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By A. Majumdar, B. Servière, H. Persson

The CCR refinery, which was built in 1931, treats both internal and third party copper anodes to produce 325,000 mt of copper as cathodes. These anodes contain high levels of impurities, such as Ni, As, Sb and Bi, that reports to the electrolyte during the refining step and need to be removed in order to maintain cathode quality and operating efficiencies. In the purification plant, the electrolyte is de-copperized via electrowinning in three stages. In the last stage, the copper content of the electrolyte is reduced to below 1 gpl in order to maximize the co-deposition of As, Sb and Bi with the Cu. This is accomplished with minimum arsine gas generation by using periodic reversal of the current and by controlling the final copper content of the electrolyte. Nevertheless, the possibility of exposure to arsine is treated as a major risk and controls have been implemented to reduce this risk. This paper describes the controls in place at the purification plant, which are being continuously improved through periodic risk assessments and audits. INTRODUCTION The CCR Refinery, which is a part of Glencore Canada Corporation and located in Montreal-East, Quebec, is a custom copper and precious metal refinery, with a capacity to refine 325,000 tonnes of copper anodes per year. Copper anodes are received from the Horne smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Altonorte smelter in Chile and other 3rd party smelters. CCR anodes are produced using the spent anodes from the tankhouse along with purchased spent anodes and copper scrap. The precious metal plant treats the tankhouse anode slime, purchased anode slime, precious metal ingots and Doré anodes from Glencore’s Brunswick lead smelter in Belledune, New Brunswick. CCR products include copper cathodes, silver and gold bullion, a platinum-palladium concentrate, selenium, tellurium dioxide and nickel sulfate. In 1975 an accident occurred at CCR where two employees were exposed to fatal levels of arsine emitted from the then existing purification cells. This process was therefore shut down immediately. Research and development work was then initiated to determine the optimum electrowinning conditions whereby arsine gas generation would be minimized while maintaining high copper and impurity removal efficiencies. It was found that the application of periodic reversal of current (PRC) during the last stage of electrowinning retarded the onset of arsine formation while at the same time allowing the copper concentration to be reduced to less than 1 gpl (Houlachi & Claessens, 1978). A new purification plant was designed based on the PRC technology and was started up in 1976. In addition to the use of PRC electrowinning, the new plant is located in a fully enclosed section of the tankhouse. A special effort was made to design a ventilation system to evacuate the acid mist in addition to any arsine gas. Arsine monitors were installed to measure the emissions from the stack along with arsine levels in the workroom. The arsine monitors and the ventilation system were interlocked with the rectifiers (Thiriar et al., 1983).

Jan 1, 2019

By D. W. Davis, P. Landais, L. J. Robb

Nodules of carbonaceous matter have been observed in several Archaean peraluminous granites adjoining the gold- and uranium-bearing Witwatersrand Basin. These nodules, which resemble solid bitumen, usually replace uraninite or uranothorite and are paragenetically late. They show many similarities to kerogen seams and nodules associated with the conglomerate horizons in the Witwatersrand Basin, including composition, maturation, intimate association with uraninite, and a late paragenesis. U-Pb isotope ratios for granite-hosted and Witwatersrand kerogens define a single, albeit somewhat diffuse, Ph-loss discordia suggesting an upper intercept age of circa 2300 Ma. Carbon isotope analysis indicates lighter Ol3C values for the granite-hosted nodules than for the sediment-hosted kerogen seams. Raman spectroscopy indicates that granite-hosted kerogen is more highly ordered than Witwatersrand seam kerogen. A model is presented which links the granitoidand sediment-hosted organic matter to an event of oil generation in the Witwatersrand Basin circa 2300 Ma ago. Light hydrocarbons migrated through the sediments and into underlying/adjacent granitic rocks, undergoing polymerization and accumulation in response to radiation accompanying the presence of high-uranium phases.

Jan 1, 1994

By Nima Nabavi

Shovels and excavators have significant blind spots due to their large sizes, increasing the chances of collision with other surrounding equipment such as haul trucks, loaders, and dozers. While a camera surveillance system is very useful in preventing collision, it can benefit from two additional features: (i) the ability to display the distance of the closest object within the view, and more importantly (ii) the ability to warn the operator if objects are getting too close. After a comparison between few different technologies, it is explained how these features can be provided by integrating rugged pulsar radar sensors with a camera system. The specific radar technology is already field proven in the harsh mining environments. Motion Metrics International Corp. has developed this exact product, which combines its 4-camera surveillance system (ViewMetricsTM) with a series of rugged radar sensor elements, named ViewMetricsTM-Radar. The radar system employs intelligent CAN bus communication to reduce wiring, hence improving hardware reliability with built-in troubleshooting features. A USB connection is the only hardware bridge between the radar sensors and the embedded computer. As such, an existing ViewMetricsTM system can be easily upgraded to ViewMetricsTM-Radar. As addition of new interfaces to the cab could result in operator distraction, this paper explains how ViewMetricsTM-Radar reduces distraction compared to other radar collision prevention systems.

