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By Elma van der Lingen

Gold is considered the most inert of all metallic elements, but the metal can show catalytic activity when prepared by specific techniques. Preparation techniques being used to prepare gold catalysts systems mainly involve precipitation methods incorporating gold compounds or complexes. This paper introduces a totally different method for the preparation of gold-based heterogeneous catalysts that can be used for oxidation and reduction reactions, as well as electrocatalysts. The method involves alloying of gold with a less noble metal, such as aluminium, to form a gold-containing intermetallic precursor. AuAl2 was produced by melting gold and aluminium together in a vacuum arc furnace under a protective atmosphere. The aluminium is then dissolved from the AuAl2 precursor by means of NaOH to produce a highly porous gold structure. The paper also reports on a method of incorporating transition metal oxide(s) with the porous gold to form an active heterogeneous catalyst. Promoter elements can also be melted with AuAl2 to improve catalytic activity. Alloying has the advantage that the promoter element can be in contact on atomic level with the gold. In-situ xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies have also been done on the porous gold catalysts to further clarify the CO oxidation mechanism on gold-based catalysts.

Oct 1, 2003

By T. Hidayat, D. Shishin, V. Prostakova, M. Shevchenko

The chemical compositions of copper feed streams are becoming increasingly complex following the growing demand for metals and corresponding shortages of primary sources. The optimisation of process conditions requires an accurate description of phase equilibria and thermodynamics. Integrated experimental and thermodynamic modelling research program on the characterisation of the complex, multi-component, multi-phase gas-slag-matte-speiss-metal-solids Cu2O-PbO-ZnO-Al2O3- CaO-MgO-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2-S-(As-Bi-Ni-Sb-Sn-Ag-Au) system is being carried out to support companies undertaking the pyrometallurgical primary production and recycling of copper. The experiments involve high temperature equilibration in controlled gas atmospheres, rapid quenching and direct measurement of equilibrium phase compositions with quantitative microanalytical techniques, including electron probe X- ray microanalysis and Laser Ablation ICP-MS. The thermodynamic modelling is undertaken using FactSage computer package with advanced thermodynamic solution models. The continuing development of research methodologies has resulted in significant advances in research outcomes. Implementation of the results of these fundamental studies involves an ongoing collaboration of researchers and industry technologists. An overview of recent progress in research, implementation and applications in industrial practice are given in the paper. INTRODUCTION Rapidly developing technologies increase the demand for various metals in number and volumes. Modern technological devices such as mobile phones, computers, other electronic devices, have dozens of metals—all those metals have to be a) produced and b) recycled. The fast transition in mobility from fossil energy delivered through combustion to renewable energy first stored in bakeries and delivered through electric engines introduce a significant change in the metal demand in terms of both type and volume of metals. Pyrometallurgy is playing a key role in supporting these changes in our industrialised society.

Jan 1, 2019

By P. Bakke

Following extensive R&D efforts, Hydro Magnesium has launched a new alloy series with remarkable combinations of properties. The AE alloy family is based on additions of aluminium and rare earth elements to control mechanical properties, including elevated temperature creep strength. By combining these alloying elements with manganese additions, high purity alloys with outstanding corrosion performance are defined. A basic philosophy behind the developments has been to simultaneously approach all the critical issues related to developing a commercial material. Apart from the obvious requirements for material properties, the critical issues relate to die casting performance, as well as alloy production, recycling and environmental compatibility. Some of the important elements related to alloy production and recycling are addressed in the present paper.

Jan 1, 2006

By W. P. Campbell

In the course of the development of the Red Coulee field, northwest of Coutts, Alberta, a considerable amount of information has been gathered by the Department of the Interior regarding the chemical character of waters encountered in the drilling of wells in this area. The writer, in this paper, has undertaken to assemble the available material with the idea of deducing what relations, if any, may exist between the different waters from the same well, and also how these compare with waters encountered in similar horizons in other wells. From no other district, with which the Department of the Interior has had to do, have there been received so many samples of water, and yet not all the waters logged in the drilling reports were sent in for analysis. The information, therefore, herein contained is not as complete as the writer would have desired, but sufficient evidence has been accumulated to indicate some very definite tendencies in the chemical nature of the waters of this field. The drilling of Red Coulee wells has been carried out exclusively by percussive tools. These permit 'dry' drilling, and, consequently, water-sands are recognized when encountered. Had rotary tools been used, information regarding water-sands would have been very meagre, if not entirely lacking, since, in the mudding-off process, water-sands would have been overlooked, with the result that, should water break through into a completed well, its source would not be known and remedial efforts would be greatly handicapped, if not entirely defeated.

