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By J. H. . MORGAN

Talc-soapstone deposits exist in Patton Township of Quebec and have been mined by Bakertalc Inc. or its predecessors since 1938. The company produces products ranging from purified and micronized talc through to soapstone lumps. The deposits are found within serpentinite dykes and are zoned. Zoning grades from a serpentine core through zones of talcmagnesite, schistose talc and talc-chlorite schist be/ ore reaching the wall rock of quartz-sericite-chlorite schist. Talcmagnesite zones generally comprise 80 to 90% of the mined rock. The serpentinite dykes containing the talc probably were originally post-Ordovician peridotite of the same series that hosts the Eastern Townships asbestos deposits. Alteration of serpentine to talc-soapstone and magnesite apparently resulted through addition of silica and carbon dioxide along shears and fractures. Talc concentrations occur also at the intrusive contact between dykes and wall rock. The present Bakertalc Inc. operation at the Van Reel Mine is being worked from an inclined shaft 200 m below surface. The talc rock undergoes a variety of milling processes, depending on its particular market, be/ ore being bagged and shipped.

Jan 1, 1984

By T. Yameogo

Many ideas, tools, technologies, and methodologies are believed to have staked their claims on the future of mining. For example, automation is strongly positioned as the platform within which mining will be practiced. A subset of automation ? intelligent mining ? will add some smart interactions between machines, technologies, the rock, and the environment. The future also calls for an improved approach to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Mines of the future are dreamed of to be more ethical and more balanced. They will boast optimized designs, integrated value and supply chains, produce less waste, recycle and reuse, and will require less energy to operate. Then, what about the people that will operate this optimized ecosystem? How is the education system teaching the operators of the mines of the future? What kind of a future should mining education foresee to prepare the workers appropriately? In recent years, the shortage of skilled labor for mines around the world has created a tough competition to attract, retain, and train the very people without whom mining will cease to exist. In Australia, Canada, and the United States in particular, the war for talent has resulted in higher-than-usual labour costs. Such costs have dented the unit costs of many mining businesses. Concomitantly, mining contractors? and consultants? prices have increased to reflect the escalation of labour costs across the value chain. From labourers to engineers, from juniors to seasoned professionals, the increase in compensation is unprecedented. Yet, the shortage is still hurting the industry, and the high calibre candidates continue to be rare gems. The industry has been implementing aggressive solutions that include the increased hiring of skilled immigrants, the training and recruitment of minorities, and the retaining of near-retirement experienced employees. Public relation campaigns about the benefits of embracing careers in mining are also common. The CIM has also devoted a ?M4S? section to its pan-Canada meetings to educate the public, especially the youth, about the importance of the mining industry for Canada. Moreover, mining associations and universities are enticing students? enrolment through scholarships and financial support. Still, the balance between quantity and quality of workers can be discussed. This paper intends to discuss the present state of mining education as an essential part of the future of mining. The authors brush the picture of the education of miners, technicians, and engineers, against the backdrop of the technology-advanced mines of the future.

Aug 1, 2013

By J. W. Matousek

Since the late 1800s, copper-nickel ores have been mined and smelted in the Sudbury area. The Canadian Copper Company, the Copper Cliff ancestor of Inco Limited, commenced operations with a blast furnace smelter in 1888. Coal-fired reverberatory furnaces were added in 1911 and multihearth roasters in 1914. The blast and reverberatory furnaces smelted, respectively, coppernickel ores and ore fines until 1930, when a milling process and plant began operating to concentrate and separate the minerals of these two metals. Two reasons for this delay were: (1) the availability of high grade ores suitable for direct smelting; and (2) the difficulties in making the copper-nickel separation. The Mond Nickel Company, however, practiced flotation at its Coniston Smelter site from 1914 to 1930. A bulk concentrate containing six per cent copper and five per cent nickel was recovered from ore of 1.6 per cent each of copper and nickel. Gravity (table) and magnetic concentrates were also produced. Inco Limited (then The International Nickel Company) began laboratory-scale flotation tests on its ores in 1918. This work led, ultimately (in 1930), to the construction of the 7500 tonne-per-day Copper Cliff Mill, designed to recover separate copper and nickel concentrates. Its capacity was expanded to 11000 tpd in 1936, to 18 000 in 1940, and to 27 000 in 1942. Since 1971 it has operated to process only the bulk flotation products from other mills to yield individual nickel and copper concentrates.