Oct 1, 2009

By L. Bichler, C. J. Verdon

In this work, the effect of doping yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with 5, 10 and 15 mol% erbium oxide (Er2O3, erbia) was investigated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. Sintering was carried out at 1300°C with 30 and 60MPa uniaxial pressures and a 5min hold time. Densification kinetics were studied using displacement response from the SPS machine. As-sintered microstructure characterization was carried out via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, while chemical composition was characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results suggest that sintering carried out at 60MPa produced high density composites even though erbia dopants were found to inhibit material densification and grain growth during sintering. 5, 10 and 15mol% erbia- YSZ had cubic crystal structures, as verified by XRD analysis.

Jan 1, 2014

By M. Specht, D. Pörzgen, W. Lorenz, A. /. Buhr, R. P. Racher

The introduction of the near net-shape casting process at CORUS Staal IJmuiden in January 2000 required changes of secondary metallurgy processes including a development towards more aggressive slag compositions in the steel ladle. Therefore the steel ladle lining has been changed from fired andalusite bricks to magnesia-carbon bricks and, most recently, to fired spinel bricks to withstand the severe slag conditions. In comparison to the andalusite bricks the new steel ladle linings have a higher thermal conductivity. This requires the capability to keep the lining warm by ladle preheaters to sustain the overall thermal stability of the steel ladle in case of interruptions during hot cycling of the ladles.

Jan 1, 2004

By B. Krysa, A. Mitsui, T. L. Koehler

The presence of arsenic, even at trace levels, in copper processing leads to the risk of arsine gas where reducing conditions exist that can reduce any soluble arsenic present to its minus 3 valance state and generate hydrogen gas from the solutions. This risk is understood to be significant within the industry, particularly in the case of liberator cells where copper concentrations in solution are drawn down to remove the copper and impurities from the bleed stream. However, there are numerous other potential areas where the arsine gas risk exists including contact between active metal such as iron, zinc or aluminum and arsenic bearing solutions in pyrometallurgical dust treatment, refining and acid plant operations. In turn this breaks down to different mitigating strategies dependent on the risk scenarios considered; for example, how this risk interacts with Change Management, Confined Space Entry or Contractor Training. The ISO 45001 is an emerging standard meant to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create safer working conditions all over the world. The paper shows a case study of how a framework consistent with the tenets of ISO 45001 has been used to provide a consistent assessment of this risk for a wide variety of copper operations and the expectations of how this may be used to effectively improve the effectiveness of barriers against future incidents. INTRODUCTION Arsine gas (AsH3), first identified in 1775, is a highly poisonous, colorless, non-irritating gas with a mild garlic odor that is heavier than air. Arsine gas is generated when reducing conditions are generated in the presence of hydrogen ions and arsenic compounds. Present permissible occupational exposure limit as defined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as an 8-hour time-weighted average is ppm (0.2 mg/m3). Further increasing the risk, conventional respiratory protection utilizing half or full masks with gas filtering cartridges provide minimal protection against arsine. In copper processing plants, the risk of arsine generation is well understood in liberator cells, which are part of the electrolysis process. In this process, solutions containing copper are reduced in copper concentration removing not only the copper, but also arsenic, antimony and bismuth. The residual solution can be bled to control impurity build-up in the refinery. In this process, if the copper concentration is reduced to the point where As3- can form, arsine gas is generated via reaction with hydrogen ions generated during the plating process. The copper concentration at which arsine gas is generated depends on copper concentration at the cathode surface, the temperature and the acidity. As a result, there is always a risk of arsine gas generation in the liberator cell. Process measures to minimize or mitigate arsine evolution are tight control on final copper concentration, warm temperatures, fresh feed distribution and internal acid recirculation rates. Operator exposure protection measures are hooding, ventilation, arsine detection systems, restricted personnel access, automated shutdown controls and pre-defined evacuation plans.

