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By E. W. Vekris

Patents are playing an increasingly important role in the business world. A diverse patent portfolio can enable a company to secure a monopoly within the market, which can provide a competitive advantage over competitors. At the same time, possessing a diverse patent portfolio greatly increases the value of a company's intangible assets. This paper provides an overview of the patenting process as it pertains to the fields of metallurgy and mining, and summarizes some general patenting strategies. A review of new "green technology" initiatives recently adopted by Patent Offices around the world is also provided.

Jan 1, 2011

By P. D. S. St. Pierre

IN REGENT YEARS, blast furnace operators have found it necessary to improve their technology in order to handle increasingly low-grade feed and yet satisfy the demands for greater tonnages of metal. Studies have been made covering several aspects of the problem, and in this connection the slags produced in the iron-making process have been critically examined with a view to discovering the slag with the optimum properties for a given operation. A good slag should combine, as far as possible, the properties listed in Table I. Unfortunately, some of these desirable properties are incompatible. For example, the advantage of the small ?bulk of a low-flux slag is offset by its low desulphurization potential and high viscosity. Similarly, a very fluid slag increases refractory wear. It will be seen, then, that a balance must he struck between these conflicting requirements. In the .present paper only the melting relationships of blast furnace slag ?compositions will be considered in detail. In interpreting the data herein presented, the optimum property requirements listed in Table 1 must strictly be borne in mind. It should also be noted that the discussion presented here always relates to calcined fluxes, since this facilitates reference to the final slag composition. Thus, in making calculations pertaining to the ?burdening of the furnace, due allowance should ?be made for the fact that the fluxes are added as carbonates.

Jan 1, 1956

By W. Curlook, V. G. Papangelakis, M. Baghalha

A pressure acid leaching process has been developed for the extraction of metal values, nickel, copper, cobalt and zinc, from base metal smelter slags. The basic concept contemplates cooling the smelter slags through solidification sufficiently slowly to induce a good measure of crystallization; and subsequently, after fine grinding, to pressure leach such slags at around 250°C while applying oxygen overpressure, utilizing smelter byproduct sulphuric acid. High levels of extraction of the slags' metal values are thereby achieved. It has been shown that if the same slags are quenched thereby producing an amorphous structure, the resulting metal extractions are very low. The process is applicable to smelting furnace throwaway/discard/dump slags, as well as to in-process converter slags. By extracting the bulk of the residual base metal values in the throwaway/discard/dump slags, the resulting leached residues are rendered virtually benign vis-à-vis the external environment.

Jan 1, 2004

By David H. Searle

This paper will discuss the common trends existing in various Canadian jurisdictions for the closure and reclamation of mines. Included will be a discussion of the requirement to post security as well as its form and how security is calculated and refunded. Reclamation can no longer be left to the end of mine life. Progressive reclamation must occur throughout mine life and must be part of the mine plan from the beginning.

May 1, 2006

By Michel Grenier, Robert Scott, Mahendra Gangal, Andrew Dasys

This research project which took place at Brunswick Mining and Smelting's Brunswick mine, was undertaken to assess the ability of new diesel engine technology to meet current and anticipated underground worker exposure limits to diesel exhaust contaminants. Concentrations of CO, CO2 NO, NO2 SO2 and respirable combustible dust (RCD) were measured in a remote mine area where a haulage truck was operating under simulated duty cycles. The 26 ton haulage truck was equipped with a 300 hp, electronically controlled engine. Fresh air was supplied to the area as per the MSHA certification document for this particular engine. Results showed that while the vehicle operated in a normal and realistic duty cycle, the concentrations of contaminants remained well below the ACGIH guidelines for the threshold limit values (TLV)for exposure. While operating at 630/0 of maximum horsepower (26 tons of ore in the dump), the time-weighted average exhaust gases concentrations (CO, CO2 NO, NO2 and SO2) never exceeded 150/0 of their respective TL Vs. ReD concentrations in this instance were measured at 0.59 mg/mJ or 39.30/0 of the exposure limit suggested by the Canadian ad hoc Diesel Committee. The Air Quality Index was 1.55 or 520/0 of the maximum suggested value for exposure.

