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By C. J. Edmonds, R. Bland, W. C. Ferguson, R. Whitehead

"In 1969, the Environmental Science Division of James F. MacLaren Limited received authorization from The International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited to carry out a water quality monitoring program in the Lake Shebandowan region of Ontario, where a new base metal mining and milling complex was expected to go into operation in 1972. The objective of the program is to establish base-line water quality characteristics. Fully realizing their corporate responsibility to minimize the effects of the proposed activities on the environment, Inco decided that it would be desirable to establish a program by which any change in the quality of environmental waters will be detected before detrimental conditions ensue, permitting prompt corrective measures to be taken. The program has been in progress for over two years. The waters are sampled and analyzed four to six times per year. Sampling stations are located in Lake Shebandowan and on the adjacent Gold Creek - Matawin River system. On-site analyses and measurements are made of flow, dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH. Samples also are collected for later analysis in the laboratory. These samples are analyzed for a wide range of chemical and biological characteristics. The paper discusses the extent of the sampling program, the techniques utilized and the value of such programs in maintaining the quality of the environment."

Jan 1, 1973

By D. F. Zhang, X. Q. Jiang, N. Tahreen, D. L. Chen, F. S. Pan, D. Y. Li

Alloying with rare-earth elements has been proven to be an important tool for magnesium to achieve superior properties via texture randomization. The role of yttrium in texture weakening and the link between texture and formability are fairly well known. Since annealing is a vital part of metal processing which could significantly contribute to ductility, it is important to ascertain the impact of annealing in terms of texture change. Also, an understanding about texture development during pre- and post-deformation annealing is essential to improve the industrial deformation processing as texture is closely related to formability. While there is independent information in the literature regarding the effect of rare-earth addition and heat treatment on the texture formation, no systematic studies have been reported on the collective impact of yttrium addition, annealing and deformation on texture evolution. The present study was, therefore, aimed to identify the inter-relationship among texture evolution, yttrium content, heat treatment and deformation behavior in an extruded Mg-Zn-Mn-Y alloy. Annealing at 450°C for 1 hour and uniaxial compression tests at a certain amount of deformation were performed. The deformed and annealed samples were then subjected to annealing and compression test, respectively, followed by texture measurements. It was observed that yttrium addition effectively weakened the crystallographic texture in all conditions, which was evident from the changes in the microstructures and textures.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. G. Doll

"This paper expands the SAG mill survey database published by the Author at Procemin 2013. The new database includes 49 published SAG/AG mill surveys and includes mills from all over the world. The paper will compare the survey database to SAG mill models by Austin, Morrell and Hogg & Fuerstenau with the purpose of demonstrating the degree of fit of the models to surveys and validating any empirical “fitting factors” used in the models.SAG mill power draw models are used in mill design and grinding circuit modelling to predict how much power will be consumed by a particular mill geometry and operating configuration. The importance of conducting surveys suited to model calibration will be highlighted because the review of literature shows that survey information important to modelling is often missing or omitted. A recommendation for the collection of data during a mill survey is presented, along with some assumptions used by the Author in the absence of certain data. The benefit to mining companies of publishing their survey data, and thereby allowing modellers to improve their model calibration, is discussed.The comparison of models requires a discussion of the measurement of power in a mill drive system as the models use slightly different position in the electrical network for ""where power is measured"". The benchmarking of models against plant operations requires a similar discussion of power measurement."