Jan 1, 2019

By B. Oraee-Mirzamani

One the most important tasks after excavation of tunnels is the implementation and installation of a support system. Tunnel collapse poses a safety hazard and can cause worker injuries. In addition, it may have a severe economic impact because tunnel collapse can stop production and ore transportation. Therefore, an appropriate and well-designed support system is necessary for collapse prevention and to help stabilize the tunnels. In this research, we suggest a support system for the Parvade1 underground coal mine. The study case is a common mining roadway tunnel in the E1 longwall panel in this mine. To design an appropriate support system, we used the finite element method (Phase2 software). The results of this research can be used to design support systems for future tunnels in this mine and any coal mine that has similar conditions.

Aug 1, 2013

By James J. Scott

"In the two years since their introduction, Friction Rock Stabilizershave replaced40 per cent of the previously used fixtures in the metal and non-metal mines in the United States. The Friction Rock Stabilizer, or ""Split Set "" , is a mechanical rock stabilizing system which uses friction to prevent rock movement . The Split Set is a tapered, rolled, steel tube that is slotted along its length. As it is driven into a drilled hole smaller than its diameter, it compresses, pre-loading the surrounding rock. This paper discusses the uses and acceptance of the friction rock stabilizer in mines in the United States. IntroductionFriction Rock Stabilizers, commonly called Split Set™· Stabilizers, have been under development by the author and Ingersoll-Rand Company since early 1973. Five years of intensive laboratory and field testing led to their introduction to the metal mines in the United States in the fall of 1976. Actual sales started in February of 1977and, to date, over five million units have been marketed to metal mines. The present rate of usage is near 3 V2 million units per year, which is approximately 50070 of all roof fixtures used in the United States metal mining industry,Richard Hoppe, senior editor of Engineering & Mining Journal. , in an article in the February 1979 issue entitled ""Winning the Battle Against Bad Ground"", said: ""In hardrock mining operations in the western U.S., particularly underground uranium mines where exceedingly difficult ground is common, no roof support system has been accepted more quickly than the Split Set friction bolt invented by Dr. James J . Scott and developed by Ingersoll-Rand Co."" This paper describes how Friction Rock Stabilizers function and presents technical data to show the uniqueness of such systems."

Jan 1, 1980

By J. H. Rickard, D. H. Watkinson

"Abstract - Detailed petrographic and quantitative (electron microprobe, SEM-EDS) mineralchemical analyses of sulfide ore from the 100 orebody at the Copper Cliff North mine, Copper Cliff, Ontario, reveal numerous stages of ore development. Sharp contacts between weakly mineralized quartz diorite and blebby to massive sulfides indicate multiple intrusive events within the Copper Cliff offset dike. A spatial association of sulfides and hydrous minerals, such as amphibole, biotite, chlorite and epidote, suggests that most primary ore has been affected by later hydrothermal fluids. Sulfides are often enclosed or bordered by these secondary silicate phases. The ore consists primarily of pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, with trace michenerite, cobaltite/gersdorffite, irarsite, hessite, tsumoite, and bismuth tellurides.Geological and petrological comparison of the 100 orebody and the adjacent 900 and 890 orebodies has revealed distinct similarities in ore distribution. Data show that the 100 orebody is depleted in platinum-group elements (PGE) relative to the 900 orebody. Platinum-group elements from the 100 orebody may have been hydrothermally remobilized and partly emplaced in the 900 orebody, in adjacent veins, or in magmatic breccia. Analysis of Cu, Ni, and PGE assay data of ore samples has characterized their distribution among the eight different ore textures in the orebody. There is a strong association between Pt and interstitial sulfide, and to a lesser extent massive sulfide, but little correlation between chalcopyrite-rich ore and PGE in the 100 orebody, unlike many other deposits in the Sudbury region."

Jan 1, 2001

By Robert A. Creaser, Iain Mitchell, Robert L. Linnen

Abstract - The Bermuda Zn-Pb showing is hosted by dolomitized Blue Fiord Formation of Devonian age, located east of the Ensorcellement dome on the Grinnell Peninsula of Devon Island. Fluid inclusions in hydrothermal calcite indicate that the mineralization precipitated from low-temperature, highly saline brines. The ?34S compositions of sphalerite, galena, and marcasite range from 16.1‰ to 35.2‰. Consequently, the Bermuda showing is interpreted to be Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) mineralization. The apparent age of mineralization has been determined by the Rb-Sr method from sphalerite separates, and a Late Devonian age of 357 ± 50 Ma (MSWD=65), with an initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.7083 ± 0.0020 is indicated. This date, within error, is the same as the Polaris deposit. This suggests that the mineralization formed during the Ellesmerian Orogen, although it is also possible that mineralization is associated with extension, related to the opening of the Sverdrup basin. The strontium and sulfur isotopes and fluid inclusion analyses indicate the involvement of a brine that acquired its salinity from interaction with evaporites, lower in the stratigraphic succession. The Polaris mine is the type deposit in the Cornwallis Zn-Pb district and is hosted by the Thumb Mountain Formation. The results of this study are significant because they demonstrate that regional brine movement is more widespread than previously recognized, and that MVT mineralization in the Cornwallis Zn-Pb district is not restricted to the Thumb Mountain Formation.

