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By Francoi Robert, Andre J. Audet, Alex C. Brown

"The Sigma gold deposit is in a band of deformed metavolcanic rocks that are cut by an irregular mass of porphyritic diorite and by narrow undeformed feldspar porphyry dykes. The gold is in veins consisting mainly of quartz and tourmaline with minor pyrite, carbonate, chlorite, scheelite and free gold. The results presented here concern the structural setting of the ore and are based on a study of the mode of emplacement.Two principal types of veins have been recognized: subvertical and oblique veins. Both types are contemporaneous, mechanically linked and postdate regional deformation. The sub-vertical veins are composed of numerous mineralized lenses that occupy the central part of ductile shear zones of great lateral and vertical extent. Normally, several lenses occur in the same shear zone. The vein material seems to have resulted from incremental filling of openings by repeated vertical movement along rupture planes developed in the central part of the shear zones.The oblique veins are small elliptical lenses of ribboned vein material which formed essentially by progressive vertical opening of oblique fractures. Two types of oblique veins are known: one is restricted to feldspar porphyry dykes, within which they are arranged in an en-echelon fashion; the other is of greater extent and is not restricted to one rock type, but tends, however, to occur in the more competent porphyritic diorite.Vein orientation and mode of formation suggest that both sub-vertical and oblique veins developed during progressive deformation associated with the formation of the ductile shear zones. The latter probably formed in response to a compression that took place late in the tectonic history of the host rocks at Sigma."

Jan 1, 1983

By Daniel Hodouin, Claude Bazin

"This paper examines the economic advantages of adapting the production grade and recovery targets of a flotation circuit as a function of metal prices. The study is periormed using a steady state simulator for a Cu-Zn differential flotation circuit operating under the following strategies of 1) Maintaining constant operating targets, 2) Maximizing individual circuit Net Smelter Return and 3) Maximizing the global Cu-Zn circuit efficiency. Results are compared to assess whether or not one of the strategies produces benefits significantly higher than the others. A discussion of the tools required to achieve such a kind of control completes the paper.Paper not Available at Time of Publication"

Jan 1, 1997

By Jr. Arcand

Canadian Economy ? Getting Results ???? A stronger Canadian economy ???? National debt cut ???? Taxes reduced, tax-free savings account, support for manufacturing sector ???? Assisting with infrastructure Aboriginal issues affect all Canadians ???? Aboriginal prosperity is in everyone?s interest ???? Conditions for Aboriginal success include: - Indian residential school settlement - resolving outstanding specific claims

May 1, 2008

By Ross Gallinger

In 1997 a group of Canadian mining companies met to review the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) program and to consider future activities. They concluded (i) that Canadian industry and NRCan should fund a small secretariat in Ottawa to support technology transfer in Canada and (ii) that it was important for industry to continue the momentum of MEND on an international scale. The need for INAP (International Network for Acid Prevention) was strongly endorsed by company, university, consultant and government experts from Australia, Canada and the U.S. who were convened in Vancouver in February 1998. The initial focus was the development of a solid knowledge base covering the collective experience of INAP's members to promote the dissemination of successful practices, the identification of knowledge gaps and the formulation of effective research proposals. The sharing of information on past successes and failures alone was viewed as sufficient justification for the formation of INAP. INAP was officially launched in October 1998, and is now an effective, industry based initiative to globally coordinate research and development in the management of sulfide mine waste. Significant improvements in the management of sulfidic mine materials through knowledge sharing, research and development of technology by INAP will reduce liability associated with acid drainage. This paper will explore the international efforts and activities of INAP.