Jan 1, 2016

By D. Sagara, V. G. Makhado

"A model based control strategy was implemented at Loulo Gold Mine in Mali, to stabilise the thickener underflow stream density. This stream acts as the feed to the leaching circuit. pH control of the leaching circuit was integrated with the model-based controller due to slow process dynamics that are not suited to PID control. The controller performance was quantified over a period of 6 months, and was compared to the performance before implementation. The model based controller reduced process variability for both thickener underflow density and pH considerably, and resulted in a reduction in flocculant and lime consumption of 9.32 and 6.55%, respectively. INTRODUCTION Reagent consumption in gold processing plants significantly contributes to the total operational costs. In a typical Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) circuit, the reagent consumption associated with leaching, adsorption, elution and regeneration contribute to approximately 15% of the total operational costs (Stange, 1999). At Loulo Gold Mine, the reagent consumption associated with leaching, adsorption, elution and regeneration contributes to 6% of the total operational costs. As such, a reduction in reagent consumption will present a significant opportunity for savings on operating expenditure. Variability in feed ore characteristics results in continuous changes in steady state operating regions, which presents process control challenges as a result of the long residence times in some of the process units associated with gold processing plants. Overdosing often occurs in the presence of process variability to ensure safe operation and to maintain recovery targets. As a means of reducing reagent consumption and accounting for significant changes in the feed to gold plants, some of the plants have resorted to improving their process control strategies around their circuits. This paper focuses on the implementation of a model predictive based controller at Loulo Gold Mine on their thickener and Carbon-in-leach (CIL) tank to: •,stabilise the thickener underflow density, and •,the CIL tank pH."

Jan 1, 2017

By J. Goyman, K. R. Rawling

"1.1 Location and Transportation ServicesNanisivik Mines Ltd. is located at latitude 73°, 3,200 km north of Montreal and 700 km north of the Arctic circle, on the south side of Strathcona Sound, which is an arm of Admiralty Inlet, in Northern Baffin Island. The orebody and mill site are 4 km distant from Strathcona Sound which provides deep water anchorage for ocean transportation of concentrate to Europe during the short northern shipping season from mid-July to mid-October.The operations and the resident community have direct jet aircraft service from Montreal two days per week, and local nights connect with other Arctic communities in the northern Baffin region. Bulk supplies and general cargo are delivered in the summer shipping season.1.2 HistoryThe Texas Gulf Sulphur Company, now Kidd Creek Mines Limited, staked claims in the Nanisivik area in 1957 and carried out exploration through to 1968. After the Kidd Creek orebody was found, Texas Gulf optioned the property in 1972 to Mineral Resources International Inc. (MRI), which undertook further exploration and completed a feasibility study.Nanisivik Mines Ltd. was formed in 1975, with MRI as the majority shareholder and minority shareholdings held by Metallgesellschaft, Billiton and Texas Gulf. Strathcona Mineral Services Limited was retained to manage the project during both the construction and operational phases."

Jan 1, 1984

By Christopher W. Corti

A major aim of the GOLD 2003 conference, is to promote new gold related science and technology with a view to developing new useful industrial applications for gold. Current industrial uses have provided a steady annual industrial demand for gold of around 350-400 tonnes in recent years, the bulk of which is centred on electronics applications, with dental uses constituting the second largest application. However, there is good reason to believe that whilst gold will continue to play a major role in these sectors in the future, substantial growth of demand is not anticipated. Increased industrial demand for gold is only likely to come through the emergence of new applications, probably most significantly in five broad market sectors: ? Pollution and emission control technologies, including fuel cells. ? New uses for gold in advanced electronics, electrical systems and devices. ? Chemical processing of a range of bulk and speciality chemicals, using gold based catalysts ? Advanced coatings exploiting the novel properties of gold, particularly in nanoparticulate form. ? New biomedical uses for gold including medical treatments, drugs, implants, sensors and devices. There is cause for optimism that many new applications for gold could emerge in these sectors over the next decade and that this will lead to a substantial growth in demand for gold. It is clear that many of these new opportunities will be based on a chemical approach to synthesis of useful products rather than what has historically been a materials or mechanical approach. To turn this expectation into reality requires sustained support of R & D and a determination to exploit this new science and technology into viable commercial applications.