Jan 1, 1931

By N. Melnyk, H W. Habgood

The conventional low temperature process for extracting' helium from natural gas involves liquefying the whole gas stream in order to remove the relatively small fraction of helium. A process based on the selective diffusion of helium through a semi-permeable barrier is, in principle, more economical and flexible, particularly for the treatment of small re-serves and low concentrations. The well-known permeability of glass to helium offers the possibility of such a diffusion process and McAfee of the Bell telephone Laboratories showed in 1958 that practical separations could be achieved by passing natural gas over bundles of fine capillary glass tubing. Developmental studies have been carried out involving larger units and more extended field tests than those of McAfee. Fine capillary tubing of Pyrex glass 0.0035 in. diameter was prepared by drawing ordinary 6 mm. laboratory tubing in a furnace. Extraction units were pre-pared containing about 10,000 such tubes, 4 ft. long and cemented inside

Jan 1, 1961

By G. Fuentes, J. Viñals

"The nature and basic kinetics of the hydrothermal reactions of bornite, covellite pyrite and enargite with copper sulfate solutions were investigated, as a previous study on the behavior of the bulk Chilean copper concentrates. The reaction of bornite produced digenite at 160 °C and djurleite above this temperature. Covellite was transformed to digenite at < 200 °C and to chalcocite (Q and M) at > 200 °C. The pyrite reaction was significant at > 200 °C and extensive at 240 °C, enargite reacts only above 240°C and produces digenite. The hydrothermal treatment of Chilean Codelco-type copper concentrates with hydrothermal reactions was similar to those obtained from pure mineral samples.INTRODUCTIONStudies on the hydrothermal enrichment of chalcopyrite concentrates were begun by MacGauley and Roberts (1951), Roberts et al. (1953) and MacGauley and Schaufelberger (1956). In the 1970's these processes were reexamined by McKay et al. (1972), and Johnson and Coltrinari (1976), but it not was until the 1990s when the kinetics, mechanisms and full engineering aspects were studied by Barlett, (1992), Jang and Wadsworth, (1994) and Peterson and Wadsworth (1994). The main objectives were to solve some important problems in the copper pyrometallurgy: The increase of the smelting capacity, the reduction of the iron slag – and associated copper losses – as well as the reduction of sulfur emissions. The present rise in copper demand and price implies the production and subsequent treatment of very impure concentrates. Thus, a significant increase of environmental problems can be expected in the copper pyrometallurgy. The previous purification of concentrates can reduce the processing of wastes containing hazardous heavy metals in the copper refineries and the hydrothermal treatment can be an alternative which combines both enrichment and purification. On the other hand, Chuquicamatatype concentrates (Viñals et al., 2004a) contains digenite (Cu1.8S), pyrite (FeS2), chalcopyrite(CuFeS2), b ornite (Cu5FeS4), covellite (CuS) and sphalerite (ZnS) as the main mineral components, with minor amounts of enargite (Cu3AsS4), galena (PbS) and molybdenite (MoS2)."

Jan 1, 2012

By R. A. Crouse

The Tanco pegmatite at Bernie Lake, in the Lac du Bonnet mining district of southeastern Manitoba, is a unique deposit of Li, Rb, Cs and Ta, with substantial reserves of Be and several industrial minerals. This paper summarizes the present state of understanding the regional geology, structural setting, zoning, mineralogy and geochemistry of the pegmatite, and the mining and ore-processing methods used in its exploitation.

Jan 1, 1979

By Peter Price

Introduction The Horne mine, the property of Noranda Mines, Limited, has in the last six years become one of Canada&apos;s leading gold and copper producers. Since the smelter was blown-in during December, 1927, up to the end of 1933, it has produced approximately 1,200,000 oz. of gold and 35O,OOO,OOO lb. of copper. The property is situated within an area occupied entirely by pre-Cambrian rocks and characterized by the complexity of rock types and structures common in such terrain. But apart from this the mine also presents other features of unusual interest in the size, number, and variety of the ore-bodies, the mineralogical associations, and the rather exceptional values both in gold and copper. It is not surprising, therefore, that a study of the geology of the mine should bring to light many interesting problems. The present paper summarizes, as concisely as possible, the results of such a study. Actually, it is a much abridged version of a more comprehensive and detailed paper completed by the writer a year ago (1), but embodying certain corrections and additional data made possible as a result of further development at the mine and of field work carried out during the summer of 1933. Owing to limitations of space, the paper is, in the main, a presentation of conclusions arrived at in the course of the study. Much of the supporting evidence cited in the thesis referred to has, of necessity, been omitted here.

