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By S. Caron

From the early 70?s, ?Centre de Recherche Minérale? (CRM) has conducted and co-ordinated Research and Development activities for the mineralurgical and metallurgical industries. Since 1999, CRM has continued its mandate through COREM which is a consortium of 13 members that uses the benefits and advantages of collaborative pre-competitive industry / university research. In particular, COREM?s ?In-Situ Optimization Group? is involved in the implementation of modern optimization and control tools. The POP Project was launched in order to increase and consolidate the use of modern optimization and control tools and methods for mineralurgical and metallurgical processes. To ensure a successful transfer in the industry, there are a number of essential activities that have to be undertaken. These activities have been identified by COREM?s members and are grouped into three main modules: - R&D Module: Research and Development in universities, research centres and other partners; - Technology Transfer Module: integration of new tools and methods into the POP Software, industrial applications and technical support; - Training Module: education of new engineers in universities, continuing education of plant personnel through on-site workshops and resource networking by specific information exchange tools. This paper outlines the opportunities that led to the definition of the POP Project and describes its main modules. The main features of the POP Software are presented, the first application is described and finally, future developments are discussed.

May 1, 2001

By Y. Wong

The quality and quantity of secondary deposits, which include tailings streams and tailings dams, are increasing around the globe. The tailings are already mined, available and liberated to such an extent that the recovery of a valuable product is highly economical in terms of CAPEX & OPEX. The most widely used process for the recovery of these valuable ultra-fine haematite iron particles is the Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation technique, originally developed by Dr. Jones over 55 years ago. Many of the original machines are still working today. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the capabilities in terms of grade and yield of using sophisticated magnetic separation modules. All results and figures are obtained from test works, design- and engineering works. Two types of tailings have been identified for processing. Firstly, tailings that have already been deposited in a Tailings Storage Facility, and secondly, live tailings streams from an existing wet iron ore beneficiation plant. In both cases, the technical and practical results are shown along with relevant flow sheets and plant layouts. Finally, this paper highlights the total predicted power- and water consumptions, capital requirements and projected operating expenses. The results show that the operating costs are significantly lower than the mining and processing operations which are required for an equivalent amount of iron ore. The recovery % of iron depends on various factors but is within the 30–50% range, at an equivalent grade to the mainstream product. Another significant benefit is that the magnetic separation process is water positive, meaning that water is released rather than added in the process. The processing of secondary deposits will therefore result in an overall reduction in operating costs, an increase in product yield from a plant, extend the mine life and offer environmental benefits by reducing the tailings footprint and water usage.

Jan 1, 2016

By P. Cleyle, J. H. Masliyah, R. S. Chow, Z. H. Xu, Z. A. Zhou

Bubble nucleation in water under dynamic conditions was investigated using an autoclave at an air saturation pressure of 7 atm. Agitation during air saturation of water was found to be crucial in enhancing tiny bubble formation. More bubbles nucleated on hydrophobic surfaces at a higher agitation rate, due to cavity formation by the more intense hydrodynamic conditions. Flotation recovery of bitumen from oil sands demonstrated a significant role of bubbles nucleated in water: more than 50-170% increase in bitumen recovery from different oil sands was obtained by using air supersaturated than the regular water.

Jan 1, 2009

By Robert B. Parsons

"Two recent decisions by the Canadian courts could reduce the taxes paid by many profitable mines in Canada. At a time when the mining sector is hurting from an ever increasing tax burden and soft prices, the results of two cases are welcome news. Mining companies are well advised to check prior years' tax returns in the context of these developments. IntroductionSince 1976, the income tax legislation has provided a reduced rate of tax for taxpayers engaged in the mining of mineral resources, through the mechanism of the ""resource allowance"". The deduction given for the resource allowance effectively reduces the federal rate of tax by one quarter on resource profits. In general terms, ""resource profits"" are defined to include a taxpayer's income from: the production and processing in Canada of ore to any stage that is not beyond the prime metal stage (or the pellet stage or its equivalent in the case of iron ore); and, royalties computed with reference to the amount of value of production from mining operations in Canada.In computing income from these sources, the taxpayer must deduct expenses that may reasonably be regarded as applicable to those sources, with the exception of expenditures for Canadian exploration and development or financing costs.As a result of the mechanics of the calculation of the resource allowance, one quickly realizes that the lower the expenses deducted from the resource profits, the higher the resource profits and consequently the higher the 25% resource allowance. The impact of the recent court cases is to narrow the range of expenses which are required to be deducted in the determination of the resource profits.The two cases are outlined below."

