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Pilot plants for pressure hydrometallurgy represent special design and project execution challenges unique to the industry and to the pilot- and demonstration-scale. Pilot plant projects have different objectives and shorter timescales than commercial plant projects. Design considerations and strategies, and project execution methods that meet the special needs of pilot plant projects, are discussed. Specific guidance is given for the selection of appropriate pressure and temperature design points for pressure hydrometallurgical process equipment, and for the selection of materials of construction for pilot-scale equipment. The balance between the need for process similarity with future commercial operations and the realities of pilot-scale equipment is also discussed.

Jan 1, 2004

By Knud Sinding

Many industries have established their own systems for self-regulation. They often do so when companies operate in countries where financial, technical, environmental and social regulation is weak and when the industry is challenged by legitimacy issues related to behaviour in one of these areas. Mining is one industry that has progressed unevenly down the road of self-regulation in these areas. This paper examines how the development of self-regulation for mines and mining companies involves difficult questions of scope, rules, membership, assessment criteria and performance evaluation. Using a range of theoretical and empirical results from research on self-regulation, performance rating and corporate strategy, this paper analyses the strategic and operational issues related to the idea of self-regulation in the mining industry. The analysis indicates that while self-regulation may bring benefits to members, they are likely to take a long time coming; but when they do arrive they may be substantial. Using the fact that in relation to technical and financial issues the industry is quite experienced in self-regulation ? not least as it is more reluctant in areas such as environmental and social performance ? the case is made for a comprehensive and innovative approach, that draws on the areas where the industry is experienced and develops new institutional solutions in the areas where the industry is more reluctant.

Aug 1, 2013

By Jennifer Abols

In July of 2013, Lundin Mining acquired the 2,000 tpd Eagle nickel and copper project from Rio Tinto. The project had been put on hold earlier in the year and construction was approximately 50% complete. Lundin immediately accelerated project activities and by September of 2014 the project was constructed, commissioned and ramping up. The newly commissioned facilities went on to reach design throughput, recovery and product quality targets by the end of the year. This was accomplished ahead of schedule and below budget despite numerous obstacles including the worst winter on record in the past 50 years for the area. What led to the success of the project, and in particular the commissioning phase of the project? This paper takes a high level look back and provides an overview of the methodology used, key issues encountered and lessons learned to answer this question.

Jan 1, 2015

By Jamie N. Burdeski, Susan E. Hartfield-Wünsch

Aluminum sheet use has been steadily increasing in the automotive industry to achieve mass reduction and improve fuel economy. One significant manufacturing challenge for aluminum sheet implementation is the reduced formability compared to the steel alloys it replaces. This paper includes friction results from the draw bead simulator (DBS), twist compression (TCT) and strip draw (SDT) tests, for two oil based lubricants and four hot melt lubricants. Formability testing was done with the same lubricants and materials, testing in pure stretch with a hemispherical punch, and in draw with a breadpan shaped die.

Jan 1, 2015

By R. Esteban, D. Runnels, J. Torrealba-Vargas, G. Couture

"Data handling is an important step in the development of a simulator of a mineral processing circuit. The model requires representative data of the scenario to be modeled. The model development involves protocols that must be followed very closely to complete a successful project.Data handling of large and diverse datasets (metallurgical test results, geological data, mining models, historical data, etc.) is a key element of the model. The information needs to be processed, reconciled, interpreted, modeled and presented to support the design or the optimization of a mineral processing plant.Best practice recommends that teams from different disciplines (such as mining, metallurgy, geology and environmental) interact to define the most important variables that could influence the simulator. For example by adopting a geometallurgical approach in the earlier stages of the project, it is possible to consolidate the number of main ore rock types in a testwork program (saving money and time) by involving geologists and metallurgists in the sample selection and data interpretation.Planning the development of a model involves an understanding of the software capabilities but also the limitations and the magnitude of the data required to calibrate the model in case of changes in the project.A successful model requires a deep understanding of the circuit to be modeled and thus plant personnel should be considered as members of the team.This paper describes the use of the "state of the art" tools for data analysis, simulation and optimization; and shows three practical examples of the use those tools in the design of mineral processing plants."

