in mine processes but is also required to be non-
water is continuously recycled within the underground toxic. The provision of chilled potable water as an
workings wherever possible. This recycling, together with alternative supply minimizes these difficulties.
the ingress of contaminants from working areas of the Biological fouling in water-reticulation systems in
mine, would rapidly render the water underground unfit mines can be a major cause for concern, especially in
for use unless a sensible water-treatment policy were refrigeration systems. Bacteria and dust are blown into
adopted within the overall framework of an integrated open cooling systems, where the bacteria proliferate in
water-management scheme. the warm water. Excessive growth can cause biological
. Senior Scientist, Council for Mineral
Bag X3015, Randburg, 2125 South Africa.
Technology (Mintek), Private
slime to build up and to form a mat of dead or living
organic detritus that is relatively immune to subsequent
@ The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 1985. SA chemical treatment. Deposits of such slime can impair
ISSN 0038-223 X /$3,00 + 0.00. Paper received 28th Aug., 1984. the efficiency of heat transfer in heat exchangers, and
JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY MARCH 1985 81
conditions can arise in which sulphate-reducing bacteria mine water is the addition of lime, normally in conjunc-
are able to flourish and to cause pitting on metal surfaces. tion with additions of chlorine, to suppress reaction (4).
A wide range of chemicals is available for biocidal Slaked lime is particularly effective if the acidic species
treatments, some of which are chlorine-releasing agents. are present in high concentrations, since the precipitation
The choice of treatment is dictated by the severity of the of calcium sulphate results in a marked decrease in TDS
problem, but non-oxidizing biocides are often preferred levels. The reactions involved are as follows:
to chloride. This is because many cooling systems run at
pH values higher than 8, which greatly diminishes the
activity of chlorine. In addition, chlorine is not specific
H2SO4 + Ca(OH)2 - CaS04 ! + 2 ~O, ". (5)
clarification. and
Neutralization
The acidity of the water is due chiefly to the oxidation
Mg(HC03)2 + 2 Ca(0H)2
Mg(OH)2 ! + 2 H2O.
- 2 CaC03 ! +
(8)
of pyrite, which is considered2 to occur in two distinct
stages. Additions of lime are usually controlled by pH
In the first stage, measurements, and values in the range 6,5 to 7,5 are
generally acceptable.
4 FeS2 + 12 H2O + 14 O2 = 4 Fe(OH)2 +
8 ~S04' (I) Clarification
It is clear from these reactions that neutralization is
and the iron hydroxide reacts with the acid and dissolv- effected by precipitation. Clarification of mine waters
ed oxygen to produce ferrous and then ferric sulphate as often occurs concurrently with neutralization. In addition
follows: to the natural turbidity of the water, the 'flocs' formed
during neutralization are often finely divided, and small
4 Fe(OH)2 + 4 ~S04 = 4 FeS04 + 8 H2O, ... (2) doses of coagulant are necessary to induce precipitation
and settling. The following dosages are typical:
and
Alum 20 mg/l
4 FeS04 + 2 H2SO4 + 2 = 2 Fe2(SO)3 + Hp. (3) Copperas 20 mg/l
Ferric-floc 10 mg/l.
The purely chemical action ends at this stage, producing
greenish water with a pH value of 3,6 to 4. Coagulants are chemicals that produce one or more of
If this water is not treated, certain bacteria the following actions:
(Thiobacillus thio-oxydans and Thiobacillus ferro- (a) neutralization of the repulsive forces round the
oxidans) start proliferating, and carry on the second-stage suspended solids, which enables the Van der Waals'
reaction: cohesive forces to hold the particles together once
bacteria they collide,
2 Fe2(S04)3 + 6 H2O 2 Fep3 + 6 H2SO4. (4) (b) the precipitation of 'sticky' flocs, such as metal
hydroxides, which entangle the suspended solids and
The water then assumes a reddish-brown colour due to colour (such as yellow boy), and
the ferric oxide rust (FeP3)' and has a pH value of 2 or (c) bridging of the suspended solids by natural or syn-
less. The amount of lime needed to neutralize this acid thetic long-chain polymers of high molecular mass.
after reaction (4) is four times larger than that needed The most commonly used coagulants are aluminium
after reaction (3). Neutralization should therefore be sulphate, ferric sulphate, and ferrous sulphate. They are
effected before the bacteria can act and, preferably, as acidic in nature, and react with the natural or added
early as possible in the system. alkalinity of the water to produce sulphates of calcium,
The acidification of mine water is responsible for much magnesium, or sodium, as well as a gelatinous precipitate.