May 1, 2002

By F. Grant

"General *The mining experiences of the coal mining industry in Western Canada have been extremely varied, with the mining companies having to adjust their operations or fail due to the harsh economy of the country in the first part of the century. The bituminous or mountain mines had the railways as main consumers with, at times, optimism that potential steel producers would require metallurgical coal. The prairie and foothills mines mainly provided household fuels, with the fine coal sold to local thermal power plants at discounted prices. In practically all cases fuel competition was very keen, and the less successful mines ceased operations in short-time spans. Knowledge of the parameters that governed the success or failures of the past coal operations should be of value to the present and future mining companies. The initial coal mines were small and were started to supply local demand. These mines had little in the way of capital machinery, engineering, or transportation equipment; therefore the mining methods and mine plans were very simple. The first industrial-sized mines imported most of their management and mining methods from other mining areas, mainly Great Britain. It took time to change the bias of management and mining methods to the requirements of strata characteristics, with rapid closure to those mines that were slow to adapt working methods. The main markets for coal were for household fuel, thermal power plants and railways, with very few other industrial markets developed. The economy of the period was harsh and cyclic and the coal mines were affected more than most industries by these boom and bust periods. It led to the survival of the fittest or the most efficient. Due to the economy, mechanization was introduced to the mines very slowly, with the inability to sell coal fines at a profit being another reason for the delay. Manual labour with hand tools was the main means of production. The work was heavy and arduous, and the pay was based on contract coal tonnage; therefore both men and management paid close attention to details so that nonessential work could be eliminated. Mine openings were dimensioned so that coal could be loaded easily by hand and support requirements were kept to the minimum. Transporting and handling the timber supports required heavy labour; thus the most efficient dimensions were chosen to suit the strata. On the other hand, during the main production seasons the mines tried to make the strata stress work for them so that the pressure was kept on the coal face to keep the coal loose while the strata, a short distance back, was induced to cave to minimize the abutment stresses. This caused mining to be an art, using skills developed by experience with the strata. This led to the development of efficient mine layouts with the openings dimensioned to the strength of the strata and the type of support available. The lack of capital and mechanization, and the manual labour, induced the mines to correlate their service and haulage systems with their mining methods. This caused many innovations that proved very practical."

Jan 1, 1985

By R. C. Rowe

THIS paper is an endeavour to analyse the ideal and practical functions of government technical mining services, and their relationship to the National Domain, as well as to one another. its spirit is not critical, even though at times it may appear to besoin fact. It is a serious effort to divert a trend in public thought which delights in calling itself practical whereas it is really merely short-sighted. The author refers particularly to the idea that governmental research is a luxury which should be curtailed in the interests of economy, and turned over to private enterprise or the provinces. In order that we obtain the proper perspective of the question, it is advisable to indulge in a little history. In the year 1842, the Geological Survey of Canada was formed under the guidance of William (later Sir William) Edmund Logan. The literature on the founding and history of the Geological Survey of Canada is extensive, and therefore it is unnecessary to go into detail here regarding it. It might be mentioned, however, that the Geological Survey of Canada is only seven years younger than the Geological Survey of Great Britain (founded in 1835), and is only exceeded in age on the American continent by the State Geological Surveys of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Michigan, which were founded between 1833 and 1836. In 1877, the Geological Survey became a permanent government institution as a branch of the Department of the Interior. It should be noted, however, that the Director of the Survey ranked as a Deputy Minister and reported direct to the Minister. This continued until 1907. In 1886, the Mineral Resources and Statistics Division of the Geological Survey was formed. Some years later, the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (then the Canadian Mining Institute), backed by the mining press, began to agitate for the establishment of a Dominion Department of Mines, and in 1907 such a department was founded by the Geology and Mines Act of that year, with a separate Cabinet portfolio for the position of Minister of Mines.

