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By Q. Han, W. Dai

Al-Ti-B type master alloys have been widely used in the grain refinement of aluminum since 1940s. The introduction of Al3Ti and TiB2(AlB2) particles reduces the grain sizes down to about 200 micrometer level and makes cold work possible. However, the mechanism for the grain refinement is still not clear, though it is believed that TiB2 in the presence of Al3Ti nucleate a-Al grains in solidification. This paper presents our finding on the formation of (Ti,Al)B2 solid solution, which leads to a proposed theory on grain refinement by Al-Ti-B type master alloys that upon addition into aluminum melt stable TiB2 particles react with aluminum slowly and release titanium into the melt. The titanium thus released in combination with titanium in the melt through dissolution of Al3Ti maintains a transient titanium-rich layer on the surface of (Ti,Al)B2. This layer offers a low crystal mismatch with a- Al and promotes the nucleation of aluminum grains.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. E. Zajic, E. A. Sullivan, T. R. Jack

"The release of vanadium, iron, nickel and titanium from the cokes produced in the upgrading of Alberta oil sands bitumen has been assessed for simple chemical leaching processes. Flexicoker coke (Exxon Engineering and Research) has been found to be quite amenable to the recovery of vanadium as well as nickel, iron and some titanium by these techniques, whereas fluid coker coke (Syncrude) and delayed coker coke (Great Canadian Oil Sands) are relatively intractable under the mild conditions employed. The factors affecting the extent of vanadium release are discussed in terms of the surface area accessible, the wettability of the material, and the chemical and physical composition of the coke particles in each case.A novel biologically assisted heap leaching procedure for f1exicoker coke is also described, based on the growth of the chemolithotrophic bacteria, Thiobacillus thiooxidans A TCC 8085, on elemental sulphur added to the coke."

Jan 1, 1980

By John E. Udd

"In this paper the author presents the results of the 1992 CIM survey of graduates in minerals and technology programs in Canadian post-secondary institutions. As usual, the trends are out-of phase with the economic state of the industry. People who chose a minerals career in the prosperous days of the late 1980sare now entering a labour market in recession.The cyclical nature of enrollments is illustrated in a series of figures showing the trends since the CIM survey Wa5 begun in 1956 (and even earlier for mining engineering).In the survey, the respondents were asked to provide comments on their perceptions of the problems specific to minerals education in Canada. The large number of responses have led the author to the conclusions and recommendations given in the final part of the paper."

Jan 1, 1993

By Norman M. P. Low

"IntroductionIndustrial applications of mica utilize two commercially important varieties of mica: muscovite and phlogopite. Muscovite mica is a potassium mica with a general chemical formula, H2KA1(Si04)3 h, and is sometimes referred to as a potas hsilicate. Phlogopite is a magnesium mica having a general chemical formula, H2KMgSi(Si04)3, and is distinguished from the muscovite mica by its decomposition in sulphuric acid.Canada is one of the major natural mica producers in the world. A large tonnage of the mica powders is at present mined and processed in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. This Canadian mica is of the phlogopite type. A closely related mineral of the mica family which is widely used in the construction industry is vermiculite. It is a dehydrated magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate characterized by a foliated structure. Expanded vermiculite, which is often referred to as exfoliated mica, is used as many types of thermal and acoustic insulation, as loose fill in buildings, as an aggregate in concrete, as an ingredient in plaster and insulating concrete , and in fire-proofing compositions. Natural phlogopite and muscovite mica powders are used extensively as reinforcing agents in organic polymers. They also have a wide range of applications in commerical products. For example, dry-ground mica powders are used in large tonnage as a surface finish in roofing materials and as a bonding agent in wallboard joint cement. Common products such as paint, rubber, plastics and welding rods contain mica. Recent studies have also shown that mica powders can be added to portland cement in the preparation of concrete products, as they could improve the tensile strength of the concrete products. The potential and possible"

