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By D. François-Bongareon

"In previous publications by the author, significant advances and generalizations of the theory of sampling of broken ores, prompted and confirmed by experimental results, have been presented. This paper shows how to implement these theoretical results in practice. The models to be used are reviewed, with a description of the various sampling parameters involved. Then the methodology for the experimental assessment of those parameters, including segregation factors, is described in simple and practical terms, along with the use of handy sampling protocol charts. Finally, the particularly important case of processing data from a sample-tree experiment is detailed, and examples of applications covering all situations and types of experiments are provided.IntroductionThe reliability of a sample of crushed material , i.e. the expected (average) deviation between its true grade and the true grade of the lot it comes from, mostly depends upon six factors:• the size (mass) of the sample (and to a minor extent, for small lots, the size of the lot);• the size of the rock particles (degree of comminution)• the nature of the mineralization at microscopic scale (i.e., within even the smallest particles);• the geological nature of the mineralization and mineral of interest;• the grade of the lot in the mineral of interest; and• in some cases, the state of segregation of the lot.In practice, one should first disregard segregation problems, and assess sample variability in the segregation-free case. Once the numerical parameters governing this variability have been assessed, then segregation factors can be assessed in turn. In the case of laboratory standard sample preparation procedures, segregation can usually be disregarded altogether."

Jan 1, 1993

By R. C. Snider

The Roy Lloyd Mine in northern Saskatchewan is a high-grade underground gold mine which is currently supplying ore to Golden Band Resources Inc. (Golden Band)?s Jolu mill. Prior to the operation of the mine, an underground exploration program was conducted intermittently at the site. During both the underground exploration phase and mining, Golden Band has implemented water recycling to reduce freshwater usage within the mine in order to address concerns over the potential for impacts associated with freshwater usage and to reduce the volume of effluent discharged from the site. Golden Band initiated an underground exploration program at the Roy Lloyd Mine site (formerly called the Bingo Project) in October 2007 to better delineate the mineralization of the Bingo gold deposit. The exploration program provided geological information required in order to improve the confidence level of the geological resource model and also provided information to aid in the mining of the deposit, such as the determination of groundwater inflow rates. Underground production mining started in March 2011. This paper provides an overview of the mine water recycling methods implemented at the site during both the exploration and initial mining phases of the project, and the success/drawbacks of these measures to date, including the potential cost savings in the form of reduced treatment and monitoring costs inherent in a reduction of the volume of effluent discharged from the site. The paper will also discuss options that are currently being evaluated in order to further assist Golden Band?s ability to recycle water and reduce the volume of effluent discharged to the environment, while ensuring effluent discharged from the site to the environment meets criteria.

Nov 1, 2011

By Garth D. Kirkham, James P. Siddorn, Hendri Falck

"Abstract - As an integral part of the Geological Survey of Canada’s EXTECH III Project, a threedimensional computer model has been created of the Con and Giant gold mines in the Yellowknife Greenstone Belt. The Yellowknife Mining Camp has produced a great deal of gold (over 15 million ounces, or 400 000 kg) in the past sixty years and the prevailing assumption is that the mines are at the end of their lives. However, the potential for discovering additional resources using new ideas and technology, and maximizing use of existing data, offers an opportunity to sustain the old mining operations and maintain their contribution to the community.The objectives of this study included the compilation and creation of a three-dimensional Geographic Information System model (combining 3D subsurface data with surface information) to provide a framework for concurrent structural and alteration studies, and to encourage new exploration in the area. A secondary objective was to retain the data in digital format as a historical reference for future remediation efforts, and to document a portion of Canada’s rich mining history.The end result is a database and set of models that have been instrumental in facilitating further exploration in the area, as well as in developing targets for future exploration and mining activities. In addition, the EXTECH III 3D GIS model has made a valuable contribution toward the understanding of the arsenic remediation issues at the Giant mine, and has served as a tool in support of a variety of highly technical engineering studies and for communicating information and problems to the layman and community as a whole."

