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By J. Peterson, D. D. Tannant, J. Todd

"A review of blast designs and improved blasting practices at the EkatiTM diamond mine is presented along with the results of three blast-monitoring experiments. Blast monitoring was undertaken to investigate blast damage mechanisms in the mine’s well jointed rock mass. Rock mass damage caused by production, pre-shear and wall control blasts was measured. EkatiTM uses 270 mm holes for production blasting, and 165 mm holes loaded with a decoupled charge for pre-shearing. The production blasts are loaded with bulk emulsion/ANFO blends. The mine plan involves using 30 m double benches. A 30 m high pre-shear is drilled and blasted prior to the production blasting that is done with sequential 15 m benches. This paper summarizes the monitoring equipment and data gathered to date. IntroductionThe EkatiTM diamond mine is located about 300 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The mine is a joint venture of BHP Diamonds Inc. (80%) and geologists Charles Fipke and Stewart Blusson (10% each). The EkatiTM mine is Canada’s first diamond mine and BHP is the operator. The mine is accessed by air and by a winter ice road.The first kimberlite pipe mined at EkatiTM is known as the Panda pipe. The Panda open pit mine will have a total depth of 315 m (Fig. 1), a width of about 600 m, and a 50° overall slope. Initial ore production is 9000 tonnes per day.This paper summarizes the pre-strip blasting and the evolution of the production and wall control blast designs from 1997 to 2000. The initial blast designs and the rationale behind subsequent changes that took place are presented along with the techniques currently in use.The paper also briefly presents an experiment done to measure the rock mass response to blasting. Three blasts were instrumented with geophones, gas pressure sensors and time domain reflectometry cables. A brief summary of the instrumentation and data gathered is included."

Jan 1, 2001

By Serge Perreault

Le cuivre est un métal fascinant qui joue un rôle essentiel dans le développement des différentes civilisations depuis 7000 ans. Le cuivre est aussi un métal polyvalent et essentiel qui est très présent dans notre vie quotidienne. L’un des premiers métaux utilisés par les humains, il est un élément chimique qui se trouve à l’état natif, ce qui est rare pour les métaux. Il apparaît principalement dans des minéraux, notamment sous forme de sulfures, en raison de son caractère chalcophile (c’est-à-dire son attraction pour l’élément soufre). Le cuivre se trouve dans la croûte terrestre sous forme de minéraux de cuivre, tels que dans les sulfures dont la chalcopyrite, la bornite, la covellite et la chalcocite. Il est également présent sous sa forme native ou dans des minéraux oxydés comme la cuprite et dans des carbonates hydratés, comme la malachite et l’azurite. La formation de gisements de minerai de cuivre implique des processus géologiques complexes, notamment l’activité hydrothermale, les intrusions magmatiques et l’altération des roches. Les gisements de minerai de cuivre se trouvent dans divers types d’environnements géologiques, dont les gisements porphyriques, les gisements de cuivre encaissés dans des roches sédimentaires, les gisements de type skarn, les gisements de sulfures massifs volcanogènes, les gisements magmatiques de type nickel-cuivre, les gisements de cuivre oxydé, et d’autres [1].

May 2, 2024

By Wang Xianzheng

For a long period of time, the Chinese Government has been attaching great importance to and supporting the rapid development of the coal industry. Particularly since more than 30 years ago, when China introduced the Reform and Opening-up policy, the reform and development of the Chinese coal industry has witnessed world-recognized achievements. National coal production increased from 618 million tonnes in 1978 to 3.52 billion tonnes in 2011. While China?s coal production accounts for 49.5% of the world?s total, its annual production growth contributes to over 80% of global production growth. China is a country utilizing coal as its main source of energy. As the Chinese Government gives support to the rapid development of new and renewable energy sources, as well as to increased coal utilization efficiency, the ratio of coal in the primary energy consumption mix will gradually decline. However, for a long period of time to come, the total volume of coal demand will keep rising modestly. The Chinese Government has been highly committed to and actively promoting the overall, coordinated and sustainable development model, which puts people first. It has put forward a strategic task to build an ecological civilization, and highlighted its resolve to uphold the basic national policy of resource conservation and environmental protection, with a view to the pursuit of sustainable development. China will incorporate its response to climate change into the national economic and social development program, and take effective measures to lower CO2 emissions 40?45% per unit of GDP in 2020 compared to 2005. At the same time, China will increase the ratio of non-fossil fuels to 15% in the primary energy consumption mix. All of the above factors have raised requirements for the Chinese coal industry, with implications for clear directions, plans and goals for the development of the coal industry.