Jan 1, 1999

By Roderick C. McDonald

Great Bear lake, the fourth largest body of water on this continent, comprises an area of approximately 12,000 square miles, and is set astride the Arctic circle, with a large portion of it witnessing both the Arctic winter night, and the Arctic summer day with its midnight sun. The very name itself, Great Bear, suggests an Arctic region. The seasonal contrasts at Great Bear lake are very marked by the cold and darkness of winter, and the warmth and brightness of summer. Signs of winter such as low clouds, snow, sleet, fog, and night frosts, generally appear the latter part of August, while ice forming on bays during the last two weeks in September ends boat travel on the lake about September 30th.Early in June the ice leaves the river mouths, during the last ten days of the month it disappears from small bays, and at some time during the last two weeks of July the main body of the lake becomes navigable. In 1916, the ice disappeared earlier than usual, and the lake was navigable on July 5th. Great Bear river generally breaks up about June 1st, but, on account of ice cliffs and floes, it is not navigable with safety until early in July. Even then, the traveller is confronted with the Charles rapids, but these might be overcome by a wagon or motor road, such as the one from Fitzgerald to Fort Smith: However, in 1931, Mr. A. W. Boland, Fort Norman, N.W.T., carried with scow and motorboat practically all freight between Fort Norman and LaBine point and Hunter bay, at the east end of the lake. During July and August, two types of clothing are required, for, although the days are mainly ones of warm sunshine, the nights are cloudy and cold. In the winter season, fur clothing is used exclusively. Considerable timber, mainly white spruce, suitable for fuel and building purposes, borders the lake and extends eastward to the Coppermine river. North of the lake, no timber is found except in the river valleys, but with oil and coal possibilities near Fort Norman, the fuel situation might be solved.

Jan 1, 1932

By G. W. H. Norman

Introduction During the past few years emphasis has been placed on the importance of major faults, fault zones, and associated structures in localizing ore deposition. This interest has developed partly through experience in mining camps in other parts of the world, and partly by the discovery of such structures associated with ore deposits in the Abitibi region, northwestern Quebec. The recognition of these structures has been brought about chiefly by detailed mapping that has been gradually extended along most of the southern gold belt of Quebec and across adjacent parts of Ontario. In the Chibougamau region of northern Abitibi, progress has been made in the mapping of major faults by using aeroplane photographs with a scale of about 1,000 feet to one inch for field mapping. These studies have shown that many large faults occur in the Abitibi region; also that there is a relationship, direct or indirect, between faults and mineral deposition. The faults are, however, of more than one type and age, and this should be clearly appreciated in any planned programme for prospecting this great region adequately. The information regarding faults and structure is so widely scattered that it is difficult to obtain a clear picture of the essential features, either for planned prospecting or for analysis and development of ideas for further study. This paper, as originally conceived, was intended only to discuss and compare the regional structure of southern Abitibi county-where detail mapping and diamond drilling have been carried on intensively for the past ten years-and of the less well-known Chibougamau district, in order that the experience gained in the one area could be usefully applied in the other. However, a comparison of the two districts leads naturally to a consideration of their common relationship to certain major late-Precambrian structures that form an important northeast system across the southeastern part of the Canadian Shield.

Jan 1, 1946

_What is standard technology infrastructure _ Business Context _ The mine operator?s technology challenges and needs _ The benefits of technology standards _ Overview of the SMART initiative _ Technology standards description _ Current status _ Next steps What is Standard Technology Infrastructure Technology Infrastructure is: ? Networking communications ? Computing operating systems ? Hardware platforms ? Data storage and access ? Operator interface _ These components are based on recognized open standards organization, and _ Commonly and widely utilized by industry, and _ Commercially available off-the-shelf systems (COTS), both hardware and software _ Standard capability to provide immediate and open access to raw or derived data at source, APIs, configuration parameters & sub-routines from all system components; ALL CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