Jan 1, 1934

By C. J. Newman, K. Molnar, A. G. Storey, G. Macfarlane

"The Kidd Creek copper smelter started operation in June 1981 using the Mitsubishi Continuous Smelting Process. A steady increase in plant production rates has been demonstrated, and the annual tonnage of concentrate smelted is now double the original design rate. This paper summarizes recent modifications made to increase concentrate feed rates, increase on-line time, reduce copper losses and control the impurity level in anode copper. It includes improvements made to furnace design, improvements to reduce downtime f or boiler cleaning, and improvements made to the acid plant to allow handling of increased gas flowrates and higher gas strengths while maintaining low acid plant emission rates. IntroductionThe Kidd Creek Division of Fal conbridge Limited operates a base-metal mining and metallurgical complex, located in Timmins, Ontario, which includes an underground mine, a 13 500 tonne/day concentrator, a 130000 tonne/year zinc plant and a copper smelter and refinery, The copper smelter and refinery were commissioned in 1981, with an installed capacity of 59 000 tonnes/ year of cathode. The smelter, utilizing the continuous smelting technology of the Mitsubishi Process, has subsequently been expanded in production capacity, and in 1991 produced 113 500 tonnes of blister copper The capacity of the refinery, which uses Onahama No. 3 tankhouse technology, has been increased to 96 000 tonnes/year of cathode. The capacity increase at the smelter has been realized through the input of additional oxygen to both the smelting and converting furnaces, without increasing the process off-gas flowrate through the associated waste heat boilers.In this paper, a brief review of smelter operation and modifications in the period 1982 to 1987 is presented, together with a more detailed discussion of operation during 1988 to 1991, and a discussion of future planned improvements."

Jan 1, 1992

By R. C. Beard

"Heap leaching, currently being applied in the treatment of low-grade ores in the south western United States, is shown to have potential for use in north western Ontario. The history and operation of the process are described, and cost comparisons are given.IntroductionHeap leaching is a simple, low-cost method of recovering gold from low-grade ore. Although it is not currently being used in Canada on a production scale, it is being used extensively, and successfully, in the southwestern United States as well as elsewhere in the world. Especially suited for large deposits of very low -grade ore, it also appears to be practical for use on small, high-grade deposits because it avoids the high capital costs of mills. Eveleth (1980) and others suggest that the capital and operating costs required for heap leaching are approximately 20% and 40% respectively of conventional milling methods.Northwestern Ontario is noted for its large number of undeveloped, small, high-grade gold deposits. Although there are a number o f larger and higher-grade deposits in the area as well, it is the relatively small undeveloped deposits which would benefit most from heap leaching, if it could be demonstrated to be a viable extraction method.To assess the significance of these small deposits, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources recently commissioned a consultants&apos; study of the gold reserves in certain parts of northwestern Ontario. This report, titled ""Feasibility of Small-Scale Gold Mining in Northwestern Ontario"", by J.N. Neilson and R.C.E. Bray (1981, OGS Open File Report 5332), documents 106 known gold deposits having sufficient information to calculate gold reserves. A total of over 7.8 million tons having a weighted average grade of 0.19 oz of gold per ton were compiled in the proven, probable and possible categories, with an additional 8.2 million tons in the speculative category. Many of these deposits could be mined by open-pit methods."