Jan 1, 2015

By Mike Broczkowski, Laura Dewhirst, Kieran Large, Angelo R. Fernando, Heather Daigneault, Jim Johnson, Randy Wiens

The radioactive isotope radium 226 is a contaminant of potential concern in effluent waters from metal mining operations in Canada. Acceptable release levels of radium 226 are governed by Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations. Since radium is invariably present as a companion element in uranium ore, monitoring and controlling of radium 226 is a must for uranium mining operations. Measurement of radium 226 is traditionally carried out through a radiochemical technique involving selective co-precipitation of radium with barium sulphate followed by alpha spectroscopy for quantification. As of 2010, Cameco has also been using an ICP-MS based radium analysis method developed in collaboration with a research team at Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario. This method, which is highly automated and requires significantly less sample handling, with improved turn-around-times, is being used by Cameco site laboratories at the McArthur River and Cigar Lake mines as well as the Port Hope Conversion Facility. This paper compares the benefits and drawbacks of this new method, compared to the traditional alpha counting procedure drawing from almost ten years of field experience.

Jan 1, 2020

By R. A. L. Drew, G. Mendoza-Suarez, J. Filipi, R. Vintila, J. A. Kozinski

Economics and environmental considerations along with the increasing demand of hydrogen encourage development of novel technologies such as plasma processing of hydrocarbons and thermal cracking of natural gas. Plasma discharges, either in thermal or non-thermal regimes are expected to allow low temperature and fuel flexible on-site hydrogen generation. The main drawback of thermal plasma reformers is the high-energy consumption resulting from high-temperature operation. On the other hand, non-thermal plasma, generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), is able to simulate the chemical reactions employing much lower energies than those required by thermal treatment processes. The non-thermal plasma process allows for instance, a direct conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon black with no CO2 release. The focus of this research was on the GHG-free method of H2 generation in compact non-thermal plasma reactors using low, medium and high permittivity dielectric ceramics. A stable, non-thermal plasma was generated by placing a dielectric ceramic between two electrodes with a 25 thou gap and applying an alternating current of 1-5kHz and voltages of 4-8kV. In order to ensure energetic efficient plasmas, experiments were conducted to analyze the behaviour of different permittivity ceramics. It was found that the dielectric properties of a ceramic, when used in a DBD reactor, have a strong influence on the discharge characteristics, which in turn influence the power consumption. Higher dielectric constant resulted in higher conversion rates of methane (higher yield of hydrogen and carbon). At the same time, the mechanical properties of the dielectric material, which are closely associated with its processability, influenced its resistance to electron bombardment, as well as thermal and mechanical damage. Therefore a reliable ceramic should have good dielectric properties, in addition to good thermo-mechanical stability.

Jan 1, 2004

By H. Craig Boyle, Craig H. B. Leitch

"The Trout Lake stockwork molybdenum deposit is located in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, 50 km southeast of Revelstoke. The property is being explored by a joint venture between Newmont Exploration of Canada and Esso Minerals Canada.The deposit is associated with a small granodiorite stock of Upper Cretaceous age (76 Ma) which has variably altered the surrounding schists, argillites and marbles of the lower Paleozoic Lardeau Group to hornjelsic biotite schists and skarn. The intrusive is composed of a small stock and an intersecting network of northeast- and northwest-trending dykes at surface that coalesce downward into a larger stock. There are two main phases of intrusion, with an earlier quartz porphyritic granodiorite cut by an intra-mineral ""quartz diorite"" porphyry. A strong sub-vertical north-trending fault controls the distribution of the mineralized stock work and displays post-mineral movement.Molybdenite, accompanied by pyrite and pyrrhotite, is mainly present along the margins of veins in a well-developed quartz stock work, but occasionally is strongly disseminated in microfractured intrusives. The stock work is strongest in and around the contacts of the intrusive and its apophyses, and occurs over a vertical range of more than 1,000 m. As defined by the 0.10% MoS] contour, the main mineralized zone is up to 300 m long by 200m wide. Preliminary drill-indicated reserves, currently being revised, are approximately 50 million tonnes of 0.23% MoS2, within which are several zones of higher-grade material. Hydrothermal alteration, as defined by quantitative X-ray diffraction studies on composite core sections, is composed of a central quartz/K-feldspar/albite/minor biotite zone coincident with molybdenum mineralization, which is overlapped by a slightly later, antipathetic quartz/ sericite/pyrite zone. Ankeritic carbonate is also a common alteration mineral, but only traces of fluorite, and no topaz or sulfosalts, have been observed. Analysis for trace elements such as Sn, W, Bi, Sb, As, Hg, U, Ag, Au, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn and F has been limited except for Sn and W, which appear to be zoned inside and outside the Mo zone respectively; the other elements do not show detectable patterns thus far."