Jan 1, 1991

By H. A. Pearse

Introduction This paper may be regarded as another instalment of the story of the Britannia milling operation. From time to time in the past, articles (1) have been prepared by various members of the staff, giving details of crushing, grinding, and flotation treatment for the normal Britannia ore. It is not, therefore, the purpose of the present paper further to discuss what may be termed the standard milling operation, but rather to describe a flotation practice which has been evolved directly as a result of the general depression. The normal Britannia ore mixture contains chalcopyrite and pyrite as the main sulphide minerals, together with minor gold and silver values. The standard milling practice, evolved during several years of experimentation, provided for bulk flotation of the two sulphides after primary grinding to only approximately 35-mesh, followed by regrinding of the bulk concentrate, with subsequent separation of the chalcopyrite and pyrite to make a marketable concentrate of each mineral. However, in the face of a constantly increasing surplus of copper on the world markets and a steadily falling price during 1930 and 1931, it was obviously undesirable to continue producing large quantities of this metal at a loss. On the other hand, Company officials were very reluctant to add to unemployment by closing down entirely, provided operations could be continued without excessive losses. Fortunately, the existence was known of a fair sized body of ore, quite low in copper and relatively high in zinc content, with also a very considerably higher gold value than that prevailing in other sections of the mine.

Jan 1, 1934

By Robert B. Parsons

"In all likelihood, Canada's mining industry would be adversely affected by corporate tax reform proposals actively being considered by the Department of Finance in Ottawa. When the next set of proposals for lax reform is released later this year as promised by Finance, the mining industry had better be prepared 10 take a hard look.IntroductionTwo federal budgets ago, in May 1985, Finance Minister Wilson tabled budget papers that were more massive in terms of volume than most federal budgets. Buried in this mass of documentation is a discussion paper entitled ""The Corporate Income Tax System-A Direction For Change"". When the discussion paper was tabled over one year ago, reaction from the business sector was almost nonexistent. By and large, the paper was regarded as nothing more than one more federal publication of mild academic interest.But, recent events suggest that this discussion paper for corporate tax reform could be the cornerstone for a series of changes to the tax laws which would have more profound and widespread effects for all sectors of the economy than any reform since 1971 . No industry in Canada can afford to ignore the movement afoot in Ottawa for corporate tax reform."

Jan 1, 1986

By Jeff Smith

Agenda About NORTHPARKES The NEED The INITIATIVE The SEARCH The PRODUCTS The SOLUTION The RESULTS The Northparkes copper-gold mine in Central Western NSW commenced operations in 1994. Copper concentrate is produced and shipped to smelters in Japan, China & India under long term contracts with spot sales to other Asian countries.

May 1, 2006

By L. G. Bergh

The experience developing a supervisory control and information systems in a SX pilot plant is presented. The plant is located at the Process Control Laboratory, Santa Maria University, in Chile. In this work, the problem of controlling this process is discussed and related literature is briefly reviewed. Then, an innovative control scheme organized in three levels, local, hydrodynamic, and metallurgical supervisory controls is presented in an architecture including field controllers, PLC, and PC networks. Operating decisions in the metallurgical supervisory control are taken with incomplete information from on-stream analyzers. The control proposed is based on metal and acid concentration predictions of intermediate and exiting streams through the use of dynamic and static models and flow rates and input concentration measurements. Preliminary results are presented. The main objectives are to develop and test intelligent techniques in a hybrid system, and to study measurement and supervisory control problems. It is expected to produce reliable results that will contribute to improve the efficiency of this emerging and important process.

Jan 1, 2007

By O. Hyvärinen

Outokumpu has developed a new chloride leaching process called HydroCopper®. In this process copper sulfide concentrates are leached at atmospheric pressure in concentrated sodium chloride solution using cupric ions as the oxidant. Copper is recovered from the purified leach solution by precipitating cuprous oxide, which is then reduced to pure copper and further melted and cast directly into copper products. The key reactants: sodium hydroxide, hydrogen and chlorine are generated from the spent sodium chloride using chlor-alkali technology. An important feature in the HydroCopperTM process is that the gold contained in copper concentrates is leached as chloride complexes and recovered from solution by activated carbon. Conditions for the leaching of gold-bearing pyrite can also be achieved in the chloride system by optimizing the redox conditions. This paper deals with the basic factors affecting gold leaching from copper sulfide concentrates. Opportunities for the recovery of refractory gold associated with arsenopyrite and pyrite will also be discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

By G. Tairova, J. Ioffe

Arsenic, selenium and mercury species are common contaminants in mining aqueous streams and present significant environmental and health problems. The objective of this project is to investigate methods to lower the concentrations of these elements in mining aqueous streams. A new composite media for removal of these elements of concern from mining effluents was developed. The results of bench scale and pilot plant experiments, using the media, indicated removal of arsenic, selenium, mercury and other elements of concern below detection limits.

