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By P. E. Weidmark

Allard, M., Hucka, V.J., Das, B., and Borchtch-Komponietz, V.I., "Investigation of seismic vibration due to large blasts in Gaspe Copper Mines"; (in Russ); The Industry of Chemical Raw Materials; Referativnyi sbornik; 5:18-20: 1978. Askew, J., McCarthy, P.L. , and Fitzgerald, D.J ., "Backfill research for pillar extraction at ZC/NBHC"; Mining with Backfill; Proc 12th Cdn Rock Mech Symp; May 23-25, 1978; Sudbury; CIM Spec Vol 19:100-lJO; 1978. Barrett, J.R., Coulthard, M.A., and Dight, P.M., "Determination of fill stability" ; Mining with Backfill; Proc 12th Cdn Rock Symp; May 23-25, 1978; Sudbury; CIM Spec Vol 19:85-91; 1978.

Jan 1, 1979

By Louis R. Bernier

Most systematic studies carried out on passive treatment systems incorporating the use of limestone drains, under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, essentially deal with the treatment of effluents from mines in the USA. A limestone drain typically comprises a trench filled with crushed limestone rocks surrounded by impervious materials. In the case of anoxic drains, the trench is generally isolated under a geomembrane liner covered with soil. Contaminated mine effluents flow by gravity towards these limestone drains where the passive treatment consists in bringing the carbonates into solution, thus increasing the pH and alkalinity. Factors to be considered in the design are: chemistry of the contaminated mining effluent ([metals, [Al], [sulfates], dissolved oxygen, acidity, pH), desired residence time, nature of the rock, grain size, density, void ratio and mass of the limestone rock used, alkalinity, life span and hydraulic behaviour of the drain. Certain secondary effects (saturation by sulfates, co-precipitation, adsorption) may either be beneficial (lowering the sulphate and metal load) or harmful (armoring the limestone rock and clogging of the drain). This paper gives a brief status report on the available knowledge on the use of limestone drains for passive treatment of mining effluents heavily loaded with metals. Examples given include the old Lorraine mine (Ni-Cu), Témiscamingue, where limestone and dolomite rock drains were installed in 1998 when a cover with capillary barrier effects was placed over the tailings site.

Nov 1, 2002

By James A. Deeks

"Motor failures and equipment bearing failures are responsible for reduced productivity.With the introduction of computers and data acquisition systems, users are now able to monitor, report and trend deteriorating conditions and take corrective action before a critical shutdown occurs.This paper discusses the monitoring and trend analysis of' motors, and motor and equipment bearings. With today's digital electronics technology users are now able to monitor their equipment, detect deteriorating or abnormal conditions quickly, alarm the condition locally and or remotely, and decide if immediate corrective action is necessary or if it can be delayed until the end of a work Shift. All of this can be done long before any damage is done to the equipment.Monitoring Trend AnalysisIt is no longer necessary to compromise in selecting products, since state-of-the-art designs allow the adjustment in such small increments that the users are able to detect minute changes in a system's performance.Monitoring and trending of motors and equipment bearings is now available in economical packages which can be expanded as a system grows. Simply select the information you need, set the parameters, choose the scan time, and decide on the degree of reporting.Buffer storage of short-term monitoring of a number of analogue channels permit the user to view the recent history of motor data such as: motor average load, unbalance, motor current, ground fault, reserve thermal capacity, plus all of the settings of the protective device.A decision can be made to freeze the stored information after the motor stops or after the motor starts. Then the user is able to recall the conditions and diagnose the performance and the cause of the abnormal condition. Typical scan times range from ¼ second to 5 seconds ."

Jan 1, 1992

By G. R. Baiden

This paper discusses the application of Load-Haul-Dump (LHD) machine teleoperation in combination with a guidance system for single operator control of multiple IJIDs. A system accomplishing these goals has been tested at Copper Cliff North Mine of Inco Limited. This development uses a high-speed, high-capacity production network to teleoperate an LHD during loading and dumping by using 3D video and radio remote control. Following loading, the operator dispatches the LHD using an automatic guidance system to traverse the drifts to the orepass. Remote dumping is done at the ore pass and then the machine returns to repeat the procedure. This has significant productivity gains and improvements in safety. Productivity is improved because operators are involved only in the loading and dumping part of the process. This frees the operators to utilize their time more effectively, loading or dumping a particular machine, while other machines with guidance systems continue to work travelling and/or automatically dumping ore in the ore passes. Safety is improved as the operator is located on a remote control station. Automatic dumping will be incorporated as a future development.