May 1, 2008

By A. E. Dyment

In formulating an explosive for any specific set of conditions, various factors must be taken into consideration. Is it to be subjected to water or moisture? .If so, it must be designed to have an inherent ability to resist water. Is it to be used in confined spaces underground, where ventilation is limited? If it is, it must possess qualities enabling it to form, upon explosion, the minimum quantity of noxious gases, such as carbon monoxide or oxides of nitrogen. Is it for use where low temperatures may possibly prevail? If so, it must be capable of resisting such temperatures without freezing. Is it for use where dust or inflammable gases may be present? If it is, then it must be so formulated as to produce, upon detonation, a flame of the lowest possible temperature and the shortest possible duration, in order to lessen the chance of ignition of such gas or dust. This is actually the essential property of a permitted explosive, and it is undoubtedly the most important characteristic of an explosive which is to be used in gassy or closed-light mines. This being the quality that distinguishes permitted explosives from other types, it is interesting to investigate the ways and means by which the low-flame-temperature characteristic is obtained . Generally speaking, such explosives are so designed as to contain comparatively small quantities of nitroglycerin and relatively large quantities of the strength-producing salt, ammonium nitrate. This ingredient does not develop as high a temperature upon explosion as does nitroglycerin, so its presence, in large measure, in place of nitroglycerin results in an explosive which has an inherent low-flame-temperature characteristic, as opposed to one which is .made up largely of nitroglycerin, which would ordinarily be in the high-flame-temperature class. Additions are also made of flame-quenching salts such as sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, and up to a certain limiting percentage of sodium nitrate. These salts, with the exception of the last, do not ordinarily take an active part in the explosive reaction, being present primarily to absorb heat liberated by the reacting ingredients.

Jan 1, 1947

By LeRoy A. Thorssen

The use of lightweight aggregate as a constituent of concrete is not a recent development. Pumice was used by the early Romans, in pozzolana cement concretes, in the construction of many of their works. However, the recent development of manufactured lightweight aggregates, such as the expanded shales, vermiculite and perlite, has created a possible use for a whole new group of Portland cement concretes. Concrete can now be produced with unit weights ranging from 30 to 150 pounds per cubic foot and with various insulating, fireproofing, acoustical and structural properties. The tonnage of such materials being used has increased considerably in each of the past ten years, and can be expected to increase for the next several years as availability of the aggregates becomes more widespread and the properties of such concretes become more thoroughly investigated and more generally known. LIGHTWEIGHT aggregates of many types have become avail-able to the construction industry in most localities on this continent

Jan 1, 1963

By Robert B. Parsons

"Canadian investment abroad has been the focus of considerable attention in recent years. Canadian mining companies have been heavy investors in Latin America and are taking a hard look at Central Asia and the Pacific Rim. This international flow of capital is not one-way however. Foreign mining companies continue to make substantial investments in Canada's mining industry. This month. Tax Notes addresses some of the main Canadian income tax implications of foreign investment in Canada.Foreign Investment in CanadaThere are two basic forms of foreign investment in a Canadian company: share capital and debt. The following comments deal with each of these investments separately. It is appreciated that the relevant tax legislation is, as always, quite complex, and that the notes that follow are intended only to serve as a guide. This article should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice."

Jan 1, 1994

By Selvia Tourn, Liliana Castro

"Abstract - Argentina, a large country with an important agriculture industry, needs an ever-increasing amount of phosphorus and potassium, as essential elements for plant growth. Current requirements are met from imports, but potential resources exist in Argentina. For example, several phosphatic occurrences are known in paleo-marine basins, the most significant of which are in Tertiary units in Patagonia. In addition, two types of potassium deposits are also known in Argentina: evaporite deposits in the Neuquén Basin at depths of 750 m to 1500 m contain 22 to 25 wt% K2O equivalent; and glauconitic sandstone containing about 6 wt% K2O has been identified in Patagonia.Several experiments were undertaken to test unprocessed phosphate rocks as slow-release, direct-application fertilizers, with good results. In addition, it is proposed that direct application of glauconitic sands would provide an efficient and economic alternative source of potassium. Tests with glauconite samples are still in progress. The existence of both phosphate and glauconitic rocks in Patagonia suggests that development of an extractive industry for these materials would not only help Argentina approach self-sufficiency in fertilizer usage, but also assist in the socio-economic development of this region."