Jan 1, 1983

By J. S. Fox

"Pyroclastic rocks are useful guides to volcanic centers due to the tendency of their fragments to increase in size and volume toward the source vent. The felsic rocks of these centers can be the prime hosts of base metal deposits in the Precambrian Shield; their sub-volcanic equivalents are often the focus of porphyry copper mineralization in the Cordillera. Quantitative mapping of pyroclastic rocks has not yet developed into a routine prospecting tool in Canada, however, possibly due to the cumbersome nature of existing manual techniques and their limitation to structurally simple terrains.A rapid pyroclastic mapping method has been developed whereby the field geologist acquires only a down-plunge outcrop photograph, a record of the fragmental deformation ellipsoid and a record of some descriptive features from each station. Mean fragment size and volume percent are obtained later in the laboratory from a photo-enlargement: by means of a digital analyzer. A computer program uses the strain parameters to 'undeform' the field measurements and obtains genetic information from the descriptive data. Results can be superimposed on a geologic map, with values for each station being represented by a dot of a specified diameter corresponding to the size or volume percentile range to which the value belongs.Control traverses were run over the pyroclastic rocks surrounding the Anderson Lake mine and the Flin Flon South main shaft in northern Manitoba. In both locations, the mapping has delineated regular increasing trends in mean size and volume per cent toward the head frame."

Jan 1, 1977

By Robin Phinney

Certain statements in this presentation may constitute "forward-looking" statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, pe1formance or achievements of the Corporation, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this presentation, such statements use such words as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar terminology. These statements reflect the Corporation's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this presentation. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessa1ily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in the Corporation's annual information form filed on March 9, 2011. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, including environmental approval, the failure to secure full project financing, the failure to implement the recommendations set out in the Technical Report, the failure to raise financing to implement the recommendations in the Technical Report, risks associated with the mining industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, reserves and resources, costs and expenses; and health, safety and environmental risks), decrease in potash prices and exchange rate fluctuations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Corporation believes are reasonable assumptions, the Corporation cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with these fonvard-looking statements. These fon\?ard-looking statements are made as of the date of this presentation and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. This presentation is a market update based on the Corporation's public disclosure and does not form a part of any offer of securities, or constitute a solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for securities. Any purchase of securities in the company should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Corporation's public record which is available on www.sedar.com .

May 1, 2013

By J. Zachwieja

As part of a general review on study of surfactant blinding agents to improve gold recovery during cyanide leaching of carbonaceous gold ores, processes of CIL and RIL leaching using surfactants were investigated. When refractory ores were treated by surfactants, CIL and RIL leaching processes yielded significant improvement on gold recovery. This paper will discuss and compare the laboratory results from two different leaching processes on preg-robbing ores, as well as, illustrate the difference of potential fouling of the blinding agents on activated carbon and resins.

Jan 1, 2015

By John Ratti

Building on Canadian Capabilities for Space Resource Missions: Space resource science and technology mission building blocks Canadian historical perspective Status and future pursuits It takes Canadian Teamwork to succeed in space exploration! Space resource science and technology building blocks: Orbiting / Delivery Elements Spacecraft Sensors Landed elements Roving / Mobility, Autonomy Sample acquisition and handling Sensors, GN&C Science Operations Partnerships: Government ? Industry Between Industry With Academia and Scientists