Jan 1, 1994

By Dirk van Zyl

The world is consuming more and more electronic products every year. This has caused a dangerous explosion in electronic scrap (e-waste) containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that cannot be disposed of or recycled safely. But this problem can be avoided. We are pressing leading electronic companies to change; to turn back the toxic tide of e-waste. Every year, hundreds of thousands of old computers and mobile phones are dumped in landfills or burned in smelters. Thousands more are exported, often illegally, from the Europe, US, Japan and other industrialized countries, to Asia. There, workers at scrap yards, some of whom are children, are exposed to a cocktail of toxic chemicals and poisons.

May 1, 2008

By P. C. Garg

"IntroductionThe Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) of India, started planning the extraction of thick seams highly susceptible to heating in 1977by the French method of sub-level caving and/or multi-slicing. Nitrogen flushing was proposed for inhibition of heating by the author in one such project - the Kotadih colliery.Inhibition of heating was unheard of in the Indian coal industry before 1977-78. The usual practice was to seal off a district or a part of the mine or the entire mine when spontaneous heating occurred. With very little equipment in a normal bord and pillar district and a low production rate, the financial loss in capital assets and in production did not warrant any serious thought for inhibition of spontaneous combustion. With the planned advent of longwall mining, particularly sub-level caving, with heavy capital investment as well as high production potential, the sealing of a longwall face due to spontaneous heating could not be considered an appropriate solution.Principle of Inhibition of SpontaneousCombustionFrench engineers have established that a fire will not break out when oxygen is 15% or lower in the general body of the air. However, once a fire starts, the percentage of oxygen has to be reduced to 2% - 4% to extinguish it. It is this principle which has been used at Blanzy Coalfield in France to inhibit heating and it is claimed that this has retrieved the integral sub level method of mining. Nitrogen infusion has been used in Frence since 1978 to keep the oxygen content below 14% in the goaf."

Jan 1, 1987

By P. E. Weidmark

"PART 1-Published PapersAllcott, G.A., and Archibald, D.E.; ""Description of pillar behaviour at Heath Steele Mines""; Can Min Metall Bull; 74:834:80-87; 1981.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of rock Mechanics; 3:32-33; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:37-38; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:38; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses"" ; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:41; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:42; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:46; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 2: ""Tectonophysics""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:60; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3: 116; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:116-117; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:117; 1979.Baar, C.A. '; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:118-119; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussions (2) of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress lntnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:119; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:120-121; 1979."

Jan 1, 1982

By Robert B. Parsons

"The customary onslaught of government budgets this spring offers lots of interesting reading to the mining industry.While the favourable changes tend to get all the fanfare, there are some ""sleepers"" in the host of proposed changes which will be bitter pills for some mining people to swallow.IntroductionOn a scale of one to ten, the Canadian mining industry will probably give this year's federal and provincial budgets a score that is pretty close to five. Although some budgetary proposals are generally perceived to be favourable to the industry, there are other provisions (and lack of provisions) which are considered to be negative.This month, Tax Notes examines in a summary manner the principal features of the 1985 federal and provincial budgets which are of particular interest to this country's mineral industry."

Jan 1, 1985

By Howard J. Handewith

"Tunnel boring machines have been tried in underground mining applications as early as 1957. Although tunneling machines hardly threaten to supplant traditional drill-blast-muck operations for drifting, the latest modern machines offer substantial improvements in progress rates over traditional methods under certain conditions.An evaluation guide is offered which identifies conditions that favour machine boring. Different types of costs related to the use of a tunnel machine are discussed. The advantages of the tunnel machine over the traditional method are reviewed. IntroductionThe first tunnel boring machine ever used in a mine was in Quebec in the year 1957. Although less than successful at the time, this experiment served to illustrate the mining industry' s willingness to try new ideas. Since 1957, the manufacture of tunnel boring machines has developed into a full-size industry. Most contractors in Europe and North America will now consider the use of a tunnel boring machine first on any long tunnel that can have a circular section.The modern tunneling machine offers a great potential to the mining industry. Just as the blasthole and raise drill machines have revolutionized mining in the last decade, it is expected that tunnel boring machines will make an equal impact in the future.This is not to suggest that tunnel boring machines will replace explosives in the foreseeable future, but they can supplement drill-and-blast operations. In areas where long drifts, inclines, declines or cross-cuts are needed in a hurry, the tunnel boring machines offer the fastest way to a production return on investment. Figure 1 shows the range of production that two types of tunnel machines have produced as compared with conventional excavation methods in various ground conditions.Rotary hard-rock tunnel boring machines (Fig. 2) commonly produce progress rates in excess of 20 metres per day in uniform ground from 300 to over 2,000 kgl cm2 in unconfined compression strength . These averages are for the completed tunnels. One 7. I6-metre-diameter tunnel boring machine just completed a 1O.7-km tunnel in hard rock of 700 to 2,800 kg/cm>, The last eight months of production averaged 30 metres per day."

