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By W. F. MacIsaac

"The large low-grade Copper Mountain deposit is located in the northern portion of the Gaspé Cooper Mines property. It is approximately 1 mile north of the Needle Mountain deposit. The orebody outlined to date lies in the top 1,000 feet of the Grande Greve formation. Chalcopyrite occurs in association with pyrite and quartz in small veinlets and numerous fractures. The deposit is immediately adjacent and parallel to a quartz-feldspar dyke and may be associated with a nearby porphyry stock. Stratigraphy, alteration and structure appear to have played an important role in ore deposition."

Jan 1, 1969

By N. Bakhshizadeh

In this investigation, the aging effect on creep behavior of A12024-10%SiC composite fabricated by powder metallurgy was studied. P/M bars were manufactured by hot powder extrusion method at 450°C with a ratio of 16 to 1. Creep specimens were over-aged at 187 ºC for 43 h. It was found that almost full density composite with relatively homogenous distribution of reinforcing particles throughout the aluminum alloy matrix could be attained by direct powder extrusion process. Creep tests were conducted at temperatures from 275 to 325°C under stresses from 25 to 60 MPa. The analysis of the creep mechanism determined that dislocation glide was the predominant mechanism of plastic deformation. The activation energy of the creep process was found to be higher than that of lattice self-diffusion in pure aluminum.

Jan 1, 2007

By Ralf M. Kleine

THE property of Consolidated 1 Discovery Yellowknife Mines Limited, (Figure I) is situated in the Northwest Territories, approximately 50 air miles north of the town of Yellowknife. The mine is reached by a shaft which extends from surface to a depth of 4,000 feet, with working levels established at 1 50-foot intervals. Stopping operations are carried on throughout a vertical range of 2,000 feet, with both shrinkage and cut and fill methods being used, depending on the ground conditions. Production started in 1950 and milling is done in a 1 65-ton per day cyanide plant. During ten months of the year, the property is serviced entirely by air, utilizing charter aircraft from Yellowknife. A 4,000-foot runway near the mine was constructed from mill tailings. This strip is adequate to receive Bristol freighter planes carrying heavy loads. Other servicing is done by Otter aircraft, equipped with skis or wheels for winter and with pontoons for summer operations.

Jan 1, 1962

By Floyd B. Bowen

Pumping methods are used, almost exclusively, to transport materials in the mining, beneficiation and chemical processing of phosphate rock in the Florida phosphate pebble field. Matrix pumping systems capable of pumping 15,000 g.p.m., transporting 15,000 long tons (dry) per hour, are now in use. They utilize 16-by 48 Yz -in. pumps, driven by 1.250-h.p. motors, discharging into pipelines 20 inches .in diameter .and sometimes several miles in length. As an average, it is necessary to pump 3 tons of matrix to the beneficiation plants, and to dispose of 2 tons of sand tailings and clay as waste, in order to produce 1 ton of shipping-grade rock. The washers and flotation plants, where the clay and phosphate and silica particles are separated, require the movement of large volumes of slurries with densities ranging from 2-3 per cent to 45 per cent solids, by weight. Extensive waste disposal systems require the pumping of dilute clay slurries in quantities of up to 50,000 g.p.m.,

Jan 1, 1963

By R. D. Brown

For the first time in years, the spring budgets of federal and provincial governments have not brought down major new proposals affecting the tax burdens of the mining industry in Canada. It seems appropriate to use this unaccustomed period of tranquility to set out an extremely abbreviated summary of the principal features of the federal and provincial income and mining tax rules affecting the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1977

By James F. A. Hatley

Northern Saskatchewan comprises an area of about 350 000 km2 and boasts some of the world's largest known high-grade uranium deposits. The successful mining of these deposits, however, can not be accomplished without overcoming technical challenges. Not only is the high grade of the uranium ore challenging, but mining methods need to be developed to deal with groundwater at very high pressures, and ground conditions that vary substantially from excellent to wholly unconsolidated clays and sand. This paper discusses the various mechanisms of inflows at the three of the Cameco Corporation Mines in Northern Saskatchewan. The risk of inflows is quantified in terms of unique challenges from hydrogeologic conditions, rockmass integrity, and uncertainty in geologic conditions. Mitigation strategies in case of an inflow are also briefly described. The paper concludes by addressing the impact of institutional rules (corporate standards) on minimizing, monitoring, and controlling the probability and/or impact of unexpected inflows.