Jan 1, 1994

By G. Herget

"A brief visit to European longwall mining operations in potash showed that retreating longwall mining provides a very attractive alternative to room-and pillar mining, especially in areas with bad roof, narrow seams and areas with high ground pressures. Mines de Potasse d'Alsace, France converted all potash operations to longwall mining in 1980. Recovery rates per panel vary between 75o/~ to 85% which compares very favourably with Saskatchewan values. Ground pressure in Saskatchewan are comparable to those of some of the deposits in Europe, but the presence of water in the hanging wall of Saskatchewan orebodies has to be given serious consideration. However, given the mining experience in Saskatchewan and the improved technology f or laboratory and field investigations, a review of present mining practice in Saskatchewan is desirable. IntroductionLongwall mining is practiced widely in coal mining and allows complete mechanization. It is applicable at great mining depth, in thin seams, weak roof and has been applied recently even to coal bed s dipping more than 65 degrees. Ideally this system allows complete extraction of an orebody. However, with high mechanization and emphasis on obtaining high outputs per man shift, extraction ratios rarely reach more than 80010 per panel.France, Spain and the U.S.S.R. have had longwall operations in potash for some time and a brief description is given below. Two of the operations were visited and the Russian operation is described based on German literature"

Jan 1, 1986

By H. C. Cooke

THE gold mining industry, in Canada as in other countries, has passed through trying times in the past year. The strains and stresses of war have drawn away much of its man-power, both from the labour and the management. The urgent needs of the war machine have greatly curtailed the amounts of steel and explosives that can be allotted to the mines; and the loss, by enemy action, of supplies of such essential things as rubber, bids fair to reduce operations still further, if not cripple them entirely in time. And, as if these difficulties were not enough, war on the psychological front has been declared on the gold mines. Earnest supporters of the war effort, well-meaning theorists, and perhaps others whose intent is less disinterested, have all combined to clamour against the continuance of gold mining. We have been asked, what is the use of taking gold out of one hole in Canada to put it into another in Kentucky. We have been assured that gold will never again have any value, except for filling teeth. We have been repeatedly adjured to look at Germany, how well it has got along without gold. We have been told that it is unthinkable, when this nation is girding her loins for war, that labour and materials should be diverted to this useless effort. Gold miners should be diverted to the base-metal mines, where they can produce something of real value to the war effort; or to war factories; or, in fact, almost anywhere, so long as they are got out of the gold mines. And, what has made the situation even more disturbing, it has seemed as if all this clamour might be convincing governments. In fact, as you all know, the government of the United States did actually take the step of ordering its gold mines to cease operations. Fortunately, however, for Canada, the facts that no large favourable effects resulted from that action, and that, in Canada, gold mining is a much larger part of the national economy than in the United States, have caused our government, so far at least, to avoid this drastic step. In talking about this, however, let me emphasize that I have no more inside information on the subject than any of you. Like Will Rogers, all I know is what I see in the papers.

Jan 1, 1943

By J-L. Tang

A new rhcoforming processing of Al alloys with component shaping systems apart from slurry preparation systems is experimentally exploited, using the reversible multilevel-speed electromagnetic stirrer, the slurry transfer tool and its coating, the thin plate sample with five steps and rheocasting mould, all of which are independently developed. The results show that semi-solid A356 alloy slurry with shape factor of about 0.85 and particle size of 70~80 µm (under air-cooling condition) could be prepared in 20~25 s, fully meeting the production rate of high pressure die casting. The slurry could be smoothly transferred from the slurry preparation equipment to the rheocasting shot chamber while the slurry temperature of slurry decreases by no more than 3 . The tensile strength and elongation of the semi-solid rheocasting samples could be respectively increased by 11.6~18.2 % and 42.5~50 % compared with the traditional liquid die casting ones, and the rheoforming processing has close affinity with the traditional hot working processes.

