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By B. D. Pandey, D. Bagchi, Premchand

During the separation and recovery of metals from the ammoniacal leach liquor of Indian Ocean nodules by solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) in close-loop operation, the copper electrolyte containing ~40g/L Cu, 20 g/L Ni and 180 g/L sulphuric acid is bled-off to control the impurities. The recovery of copper and nickel as powders has been examined from the copper bleed solution following partial decopperisation, crystallization of mixed sulphate of the two metals and aqueous hydrogen reduction. From the dissolved sulphate solution containing 17.68 g/L Cu, 18.83 g/L Ni and 0.03 g/L Fe, the copper powder was precipitated at initial hydrogen pressure of 26 bar in an autoclave in 90 min at 140 °C. The residual copper from the spent solution was removed as sulphide and nickel powder was then recovered (99%) in two stages from a solution of pH 4.5 at 40 bar pressure and 190 °C. However, 98% nickel recovery in one stage was achieved when hydrogen reduction was carried out from an ammoniacal solution in the pH range 9-11. Copper and nickel powders were produced from the bleed solution with acceptable purity and specifications suitable for P/M applications.

Jan 1, 2004

By W. E. Roscoe

The probability of making an exploration discovery in Canada can be calculated from Derry's (1970) data on exploration expenditures and number of discoveries over the last nineteen years. Considering an average exploration "try" to be $30,000, the probability of a discovery with one try has decreased tenfold from about 0.01 in 1951 to 0.001 in 1969. A plot of these probabilities can be extrapolated to the future, giving a 1969-71 three-year average probability of 0.00096 with 90 per cent confidence limits of 0.00042 and 0.00153. Using this probability, various calculations can be made, such as (1) the probability of making at least one discovery for any given exploration expenditure, (2) the probability of ultimate ruin or survival of the exploration investment process and (3) the expected value of an exploration investment. There is a critical minimum amount per discovery that must be re-invested in exploration, no matter how large the original investment is, for exploration to survive at all in the long run. Currently, this critical minimum is $31,200,000 with 90 per cent confidence limits of $19,600,000 and $71,400,000.

Jan 1, 1971

By Q. Han

Irradiation of high energy ultrasonic vibration in metals and alloys generates oscillating strain and stress fields in solids, and introduces nonlinear effects such as cavitation, acoustic streaming, and radiation pressure in molten materials. These nonlinear effects can be utilized to assist conventional material processing processes. This article describes recent research at Oak Ridge National Labs (ORNL) and Purdue University on using high intensity ultrasonic vibrations for degassing molten aluminum, processing particulate reinforced metal matrix composites, refining metals and alloys during solidification process, welding, and producing bulk nanostructures in solid metals and alloys.

Jan 1, 2014

By T. M. Korzekwa, R. L. Cavanagh

Following considerable experience with the beneficiation of Wabana iron ore by standard methods, a study was made of the benefits to be obtained by semi-reduction. The basis of the laboratory program was an extensive mineralogical and liberation investigation which guided subsequent work. Partial reduction and beneficiation on a laboratory scale was carried out on lump ore and fines. The reduced ore was magnetically concentrated and the concentrated fines were briquetted. Data are presented on reducibility, sizing vs reduction rate, magnetic cobbing and separation, and the elimination of phosphorus. Past work is reviewed briefly and comments are made on the relation of laboratory to pilot-scale tests.

Jan 1, 1967

By W. L. Brown

"The Normetal mine is about 7 miles east of the Ontario-Quebec boundary, and 13 miles north of the town of Dupuy on the Canadian National railway. The mine workings are largely on lots 44 and 45 in the south half of range 10, Desmeloizes township.The surface outcrop is reported to have been discovered by a trapper previous to 1925, but the details are obscure. The property was originally owned by the Canadian Exploration Company of Amos, Quebec, and was later transferred to Abana Mines, Limited. The latter Company carried out underground work from two shafts down to the 550-foot level. The property was acquired by Normetal Mining Corporation in 1931 and was reopened in 1933, when development work was carried down to the 800-foot level. The mine was closed down in 1935 because metal prices did not justify production at that time. It was reopened early in 1937 and milling commenced in September of that year. To the end of 1945, a total of 1,497,- 169 tons of ore was milled from which was produced 184,533 tons of copper concentrates containing 84,738,368 lb. copper, 2,744,100 oz. silver, 26,230 oz. gold, and 153,524 tons of zinc concentrates containing 163,752,433 lb . zinc."