Jan 1, 1982

By L. Zeka, I. Ndala, J. Frenay, S. Gaydardzhiev

"Reductive leaching of cobalt (III) from a heterogenite bearing ore has been performed. Pyrite was added to the system and simultaneously bioleached in order to provide ferrous iron as reducing agent. Within such arrangement the iron ions are continuously re-circulated inside a Fe 3+ / Fe 2+ loop. As a result Co(III) is solubilized in the presence of Fe 2+ ions in concentrations well below the stoichiometric requirement. The ore has been initially subjected to acid pre-leaching in order to guarantee that the available Co (II) has been entirely removed. Two technological parameters have been studied to show influence on the degree of cobalt leaching: concentration of ferric iron in the inoculum and the presence of bacteria. The bacterial role could be mainly viewed in supplying ferric ions in the system which chemically react with the pyrite to generate ferrous ions used as Co(III) reducing agent. Co(III) dissolution has been less efficient when the concentration of total iron in the system was low, but also when microorganisms were absent. SEM observations on leached heterogenite have evidenced bacterial attack on the mineral; however the precise role of bacterial presence on cobalt (III) leaching is still to be elucidated.INTRODUCTIONCobalt accompanies quite often copper in secondary oxidized ore deposits (Rumbu, 2013). In such associations cobalt is found both as CoII+ as well as CoIII+ (Deliens, 1974). In contrast to cobalt (III), cobalt (II) is leached relatively easy in sulphuric acid solutions. Cobalt (III) when present in mineral form belongs to the heterogenite mineral group with a simplified chemical formulae Co2O3.H2O or CoOOH. In order to be brought in solution, heterogenite should capture two electrons, likewise shown in reaction 1 below:"

Jan 1, 2016

By T. H. Patching, M. W. Mikhail

"Data from a standardized procedure for measuring methane desorption rates from samples of Western Canadian coals gave a good correlation (0.994) with the percentage of fines (-0.6 mm) found in the corresponding run-of-mine coal. The correlation was independent of the mining method and the top size of the samples. It is suggested that both methane desorption rate and the production of fine coal sizes are functions of the fissuration of the coal being mined.This relationship, in conjunction with established data of degradation by unit process equipment, may be useful in predicting the amount of fines that will be produced from new seams of coal and by planned new washeries. It also could be a valuable guide in modifying existing washery processes to minimize production of fines."

Jan 1, 1980

By J. C. Botham, T. D. Brown

"Coke is the most costly item in steelmaking via blast furnaces . Recent innovations in cokemaking have been directed toward reducing this cost while simultaneously improving coke quality and expanding the range of coals used in the process. It is also important to meet increasingly stringent environmental legislation.Improvements in coke quality have been achieved by novel blend selection procedures, by charge density control using both selective pulverization and partial briquetting, and by the use of modifying additives.The Canadian Carbonization Research Association provides a focus for Canadian cokemakin g research which has demonstrated these technologies in a series of pilot-scale experiments."

Jan 1, 1980

By J. B. Heslop, D. S. Bubar

"The Gondor Zn-Ag-Pb-Cu deposit is a stratabound massive sulphide lens occurring within Archean volcaniclastic rocks of the Yellowknife Supergroup. The deposit is located in the west-central portion of the Slave Structural Province, approximately 350 km north of Yellowknife.Initial diamond drilling at Gondor has outlined a steeply dipping, L-shaped, folded, massive sulphide body, which may be traced over a strike length of approximately 800 m, and to a depth of 350 m. True widths of up to 40 m have been intersected in the thickest part of the deposit. Preliminary estimates suggest that the deposit contains a minimum of 7.5 million tonnes grading 6% Zn, 50 g/tonne Ag and less than I% combined Cu and Pb. In addition, significant gold, grading up to 2.8 g/tonne, occurs in some parts of the deposit. The mineralization is open both down-dip and along strike.The Gondor deposit lies conformably within a predominantly east-west striking, north-facing sequence of felsic to intermediate volcaniclastic rocks. Coarse fragmental rocks are abundant in the hanging wall, whereas ash and lapilli-tuffs predominate in the footwall. The main structural feature in the area is a large-scale, steeply northeast-plunging, Z-shaped fold. The sulphide mineralization lies within the synformal portion of this fold, with the thickest part of the deposit coinciding with its hinge zone. Several episodes of faulting have also affected the local stratigraphy.The wallrocks of the Gondor deposit were hydrothermally altered prior to the onset of medium-grade regional metamorphism. A halo of altered rocks surrounds the massive sulphide lens, with no apparent difference in the degree of alteration between the hanging wall and footwall strata. The alteration zone is characterized by the addition of MgO and K20 and by the depletion of Na20 and CaO. These changes are reflected in the mineralogy of the altered wallrocks by local enrichment in chlorite, biotite, muscovite and cordierite.The mineralized zone is medium- to coarse-grained, well-banded and is composed largely of pyrite, quartz, and sphalerite with subordinate galena and chalcopyrite. Preliminary studies of metal distribution indicate that a lateral zonation is present, with lead enrichment in the central part of the deposit, and copper enrichment toward both ends. Stringer-type copper mineralization has not yet been discovered in the footwall of the Gondor deposit."

