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By J. Aydt, W. McCombe, H. McLaughlin, L. Nightingale-Mercer

The McClean Lake mill is located approximately 850 kilometers north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and is operated by Orano Canada Inc. (Orano). The mill was designed to process high grade uranium ores, and in 2014 completed a multiyear expansion to increase its production capacity to 24 Mlbs U3O8 per annum. This expansion included significant changes to the mill’s secondary leach circuit in support of safely processing high grade ore directly from the Cigar Lake mine. In particular, inter-stage pumps were introduced for slurry transfer between the secondary leach tanks, replacing the original pressure feed forward operation. The design and selection process for these pumps was strongly influenced by the uncertainty related to actual radiation dose exposure when processing undiluted high grade ore (up to 30%U), and consequently the desire to maintain minimal occupancy in the vault enclosure containing the secondary leach tanks. These constraints resulted in the decision to install positive displacement pumps above the leach tanks in a suction-lift configuration. Operating experience with this design has shown that the pump capacity is significantly de-rated due to process solution gas-entrainment and pipe scale build-up, particularly in the front end of the secondary leach circuit where reagent dosage is high. Experience processing high grade ore also provided accurate radiation dose data to demonstrate that the level of occupancy in the leaching vault enclosure could be re-evaluated to accommodate alternate pump configurations. This paper reviews the lessons learned and improvements made to safely increase the capacity and reliability of the leach inter-stage pump system.

Jan 1, 2020

By Frederick J. Browne

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop (fit) to drink! Trite, but how often only too true? What is there met with in mining which, under various circumstances, may be said to be the most sought-for and highly-prized and also the most objectionable and most feared? Water! What visions that combination of five letters brings to all thoughtful minds? Up to near the end of the eighteenth century water was thought lo be an element but was then discovered to be the result of the combustion of two volumes of hydrogen with one volume of oxygen, and water so produced is chemically pure. Pure water is a clear and colourless liquid when seen under ordinary conditions, but appears bluish when seen through a long tube, and this same bluish tint may be observed in many lakes, especially those of glacial origin. A story often told describes a prospector in the desert who, failing to find water to replenish his canteen, suffers torture and death under fearful circumstances. Then again we may recall the flooding of mines, where water poured in so quickly that there was no opportunity of saving the unfortunate workmen. Instances might be multiplied without number showing that either the lack or excess of this essential fluid has taken heavy toll of human life. In all branches of mining and associated industries water must be dealt with to a larger extent, from an economic point of view, than any other substance, and very often the purity of the water is a matter of considerable importance.

Jan 1, 1925

By G. O. Prickett, P. Somasundaran

An application of the statistical and computer techniques in basic mineral processing research is illustrated by means of a case history involving the study of starch adsorption on calcite. Multi-factorial experimental designs and computer techniques were used for determining the effect of different system variables, such as solution pH, sodium oleate concentration and starch concentration, and to obtain a mathematical model of the response. Response maps enabled the investigators to see the effects clearly and to predict the results of changes in factor levels within the design region. Use of time-shared computers and plotters made data processing and analysis efficient and relatively inexpensive.

Jan 1, 1973

By Lorant B. Geller

Sixteen miners died tragically at the Paymaster gold mine at Timmins, Ontario in February, 1945, when a badly corroded hoist rope broke. The investigation of the Royal Commission that followed arrived at a number of recommendations (Investigations, 1947) aimed at avoiding future disasters of this kind. One consequence was the development, and legislated use in Canada, several decades ago, of powerful electromagnetic (EM) instruments for the nondestructive testing of mine shaft wire ropes. The authors have been involved for many years in the design, production, and testing of EM instruments (Geller and Udd, 1990 and 1992, Geller and Kitzinger, 1991, Geller et al., 1993). Since the mid-1990s particular attention was paid to the design and operational results obtained from the computer- controlled portable MagnographJ II wire rope tester (Geller et al., 1995 and 1998). In the present article the authors summarize further hardware- and software-related developments of this instrument. Further, an account is given of the results obtained from the most recent design known as the PermaScanJ testing system. This is also a computerized dual-function system. In it, however, the sensor head is designed primarily, if not solely, for permanent installation and for remotely controlled operation. This represents a basic departure from traditional designs, which were intended for ad hoc temporary installations. The remotecontrolled instrument described in this paper has now been in operational use for more than 4 years.