Jan 1, 2003

"In mills, metallurgical efficiency is important in every step of the operation through to the tails. Different problems which hinder metallurgical efficiency exist in different mills. One such problem occurred in the Bralorne mill at the tailings end of the circuit, where the washing efficiency of the filters was so low that serious losses in dissolved gold occurred.The new cyanide plant at Bralorne went on stream in August 1961. Test work done showed that: a flowsheet of grinding in water, jigging, thickening, agitating, followed by double filtration, gave satisfactory results and was more economical than a counter current plant. Two filters, 141 x 161, with approximately 700 square feet of filtering surface on each, were purchased and installed in series. Test work showed that this was ample filtering area for 500 tons per day.When the plant started up a density of 45% solids was maintained in the agitators, and a 20 ounce cotton dl1ck was used on the filters. Vacuum was between 23 - 25 inches. Under these conditions the filters would not work and only picked up a very slight skim of pulp. Various speeds were experimented with, 4 minutes per revolution being the most efficient. At this speed the thickness of the pulp on the filters increased to about 1/8”• It was therefore quite apparent that, under these conditions, the filters would not handle very much tonnage and the mill tonnage would have to be reduced drastically until the problem was solved."

Jan 1, 1967

By Neil Westoll

Extensive Global Network ?Working together, AECOM provides clients with a unique blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence. ?43,000+ team members worldwide ?450+ offices ?100+ countries ?6 continents The Changing Climate ?Climate change is ?official??IPCC 2007 ?Climate change will create instability, change and opportunities ?Companies that are resilient and adapt will survive and evolve ?CO2/GHG emissions will be curbed by legislation ?How will this affect the mining industry? ?How can the mining industry adapt to the new realities?

May 1, 2009

By Dennis E. Bell

"This paper describes exploration and development to 1982 in the southern half of the northeastern British Columbia (Peace River or Northeast Block) inner foothills metallurgical coal belt. Gates Formation, Fort St. John Group, is the primary target; Gething Formation, Bullhead Group, is secondary. This part of the belt remains wilderness when compared to its other parts. Practical formational and structural mapping is described. A local problem known as the Secus Mountain or Mount Belcourt conglomerates is discussed. The three major explorers have been Denison Mines, PetroCanada, and Crows Nest Resources, all with partners. Initial mine construction and rail spur construction are continuing. The new town of Tumbler Ridge is being built. Introduction This paper describes exploration and development to 1982 in the southern half of the northeast British Columbia metallurgical coal belt. The area (Fig. 1) trends 120 km northwest from the Alberta border to the Wolverine River and Bullmoose Creek. The belt averages 15 km in width, and is 20 km at its widest. Physiographically, the area is dominated by rugged inner foothills, with relief to 1,500 m. The trend of the structures is transected by a dozen rivers flowing southwest to northeast away from the Continental Divide. The Rockies, lying immediately to the west, control the climate. One fact continues to colour all coal work in the area. When compared to the other parts of the western Canadian foothills and Rockies coking belt, it remains the least accessible and least mapped portion. Lack of access also makes all work expensive. Current activity centres about two mines in construction at the northwestern end of the area. Denison Mines and partners are developing their Quintette project, and Teck Corporation and partners are developing their Bullmoose project. PetroCanada and partners have intensively explored their Monkman-Duke Mounta,in project, but mine construction awaits better economic times. The rest of the area remains lightly explored, with the exception of some intensive work on particular structures by Denison and Petro-Canada. The focus of coal work has been metallurgical bituminous coal seams contained primarily in the Gates Formation (Fig. 2) and secondarily in the Gething Formation. These formations are found in generally en-echelon structures ranging to several kilometres in width."