May 1, 2013

By D. M. Ramsey

HIGH-INTENSITY magnetic separation as now practised in the commercial treatment of a large variety of industrial minerals is a com-paratively recent development, having had its practical beginning about ten years ago when it became necessary to devise more effective methods for the purification of the electric furnace abrasives and refractories-silicon carbide and fused aluminium oxide. The fundamentals of magnetic separation are, of course, very well under-stood; bur while very, very old in principle, the process has, in recent years, been developed to a point of far greater usefulness than heretofore. In fact, until the development of the high-intensity process,. magnetic separation was limited largely to the removal of tramp iron? with magnetic pulleys and the removal of the very highly magnetic portions of industrial minerals by means of horizontal conveyor-belt-type separators. All magnetic separation processes depend for their success on the fact that various materials are kinetically influenced to a greater or lesser degree by the force that we speak of as 'magnetism'. We have now come to regard 'magnetic separation' and 'high-intensity magnetic separation' as two different and distinct methods. However, both depend upon the reaction of a particle when placed in a magnetic field. The common types of magnetic separators quite generally operate on the principle that a magnetic particle can be lifted by a powerful magnetic force from a stream of material moving on a belt or other type of conveyor. The application of the force removing magnetic material by this scheme is directly opposed to the force of gravity and is, therefore, limited to sub-stances of a relatively high order of magnetic susceptibility, such as metallic iron and magnetite. Until a few years ago, one very important principle was almost entirely overlooked. Practically every substance is susceptible to some extent, at least, to magnetic attraction, and by the application of a magnetic force great enough, and properly applied, separations of materials heretofore considered 'non-magnetic' can be accomplished.

Jan 1, 1937

By A. Galip Ulsoy, K. V. S. Sastry

"This review paper is intended to provide, the mineral process engineer with an introduction to the concepts, terminology. and practice of mineral process control. It also provides an extensive sampling of the vast body of literature relevant to this topic. The topics discussed include the principles of automatic control, instrumentation, mineral processing unit operations, process modeling and simulation, and process and plant control. IntroductionEconomically accessible higher-grade ores are being rapidly depleted, and at the same time the demand for mineral raw materials continues to increase. Mineral recovery from the remaining low-grade or finely dispersed ores requires grinding for liberation. High energy consumption during grinding and poor efficiency associated with the beneficiation of fine minerals are two important problems facing the mineral industry . These problems, coupled with advances over the last 10 to 15 years in the areas of process modeling, instrumentation, computer technology and control theory, have made automatic control of mineral processing systems an important research area(23,52,66,67,120,129,152)."

Jan 1, 1981

By M. H. MacLeod

"IntroductionTHE ORE PASS raise system at the H.B. mine as contracted by the Patrick Harrison Company consisted of two raises 6 ft. by 10 ft. in section •at 60 degrees to the horizontal. No. 88-88 raise, the longer of the two, was a straight raise 690 feet long, with access only from the bottom. In addition, this raise had two branch knuckle-backs only one of which was driven by. the Patrick Harrison Company. The other, known as 88-89 raise, was 540 feet long with knuckle-backs at 280 feet and 410 feet. Its access, also, was from the bottom (see Figure 1)."

Jan 1, 1954

By J. George Gregr

"This paper gives a brief review of grinding mills installation procedures with special emphasis on future maintenance. The importance of cooperation between the customer, construction contractor and manufacturer's representative is discussed, as well as the imparlance of complying with standards, specifications and the keeping comprehensive installation records.Fundamentals of mill maintenance are explained with the aim being to maximize the equipment availability and to minimize unscheduled downtime. The paper also includes development of wear items design, based on operating conditions, drive components and bearings, and how to keep large gears healthy thus eliminating surprise failures.Experience with installation of a large gear on a 34-foot diameter mill in Lornex and successful application of a computer program for the gear alignment on the mill are given.IntroductionSuccessful operation of a concentrator begins with the engineering of the project and continues through selecting the right equipment, its installation , start-up period, and ends with final tuning of the process. machinery and the human factor into an efficient and viable industrial complex.The following is a brief review of grinding mill installation procedures with special emphasis on future maintenance. Fundamentals of mill maintenance are discussed with the aim being to maximize the equipment availability and to minimize unscheduled downtime, with some specific points on key grinding mill components such as bearings and drives.Finally, the experience is recounted with the installation of a large ring gear on a 34-foot diameter mill at Lornex, and the successful application of a computer program for the gear alignment on the mill."