of the mineralization of the water since, in addition to The precipitate is assumed to be a hydroxide but has, in
producing sulphate, acid water accelerates the breakdown fact, a complex formula of varying composition.
of silicate and carbonate minerals, which increases the Neutralization of the negative ionic charges of the
concentration of silica, aluminium, calcium, magnesium, suspended particles and mechanical entanglement are
and manganese ions in the mine water. involved in coagulation by the positive aluminium and
The general method of neutralization employed for iron salts. An optimum pH value is required, which
82 MARCH 1985 JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY
depends upon the minerals present in the water as well negative, positive, or both types of ion are produced in
as on the type of coagulant used. For example, in sulphate the water. Polyelectrolytes can be used to broaden the
solutions, the maximum rate of precipitation is at a pH range in pH over which the usual coagulants operate, and
value of approximately 6, whereas a value of 8 is required are normally used in very small dosages (less than 1 mg/l).
for chloride solutions. The alum floc re-dissolves at a pH
value of between 10 and 11. The addition of aluminium Anti-fouling Treatments
or iron salts lowers the pH value. Additions of caustic If underground heat-exchange equipment is in use,
soda, lime, or soda ash are often required to maintain precautions have to be taken to prevent the build-up of
the optimum pH value for coagulation. scale in exchanger tubes and the deposition of corrosion
In general, successful coagulation involves the follow- products and inorganic minerals. The increased use of
ing main factors: costly mine-refrigeration equipment in South Africa's
(i) the presence of a minimum quantity of aluminium deep mines has led to more stringent control of water
or iron ions to form an insoluble floc, quality. Included in this control is the use of chemicals
(ii) the presence of a strong anion such as SO~- or that clean the surfaces of heat exchangers.
Cl-, and Most waters used in reticulation systems contain poten-
(iii) the control of pH within a definite range. tial scale producers or mineral constituents that can lead
As indicated, the common coagulants are alum, fer- to fouling. Scale deposits occur when the solubility pro-
rous sulphate, and ferric sulphate. Alum, i.e. A~(SO4)3' duct of a particular compound is exceeded, whereas foul-
reacts with natural or added alkalinity as follows: ing is generally considered to be caused by the produc-
tion and accumulation of loose mineral deposits such as
A~(SOJ3 + 3 Ca(HCO3)2 = 2 AI(OH)3 + silica and debris due to corrosion. Scale-forming minerals
3 CaSO4 + 6 CO2, , (9) are particularly troublesome in cooling circuits since their
solubility decreases rapidly with increasing temperature
A~(SO4)3 + 3 N~CO3 + H2O = 2 AI(OH)3 + (Fig. 1).
3 Na2SO4 + 3 CO2, (10)
""""""""""""""'"
3000
A~(SO4)3 + 3 Ca(OH)2 = 2 AI(OH)3 + 2800
,
3 CaSO4. (11)
"""""""""""""""""""""'" 2600
'\
For ferrous sulphate (Copperas), Le. FeSO4. 7 HP,
added alkalinity is normally required to produce the ferric
2400 \
hydroxide floc. This reaction occurs at a pH value of 2200 \
about 8,4 after the reaction of ferrous hydroxide with
/
..J -.......
lime. Chlorine can also be used to oxidize ferrous 2000 Hemihydrate
-
hydroxide. The reactions are as follows:
-
"-
1800
Voypsum \
CaSO. 2H20)\ " f'\ (CaSO. I;' H2O)
50
0
0
" 20
Calcium carbonate (CaCO,)
I-t-
I I
1
I I
40 60 80 100 120 140 160
soda ash, or caustic soda. Temperature. C
In waters low in turbidity, coagulation is more difficult
than in waters that are highly turbid. The addition of clays Fig. 1-Effect of temperature on the solubility of scaling salts
to increase the turbidity results in better settling of the
floc, and broadens the range in pH of the coagulants. As already mentioned, water is recycled underground,
This is generally not necessary in the mining environment. and this recycling leads to an increase in the TDS levels.