Jan 1, 1985

By Andre Vien, D. H. Hendriks, D. Willet, B. C. Flintoff

"For many years the training of mill operators was an informal process which involved senior operators training junior operators on an as-needed basis. Recognizing the needs and benefits of better training some companies, and even some provinces through legislation, have moved to ensure that a formalized training program exists in the plants. These programs tend to focus on basic safety and operations. Much remains to be done. With the more rapid incorporation of new processing and information technologies, and the goal to keep labour costs to a minimum by doing more with less, operator training has become a critical issue. This paper briefly examines the evolution of training programs, provides some measure of their effectiveness, and explores some recent developments which could have a very significant impact on the industry.PreambleOne can draw an analogy between operator training and the mechanical support of production equipment. When we buy a piece of process equipment it is critical that the mechanical installation be done properly to ensure that the device will operate at peak performance on start-up. Once the equipment is running, some form of preventive maintenance is required to ensure continued efficient operation. The operators and the equipment are both elements of the processing system, yet the former do not seem to get the same ""start-up"" or ""operating"" support. Are they not seen as critical to efficient operation? Why is this so? What impact does it have? How can we improve?These are all very logical and important questions, although the answers are not nearly so obvious. In the mineral processing industry, progress in operator training over the past thirty years has been limited and quite variable. To address the perceived need for a more coherent and consistent approach, some provinces have moved to incorporate basic training requirements in their legislation. Some plants have gone a few steps further by building integrated training programs into their operating culture. One conclusion which can be easily reached is that there are no standards, and that the range of training activity is great. In other words, a flotation operator is not a flotation operator is not a flotation operator. Their knowledge and skills are very much a function of training and experience, which are clearly corporate and site specific."

Jan 1, 1994

By R. J. McCarthy

In-pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) is increasingly being considered by mining companies as a means to reduce their dependence on trucks and thus, fuel, tires, labour, etc. There is potential for great savings in operating costs which ultimately can mean better economics for a mining project. Vale has considered the application of IPCC at its Moatize coal project in Mozambique. Up to three studies have been conducted with the latest, at a pre-feasibility level, showing some promise. This paper explores the mine planning and IPCC engineering elements required in an IPCC study, their application to the Moatize project, and the drivers which most impact the viability of IPCC at Moatize.

Aug 1, 2013

By Alan L. Sangster

Auriferous, bedding-parallel veins occur in zones of carbonaceous, argillaceous and sulfidic turbidites in the Lower to Middle Cambrian sandy flysch of the Goldenville Formation. The 0348 values for vein and wall-rock arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite, and for regional pyrite and pyrrhotite, are highly positive. The values are similar to those from Cambro-Ordovician sediment-hosted deposits of other types, and display trends that increase upward in the stratigraphic sequence. The similarity in composition of vein and wallrock sulfides indicates a seawater-sulfate sourCe for sulfur, derived from the enclosing rocks at the time of vein formation. The upward increase in ?34S values is consistent with closed system sulfate reduction in the anoxic portion of a stratified water-colurnn. Published ? 13C and ? 18() values for Meguma Group vein carbonates are unlike those of other gold-vein carbonates, but are similar to those of diagenetic-metamorphic carbonates from the Meguma Group and elsewhere. These data indicate that the source for the vein-related sulfides and carbonates may be the host strata; possibly the arsenic and gold were derived from the same source.

Jan 1, 1992

By V. Ogarlaci

Over 90% of the Romania's lignite reserve is located in the region of Oltenia, which is why this area is given special attention in the country's coal resources. Because the lignite deposit of Oltenia is comprised of 1-8 exploitable coal layers, their capitalizing calls for urgent arrangements to ensure rational exploitation under conditions of total safety, minimum losses and efficiency. The technology used the coal pits of North-Western Oltenia is the technology of excavation, transport and dumping in a continuous flow by using the complexes of excavation, transport and high-capacity dumping. The theme of this paper is of particular importance because the rhythmic operation in complete safety, is necessary both for sizing and keeping within the bounds of acceptable values, throughout the process of excavation of the geometric elements of the coal faces, marked by: the height of benches, slope angle and width of berms. Geometric dimensions of the benches of the open pits, the height of benches, slope angle and width of berms shall be calculated and shall be based on: the massif structure that forms the benches; physical-mechanical characteristics of rocks from the bench; working conditions, characterized mainly by mining and extraction methods applied; functional parameters of the mechanical equipment used to perform various operations on the coal face etc. For this study it was necessary a broad field for task tracking, measurement, research and design elements of the coal face, for land survey and a desk activity by: processing of topographic data, laboratory analyses on physical and mechanical properties of rocks and numerous specialized studies. In the final part, we bring some contributions to elucidating the issues of special importance for the lignite coal pits of Oltenia, coming up with data, graphics, formulas, solutions and concrete dimensioning of coal faces in terms of using technology in a continuous flow.