Aug 1, 2010

By George Langford

Introduction The manufacture of ductile beryllium is one of the most interesting problems confronting the metallurgist today, and one which becomes more acutely in need of resolution as the uses for beryllium increase. Beryllium belongs to the hexagonal group of metals along with zinc, magnesium, and cadmium. The melting point of the metal is about l,280°C. ± 5°C. Due to its brittleness, the metal's chief use is as an alloying agent in copper and iron. The very low absorption coefficient of beryllium for x-rays makes the metal ideal for x-ray windows, and, similarly, because of its low capture cross-section for neutrons, the metal holds a preferred position in the field of nuclear physics. Modern x-ray diffraction methods were responsible for explaining the mechanism whereby zinc metal, although brittle when cast, could be made ductile at room temperature. The diffraction patterns of zinc and magnesium indicated the importance of the parts played by recrystallization and preferred orientation in this mechanism. It was with this in mind that an Investigation into the recrystallization and preferred orientation of beryllium was undertaken. The investigation, after a series of experiments were conducted involving cold-working and annealing, yielded the recrystallization temperature curve for beryllium. Both the texture of preferred orientation and the effect of recrystallization on this texture when subjected to compressive stresses were also determined. W. A. Alexander, J. K. Swinton and L. M. Pidgeon, in their investigation on The Recrystallization Temperature of Beryllium (C.I.M., Trans., Vol. L, 1947, pp. 657-664), utilized the Brinell ball as a means of cold straining the metal. Sufficient strain was developed to estimate the recrystallization curve for the metal. However, in order to determine the lowest recrystallization curve, as well as to develop a preferred orientation structure, larger deformation than that possible with a Brinell ball was required. The plastic deformation of beryllium can be carried out at an elevated temperature above 700°C. Above 850°C., the metal is quite ductile and can be readily compressed or extruded.

Jan 1, 1948

By P. E. Cavanagh

THE Ontario Research Foundation has developed a family of dry magnetic concentrators which, when used in conjunction with a dry grinding mill such as an Aero-fall mill, will allow the production of a completely dry magnetite concentrate. Previous experience with extrusion of iron ore and with pelletizing of fine iron concentrates suggested that it might be possible to develop a method particularly suited to the agglomeration of completely dry concentrates which might have some practical advantages over other methods of agglomeration. Pelletizing is the preferred method of agglomerating very fine iron ore concentrates. Magnetite concentrate is fod to the pelletizing equipment in the form of a moist filter cake. Binders and plasticizers may be added if necessary, and the moisture content must be increased or adjusted to the percentage necessary to give good balling action and satisfactory green strength in the resulting moist pellets. The moist ore with a closely controlled water content of about 7 to 12 per cent moisture may be rolled into pellets by a snow-balling action in a pelletizing drum, a Lurgi pan, or a Mac-Dowell disc pelletizer. The resulting green pellets are fired by one of several alternative processes to produce a hard pellet which has sufficient strength to withstand handling and shipping.

Jan 1, 1957

By John A. Legge Jr.

"ACCOMPANYING Alberta's great natural endowments of oil, wheat, scenery, fishing, and hunting is also a generous endowment of geophysical problems to plague the interpreting geophysicist. These problems — by no means unique to Alberta — are sufficiently numerous and outstanding to be of major concern in exploration. Some of them have been adequately solved, others are well on their way to being solved, and still others remain almost completely unsolved. Often a problem readily solvable in one area can be solved only with great difficulty in another. Many are closely allied with the geological conditions and require the best co¬ordinated efforts of the geologist and geophysicist for their solution.It is a fairly general practice to study rather carefully the geophysical characteristics of known producing reefs in order to obtain data on which to base an interpretation of unproven areas. This practice obviously has a very sound basis, for, as discoveries become more and more widespread in the Alberta basin, it is found that the variation' in geological conditions has a marked effect on the seismic results, as would be expected. By carrying this analysis over an area it is possible more and more to anticipate the geophysical picture which should be obtained in connection with reefing under the varying geological conditions. Another phase of this procedure, and one that has received less attention, though it is certainly of importance, is the analysis of the all too numerous failures. A study of these failures may be more fruitful than a study of the successes for it may indicate weaknesses of field procedure, computations, or in¬terpretation not particularly obvious in the discovery areas. These studies must not only include the geophysical characteristics of the observed `anomalies', but should also be coupled with a thorough geological study to ascertain whether some unanticipated geological condition is responsible for the erroneous geophysical interpretation."