Jan 1, 2014

By N. Bahrani

Knowledge of the state of stress in the Earth?s crust is very important to the safe and efficient development of underground excavations in mining and civil engineering projects. A number of methods have been developed over the past 40 years to assess the stress field in the rock mass. These range from local estimates derived from compilation of regional stress databases to back-analysis of field observations to dedicated in situ measurements. The Geomechanics Research Centre (GRC) at MIRARCO has a long history of undertaking in situ stress characterization and measurement. In this paper, the stress measurement techniques used by the GRC, including overcoring and undercoring in addition to borehole breakout back-analysis, are briefly reviewed. The limitations and application of each technique for different ground conditions and the challenges involved during the field work and in interpretation of the results are discussed. A successful stress measurement campaign is not limited to acquiring valid local measurement, but must include a careful interpretation and integration of the measurement with other geological and geotechnical context information. Based on our experience, it is suggested that all available stress indicators and data are combined and integrated with the local geological and geomechanical conditions to derive a consistent stress characterization for a given site.

Aug 1, 2013

By B. A. Kjarsgaard, C. J. Mwenifumbo

"Abstract - Natural gamma-ray measurements were made in the GSC Smeaton drillhole as part of the borehole geophysical classification of kimberlite pipe 169. In addition, forty samples of Cretaceous sediments (shales, siltstones, and sandstones) and thirty-five kimberlite samples, selected from the drill core, were analyzed for major and trace elements. These elements included potassium (K), uranium (U), and thorium (Th), which are the main naturally-occurring radioactive elements.Different phases of the kimberlite, and the Cretaceous sediments which show variations in the gamma-ray activity, can be easily delineated on the gamma-ray logs. The gamma-ray logs indicate that the radioactivity in the kimberlite derives mainly from Th, and, to a lesser extent, U. Most of the kimberlite units are enriched in Th and U relative to the Cretaceous sediments, and these radioelements are mainly hosted by accessory apatite and perovskite, and minor zircon. Potassium concentrations are low in the kimberlite. The higher K concentration in the sediments clearly distinguishes the Cretaceous sediments from the kimberlite.The U/K and Th/K ratios show important and distinct differences between the two major types of volcaniclastic kimberlite. Kimberlite lapillistones have higher U/K and Th/K ratios than the olivine crystal tuffs. Furthermore, standardized U/K and Th/K geophysical logs can be used to separate marine reworked olivine shoreface sands from other shallow marine sediments that contain kimberlitic detritus. The identification of different phases and/or stratigraphic facies of kimberlite on the basis of radioelement distributions means that gamma-ray spectrometry can assist exploration, particularly in regard to diamond grade distribution."

Jan 1, 1999

By A. Sargeant

This paper evaluates the application of post consumer glass as a cementing agent in underground mine backfills. The underlying theory indicates that glass is pozzolanic and, when used in a finely divided form, behaves as an activator to generate binding products, thus contributing to the development of backfill strength. The objective of this study was to evaluate the strength performance of backfills when Normal Portland Cement is replaced with various percentages of post consumer glass. The study evaluated the performance of backfills prepared using tailings from three mines. Each backfill was prepared using unique recipes, and were evaluated at cure times of 7, 14, 28, 56, 112 and 224 days. Laboratory work involved visual, physical and chemical material characterization followed by strength evaluations. Results of strength assessment revealed that backfill prepared with glass is reactive and can contribute to the strength of backfill. The results also indicated that the reactivity of glass may be affected by the incorporation of slag within the recipe, the availability of lime and the level of hydration of the binders. The study concluded that, at 15 % glass replacement of NPC, backfill prepared with mine tailings, NPC and glass can achieve improved or equivalent strength performance compared to backfill prepared tailings and NPC alone.

May 1, 2007

By W. van der Merwe

With the gold industry looking to process more complex ores, the online measurement and control of cyanide addition to the gold leaching circuit has become more crucial. This paper compares the two commonly employed "free" cyanide online analysis methods (amperometric and potentiometric end-point silver nitrate titration) with the common site laboratory rhodanine endpoint silver nitrate titration and ion selective electrode methods. Measurement differences between these methods are presented and discussed for cyanide solutions containing copper and zinc with varying cyanide to metal ion ratios. The resulting cyanide available to leach gold is also compared with these measurements.