Jan 1, 1985

By K. Hambrice, E. Fauveau

"When it comes to measuring the level of bulk solids, liquids, and everything in between, guided-wave radar technology now offers more level-detection capabilities than ever before. For an ever-widening range of previously hard-tomeasure products such as molten sulphur, liquid ammonia and petrochemicals, guided-wave radar transmitters provide accurate level measurements even under harsh chemical environments, wide variations in operating temperatures and pressures, and low dielectric constants.Great strides have been achieved in making these units easier to configure to a variety of process applications coupled with the simplicity of integrating these devices with most digital communication protocols. These improvements come as welcome relief to process engineers within an expanded range of level applications across several different industries that seek solutions to measuring the contents of tanks, silos, hoppers, bins, mixing basins, and vessels.Because radar transmitters have no moving parts, radar has already established a dominant niche in level measuring that quickly distances itself from mechanical means, which do not hold up as well in dirty service. Radar achieves its nonmechanical level detection capability by measuring the time of flight of the transmitted signal.Known more accurately as time domain reflectometry (TDR), the process involves sending microwave energy down into a vessel. When the pulse of radar energy reaches the product (indicated by a change in impedance), part of the pulse is reflected back toward the transmitter.A receiver measures the exact duration of time between the transmitted and reflected signal — the “time of flight.” The device analyzes this time and ultimately displays the level of the product as a distance in feet, metres, or other engineering units."

Jan 1, 2003

By Brian Raymond

This paper will outline the problems and solutions of the new generation washeries, as well as the recent technological advances which are being considered for future coal preparation plants. The subjects to be covered will include: - reasons for considering coal preparation plants; - raw coal crushing and handling systems; - types of coal cleaning equipment being used versus new equipment being considered; - fine coal circuit sizing; - clean coal centrifuging and dewatering; - thermal dryer problems and changes; - fine refuse dewatering systems; - clean coal storage problems and changes; - materials handling within the plants; and - control systems for preparation plants. The design and integration of the various circuits that form a modern coal preparation plant have led to the creation of an exciting new field of industrial research. As the need for energy sources increases, efficient methods of preparing coals for specific markets will become more important.

Jan 1, 1979

By Robert J. Uffen

YOU will likely recall the accomplishments of the International Geophysical Year of 1957, with its polar expeditions, the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts and the spectacular launchings of the first artificial earth satellites. Our know ledge of the exterior of the earth was greatly increased by this international, friendly, cooperative scientific investigation. The Inter-national Union of Geodesy and Geo-physics has now been joined by the new International Union of Geological Sciences in sponsoring a similar study of the earth's interior. The program will extend from January, 1962 until December. 1964, and is known as the International Upper Mantle Project. During the T.G.Y studies of the interior of the earth were relatively neglected, even though the same international •Cooperation in obtaining simultaneous world-wide observations, by similar instruments, is required to locate and study earth-quakes, for example, as it is to study the earth's upper atmosphere. The upper mantle is 1•emote from man, as it extends from a depth of about 10 km. to perhaps 1000 km., but its practical importance is great.

Jan 1, 1962

By C S. Beals

The Dominion Observatory was founded in 1905 and, from the beginning, it work included research in both astronomical and geophysical science. During its first years, up to 1916, the Observatory also included geodetic surveying as part of it scientific program. Although, at the beginning of the century, geophysics did not have the close connection with mineral exploration that it now holds , the founders of the Observatory were men of vision, and they laid a solid foundation for the application of the techniques of geomagnetism, gravity and seismology to an understanding of the Canadian terrain of plain , mountains, seacoasts and shield area . The particular sphere which the Observatory occupies in the field of geophysics has been evolving over a period of many years and it has now a rather definite relation to the work of other government bodies, university science departments and industrial organizations. We have, for example, an over-all responsibility for the regional magnetic mapping of Canada and, as the magnetic field is subject to slow but steady changes, we produce new magnetic maps of the country every five years. These maps indicate the strength and direction of the magnetic field, the variation of the compass and the rate of change of the magnetic elements.

Jan 1, 1963