May 1, 2003

By S. Koppalkar

ABSTRACT: The development and evolution of the gravity recoverable gold (GrG) test procedure at McGill university is reviewed in this paper. Since the late 1980s, the research group led by the late Professor André Robert Laplante at McGill university has undertaken fundamental studies and applied research of the Knelson concentrator to develop a sustainable method of estimating GrG. Historically, a concept of “free gold” was used, and it was de?ned as the gold that could be separated and recovered from gold ore by amalgamation. Due to health and safety hazards, the practical use of amalgamation has declined. around 1994, a methodology using a 3-in Knelson concentrator to measure gravity recoverable gold was established at McGill university. as a result of more than 10 years of improvement and optimization, this technique has become a standard method of evaluating GrG for gold ores, gold plant streams and platinum group metals. By 2006, about 200 GrG tests were carried out at McGill universityon ores from all over the world. recently, a modi?ed version of the GrG test (a simpli?ed test) was developed to provide a quick and rough estimate of the GrG in a sample; this simpli?ed test has theadvantage of reduced mass, processing time and cost. to recognize and honour the contributions madeby the late Professor Laplante towards the establishment of a standard test procedure for assessing gravity recovery potential, the authors propose that the GrG test be named after Laplante.

Jan 1, 2010

By Andrew J. Troop

"VAUGHAN THOMPSON designed the Thompson retrievable diamond drill wedge and reaming assembly in 1948. Since 1950, the Hudson Bay Exploration and Development Company, Limited has used the method extensively. The wedge, setting tool, and reamer have been modified slightly since they were first introduced. In 1951, Mr. Thompson designed the Thompson arc cutter. The purpose of this tool is to decrease effectively the diameter of the arc cut, using standard drilling tools. This directional drilling device is usually employed when a branch hole is desired. The Thompson arc cutter has been used with success at Birch Lake, Saskatchewan, at the property of Cuprus Mines, Limited, Manitoba, and at Thompson Lake, Manitoba.UsesThe Thompson retrievable wedge provides a simple method for:(1) Re-drilling lost core sections(2) Re-sampling sections of old holes(3) By-passing lost tools Correcting the direction of a hole(4) Drilling a branch hole to obtain intersections at a higher elevation than the original holePrevious to the spring of 1951, the wedge was used only for the first four of these purposes. Recently it has been employed extensively for drilling branch holes."

Jan 1, 1953

By M. S. Fotheringham

Recognition of the Growing Importance of Iron and Steel Few Canadians have yet become aware that Canada's vast iron ore resources, the greater part of which is only now beginning to be developed, will inevitably have a profound effect on the entire Canadian economy, benefitting in some measure the lives of all Canadians. The great iron mining developments of Ontario, Newfoundland, Quebec, and Labrador are destined to make Canada one of the world's major producers and exporters of this material, on which our industrial civilization is?based. These developments will create new employment, new communities, new transportation facilities, and new investment opportunities. Iron ore is the foundation and the keystone of modern mechanized civilization. The most prosperous nations of the world are the highest per capita consumers of iron and steel, and in these countries the per capita consumption is increasing steadily despite the advent of light metals, plastics, and other competitive materials. Three-quarters of the human race have too little steel -and consequently too little mechanization -to provide for themselves the necessities and comforts of civilized living. Progressively they will demand, and acquire, the machines, the transportation and communication facilities now lacking, and they will win them by making greater use of the world's iron resources. It is the good fortune of this generation that Canada's 'iron age' is just getting well under way.

Jan 1, 1951

By H. C. Cooke

This paper will discuss two comparatively unrelated subjects; first, a general review of the advances made at the more important properties in the last year; and second, a statement of the conditions controlling the deposition of the copper ores in the Rouyn area, as determined by last summer's field work. FIRST PART Development has been very rapid since I stood before the Institute one year ago to discuss this same subject. Then, there were many properties on which gold had been discovered, any of which might develop into a mine. Further work has eliminated the most of them as possible mines, or at least has shown that before they can attain that status further discoveries must be made on them. Then, all gold veins held forth much the same promise; now the indications are that one particular type of gold vein is of greater prospective value than others. Then, all eyes were turned toward gold as the metal of prime economic importance; now copper has taken the centre of the stage, and gold is distinctly in the background.

