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Risk management has taken on renewed vigor since the economic crisis of the late 2000s. The resources of governments, individuals, and corporations are being stretched to a point where only the most promising projects move forward. Risk management is a crucial part of the decision making process, yet it remains a broad term that includes disciplines from engineering to finance. A collaborative effort will be necessary to ensure that the most auspicious and appropriate projects are the ones moving forward. Risk management can be quantified to an extent by comparing the likelihood of an instance with the result of consequence of the instance occurring. In this manner it is possible to assign risk factors to instances and ultimately, begin to associate monetary value to the instance. Carbon sequestration is an emerging field that has a number of unique challenges. Risk management and mitigation must be an integral part of the overall picture. This begins with the planning and design phase, continues through implementation and production, site closure, and does not cease until termination of liability. The ability of carbon sequestration projects to successfully assess, mitigate, and recover from leaks will be a decisive characteristic of overall success. The costs of mitigation and failure will need to be analyzed on a test level, but will still need to be reliable enough to extrapolate to a commercial level operation. This paper will build a risk management profile based on case studies and field tests in Tennessee and Virginia. These tests are scheduled to commence in late 2013 and consist of small-scale injection tests in unconventional storage reservoirs with an emphasis on enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) recovery and enhanced gas recovery. The ultimate goal will be to provide a clear and concise direction to move carbon sequestration from the test phase to commercial scale. While it is necessary from a risk management perspective to analyze all risk points, the scope of this paper will focus on pre-injection risk assessment for carbon dioxide (CO2) leakage potential. Despite the differences between the two tests, CBM compared to shale among other differences, a framework for analysis and mitigation can be developed pertaining to leakage risk. The probability of each type of failure will be assessed and analyzed, and plans to mitigate or reduce these risks will be reviewed.

Aug 1, 2013

By Constantin D. Pitis

?Demand-side measure" means a rate, measure, action or program undertaken to conserve energy or promote energy efficiency?? (BCUC, 1996) In actual economical environment, business sustainability requires high-efficiency technological processes. That is why the efficiency concept has to be present at all levels of industrial activities. Nowadays, some purchasing decisions are still driven predominately by the purchase price, in spite of the evidence that such price represents up to 5 % to 7 % of the total costs of ownership with full consequences of energy efficiency and the impact on total ownership costs. The paper presents essentials of converter types and basics of the Global Efficiency (GEff) Concept that has been promoted over the last few years in South African industries (Pitis et al., 2006/7). GEff concept is proven as a useful tool used on price-efficiency decisions. Theoretical and technical aspects of this concept were substantiated with case studies. First part presented in this paper will describe how GEff concept was used on price ? efficiency decisions when single input or direct converters and systems (considered as low value equipments) have been replaced. Besides the impact of energy savings and new innovative developments, the paper suggests general other benefits of: ? Technical and economical performance improvements and competitiveness of mining corporations to international standards; ? Defusing incipient energy crisis in the sector; ? Improving environmental conditions; ? Creating new job opportunities in mining sector. Proposed concept in this paper could be further developed as models of improving companies? corporate energy policies.