Oct 1, 2003

By W. G. McBride

INTRODUCTION Preparation of this article, at the request of the Committee on papers, has been undertaken in the hope that it may stir up helpful discussion and constructive criticism. The Canadian mining industry is in the dumps and there is no use trying to deny the fact; nor does it help to say that other industries are in as bad or a worse condition. Let us face the situation honestly and see just how serious it is. The entire financial and industrial world is in a state of depression. The gravity of the case is no doubt exaggerated by contrast with the wave of optimism and false prosperity which pre-ceded it. The prevailing gloom and pessimism are just as irrational as was the former super-optimism. As far as we mining engineers are concerned, the causes are quite beyond our control, and it is the effect upon our own industry which interests us most. This effect is an accumulation of mineral products with consequent depression in price to a point where profits have almost, if not quite, disappeared. Whether this accumulation of stocks is the result of over-production or under-consumption is difficult to say, but it would seem likely that there is a combination of the two. The introduction of selective flotation has brought about a large increase in the production of zinc, a moderate increase in the production of lead, and a comparatively small increase in copper. It has turned relatively small mines into great producers, as in the case of the Sullivan, revived expiring mines like La Cananea, and brought-in new ones like Flin Flon

Jan 1, 1931

By Will Callupe Arzapalo

The success of the minimization of blast induced-damage at Barrick?s Pierina Mine in Peru is the result of an effective working relationship between Mine Operations and the Geotechnical Services Department. A detailed design criteria manual is used to match the blast plan to the site?s varying rock types and slope designs. The Geotechnical Services Department has further developed a comprehensive pre- and post-blast checklist that is critical to the drilling and blasting process as it pertains to wall stability. Wall control blasts are evaluated with quality assurance field checks, vibration monitoring and frequency control, video assisted performance quantification and post excavation face profiling. These detailed observations are compiled and summarized in a blast performance evaluation that is considered to be an ?Industry Best Practice?. The information and detail provided by each performance summary allows accurate blast analysis and effective design refinement.

May 1, 2006

By M. Kreuh

Crystalline Mg(OH)Cl and amorphous Mg2(OH)3C1 were successfully isolated from a hydrolyzed molten salt electrolyte sample in this work, It was found that the chemical form and crystallinity of the hydroxylchloride were controlled by the cooling rate of the molten sample when it was taken. Crystalline Mg(OH)Cl could only be obtained by cooling the molten electrolyte sample at a rate not faster than 0.6 °C/min, Upon more rapid cooling, the hydroxylchloride species precipitated as Mg2(OH)3Cl, The behavior of these solid hydroxylchlorides when contacted with fresh and non-hydrolyzed molten electrolyte at 550°C was also examined, It was found that the Mg(OH)Cl rapidly dissolved in the hot electrolyte and did not decompose into MgO at that temperature as would be expected from the literature, The dissolution rate of solid Mg2(OH)3Cl was found to be so slow by comparison that it resulted in the complete decomposition into MgO which thereafter was incorporated into the electrolyte as a suspended solid phase rather than dissolution.

Jan 1, 2004

By Bern Klein, Malcolm Scoble, Justin Widdifield, Andrew Bamber

"It has been suggested that the pre-concentration of ore underground can bring positive economic and environmental benefits to underground mining, particularly at extreme depth. The integration of mineral processing systems for coarse waste rejection and disposal into the underground mining environment has a substantial impact on the economics and operation of the mine. A case study for the integration of underground pre-concentration at Falconbridge’s Thayer Lindsley and Fraser Copper operations in Sudbury, Ontario is discussed, with particular focus on ore evaluation, system design, integration, and impacts on the operation. Conclusions as to the overall feasibility and potential impacts of underground pre-concentration are presented.INTRODUCTIONObjectivesA scoping investigation has been conducted for Falconbridge Ltd on the Fraser Copper Zone and Thayer Lindsley mines in order to develop a better understanding of the operations, and to do a preliminary evaluation of the potential for pre-concentration of the ore underground. The objective was to develop a conceptual design and evaluation of a pre-concentration system for each site. The results are to be used as the basis for a more detailed future study.Underground Pre-ConcentrationThe pre-concentration of ore to reduce the quantity and improve the quality of material transported to the processing plant is not a new concept and has been in practise at several mines including the American Zinc Company in Mascot Tennessee (Munro et al, 1982), the Sullivan Mine in British Columbia and presently at Xstrata’s Mt Isa lead-zinc mine in Australia, as well as at several PGM mines operating in the South African Bushveld. For each of these mines, a high degree of waste rejection was achieved at a coarse particle size with good metallurgical recoveries. The benefits arising from the surface pre-concentration of ore are well documented in the literature (McCullough et al, 1999; Miller et al, 1978; Munro et al, 1982; Schena et al, 1990; Sivamohan & Forssberg, 1991)."