Jan 1, 2011

By J. A. Espinosa-Guillen, J. A. Lopez-Molina, S. García, J. A. Valencia-Quintanar

"The design and implementation of grouting treatments in rock masses are procedures that require continuous adjustment of parameters and criteria to optimize the results. In this proposal we describe a set of tools that enhance decision-making for this type of jobs particularly in dam projects. The methodology is focused on hydrogeological zoning of the site and its constant update combining engineer’s experience with artificial intelligence techniques to integrate the site knowledge; as well as the evaluation of grouting results for different scrutiny scales, with special attention on the relationship between water absorption and grout consumption. INTRODUCTIONSeveral methodologies for design, implementation and evaluation for grouting rock masses have been developed for the solution of specific problems and tested in diverse geological conditions. Each of these methodologies is focused on results evaluation for different scrutiny scales (Table 1) and is employed to assist decision-making before or during the grouting process.Some methods define specifications for grouting each stage of the borehole, making theoretical, semi empirical or experience-based considerations to define basic parameters as maximum pressure, maximum volume, grouting time, flow rate, etc. Ultimately each approach aim to optimize the injection process, adjusting volumes or the grouting time required to obtain satisfactory results, reducing risk of creating new flow paths or unnecessary grout travels, and enhancing the mixture properties to achieve adequate penetrability and long-term behaviour. Some of these criteria have been widely used in dam projects, for example the concept of Grouting Based on Facts to define the maximum pressure and volume (Ewert, 1997), the GIN method (Lombardi & Deere, 1993; El Tani, 2012), or the North American standards based on Apparent Lugeon measures (Naudts, 1995; Bruce 2011); on the other hand, there are relatively new criteria that have shown good results for dam grouting as the Aperture Control Method (Bonin et al., 2012; Carter et al., 2012) or the Real Time Grouting Control Method (Stille et al., 2012)."

Jan 1, 2015

By J. D. Bateman, A. S. Dadson

"The Giant claims are on the west side of Yellowknife bay about 1 ½ miles north of the settlement of Yellowknife. They were staked in 1935 by prospectors in the employ of Burwash Yellowknife Gold Mines, Limited, and were transferred to Giant Yellowknife Gold Mines, Limited, in 1937, on the incorporation of that Company. During the period 1936 to 1940 a number of surface discoveries were investigated by trenching, test pitting, and diamond drilling. A shallow inclined shaft was sunk on the Brock zone, a system of narrow and irregular quartz veins, and some 75 tons of high-grade ore was mined and shipped to the Trail smelter. In 1943 management control was acquired by Frobisher Exploration Company, Limited. An intensive campaign of diamond drilling was commenced in January 1944 and carried on continuously for 2 years. This drilling indicated the presence of substantial gold orebodies lying within well-developed shear zones. Two shafts, 1 ¼ miles apart, were sunk during 1946 and underground development started on two of the orebodies.The claims are underlain largely by rocks of the Yellowknife greenstone belt, which extends from the shore of Great Slave lake along the west side of Yell ow knife bay and northward . The most conspicuous structural features are the steeply dipping late faults. The chief of these is the West Bay, which bisects the greenstone belt at an acute angle and crosses the southern part of the Giant group. At the 'big bend' near the west boundary of the claims there is a remarkably sudden change in the strike of the fault, from about 12° N.W. to about 3° N.E. The apparent horizontal displacement along this fault is of the order of 3 miles, with the east side moved relatively north. There are also a large number of lesser faults with apparent horizontal displacements of a few feet up to l,70J feet for the Townsite fault. Most of these faults trend north to northwest. Surface examination indicates that, at least for most of them, the movement corresponds to that along the West Bay fault, that is, the east side moved relatively north. According to the available evidence, all or most•of the movem:nt along the West Bay fault and along the lesser faults was post-ore. Late diabase dyk:s that cut through ore-bearing shear zones, with chilled margins in contact with the mineralized material, are apparently displaced to the same extent as earlier geological markers. ( see Frontispiece. )"

Jan 1, 1954

By L. Dubourg, H. Habibi, D. Rasmussen

The combination of laser welding with Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMA W) forms the hybrid laser-OMA W welding. This process is an attractive tool with a high potential in welding lightweight structures, especially for aluminum alloys. For five years, this technology has increasingly attracted interest in both, industry (aeronautics, automobile, metal industries producing large structures) and academia (universities and research centers). Hybrid laser-OMA W welding process is generally accepted for its robustness, efficiency and flexibility. Coupling of a deep-penetrating laser beam with the heat and molten metal feeding of GMA W significantly expands the original welding application range of lasers. Its main advantages compared to the two individual components are deep and stable weld penetration, gap-bridging ability improvement, low distortion and easy filler metal addition. Hybrid welding allows a much wider groove tolerance compared to laser welding, especially for aluminum welding. Moreover, the reduction in distortion decreases the post-welding rectification needed and makes the assembly easier. In addition, if metallurgical factors are critical, the weld composition can be balanced with filler metal, decreasing the hot cracking susceptibility of some aluminum alloys. The combination of these two welding processes can also improve the weld bead shape quality (including the elimination of undercut), possibly reduce the porosity and increase the welding speed. This article reviews the recent works about the laser-OMA W hybrid welding of aluminum alloys. After a brief presentation on the interaction mechanisms between a laser beam and an electric arc, the paper depicts the typical welding parameters and experimental methods along with their characteristics.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Cai