May 1, 2010

By G. Azimi, C. A. Ang, F. Zhang

"Nickel recovery from laterite ores generates large amounts of solid and liquid wastes. This is primarily due to the low concentration of Ni (about 1.4 wt%) in the feed ore to the High-Pressure-Acid-Leaching (HPAL) process. It is known that the HPAL residue contains a high concentration of hematite, a commercially important source of iron in the steelmaking industry. However, the balance is natroalunite, containing sulfur, which is a detrimental element in the steelmaking process. Hence, to make the HPAL residue a suitable feed for steelmaking, natroalunite must be removed. The current work is focused on: 1) a thorough characterization of the HPAL residue obtained from Vale, and 2) a systematic investigation of an alkaline leach process to remove natroalunite. The characterization results indicated that there are about 83 and 12 wt% hematite and natroalunite in the HPAL residue, respectively. The leaching results indicate that sodium hydroxide is the best leaching agent, which results in 55 wt% reduction in the sulfur content. The results of this work enable the conversion of an otherwise waste product into a useful feedstock for steelmaking. Furthermore, this project could potentially have significant environmental benefits by reducing the amount of residue produced during the HPAL process.INTRODUCTION Conventionally, crude steel has been obtained by reducing iron ore containing oxides such as hematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), and wüstite (FeO) in a blast furnace with coke. The product is then refined in a basic oxygen furnace to produce steel with useful properties (McGannon, 1969; Turkdogan, 1978). Steel has been sought for its desirable properties and its application is widespread throughout modern civilizations. Surpassing the growth rate of other materials, the annual demand of steel has increased at a compound growth rate of 5% over the last 20 years (Baddoo, 2008). The global demand for steel was reported to be 1501 Mt in 2016 and demand is expected to double by 2050 (Cullen, Allwood, & Bambach, 2012; World Steel Association, 2016). In recent years, to meet the rapid growth of demand, secondary resources for iron have been identified as strategic sources of iron (Das, Kumar, & Ramachandrarao, 2000; Li, Sun, Bai, & Li, 2010; Matschullat et al., 2000). The residue produced from high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) of laterite ore has been identified as one of the important secondary sources of iron (McDonald & Whittington, 2008). Laterite ore represents 60% of the world’s nickel resources and accounts for approximately 40-50% of the world annual nickel production (U.S. Geological Survey, 2016). Therefore, the amount of iron residue produced by the process is substantial and its utilization will produce both economic and environmental benefits."

Jan 1, 2017

By J. Scrimgeour

"The word ""instrumentation"" has expanded from its original meaning, which in engineering perhaps referred to measuring apparatus alone. In its broadest form, it now includes sensors, display instrumentation, standard pack-aged controllers and, most recently, the use of stored program computers for on-line process control. The paper traces the evolution, in tutorial form, of the successive application of mechanization, measurement instrumentation, automatic control, central operating systems, programmed control, process computer control, direct digital control and, finally, hierarchies of computers used for process control and corporate management as a fully integrated business system. In the field of industrial minerals, the cement industry has seen the most widespread acceptance of these techniques. Computer control has been accepted as the way of life for the blending of chemical materials and for on-line control of the cement kiln. Accordingly, the cement application is selected for further presentation in the paper. This illustrates the trend progressing from control of single loops on process variables toward the objective of total control of the product quality. The economic justification for instrumentation, centralized control, automatic control and computer control is .discussed with reference to savings in fuel, maintenance, operating labour, depreciation, power and product quality improvements."

Jan 1, 1967

By Magella Pelletier

"IntroductionDepuis une vingtaine d'année, les nombreux travaux de géochimie effectués par l'industrie privée et les milieux gouvemementaux ont permis:• de découvrir de nombreuses zones minéralisées a valeur économique;• d'identifier et de vérifier certains patrons de dispersion géochimique au-dessu s de secteurs minéralises déjà connus;• de favoriser le développernent des techniques analytiques;• de forcer le développement d'une mise en carte des résultats d'analyse, qui soit plus adéquat afin de permettre une meilleure interprétation géochimique.L'une de ces cartes géochimiques qui permet le mieux de mettre en valeur les données analytiques et qui fut instaurée au debut des années 80, est la carte d'interprétation géochimique par pondération.Cette carte numérique semi-quantitative, qui est construite à partir des données de base et de l'importance des éléments indicateurs pour une substance donnée, permet d'identifier et de définir des zones possédants de fortes probabilités pour la recherché de sources minéralisées."

Jan 1, 1987

By A. G. Eccles

Western Mines' milling circuit produces three concentrates (copper, lead and zinc), with the tailings being disposed of at the bottom of Buttle Lake. In view of the mine's location and the method of tailing disposal, a comprehensive pollution control program has been in effect since start-up. Changes -in the ore over the past few years have required the use of increasing quantities of sodium cyanide in order to effect a good copper-lead separation. This led to the use of alkaline chlorination for destruction of ?residual cyanide and precipitation of dissolved copper contained in the tailing effluent. The development of Western Mines' alkaline chlorination plant is discussed in detail, including initial test work and the evolution of procedures leading to the present operation. The current monitoring program is also reviewed.