Jan 1, 2006

By Dominic Fragomeni, Tony DiFeo, Martyn P. Hay

"As part of an investigation into flotation modelling of industrial scale operations, Falconbridge Ltd organised a “blind” test of the SUPASIM flotation model developed by Eurus Mineral Consultants (EMC). Two sets of rougher rate data, a flowsheet and the number and size of cells in the rougher bank were supplied from a plant that had been previously surveyed in November 2003. The name of the plant, cleaner circuit details and circuit mass balance were, at the time, unknown to EMC. With only these data, flotation performance was simulated and the cleaner circuit sizedFalconbridge then compared predicted and actual float performance and mass balance and found that final concentrate recovery and mass and circuit cell volume matched closely. Simulated recoveries relative to actual were +0.4% Cu, +0.1% Ni and -0.7% Co. However, prediction of metal distribution in the internal streams making up the various circulating loads showed some sizeable errors. On this initial success, the trial was extended and additional float test data for rougher feed, cleaner feed and cleaner scavenger feed was generated on site in April 2005. Further simulations significantly improved prediction accuracy for metal distribution in the internal streams. The average difference between predicted and actual recovery for all streams was reduced from 10.5% to 0.4%. This updated simulation was then used to ascertain the impact on final recovery, grade and plant circulating loads of increasing feed tonnage from 114 to 150t/hr. A number of scenarios were simulated in order to understand the contribution that (a) the fast and slow floating fractions and (b) regrinding of cleaner tailings are making to overall plant recovery.Simulation was then used to determine how much the flotation kinetics of both rougher feed and cleaner scavenger feed have to increase in order to deliver a 1.5% improvement in overall plant recovery. These improved kinetic values provide a target for laboratory testwork and operating conditions can be varied to determine how best to achieve these new values of fraction and rate."

Jan 1, 2006

By Eric Poulin, Anthony Clapperton, Jocelyn Bouchard, Jaime Cristobal Rojas-Montes, Benjamin Legare

"Several grinding mill dynamic simulators have been developed in the last half-century. However, complete circuit simulations are mainly limited to academic investigations, and on-site applications for advanced control or real-time optimization are scarce. One particular issue that has certainly curbed a more widespread use is the time and efforts required for model calibration. This paper illustrates this challenge and presents a calibration method based on dynamic simulation using industrial data and laboratory testwork. The simulator models discussed originate from the work of Austin and Luckie (1972) for grinding mills, and Plitt (1976) for hydrocyclones. A two-stage approach based on a least squares minimization allows determining calibration parameters values. Firstly, laboratory testwork are required for characterizing breakage coefficients of the ore. Secondly, step change responses and their simulation— effect of ore and water feed rates on output flow rates and size distributions—allows identifying transport/mixing conditions. Simulation results are in agreement with actual process responses to variations of feed conditions obtained from a plant survey.INTRODUCTIONDynamic models for grinding circuits has been intensively studied since the 1970's notably by Austin and Luckie (1972b), Klimpel and Austin (1984), Rogovin and Hogg (1988), Napier-Munn et al. (1996), Liu and Spencer (2004), and King (2012) among others. The resulting models primarily serve in simulation applications for process equipment sizing, which incidentally also helps developing a better understanding of comminution operations. An obstacle curbing a more widespread and targeted use of grinding simulation for process control and optimization purposes is the time and efforts required for dynamic model calibration. It remains a cumbersome task that is typically not well detailed in technical papers. This could explain why dynamic process simulators are mainly confined to academic applications."