"It is well known that Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) plays a critical role in triggering rockburst damage in burst-prone underground mines. To estimate the PPV distribution around excavations, advanced numerical modeling can be used. In wave propagation numerical modeling, velocity field is often assumed to be uniform around an excavation. However, it is observed that wave velocities near mine openings are not constant, but rather non-uniform. Wave velocity in a rock mass depends on many factors such as rock quality and confinement. In particular, confinement has a large influence on wave velocity. The confinement around an excavation is low at the wall boundary and increases gradually and reaches a constant value far away from the excavation boundary. Hence, stress redistribution due to excavation will have a profound influence on wave propagation in underground mines. A better understanding of the influence of excavation effect on wave propagation helps to interpret the field observation of rockburst damage and improve mine safety. For this purpose, a non-uniform velocity model need to be constructed and the influence excavation effect should be taken into account in numerical wave propagation modeling.In the present study, a non-linear velocity model is developed firstly by considering the influence of confinement on wave velocity. This model links wave velocity to confinement explicitly. A coupled numerical method is then developed and used to study the seismic wave pattern around excavations in underground mines. Two codes, FLAC and SPECFEM2D, are coupled in the analysis. The motivation of developing the FLAC/SPECFEM2D coupled approach is to take merit of each code, such as the stress analysis capability in FLAC and the powerful wave propagation analysis capability in SPECFEM2D. The coupling process is realized through three steps: (1) static stress redistribution around an excavation is analyzed in FLAC; (2) data for coupling analysis, such as non-uniform velocity field (based on the new developed velocity model), mesh, absorbing boundaries, etc., are generated by FISH functions in FLAC and passed to SPECFEM2D; and (3) wave propagation modeling is performed in the SPECFEM2D considering a fault-slip seismic source. Because stress redistribution around the excavation is considered, non-uniform velocity field for the SPECFEM2D model can be obtained and this is a notable feature of this study. Very large difference in the S-wave response in these two modeling approaches with uniform and non-uniform velocity fields can be seen from the modeling results.Using the FLAC/SPECFEM2D coupled modeling approach, accurate velocity models can be constructed and this in turn will help to produce accurate PPV distribution around the excavations. Accurate PPV contours can be used to identify high rockburst risk zones for improved dynamic ground support strategy."

Jan 1, 2015

By E. G. Bazeley

The paper reviews the scope, timing and financial impact of this significant project, which involves the supply and transportation of nearly 4 million tons per year of bituminous coal and lignite from sources in British Columbia. Alberta and Saskatchewan to Ontario Hydro's generating stations. The critical factors involved in the selection and utilization of these coals are discussed in relation to the three types of coal to be utilized initially. The paper then deals with each of the significant project elements to be undertaken by the various companies involved in the mining and movement of the coal, beginning with production at the mine through rail shipment to Thunder Bay, train-to-ship terminalling, shipment by lake vessel from there to the generating station, and finally blending the bituminous coal with United States coal prior to combustion. The review discusses the key features of the facilities involved in each case and the status and timing of the project elements , which are phased for the start of coal shipment by mid-1978. The paper concludes with some observations on the capability of the project to handle increased tonnage s and the challenges facing the movement in terms of quality , quantity and cost.

Jan 1, 1978

By DALE MacGREGOR, VERA TUREK

The Blue Mountain nepheline syenite deposit has been the subject of several detailed studies. It has been variously referred to as an intrusive stock, a metasomatic deposit, an intrusive sill and a metamorphic-metasomatic body. The body is divided into six mineralogical zones, the first five being based on the characterizing accessory mineral; muscovite, muscovitemagnetite, biotite-muscovite, biotite, hornblende and pink syenite. Mining currently takes place only in the biotite zone. Foliation is particularly prominent in the central (hornblende) zone and near the margins of the nepheline syenite. Majic bodies within the nepheline syenite may represent basic rocks that have been less altered by metasomatism, metamorphosed basic dykes or sloped blocks of metasediments. The most prominent structural features are the northeast-trending folds that have been modified by later north west-trending folds.

Jan 1, 1984