Jan 1, 2007

By Claudia Gasparrini

"Factors affecting the extraction of gold are of a mineralogical nature. Knowledge of the mineralogy of the ore or metallurgical product to be treated, if appropriately combined with the metallurgical test work, may improve gold recoveries. .This paper outlines the mineralogical techniques f or the study of gold ores and metallurgical products and describes the gold mineralogy in relation to its metallurgy. An effective plan for studying refractory and other difficult ores, combining metallurgical test work, chemical analysis and mineralogy and capable of giving positive results over relatively short periods of time, is suggested.IntroductionFactors affecting gold recoveries are of a mineralogical nature and include (i) the gold-bearing minerals, (ii) their grain size and, particularly where the grain size is very fine (10 microns in diameter and less), (iii) their host minerals and (iv) the association these form with the gold-bearing minerals.Mineralogical studies of gold ores and metallurgical products containing gold in economic amounts (today down to 1/10 of one ounce per tonne or 2.84 ppm) are difficult and time consuming. Mostly because of such reason, metallurgical testing (test work) is usually done simply by trial and error without understanding the causes for failure or success.Mineralogical studies, if appropriately conducted and combined with the test work, provide an efficient mean s of improving recoveries through the understanding of gold losses derived from the use of the wrong technique for separation. The information they provide is therefore the first step in the development of recovery techniques, for those ores where the test work alone failed to produce positive results."

Jan 1, 1983

By Brandt Porter, Lawrence K. Nordell, Alexander Potapor

"Improving comminution efficiencies with better machine geometries and motions, improved nip angles, rock movement control, and voids regulation among rocks are some of the next steps to better machine performance. Recent gains (~30%) using high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRS) and vertical roller mills, in theory and practice, are based on Prof. Klaus Schönert’s academic studies (1979–1996) on rock breakage physics. More recently, University of British Columbia Prof. Bern Klein’s studies (2006–present) via the Ph.D. thesis of Z. Davaanyam (2015) further validate theory with practice from laboratory measurements used in this paper.They demonstrated ideal rock compression breakage, within HPGR and vertical roller mill machines using a piston-die apparatus. Similar rock size range is used. The piston-die confine rock breakage behavior. However, these studies do not extend to larger rocks (> 75 mm), and do not demonstrate the influence of rock voids among bifurcation of rocks during comminution. Further, machines fed with larger rock sizes, such as gyratory, jaw, and cone crushers, are not designed or evaluated for geometry nip angle efficiency.Herein we illustrate a performance gain of a new comminution machine, the conjugate anvil-hammer mill (CAHM), first presented at SAG 2011 (Nordell, 2012). The CAHM machine digests rock sizes 400% larger than HPGR, improves rock grip/nip geometry, better improves rock voids, improves surface wear life > 500%, and improves rock containment and slippage during compression. In all, the CAHM machine shows 22 potential improvements over the HPGR. Most importantly, CAHM shows a 50% kWh/ton improvement compared to the HPGR. Our studies use an advanced Discrete Element Method (DEM) computer program called ROCKY. ROCKY simulates moving boundaries, surface wear mechanics, and incorporates rock breakage physics based on the fundamentals of JKMRC T10 protocol [×] with tuned A × b breakage parameters.We calibrate rock breakage in our DEM code to mimicking both UBC laboratory piston-die and HPGR comminution measurements. We then model CAHM with these known ore and machine properties. Differences are illustrated using DEM techniques on each machine, including key points of when each: use geometry; initiate bifurcation breakage; provide a map of particle size distribution by location; illustrate the importance of controlling voids to minimize agglomeration after breakage; machine performance limits; and kWh/ton benefit."