Aug 1, 2013

By Lauri Gregg

The implementation of Energy Management within the global mining industry has advanced significantly during the past 20 years. Consequently, the industry?s knowledge of energy efficiency improvement opportunities, more energy efficient technologies, renewable energy technologies, energy procurement practices, and most importantly, practical approaches for integrating the energy management best practices into business processes and operational procedures has improved greatly. Based on 25 years of experience leading the management of energy in mining operations and the Canadian mining community, the author discusses the key building blocks in the evolution toward becoming an energy efficient mining facility. Sustainable energy management depends on the internalization of the behaviors related to the effective energy use by a mining organization. The paper outlines the typical business drivers that stimulate top management commitment to allocate the resources necessary for this to happen. It also explores the barriers that mining companies must overcome to maintain the commitment. Additionally, it will advocate the need for the application of the principles of organizational change management as part of the energy management implementation process. The question regarding how energy management can be made to happen in a way that is practical for an established organization is answered by providing the details of the framework for energy management, the methodology for controlling energy use, and the roadmap for integrating energy as a key business parameter and production process input variable. An Energy Management System standard developed within the Mining Association of Canada?s ( MAC ) Towards Sustainable Mining ( TSM ) initiative has played an important role in increasing the capacity of the Canadian mining industry to manage energy. The impact of the application the MAC TSM Energy/GHG Management Protocol by Canadian mining companies will be discussed. In June of 2011, the international ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems standard was finalized and published for use. The structure of ISO 50001 will be outlined along with its applicability to the mining industry. Opportunities for practically improving mining energy performance along with the most appropriate current new technologies will be identified. A brief discussion of case studies will be included that demonstrates the successful implementation of Energy Conservation Measures ( EAC?s ) and economic benefits. In conclusion, thoughts on important areas of research and development related to increasing mining energy efficiency will be provided.

Aug 1, 2013

By D. M. Ziebarth

"Normal sequence of operations to develop a new underground mine is: construct and outfit headframe for shaft sinking, sink shaft, construct and outfit shaft sump, develop shaft station and shaft bottom steel. In an effort to reduce the overall project schedule, an innovative plan was developed to install service shaft steel below station level, prior to the completion of the shaft sinking effort. To better evaluate the construction of this substantial steel tower, a preliminary constructability evaluation was conducted, including the best method of supporting the main tower; from the bottom, middle or top of the tower. The design criteria and plan involved: •,Develop access from existing service shaft, 25 km underground •,Use of materials to maximize strength while minimizing corrosion exposure •,Estimating the location of the shaft centerline •,Over excavating the station and shaft below station to allow future shaft steel repositioning •,Designing the tower steel for modular installation •,Incorporate commissioning considerations, such as suspension of the cheese weights during steel installation •,Provision for covered stair access to shaft bottom •,Enclosed shaft envelope with open panels to allow visibility and ventilation The design approach was innovative and this paper will describe the design principles and challenges encountered while providing insight into the solutions developed and implemented; especially the modular construction and installation methodology. INTRODUCTION In an effort to expand the mining operations, a plan was developed to construct a new service shaft closer to the new mine workings and convert the existing service shaft to a production shaft at the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PCS now Nutrien) Rocanville Potash mine in southeast Saskatchewan. The new service shaft required a multi roped friction hoist operating a cage / counterweight, rope guided conveyances to support the operational requirements. The service shaft is an integral part of the mining infrastructure as it provides access to the underground workings, transport personnel and materials underground for operation and maintenance of the mine. The shaft also allows for services required for safe operation of the underground mine, power supply, controls, communication, dewatering and fresh water supply."