Jan 1, 2016

"Load-haul-dump machines (LHDs) are typically used in underground metal mining operations. Delays or inappropriate use of LHDs can result in production loss. Optimized LHD use is especially crucial in larger mines because longer travel distances increase heat, dust, and gas emissions, which in turn increase ventilation costs. This study, conducted at an existing Swedish sublevel cave underground mine, used discrete event simulation and the AutoMod™ DES tool to determine the ventilation costs related to using too many diesel LHDs in a production area with reduced ore pass availability. When fewer ore passes are available, ventilation costs related to operating LHDs in the production area were found to increase by as much as 200, 224, and 306% for one, three, and six LHDs in operation, respectively. ¦ KEYWORDS Discrete event simulation (DES), Loading operations, Production rate, Ventilation costs RÉSUMÉ Dans les exploitations souterraines d’extraction des métaux, on utilise généralement des chargeurs-transporteurs (LHD, de l’anglais Load-haul-dump machines). Les retards ou l’utilisation abusive des LHD peuvent entraîner une perte de production. L’utilisation optimisée des LHD est particulièrement importante dans les grandes mines en raison des longues distances parcourues, lesquelles augmentent la chaleur, la poussière et les émissions de gaz qui, à leur tour, décuplent les coûts de l’aérage. Cette étude, menée en Suède dans une mine souterraine utilisant la méthode d’exploitation en sous étages avec foudroyage, s’est basée sur la simulation à événements discrets (SED) et l’outil de SED AutoMod™ pour déterminer les coûts de l’aérage liés à l’utilisation d’un nombre trop élevé de LHD alimentés au diesel dans la zone de production, avec une disponibilité réduite de la cheminée à minerai. Lorsque les mines disposent de moins de cheminées à minerai, l’étude montre que les coûts de l’aérage liés à l’exploitation des LHD dans la zone de production augmentent respectivement de 200, 224 et 306 % pour un, trois et six LHD en fonctionnement. ¦ MOTS CLÉS coûts de l’aérage, opérations de chargement, simulation à événements discrets (SED), taux de productionINTRODUCTION Transporting material from the mine face to the dumping location requires flexible loading and hauling equipment that is able to cope with sharp curves and a complex mining environment. Load-haul-dump machines (LHDs) are designed for such an environment. Models are available to suit specific features of the working environment such as small, large, or narrow open stopes (Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB, 2007). When carrying a full load, haulage speed is higher for LHDs than for front-end loaders with the same engine size. Also, payloads are approximately 50% higher for LHDs than for front-end loaders (Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB, 2007). LHDs are capable of climbing steep (Bloss, Harvey, Grant, & Routley, 2011). The haulage distance between stope and ore pass is usually between 50 m and 400 m. LHDs are efficient for tramming distances up to 200 m (Bloss et al., 2011), whereas when loading trucks, the LHDs work efficiently when the distance is less than 100 m (Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB, 2007). The largest diesel-powered LHDs, with drive motors of up to 350 kW, can handle a payload of 21 t (Wennmohs, 2014). Most mining equipment runs on diesel fuel, which provides flexibility, high durability, and high efficiency (Pronk, Coble, & Stewart, 2009); however, other alternatives such as electric, hybrid diesel/electric, or hydrogen fuel cell machines are increasingly being developed and used. This change is due to diesel-powered machines accounting for a significant portion of the ventilation costs in the mine (Chadwick, 2008; Paraszczak, Laflamme, & Fytas, 2013). Currently, as part of the European sustainable intelligent mining systems (SIMS) project, Epiroc AB is planning to demonstrate technology for a diesel-free underground mine at Agnico Eagle’s Kittlä mine in Finland using"