Jan 1, 1980

By Bruce J. Barker

"Environmental concerns have recently been growing over the disposal of reactive desulphurizing slag. Consequently, increased pressure has been placed on the foundry industry to reduce the reactivity of this slag.To address this problem, Cyanamid has developed a new product which significantly reduces the calcium carbide content of the desulphurizing slag. Testing equipment and procedures have also been developed to evaluate both the existing levels of carbide in the slag and the decreased levels which are achieved with this new material.The development and use of this engineered carbide desulphurizer has made possible significant environmental and efficiency improvements in the field of calcium carbide desulphurizing. Consequently, the lifespan of calcium carbide in ductile iron desulphurization has been increased, as have the benefits of its use in the foundry industry. IntroductionIn the production of ductile iron, calcium carbide has long been used for hot metal desulphurization external to the cupola. Its cost effectiveness, reliability and ease of use have traditionally made it the desulphurizer of choice for a great majority of ductile operations. Recently however, environmental concerns have been raised regarding the quantity of calcium carbide remaining in the slag after desulphurizing. Analysis has shown that as much as 25070 of the weight of the slag may contain active carbide. This has caused disposal concerns as calcium carbide when in contact with water, produces acetylene via the following reactionr:"

Jan 1, 1992

By Douglas A. Sloan

"Recently, a number of major mining companies seemed unable to find a president from within the industry, and were searching outside the industry. From this, one could conclude that managers within the industry are either not being prepared or are not preparing themselves for presidential responsibility. Opinions were sought from a number of senior executives, to attempt to define the skills a prospective president should acquire and what actions a company could take or that a prospective president could take to acquire these skills.This paper contains summaries of the opinions obtained, along with the author's comments. The paper also describes the actions some companies are taking and the actions that an aspiring president can take to prepare himself for corporate management.IntroductionA manager is promoted up the management ladder when the manager's superiors believe that he is capable of handling a more senior position. Normally, the manager acquires this credibility by outstanding performance in his current management post, whether it be in a junior management (supervisory) or in a vice-presidential capacity.In most instances, the skills required for promotion can be acquired in the current position or, at worst, the abilities exhibited in a candidate's current role will convince his superiors that the necessary expertise for the more senior position can be acquired on-the-job. This is particularly the case when the new skills are felt to be an extrapolation of the old skills.However, in the case of appointment to presidential rank, there appears to be a need for new expertise which often is not acquired in normal management progression or, at least, boards of directors of some mining companies seem to believe this to be the case. The objective of this paper is to attempt to define the new skills that should be acquired by a manager who aspires to be the president, and to describe what actions might be taken by him to acquire them."