Jan 1, 1954

By R. J. Labine, D. I. Brisbin, R. Roussain, P. R. Coad

"Abstract - The Owl Creek Mine is located near the west end of the Neo-archean Abitibi greenstone belt, 17 km northeast of Timmins, Ontario, and 4 km north of the Destor Porcupine fault. Gold occurs in epigenetic quartz veins and their pyritic wallrocks in two zones within a package of east striking, steeply north dipping, volcanic and sedimentary rocks. At the West Zone, 1 729 603 t of ore with a grade of 4.83 g/t Au (268 587 troy oz.) were produced from an open pit centered on a wedgeshaped unit of Tisdale Group basalt that occurs between two overturned, south facing units of Porcupine Group graywacke and argillite. Basalt/graywacke contacts are locally marked by graphiticcarbonaceous argillite, strike-parallel faults and massive quartz veins.Deformed quartz+/-ankerite veins occur along the graphitic sedimentary/volcanic contacts and in gently to moderately dipping fractures in basalts, and, to a lesser extent, in graywackes. Veins also occur sub-parallel to steeply dipping 070° foliation. Altered host basalts are composed of iron carbonate, sericite, quartz, carbon, chlorite and disseminated pyrite. Gold occurs as inclusions in pyrite, and less commonly as free gold in fractures and along graphite-quartz grain boundaries in quartz veins. Fractures preferentially developed in more competent basalts during pre- to syn-ore deformation are interpreted to have provided the permeability required for emplacement of mineralized quartz veins. Carbonaceous basalt/graywacke contacts further enhanced gold deposition by acting as chemical traps. The interaction of hydrothermal fluids with these carbonaceous sedimentary rocks led to the characteristic local darkening of host basalts due to carbon impregnation and chlorite development."

Jan 1, 1998

"Energy efficiency in mining and minerals processing has attracted considerable public and industry attention because of the significant quantities of energy consumption involved. In this context the question of what are worthwhile targets for energy efficiency improvements ought to be of the highest priority. It is however worth taking a step back to avoid falling in the trap of taking preconceived ideas that have been reiterated repeatedly before as gospel. The aim of this paper is to highlight areas where new or alternative approaches could potentially be the better way forward. Some may come as a surprise to conventional industry thinking. Ultimately any such solutions are attractive to practitioners not just in an environmental but also in an economic sense, and hence should be targeted through applied research and development efforts. This paper highlights key aspects of each group of opportunities and some of the individual approaches to provide an overview of the current status quo.MINING INDUSTRY POWER UTILISATION – WHERE IS THE BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK?The question of where is the biggest bang for the buck when trying to determine worthwhile targets for energy efficiency improvements has not always been reported on broadly enough, typically because industry practitioners operate in specific areas of expertise and comfort zone. Looking beyond the familiar doesn’t always come easy. Any technology or methodology consideration to address energy efficiency needs to take into account the context of alternative opportunities of superior value or risks not achieving desired uptake. The following sub-chapters have been ordered by magnitude of improvement potential as best as is possible, starting with the biggest first, and the smallest last. Some may be a surprise relative to conventional mining industry thinking."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. J. Baz-Dresch

"The Cannon Mine, a joint venture between Asamera Minerals (the operator) and Breakwater Resources, is located in the centre of Washington state at the eastern base of the Cascade Mountains. The mine complex is located three blocks south of the city limits of Wenatchee, part of an urban area with a total population of 47 000. The closest residence is 350 feet from the mine portal.The B-Neath zone is a narrow, high-grade, downward extension of the southern tail of the mine's main ore body, the B-North zone. It also underlies the northernmost portion of the B-West zone (Fig . I) . The ore is usually reasonably competent but completely surrounded by very weak rock consisting of shear zone and unsilicified sandstones and siltstones.The zone has maximum dimensions of 420 ft in thickness, 500 ft in length , and 200 ft in width . The economic reserves extend from the 70-ft elevation (elevation above sea level) to the 630-ft elevation and consist of about 1.3 million tons of geologic reserves (proven and probable) at an average grade of 0.33 ounces per ton.Acquisition and ExplorationInitial DiscoveryThe initial discovery of the B-Neath zone was made by Tenneco Minerals during July through September, 1984. Their 22-hole surface drilling program consisted of 18 200 ft of drilling. Tenneco Minerals had acquired the 91/2 acre lease from United Mining Corporation.Asamera Minerals subsequently purchased Tenneco's lease in July, 1985; Tenneco retained a royalty position which was later purchased by Echo Bay Mining.Follow-up drilling by Asamera Minerals consisted of both surface and underground drilling. Eight surface holes (7200 ft) were drilled commencing in December, 1985. Following evaluation of the geologic data, an access drift was driven on strike along the top of the ore zone on the 500 level. Diamond drilling from this platform consisted of 17 200 ft in 79 holes."