Jan 1, 1939

By C. H. Madsen

THE Hard Rock gold mine is in the Little Long Lac mining area, Thunder Bay district, northwestern Ontario. It is four miles by road from the town of Geraldton, which is on the Canadian National railway, 180 miles northeast of Port Arthur. The original discovery of gold-bearing quartz veins on the property was made in 1931. Shaft sinking began in the fall of 1934 and approximately 7,400 feet of lateral development on four levels was completed. In 1935, further discoveries were made half a mile west of the early workings, and the No. 2 shaft was sunk in this area in a porphyry zone. In January, 1938, a 20C-ton cyanide plant was completed and began drilling ore from the gold-bearing porphyry orebody. The daily feed was increased gradually to 300 tons in the next six months and a recovery of 97.5 per cent was effected. During the summer of the same year, a new and larger orebody was discovered to the north of the porphyry zone. It occurs in a band of iron formation and contains a high percentage of pyrite and arsenopyrite. Extensive tests were rr.ace on this sulphide ore in the Mines Branch ore dressing laboratory at Ottawa, in the laboratory of Canadian Industries, limited, at Toronto, and later at the mine, to find a suitable method of treatrr.ent. As a result of this research, a Potation plant was added to the original cyanide mill and on November 7th, 1938, differential flotation was used to separate the pyrite from the arsenopyrite fraction of the ore. The pyrite concentrate was re-ground and cyanide:l, and the arsenopyrire concentrate was stored for subsequent treatment. Differential flotation was discontinued in April, 1939, in favour of bulk formation of all the sulphides, and the whole cyanide residue was stored. On March 15th, 1939, a 10-ton pilot roaster was completed and rests were conducted on the arsenopyrite concentrate and the bulk concentrate. The results obtained led to the building of two roasters of the same type, large enough to roast all the concentrates. These roasters were put in operation on September 24th, 1939, and the calcines were cyanided in the original circuit.

Jan 1, 1941

"11.1. IntroductionThe recovery of platinum-group elements (POE) from ores is a subject which has received almost no mention in the literature. Edwards (1975) refers to the process used for refining of the POE, throughout the Western World, as a so-called ""conventional"" process .... ""not because of the simplicity or convenience of the operations, but more probably because of the inertia of established processes and the aura of secrecy with which the major platinum refiners have surrounded this process."" There is no doubt in this writer's mind that the latter is also applicable to the dearth of knowledge of the mineralogy, geochemistry and ore deposits of PGE and that the poor recoveries, mainly attributed to the mineral beneficiation stages of concentration, are also affected by this traditional secrecy. Fortunately, this attitude is changing, due no doubt to the advantages that accrue from more open research which may be critically assessed in the literature in the traditional manner. Examples of this more open approach to recoveries and recovery problems are represented by Newman (1973), who gave some typical recovery percentages for Merensky Reef ores, and the recent encouragement and cooperation on mill samples from the Sudbury area by lnco Metals Company (cf. Cabri, 1981a).In general, platinum-group elements are recovered from an ore by the use of a physical concentration method, such as gravity separation or flotation, followed by further upgrading using further physical, wet chemical or pyrometallurgical techniques. The final process of refining in which the individual platinum-group elements are produced in pure form is outside the scope of this chapter.Platinum-group element deposits naturally fall into different categories according to the recovery process best suited for them, viz. those amenable to gravity separation, those amenable to flotation, and those where platinum-group elements are by-products of base metal sulphide, chromite and miscellaneous other deposits."

Jan 1, 1979

By H. M. Lewis

The current status of the international zinc market is summarized, and a supply /demand outlook is presented for the next five years. A number of technical problems facing the industry are outlined. Introduction ZINC has sometimes been called the unknown metal. Considering that on a world basis it ranks third among non-ferrous metals in production and consumption, zinc retains a certain modesty. It has no distinctive colour like copper, lacks the low density of aluminum or magnesium and is not always easy to identify as a product. The 'spangle' of galvanized steel is probably zinc's most distinguishing feature. The purpose of this article is to develop an over-all review of zinc. Starting with the current position of the metal, the major factors that will shape its future will be described so that an assessment of the outlook for zinc can be made.