Jan 1, 1982

By Masashige Makifuchi, Hiroki Kumakura, Kota Nagai, Takahiro Kikuchi

"A large amount of platinum group metals (PGM) are used in automobile catalyst. It is important to recover the metals from wasted catalyst. Nomura and Kageyama (2013) suggested recovery process that PGM oxides were absorbed to perovskite-type oxide based on LaScO3. In their process, the PGM in wasted catalyst as absorbed to the perovskite-type oxide as PGM oxide. It has potential to each element in the process if the perovskite-type oxide is selected properly. In this study, the PGM oxide absorption properties of various perovskite-type oxides are investigated to develop a new recovery and separation process. The various perovskite-type oxide were synthesized with metallic platinum, palladium, rhodium at high temperature in air atmosphere. And the PGM contents in the perovskite-type oxide after the experiment are determined by chemical analysis. Some of them have the properties to absorb specific PGM oxide selectively. In addition, in order to increase the amount of absorption of PGM oxide and composition of the perovskite-type oxide experimental temperature was investigated. Then it is also found that doping another specific element to the perovskite-type oxide is effective to increase the amount of absorption of PGM oxide. Then a new recovery process of PGM from wasted automobile catalyst, in which PGM can be separate to each element, was designed.INTRODUCTIONA large amount of Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), and Rhodium (Rh) are used in automobile catalysis (Figure 1) (Platinum, 2013). Natural supplies for these metals are limited and PGM mining can detrimental environmental impact. Therefore, the recycling of PGMs from wasted automobile catalysis is very important. The Rose process (Figure 2) was developed as a process to recover PGM from wasted automobile catalysis. In this process, the automobile catalysis is first crushed mechanically, and then extracting agent, copper (Cu), and flux are melted at high temperature. The mixture separates into a metal phase, (Cu alloy containing PGM) and slag. The PGM is enriched by oxidizing. Cu to Cu oxide. The PGM are then recovered and separated to each element in a wet process. However, it is hard to dissolve the PGM with acid because they are chemically stable and strong oxidation agent such as aqua regia is used. Moreover, to separate the PGM to each individual element, a solvent extraction process is required."

Jan 1, 2016

By Simon Hanner

November 2005 Memorial University Newfoundland and Labrador Mines and Energy Review of Activities Exploration and Mining New Brunswick ?Université du Québec a Montréal McGill University 2005 Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention Université Laval Quebec Exploration 2005 Saskatchewan Open House December 2005 University of Calgary University of Alberta 'Laurentian University 'Queen's University 'University of Toronto 'Ontario Prospectors Association January 2006 Mineral Exploration Roundup, BC March 2006 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention April 2006 University of Ottawa Carleton University

May 1, 2006

By F. Rosenblum, P. Spira

A laboratory test has been developed for assessing the patential hazard from self-heating of sulphides. The technique consists in measuring the rate of self-heating, from near ambient temperature, of a 1-kg sample in an insulated chamber controlled at standard atmospheric conditions. The rate of oxygen consumption is monitored simultaneously. The paper describes the apparatus and test procedure, and reports data on various ores and mill products. Tailings known to have caused problems underground when used as backfill have shown heating rates of over 3°C/h. A preliminary hazard rating guide for backfill based on the known behaviour of several sulphide materials is presented.

Jan 1, 1981

By P. B. Marchant

"Based on laboratory and pilot scale continuous biooxidation of complex sulphide concentrates, commercial processing design and scaleup considerations are discussed. Capital and operating cost estimates for commercial biohydrometallurgical operations are summarized and potential applications of biotechnology are discussed. Biooxidation as an oxidative pretreatment alternative to enhance precious metals extraction from refractory sulphide concentrates in stirred tank reactors has received considerable attention recently due mainly to advances in the practical applicability of the process. Biooxidation of sulphides is certainly not a new process, however, application and control in large scale hydrometallurgical operations to treat refractory sulphides remains conceptual and the limited data available is restricted to relatively small laboratory and pilot scale operations. It is the intent of this paper to indicate scaleup and plant scale process design considerations for commercial bioleach circuits, based on recent operating experiences with laboratory and pilot scale continuous bioleach systems. An indication of the expected range of applications will be presented parameters for optimization will be discussed."

Jan 1, 1986

By Ken G. Stowe, Stephen L. Chryssoulis, Joe Y. Kim

"Lead ions originating from galena during processing of complex sulphide ores migrate to ""cover"" the surface of sphalerite and iron sulphide mineral rarticles, and cause poor selectivity in differential flotation. Generally in sulphide ore processing, the lead activated minerals float in the Cu/Pb circuit. Subsequently, surface lead complicates the zinc flotation circuit by lowering the concentrate grade due to the co-flotation of lead- activated iron sulphide minerals. The effect of lead in the differential flotation of sphalerite from Cu-Pb-Zn and Pb-Zn ores is discussed. Plant and laboratory test data are interpreted by determining the surface composition of individual grains of sphalerite and iron sulphide rarticles using two surface analytical techniques, Laser Ionization Mass Spectrometer (LIMS) and Time of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (TOF-SIMS). Cationic and anionic species on the surface were analyzed to elucidate the phenomena.IntroductionSurface properties play a critical role in many aspects of mineral processing such as flotation, flocculation, etc. An understanding of interaction mechanisms of different reagents (inorganic cations and anions, collectors, regulators, etc.) with mineral surface in an aqueous solution is a very important pre-requisite in achieving the desired selective flotation. In the flotation of complex sulphide ores, the flotation collectors respond to the activation of minerals such as sphalerite, pyrite etc. by heavy metal ions of Cu, Pb or Ag, which is a strictly surface phenomenon."