Where difficulties are encountered in clarification, This is particularly true for cooling-water circuits, where
polye1ectrolytes are often used. These are water-soluble evaporation further concentrates potential scale-forming
polymers of high molecular mass that are classified as minerals. The methods of control employed underground
anionic, cationic, or non-ionic, depending upon whether are as follows:
JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY MARCH 1985 83
(1) the practice of blow-down, in which the TDS-Ioaded therefore compete for the active growth sites. Usually the
water is removed from the system and replaced with scale inhibitor is adsorbed, and further crystal growth is
'fresh' water, so reducing the overall concentration prevented. This explains why very small amounts of
of TDS in the system, inhibitor can prevent the formation of scale in the
(2) clarification, usually of the incoming stream by presence of high concentrations of scale-forming salts.
methods mentioned earlier, When TDS concentrations are exceptionally high, these
(3) the use of chemical dispersants and crystal modifiers scale inhibitors act in the same way as the tannins and
to prevent the precipitation of scale and to re-dissolve lignins, producing softer scales that are usually dispers-
the precipitants, and ed by the movement of water. Typical scale inhibitors are
(4) control of the pH value of the water in the vicinity the organic phosphorus compounds such as the phos-
of 8,0, at which level the water will be under phonates, polymethacrylates, and polymaleates.
equilibrium conditions in terms of its carbonate con- All these inhibitors also possess dissolving, sequester-
tent and is therefore considered to be neither ing, or chelating properties. Therefore many deposits that
aggressive nor precipitative. arrive at the metal surface are returned to the bulk solu-
If supersaturation of a particular mineral is allowed, tion as a stable colloidal suspension. The proposed ac-
active nuclei are formed that grow into crystals, resulting tion of these products is illustrated in Fig. 2.
in the laying down of scales on the surface of the metal.
The addition of certain surface-active agents to the water Corrosion Inhibitors
reduces the number of active nuclei available to further A corrosion inhibitor can be defined as a substance
scaling ions, and thus reduces the formation of crystals that, when added to a corrosive environment in small con-
and therefore of scale. Before 1945, organic materials centrations, reduces the aggressive nature of the environ-
such as tannins and lignins were added to cooling waters. ment by a reaction at the metal-solution interface.
The theory on which this was based was that certain Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the corrosion of steel
organic materials would deform the precipitating crystals in an aerated aqueous environment. The general corro-
by being incorporated into them and, as a result, the sion reaction of a steel in aerated neutral water comprises
crystals would not 'stick' to the hot surface. This treat- two half reactions: an anodic dissolution reaction sup-
ment met with limited success. Molecules such as ported by the cathodic reduction of dissolved oxygen. The
polyphosphates, phosphonates, and polycarboxylic acids anodic reaction may produce ferric ions in solution, or
are highly surface-active and, as such, are strongly these may combine with the local alkalinity produced by
attracted to the active nuclei of incipient crystals. These the cathode reaction to form insoluble hydroxides. This
surface-active molecules and the crystallizing substances cathodic precipitation is in itself an inhibitive action, but
Iron-phosphonate
complex
/
HO OH
RxC- C- 0-
~
i-0
1 n
t n
+
H2O
Fe' OH- H2O
1~ ~ \ Oxide stabilization
Metal hYdrOXideE:::::::::::::::::~-r /.::: ~
Metal oxide ~~i~~i ~~i ~~ii~~~~ ~~~~~~~:~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!~~~ ~~~ii~i~~i~~~ii~~
Metal~~~~~~~~~~,~~~~~
e.g. KA ~ A - + K+ .
Sequestration then occurs as follows:
dynamic
Fe(OH), ~ Fe'+ + OH-. (2)
equilibrium """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
(3)
Fe'+ + n A--Fe[A]. (soluble).
Fe -
Passivation occurs as follows:
oxidized
Fe20,.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""'"""""""""","""""""'"
(5)
"""""""""""""""""",,""""""""""""""
Fig. 2-Proposed dissolving properties of scale dispersants
84 MARCH 1985 JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY
the porosity of the precipitate allows continued, although coverage is not attained. Precipitation inhibitors are safer
slow, corrosion to occur. than the passivation types, and act by blocking the
There are three major types of corrosion inhibitors: cathodic sites. This is generally achieved by precipitating
(I) passivation or anodic inhibitors, an insoluble compound onto the cathode, as shown in
(2) precipitation or cathodic inhibitors, and Fig. 5. Zinc ions are used as precipitation inhibitors
(3) adsorption inhibitors. because zinc hydroxide is precipitated at cathodic sites
as a consequence of the locally high pH values that occur
at these sites. The cathodes become blocked, and the
Cathode reduction reaction of dissolved oxygen is therefore sup-
pressed. This is in effect what was described in the
Oxygen reduction precipitation of ferric hydroxide, only now the precipitate
0, + 2H,O + 4e-40H- is non-porous. As can be seen, pitting is avoided even
if complete coverage does not occur. This is because the
current density generated over a large number of anodes
when supported by relatively few cathodes is insufficient
to cause overly rapid local dissolution.