Jan 1, 1978

By John Kostuik

AT the Sladen-Malartic mine, a number of orebodies have been mined, some by shrinkage and others by open sub-level scopes, from which the ore is handled either through a grizzly system or by mechanical loaders. This paper deals with the comparative costs and relative merits of the two handling arrangements. The facts brought out in this comparison have a bearing on the selection of a proper handling method. The mine is in Fourniere township, northwestern Quebec, about forty miles east of the town of Rouyn. It is served by the Rouyn-Senneterre branch of the Canadian National railways. Two vertical three-compartment shafts give access to the present workings. No. 1 shaft, at which the plant is centralized, is the main hoisting shaft, with five levels to 950 feet. No. 2 shaft, 2,400 feet east of No. 1, is under development, with four levels to 725 feet. At the main shaft, the ore is hand-trammed in 1 1/2 tons cars from the scopes to the stations o:i each level and hoisted in cages to surface at a rope speed of 900 feet per minute. Air-operated tipples are used to dump the ore through grizzlies of 14-inch openings into a surface bin of 150 tons capacity. The ore hoisted at No. 2 shaft is trucked from the headframe bin to the mill. Milling commenced in January, 1938, ar a daily rate of 250 tons. Within two months this rate was increased to the unit's maximum capacity of 325 tons. A second unit to treat a further 325 tons daily was installed in April, 1939. The orebodies mined at No. 1 shaft are parts of a silicified zone at the contact between syenite porphyry and greywacke. The zone is ten co sixty feet wide, strikes easterly, and dips to the south at 55 to 85 degrees. The hanging-wall of the zone is marked, though not precisely, by a strong gouge fault. Locally, the boundary of silicification may be as much as twenty feet either above or below the fault, but for practical mining purposes the fault is the hanging-wall of the ore-zone. The footwall roughly parallels the fault, but as an assay wall it is usually irregular in detail. The ore is dense and hard, a siliceous replacement of both porphyry and greywacke, mineralized with fine disseminated pyrite.

Jan 1, 1941

By J. Guha, R. Kanwar, G. Archambault, A. Tremblay

The Copper Rand Cu-Au deposit lies within a shear zone which strikes N50-60W and dips steeply southward (50°-55°) and extends over 1. 5 km with a thickness which varies form 350 to 425 metres. Mineralization, inside the shear zone, is structurally controlled by a dilation mechanism which can be explained by a fracture dilatancy model. The principle of this model involves the mechanics of overriding of irregular planes and surfaces of faults and schistosities, These structures are characteristic features of the Copper Rand shear zone. A structural analysis of the shear zone has been carried out to establish relations between the different structures within the shear zone and their evolution with the development of the shear zone. A geomechanical interpretation of the Copper Rand shear zone explains the formation of internal structures such as faults, schistosities and microstructure during the shearing. This interpretation confirms Ramsay's theoretical model on the geomechanical evolutuion of shear zone development, and the experimental work of Morgenstern-Tchalenko on the simulation of shear zones in clay models. The geomechanical interpretation of the shear zone demonstrates that at the onset, subsidiary fracture patterns are developed in second order faults in the following sequence. At peak strength Riedel shears ( R and R') are formed which propagate outside the strength, restraint (P) shears are developed in the thrust attitude within the shear zones. Principal displacement shears (D) develop toward residual strength in the direction of movement. Shear lenses are formed by the interaction of these shear discontinuities and these facilitate the formation of schis tosi ties with the continuation of the shear displacement within the main shear zone. While the main shear zone and the P and D shears within the main shear zone were in continual movement, the Rand R' structures, once formed, retained a simple fracture pattern and moved little outside the shear limits in comparison to the main shear zone. Parts of these structures inside the shear zone were reactivated by subsequent movements and deformed into folds to account for the present attitudes of the HW-1 and HW-2 and HW-3 structures. This geomechanical model for the shear zone with its subsidiary structures (R, R', P and D shears) is also applied on a larger scale to the Dore Lake shear belt and explains the different structures accompanying it. The initial development of the WNW shears (most are ore deposits) was followed by the subsidiary structures of the Dore Lake shear in a north-south stress field and is well defined by the movements characteristic of the different structures. It is concluded that the Dore Lake shear cannot be the prolongation of the McKenzie Narrows shear but it seems that this prolongation relates to the Henderson-Portage shear zone.

Jan 1, 1984

By Michael R. Brown

A facilities success or failure of doing well during a regulatory inspection is typically measured by the number and type of citations that result, and financial liability resulting from those citations. The success of a facility during an inspection depends on several factors including, the preparation prior to an inspection, behavior and activities during and inspection, and finally, action taken following the inspection. This paper contains suggestions for improving inspection results and establishing an attitude of compliance at manufacturing and mining facilities.