Jan 1, 1995

By Éric Côté

Introduction The 425 Main Ore Zone ? Block of ore partially mined in the late sixties; ? Area was sealed off for over 30 years due to SO2 emissions from oxidizing fill material; 425 Project goal ? Bring the zone back into production without jeopardizing the mine; ? Minimize risks associated to SO2;

Feb 1, 2008

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL WASTE MANAGEMENT ? WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS ? Define the question to be asked in waste characterization studies ? Calibrate assessments and designs with field conditions ? Ensure consistent with short, medium and long-term mine plans ? Design robust plans - goalposts and expectations will change ? Fully assess and integrate costs into economic models ? Integrate waste specialists into the feasibility and design teams ? Keep it simple and when you can?t, communicate it in simple terms ? PLAN EXECUTION ? Integrate the waste management plan into daily mine operations ? Identify the critical KPI?s , track them and set clear action triggers ? Know the difference between knowledge and data ?make sure you retain knowledge and document the important Maintain management, engineering and operational focus through the mine life

May 1, 2010

By B. S. W. Buffam

"The property of Aunor Gold Mines, Limited, is in Deloro township, Ontario, about 3 miles southeast of Timmins. It consists of a group of eleven claims between the Buffalo Ankerite and Delnite mines.In the autumn of 1909, two brothers, John A. and W. S. Mitchell, joined the 'gold rush' to Porcupine. By the time they arrived the township of Tisdale, in which the Hollinger and Dome discoveries had been made, was staked solid but they managed to locate four claims in the northern part of Deloro township. Sufficient surface work was performed to bring the claims to patent in 1915. Following the Porcupine fire the Mitchells left the north to follow the oil developments in southwestern United States. In 1935 because of the rise in the price of gold and the successful development of the l3uffalo Ankerite and Delnite mines, they returned to Timmins and organized Augite Porcupine Mines, Limited, which combined the original four claims in Deloro and two adjoining claims controlled by Montreal River International Silver Mines, Limited. There were few rock exposures on the property, and as the overburden was generally deep surface exploration was impracticable. A programme of diamond drilling was, there; fore, undertaken in an endeavour to locate the western extension of the orebearing formation of the Buffalo Ankerite mine. This drilling was started in August 1936, and 5 months later ore was intersected at a depth of 500 feet on the south boundary of the property."

Jan 1, 1954

By C. R. Edwards, D. R. G. Watt

"Equity Silver Mines Ltd. a member of the Placer Development group of companies operates Canada's largest silver mine near Houston in north-central British Columbia. Initially, the silver-gold-copper flotation concentrate contained excessive levels of antimony and arsenic, so a leach process was installed to remove undesirable metals and provide improved smelter terms for the leached concentrate. The leach plant which has been fully described elsewhere (1, 2, 3), was forced by deteriorating process economics to shut down in April 1984. Equipment was mothballed and alternate uses sought.The Endako Mines Division of Placer Development Limited, located some 150 kilometres east of the Equity mine site, shut down its molybdenite mining and milling facilities in the spring of 1982. Endako has continued to produce molybdic oxide (molybdenum trioxide or MTO) via intermittent roaster runs, and also a high purity, lubricant grade molybdenum disulfide in the Ultrapure Plant. With the steel industry in the doldrums, molybdenum chemicals present an alternate and growing potential for molybdenum sales. In 1982 Placer Development began testing this market. Molybdenum chemicals were produced in the United States on a toll basis using Endako MTO as process feed. The transfer of this production to Canada was being considered when Equity's leach plant shut down, and it was noted that most of the equipment and skills necessary could be provided by the leach plant. See Figure 1.A careful investigation of process requirements was completed by engineering and production staff at Equity and Endako. A provisional capital and operating cost estimate was made, and it was decided to perform a test run during July 1984. There were strong reasons to proceed with this project. A positive cash flow was expected for both Endako and Equity. Endako would have product to continue to expand in the molybdenum chemicals market with the added selling point that now the complete production process would be under direct control of Placer Development companies. Equity would further benefit since a portion of the leach plant would continue in operation thus maintaining and exercising our hydrometallurgical engineering and operating skills. Finally, Equity would have a base from which to search out other processes adaptable to the idled leach plant equipment."

Jan 1, 1986