Jan 1, 2016

By D. C. Carter

"The Nova Scotia Department of Mines and Energy located a drillhole at Riverside Corner, Hants County, Nova Scotia, to examine the stratigraphy, structure and potash potential of the Kennetcook River gravity low. This evaporite-related gravity anomaly is one of the largest virtually unexplored gravity anomalies in Nova Scotia. The drillhole intersected a structurally complex sequence o flower Windsor Group ('B' Subzone) evaporites. Downhole geophysical wireline logs were used, in conjunction with detailed lithological descriptions, to interpret the structure and stratigraphy of the sequence. Similar application of total gamma ray, density, caliper and neutron-neutron log responses allows stratigraphic correlation of Windsor Group carbonate marker units separated by up to 35 km in Cape Breton. This work confirms the value of downhole geophysical logs as a tool in the exploration of evaporite deposits regardless of the presence or absence of high quality core. INTRODUCTIONThe exploration methodology for evaporite (specifically salt/potash) deposits in eastern Canada (and worldwide) is relatively simple: identify a negative gravity anomaly within a favourable geological setting, Windsor/Cordroy Group sediments in eastern Canada, and drill it (Anderle, 1980). Although this is an obvious oversimplification of the necessary expertise in the planning and complet ion of an exploration program, those familiar with potash exploration drilling can attest to the risks and expense, in terms of time and problems , associated with the location and drilling of diamond-drill wildcat holes. Potash exploration programs in eastern Canada, their results and inherent difficulties, have been documented by Anderle et al. (1979), Cooper (1981), Dekker (1982), Carter and Boehner (1986), Carter (1988) and Carter and Anderle (in prep .).Downhole geophysical wireline logs have become an important tool in the stratigraphic and structural interpretation of evaporite sequences in eastern Canada and, in many cases, represent the only information recovered or the only information available due to the drilling method (rotary) and/or the long term instability of evaporite cores. This paper documents examples of downhole geophysical log responses which, combined with detailed lithological examination of drill core, or in the absence of core, are used in the interpretation of the complex lithology and structure of a deformed evaporite deposit. Geological and geophysical data from the Nova Scotia Department of Mines and Energy (NSDME) Riverside Corner 85-1 drillhole are presented here as a partial case history and prime example of the use of this method to interpret the complex structure of an evaporite deposit. Drilling of NSDME Riverside Comer 85-1 was conducted in late 1985and early 1986by the Department (Carter and Boehner, 1986) under a program to assess the potash potential of selected areas of the province as part of the Canada-Nova Scotia Mineral Development Agreement 1985-89. A reinterpretation of a portion of the available data from two exploration drilling projects on Cape Breton Island in the Canso-Bras d'Or area is also presented (see inset, Fig. I). Several drillholes have intersected the Windsor Group evaporite sequence in these areas and the available geophysical logs are a valuable tool in the interpretation of the structure of the deposits. However, no attempt has been made to present or discuss the detailed geological investigation and comparison of these two deposits. They are presented here as an example of the reinterpretation of existing data and their application to stratigraphic correlation and structural interpretation of complex evaporite deposits. Further work is necessary to document the stratigraphic and structural correlation of these two areas."

Jan 1, 1989

By N. Morrison, I. Holl, R. Welyhorsky, A. Hempstock

ABSTRACT: The Victor diamond mine is located in the James Bay lowlands, 90 km west of the First Nations village of Attawapiskat. The project was the first of its kind in northern Ontario. The process plant was designed to produce a 95 to 98% by weight diamond concentrate through three stages of comminution, dense medium separation, and proprietary X-ray technology for final recovery. The plant was commissioned over a period of six months, commencing prior to substantial completion of construction. Through effective planning of the commissioning phase, the Victor mine start-up was safely completed nine months ahead of schedule.

Jan 1, 2011

By Richard J. H. Barclay

The Lac Otelnuk iron property is located in the Province of Québec in the Northern Labrador Trough. The Labrador Trough is an extensive geosyncline of Proterozoic rocks, unconformably underlain by Archean gneisses. The Lac Otelnuk iron property hosts two significant magnetite iron-formation taconite deposits that outcrop, are sub-horizontal and are known to extend for at least 25 kilometres along strike. The host sedimentary rock package that includes a cherty iron formation is weakly metamorphosed to greenschist facies.