Jan 1, 2003

By Yuki Soma, Tsutomu Ogawa, Jae Hyung Hong, Toshihiro Nagato

The Saganoseki flash furnace was built in 1973. The steel frames of the flash furnace were designed to absorb the expansion of refractories and contain expansion-absorbing materials between their frames and the skin plate. Expansion and deformation resulted in the furnace settler because of the repeated increase and decrease in temperature from more than 30 maintenance shutdowns. Preliminary investigations were conducted to confirm the condition of the settler, and it was found that partial cracks accompanied the expansion in the lower layer of the refractories. As a result, the risk of molten-matte leakage increased. Based on the above investigation, it was decided that the entire settler should be replaced by introducing a spring-displacement structure that was capable of maintaining the furnace integrity over an extended period. The difficult redesign and rebuilding of the Saganoseki flash furnace was accomplished successfully and safely in 76 days from September to December 2017, as planned. Because of various redesigns, the furnace was changed to a flash-smelting furnace that can withstand higher thermal loads based on recent trends of copper concentrate with increased sulfur and reduced copper. The new furnace is operating smoothly at present. INTRODUCTION The flash-smelting furnace of Pan Pacific Copper Co., Ltd. Saganoseki Smelting & Refinary commenced operation in 1973, with an original designed feeding rate of 71 t/h. As a result of facility remodeling and operational improvements, shown in Figure 1, the feeding rate was increased to 215 t/h in recent years. After more than 40 years of operation, the original settler in the melt holding section of the flash furnace underwent significant expansion and deformation.

Jan 1, 2019

By Robert B. Parsons

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

Jan 1, 1991

The mixer that is commonly encountered in hydro metallurgical operations consists of a single turbine and tank combination. However, it would be advantageous to examine some common solvent extraction mixing systems in the light of the fundamentals of chemical reactor design. The basic concepts of reactor design are commonly used in the chemical industry, and it should not be too difficult to apply them to solvent extraction. The factors that affect the engineering design of a reactor are: the reacting system; the type of reaction; and the configuration of the reactor. The reaction system in solvent extraction consists of a heterogeneous liquid phase, involving two immiscible liquids. It is essential f or the process that the reactor product can be separated efficiently in the subsequent settler. The type of reaction in solvent extraction system may be quite complex, and the picture is complicated by the presence of competing and side reactions. The reactors themselves have been generally continuous stirred tanks, and the nature of the mixer-settler makes it unlikely that the pumping mixer can be dispensed with. However, it appears that there should be some definite advantages to a system of stirred reactors in series. The kinetic experiments which are carried out should have the definition of optimum reaction conditions as one of their goals. The data obtained from these experiments must also be applicable to the design of reaction equipment. Reactor selection and design is often a unique problem for each chemical process, and does not lend itself to a systematic general approach. However, the application of chemical and physical principles to mixer design in solvent extraction should result in practical, more efficient plants.

Jan 1, 1979

By R. B. Casault, J. D. Boyd, D. R. Bell

"Full-scale sections of three different types of Grade 483 line pipe have been evaluated extensively. The variations in chemical composition, optical microstructure, tensile properties, hardness and Charpy impact toughness with specimen orientation and location were determined. Significant variations in several properties, notably Charpy shelf energy, impact transition temperature, inclusion content and ferrite grain size, were observed for different locations in the pipes. The results indicate that current specifications call for test samples for the most conservative locations, except for impact tests. Minimum Charpy impact values generally occur at the II2-width location, which may be a more appropriate specified test location than the present I/4-width location. The anisotropy of impact toughness, and the importance of low sulphur content and inclusion shape control for adequate toughness in the transverse/rolling-direction orientation were demonstrated. The orientation of impact specimens is critical for spiral-weld pipe, and the current specification test is non-conservative in that it can give results which are two to three times higher than the minimum value for the steel.IntroductionThis report presents the results of an extensive metallurgical evaluation of three different Grade 483 line-pipe steels. The sample material came from full-scale sections of line pipe, which represented current commercial practice at the time of manufacture (1975-1977). Since then, significant improvements have been made in the manufacturers' procedures for producing skelp and pipe, and the line-pipe specifications have been revised. Hence, the information in this report is dated in terms of current design, but it is unique and significant in several respects:"

Jan 1, 1982

By M. Normandin

The performance of various polymers and other macromolecules used to flocculate red mud particulate materials in the Bayer process can be evaluated on the basis of their efficiency to achieve adequate settling velocity and turbidity level, The Jar Test is widely used in the mineral industry to determine the efficiency of solid-liquid separation processes, particularly for gravity settler of the Bayer process. However, a high level of variability is found in the data obtained by this methodology, In this study, different parameters of the cylinder test procedure are evaluated to determine their role in the overall variability of the method, As demonstrated by laboratory testing, the overall variability can be considerably reduced by good laboratory practices.

Jan 1, 2005

By Alan E. Renshaw

"This paper is a practical overview of ways to reduce cost in the design and operation of an Arctic mine. The economically important issues of the Arctic mine that will be addressed include: permafrost and the active zone in general terms; road building in and over permafrost; Arctic geotechnical mine design considerations; pit dewatering techniques in sub-zero temperatures; and blasting frozen materials with techniques to obtain optimal results. A final section on a few special topics conclude this paper.Although this paper primarily refers to near surface conditions more closely associated to an Arctic surface mine, many of the ideas and techniques contained in the paper also apply to the surface construction of an Arctic underground mine."