May 1, 2002

By G. S. Barry

INVESTIGATIONS to date have shown that, should there be the need or the appropriate economic stimulus, Canada's mineral resources are sufficiently extensive to allow considerable expansion of its non-fuel mineral industry, during the remaining part of this century and possibly beyond (1, 2). The availability of sufficient capital will be one of the critical factors which will determine whether this potential will be fulfilled. The following analysis centers on the capital requirements of the Canadian non-fuel mineral industry under one set of basic assumptions of capacity growth, cost of new and replacement capacity, rates of depletion and depreciation of mines and plant, and the cost of exploration and infrastructure. Mindful of the fact that exploration and development will not thrive in Canada unless a very positive approach is taken, the writers make no apologies for being "optimistic" about long-term production prospects. Furthermore, in the event that world demand does escalate as anticipated and the forecast realistically attainable levels of Canadian production are not reached, then Canada will not have reaped the full range of economic benefits available, and opportunities will have been lost. Projections for Canadian production between 1976 and 2000 are essentially based on the forecast published in the 1974 paper, "Towards a Mineral Policy for Canada - Opportunities for Choice (3), with some updating on the basis of recent developments.

Jan 1, 1977

By Marc R. Laflèche, Suzanne Paradis, A. Shirley Péloquin, Harold L. Glbson, Robin Potvin, Pierre Verpaelst

"The Archean Blake River Group is best known from a central volcanic complex in Rouyn-Noranda. This volcano-tectonic depression, delimited by the Hunter Creek fault to the north and the Horne Creek fault to the south, is interpreted to be a cauldron approximately 20 km in diameter. Its western and eastern boundaries are the Flavrian Plutonand the D'Alembert shear zone respectively. The complex has an exposed stratigraphic thickness of 10.5 km. Two cycles, composed of andesitic units overlain by bimodal, andesite - rhyolite units, are observed in the area, and are, in turn, overlain by an andesitic unit interpreted to be the lower part of a third cycle.The southern sector of the Blake River Group, south of the central volcanic complex, is considered to be outside the limits of the cauldron, but partly contemporaneous with it. The maximum stratigraphic thickness exposed in this area is 4 .6 km. At least two cycles occur in this sector. The oldest unit, a pre-cauldron andesitic to basaltic unit, occurs only in the southern part of the sector. In the north, two partial andesite - bimodal cycles, interpreted as contemporaneous with the cauldron volcanism, are observed.The eastern sector of the Blake River Group, east of the central volcanic complex, apparently overlies the complex. Two units are observed in this sector: a lower bimodal unit and an uper andesitic unit. The bimodal unit is coupled with the uppermost andesitic unit of the central volcanic complex to form a cycle, and the andesitic unit is considered to be the uppermost unit of the Blake River Group. The total exposed stratigraphic thickness in the sector is 2.5 km.The western sector of the Blake River Group, north and west of the central volcanic complex, is interpreted as the lateral equivalent of the complex. Three andesite - bimodal cycles are exposed in this sector, giving a total stratigraphic thickness of9 .5 km. The two lower cycles correspond directly to the central volcanic complex cycles; this correlation is facilitated by two stratigraphic marker units observed on either side of the Hunter Creek fault: the Fish-roe rhyolite flow, east of the Flavrian pluton, and a spherulitic rhyolite lapilli-tuff, west of the Flavrian pluton.Many of the volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits found in the central volcanic complex are spatially and temporally associated with synvolcanic faults, and felsic domes and feeder dykes that are the sites of felsic volcanism in the bimodal units. However, these features also occur outside the central volcanic complex, and the similarities recognized in this work between the complex and the surrounding area suggest that such deposits need not be restricted to the central volcanic complex. The presence of volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits outside the complex confirms this."

