This research project came about as a result of ICI Australia offering a scholarship to a final-year mining engineering student at the Western Australian School of Mines. A signifi- cant part of this year of study is devoted to an industrial project and consequently one of the conditions of the award is that the successful applicant pursue a research project of interest to the donor company._x000D_
Having selected the project and the most appropriate final year student, a steering committee composed of representatives of ICI Australia, Kalgoorlie Mining Associates, the Mines Department and the WA School of Mines was set up. This committee is largely responsible for planning the main thrust of the research work whilst the detailed planning and day-to- day activities have been largely the responsi- bility of the research student, his academic supervisor and senior staff at the Mt Charlotte Mine.