Jan 1, 1926

By H. Lachmund, R. Bruckhaus

At Dillinger Hüttenwerke/Germany steel production of grades for linepipe applications especially for sour service has a long tradition. The BOF process after replacement of the vessels is optimized by a newly developed lime addition model and variations in lance tip geometry. Equipped with three state-of-the-art VOD tank degassers metallurgical requirements of lowest contents of e. g. sulphur, nitrogen and hydrogen can be achieved. Three continuous casting machines of vertical bending type with solid core even improve already high levels of cleanliness. The vertical part corresponds to the metallurgical length of 12 to 15 m and therefore assures a maximum of cleanliness after solidification before bending. Slab thickness up to 400 mm can be produced with model controlled dynamic soft reduction. The accurate alignments of the casters assure minimized segregation and microporosity. Surface and internal cracks can be avoided by special cooling, bending and straightening strategies.

Jan 1, 2005

By T. J. Wells

THE blast furnace is the base of the steel industry, since there is no commercially practical way of converting iron ore directly into steel. In three hundred years, the blast furnace has developed from a small unit using charcoal as fuel and producing about one ton of iron in twenty-four hours to a furnace making upwards of 1,500 tons a day. The principle of the blast furnace is briefly this: A descending column of stock, consisting of ore, fuel, and flux, is met by an ascending stream of gases, consisting in part of gases formed by the combustion of the fuel and in part of pre-heated air which is blown into the lower part of the furnace. The flux combines with the impurities in the ore and the ash in the fuel to form slag, which is drawn off as liquid.

Jan 1, 1943

By M. Loan

The Zinifex's Hobart Smelter uses the paragoethite process to remove dissolved Fe(III) from concentrated zinc leach liquors. This produces a residue consisting primarily of 6-line ferrihydrite (a hydrated Fe(III) oxyhydroxide), several insoluble components derived from the calcined zinc concentrate neutralization agent and other precipitated phases, such as jarosite and silica. The precipitation of 6-line ferrihydrite in the paragoethite process was studied using a laboratory-scale continuous crystallizer, and the conditions were selected to limit high levels of dissolved silica and jarosite. This approach allowed the reactor pH and the rate of precipitation to be correlated with residue solid-liquid separation, particle size, morphology, residual zinc and sulfate concentrations, and phase formation (e.g., goethite, jarosite, schwertmannite, and 2- and 6-line ferrihydrite). These studies delineated the mechanism of 6-line ferrihydrite precipitation in the kinetically controlled paragoethite process, and its inter-relationship with goethite and jarosite precipitation under conditions where 6-line ferrihydrite is favoured. Unexpectedly, the generation of a more crystalline goethite precipitate with larger "primary" particle size did not produce a residue of improved properties, as bulk aggregates dictate the physical properties of the residue and not the crystallinity. Furthermore, it is difficult to precipitate 2-line ferrihydrite or schwertmannite under existing paragoethite process conditions.

Jan 1, 2006

By D. G. Tisdale, W. Curlook, J. M. Toguri

"In this study, the vapour phase reduction of titanium tetrachloride conforms to the traditional Kroll chemistry, but employs argon as an inert carrier gas and requires a higher reaction temperature of 1150°C to 1250°C. A vapour phase reaction is advantageous because titanium is the only condensed phase present, and the metal can be collected free of magnesium or magnesium chloride, in marked contrast to the titanium sponge produced by the conventional Kroll process. The yield of metallic titanium from the reaction was determined as magnesium additions ranged from 36% to 168% of the stoichiometric requirement. Yields of over 99% were obtained when an excess of magnesium was present. Although the collection efficiency was low, metallic titanium was collected at the reaction site, where all other species were present as vapours. Magnesium and chlorine concentrations in the collected titanium were less than 0.3%.IntroductionA proposed method (Curlook, 1987) for titanium production has been investigated as an alternative to the conventional Kroll process (Kroll, 1940). The advantages of the new process include a simplified means of recovering the product metal, and a potential for lower overall energy consumption and greater product purity. A higher reaction temperature for the reduction of titanium tetrachloride results in a vapour phase reaction, rather than the conventional liquid phase reaction. This is the major conceptual difference between the proposed and the established (Kroll) processes.This study focussed on optimization of the process chemistry and briefly examined the issue of product deposition and collection. The reduction of titanium tetrachloride with magnesium, to produce metallic titanium and gaseous magnesium chloride:"