Jan 1, 1953

By R. P. Charbonnier

"To understand the operation of jigs and other separating processes based on differences in gravity, it is desirable to analyse the motion of various particles in given media under specific conditions. A summary of the earlier theories shows that they lead to unsatisfactory or excessively complicated formulae in cases such as coal jigging. By adopting a simplified theory of the motion of particles in a fluid, the size and duration of the initial accelerated motion of a particle falling in hindered settling can be calculated. Based on this mathematical analysis, examples referring to actual coal jigging practice show that it is desirable to prolong and/or repeat, as frequently as possible, the optimum conditions corresponding to an effective acceleration of the particles. The separation is then obtained according to gravity rather than to particle dimensions, as would be the case if the velocity of the particles• were allowed to approach its terminal value. To achieve this gravity separation, it is suggested that the suction phase of the jigging cycle be artificially prolonged and the frequency of pulsations increased as much as possible for washing the coals of smaller sizes."

Jan 1, 1959

By M. Maccagni, J. Nielsen

"The recovery of lead from battery paste has been investigated for a long time and with the use of many different electrolytes. A number of processes have been presented, but none of them reached even the demonstration step. Engitec has developed a new concept for the battery paste electrowinning using a chloride electrolyte fed through a very innovative flow cell. The process has passed the lab and the demo scale and it is ready to be introduced on the market. In this paper, a description of the process will be provided.INTRODUCTIONThe need for improved energy storage systems as well as the introduction of commercially viable electric vehicles is providing a strong compulsion toward the research of new batteries. The lead battery is playing an important role because it is inexpensive, reliable and it is the most recycled material. This last aspect marks the lead acid battery as quite peculiar making it both the primary lead based product and the main raw material for lead production.In the last years the legislative pressure has become very strong and has forced the lead production to react through the introduction of important process innovations and market changes. The dispersive products, such as additives for paints and for fuel as well as bullets, have been practically banned all over the world while the battery market continues to grow. The lead acid battery remains the cheapest and most integrated energy storage system available and is improving to meet the new technical challenges. This is testified by the news coming from the development of new and more efficient lead acid batteries which are confirming their leading position.Unfortunately, the image of lead is very negative in the public opinion and some important actions are required to try changing this sentiment. Among them, better information to the market and users and the introduction of new and cleaner technologies in the production of lead can help."

Jan 1, 2016

By A. F. Abd El-Rehim

The behavior of both transient and steady state creep of Al-4.5 wt% Cu and Al-4.5 wt% Cu-0.1 wt% In alloys was investigated using a constant stress where torsional oscillations of different frequencies and shear strain amplitudes were operated at various working temperatures. An augment in both transient and steady state creep rates was observed by increasing both frequency and shear strain amplitude of the applied oscillations. The mean values of the activation energy of both alloys for both creep stages were found to be equal to that quoted for dislocation intersection mechanism.