Jan 1, 1983

By J. F. McMahon

Introduction The greater portion of the information presented in this paper was obtained in the course of an investigation on clay gathering and its cost in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario (1). For assistance in the preparation of the paper, the writer wishes to record his thanks to Mr. Howells Fréchette, Chief of the Ceramics and Road Materials Division of the Mines Branch. Clays are mineral substances consisting essentially of hydrous aluminium silicate which become plastic when wet, fairly hard when dry, and stony masses when burned to a sufficiently high temperature and re-cooled. Shales are clays which have been indurated by the processes of nature. Millions of tons of clays and shales are won yearly for the production of brick, tile, sewer pipe, drain tile, roofing tile, fire-brick, china-ware, wall and floor tile, cement, and a host of other products. There are certain types of clay which, due to their particular qualities and limited distribution, are mined entirely or in part for sale to manufacturers, and are even exported from one country to another, as for example china-clays or kaolins, utilized in the manufacture of white-wares and in the paper industry, due to their consistent whiteness; ball-clays, utilized in the white-ware industry, due to their bonding power and whiteness; slip-clays, used in the stone-ware industry because of their glazing properties, and in the grinding-wheel industry for their burned bonding properties; and suspension-clays, such as are used in the enamelling industry. However, the great bulk of clays and shales won are used in the production of heavy clay products, and the manufacturer of these generally owns and operates his own deposit of raw material.

Jan 1, 1933

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 James D. Bamburak

Total mineral production in Manitoba has averaged C$1 billion over the past ten years. Industrial mineral production has comprised almost 10% of the total, with more than half coming from the aggregate sector. In southeastern Manitoba, tantalum, spodumene and amblygonite concentrates, cesium and rubidium ores, cesium formate, dimension stone and sphagnum peat moss are produced. Gypsum, high-calcium limestone and lime are produced in the Interlake area. Early industrial mineral production consisted of tools and implements, salt and pottery. Historical production has included: salt, building stone, aggregate, lime and dolime, lignite coal, gypsum, natural and Portland cement, calcium bentonite, brick, light-weight aggregate, caustic soda and soda ash, and silica sand. Future industrial mineral production may come from reactivated quarries, pits and wells or from new producers of current commodities. Newproducts may include: stainless steel master alloy, silicon metal, titanium and magnetite, lithium carbonate, float-plate glass and ferrosilicon, "marble" dimension stone, magnesium metal, potash and kaolin.

Jan 1, 2001

By M. J. Slater

Ion exchange using resins is one of the few processes capable of reducing ionic contaminants in effluents to very low levels. Continuous fluidized-bed ion exchange is an advantageous technique for processing dirty effluents and thin slurries. It also reduces resin inventory and equipment cost compared to fixed packed beds. A simple continuous fluidized-bed unit has been investigated for treating effluents and its performance is described. Breakthrough curves were first obtained from static fluidized fixed beds; these data were then used to determine the required operating conditions for a periodic-flow, countercurrent fluidized-bed ion exchange system. A waste stream, containing about 56 ppm copper, was treated in the continuous system using an extraction fluidized bed depth of 203 cm and a flow rate of 1.22 cm3/ cm2s (900 gph / sq.ft) to yield an effluent containing less than 0.02 ppm copper. A generalized design method is proposed for similar chemical systems.

Jan 1, 1978

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 Alan Reed

"Afton Mines Ltd. (N.P.L.) operates an 8500-tpd open-pit copper-gold mine near Kamloops, R.C. The pit is currently 480 feet deep and will reach an ultimate depth of 800 feet. The east, south and west walls of the pit are composed of Triassic andesites (Nicola Volcanic Formation) and contemporaneous sub-volcanic intrusions of micro-syenite, microdiorite, diorite and picrite-basalt (Iron Mask Pluton). The north wall of the pit consists of Tertiary sandstones, shales and mudstones (Tranquille formation) and dacitic dykes, sills, flows and tuff s (Kamloops Volcanic Formation).The Afton copper-gold orebody (30 million tons of open-pit ore with a grade of 1.0 per cent copper, 0.016 oz/ton gold and 0.12 oz/ton silver) occurs within the Triassic Iron Mask Pluton adjacent to its faulted contact with Tertiary rocks. The Triassic-Tertiary contact is a complex fault system dipping 65 degrees southward and causing the Triassic rocks to overlie the Tertiary rocks. The detailed trace of this contact is very intricate due to the mutual interference of three principal fault systems.The dominant geological structures in both Triassic and Tertiary rocks are faults striking WNW and dipping 65 degrees southward, i.e. sub-parallel to the orebody (strike faults). Cross faults and oblique faults are abundant and highly significant in some sectors of the pit. The Tertiary sedimentary rocks show an early series of northwesterly plunging folds deformed by a later series of northeasterly striking folds. Major lithological and structural boundaries divide the pit into 8 structural domain s within which the pitwall slope stability is controlled by the local geological structures and lithology.Assay data from production blasthole samples and exploration diamond drillhole samples show a log-normal frequency distribution, with a fairly low relative variance. Variograms computed from production blasthole samples show good continuity with elliptical horizontal zones of influence which are truncated by the major faults that bound the ore zone."