May 1, 2007

By H. C. Horwood

INTRODUCTION THE Argosy Gold Mines, Limited, which joined the ranks of active Ontario gold producers during the summer of 1936, holds a group of 21 claims on Casummit lake, in the Patricia portion, district of Kenora, northwestern Ontario. The Company is developing and mining goldbearing quartz veins that occur in a series of greywackes and slates of probable Keewatin age. The writer made a geological examination of the property and the surrounding area for the Ontario Department of Mines during the early part of the field season of 1936. This paper is a report on the general geology, structure, and ore deposits at the mine and is based almost entirely on data compiled during the examination. HISTORY Mineralization was first discovered on the property in May, 1929, by A. F. Hewitt, who, with J. A. Borthwick, decided that the country had prospecting possibilities and commenced work in April. Mr. Hewitt staked, and with his partner, J. Ziyone, still holds the group of claims lying immediately east of the present Argosy holdings. Mr. Borthwick staked six claims, K.R.L. 9,681 to 9,686, inclusive, adjoining Hewitt's on the west and later added claims K.R.L. 9,733 to 9,740, inclusive, to his holdings. F. Fiskness, who was also prospecting in the region, discoveted No. 1 vein on Borthwick's claims, and with his two partners, L. Parth and H. Jones, staked claims K.R.L. 9,758 to 9,763, inclusive, to the northwest of Borthwick's and Hewitt's ground. In July, 1929, the Casey Mountain Operating Syndicate, which held ground to the northwest, secured an option on Borthwick's claims. The Fiskness-Parth-Jones property was added in January, 1930, to protect the west dip of the veins. During the winter of 1930-31, the veins were explored by diamond drilling, No. 2 for a length ?of 900 feet and a vertical depth of from 51 to. 375 feet? and No. 3 .t~ a slope depth of 175 feet. I~ August, 1.931, after the msrallat10n of a miming plant, the Casey Summit Gold Mmes, limited, was incorporated to take over the property from the Syndicate. The Maple leaf Mines optioned a controlling interest in the stock in August, 1933, and on September 17th, 1934, brought a 50-ton amalgamation mill into production. From early in October to December 27th, 1934, when the mill was closed down, 4,094 tons of ore were treated to yield 887.89 ounces of gold and 87 .26 ounces of silver( ! ).

Jan 1, 1937

By M. J. Gole, R. E. T. Hill, S. J. Barnes

"The Agnew (also known as the Perseverance) nickel deposit and its northern extension, the Rocky's Reward deposit, form one of the world's largest accumulations of nickel sulphides hosted by komatiites. Agnew was previously classified as an ""intrusive dunite-associated"" deposit . It has now been shown that the sulphides are hosted by komatiite flows which underlie an adcumulate-textured dunite body that crystallized in a large lava channel.The rocks of the mine area have been subjected to a metamorphic temperature of550°C and pressure of up to 3 kb. The komatiites have mostly been reconstituted to olivine-amphibole chlorite assemblages. There is a zoned sequence of enstatite-, anthophylite-, talc- and antigorite-bearing assemblages inwards from the western margin of the ultramatic reflecting variations in the CO/HP ratio of metamorphic fluids.Facing directions are determined from variations in the proportions of metamorphic minerals and in rock compositions which reflect asymmetric layering in the flows . Olivine-sulphides matrix ore is hosted in a single 50 m thick, east-facing flow that is overlain by flows containing massive sulphides. Much of the massive sulphide has been physically remobilized into fold noses, faults and shear zones. Chemical diffusion of ore components has upgraded a sulphide-rich metasedimentary unit where it is in structural contact with massive ore.To the north, the mineralized flow sequence is separated from a stratigraphically higher komatiite sequence, the Perseverance ultramafic complex, by approximately 150 m of felsic meta volcanic and meta sedimentary rocks. Southward, the Perseverance ultramafic grades laterally into an olivine adcumulate body and its lower contact cuts progressively down stratigraphy until it lies directly on top of olivine-sulphide ore of the mineralized flow sequence. This discordant contact is interpreted as the base of a thermal erosion channel formed by a voluminous komatiite lava flow. This contact greatly influenced later deformation of the mineralized flow sequence."

Jan 1, 1989

By A. Mcdonald, F. W. Breaks, T. F. Morris, S. A. Averill, D. C. Crabtree

Abstract-Gahnite, a zinc-bearing spinel, is a resistate mineral that may be used as an indicator mineral of polymetallic deposits in high-grade metamorphic terrain. The Ontario Geological Survey recently completed surficial mapping and sampling programs in the Separation Lake area of northwestern Ontario and Kinniwabi Lake area of northeastern Ontario in which gahnite was recovered from samples of surficial sediments. Ternary plots of the composition (ZnO, MgO, FeO[t]) of gahnite recovered from these surficial studies reveal three distinct groups: Group 1 is characterized by low (< 1 wt%) MgO values; Group 2 by higher (>1 wt%) MgO values; and Group 3 by higher FeO(t) values than Groups 1 and 2. The composition of in situ gahnite recovered from volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization, Zn-rich Sedex-type mineralization and peraluminous rare-element mineralized granite and pegmatite also was determined. The composition of the gahnite obtained from surficial samples was compared with that of in situ material. Gahnite from the peraluminous rareelement granite and pegmatite overlapped very well with surficial gahnite of Group 1. Gahnite from volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization and Sedex-type mineralization overlapped well with surficial gahnite of Group 2. These results suggest that determination of gahnite composition in indicator mineral surveys may be useful in exploration programs when assessing the mineral potential of a region.