Jan 1, 1985

By C. Beaudry

Outline ? General Geology of Frieda River Project Area ? Exploration History ? Geology of Porphyry Deposits ? Porphyry Resource ? Update of Nena Deposit and High-Sulfidation Mineralization ? Nena Resource

May 1, 2006

By Robert B. Parsons

"The Canadian Exploration Incentive Program (CEIP), which was announced by the federal government on May 3, 1988, promises to maintain the viability of flow-through shares as a financing mechanism which has proven to be so crucial to the health of the junior exploration sector. This month, Tax Notes examines, the main features of CEIP, which will come into play on January J, 1989. IntroductionOn May 3,1988, the Honourable Marcel Masse, Minister of Energy Mines & Resources, and the Honourable Gerald Merrithew, Minister of State (Forestry and Mines) announced the Canadian Exploration Incentive Program (CEIP). Under CEIP, the federal government will make cash payments to eligible applicants equal to 30% of eligible exploration expenses. CEIP payments will be available with respect to both mineral, and oil and gas, exploration. In essence, the program will replace the ""mining exploration depletion allowance"" (MEDA) presently applicable to mineral exploration, and the Canadian Exploration and Development Incentive Program (CEDIP) which is presently available to the oil and gas exploration sector.This paper discusses briefly the main features of CEIP insofar as the program will affect mineral exploration. The comments herein are based on the Canadian Exploration Incentive Program Act which received Royal Assent on July 21, 1988, and on a discussion paper which was released by EM&R in May 1988. The bulk of the rules relating to the program will be in the form of regulations which have yet to be finalized. It is understood that EM&R would like to have the regulations in force by October I, 1988, when the oil and gas portion of CEIP becomes effective. (The rules relating to mineral exploration will become effective January I, 1989)."

Jan 1, 1988

By R. F. Engler

"IntroductionThe Coal Branch region of west-central Alberta has been the focal point for unprecedented exploration and development activities over the past ten years prompted by the renewed markets for high-quality thermal coal. Although mines were developed and operated extensively throughout the region from 1910 until 1960, information relating to the detailed stratigraphy of the coal measures and their areal distribution tended to be localized to individual mine sites. Continuity along trend was impaired by a paucity of outcrop restricting geologic mapping to stream bank and roadside exposures. Recent studies and subsequent publications by Jerzykiewicz and McLean of the Geological Survey of Canada (1978, 1980) have established a detailed sedimentological model and defined the stratigraphic nomenclature for the region . The term Coalspur Beds has been adopted to describe the coal-bearing sequence between the overlying Paskapoo Formation and underlying Brazeau Formation. Complete sections of the Coalspur Beds have been compiled from sub-surface borehole data and published by Manalta Coal Ltd ., Dentherm Resources Ltd. and Luscar Stereo Ltd. This paper is an attempt to correlate this information on a regional basis to illustrate trends within the Coalspur Beds."

Jan 1, 1986

By Yves C. Lizotte, Malcolm J. Scobie

Blast fragmentation is affected by the physical and mechanical characteristics of the rockmass as determined by geology as well as the explosive energy, the partition of this energy, the actual amount of energy transmitted to the rockmass, the blast geometry and the detonation sequence. This paper reviews studies of the influence of geology on blast fragmentation, particularly structure, i.e. the in situ or inherent fragmentation arising from rock discontinuities. Prior structural studies have mainly been limited to comparing equivalent diameters of the in situ blocks with the size distributions of the blasted material. No criteria exist to integrate structure into blast design. This paper reviews on-going studies of the blasted fragment shape and size observed in different rockmasses aimed at analyzing geological control over blasting. Digital photoanalysis was applied {o measure size and shape distributions, to correlate results with block size distributions and shape parameters of the inherent fragmentation. An integrated and comprehensive fragmentation assessment procedure which accounts for geological control is proposed. The potential of this research is to provide a greater understanding of the true contribution of explosives to fragmentation, the effects of fragment shape on system productivity and the reduction of blast-induced damage.

Jan 1, 1994

By M. K. Gangal, A. E. Hall, S. B. V. Stewart

"An investigation into the problem of atmospheric fog in Canadian mines is described. Fog occurs in several mines and the reduced visibility can result in the closure of workings for safety reasons. Information on the mechanisms of fog formation are discussed and the methods for improving conditions are reviewed with their relative costs.INTRODUCTIONAtmospheric fog occurs in several Canadian mines during spring and summer. The fog which reduces visibility, contributes to loss of production and increased accident risk . Closure of ramps in mechanized mines causes mining to be stopped or rescheduled, and stoping and grade control may be affected . Increased corrosion of equipment may result from acidic fog .Fog is commonly caused by saturated air being compressed and heated by an inlet fan and then being circulated in an ascensional system with heat transfer to the walls of wet airways. This causes supersaturation and water droplets condense to create fog, with liquid water contents of 0.5 g/kg to 3 g/kg of air. These concentrations reduce visibility to less than 10m and prevent mining. Less severe fog is usually tolerated as a nuisance, about which little can be done."