Anode
86 MARCH 1985 JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY
<4mpy
Heavy
mpy 2,54 x 1O-'m,orO,OOli n)
scale Scale-control additives = mil per year (I mil =
Polyacrylate
Polymaleic acid
Phosphate ester
Phosphonates 4tol2mpy
~;:; 6t024mpy
:0 Light scale Phosphonate-polyphosphate
0
(moderate corrosion) Phosphono-carboxylic acid-polyphosphate
6-
~
c
"
"
c.. 18 to 30mpy
Phosphonate-nitrite
Moderat e Zinc polyphosphate nitrite
corrosion
>30mpy
Zinc-phosphonate
Severe I t I I I
corrosion 2 4 6 7 9 10
0
Ryzner index
Fig. 7-A chart for the selection of inhibitors (after Harris and Marshalls)
4. HARRIS, A., and MARSHALL, A. The control of corrosion in in- 5. HARRIS, A., and MARSHALL, A. The control of corrosion in in-
dustrial cooling water systems (I). Corros. Prey. Control, vo!. 27, dustrial cooling water systems (2). Corros. Prey. Control, vo\. 27,
no. 3. Jun. 1980. pp. 18 - 21. no. 4. Aug. 1980. pp. 17-21.
IPMI seminar
The International Precious Metals Institute will hold Some 18 Carat Gold Jewellery Alloys', 'Technical and
a Noble Metals Fabrication and Technology Seminar in Economic Advantages Achieved Through the Use of
Jerusalem, Israel, from 27th April to 5th May, 1985. The Brazing Pastes in Manufacturing Jewellery', 'Platinum
organizing chairmen, Drs Leah Gal-Or, John P. Nielsen, Alloys for Jewellery Applications', 'Procedures for
and Christof Raub, have planned five sessions of Small-scale Refining of Jeweller's Scrap', 'International
outstanding technical papers and one full day of plant Marketing of Jewellery and Non-Tariff Barriers'.
visits. A hospitality programme oftours, receptions, and Session IV High Technology I
banquet has also been arranged for the delegates and 'Gold and Platinum Metals in the Electronic Industry',
accompanying persons. 'The Recent Technology of Precious Metal Plating for
A brief summary of the technical programme by ses- the Connector Field in Japan', 'Sputtered Metallization
sion includes: for Hybrid Devices', 'Gold Contact Cladding Technique' ,
Session I General Subjects 'Sputtering of Precious Metals for Seminconductor
'Dental Alloys - Precious Metals or Nickel?', 'Silver Applications' .
as Contaminate in Fine Gold', 'Electroforming of Gold Session V High Technology II
Objects', 'Industrial Uses of Platinum Group Metals', 'Previous Metal Dental Alloys', 'Hardening Mechan-
'Quality Control in Jewellery Manufacture and its Rela- ism iIJ Gold-Copper-Silver Alloys', 'Electrodeposition
tionship to International Hallmarking Requirements', of Platinum from Molten Salts', 'Laser Induced Plating
'Inventory Management of Precious Metals'. of Gold on Metallic and Non-Metallic Substrates', 'Gold
Session 11 Precious Metals Investment Casting Wire Bonding for Microelectronics'.
'Investment Casting of Jewellery Alloys - Problems A complete programme of the technical papers to be
and Solutions', 'The Mesh Monitor for Casting presented and their authors, along with information on
Characterization', 'The Razor-Blade Monitor for Casting travel arrangements, accommodation, tours, and fees,
Characterization', 'Casting Characteristics of Palladium can be obtained from the Secretariat:
Dental Alloys'. International Precious Metals Institute
Session III Jewellery Government Building, ABE Airport
'Structure, Phase Transformations, Thermal and Allentown, PA 18103, U.S.A.
Mechanical History and Technological Properties of Telephone: 215/266-1570.
JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY MARCH 1985 87
Ninetieth Birthday - 1894/95 to 1984/85
by DORIS GARDNER*
The current Council Session (1984/85) of The South was obviously discussed during a Council meeting because
African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy is the 90th various names were put forward as suggestions to the
Session of this august body. meeting held on 15th November, 1902. A proposal was
made that the name should be changed to The Chemical
Inauguration and Metallurgical Society and Mining Institute of South
At the beginning of 1894, certain members of the pro- Africa, and it was agreed that this proposal should be
fession who interchanged ideas among themselves felt that put forward at a Special General Meeting.
more benefit would be derived if a larger number of This Special General Meeting was held on 20th
chemists and metallurgists were to meet for that specific December, 1902, and there was naturally a great deal of
purpose. To ascertain the general opinion of the prac- reluctance to change the name on the part of a number
ticability of forming a professional society, a dinner was of members. Mr A. Whitby, who appeared to be the main
held on 10th March, 1894, at the North-western Hotel person against the change, said, 'If we are to introduce
in Johannesburg. Some 60 people were present, and the mining proper into our deliberations, we must include a
support for such a Society was so great that a meeting number of subjects which are far removed from the con-
was called for 24th March of the same year. sideration of chemists and metallurgists. We have no con-
Only 14 people attended that meeting but, in spite of cern with timbering, winding, drills, dykes, faults, or any
this, a committee was appointed to draft the first Con- of the thousand and one problems connected with min-
stitution and By-laws of the Society. The Constitution ing, which come within the province of the engineer,
and By-laws were adopted at a meeting held on 14th surveyor, or geologist'. He stated further, 'We have been
April, 1894, at which 21 people were present. A further twitted with the name of the Cyanide Club, and some
meeting was held on 21st April, 1894, and it was at this are inclined to consider it a term of reproach, but I argue
meeting that the first Office Bearers were elected from that the Society has merely done the work called for'.
among the 34 foundation members. In fact, the deliberations carried on for so long that the
The preparations were complete, and the Institute meeting ended without finality having been reached.
began its existence as the Society of Chemists and At the following monthly meeting, held on 24th
Metallurgists of South Africa, with the first President, January, 1903, it was proposed that a Special General
Mr W. Bettel, giving his inaugural address at a meeting Meeting should be convened to discuss a change in the
on 19th May, 1894. Society's name to The Chemical, Metallurgical and Min-
ing Society of South Africa. A vote was taken, and the
Early Years Special General Meeting was convened for 21st February,
The proceedings of the first Annual General Meeting, 1903. This meeting was attended by 128 Members, and
held on Saturday evening, 15th June, 1895, contain very a ballot was held; the outcome was 92 for the motion and
interesting facts about the first year-not the least of 36 against. The Society continued under this name until
which is the fact that a profit of 133.7s.3d. was made. 1956, when a Special General Meeting was called on 27th
The subscriptions at that time were two guineas, and the June to consider once again a change in name. There were
raising of the subscriptions to three guineas for members 58 members present, and it was proposed that the name
living within the toll gates was discussed. It is not known should be changed to its present form, Le. The South
from the annual report whether the increase ever took African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The motion
place. In January 1897 the total membership of the Socie- was carried unanimously, and the meeting lasted 6
ty stood at 111. The Council continued to meet on a minutes.
regular basis until October 1899, when, with the outbreak
of the Anglo-Boer War, no further meetings were held The Present Time
until 10th May, 1902. Today the Institute has a membership of more than
2400 and continues to grow in numbers. It is apparent
that the initial aims of the first Council are being adhered
Change of Name to. These, as stated by Mr W. Bettel in his inaugural ad-
It appears that all the meetings held so far had taken dress, are 'to promote good fellowship among its
the form of a discussion around one or more technical members, and by social intercourse, interchange of ideas,
papers that had been read at the beginning of the meeting. and research, aided by the formation of a reference
At an ordinary monthly meeting held on 20th September, library. . . to keep abreast of scientific progress'.
1902, Mr D.J. Williams pointed out that papers were be- 'Happy 90th Birthday, SAIMM, and may you see
ing read before Council that were neither chemical nor many more'.
metallurgical, and he proposed that the name of the To celebrate the 90th Anniversary, a banquet was held
Society should be changed to include the word mining. at the Carlton Hotel on 22nd March, 1984, which was
The matter was referred to Council for a decision, and much enjoyed by all who attended.
. Secretary, The South African Institute of Mining
P.O. Box 61019, Marshalltown, 2107 Transvaal.
and Metallurgy,
88 MARCH 1985 JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY