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By S. D. Graham

"The extractive metallurgy of gold is largely controlled by mineralogical factors such as the presence of refractory gold, particle size, gangue mineral associations, presence of preg-robbers, oxygen and cyanide consumers, and locking characteristics in base metal sulphides. Light microscopy and automated mineralogy techniques are regularly used to characterise the effect of these variables on gold recovery. However, despite their widespread application there are a range of limitations when grades are low. Typically, the analysis of low-grade samples requires the preparation and analysis of numerous polished blocks. This is often costly and time consuming, with complexities regarding analysing statistically representative particle quantities and problems overcoming stereological bias. This is compounded by the “nugget” effect and high tenor nature of gold mineralisation. X-ray Microscopy techniques have the potential to overcome many of these problems, in particular the statistical representivity of analysis, removing stereological bias and effectively locating phases that are present in ultra-trace proportions. In this paper we outline the potential benefits of employing X-ray Microscopy (XRM) in characterising gold losses from a typical Cu-Au porphyry project, which were illusive in 2D based analysis. The talk will also outline additional application areas of XRM within the extractive value chain."

Jan 1, 2017

By B. Lewis

Paper did not make deadline for printing

Jan 1, 1982

By R. E. Eyre

ALTHOUGH the idea of roasting zinc concentrates in suspension had intrigued investigators for a number of years, no commercial application of a process appeared successful until the development of the "Cominco" process. The efficiency and high capacity of this process may be judged by the fact that nearly all other electrolytic plants and many zinc retort plants in the world use this method. A furnace of the Cominco type can roast without special preparatory treatment and without supplementary fuel, mineral sulphides such as zinc sulphides and iron sulphides containing varying amounts of moisture at any desired rate ranging from one-half up to full capacity. The full capacity of a unit is in general about three times that of a multiple hearth furnace of the same size. The latest type of "Cominco" furnace can be built for capacities from 25 to 500 tons per day. The quality of the calcine is subject to positive control and may be

Jan 1, 1961

By Thomas H. Heine

"The Rabbit Lake uranium deposit is located at 58° 11’00”N.. 103°42'36""W., close to the west side of Wollaston Lake, and approximately 800 km north of Saskatoon. The orebody is hosted by Aphebian Wollaston Group rocks, initially deposited as a series of shallow-water marine sediments consisting, in part, of carbonates and possible saliferous petites. Metamorphism during the Hudsonian Orogeny, peaking at about 1850 Ma, recrystallized the sediments to upper amphibolite grade paragneisses. This was accompanied by partial anatexis. The waning stages of Hudsonian orogenesis appear to be marked by minor granitic intrusive activity.The post-Hudsonian period was marked by a long interval of physical and chemical erosion, resulting in the unroofing of the Wollaston metamorphic complex. The entire region underwent extensive lateritic weathering under tropical to subtropical conditions. Carbonates were especially vulnerable and, in the Rabbit Lake area, suffered extensive solutioning with accompanying formation of collapse breccias. Old zones of weakness also underwent periodic reactivation.It was during this period that uranium was leached from the surrounding meta-sediments by oxidizing meteoric waters, and transported into the karsted and fractured rocks of the Rabbit Lake doline.Athabasca Group sediments eventually covered the deposit, their diagenesis taking place at about 200 °C and 900 bars. This allowed the partial to complete recrystallization of the initial mineralization, resulting in a minimum age of 1281 ± 11 Major ""first""-generation pitchblende. Periodic fault/fracture reactivation modified the hydrologic regime within the deposit, resulting in episodic mobilization and recrystallization of pitchblende and other uraniferous species. This is clearly shown in the open pit at the present time: uranium is being mobilized and recrystallized on damp pit walls as bayleyite and liebigite due to the modification of the hydrologic system by mining activities.The uranium mineralization occurs mainly as fracture fillings, coatings, and impregnations within breccia zones and intensely altered metasediments. Lesser mineralization is intimately associated with phyllosilicates which form the matrix of a carbonate-col/apse mega-breccia. The primary ore mineral is pitchblende, consisting of five generations, and from which a large suite of secondary uraniferous minerals have formed. On a gross scale the metal content of this deposit appears to be simple, consisting almost exclusively of U, but minor Ni, As, Cu, Se, Fe and Co are also present. The eastern limit of the mineralization is defined by a vertically-dipping microgranite dyke - breccia complex, containing high-grade uranium values. The orebody is truncated to the west and at depth by the Rabbit Lake reverse fault. Minor mineralization occurs as fracture fillings in unaltered plagioclasite in the footwall of the ore body. Precipitation of uranium from solution could have taken place by a number of processes. A mobile reductant (methane, carbon dioxide, etc.) may have been generated from graphite present in some of the host rocks of the orebody. Sulphides are also a common accessory and may have aided in the formation of a reducing environment. Phyllosilicates may have acted as adsorbants for uranium, allowing for its fixation. This metal has also been incorporated into the phyllosilicates themselves."

Jan 1, 1986

By Bruce A. McFarlane

"I WOULD LIKE TO SAY how honoured I am that I have been invited to participate in this panel discussion. I have taken the liberty of narrowing my topic somewhat so that instead of speaking on the Sociology of Professions as a whole I will speak on one aspect of it, that is, on Manpower Problems in the Minerals industry of Canada, with some reference to a new social role for the professionals engaged in this industry. This probably means that I will be encroaching on areas covered or to be covered by other speakers, but I hope that when I do so I will do so from a slightly different vantage point. That is, from a sociological perspective rather than from a historical, industrial, business or professional perspective. I plan to divide my discussion into three areas, namely: (i) problems of ownership and control; (ii) environmental problems; and (iii) manpower and recruitment problems. I do not plan nor am I able to provide clear-cut solutions to the various problems I raise under these three headings. Rather, I hope that my discussion of the problems may form the basis for an extended discussion here and elsewhere. Because of the limitations of time, I will only briefly discuss the first two problem areas noted above – (i) ownership and control and (ii) environmental problems - and I plan to concentrate on the manpower issue."

Jan 1, 1972

By M. M. Holgate

"Porosity neutron deflection scales can be derived more easily by cumulative correlation than by the conventional method of plotting corresponding points on a graph. The micro-log can be used as a porosity datum for the neutron log by transforming the permeability cut-off it shows to a porosity cut-off by a permeability-porosity function obtained from core analysis. Porosity footage values calculated in this manner from the neutron log are within 20 per cent of core analysis values."

Jan 1, 1960

By John F. Kearney

Labrador Iron Mines (?LIM?) Schefferville Projects consist of 20 major DSO deposits lying along a 120 km strike length in both the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and in Quebec. The town of Schefferville, Quebec lies close to the middle of this 120 km strike. LIM?s various properties comprise twenty different iron ore deposits which were part of the original Iron Ore Company of Canada (?IOC?) direct shipping Schefferville operations conducted from 1954 to 1982 and formed part of the 250 million tons of historical reserves and resources previously identified by IOC. LIM intends to develop all these resources in five separate stages. The first four stages will see the various deposits treated in three beneficiation plants, to be built adjacent to several of the deposits that comprise the Central, South Central and North Central Zones. The final stage is not yet planned but will likely involve a fourth plant. A Feasibility Study has not been completed on any of these Projects. LIM plans the development and mining of the various deposits in separate Stages. It should be noted that only the James and Redmond deposits have been permitted. All other deposits require environmental assessment and permitting. Only the James and Redmond deposits have been subject to detailed mine design. The Houston deposit has had preliminary mine design carried out. All other deposits will require detailed mine design when further geological data is collected and compiled. Detailed metallurgical testwork has been carried out on blue ore from James, Houston, Redmond and Knob deposits and to a more limited extent on yellow and red ores from these deposits. Only limited review work has been carried out on the high-silica blue ores. All of this work will be needed to be complete to confirm the final process routes. Additionally some metallurgical work will be required to be conducted on each of the other deposits to characterize their metallurgical response and to confirm expected recovery levels. Detailed mine design and metallurgical testwork has been carried out on those deposits that will form the basis of production for the initial years but further exploration, testwork and design is required for all the remaining resources. The first plant at Silver Yards and mine construction at James are now complete and initial production is expected in the spring of 2011. Metallurgical testing of the first stage deposits has established that the ore can be successfully upgraded to marketable standards. Based on the current testwork, a program of plant enhancement on the Silver Yards plant is now planned with the objective to increase both the plant throughput and recovery. Production of direct shipping lump ore and sinter fines is forecast at around 1.5 million tonnes in 2011 and, based on current and historical resources, growing to approximately 5 million tonnes in 2015 and thereafter. Production from the first four stages is expected to continue at about this rate through to about 2028.

May 1, 2011

By Barry Hope, Javier Rico

"Goldcorp’s Hoyle Pond mine has recently completed several projects which have impacted the overall ventilation system. The project includes extending the Fresh Air Raise (FAR) to depth, development of a new Return Air Raise (RAR), and the installation of new sensors and ventilation controls throughout the mine. Two years after the completion of #2 Winze, the mine is ramping up its ore production to 1,300 tpd (up from 1,100). To ensure safe and profitable production, a reliance upon technology has been needed to provide the required ventilation to the work areas according to the mine plan. To systematically assess the mine’s ventilation in real-time, a significant increase in remote monitoring was required. This included installing additional flow, pressure, temperature and gas sensors. The first step in upgrading the existing monitoring was to purchase airflow and differential pressure monitors and install them in key areas of the mine. This paper presents the process of expanding the monitoring capability at Hoyle Pond mine, the selected equipment and the results of the implementation. The intended goal was to improve safety while minimizing capital and operation costs. The monitors were installed in strategic locations to provide immediate feedback on the impact of changes to the primary ventilation airflows. Comparing the available sensor technologies, installing them and systematically monitoring the ventilation served as a first step towards developing a mine wide Ventilation Control System. In addition, the initial state of the monitoring and control system, with final results and the chosen solution for the mine site, are presented. INTRODUCTION The Hoyle Pond mine is located in the City of Timmins, within the Porcupine mining district, Ontario, which has produced more than 70 million ounces of gold since 1910. Currently, approximately 60% of Porcupine Gold Mines gold production comes from the Hoyle Pond underground mine. Mechanized cut and fill and long-hole mining methods are used to extract the ore. The remainder of the ore comes from the Hollinger Open Pit mine. The Dome Underground mine ceased operations in 2017. Hoyle Pond is currently mining at 1820 meters below the surface and plans to go deeper. The average dry-bulb as wet-bulb temperature underground varies according to the depth and surface conditions which has extremes of –40°C in winter to +30°C in summer. The total airflow volume pushed down from surface is 240 m3/s to accommodate the diesel-powered equipment needed for normal operations. In order to improve the quality of air underground a program has been implemented to use diesel particulate filters, starting with the truck fleet and 6-yard scoops, followed by the intention to implement the rest of the functional diesel-powered equipment and eventually move to electric equipment."

Jan 1, 2019

By Leonardo F. Trivino

Despite the significant economical and safety implications of poor blasting practice in mining and quarrying operations, the default practice in many large operations, including both design and control, is considerably below standard when compared to other engineering disciplines. Blast dynamics includes a number of complex phenomena, such as the generation, propagation and interaction of stress waves, the expansion of high pressure, high temperature gases from the explosive components, and their combined effects upon the rock mass, including fracturing, fragmentation and displacement. In order to tackle this non-trivial problem, a combined finite and discrete element software (Y-code) capable of accounting for the dynamic behaviour of stress waves, simulating fracturing processes and modeling the expansion of gases is under development. The constitutive models used in this particular software are fundamentally simple, however, non-linearity and chaotic behaviour result as natural consequences of the interaction of relatively simple processes and mechanisms, such as propagation of stress waves in the immediate vicinity of the exploding borehole, and the creation and propagation of fractures. Advances on its development and comparisons with experimental data show realistic propagation of stress waves and fracture networks.

May 1, 2013

By C. Caballero, K. Itagaki, P. Morales, A. Moyano, J. Font

Codelco-Chile is considering different processing options for the new projected concentrate from the Alejandro Hales mine. This concentrate is featured by its high arsenic content of up to 6%. Thus, it is important for Codelco Norte Smelter to define the technical feasibility for processing this high-arsenic bearing concentrate in its main smelting unit as it is the Teniente Converter, which beside of its dual feeding system can enhance the arsenic removal by volatilization. The present paper which is a part of an extensive research work will focus in the performed industrial scale test for processing about 7,000 tonnes of a high-arsenic bearing concentrates in the Teniente Converter at the processing rate of about 2,300 tpd. The impact on the chemical quality of the produced high grade matte will be discussed, and the effect of the As removal by increasing the Teniente Converter processing rate of concentrates up to 3,000 tpd when producing 70% Cu in the white metal will also be addressed.

Jan 1, 2007

By A. D. Huffman

This paper covers the major salt deposits of Canada, with a brief summary of the early history of the industry and a more extended outline of progress since the second world war. Both dry mining and solution mining are covered, and the future of salt mining in Canada is discussed.