Jan 1, 2004

By George P. Demopoulos

In this paper the author will provide an overview of over 20 years of research & developments in the area of hydrometallurgical arsenic immobilization that culminated recently in the industrial implementation of the atmospheric scorodite process. The paper will consider various aspects of arsenic fixation in the non-ferrous metal industry from the iron-arsenic co-precipitation process employed to arsenic-bearing effluent solutions; to autoclave processing of arsenical copper and gold feedstocks and the fate of the in-situ formed iron sulphato-arsenate precipitate phases; the precipitation and stability of scorodite; the possible stabilizing role of mineral phases like yukonite, and the development of "scoroditeplus" processes employing novel encapsulation strategies. Emphasis is placed on the characterization and long-term stability of the various forms of arsenic-immobilized phases under either oxic or anoxic conditions over a wide pH range and the establishment of critical links between process parameters and hazardous material stability, contributing thus to advancement of new generation safe and sustainable waste management technologies.

Jan 1, 2014

By E. E. Mueser

As Mr. Lundberg has already ably covered the theory of various methods of electrical prospecting, I shall confine my remarks to a consideration of the features which must obtain in an electrical prospecting method in order that it may be useful from a practical standpoint. These remarks I shall make with particular reference to the Elbof method. The successful application of all these methods rests, in the first place, upon the possibility of correlating theory, or empirically established facts, with the field data. Their practical usefulness, however, requires that the technique of making the field observations, and the procedure itself, be such that the method may be applied to large areas, under normal average conditions. The method, therefore, should not involve excessive preliminary labour costs to prepare the ground for actual prospecting work, nor should the prospecting work itself be so slow that its cost, when applied to extensive areas, becomes prohibitive. Moreover, it should be possible to apply the method even under difficult terrain conditions, such as rough topography and dense vegetation. It may be said of most of the methods referred to in the preceding paper, that, while they are interesting and theoretically sound, they fail to meet such practical requirements as I have outlined.

Jan 1, 1926

By Reginals W. Burroughs

Diatomaceous or infusorial earth, also called diatomite; fossil meal, or kieselguhr, is derived from the lowest form of vegetable life, the unicellular alga:. It consists of the siliceous remains of extremely minute aquatic plants, which exist in both salt and fresh water. Light i~ a prerequisite to their development. These very small particles secrete silica in much the same way that molluscs secrete lime to form their shells. The diatoms at death sink to the bottom of the body of water in which they lived, and the organic matter gradually decays and is washed away, leaving the skeletons. Thousands of years are required by this means to develop bed5 of sufficient thickness to be of commercial value. The siliceous remains vary in size according to the species, but all are very minute and, as a general rule, they can be identified only under a high-power microscope. Over one thousand types have been distinguished and named. They are all composed of a hydrous or opalescent form of silica, with silica content ranging from seventy to ninety-five per cent. Magnified, they present an attractive sight, a very fragile structure with many interstitial openings known as cells. Many of them consist of two parts, defined as valves, held together by means of a girdle. Certain species, belonging to the Pinnularia family appear as a long comb, in half longitudinal section. The spaces between the teeth are the cells. This particular genus is very common in Nova Scotian deposits.

Jan 1, 1928

"The United Nations, through the secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and its Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Harmonization of Fossil Energy and Mineral Resources Terminology, developed the Framework Classification.The UN Classification applies to fossil energy and mineral reserves and resources located on or below the Earth's surface. It aims to simplify reporting of energy and mineral reserves and resources in a globalized world and is intended to improve global communications regarding remaining quantities of non-renewable fossil energy and mineral resources. The UN Classification is not recognized as a Foreign Code under NI 43-101.SECTION I1.,The United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC-2009) applies to fossil energy and mineral reserves and resources located on or below the Earth' s surface. It serves the needs for classification at a global level (for energy and mineral supply studies), for governments (resources management and policy formulation), for industry (business process management) and for financial reporting.SECTION II2.,The UNFC is a generic system in which quantities are classified on the basis of the three fundamental criteria of economic and social viability (E), field project status and feasibility (F), and geological knowledge (G), using a numerical coding system. Combinations of these criteria create a three-dimensional system. Categories (e.g. El, E2, E3) and, in some cases, sub-categories (e.g. E1.1) are defined for each of the three criteria as set out and defined in Annexes I and II.3 The first set of categories (the E axis) designates the degree of favourability of social and economic conditions in establishing the commercial viability of the project, including consideration of market prices and relevant legal, regulatory, environmental and contractual conditions. The second set (the F axis) designates the maturity of studies and commitments necessary to implement mining plans or development projects. These extend from early exploration efforts before a deposit or accumulation has been confirmed to exist through to a project that is extracting and selling a commodity, and reflect standard value chain management principles. The third set of categories (the G axis) designates the level of confidence in the geological knowledge and potential recoverability of the quantities.4. The categories and sub-categories are the building blocks of the system, and are combined in the form of ""classes"". The UNFC can be visualised in three dimensions, as shown in Figure 1, or represented in a practical two-dimensional abbreviated version as shown in Figure 2."

Jan 1, 2003

By C. E. Cartwright

That the construction of the Pacific Great Eastern railway has not been accompanied by an immediate and great development of traffic is not due to lack of natural resources in the district traversed, but to conditions that have delayed their development. Prior to the commencement of construction of the railway there was no inducement to prospect for any other mineral than gold, on account of lack of transportation. The war began soon after the commencement of construction; diverting practically all capital that might have been available for opening up the country; and since the war, capital has continued shy of new investments. If the war had not occurred it is probable that prospecting and development would have been carried out concurrently with the railway construction. Moreover, much of the district is covered deeply with drift, marine and alluvial deposits, rendering prospecting for lode mines a more expensive and slower proceeding than can generally be undertaken by the ordinary prospector, without capital. On the other hand, the presence of large porphyry dykes, granitic intrusions, and the finding of rich float in places are indications that rich miIY.ral deposits probably exist in several localities in the Lillooet district, in the Cariboo proper, and also nearer the coast. Two or three mines producing the tonnage of the? Britannia would materially alter the earnings of the railway and pay interest on the bonds. There are, however, other possibilities, in addition to large metaliferous mines, in the non-metallic minerals of the district.

Jan 1, 1925

By Herbert D. Drechsler

"THE FOLLOWING are some comments on the article, ""International Trade in Minerals and Economic Development"", by M. Sengupta, published in the October 1976 issue of the CIM Bulletin.Sengupta says in the introduction that ""The mechanism through which this growth (economic development) has occurred is basic ally straight forward"". His statement is quite misleading and perhaps it is better to quote Gerald Meier:""Development economists must operate in an imperfect second-best world, away from the simplified premises of neoclassical economics. Their subject matter is therefore not yet a coherent or self-contained discipline. Denied recourse to a set of general principles, perhaps the student's most sensible introduction to economic development is through a study of 'leading issues' that are at the time a major preoccupation of the development economist and development practitioner"" .Sengupta quotes an authority who wrote 18 years ago. Academic and operating development economists today know full well that existing theory is quite deficient. Sociologists, political scientists and engineers in this field also know that economic, social, political and technical development involves all academic disciplines.Sengupta indicates that tariffs in developed countries prevent less developed countries from supplying refined metal, or manufactured and semi-manufactured products. He lists Zambia, Chile and Zaire as examples of copper concentrate exporters, as inadequately shown in Table 1. He is wrong."

Jan 1, 1977

By Y. Masuda, Y. Nakamura, K. Haraguchi, A. Taniguchi, K. Arita

Availability of the elements originating from steelmaking slag for various marine phytoplankters including purely cultured strains and natural populations was tested in land and shipboard laboratories. The results obtained demonstrate that, although their solubility was not uniform among different slags, dissolved iron, silicate and phosphate from the slag stimulate phytoplankton growth. No negative effect of the slag addition on their growth was observed at lower dose, e.g. less than 200 mg/l. Since most coastal waters are the hypernitrogenous environment due to anthropogenic load of ammonium, the slag can be an ideal source of silicate and phosphate, which restore the hyper-nitrogenous condition into truly eutrophic condition with balanced Redfield ratio. In so-called HNLC (high-nitrate low-chlorophyll) oceanic areas such as the Southern Ocean and the subarctic North Pacific, where iron is almost only limiting factor of the phytoplankton growth, the slag could also be a source of iron and enhance CO2 fixation by phytoplankton photosynthesis. (Key words: carbon deposition in deep-sea, marine environmental remediation, phytoplankton, slag as a source of iron, phosphate and silicate.)