Jan 1, 1989

By Chri Langille, Dougal McCreath, Samantha Espley

"In 1993, trials of two innovative applications of liner support involving the replacement of bolts in the ground support system were undertaken at Inco mines. The first trial involved an evaluation of the effect of dynamic loading on mesh-reinforced boltless shotcrete in a sub-level cave mining area on 2400 level at Stobie Mine. The second trial involved an evaluation of the MIROC Mineguard spray-on liner as a replacement for bolts and screen support, or as a replacement for screen support alone, in a topsoil heading of a bulk, VRM (vertical retreat mining) stope on 3240 level at Lower Coleman Mine.In the Stobie Mine trial, an uppers retreat heading was supported using a two-pass system. First, shotcrete was applied 2 inches thick, followed by pinning of mesh screen to the back and walls. A second pass of another 2 inches of shotcrete was then performed. For recovery of the ore zone, a vertical slot was created using a Borepak blind boring machine. The uppers rings were blasted, one or two rings at a time, starting at the slot and retreating out of the heading. During blasting of the production rings, blast monitoring was used to record the ppvs (peak particle velocities). For a series of 5-ring blasts, the maximum ppvs were measured to be 0.4 m/s (16 in./s) with a maximum charge weight per delay of357 kg (800 Ib). Six 5-point convergence measurement stations were set up and after each blast the total rockmass convergence was measured using a tape extensometer. Although a maximum displacement of 100 mm (4 in.) was measured, the shotcrete still managed to provide some support junction. A support damage assessment was also done to try and relate blast vibration to effectiveness of the mesh reinforced shotcrete liner. This trial demonstrated the effect that blasting has, on a support system, and it also demonstrated the necessity of having the mesh reinforcement properly placed within the shotcrete."

Jan 1, 1995

By Brian C. Maynard

"Blast design is becoming more and more important as industrial limitations change in regard to economical and physical restraints. Certainly there are ways to alter the nature of the blast by using different explosives, various hole sizes and modifying the timing and charging details. However, it is not possible to alter the fabric of the rock mass. Therefore, it is necessary to learn more about the rock mass and its role in the blast design, and the resulting fragmentation. The major determinant in the degree of fragmentation, or lack of it, is proposed to be the inherent fragmentation of the in situ rock mass. A practical method of quantifying the discontinuities existing in the rock mass is presented and discussed. Likewise, the effects of inherent fragmentation on the resulting muckpile are reviewed. Finally, a fragmentation model combining the calculated inherent fragmentation and the Kuzram model is shown using a sample blast.IntroductionIn blasting, discontinuity characteristics (Fig. 1) control the method by which the rock mass will behave. Research carried out by Piteau (1970) showed a number of characteristics important in engineering design and, as proposed, in blasting processess. These included:• the nature of their occurrence (i.e. sets or isolated);• orientation and position in space;• continuity; and• intensity"

Jan 1, 1990

By George J. Simandl, Suzanne Paradis, Kirk D. Hancock, Jana Simandl

Traditional prospecting and boulder tracing are the two most important field techniques used in exploration for magnesite deposits hosted by sedimentary rocks. Consequently, success depends largely on the prospector's ability to identify magnesite. A density agent called sodium polytungstate (3Na2W04·9WOj'HPJ was successfully used to determine the presence of magnesite in sedimentary carbonate rocks of southeastern British Columbia. A rapid field method was developed and tested. This method permits discrimination between limy dolomites, dolomites, magnesite-bearing dolomites and magnesite-rich rocks.

Jan 1, 1993

By D. W. Euler, B. J. Clauzier

"Implementation of an effective energy management system will reduce energy costs without impacting negatively on production.The energy management system must be designed to complement the operation and be integrated with the organization. It must be reliable and easy to use but most important, it must have an accurate and timely feedback reporting system to allow the operation to take appropriate action.Falconbridge Limited was one of the first three companies to be awarded the energy monitoring demonstration program in May 1987. The program is sponsored jointly by the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Ontario Hydro.This paper describes the approach taken by Falconbridge Limited to implement the Onaping Area Energy Management System.IntroductionThe objective of the project was to implement an effective energy management system, capable of reducing energy costs without impacting negatively on production.Energy management systems must be designed to complement the operation and to be integrated with the organization. The system must be reliable and easy to use, but most importantly, it must have an accurate and timely feedback reporting system to allow the operation to take appropriate action."