Jan 1, 1990

By E. You

The concentrator at Kennecott Utah Copper currently has 4 lines with a configuration of one SAG mill feeding two ball mills. The slurry that reports to each ball mill will vary resulting in an unequal load of material. This configuration contains two separate sumps that receive material from a distribution box relying solely on natural slurry flow to feed each sump. The unequal split to each mill results in one mill receiving a greater amount of material. This will result in the equipment on one mill reaching limitations that may affect product quality and the operation of the equipment near maximum. The parallel mill in this condition will often have additional capacity that can be used but cannot be utilized due to the unequal split. The major consequences of this issue result in reduced throughputs and metal recovery. To resolve this condition an advanced control strategy was implemented to control the split in April of 2002 using equipment that was in place.

Jan 1, 2007

By P. B. Demarsh

"Location: - Mine village of Perron, 11 miles east of Val d’Or in northwestern Quebec.Life; - Started production 1932, ceased 1951.Ore: - Flat lying quartz tourmaline veins within granodiorite. Gold values related to coarse segregations of pyrite. Specific gravity 2. 80.Capacity: - 30 tons 1932-35; 125 tons 1935-37; 350 tons 1937-51.Assay: - Heads 0.21 to 0.34 oz. per ton. Grade obtained by mining 600 tons daily, sorting belt reject 250 tons, balance to milling; tailings loss 0.003 to 0.005 oz. per ton; extraction 9 8. 5%.Grind: - 70% minus 200 mesh. Detention time 26 hours.Treatment: - Cyanidation process.Reagents: - Per ton, aero cyanide (NaCn) 0.36; unslaked lump lime 1.50; zinc 0. 03; lead acetate 0. 006; steel consumption 2. 50.Water: - Equal mixture of swamp creek water and underground seepage.Cost: - Per ton, sorting and crushing 0.21; grinding 0.31; cyanidation 0.11; filtration 0.05; precipitation 0.02; miscellaneous 0.22; total 0.92.Power: - Hydro-electric, 25 cycle, 12, 000 volts reduced to 550 volts.Labour: - 95% Maritime and European, balance Quebec and Ontario.Tailings: - Absorbed over large swampy area on barren mining claims.Personnel: - 1 7 men including supervision.Flow sheet: - Canadian Mining Manual 1947"

Jan 1, 1966

By Anthony P. Makuch

Dynatec Corporation is an integrated mining services company, providing mine development, operations management, engineering, drilling and metallurgical services to the North American mining industry. Dynatec was the contract operator of the Ken Snyder Mine in Midas, Nevada from start of production in January 1999 to September 2001. This paper summarizes Dynatec?s experience and approach to the use of longhole stoping methods for mining to widths of 1.3 to 2 metres in a steeply dipping narrow vein orebody.

Oct 1, 2001

By D. R. Pyke, R. S. Middleton

"Three main types of base metal sulphide mineralization are present in the Timmins area:(1) -Massive and stringer-type copper-zinc deposits occurring mainly in pyroclastic rocks, as typified by the mines of Kam-Kotia, Jameland and Canadian Jamieson, or within or close to possible breccia pipes as shown by the Genex and Kidd Creek mines. With the exception of the Kidd Creek mine, all of these orebodies occur northwest of Timmins (Kamiskotia area) and appear to lie within or close to a major center of volcanic activity characterized by a thick accumulation of felsic pyroclastic rocks and subordinate epizonal intrusions. The margins of the rhyolitic pile are interfingered with mafic volcanics; overlying sedi-ments mark the termination of a vol-canic cycle. The copper-zinc deposits in the Kamiskotia area are confined to a particular stratigraphic unit. Ore-bearing solutions were probably derived from the intrusive complex of the volcanic pile.(2) -Porphyry copper deposit of the Mcintyre mine. The deposit occurs in a quarz porphyry intrusion related to the volcanism in the area (Hurst, 1936). Mineralization was probably introduced at the time of intrusion, and subsequently redistributed within the porphyry during deformation. (3) -Massive and disseminated nickel mineralization, associated with serpentinized alpine-type ultramafic intrusions, as shown by the Alexo, McWatters, Hart, Inco and Texmont deposits. The nickel mineralization occurs at or near contacts of the serpentinites with felsic or mafic volcanics, or sulphide-bearing iron formations. The nickel deposits south of Timmins are confined to a particular stratigraphic unit along the margins of domical-shaped structures which appear to outline former volcanic centers. Sulphurization as pro-posed by Naldrett (1966) appears to be a workable hypothesis for the formation of some of the deposits."