Jan 1, 1997

By G. Bonin, A. Jamal, G. Preciado, S. Gillis

"Accurate, easy to obtain, and reliable methods of measurement are the cornerstone of shaft and tunnel developments - during their sinking, operation and maintenance, or in some cases, remediation. This paper presents a new methodology to capture existing shaft conditions in such a manner that they can be transferred from the field to a digital copy, where they can be stored and used for engineering design purposes in a space not directly affected by the costs associated with schedule and equipment performance. The methodology utilizes basic principles of excavation alignment (plumb lines and survey instruments) while adding modern LiDAR, geolocation and survey control tools that can more completely capture the surrounding environment. The complete cycle of collection, processing, and delivery of pertinent information underground can take under an hour. During sinking, capturing data as a live stream measurement and being able to assess the alignment of the shaft liner can be critical to meeting rigid design tolerances. As sinking progresses, small changes in alignment or liner deviations can be captured and immediately corrected. Likewise, post-construction as-built conditions can be recorded and digitized, which will allow the mine personnel to compare the proper working condition to the actual condition years later. Observed changes can be identified and planned as future shaft repair works. This methodology has been developed and successfully deployed during the on-going sinking works of the two shafts at the Jansen Potash Project in south-central Saskatchewan and is described in greater detail in this paper.INTRODUCTION Light Detection and Ranging (or LiDAR) scans of the BHP Jansen Production and Service shafts during construction identified sections of both shafts where the internal radius of the temporary primary liner was insufficient to accommodate the tolerances of the permanent liner that was to be installed inside the temporary liner. These locations are referred to as “tights”. The “Tights Removal Program” was designed to collect high resolution point clouds of the shaft, using stringent survey control, that could be compared to the design profile to generate a heat map of locations for removal of up to 75 mm of steel-fiber-reinforced, 70 MPa concrete liner. This work was all on critical path, which made it valuable to save time on the schedule. Because concrete removal was a time-intensive task, it was essential to locate and remove only the concrete that would encroach on the planned permanent liner, while attempting to maximize the amount of cutting time. Removal was carried by a road header attached to a Brokk(R) 160, a small multi-attachment demolition machine."

Jan 1, 2019

By L. Chunpongtong

ABSTRACT Oil sands production occurs on a massive scale, making orebody estimation a challenge. In rainy conditions, operators can have difficulty accessing ore at the mapped location. Without enough inventory as a buffer, the high-cost stockpile is depleted quickly, necessitating the removal of significant amounts of overburden and interburden to meet plant feed requirements. The inventory curve—a plot of ore inventory on a period-by-period basis—plays an important role in selecting an appropriate scheduling scenario. This paper presents a programmable method for creating an inventory definition by using a pit optimization tool.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. K. Shaw

The science of low temperature engineering is well entrenched in mining. Uses for common cryogens, including liquid oxygen (LOX), liquid nitrogen (LN2), and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the gas and minerals industries are reviewed. Potential future applications are discussed within the scope of mining, particularly in refrigeration and ventilation. The second part of this paper focuses on the Linde cycle, which is at the heart of most liquefaction plants. Steady state equations describing the mass and energy flows are presented. The paper concludes by explaining the concept of a wind powered Linde- Hampson cryogenic cycle and assessing, with scoping calculations, the technological feasibility of producing cryogens with an intermittent source of (renewable) energy.