Jan 1, 2019

By X. Cao, H. Huang, Z. Dai

"Crystal phase of copper-containing slag regulation by the slag viscosity, cooling speed and cooling method, where the slag viscosity is related to the temperature and alkalinity. According to the mineralogy properties of a copper-containing slag, experiments of crystal phase regulation and flotation were conducted. When the copper-containing slag that adding a small amount of calcium oxide was cooled slowly at a rate of 3°C/min and about 1050°C n a cinder inclusion system, the viscosity of slag can be remained under 0.25 Pa·S and more than ??% of copper particles that the grain size is larger than 20 ?m in slag. The whole flow of flotation experiment was carried out to recover copper from the copper-containing slag with crystal phase regulating and the copper concentrate grade was ?????%, the recovery efficiency of copper was 94.18%.INTRODUCTIONChina's annual output of copper slag is more than 6 million tons, the current total has reached 80 million tons. It is equivalent to 640 thousand tons of copper metal with the copper grade of 0.82%. Most of the smelting slag were storage. It is not only occupy the land and pollute the environment, but also make a huge waste of resource (Alp, Deveci, & Süngün, 2008; Carranza, Iglesias, Mazuelos, Romero, & Forcat, 2009; Gorai, & Jana, 2003), therefore, it is good way to achieve copper slag resources by the effective recovery of valuable component from copper smelting slag, which is an important measure of the current process of copper smelting slag and implement the central authorities to vigorously develop the circular economy, improve the recycling of resources, increase copper production of intensive development (Zhou, et al., 1994; Zhang, Zhang, & Wang, 2005). Currently, researches on comprehensive utilization of the coppercontaining slag made a much progress (Wei, 2004; Liu, Gai, Yang, Sui, Li, & Fu, 2008; Liu & Zhu, 2008; Zhang, 2010; Sun, Chen, & Tang, 2012; Qin, Wang, Ren, Wei, Peng, & Gu, 2012). Flotation is one of the most effective method to recover the copper from smelting slag, which has the features of low cost and high efficiency (Song & Liu, 2001; Zhang, Wang, & Li, 2012). But the copper particles in the copper smelting slag distribution is very uneven, and the thickness of the material is very serious. The copper content in the micro level is higher, the size of copper sulfide ore is less than 0.043 mm, which leads to the difficulty of the monomer dissociation (Tossavainen, Engstrom, Yang, Menad, Lidstrom, Larsson, & Bjorkman, 2007; Moustakas, Mavropoulos, Katsou, Haralambous, & Loizidou, 2012). In this study, according the process mineralogy of a smelting copper slag, the crystal of smelting copper slag was optimized by controlling the temperature, alkalinity, cooling rate and cooling method, which makes the fine copper mineral particles in the copper slag crystal further, and can be used to meet the particle size requirements of flotation, thereby enhancing the flotation of copper."

Jan 1, 2016

By C. H. Hitchcock

History In approaching the subject of diamond-drilling practice, a brief history of the origin and development of the diamond drill may be of interest. The use of black diamonds for boring holes in rock was discovered in 1863 by Rudolph Leschot, a French engineer. In 1864, he employed a diamond bit to bore holes for blasting purposes in the construction of the Mont Cenis tunnel between France and Italy. The method was introduced and developed in the United States in the late sixties. The first deep hole was drilled for coal in 1870, near Pottsville, Penn., by M. C. Bullock. This hole was seven hundred and fifty feet deep. It can be inferred that the diamond drill was introduced into Canada in 1871, when a bore-hole, known as Harper's bore-hole, was drilled for coal at Springhill, Cumberland county, Nova Scotia; and at the old Silver Islet mine, near Port Arthur, the diamond drill was in use as early as 1872. Diamond Drills While M. C. Bullock was developing the diamond drill for exploratory work, the Sullivan Machine Company, of Claremont, N.H., was developing the diamond channelers and gadders for quarry work. These quarry machines were very successful until the high price of black diamonds became prohibitive. In 1878, Albert Ball, chief engineer of the Sullivan Machine Company, designed the Sullivan diamond drill so well known today. The first of these drills went to the Lake Superior iron ranges. After 1880, use of the diamond drill expanded rapidly and spread to all parts of the world where exploratory work was being done. In recent years, the type of diamond drill has not changed much, but better material is going into its construction. Steel castings have replaced cast-iron. Ball and roller bearings are now used instead of brasses and babbits. Gun lubrication has eliminated the oil-can. These improvements make a drill that can be operated for long periods without expense for repairs.

Jan 1, 1933

In terms of throughput, product size and power draw, grindcurves provide a measure of the response of the mill performance to changes in mill operating parameters ? usually mill filling. Since presenting the principle in 2006, grindcurves have been applied to a wide variety of AG and SAG mills. Mill response has been carefully measured for variations in: mill fillings from 15% to 40%; throughput by a factor of two; power by 50%; feed blends; liner profile; and mill speed from 65% to 80%. The outcomes of this extensive program of work are presented as the measured grindcurves. How they have enhanced our understanding of mill operation and how they may be applied to practical daily mill control is discussed. It is proposed that this technique provides a viable and valuable mill control tool that may find extensive application in the industry.