Aug 1, 2013

By S. Kodama, G. Sasaki, K. Matsugi, K. Sugio, Y. B. Choi

"Pure aluminum (Al) matrix composites with changing the volume fraction of TiB2 particle content from 10 to 30% was fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. Then the microstructure, density, dispersibility and thermal conductivity of the composites was estimated. As increasing TiB2 content, the dispersibility of particles and the density of the composites degraded slightly. And, the effect of the dispersibility of TiB2 particles on the thermal conductivity was quite little. The thermal conductivity of the composites was less than the theoretical value calculated by Maxwell-Eucken equation considering the effect of the density. It is due the influence of the interface heat transfer rate, because these composites have many small sized particles and have high interface density.INTRODUCTION Recently, metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been used widely in electric / electronic components, architectural materials, transportation equipment, aerospace and a precision instruments, because it’s superior properties have been greatly watched. Demand of MMC for industrial use has been increasing gradually. Furthermore, multifunction properties are required for the composites strongly. By integrating the dissimilar materials, the composites have various properties that we cannot get from monolithic materials. On the other hand, the response to the thermal management is required for materials, recently, and the need for the structural material controlling the thermal conductivity has been increasing. Especially, superior thermal conductivity and good mechanical properties from room temperature to high temperature are required for heat sink and heat exchanger at the same time. In late years, a study on the composites combining carbon materials and aluminum and copper has been developing, and actually the composites with high thermal conductivity which is not provided in the conventional materials is developed. On the other hand, non-oxide ceramics particles such as SiC and AlN, TiB2 have good thermal conductivity. Particularly, as TiB2 has good electrical conductivity, TiB2 containing MMCs is expected as innovative materials used as electric/ electronic components. Furthermore, as TiB2 has low density, high melting point, low thermal expansion and good deformation resistance, the development of high performance composites with multi-functional properties is expected. As thermal conductivity of pure Al and TiB2 are 225 and 66.4 W/mK, respectively, it is expected that the degradation of thermal conductivity by adding dispersant in Al matrix is suppressed. The authors have carried out a thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, mechanical properties of 20 vol.% TiB2 dispersed Al composites (Sugio, 2016, Sasaki, 2016). In this study, the influence of quantity of addition of TiB2 on microstructure, thermal conductivity was studied minutely."

Jan 1, 2018

By C. Groccia

As the search for new ore bodies drives mines to be developed at greater depths, the associated high stress environments present challenges for rock support design. Excavations in highly stressed brittle rock are often subject to large volume increases due to rock failure, a phenomenon known as rock mass bulking, which can result in significant wall convergence. Support systems need to be designed to minimize the amount of bulking and to accommodate large wall convergences. In order to design such a support system, empirical guidelines are often used to predict the amount of bulking. However, the empirical guidelines that are currently available are based on a limited number of case studies and consider few input parameters, which may result in an inaccurate bulking assessment. This paper describes methods of collecting quantitative field data at Creighton mine in Canada to better understand rock mass bulking and to further develop the empirical guidelines for bulking assessment for tunnels in highly stressed grounds. Measuring

Aug 1, 2013

By V. Bruned, K. Mohamed, A. Michaut

Orano Mining Somaïr uranium treatment plant (Niger) uses a pugging-curing process to leach uranium. Sulfuric acid, nitrates and water are added to the finely grinded ore in a rotary drum to leach uranium bearing minerals and solubilize uranyl sulfate ions. Reagents, sulfuric acid and nitrates, are the main OpEx of this process step. The economical optimization of their addition requires a thorough knowledge of the ore behavior in solution with these reagents. Orano Mining technical direction and Somaïr laboratories developed a model to predict the curing process uranium recovery surface with a limited number of parameters. Experimental laboratory work to fit the model needs to be done for each type of ore which can require a lot of metallurgical tests and would be time consuming. In order to optimize the required number of tests, an innovative experience plan was designed in parallel to the development of this model reducing the required number of tests to only eight. Once the parameters of the models are correctly fit, the comparison between the estimated values and the actual values for the uranium recovery is excellent (less than 0.5% error in average). Associated with an updated cost model of the curing process, this new recovery model helps the plant operator find the best set of reagents to maximize curing process profitability in the Somaïr plant day after day.

Jan 1, 2020