Jan 1, 1977

By A. Pearson, Auld. F. A., S. O. Colbeck

"To minimise mine shaft maintenance over the long-term, some potash mine shaft sinking projects have required the provision of a continuous fully welded waterproof steel liner over a substantial depth to achieve zero water ingress. This brings many challenges, including the implementation of a bottom-up construction sequence incorporating extensive waterproof welding and how to ensure the integrity of the welded liner when subject to substantial temperature fluctuations that are likely to occur with a composite steel-concrete liner placed within an artificially frozen shaft excavation. This paper highlights the key challenges and discusses multiple mitigation measures including vertical shaft movement joints and a combined structural-thermal analysis approach. INTRODUCTION Whilst the application of combined steel and concrete shaft liners using a fully welded steel liner is not new and has been used in several previous projects, most notably at Lanigan (Storck, 1968 & Roesner, 1980), recently the need to provide a continuously welded steel waterproof liner for over 800 m length of shaft for a potash mine has been considered. The need for a fully continuous welded steel liner arises from the perceived benefits of providing a fully dry shaft environment to; increase the life expectancy of the shaft; reduce routine maintenance particularly combatting salt accretion and minimising wash down practices; and improve long-term ground stability by preventing salt dissolution. Whereas previous projects have employed discontinuous sections of steel liner, when a fully continuous liner is employed longitudinal shaft strains from thermal changes result in significant deformations that must be either explicitly accommodated or resisted. Note, these thermal vertical expansion forces are more than capable of lifting the shaft collar and head frame structures should they be fixed in place. Typically, shafts are designed to resist vertical forces (collar loads and self-weight) by creating mechanical interlock with the adjacent ground. In competent rock this occurs incrementally with the construction of the shaft liner, and occasional hitch/crib structures are constructed as intermediate foundations to guarantee the transfer of vertical forces at distinct horizons. Usually this means cribs are constructed at first rock head, above the station level, and at the sump, although sometimes additional cribs are formed when entering and exiting weak strata or when a change in shaft liner construction is required."

Jan 1, 2019

By E. W. Williams

THE Ontario Research Foundation has developed a process for producing low-density steel shapes by direct reduction of iron oxide powders. The process is a combination of reduction, sintering (without compaction), and carburizing, and has been described by Cavanagh (1). Iron oxide powder, in the form of mill scale or highly concentrated iron ore, carefully sized, is poured into a porous mould. A reducing agent, generally coke breeze, is placed around this mould in a heat resistant sagger which is sealed off and heated to 2,000°F. for a number of hours. The coke/ ore ratio, the particle size distribution, the temperature and time of soaking, and the size and shape of the reduced product, determine the densities and carbon contents attained. The Defence Research Board sponsored a programme of research into some of the mechanical properties of the material (which was named Controlled Density Steel) and this paper is an account of various factors which govern the tensile strength of the steel. The ?practically attainable range of density is from 1.5 to 5.5 gm./ cc. but higher densities are obtained on hot working. This paper, however, is restricted to discussion of results for moulded products.

Jan 1, 1957

By G. S. Hume

THE discovery of natural gas with naphtha in 1924 in the Upper Palaeozoic limestone of Turner Valley, 35 miles southwest of Calgary, has led to continuous developments in this field. Drilling undertaken soon after this discovery demonstrated that the anticlinal structure was in reality a major drag-fold cut off on the east side by a westerly inclined fault of large displacement. The faulted edge of the .limestone at depth determines the eastern limits of the field, which between 1924 and 1936 was shown to have a gas area 14 miles long by about 1 mile wide. Since the strata dip westerly, away from the axis of the fold, drilling becomes progressively deeper to the west and, with the advent of deeper drilling, crude oil was discovered in 1936 on the west flank of the structure but in the same porous reservoir rocks as the gas on the crest and upper parts of the fold. Since 1936, drilling has been undertaken wholly for the production of crude-oil and at present two producing areas have been found within the Turner Valley structure. The larger of these, at the south end of the field, in the vicinity of Highwood river, has a length of about 4 3/4 miles and a proved width of one mile, whereas the smaller, in the north end of the field, south of the north fork of Sheep river, has only a few producing wells.