Jan 1, 2019

By S. Asano

Hydrometallurgical processes for treating copper sulfide concentrates have attracted considerable attention over thirty years and many processes have been developed. However there have been still problems in those processes because of difficulties of iron removal and high purity copper production with low operating cost. Although SX-EW is highly cost effective method, it is difficult to process the chalcopyrite. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (SMM) conducted a review of hydrometallurgical copper concentrate processing and has successfully developed a novel process for the hydrometallurgical production of copper from copper concentrate. In this process, copper sulfide is leached by chlorine gas under atmospheric pressure. Most of hydro metallurgical processes can leach only some of chalcopyrite under atmospheric pressure then they need high pressure leaching facility like autoclave. In this process, copper in chalcopyrite can be leached completely by controlling oxidation reduction potential and chloride ion concentration. Cu(I) ion in leached liquor is separated from Fe(I!) ion by SX using TBP then pure copper powder is produced by electrowinning. Results in batch and continuous testworks and pilot plant tests at Niihama Research Laboratories are presented in this paper. Cu2007

Jan 1, 2007

By M. Gagné, F. E. Goodwin

The mining industry represents a significant investment in infrastructure of which steel plays a key role. Many structures in a mine are made of steel including shaft structures (buntons, station steelwork and headgear); stope structures (roof supports, pipe hangers); haulageway structures (ore transfer stations, electrical stubbies); and surface structures (plant buildings, tank supports, pipe gantries, conveyor belts, stacks, stockpile structures, stairways and railings). Maintenance of structural components can often be difficult because of the environment, including those where corrosive fumes persist, or limited access, such as in shafts where access is limited, or to short maintenance shifts or where limited working space is available. Thus a cost-efficient, long-lasting and maintenance-free protection system for steel should be specified. Galvanizing provides the required high-quality, long-term corrosion protection to steel. Galvanizing provides protection in two ways, first as a physical barrier to corrosion and secondly by means of cathodic or sacrificial protection that is unique to zinc. The dual nature of corrosion protection provided by galvanizing significantly extends the service life of steel even in the most challenging environments. The unique corrosion protection properties provided by galvanized steel will be highlighted with global mining application case studies.

Jan 1, 2015

By Noko S. Phala

The energetics of CO and CO2 hydrogenation to methanol were studied on a gold surface via periodic and cluster DFT calculations. CO hydrogenation appears to be much easier than CO2 hydrogenation on an Au(111) surface. The use of a cluster model does not seem to improve the energetics of CO2 hydrogenation. It is concluded that an active support (e.g. ZnO) will be required to increase the productivity of a gold surface towards synthesis gas conversion. The energetics of CO and H2 adsorption are improved on the cluster model compared to a slab model of an Au(111) surface, suggesting that nanosized gold particles may be beneficial in CO hydrogenation.

Oct 1, 2003

By Wilson Pascheto

One of the main outcomes of a capital project is the reliability of a new plant, system or equipment. During 20 years of experience working in various capital projects for the mining industry, the author experienced failures which have caused significant losses to Owners, in many cases amounting to millions of dollars and almost jeopardizing entire projects. Often, failures were related to faulty design, shop fabrication and/or construction. Therefore, significant opportunities exist in the Mining Industry to improve the success rate of capital projects, improve on-line time at start-up, minimize the occurrence of unplanned maintenance due to equipment failures, and all this with positive contribution to health and safety. This paper presents some examples of failures and how they could have been prevented by proper Quality Assurance methodology. It also discusses some of the main challenges in the implementation of such methodology, including awareness of the Materials discipline and availability of trained Engineers.

Jan 1, 2015

By Loui Geoffroy, Philippe Gaultier, Martin Piotte, Claude Coache, André Drouin

"Automatic driving at high speed of an underground truck was tested at Brunswick mine in September 1995. Modifications to the truck included: a remote interface to control actuators, front and back video cameras to follow a roof mounted optical guide and proportional hydraulic controls on the steering.The mathematical model of the hydraulic system was adjusted using least square regression. The steering data, used in calculating the regression parameters, were acquired from the moving truck. The automatic steering control used three measured variables: lateral deviation, angular deviation and steering angle. Lateral deviations are obtained using the cameras, which are in continuous view of the guide, while steering angles are acquired from an extensiometer placed at the articulation point of the vehicle. Gain scheduling was used to compensate for vehicle speed and available hydraulic flow. Non-linear characteristics of the modeled hydraulic system were offset using open loop compensation.Speeds up to 23 km/h in forward direction and 13 km/h in reverse were achieved deviaduring continuous testing along one of the mine’s production drifts. Proportional steering was essential in achieving high speeds, as it enabled more precise positioning of the vehicle’s steering direction while reducing the abuses on cylinder and cylinder pins via diminished oscillations about the optical guide at high speeds."