Jan 1, 1997

By A. Mcdonald, F. W. Breaks, T. F. Morris, S. A. Averill, D. C. Crabtree

Gahnite, a zinc-bearing spinel, is a resistate mineral that may be used as an indicator mineral of polymetallic deposits in high-grade metamorphic terrain. The Ontario Geological Survey recently completed sur?cial mapping and sampling programs in the Separation Lake area of north-western Ontario and Kinniwabi Lake area of northeastern Ontario in which gahnite was recovered from samples of sur?cial sediments. Ternary plots of the composition (ZnO, MgO, FeO[t]) of gahnite recovered from these sur?cial studies reveal three distinct groups: Group 1 is characterized by low (< 1 wt%) MgO values; Group 2 by higher (>1 wt%) MgO values; and Group 3 by higher FeO(t)values than Groups 1 and 2. The composition of in situ gahnite recovered from volcanogenic massive sul?de mineralization, Zn-rich Sedex-type mineralization and peraluminous rare-element mineralized granite and pegmatite also was determined. The composition of the gahnite obtained from sur?cial samples was compared with that of in situ material. Gahnite from the peraluminous rare-element granite and pegmatite overlapped very well with sur?cial gahnite of Group 1. Gahnite from volcanogenic massive sul?de mineralization and Sedex-type mineralization overlapped well with sur?cial gahnite of Group 2. These results suggest that determination of gahnite composition in indi-cator mineral surveys may be useful in exploration programs when assessing the mineral potential of a region.

Jan 1, 1997

By R. Melley, P. Wissner

The paper looks at the basic theory of tri-bological wear and the role played by the lubricant and its additives. It presents the argument that the “real cost of lubrication” is not the purchase price of the oil or grease, but rather the costs associated with not using the correct lubricant. A number of examples are presented, covering oils, greases and additives, in which a detailed evaluation of the application has shown that when all of the benefits of using the best lubricant/additive are evaluated, the savings achievable greatly surpass the incremental cost of the superior lubricant. One of the emerging classifications of costs in industry today are those associated with environmental protection. Two of the examples used describe the replacement of more conventional lubricants with environmentally acceptable products, compounded to compete in all aspects of serviceability, but which have the added bonus of being not only biodegradable but also of being of low toxicity.

Jan 1, 1997

By Jay Tuttle

THE spiral stoping method of mining was first seen by the writer at the Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting & Power Company&apos;s Hidden Creek mine, at Anyox, British Columbia. Where the method received its name, or by whom it was named, is a question, but it was employed by the Granby Company at their Phoenix mine, in the Boundary district, B.C., as early as 1901-02 after they had tried unsuccessfully other methods at that large, law-grade property. its adoption there was suggested by two miners, John and Steve Swanson, then working at Phoenix, who had previously been employed in the hard iron-ore mines of Michigan and Wisconsin, where they had learned this system of mining. The method proved successful at Phoenix and also, later, at the Company&apos;s Hidden Creek mine at Anyox, where some 40,000,000 tons, or more, of ore was mined in this manner during a period of about thirty-five years.

Jan 1, 1939

By C. Blawert

In previous studies of various HPDC magnesium alloys we found that the corrosion properties of the skin are inferior in comparison to the bulk, However, this is surprising as one would expect better corrosion properties for the finer microstructure of the skin, In a more detailed study using 2 and 6 mm thick sections from HPDC AZ91 step plates, the corrosion results of the original skin, the slightly removed skin and the bulk were compared, Indeed, the corrosion measurements including potentiodynamic polarization, long term polarization resistance measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed a lower corrosion resistance of the original as-cast skin. An explanation for this corrosion behavior was found, on the one hand, in the microstructure concerning especially the amount and distribution of the 13-phase and, on the other hand, in the composition, including the distribution of the most important alloying element Al and of some impurities such as Fe.

Jan 1, 2005