Jan 1, 1939

By K. Trapani

"The study undertaken aims to investigate an ice stope heating and cooling system for its potential to be implemented in sub-arctic mines, as a low carbon alternative to conventional natural gas and refrigeration chiller systems. Its performance was simulated for a years’ worth of data, taking into consideration hourly temperature data. Results showed that to supply the required heating and cooling loads, the ice stope system had to supplement its heating with natural heating. The techno-economic performance of this system was compared to that of a conventional heating and cooling system in a mine, with the ice stope thermal storage system hawing the lowest annuitized cost and significantly lower carbon emissions.INTRODUCTIONConventional heating and cooling, in a mine is implemented using natural gas heaters and chiller refrigeration systems respectively. This results in a significant portion of energy consumption in underground mines attributable to ventilation (De Souza, 2015), including the conditioning of the air to ensure that temperatures do not exceed work comfort standards (ACGIH, 2011). Especially at depth where heat could become a significant issue. An ice stope thermal storage, using ice as the storage medium is being proposed as an alternative to provide the heating and cooling—with the ice creation resulting in heating and the ice melting providing the cooling required. A techno-economic investigation of the two systems is undertaken to identify the capital and operating costs for the two systems, and to assess the ice stope’s potential to be considered a low cost and carbon solution for heating and cooling of mines in sub-arctic climates.NATURAL STORAGE SYSTEM – CONCEPT DEVELOPMENTThe concept for the natural storage system is developed from the ice stope at Frood-Stobie Mine, ON, Canada (Stachulak, 1991). The ice stope was developed for mine air heating, with the heating occurring by spraying warm return service water onto the cold intake air—resulting in the air temperature increasing and ice being created in the stope. In summer this ice was melted by passing warm air on top of it, resulting in slight cooling of the air but no significant temperature difference which could allow effective cooling. A schematic of the Frood-Stobie Mine ice stope is provided in Figure 1."

Jan 1, 2019

By A. Luckita, A. Samtani, R. Barus, J. R. Donald, J. Syarifuddin

In conventional Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RK-EF) laterite nickel processing, management of dust continues to be problematic. A more efficient processing of dust represents an opportunity for energy efficiency, increased production, and productivity. PT International Nickel Indonesia (PTI), together with Vale Base Metals Technology Development (VBMTD), has successfully developed and implemented a novel flowsheet enhancement that capitalizes on these opportunities. In the novel flowsheet, the dust recycle stream is moved forward in the RK-EF laterite nickel smelting process. The dust is injected into the kiln's main burner, as opposed to being recycled to the dryers. A similar treatment of dust is commonly practiced in the cement industry; however, application to nickel smelters has not been fully developed to date. This paper describes this dust insufflation technology, the process through which it was developed for laterite nickel processing, and summarizes the lessons learned. A key conclusion is that successful new technology development requires a multi-disciplinary team involving members from research and development, study management, engineering consulting firms, project implementation management, process technology and operations.

Jan 1, 2011

By Larson. William

What is Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)? ISRU involves any hardware or operation that harnesses and utilizes ?in-situ? resources to create products and services for robotic and human exploration In-Situ Lunar Resources ???Natural? Lunar Resources ??Discarded Materials Lunar ISRU Products and Services ??Excavation, Site Preparation, and Outpost Deployment/Emplacement ??Mission Consumable Production ??Outpost Growth and Self-Sufficiency Benefits of ISRU ??Increased science and exploration hardware (instead of consumables) ??Increased safety, crew exploration time, and self-sufficiency ??Technology spin-in/spin-offs help recycling on Earth & space economy

May 1, 2009

"ALTHOUGH Canadian metallurgists have long been active in research, the scope of the work was somewhat limited until the be-ginning -of World War II. The rapid industrial development of Canada during the past ten years has been accompanied by .a similar upsurge in research. However, the wide geographical distribution of the research centres has made it difficult for the individual research workers to meet together and to exchange ideas or even to learn what projects .are being investigated or the nature and extent of the facilities available for work of this kind.The purpose of the present symposium is to assemble data relating to projects under investigation and the facilities employed at the various metallurgical research laboratories in Canada, thus providing some measure of correlation so that workers in different locations may learn what kind of work •is being .done at other points throughout the country.In reporting the symposium it has not been possible to reproduce the papers in full, but excerpts have been selected that give the essentia1 data."