Jan 1, 2006

By A. Pawelczyk, D. Hreniak, E. Zych, W. Strek, K. Grabas, A. Ostrowski

"Mongolia is a country rich in rare earth resources. In the experiments carried out samples of the Mongolian ore were processed to obtain a lanthanide concentrate. The concentrate underwent hydrometallurgical processing. At the same time radioactive elements were removed. The lanthanides were obtained in the form of hydroxides that were further processed in order to get concentrated products. As a result cerium, lanthanum and neodymium-praseodymium concentrates were separated in the process. Also a concentrate of remaining elements: samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium and erbium was obtained. INTRODUCTIONAccording to the assessment of the US Geological Survey, Mongolia possesses 16.77 % of the world total rare earth (RE) resources (Daly, 2011); that is the second largest RE reserve in the world, estimated to be 31 million tonnes in terms of rare earth oxides (REO). In the face of Chinese RE trade restrictions, Mongolia emerged as an important economical partner in mining and exploitation of these critical raw materials. This country is recognized as having more than five large RE deposits in the southern provinces. The most important are Lugeengol (Lugin Gol), Mushgia Khudag, Khotgor and Khalzan Buregtei (Eurasia, 2010). The Mongolian government has taken measures to facilitate western investments, nevertheless the country is economically dependent on China, the basic trading partner, particularly where exports are concerned.In the late 1970s Hydromet Kowary Enterprise, Poland, took up, along with the Wroclaw University of Technology, research and technological study on lanthanides recovery from raw materials of Vietnamese and Mongolian origin and from Indian monazite sands (Kowalczyk, 1990; Kowalczyk & Mazanek, 1987; 1990). For that purpose, a rare earth processing plant had been constructed with the capacity of about 10 t/year of hydroxide concentrate. The facility included several technological operations like grinding, flotation, hydroxide concentrate production in the hydrometallurgical processing, particular RE separation, and production of commercial products in form of CeO2, La2O3, Nd2O3, Pr2O3, and misch metal. Additionally work had been carried out in Kowary on the manufacture of yttrium and europium oxides of high purity, which were intended for color TV picture tube production in Poland."

Jan 1, 2012

By R. Laucournet, E. Billy, M. Joulié

Today Li-ion batteries are considered as one of the most attractive available energy storage solutions. However in order to overcome environmental, legislative and economic issues, the management of used batteries has to be considered and mainly the recycling. The present paper deals with the recycling of used Li-ion batteries and the recovery of high value metals from active materials of electrodes. Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) and lithium manganese nickel magnesium oxide (LMNM) cathodes, which contain most of valuable elements typically used in the composition of active materials for Li-ion batteries are investigated by a hydrometallurgy route. The process is divided into two steps: the materials leaching and the elements recovery by a selective chemical separation. Some experimental parameters (acid nature, concentration, time and temperature) are studied to determine the most efficient conditions of dissolution. Then, the valuable elements such as nickel, cobalt and manganese are selectively recovered with a high efficiency close to 100 % and with a high purity by precipitation. By this study, an adaptable hydrometallurgy process can be defined according to the composition of Li-ion batteries to recycle.

Jan 1, 2014

By C. W. Eggert

This paper gives an account of the E.V.O.P. tests made at the Copper Rand mill of the Patino Mining Corporation in Chibougamau, Quebec. The runs were made to acquire an understanding of the method. A description of events, along with conclusions, observations and opinions, is out-lined.

Jan 1, 1967

By V. C. Wansbrough

First, permit me to say with what very great pleasure we find ourselves assembled in this most ancient and honourable city of Quebec. It is a city which we deeply respect as the fountain-head of the culture of French-speaking fellow citizens, and the seat of government of a province which is steadily recording new achievements in Canadian mining. Such achievements prove what can be accomplished when enlightened and progressive government policy, technical and scientific competence, and private initiative pull forward together in harmonious rhythm. It is a most happy and auspicious event also that the guiding control of the affairs of the Institute and of the fine traditions of provincial administration have for the past year been united in the person of our honoured President, Dr. A. O. Dufresne. This year, again, we have bad prepared for us by our hosts a splendid programme of technical sessions and social entertainment. Each year we pay an unspoken compliment to the Institute, expecting as a matter of course nothing but the highest standards in both these spheres. In its annua1, semi-annual, and regional meetings, in the constant activity of its local Branches, the Institute continues with marked success to perform its great dual service, social and educational. We are all its beneficiaries to the extent to which we choose to profit by participation in its affairs. But, one imagines, to none are the advantages of Institute membership more valuable than to young men embarking on their professional careers.