Aug 1, 2013

By H. T. Kennedy, D. L. Flock

"The project described in this pa-per was undertaken to provide a more thorough understanding of the effect of contamination by drilling fluids on the electrical properties of porous systems. The basic work per-formed was filtration tests on both consolidated and unconsolidated sands and the determination of their resistivity profiles with the aid of screen-type electrodes spaced at convenient intervals along the core.Four drilling fluids were selected, ranging in resistivity from 447.0 ohm-cm. to •5.76 ohm-cm. The permeability of three unconsolidated and four consolidated cores, on which resistivity measurements were made, varied from 1,257 md. to 4,560 md. Five additional cores with permeabilities as low as 49 md. were tested to investigate the effect of permeability on the depth of invasion of drilling fluids.The effect of drilling fluid invasion on resistivity profiles was determined on cores containing brine only, and on those containing 80 to 90 per cent oil and 20 to 10 per cent brine. The study included measurements of (a) clay content of different sections of the core, (b) saturation of the invaded fluids and oil in different parts of the core, and ( c) changes in resistivity as a result of gravitational re-distribution of fluids and diffusion of electrolytes.The data showed that the resistivity of an invaded core is, as was expected, controlled by the resistivity of the filtrate, the resistivity of residual core water, the resistivity of the clay particles, and the amount and distribution of the filtrate, clays, residual oil, and brine. In most cases there was a significant increase in resistivity owing to the presence of clay solids which had invaded the core. The change in resistivity, as a result of the diffusion of salts, was substantial after a period of five hours. There is evidence in some cases that the residual oil and core water saturations of the unconsolidated cores, after substantial invasion, are very low, indicating almost complete displacement by invading fluid."

Jan 1, 1959

By Brian G. Pewsey

Located in the northern part of the Province of British Columbia, the Cassiar Mine started development of its asbestos orebody in 1952, and is currently producing 105.000 tons of asbestos fibre annually. The townsite is nestled in a beautiful valley and supplies more than average facilities. The fibre is shipped to more than 40 countries and is used in many industrial products.

Jan 1, 1978

By Kevin C. Milne

"The solution of problems associated with development of a sour gas reserve will be of increasing importance in tl1e next few years if gas export is approved •by the National Energy Board. The purpose of this paper is to review briefly the history of the Carstairs gas field, and tCI describe in a general manner the reservoir, and the producing and processing facilities.HISTORYThe Carstairs gas field was discovered in April 1958 when the discovery well, Home Carstairs 10-17, was successfully completed as a gas well in the Elkton member of the Turner Valley formation. Geo-graphic location of the field is shown in Figure No. 1. Note that the field is about five miles west of the town of Carstairs, Alberta, which in turn is about 40 miles north of Calgary. Drilling subsequent to the discovery well resulted in three addition-al producing wells and one dry hole during I.958; two producing wells during 1959; and one producing well and one dry hole during 1960. Thus, seven producing wells and two dry holes have been drilled in the Carstairs field to date.In November 1959 a 12-section block in the Carstairs field was unitized on a surface acre basis. Mean-while, in June 1959, operators in the field executed an ""Interim Plant Agreement"" that provided the money needed to start construction of a joint venture processing plant and gathering system. Construction of the plant and gathering system was completed in February 1960."

Jan 1, 1960

By T. G. Joseph, A. Sharma

ABSTRACT: Ultra-class haul trucks operating in oil sand face operational and maintenance issues as a result of soft underfoot conditions (Joseph, 2002). With exposure to frequent high g loading events, tire life is reduced due to sidewall belt fexure and frequent ground contact. Therefore, an improved under-standing of the interaction between tires and oil sand is needed. This paper examines the outcomes of a series of static and cyclic loading tests, performed using a scale tire on rigid, sand, and oil sand surfaces. Geometric predictions are made regarding the footprint area and vertical deformation of an ultra-classtire on similar surfaces.

Jan 1, 2011

By D Marshall

The sub-level blasthole benching method of mining has been proved to be economical at Willroy Mines. How-ever due to the nature and attitude of the wall rock, this method is susceptible to serious hanging-wall dilution of the ore. Attempts to solve the dilution problem by various means were not satisfactory until long Stressteel bars were employed as rock bolts. The adoption of this de-vice does not require any special skill, and has become routine in the under-ground operation. Since the inception of this method, the dilution of the ore has been greatly reduced and the ov1!r-all costs of controlling this dilution are much lower. INTRODUCTION T HIS is a report describing the successful use of long Stressteel bars as rock bolts in preventing l1anging-wall failure and consequent dilution in open stopes. Willroy Mines Limited is located (Figure 1) near the town of Manitouwadge, Ontario, approximately l1alf-way between Sault Ste. Marie and Port Arthur.

Jan 1, 1963