Jan 1, 1952

This paper presents a case study where Cenozoic age detritals and an ancient buried landslide have been modelled in the final walls of an iron ore pit. Orebody 25 is located in Western Australia’s Pilbara region and is an operating pit where a redesign of the final wall cutback was required. The existing slope design utilised a simplistic geological model of mixed conglomeratic, calcretic and clay –dominated detritals overlying deformed bedrock sequences. This simplicity resulted in a conservative design that was not reflective of the slopes performance to that point. Further field investigation was carried out with the results assessed in conjunction with historic drilling, mapping and laboratory testing. A detailed geotechnical model was developed including three conglomerate and two clay dominated units and laterstage calcrete overprinting. The clay units were of significant importance to the stability assessment and resulting slope design due to the thickness and poor strength conditions indicated by the laboratory and field testing. However, the drilling investigation shed only limited understanding as to the origin of the clays and thereby how they should be treated as a component in the stability analysis. A comparison of the ratio of various geochemical elements measured by assay was made between the clays and 1) shale bedrock and 2) clays of known detrital origin from other nearby sites. This indicated the clays had a strong affinity with weathered bedrock. This and other textural features resulted in the interpretation that the clay units were relic debris preserved following ancient landslides in bedrock shale. Using laboratory testing data and calibration of results for a landslide origin, stability analyses were run, resulting in a steeper slope design being implemented. Excavation of the final cutback is now in progress with the model confirmed as appropriate.

Jan 1, 2015

By David Laing

Completion of a Feasibility Study represents a major milestone in the development path of a mine, and one which typically triggers a need for project financing. Obtaining funding for construction relies on a positive Feasibility Study and a host of other related activities. This paper looks at the financing process and work required to support it, during and after the Feasibility Study, and bring it to a successful closing. It will include comment on the significance of permits, environmental plans, construction contracts, offtake arrangements, hedging, insurance, and others requirements to support a financing plan.

May 1, 2010

By Dan Currie, Tom Lamb, J. Coady Marsh, Gary Landry

"This paper describes the Cape Breton Development Corporation's experience with the Lovat M-300 tunnel-boring machine at the Donkin-Morien Mine. Between January 3 and December 21, 1984, the 7.6 m (25 It) diameter TBM advanced 3350 m (10 990 ft) . The authors will describe experiences with the machine and highlight the implications of tunnelling machines to underground coal mine development in Canada. IntroductionThe Cape Breton Development Corporation (CBDC) has recently completed the drivage of a 7.6 m (25 ft) diameter tunnel, 3.5 km (2.2 miles) in length , to access the Harbour Coal Seam at the Donkin-Morien Project. The tunnel was successfully driven with the first Canadian rock tunnel-boring machine (RTBM or TBM), designed and built by Lovat Tunnel Equipment, Inc. The initial mine development consists of the drivage of two tunnels to the first major coal seam. Future plans are proposed for the development of a 4 million tonne-per-year mine (Marsh et al., 1983, Gillman, 1982), which will require the drivage of a further two tunnels and could access up to four coal seams. The tunnel cross-sectional areas were designed to provide sufficient ventilation area and access for a production of 4 million tonnes per year."

Jan 1, 1986

By J. E. Hawley

This paper constitutes a report from the Committee on Geological Research to the Geology Division of the Institute. Two years have elapsed since a formal report was made containing several resolutions aimed at assisting geological research, a review of research equipment available, a summary of research projects suggested for consideration, and a list of research then in progress (see July, 1947, Bulletin, pp. 351-370). At this time we may note what action has been taken on the various resotions and suggestions of the Committee, indicate the more important accomplishments of independent investigators, and present a summary of the rather imposing volume and variety of research currently being carried on throughout the country. I.-Committee Resolutions and Suggestions 1.-A National Advisory Committee on Research in the Geological Sciences The original resolution adopted on the setting up of this Committee was approved with despatch by Council and was forwarded to the Minister of Mines and Resources. Due to a reorganization in the Department and possibly other reasons, no action on this important matter has yet been taken, but we are assured that some time this year such a Committee will be established by the Department of Mines and Resources. Unquestionably, it will give a fresh impetus to research in the geological sciences. When the noteworthy progress made by the research committees on Geophysics and on Soil and Snow Mechanics, established by the National Research Council, is considered, it is indeed regrettable that the Department of Mines and Resources has not acted more decisively in this matter.