Jan 1, 1990

By Eric Pirard

"A mineralogical and trace element analysis was performed on the Küre historical slags in order to evaluate the possible recovery of copper and cobalt. Reflected light microscopy, electron microprobe and image analysis were combined to determine the Cu and Co distribution in the slag.The results indicate that 81% of the total cobalt is chemically combined in the fayalite whereas only 3.4% is in the mechanically entrapped sulphides. The remainder being in hercynite and wiistite. On the other hand, 95% of the total copper is in the sulphide phase.This kind of applied mineralogical investigation gives invaluable information when it is performed preliminary to metallurgical experiments.IntroductionThe recycling of metallurgical slags is a growing business. The operation is directed toward recovering base metals (Cu, Pb, Zn), and by-products (Floyd and Mackey, 1981).Two reasons are invoked to explain metallic losses in slags: (1) mechanical entrapment of matte globules in the silicate melt; and (2) chemically combined metals in the slag-forming phases. Obviously, a chemical analysis of the slag cannot distinguish between those two modes. Grinding and flotation of the liberated sulphides have often been used to evaluate the importance of mechanical entrapment (Mechev, 1970; Imris , 1982).Recent studies in applied mineralogy of pyrometallurgical products (Bérubé et al., 1987; Pignolet et al., 1986) have demonstrated the benefits of quantitative mineralogical analyses of slags. Optical microscopy together with electron microprobe and image analysis offers a powerful and easy way of quantifying the relative importance of mechanical and chemical losses."

Jan 1, 1991

By T. D. Traubert, J. T. Dietz, D. Catena

"Canadian process industry experts have often observed the strong trend for U.S. industrial safety and environmental laws to creep across the border. These experts will be interested in new United States (OSHA) regulations (29 CFR 1910.119), and anticipated new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that will require over 28 000 U.S. refineries and chemical plants employing more than three million workers, to begin a comprehensive Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) of these complex plants immediately. Impending EPA regulations are expected to expand these efforts and add process Hazard Frequency and process Hazard Consequence reviews for many additional industrial locations.These regulations were created to reduce catastrophic industrial accidents, and emergency releases of hazardous chemicals which endanger employees, the public, and the environment.Accurate, and field verified Piping and Instrument Diagrams (P&IDs) are essential to permit a meaningful Process Hazard Analysis or emission release to be done. Today accurate P&IDs often do not exist. Many companies that have started to update their old P&IDs have found the process to be far more difficult, time-consuming,and expensive than they ever thought.This paper describes a new technique of computer drawn ""Intelligent"" P&IDs that can make a Process Hazard Analysis less expensive, more accurate, easier to perform, and provides lasting benefits to the plant owner long after the PHA has been completed."

Jan 1, 1993

By F. Habashi

"Extractive metallurgy was divided into the three sectors pyro-, hydro-, and electrometallurgy in 1959 when Professor Joseph Newton at the Idaho School of Mines in Moscow mentioned this in his book Extractive Metallurgy. Pioneer hydrometallurgists who built this discipline can be traced to the alchemists in the ninth century. It is now a mature subject of great importance in which pressure plays a vital role. Short biographies of some hydrometallurgists and the processes they invented are briefly outlined.INTRODUCTIONHydrometallurgy is the use of aqueous solutions to recover metals from ores. It is a relatively new discipline when compared with pyrometallurgy the use of fire to melt ores and recover metals which was practiced in ancient times. Hydrometallurgy can be traced to the time of alchemists whose concern was the transmutation of base metals into gold. Although alchemists did not succeed in their venture yet they described many reagents that are useful today. For example, they prepared sulfuric acid by distillation of iron vitriol, muriatic acid by distillation of sulfuric acid with salt, and nitric acid by reaction of sulfuric acid by reaction of sulfuric acid with salpeter. Jabir Ibn Hayyan the Muslim alchemist who lived in the ninth century (Figure 1) described aqua regia a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acid that can dissolve gold although either acid has no action on gold. THE MIDDLE AGESIn the Middle Ages, it was reported that copper was recovered at Rio Tinto in Spain by allowing copper-containing pyrite to be exposed in piles to the action of air and rain. Copper sulfate solution obtained was treated with pieces of iron to precipitate metallic copper—a process that was called cementation. Georgius Agricola (1494–1555) (Figure 2) a medical doctor in Saxony who used to visit mines and smelters to examine miners and metal workers, described in his book De Re Metallica the parting of gold, i.e., separating of silver from gold by acids."

Jan 1, 2016