Jan 1, 1983

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 (&apos;B&apos; 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&apos;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 John Drew Ridge

"Over the years, ore geologists have made innumerable observations as to the relationships of certain kinds of ore deposits to particular types of rocks and to the types of primary and secondary structures that these rocks contain. On the basis of these, the places in which to look for new are deposits are more clearly defined than they would be in an exploration program based largely or solely on concepts of ore genesis. This paper discusses the affinity of certain rock types and structures for such ore deposits as: (1) tin-tungsten associated with granitoid rocks; (2) lead-zinc of simple mineralogy in carbonate rocks; (3) massive base-metal sulphides in sedimentary or volcanic rocks; (4) massive base-metal sulphides and oxides at, or near, contacts with igneous rocks; (5) gold or gold-uranium in, or adjacent to, conglomerates; (6) shale- or sandstone-hosted copper; and (7) porphyry coppers. Additional varieties could be considered, but it appears that these examples are sufficient to demonstrate the validity of the suggestion that the use of observational characteristics is far more useful in mineral exploration than that of theories of ore genesis.As by-products of the theory of plate tectonics, many concepts have been put forward to explain how ore deposits of different kinds have been formed. Most, if not all, of these theories seem to be as valid as present-day information permits. However, do these ideas add to the ability of the ore geologist to find ore deposits? I doubt it, and offer reasons as to why I think so.To produce maximum results in any exploration program, the one that makes the greatest use of information produced about the geologic environment of the area being investigated is the one that will provide the greatest return in deposits found for the sponsors of the program. Such exploration is best designated as total exploration, and it certainly is the most effective way of uncovering such new deposits as may exist in the area being studied in particular and of adding to the sum total of nonfuel minerals deposits available to the industrial world in general."

Jan 1, 1983

By S. Foged

Umicore and MWH jointly demonstrated that mechanical dewatering of goethite and neutralised tailings significantly increased the life of a 30 ha tailings pond and improved the operation of the pond. Umicore operates one of its zinc production plants in Balen, Belgium. As part of its production process, an excess of neutralised and goethite¬containing tailings is generated. These have historically been stored inside large lined ponds. As the storage area of the current goethite pond was nearing its capacity, Umicore studied the potential for an extension to the existing embankment. However, this extension would face intense regulatory scrutiny, because the environmental and safety impacts were considered important. Together with Umicore, MWH suggested and investigated an alternative treatment approach consisting of mechanical dewatering prior to storage. A feasibility study was prepared where wet storage was compared to dry storage. Differences in safety risks, environmental impacts and economic costs were outlined. The study demonstrated that the life of the tailings pond could be increased from 6 to 22 years, seriously reducing the environmental impacts and safety risks at no significantly higher cost than would have been incurred with the continued operation of the existing pond. The results of the study are presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. Peck, F. Brackebusch, M. Scobie

"A number of alternative strategies exist to improve narrow orebody stope productivity and safety through mechanization. Particular attention is given to one of these: the development of an in-stope mining machine. This paper summarizes those characteristics of vein orebodies in Canadian mines which are considered to govern such mining machine design. It then reviews past and current attempts to develop hardrock mining machines which could potentially be applicable to narrow stope widths.IntroductionSerious interest is mounting to exploit new technology in the development of methods and machinery to stope narrow, hardrock, orebodies. The motives relate not only to the foreseen need to maintain or reduce production costs, but also to considerations of manpower availability, safety, ground control, ore recovery and dilution. This also follows the demonstrated success of technology application in larger metal orebody stoping, where machine development has been seen to lead to improved productivity as well as the future prospects of continuous mining systems and eventual automation, e.g. ITH blasthole drill development and bulk mining. This paper deals in particular with machine design for ore fragmentation in narrow, hardrock orebodies. It is considered that such machine design closely interacts with the over-all stoping method design and that both require consideration in parallel to ensure success in mechanization."

Jan 1, 1990