Jan 1, 1997

By W. Basuki, B. Setyotomo, L. Hakim, R. Hendrajaya

Due to high crack sensitivity of slab product of gas and oil line pipe application, its steel making process and alloy composition were evaluated and then improved to overcome its critical solidification process and reduced surface defects. The study was conducted at Slab Steel Plant Krakatau Steel. The purpose was to improve slab surface quality by reducing surface defects so that the slab surface doesn't need to be totally repaired. The method applied was by performing plant trial process, which the secondary process parameters such as alloying method and the casting parameters such as casting powder selection, metallurgical cooling, mould level control, and superheat were continuously monitored and then adjusted to the surface quality of the product. Based on the calculation of Ferrite potential of the steel, the chemical composition was designed to achieve optimum casting parameters in order to avoid high shrinkage during solidification. The results of the study are decreased surface defect quantity, and smooth casting process. The quantity of crack decreased by almost 90%. The slab surface repairing was significantly reduced from 85. % to less than 10%. These new casting parameters and developed alloy composition are then used and standardized for the mass production of the steel.

Jan 1, 2005

By D Martín, G. Díaz, F. Cubeddu, A. B. Mejias

The Modified ZINCEXTM Process (MZP), developed by Técnicas Reunidas, is an industrially proven flexible process. It can handle a wide range of primary and secondary raw materials, producing SHG zinc. The core of the Modified ZINCEXTM Process is the zinc solvent extraction unit. This unit is an effective barrier for any leachable impurities present in the raw material. As a result of this an ultra-pure zinc solution is always obtained. The high versatility of the process makes the application of the technology in different scenarios possible. MZP can be effectively applied when developing a whole new plant (Skorpion) or adapting its scheme to an existing refinery (Akita), in both cases giving the same results. Flexibility in terms of capacity of the plant is a great advantage of the MZP, there is the possibility to adapt the global process to a wide range of production capacities. Zinc production capacities of over 150 000 t/a may be achieved with a single solvent extraction plant train. The robustness of the Modified ZINCEXTM Process has been recently proven on two new plants currently in operation: Portovesme (Italy) and Horsehead (USA) after start up during 2013. The status of both plants is described in this paper.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. Jacob, A. G. Guézennec, F. Savreux, S. Nanaa, M. Delclaud, P. d’Hugues

Mining wastes can contain base and precious metals, but also metalloids and rare earth elements that are nowadays considered as highly critical for the industrial development of the European Union. The development of alternative routes to conventional processing is still required in order to decrease the cost associated with the treatment of these resources, which are more complex in composition and with lower grades. An ecologically acceptable and yet economic alternative for processing of low-grade sulphidic primary ores as well as mining wastes is the extraction of metals using bioleaching processes. The purpose of this study was to test the potential of bioleaching procedures for the extraction of residual metals contained in sulphide-rich tailing wastes coming from a European copper mine. These wastes are mainly composed of pyrite (60%) and contain cobalt (0.06 %) and gold (0.95 g/t). Bioleaching experiments were performed in 2 L stirred reactors in batch mode and in pilot tanks (110L) in continuous mode, using the "BRGM-KCC" bacterial consortia. High metal extractions were obtained (cobalt dissolution > 90%), which confirm that bioleaching is an effective process for this tailings material. Experimental results were used to design a global treatment process scheme and to perform a preliminary economic evaluation, showing good profitability of a hypothetical industrial project.