Jan 1, 1971

By J. F. McMahon

Introduction The greater portion of the information presented in this paper was obtained in the course of an investigation on clay gathering and its cost in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario (1). For assistance in the preparation of the paper, the writer wishes to record his thanks to Mr. Howells Fréchette, Chief of the Ceramics and Road Materials Division of the Mines Branch. Clays are mineral substances consisting essentially of hydrous aluminium silicate which become plastic when wet, fairly hard when dry, and stony masses when burned to a sufficiently high temperature and re-cooled. Shales are clays which have been indurated by the processes of nature. Millions of tons of clays and shales are won yearly for the production of brick, tile, sewer pipe, drain tile, roofing tile, fire-brick, china-ware, wall and floor tile, cement, and a host of other products. There are certain types of clay which, due to their particular qualities and limited distribution, are mined entirely or in part for sale to manufacturers, and are even exported from one country to another, as for example china-clays or kaolins, utilized in the manufacture of white-wares and in the paper industry, due to their consistent whiteness; ball-clays, utilized in the white-ware industry, due to their bonding power and whiteness; slip-clays, used in the stone-ware industry because of their glazing properties, and in the grinding-wheel industry for their burned bonding properties; and suspension-clays, such as are used in the enamelling industry. However, the great bulk of clays and shales won are used in the production of heavy clay products, and the manufacturer of these generally owns and operates his own deposit of raw material.

Jan 1, 1933

By Mike Fontaine

The success of a project is defined by meeting the financial performance objectives of the business case within a stipulated timeframe. Early in design, little information is normally available; the uncertainty introduces risk to the project outcome. Using a range of risk management tools and techniques, a project can be developed from front end loading phases 1 through 3 (FEL1–FEL3), and project implementation (FEL4) and then into operations with an optimized probability of success. For every project element, the risk management framework embodies: establishing a context; assessing risk (identify, analyze, and evaluate); and treating risk. Embedded within design activities, this process mitigates or eliminates risks. Monitoring and control, as well as extensive communication and consultation with stakeholders, is integral to the risk management process.

Jan 1, 2015

By A. A. Brant

BECAUSE of its simplicity, the dip needle is widely used for locating magnetic rock formations in drift-covered areas. Although it responds only to strong magnetic disturbances, it has the advantage that surveys with it can be carried out rapidly, at relatively low cost, by untrained operators. More accurate surveys can be made with a much more sensitive instrument known as the magnetometer, but this must be operated by a specialist and the resulting survey costs are much higher. Mining men use the dip needle for the location of magnetic ores or mineral deposits associated with magnetic rocks. In certain districts, a survey with the dip needle may aid in solving geological structure. In the Little Long Lac and Crow River gold camps of Ontario, it has recently been used for these purposes. In interpreting the results of a dip needle survey, an understanding of the chief magnetic and mechanical factors determining the dip recorded by the needle is definitely necessary. For example, many observers locate a magnetic body by the highest dip values, apparently unaware that these frequently may not lie directly above the body. It should also be realized that a careful dip needle survey may yield information regarding the dip, breadth, and perhaps depth, of the magnetic body. Moreover, the observer should know when numerous closely-spaced dip readings are necessary, and when the dip may be measured at more widely separated intervals. The purpose of the following article is primarily to describe the factors affecting the registration of the dip needle, with a view to aiding investigators in a more accurate and complete interpretation of their results. To explain the cause of magnetic disturbances (anomalies) and the action of the dip needle, a knowledge of certain fundamental magnetic terms is necessary.

Jan 1, 1938

By Chris Twigge-Molecey

Demand for metals will continue to grow as global population numbers and prosperity levels steadily increase. Consequently, there will continue to be a need to design and construct new metallurgical plants. Business success in general requires projects to be financially successful and return appropriate value to their owners. However, in the metals industry, private and public sector financing sources have become very sensitive to the perceived inability of projects to contain costs and meet other business objectives. Thus, the capital for projects has become more difficult and expensive to obtain. It is instructive to note that Ernst and Young (2011) identified that: “Delivery of predictable project results bestows competitive advantage and market confidence to those corporations who successfully instill this discipline”. The implication for future projects is that they must be systematically developed to minimize perceived risks—and more importantly—to demonstrate that the risks are managed to achieve the business case. Then, provided that the project has been developed in a well-structured way, project success can again be defined as a project with: a final cost within 10% of the budget approved at the end of FEL3, when the project is properly defined and the permit conditions are agreed upon; a start-up date within three months of the definitive, scheduled startup date; production levels at 85% of design capacity within a year of starting commercial operation; production meeting the target environmental restrictions; and with zero lost time accidents during construction and startup. The plant design is one of many integrated activities required to achieve these objectives. This book represents a valuable link between the existing engineering literature that encompasses a wide range of engineering fundamental textbooks and design manuals and the project management literature such as the Project Management Body of Knowledge, or PMBOK® (Project Management Institute, 2014). It is evident throughout this book, that the design team is a small but essential part of a much larger project team comprising the project management, construction management, and construction contractor staff. Design activities must be regarded and managed as part of the integrated whole, with two fundamental links throughout the design process:

Jan 1, 2015

By Leroy C. Stewart

Owing mainly to the use of ethylene dibromide in the production of tetraethyl lead for gasoline treatment, there has been a tremendous increase during the past decade in the demand for bromine. In the United States, production, derived mainly as a by-product from the treatment of brines from salt wells, rose steadily from about two million pounds in 1924 to nine million pounds in 1931. In 1936, production amounted to between 20 and 21 million pounds. Much of the increase during the past four or five years has been due to the operation of the Ethyl-Dow Chemical Company's plant, which extracts bromine directly from sea water. The process employed by the Ethyl-Dow Company is somewhat similar to that in use on salt-well brines at their plant at Midland, Michigan, but whereas these brines contain around 1,300 parts per million bromine, sea water contains only 65 to 70 p.p.m.-about as much as the waste effluent in the brine process. By intensive research, however, a process was developed whereby a very considerable percentage of the bromine content of sea water could be recovered, and at a satisfactory operating cost. In its essentials, the process consists in liberating the bromine from the sea water by treat-ment with chlorine, blowing the bromine out of the water by a current of air, and finally absorbing it in a solution of soda-ash.

Jan 1, 1938

By Henri-Louis Jacob

Le secteur des substances non-metalliques repose au Quebec sur !'exploitation et la transformation d'une dizaine de mineraux ainsi que sur la production de materiaux de base destines surtout a l'industrie de la construction. L'ensemble de cette production representait en 1982 une valeur estimee a plus de 797 millions $, soit tout pres de 400Jo de la production minerale du Quebec. L'amiante et Jes scories de titane destines a la production de pigments, qui comptent parmi Jes plus importantes substances minerales produites au Quebec, representent respectivement 370Jo et I 70Jo de la valeur totale des non-metalliques tandis que le groupe des materiaux de construction represente pres de 400Jo. Les autres substances, parmi lesquelles ressortent nettement la tourbe, la silice et la magnesite, representent une valeur totale de 61.5 millions $.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. D. Brown

Higher metal prices have resulted not only in increased exploration and production, but also increased activity in the purchase of mining properties and mines. This article discusses some of the basic income tax considerations to be taken into account on the disposal of an interest in a mining claim or an active mining operation. It notes the importance ofan appropriate allocation of the purchase price amongst the various categories of assets, and discusses the tax implications to both vendor and purchaser of the transfer of the comm on types ofassets involved in mining operations. In the space available, the article can only outline the basic tax considerations, and point to areas where both vendor and purchaser need to be o

Jan 1, 1980

By Gerald R. Larocque, Donald F. Grenville

"IN APRIL, 1965, the employee relations department (then called the personnel department) was established as a separate function within the company. Its aims and objectives were to hire an effective work force to operate the open-pit mine and the mill, which were at that time under development and construction. It was also directed to develop a sound policy for employee relations to assist the company in maintaining a stable and properly motivated work force, which included the establishment of satisfactory wage rates and fringe benefits, safety, fire protection and security. During the 8 years that the department has been in existence the scope of the company's operations has expanded to include a zinc plant and an underground mine. The work force has enlarged accordingly and now totals 1,680 employees working at the two sites, separated by 34 road miles. To cover the employee relations functions the department has a total of 29 members at the two sites. The department is organized under a superintendent, who has an employee relations supervisor, a safety director and a fire chief reporting directly to him. The employee relations supervisor, with 2 employment officers and 2 clerks, handles hiring, first-stage employee grievanoos, terminations, employee records, and the organization of company-sponsored functions and meetings. Safety, training and security are the responsibility of the safety director, who has 3 safety supervisors, 16 security men, 1 first-aid attendant and one hearing conservation technician to service the two sites. The fire chief operates as a one-man section responsible for plant-wide fire inspections and fireoriented training. Although"

Jan 1, 1974