Jan 1, 1949

By H. B. Farnam

"THE IRON ORE Company of Canada has been using do-it-yourself type explosives for three years. During the last 12 months we have used over 10 million pounds of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil explosives and either purchased or formulated one million pounds of slurried explosives.W e have been moving approximately one million cubic yards of stripping and ore per month and we expect our production rate to in-crease. Eighty per cent of our strip-ping and ore is soft enough to be blasted successfully with ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixtures. Twenty per cent of our material is extremely hard and requires an explosive having greater strength than an AN-fuel oil mixture.W e had been using canned am-monium nitrate base explosives and TNT pellets to give maximum bottom loading density to fracture hard rock. As AN -fuel oil became widely used, it was apparent that other types of explosives could be formulated to fit our blasting requirements. Dr. M. A. Cook of the University of Utah was consulted regarding new explosives and together we developed the blasting slurries.Figure 1 shows a general view of one of our hard rock pits. The foot wall is on the right-hand side and this material is called iron forma-Figure 1.-General view of hard rock pitstion by our Company but is called 'Taconite by the operators on the Mesabi Range. This material runs 35 to 45 per cent iron and many pieces are hard enough to scratch glass. The formation is tilted at an angle of 55 degrees as can be seen in Figure 3.The bedding planes of this rock are about 24 to 36 inches apart and if the material is not well broken or fragmented, large chunks or slabs must be handled by the shovels which reduces shovel capacity and efficiency and increases maintenance costs."

Jan 1, 1960

By Gary M. Poxleitner

Skip/Hoist ?Vertical Advantage of Hoist ?High capital ?High operating cost Trucks Trucks ?Flexibility of ramp ?Low capital ?High operating cost Conveyor Inclined High capital ?Low Cost to run ?Continuous Production ?High Capacity ?Transfer pointsMax Grade: +32%

Feb 1, 2008

By S. Shimaya, T. Maejima, M. Shimo

"The authors conducted the in-situ gas-tightness tests in a fractured rock at the Namikata underground LPG storage site in Ehime prefecture, Japan. The test consisted of two independent setups, a gas-tightness test that used boreholes, and a chamber-scale test that used a horizontal drift sealed with a concrete plug. In each test, the gas pressure was increased up to the onset of the measurable gas flow to obtain the maximum containment pressure. This paper discusses the hydraulic conditions for gas leakage initiation and the importance of the pore pressure measurement for monitoring the gas-tightness of the LPG storage cavern based on the test results.INTRODUCTIONJapanese first underground LPG storage plant was constructed by JOGMEC, the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, at Namikata in Ehime prefecture in granitic rocks (Kato et al., 2007). The “hydraulic sealing principle” (Åberg, 1977) that utilizes groundwater flow into an unlined cavern to prevent the leakage of gas through fractures in the surrounding rock mass was employed for storage of LPG. This paper describes the results of the in-situ tests performed at the Namikata Site to obtain information on fundamental gas-tightness characteristics of fractured rock. Two types of in-situ tests, a borehole gas-tightness test and a chamber gas-tightness test, were carried out near the storage caverns. Figure 1 shows the cavern layout of the Namikata underground storage plant and the test locations. The storage facilities consist of three caverns (W26m×H30m×L485m). The cavern crown lies at a depth of 150m below the sea level in Cretaceous granitic rock (Figure 1). Water curtain boreholes excavated from the water gallery tunnel at EL-125m level are located above and side of the caverns to prevent water drainage from fractures during the construction stage as well as during operation. The borehole tests were performed from a drilling adit excavated from the eastern end water gallery tunnel, while the chamber test was conducted at the southern edge of an exploratory drift extending from the central water gallery tunnel."

Jan 1, 2015