Jan 1, 1990

By Trevor R. Ellis

"The valuation of mineral properties in the U.S. is only partially regulated. The regulations which have jurisdiction or impact appear to have such mainly as a consequence of unintended fallout, since the regulations were designed for other purposes. Court case history can also be important. The combined results are a mixture of bad and good, with important lessons to be learned.Since 1981, the Securities and Exchange Commission has prohibited U.S. listed companies from reporting quantitative estimates of mineralization and the value of mineralization, other than proven and probable reserves. This results in the minerals appraiser (valuator) working with a shortage of data in his everyday work, both on the subject property and in sales analysis.Between 1989 and 1995, all 50 states and essentially all Federal agencies adopted the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for real property appraisals (valuations). The major national appraisal societies also require their members to abide by USPAP. A significant portion of minerals appraisals must now follow these standards. This paper will discuss the content of USPAP. It provides a very good framework for the valuation of a minerals property or a mine, both as real property and as a business. However, the credentialing standards for real property appraisers are now prohibitive for minerals appraisers."

Jan 1, 2003

By Webber. G. R.

Variation in content of some of the major and minor elements in the Lake Dufault granodiorite near Noranda, Quebec has been studied. The element variation and specific gravity data show a pattern consistent with the concept of a concentrically zoned intrusive on the western side of Lake Dufault with a potassium-rich core and a calcium-rich inner zone. The part of the intrusive on the eastern side of Lake Dufault is of more problematical origin, but the suggestion is made that it has resulted from assimilation of volcanic rock by the intrusive. THE purpose of this investigation was to test the application of x-ray fluorescence analysis to the study of variation in chemical com-position of the Lake Dufault granodiorite. The Lake Dufault granodiorite is an intrusive body approximately six miles long by three miles wide located four miles north of Noranda, Quebec. This intrusive is of particular interest because of its -

Jan 1, 1962

By J. B. Mawdsley

From the view point of the mining engineer, the square-set method of stoping as practised at Butte, Montana, is one ?of the outstanding features of well conducted mining operations in that camp. The following information was obtained in the course of two months underground work in the Granite Mountain mine, during the summer of 1920, which is one of the properties of the North Butte Mining Company, situated on the well known Speculator vein. Most of the information was derived from personal observation and from discussions with various miners and with members of the staff. Geology The copper mining area of the Butte district is some two miles long by one and a half miles wide, a mineralized area in a great batholith of monzonite granite, locally known as the Boulder batholith. This extensive body of granite is traversed by several series of mineralized fault-fissures which differ in strike but generally dip steeply. Geologists agree that following the formation of the fissures, alkaline solutions ascended and decomposed the felspathic portions of the granite in the immediate vicinity of the fissure walls, and that these alkaline solutions were followed by cupiferous solutions which filled the fissures and replaced the granite next to the walls. A zone of oxidized ore, varying in thickness from 10 to 400 feet, overlies a sulphide zone containing chalcocite, enargite, bornite and chalcopyrite, with a small amount of quartz gangue. The veins are from 3 to 100 feet in width and contain, on the average, 3 per cent of copper, 2 ounces of silver, and 15 cents in gold per ton.

Jan 1, 1925

By Brad Ross

? Value in number of children ? Polygamy common ? Support of extended family and friends ? HIV/AIDS ? Not a culture of savings ? Minimal mechanical experience ? Supportive ? Unintended hindrance ? Mining claims ? Export Permits Lack of funding

May 1, 2011

By A. D. Fisher

This paper describes the future position of metallurgical coal, particularly as applied to Canadian reserves. Quality coking coal is declining in availability, but preheating practices may alleviate this situation to some extent. Two new processes are discussed in the paper - formed coke and direct reduction - and their coal specifications are outlined.

Jan 1, 1972

By F. Dubuc

"The Adams Mine of Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation is situated on the Boston Township iron range near Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Eight different orebodies have been outlined, with a total open-pit crude tonnage of. about 100,000,000 tons or the equivalent of 30,000,000 tons of concentrate. The ore consists of fine-grained, well-bedded Early Precambrian iron-formation composed essentially of alternating layers of chert and magnetite. Grade averages about 22 per cent magnetic Fe.The iron range varies in width from 3,000 to 4,000 feet and is made up of several horizons of iron-formation, cherty ""quartzite"" and volcanic rocks. The latter consist mostly of basic lava flows and minor amounts of tuff. Dips are rarely Jess than 50 degrees, and the range is believed to represent an overturned limb of a major synclinal structure. Dykes of syenite and lam prophyre, along with local younger diabase, intrude the rocks of the iron range."

Jan 1, 1966