Jan 1, 2004

By W. R. Bacon

"IntroductionTHIS IS a brief discussion of certain regional and economic aspects of the Coast Range of British Columbia. Between Portland canal and the 60th parallel of latitude, only the eastern margin of the Range is in Canada. The solely British Columbia interval extends from Portland canal to Burrard inlet. Personal observations in various parts of this area form the basis for much of this paper.Regional GeologyGranitic RocksSome of the best, most continuous exposures in the Coast Range are found at sea level. Reconnaissance study of the coastline has shown that the Range is predominantly granitic in character, but there simplicity ends, for the term 'granitic' as applied to the Coast Range covers a variety of mineralogical compositions. Actual granite is quite uncommon, occurring mainly in irregular or dyke-like masses that do not achieve batholithic dimensions. It is commonly pinkish, relatively homogeneous, and exhibits few of the deformational features that are obvious in much of this plutonic complex.Most of the granitic rocks of the Range fall well within the compositional limits of quartz diorite and granodiorite. The problem of resolving the great mass of these rocks into smaller coherent units is in general a difficult one. As noted above, granitic rock of uniform composition and texture is found in restricted areas and can be outlined without much difficulty. One such body occurs on the southern shore of Nelson island."

Jan 1, 1955

By C. F. Hews, P. N. Calder

"MIROC and The Mining Industry The Mining Industry Research Organization of Canada (MIROC), incorporated in 1975, is a non-profit organization sponsored by member companies from within the Canadian mining industry. The Canadian mining industry is a world leader in technological development and in organizational and human resources development. A prime objective within the industry is to retain this leadership and also improve its competitive position worldwide.MIROC is dedicated to support the objectives of its member companies and their common interest, and the objectives of the industry. In this context: MIROC's mission is to encourage the formulation of ideas to improve mining technology and methods by any source, and to foster the development and testing of promising initiatives in progressive steps from the early stages of conceptual and feasibility research through manufacture to delivery of new technology to the mining industry. In so doing MIROC plays an important role in the development of individuals skilled in mining research. Management ApproachMIROC's research program is driven by member companies who have interests throughout Canada. The board of directors approve projects that are acceptable to its members. While MIROC's basic research funding is provided by its member companies, about 30% of its annual research budget is now derived from royalties generated from previous research activities."

Jan 1, 1994

By Charles Tkaczuk

In order to remain competitive the mining industry must keep up with changes in technology. Many innovative technologies from the mining perspective are commonplace in other industries. A ?Global? review of technologies will often reveal existing technologies that can be innovatively applied in the mining industry. Industries, which are rife with proven solutions include, medicine, biotechnology, security, manufacturing, telecommunications, etc. This paper addresses the communications aspect of mining where greater productivity, lower costs and the ability to quickly react to mining related events is obtained through an increase in remote monitoring and operating control. A review of the communications systems in place globally reveals technologies that, with minimal modification, can be immediately applied to the mining environment. We discuss the concept, advantages and implementation of existing communications technology from an industry that is not usually associated with the mining industry. This technology will form the basis of a solid platform on which can be built a state-of-the-art process monitoring, control, and communication system. This lays the groundwork for providing one solution to the underground mining industry?s most difficult problem, establishing a reliable, maintainable and cost-effective underground bi-directional wired/wireless data, video and analog communications system. We need look no further than our own doorsteps to find such a solution. The cable that you see coming from the simple green or brown box on the boulevard into your home contains hundreds of television broadcast channels, FM radio channels and data channels. And if you have a set-top box, you are in control of it all. The Cable Television Broadcast Distribution System suppliers of today are at the leading edge of converging all the different methods of communications onto a common carrier, coaxial cable or fibre optic cable. There is no fundamental difference between providing a reliable communications network to a city/neighbourhood/home/personal computer than there is to a mining operation/underground level/equipment or person. The principle is the same. Only the application is different. Realizing this, we can capitalize on the efforts of other industrial sectors, to solve our communications problem. Where else can you find a solution to a problem that is mature, having been developed with the input of thousands of engineers, and having hundreds of millions of dollars spent on research and development, manufacturing, distribution, global presence and engineering support?

May 1, 2003