Jan 1, 1996

By J. W. Coetzee, H. E. Deist

Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and Carbon-in-leach (CIL) processes are used extensively in the gold mining sector to recover aurocyanide from solution. This paper discusses the modelling of these operations, using various simplifying assumptions, in order to simulate the effect of changing operating conditions on the dynamics of the system. It is assumed that the adsorption and leaching rates are a function of concentration difference between the source phase and recipient phase. The simulation was set up using Matlab's Simulink interface. Plant variables are solved using a medium scale Newtonian search algorithm in Matlab, where the differences between the actual and predicted plant outputs are minimized on a continuous time-line.

Jan 1, 2005

By T. Navessin

Recent research activities in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) have significantly improved the performance per unit cost and its lifetime. These activities narrow the technology gaps, and thus, enable commercialization in some applications. One particular focus is in the development and understanding of proton conducting membrane materials. Many novel membranes are being developed which provide control and systematic understanding of complex relationships between chemical structure, morphology, physicochemical properties, and electrochemical kinetics. In this study, different classes of proton conducting membranes suitable for portable and automotive applications were evaluated in an operating PEMFC at the Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, National Research Council. Analysis of these results may provide constructive feedbacks to the material researchers.

Jan 1, 2005

By H. Zniber El Mouhabbis

Ore dilution or stope overbreak increases the cost of production and ultimately reduces the profitability of a mining operation. The adverse economic impact of ore dilution is due to the added costs associated with the mucking, haulage, crushing, hoisting, milling, and treatment of waste rock or low grade ore in the hangingwall and footwall. One factor that could have a significant influence on stope overbreak is the undercutting of the stope into the walls. Undercutting stope walls is often necessary, in particular in narrow vein mines. Moreover, equipment size has a role in drift sizing where stope undercutting may become a must in order to fit the mobile equipment while respecting legal clearances.

May 1, 2009

By M. Matsuda

The Hitachi refinery of Nikko Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd. began its electrolytic copper refining operations in 1911. In December 2002, the refinery changed its operation scheme by introducing the ISA permanent cathode technology for the first time in Japan. The change resulted in higher productivity, better cathode quality, and lower operational costs. The operation has been continuously improved to reach a 20% higher production capacity than the original one. For the electrolyte purification process, the Hitachi refinery has developed a new process for removing impurities. The process involves As, Sb and Bi adsorption from the electrolyte by means of chelating and ion exchange resin. The new resin process will achieve higher efficiency in removing impurity.

Jan 1, 2007

By M. Azzaz

In this paper, we report on new mechanical tests, at high temperatures, performed with a supposed better aluminium nitride (A1N) material, containing fewer oxygen. Our purpose was twofold: (i) check whether creep resistance is modified and hopefully enhanced and (ii) determine the elementary mechanisms controlling plastic deformation through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of deformed samples up 10% strain in compression at elevated temperatures (1823-1923 K) under constant stress in the range 150¬250 MPa. Stationary rates are lower by an order magnitude than those previously measured in MN with higher oxygen content. All dislocations imaged by TEM look undissociated, which clearly relates the formerly observed wide dissociation to oxygen in excess.

Jan 1, 2004

By P. Lauzon, C. Oprea, S. Zhou, G. Oprea, J. Rigby, T. Troczynski

Hydration of basic refractories could occur during storage, drying after installation or in use. In order to assess the hydration resistance of various commercially available magnesia-chrome bricks, hydration tests were performed in steam at 110, 120, 130 and 150°C. The changes of the modulus of elasticity by the impulse excitation method, apparent porosity, air permeability, average pore size and pore size distribution were correlated with the hydration data. Mineralogical and microstructural changes were also studied on selected specimens by XRD and SEM/EDS. The hydration mechanisms were discussed in correlation with the chemical and mineralogical compositions of the experimental bricks, in particular with the nature of the mineralogical phases at the grain boundaries.

Jan 1, 2004

By L. V. Chugaev

In the course of the hydrothermal refining of copper-nickel products containing covellite, oxidation of Fe2+ ions by the CuS?Cu2+ pair takes place, and iron is precipitated as hematite. Lower copper concentrations in the solution and higher solution acidity lead to the partial oxidation of sulphide sulphur, whereupon hematite is reduced by covellite causing iron to go back in solution. It is demonstrated that in the process of hydrothermal treatment of the covellite-containing solid product in pure water covellite oxidises millerite to polydymite (Ni3S4). Formation of polydymite during the process of refining seems to be due to millerite oxidation both by covellite and the CuS?Cu2+ pair.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Royston

Reducing SAG Mill feed size has been a major trend in recent years. ‘Mine to mill’ strategies have reduced blasted-rock size, and in a growing number of operations reducing the primary crusher CSS and/or adding additional crushing upstream of the SAG mill have reduced rock feed size. While reducing feed size will increase SAG mill throughput, issues arise in terms of retaining charge in the mill, exposing the shell lining to impact damage, and maintaining milling performance should the pre-crush system shut down. This paper reviews the past experience on pre-crushing for SAG mills and provides an analysis of liner design (in particular grates and shell liners) for pre-crushed feed.