Jan 1, 1951

By Q. G. Reynolds, R. T. Jones

"Residence time distributions are well defined for batch and continuously stirred reactors. However, there exist many smelting furnaces that do not fit either of these classifications. A mathematical description is presented for the case of a furnace that is fed continuously, but where the liquid slag and metallic products are tapped intermittently. The effects of slag and metal tapping intervals and the fraction of liquid retained in the furnace, are shown to have a significant effect on the residence time distribution.INTRODUCTIONThere are some processes in which the time spent by the feed material in a smelting furnace plays a significant role in determining the extent of the reactions between metal and slag and influences the degree of settling of metal droplets from a molten slag.Residence time distributions are well defined for batch and continuously stirred reactors. However, there exist many smelting furnaces that do not fit either of these classifications. Here we will focus on producing a mathematical description for the case of a furnace that is fed continuously, but where the liquid slag and metallic products are tapped intermittently. The effects of slag and metal tapping intervals and the fraction of liquid retained in the furnace, are studied.Previous work (Jones, la Grange and Assis, 1997) has studied the effect of retention time on the degree of cobalt recovery achieved in a slag reduction process. In that work, a method was proposed for the calculation of the mean residence time of the contents of a pilot-plant furnace. That approach is to be extended here for the purposes of providing a more general design or scale-up tool.The maximum allowable depth of molten material in a given furnace is affected by such factors as the desired batch size (or the size of the ladles) and the pressure of the molten material that the tap-hole and surrounding system can withstand. Within these constraints, there might be some scope for choice of taphole position. The effects of this choice need to be understood mathematically."

Jan 1, 2012

By The Staff

"SummaryDetermination of uranium in ores may be made by measurement of their radioactivity.The method most commonly used is that of measuring beta radiations with the tray-type beta counter. This will give an accurate uranium determination provided the sample does not contain thurium and that the beta and gamma activities have not been disturbed from their natural state of equilibrium. Such a loss of equilibrium will result from mining the ore or from the weathering of the surface rock.A method is described which eliminates errors due to loss of equilibrium. The beta and gamma activities are measured simultaneously in one simple operation. This method is recommended for assaying samples of products from milling operations and its use is limited only by the presence of thorium in a ratio greater than one part of thorium to twenty parts of uranium.A third method is recommended for the analysis of exploration samples and diamond drill cores, which may be assayed in the uncrushed state.Rapid determinations of a large number of samples is possible with the pressure ionization chamber, which is sensitive to gamma activity."