Jan 1, 2014

By E. Laatio, W. McKay

"History of Tara Mines Ltd.Tara Exploration and Development Company Ltd. was formed in Canada by Irishmen in 1953. The discovery of an orebody approximately six miles from the historically famous Hill of Tara in County Meath was a wild dream . Nevertheless this dream became a reality. Tara Mines Ltd. was formed, and the mine developed some 35 miles northwest of the City of Dublin in the Irish Republic.Tara's original drilling program indicated a zinc-lead orebody of approximately 60 million tonnes grading at 10.1% Zn and 2.6% Pb. The terms of the mining lease stipulated that the Irish government would acquire 25% equity interest in the operation. The mine was thus owned 75% by Tara Exploration and Development Company Ltd. of which the principal shareholders were Noranda and Northgate, together with 25% being held by the Irish government. The mine was purchased in March 1986 by Outokumpu Oy, a Finnish mining and metallurgical company, and together with the 25% government stake are the current owners. Outokumpu Analysis on Tara Mines Ltd.Upon ownership Outokumpu carried out a comprehensive analysis on the operation and came to the following conclusions :1. Tara had a good orebody;2. Tara had a skilled, capable, stable workforce;3. Tara's concentrator and processing equipment was adequate to meet requirements;4. Tara's mobile equipment fleet was too old and too numerousin numbers; and5. Tara had too many employees, both staff and hourly paid .With ore reserves of approximately 50 million tonnes and at a planned extraction rate of 2.6 million tonnes it meant that the mine had a lifespan of approximately 20 years. To be a viable operation into the future, the mine had to become more efficient. Operating costs and manpower levels had to be dramatically reduced."

Jan 1, 1989

By Geo. D. Furse

"The information that has accumulated regarding the geology of the McIntyre mine is the result of work by several geologists and, as might be anticipated, their conclusions have varied. The writer has been at the mine only a few years and due to wartime conditions has not been able to study and review the mine's geology as thoroughly as his predecessors. Where the writer's conclusions differ from those of previous authors, it should be noted that he has been unable to re-map all the workings in which flow contacts are exposed, but has endeavoured to describe the structure as indicated by the evidence he has been able to observe. He wishes to thank H. G. Skavlem and H. S. Robinson for their constructive criticism of this paper, and McIntyre Porcupine Mines, Limited, for permission to present it. A list of references is appended.The McIntyre mine is in the central part of the Pearl Lake section of the Porcupine gold area. It includes the ""bed of Pearl lake, twenty-two claims to the north of the lake, and the Platt Vet lot to the southeast. It is bordered on the west by the Hollinger and on the east by the Coniaurum property. The chief ore-bearing veins on the upper levels lie very close to the north shore of the lake, but some occur under the lake, and others of lesser importance are found to the southeast. The most important veins are Nos. 3, 5, 7, 10, and 25. Some of the veins extend into the Hollinger. on the west and others cross the east boundary into the Coniaurum. The total production since the commencement of milling in 1912 to the end of March 1947 has been $168,448,218 in gold and silver from the milling of 17,690,963 tons of ore."

Jan 1, 1954

By A. D. Mufch, G. P. Mitchell

"THE HARDY MINE of Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited is located in Lot 9, Concession 1, Levack Township, Sudbury District, Ontario, 20 miles northwest of the city of Sudbury, and a mile west of the town of Levack. The ore deposit is one of the many nickel-copper sulphide bodies found on, or near, the lower contact of the well-known Sudbury norite-micropegmatite irruptive, and is one of a family of ore deposits which occur on the northwest rim of the irruptive.The property was acquired by purchase in 1935. In the same year a magnetometer survey along the footwall contact of the norite, which is covered by about 150 feet of glacial sands and clays, first indicated the location of the orebody. Drilling from 1935 to 1942 outlined the extent of the ore. Shaft sinking was commenced in the fall of 1951, and the mine is now approaching full production at a rate of about 300,000 tons per year.There are several major differences between the geology of the Levack area and the Falcon bridge area, which lies at the opposite extremity of the irruptive, 28 miles to the east. The purpose of this paper is to describe the essential features of the geology of the Levack area as seen in the Hardy mine, and to supplement the recent papers on other properties in the Sudbury area by Davidson (1), Lochhead (2), and Yates (3).General GeologyA recent review of the regional geology and an extensive bibliography of the Sudbury area can be found in the two papers by H. C. Cooke (4, 5). Some of the recent related references are: Jas. E. Thomson (6), E. M. Abraham (7), Franc. R. Joubin (8), W. G. Q. Johnstone (9)."

Jan 1, 1949

By A. Brown

The swift decline of coal during the period of unprecedented expansion in the Canadian economy is a phenomenon deserving careful examination, because the underlying forces contributing to this decline may have broader implications in our national economy. At the present level of technology, coal is more difficult to process, transport and utilize than liquid and gaseous fuels. Fundamentally, it is a matter of limitation in technique. Because coal is a vast store-house of energy in Canada, the reduction of these limitations is in the long-term national interest.