Jan 1, 1968

By A. Zrimsek, G. Vingas, R. Wolke

IN 1952, prompted by the great demand of the Canadian drilling and foundry industries for sodium bentonite, the Geological Department of Magnet Cove Barium Corporation, Limited began an extensive search for bentonite deposits throughout western Canada. Their efforts were rewarded in 1958, when substantial deposits of high quality material were found approximately 100 miles southeast of Edmonton, Alberta. The bentonite material, a part of the Edmonton formation in the Upper Cretaceous, is located approximately nine miles south of the town of Rosalind. The land where the bentonite lies has in places .been eroded by stream and glacial action to form a wide gully, convenient for strip mining methods (see Figure 1). The bentonite bed is almost flat-lying, dipping to the southwest at approximately 12 feet per mile. The main bed is 8 to. 10 feet thick and is covered with 15 to 25 feet of overburden. Before stripping, the area is drilled and sampled to evaluate the quantity and quality of the bentonite.

Jan 1, 1962

By J. J. Crowder, A. L. Coulson

Ground support is a significant component of underground mining costs. The rehabilitation of failed support, however, is often much more expensive than the initial installation. This paper investigates whether the right type and length of support can be designed correctly the first time, through forward modelling of the support and the mining process. Back analyses demonstrate how high-quality instrumentation and monitoring can help with the estimation of the post-peak (post-failure) rock mass parameters required for a comprehensive analysis. A hybrid modelling approach combines a three-dimensional mine-wide boundary element model with a non-linear finite element model to allow for the failure process in the rock mass. The back analyses demonstrate that, for the case study site, the post-peak Generalized Hoek-Brown value of mr must be reduced significantly in order to properly simulate displacements observed in instrumentation data. High-quality instrumentation data is the key to post-peak rock mass parameter calibration. The procedures outlined in the paper highlight the need for a new hybrid numerical modelling package that can use the influence of three-dimensional mining-induced stresses to predict displacements in, and potential failure of, rock masses surrounding mining infrastructure in order to radically alter strategic and tactical mine design.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Bernard

Over the last decades, the wrought aluminum casting industry has made significant progress with regards to process consistency by the introduction of new technologies in the field of liquid metal processing and casting. These technologies, combined with the application of best practices, have led to increases in productivity as well as better process performances and product quality. The competition in the addedvalue aluminum products (by opposition to P1020 production) is, however, very strong and involves players that did not hold a major role five years ago but who are now exerting a strong competitive pressure on our industry even sometimes from far abroad. There are still technical and technological challenges remaining in the different areas of aluminum casting production, amongst which metal pre-treatment, furnace operations, in-line treatment and casting hold a predominant influence. The comprehension of the contribution of each individual process step to the entire process chain is a key element and must be considered in future process optimisations. This paper presents the technological position of the casting industry and tries to highlight areas where further progress can be made.

Jan 1, 2006

By P. G. Killeen

Proper calibration of portable gammaray spectrometers and spectrometric logging equipment is essential if they are to be used for accurate quantitative determinations of radioelement concentrations. In the case of both types of equipment, it is necessary to determine the system calibration constants (stripping factors and sensitivities). In the case of borehole logging equipment, it is further necessary to determine the system response characteristics if the data are to be computer processed to improve the accuracy and resolution of the logs. Facilities are now available near Ottawa for the complete calibration of portable gamma-ray spectrometers and spectrometric logging equipment, in addition to already existing facilities for calibrating airborne gamma-ray spectrometers. Limited additional facilities are also available or planned in several other areas of Canada.

Jan 1, 1978

By G. V. Poropat

Roughness of a discontinuity may be an important factor influencing shear strength of the discontinuity. Traditionally, determining the roughness of a discontinuity surface and providing a numerical measure of the roughness has required considerable effort or specialised equipment. The development of new 3D imaging tools that are easy to use has provided effective fast and accurate means of creating 3D surface models from which roughness measurements can be readily obtained. These new techniques are versatile enabling a user to measure roughness along any desired profile and at any resolution up to the limit of the spatial subtense of a measurement on the discontinuity surface. This paper primarily reviews extensions to the use of 3D imaging that enable the measurement of roughness. Additionally we provide some examples of the measurements and examine some of the issues associated with extracting measures from the spatial data that will support estimation of shear strength.

May 1, 2009

By Robert L. Tremblay

Dans le but de voir si une région comme la Gaspésie, qui a subi la derniere glaciation , se prête avantageusement à la méthode de prospection alluvionnaire, environ 800 concentrés de minéraux lourds furent prélevés dans les districts électoraux de Matane et de Gaspé-Nord. Les différentes phases minérales présentes dans les concentrés ont été examinées à la loupe binoculaire. Afin de mieux valoriser ce type d'inforrnat ion, nous avons été arnenés à expérimenter et à mettre en oeuvre des techniques multivariables adaptées au traltement d'une information semi-quantitative en utilisant le principe d'un codage logique préalable. La structuration des résultats de la Gaspésie a conduit à l'élaboration de cartes de synthèse qui constituent un support nécessaire à l'interprétatlon des répartitions plus ponctuelles des minéraux "utiles" sur le plan de la recherche minière.

Jan 1, 1978

By B. Tiryaki, M. Ayhan, O. Z. Hekimoglu

"This paper discusses the aspects of tracking cutters related to the computer-aided design of shearer drums. A comprehensive computer analysis of drum dynamic parameters for multi-tracking tool arrangement is not presently available, as the current computer programs mainly consider the aspects of single tracking. Despite the fact that the single-tracking arrangement is recommended for efficient cutting, some major drum manufacturers have been seen to persistently adhere to multi-tracking, probably due to a lack of information. Further studies in this field are believed to contribute greatly to the current understanding of the computer-aided design of shearer drums.A number of laboratory simulation trials and long-term underground investigations were carried out in detail on tracking cutter arrangement, and an equation required for a computer program was derived. The results obtained from computer assessment of dynamic parameters for drums with multi-tracking arrangement were found to be in accordance with those of the underground trials, indicating the validity of the equations. The procedure adopted for the computer appraisal of the shearer drums designed with a multi-tracking concept, as described in this study, is therefore recommended to be considered in the currently employed computer programs."

Jan 1, 2003

By M. F. Goudge

MAGNESIA refractories and magnesium metal are both essential war commodities. The need for magnesium, which had just made its debut as a commercial metal a few years before the outbreak of the present war, is widely known because this new and valuable light metal has already received much publicity. Less widely known but equally important in the war effort are magnesia refractories. They are indispensable to the efficient functioning of the great metallurgical plants producing steel, nickel, copper, and other metals, where, because of their resistance to extreme high temperature and chemical attack, they are used in lining the furnaces, which are operated at a white heat. The demand for refractories in the metallurgical industries rose rapidly upon the outbreak of war, and now, in consequence of the continued great expansion under way in the manufacture of steel, nickel, copper, and other metals, the need for magnesia is greater than ever. Since 1915, part of the Canadian requirements of basic refractories has been supplied from the deposits of magnesitic dolomite in Argenteuil county, Quebec. The products from these deposits are excellent for many uses, but the magnesitic dolomite has too high a content of silica and lime to be used in making a type of magnesia brick required in nickel converters, and in the roofs of reverberatory furnaces used in the copper and steel industries. There is now a large and growing demand in Canada for bricks and shapes for these uses. This demand has always been supplied from the United States. Makers of these products in the United States, in turn, formerly imported most of the necessary high-grade, dead-burned magnesia from Austria and Manchuria. Not only are these sources closed, but refractory chrome ore from the Philippines is no longer available and chrome refractories may have to be in large part replaced by magnesia.

Jan 1, 1942

By R. A. King, B. G. Hunt, C. E. T. White

"This paper reviews the history, occurrence, properties, and uses of indium, and describes the commercial production and fabrication of that metal by The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, Limited (Cominco), at Trail, B.C'. Indium is produced commercially at Trail from dross retreatment furnace D.R.F.) slag, a complex by-product of the lead smelting operations. Furnace feed prepared from this slag is smelted with coke and limerock in an electric furnace. The e1ectric furnace bullion is parted electrolytically, producing a market-able lead-tin alloy containing about 8 per cent tin, and leaving the indium in the anode slime. Recovery of indium from the anode slime involves roasting the slime with sulphuric acid, followed by leaching with water, purifying the leach solution, recovering the indium by sponging with zinc or aluminum, and re-fining electrolytically. This process yields standard grade (99.97+ per cent) indium which is either sold or refined •to high purity ( 99.999 per cent) indium for special uses requiring higher purity metal."

Jan 1, 1959