Jan 1, 1950

By M. Maeda, H. Sasaki

"Precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium are commonly used for automotive catalyst converters. To recover these metals with lower environmental load and cost, exposure to zinc vapor was proposed as a pretreatment prior to acid leaching. Alloying with zinc is expected to enhance dissolution of precious metals and reduce the amount of toxic chemical agents required for the leaching. This study examined the effect of the alloying pretreatment using model catalysts. Catalysts were immersed in leaching solutions for a predefined time with or without zinc vapor pretreatment, and the amount of dissolved metals was then evaluated. INTRODUCTIONAutomotive catalysts account for large portions of the world consumption of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh) (Butler, J., 2011). Because of their limited production and high prices, recovery of the precious metals from spent catalysts is obviously an important issue. A representative structure of an automotive catalytic converter can be described as a monolithic ceramic support with a honeycomb structure which is coated with porous oxides such as those of aluminum (Al2O3), cerium (CeO2), and zirconium (ZrO2) (Heck & Farrauto, 2001; Matsumoto & Shinjoh, 2007). Small particles of precious metals, originally several nanometers or less, adhere to the oxides.Typical recovery processes for precious metals from scraps are shown in Figure 1 (a)-(c) (Habashi, 1997; Yoo, 1998; Shibata & Okuda, 2002). Precious metals can be recovered by using non-ferrous smelters as Figure 1 (a) shows. Smelted along with metals such as copper (Cu), precious metals and ceramics in the scraps are absorbed into the metal phase and slag phase, respectively. Because the metals separate from Cu as anode slime in successive electro-refining, such a process can recover precious metals as co-products of Cu. However, in order to prevent negative effects on the principal process, a specialized procedure is needed. Figure 1 (b) is a specialized approach in which scraps are melted at elevated temperature with Cu called the Rose process. Here Cu works as a collector metal, and the absorbed precious metals are then concentrated by oxidation of Cu. Such a process can separate precious metals from ceramics constituting catalyst converters. Smelting at high temperature, however, requires extensive equipment as well as a high amount of energy. On the other hand, hydrometallurgical processes may be effective to separate precious metals from ceramics into an aqueous solution, because chemical agents can act on these metals selectively (Figure 1 (c)). Leaching of precious metals, however, requires strong acid and oxidizing agents because of their corrosion resistance; this makes liquid waste disposal and the large environmental load controversial. To solve the problem, a metal vapor pretreatment was proposed (Okabe, Yamamoto, Kayanuma, & Maeda, 2003a, 2003b; Kayanuma, Okabe, Mitsuda, & Maeda., 2004; Kayanuma, Okabe, & Maeda, 2004; Itoh, Kayanuma, Miyake, Kimura, & Maeda, 2005). A flow diagram of the process using zinc (Zn) vapor is shown by Fig. 1(d). Exposed to Zn vapor, precious metals are expected to form alloys which dissolve more easily than pure precious metals, thus reducing the use of chemical agents and environmental load involved with successive leaching. In previous research (Sasaki, Miyaki, & Maeda, 2010; Sasaki & Maeda, 2010, 2012), dissolutions of precious metal alloys formed by Zn vapor treatment were examined in hydrochloric acid (HCl) using an electrochemical method, and it was confirmed that these metals dissolved at higher rates from the alloys than from their pure states (Figure 2). In this study, the availability of the alloying pretreatment was demonstrated by testing on model catalysts in leaching solutions."

Jan 1, 2012

By J. R. Parga T., P. J. Valenzuela G., L. S. Quiroz C., P. Guerrero G., J. L. Valenzuela G.

"Pressure oxidation is a hydrometallurgical pre-treatment process used for refractory auriferous sulfide ores. In the work reported here, a refractory pyrite ore sample from the Mulatos mine, Sonora, Mexico was characterized. The sample was subjected to atmospheric cyanidation, and simultaneous pressure oxidation and cyanidation under different conditions of temperature and pressure. The mineral characterization showed that pyrite is the main species in the sample. The gold extraction tests were carried out in an 1-litre Parr pressure vessel at a temperature range of 90-120 °C, a pressure range of 87.5–150 psi (using oxygen), and a cyanide concentration range of 0.8-1.2 %wt. The gold extraction results showed that diffusion through product layer is the rate controlling step.INTRODUCTIONIn hydrometallurgical precious metals extraction, the most commonly used process is sodium cyanide leaching, as shown in the next reactions involving gold and silver (Fleming, 1992; Marsden & House, 2006):4Au(s) + 8CN- (aq) + 2H2O(l) + O2(g) ? 4Au(CN)2 -(aq) + 4OH- (aq) (1)4Ag(s) + 8CN- (aq) + 2H2O(l) + O2(g) ? 4Ag(CN)2 (aq) + 4OH- (aq) (2)“Refractory” auriferous ores or concentrates often contain gold and silver locked inside other sulfide phases such as pyrite. This renders cyanidation ineffective, so oxidative pre-treatments are used in order to convert the sulfide minerals into porous oxide minerals and make cyanidation work more efficiently. Reaction (3) shows the oxidation of pyrite in alkaline media and the formation of the porous oxide (Koslides & Ciminelli, 1992):2FeS2 (s) + 15/2 O2 (g) + 8H- (aq) ? Fe2O3 (s) + 4SO4 2- (aq) +4H2O(l) (3)A process of simultaneous chemical pressure oxidation and cyanide leaching for a flotation concentrate produced in the mine of Bacís, Durango, in Mexico, gave good results (Parga et al., 2007). In the study presented here, it was intended to use this treatment for a refractory pyrite mineral from the Mulatos mine in Sahuaripa, Sonora, Mexico, modifying variables such as pressure, temperature and cyanide concentration to find the best conditions for oxidation and leaching."

Jan 1, 2012