Jan 1, 2012

By V. C. Pandolfelli, S. F. Santos, L. A. Rodrigues

Under conditions of stable crack propagation at room temperature, the elastic energy stored in ceramic materials is converted mainly to surface energy. However, at high temperatures, creep may also occur in such materials, in which case it will present a ductile behavior. This paper discusses the brittle-ductile transition of a refractory material. Stable crack propagation and creep tests were carried out under a three-point bending device. A commercial ceramic containing 63 wt-% of SiO2 and 31 wt-% of Al2O3 was used as testing material. The results revealed that the change in behavior from brittle to ductile was caused by softening of a vitreous phase present in the material's microstructure.

Jan 1, 2004

By D. D. Campbell

"The Port Radium mine of Eldorado Mining and Refining Limited lies on the western tip of a large peninsula midway up the east shore of McTavish Arm, Great Bear Lake, about 30 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The mine is serviced by air, 950 miles from Edmonton, and by water, 1,380 miles from Waterways, Alberta.The veins were found, and the copper and cobalt minerals in them reported, by J. MacJntosh Bell of the Geological Survey of Canada in 1899. The veins were investigated by Gilbert Labine and E. C. St. Paul in 1930, and as a result of their work the Eldorado mine was brought into production in 1934. It produced silver and radium ores until 1940, at which time, as the silver orebodies had been mined out and the market for radium was negligible, it closed down. Early in World War II the need for uranium for the Manhattan Project was emphasized, and the mine was reopened in 1942. As a security measure Eldorado Mining and Refining was created a Crown company in 1944. The Port Radium mine has continued to be one of Canada's principal producers of pitchblende concentrates, and to date has about 25 miles of underground workings developed on fourteen levels.Regional GeologyThe general geology of the McTavish Arm area was mapped by D. F. Kidd in 1932 on a scale of one inch to four miles. A great deal of more detailed work has since been done by geologists of the Geological Survey and of Eldorado. The entire area at the end of McTavish Arm lies within the Precambrian Shield immediately east of its western margin. Most of the area is underlain by granitic masses which have intruded a sequence of late Precambrian sediments, volcanics, and hypabyssal intrusives. The pre-granite rocks now occur in extensive, irregular patches and pendants within the granite. Pitchblende deposits have been found in the district in all rock types, but the most favourable host rocks are the cherty sediments of the lower Echo Bay group."

Jan 1, 1949

By E. O. Chisholm

Synopsis The colour changes effected in a solution of dithizone by trace amounts of copper, lead, and zinc mineralization provide a sensitive field test for these metals. The method has been used with success by the United States Geological Survey to trace zinc orebodies under residual soils. The dithizone test is used here on samples of non-residual soil overlying a gold-bearing zone in which the gold is associated with disseminated sphalerite, galena, and chalco-pyrite. A gold-bearing zone was successfully traced under overburden ranging from a few inches to five feet in depth by means of this method. The method may prove useful in guiding preliminary trenching through light overburden, by outlining the extent of copper, lead, and zinc mineralization. Introduction The dithizone test affords a rapid, simple, and delicate test for the presence of zinc in soil and water and is suitable for use under field conditions. It has recently been used with success by the United States Geological Survey to outline a zinc-rich area in the residual soil over a primary zinc deposit in Tennessee. The purpose of the present study was to ascertain whether the method could be used to trace a gold-bearing zone, containing associated zinc mineralization, under shallow, non-residual, glacial overburden. The results obtained indicate that the method can be used to guide preliminary trenching in overburden up to six feet in depth. Tests made of the water near lake-shore outcrops also indicate that favourable prospecting zones may be located from the water, within five feet of the shore. It is felt that this simple field test should find a wider use in prospecting, because, under certain conditions, it can outline favourable zones and thereby reduce the amount of blind trenching necessary. The following pages describe the type of deposit tested, the method used, the .results obtained, and the difficulties encountered by a novice in the use of this chemical procedure. The author is indebted to the officials of Nor-Penn Mines, Limited, for their co-operation while the tests were being made; to the late Richard Bouska, Kenora prospector, for helpful suggestions; and to F. W. McCamus, University of Toronto undergraduate student, who ably assisted with the work.

Jan 1, 1950