Jan 1, 2012

By Lee Nichols

Convergent Bitumen Recovery Context of discussion It should be noted that the CBR process is a conceptual bitumen recovery feed methodology, designed to provide supplemental bitumen to the oil sand operations of Northern Alberta. To date the following have beencompleted. ?Bench Scale testing. ?Peer group brainstorming. ?Energy Balance ?Confidentiality agreements have been signed with several companies Discussions are ongoing with industry and although conceptual atthis stage the process holds significant promise.

May 1, 2007

By Marcel Vallée

Frequently, costs overruns and defaults in mining project performance result in serious problems and headaches for all project participants and impact on corporate objectives, profits and image and, occasionally, lead to project failure. As mining professional s, we should be very concerned that, in a recent World Bank paper (Weber-Fahr, 2001), geological and technical risks were considered the most important ones facing mining projects. Whenever we manage to reduce or minimize these risks, we are in better position to overcome the environment-, market-, finance- and community-related ones. The causes of this situation seem rather systemic, as a fairly long list of industry problems with new pro jects has been described in industry papers in pas t and recent years. A brief review of industry problems with mining projects will be given first, followed by a review of the basics of the current Quality Management and Continuous Improvement perspectives that have evolved from earlier quality control and quality assurance systems and policies. Particular particular attention will be given to the work of W. E. Deming. As the system approach is an essential part of such policies, it will be described succinctly. Given that poor communications and interactions among geologists, mineral processors and mining engineers/operators ca n seriously affect project efficiency and profitability, these interrelated processes with in the mining systems will be analyzed and modelled and the impacts of such situations will be described through a number of anonymous case histories and examples. A synthesis of Dr Deming's management system, includ ing his Four teen P oints and System of Profound Knowledge, will be prese nted .

May 1, 2002

By C. F. Gleeson

"Geochemical stream-sediment reconnaissance can be a useful exploration tool from the point of view of rapidly and cheaply evaluating the mineral potential of an area. This is particularly true of rugged and mountainous areas such as are found in Gaspé. For the past two years, SOQUEM has been carrying out such surveys over favorable geological regions in the Appalachians of northern New Brunswick and Gaspe. To date, about 4,000 square miles of terrain has been systematically covered by reconnaissance geochemistry. Jeeps have been used as a means of transportation in the easily accessible areas and a helicopter equipped with a winch has been used to lower crews into the more difficult-to-reach regions. Such surveys have been successful in finding metallic mineralization which otherwise might not have been detected.Electronic computation of analytical information has been used to construct regional metal maps, rolling mean maps and residual metal maps. These maps have helped in evaluating anomalies, in relating the regional geo-chemistry to the regional geology and in comparing the distribution patterns of metals. To date, some 30,000 stream-sediment samples have been collected from the Gaspe region and analyzed for Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn. These analyses are being subjected to computer analysis."

Jan 1, 1969

By F. Flores

With the World Summit for Sustainable Development planned for 2002 in mind, nine of the world's largest mining companies decided to initiate a project to examine the role of the minerals sector in contributing to sustainable development, and how that contribution could be increased ? the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development Project (MMSD). This project assumed from the start that sustainable development could provide a useful framework to guide the minerals sector which main goal was integrating economic activity with environmental integrity, social concerns, and effective governance systems. The broad steps of MMSD project strategy can be grouped into four major categories: increase understanding of sustainable development; create organizational-level policies and management systems for implementing the principles of sustainable development; collaborate with others with common interests to take joint steps towards sustainable development, and; increase our ability to work towards sustainable development at the local, national, and global levels. In opinion of the article's author, to go ahead with the MMSD strategy and achieving the sustainable development objectives, it is necessary to consider the concept of self-organization, fundamental of the emergent new scientific paradigm, and the consequent epistemology and values that conform a supporting culture for sustainable development.

Jan 1, 2007