Jan 1, 1967

By R. K. Jonas

Many leading copper and other mineral processors have rapidly adopted advanced controls in last 5-10 years. Almost 600 multivariable predictive controls have been installed in mineral processing, and almost 50% of those are in copper concentrator plants. In most cases, mineral processors rely on 3rd party support to implement these advanced technologies. One challenge facing advanced control user is the selection providers and services for these technologies. The trend has been towards the use of multivariable predictive control and use of technology provider’s services. This paper will discuss status of advanced control, and the merging trends in the mining industry. A review will be presented of how advanced control is being applied in the mining industry over the last decade, and how user challenges are being overcome. Next the emerging uses of multivariable predictive control (such as multi/inter-unit optimization), focusing on the latest trends in concentrator plants. Finally, a review will be made of emerging technology advances in the that can be advantageous to mineral processors. INTRODUCTION Review of advanced control in mineral processing Advanced controls are serving an increasing role to improve processing plant operations and profitability. As advanced control is being installed into more mining processing plants such as copper concentrators, many of these plants are concerned about the selection technologies and vendors to support the installation and maintenance of these controls. In a study by Jonas and Craw (2011), they found that most new users have not had prior experience with advanced controls. It is the author’s experience of almost 30 years in advanced controls that most mineral processers considering advanced controls can benefit from better understanding of the technologies and their support requirements.

Jan 1, 2019

By K. L. Azinger

Successful relationships between mining companies and local stakeholders are now an essential part of the social contract of “doing business” (Prescott, 1995). The methodology presented in this paper is designed to assist mining companies in understanding and building relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. The methodology starts by recognizing that mining projects have a natural life cycle which can be used to identify when new external affairs strategies are required. In designing an external affairs strategy, the first step is to set objectives that are compatible with the overall objectives of the mining project. The management team then identifies the main stakeholder groups and seeks to understand the priorities and inter-relationships of the individual stakeholders. The result of this stakeholder analysis is an understanding of the Degrees of Influence of each of the stakeholder groups along with a relationship map which illustrates the strong interactions between stakeholders. The company is then prepared to take a proactive approach to building relationships with the primary stakeholders. This methodology was developed by BHP to assist with the federal government environmental approval process for the development of Canada’s first diamond mine. BHP has successfully used the methodology in three different phases of the NWT Diamonds Project and is now applying the methodology to mining and development projects around the world.

Jan 1, 1998

By A. J. Sinclair

"Abstract-Geology contributes essential information toward obtaining high-quality resource/reserve estimates. In this context, geology can be considered under the following overlapping topics: regional geology, detailed (deposit) geology, mineralogy, ore deposit models and continuity, with geological mapping being fundamental to all. Each of these topics is considered here in terms of potential contributions to "improved" mineral inventory estimation. Some of the principal conclusions are:1. Regional geological relations must be consistent with deposit geology. It is common that important geological relations are more clearly evident in various regional locales than in highly altered and/or highly deformed mineralized areas containing mineral deposit.2. Detailed geology provides information for a geometric model of a deposit, a model that serves as a basis for mine planning. It is important to distinguish fact from interpretation in such models. Substantial effort is required to characterize the geometric margins of a deposit and the relation of these margins to the simplistic geometric form that normally emerges as an interpretation.3. Mineralogical studies relate to many aspects of deposit evaluation including abundance of ore and deleterious minerals, spatial distribution of ore and deleterious minerals, grain size characteristics of important minerals, mill design, etc.4. Ore deposit models contribute substantially to confidence in developing a three-dimensional geometric model of a deposit for mine planning. Specifically, they are a basis on which to develop rules for interpolation and extrapolation of ore, and they contribute to recognition of domains, each with its own characteristic continuity and margin character.5. Continuity is dependent on mineralization style and may be controlled structurally and/or chemically. It is important to distinguish geological continuity and value continuity. A wide range of classical geological methods are useful in examining geological continuity; value continuity is best viewed as a statistical characteristic that is quantified by any of several measures of autocorrelation."

Jan 1, 1998