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By H. D. B. Wilson, D. T. Anderson

"Canadian sulphide deposits generally have characteristic compositions. Metal associations in ore deposits and in igneous rocks are similar.Nickel: sulphur ratios, copper-nickel ratios, and nickel :cobalt ratios in copper-nickel sulphide ores are characteristic for most orebodies. Nickel, as sulphide, is highest in ores associated with ultrabasic rocks, whereas copper is highest in ores associated with gabbros. Cobalt is relatively constant. The metal ratios in copper-nickel ores are due, first, to the composition of the related igneous rock or magma; second, to the partition ratios of the metals into the sulphides when separating from the silicate rock or magma; and third, to the conditions at the time of deposition. Each factor is discussed and the evidence indicates the Frood orebody is a magmatic segregation in place and Falconbridge is an injected sulphide melt. Many Canadian orebodies containing copper, zinc, or lead also have relatively constant compositions. •Copper and zinc are concentrated in gabbro and diorite, and copper-zinc ores in northwestern Quebec are spatially related to gabbros and diorites. The same three factors con-trolling metal ratios in. copper-nickel deposits should control the metal ratios in copper-zinc deposits if the metals come from the gabbro-diorite intrusions.The ratios of base metals in common sedimentary rocks are not similar to the ratios in orebodies. Base metal elements are mobilized during high-grade metamorphism, but much fundamental research is needed before the relation between metamorphism and ore deposits can be established on a sound basis. The distribution of elements in sulphide orebodies suggests that cop-per, zinc, and lead are deposited simultaneously .in relatively constant proportions rather than successively in a paragenetic sequence. Zoning may be due to different ratios of metals being deposited under changing temperature, pressure, and chemical environment, or may be the result of other processes."

Jan 1, 1959

By O. A. Carson

Introduction Although the equilibrium conditions of the copper-tin alloys have been the subject of a ?great amount of research, the equilibrium diagram is still in doubt. The first systematic investigation of the series was made in 1894 by Le Chatelier, who published a freezing-point curve. In 1895, Roberts-Austen and Stansfield published the complete liquidus and partial solidus curves, which they modified somewhat in 1897. Their liquidus as given in 1897 is essentially that accepted today (Figure 3). Haycock and Neville also published a liquid us curve in 1897. In 1898, William Campbell published a series of micrographs showing the changes in microstructure which accompanied the thermal changes of Stansfield? s diagram. The classic work on the bronze series was published by Heycock and Neville in 1903. Their diagram was based on both thermal and microscopic evidence, and is the first for this series of alloys which can be considered nearly complete. Further, it was the first bronze diagram in which any attempt was made to apply the phase rule in the interpretation of the thermal and microscopic results. That portion of Heycock and Neville's diagram covered by the present work is reproduced in Figure 7.

Jan 1, 1929

By B. R. Hart, S. S. Dimov, J. Fournier

Carbonaceous matter (c-matter) in sulphide ores can adversely affect the process of gold recovery during cyanidation due to its ability to adsorb, or preg-rob, gold from a cyanide leach solution. This paper describes a standardized procedure for characterization of c-matter in an ore sample providing detailed information on its composition, maturity and preg-robbing capacity. The procedure utilizes the following complementary analytical techniques in conjunction with several chemical tests and assays: SEM/EDX Raman spectroscopy and TOF-SIMS. Results of the test can be used as a predictive tool to estimate the impact the c-matter will have on the gold recovery process. A comparison between predicted preg-robbing behaviour and cyanidation test results are presented.

Jan 1, 2011

By M. Kozlowski, I. Candy, S. Kashani-Nejad

The production of ferronickel and matte from nickel laterite ores is dominated by the Rotary Kiln, Electric Furnace (RKEF) process. Over time, major improvements have been made to kiln operation. In particular, kilns are now required to perform substantial amounts of reduction of the metallic oxides, thereby reducing the load on the electric furnace and substituting less expensive fossil fuel for electrical energy. To the basic refractory lined cylinder have been added: internal features such as dams and lifters, aimed at changing residence times in different sections of the kiln and enhancing gas/solids interaction, on-board fans to introduce tertiary air and on-board scoop mechanisms to allow reductant coal additions to be made at advantageous locations along the kiln. Many of these advances in design have been made on a trial and error basis and by 'borrowing' technology from related kiln processes, supplemented by proprietary modeling to various levels of sophistication. This paper presents a conceptual review of modeling components for the development of a computational model for granular material flow, combustion and heat and mass transfer in a nickel laterite kiln. These components include: granular material flow and segregation models for the simulation of bed motion, heat transfer models that simulate heat transfer by turbulent diffusion and radiation and the distribution of this thermal energy within the bed, and fluid flow models for the prediction of combustion aerodynamics.

Jan 1, 2005

By F. W. Gray

A GEOLOGICAL study seeking to determine, for economic purposes, the value of the Sydney coalfield as a source of coal supply. Limitations of the coalfield come under two main heads: (a) Areal extent of the undersea coalfield. (b) The distance from shore at which coal can be mined at a cost of production permitting its profitable sale. Conclusions reached are that the areal extent of seams below the Phalen seam is of. small economic importance, and that non-persistence of these seams in full thickness and quality in the undersea extension of the coalfield will put an end to profitable mining before any limitations connected with distance from the shore-line become operative. With respect to the Phalen seam, non-persistence or deterioration of the seam will become effective in the western part of the coalfield, and less certainly in the eastern part of the coalfield, before operation of limitations by distance from shore. In the central portion of the coalfield, the seam probably persists in commercially workable thickness and quality to beyond the limit of mining set by distance from the shore-line. With respect to the seams above the Phalen seam between the Mountain fault on the extreme western boundary of the coalfield and the assumed termination of the deposition area on the eastern extremity of the field near South Head of Morien, there appear to be only such limitations as arise from engineering approach, distance from shore, sufficiency of strata cover between the sea-floor and the upper coal seams, and quality of the coal (with certain reservations as to the continuity of the upper seams under Sydney harbour and in the Sydney Mines-Little Bras d'Or district). Some of these seams have fragmentary land outcroppings from which their persistence seaward is assumed, and there may be other and still higher seams in the strata column which are entirely submarine.

Jan 1, 1941

"The Waite-Amulet, an important copper-zinc mine, lies astride the Duprat-Dufresnoy township boundary about 8 miles northwest of Noranda, Quebec. It is an amalgamation of two properties, that of the former WaiteAckerman- Montgomery Mines to the north and that of Amulet Mines, Limited, to the south. This amalgamation took place in 1933. The description that follows is confined to the Amulet section.Ore was first discovered on the Amulet property in the autumn of 1924. The C Shaft and Upper A orebodies were found in 1925 and the F orebody in 1929, the latter by diamond drilling under a swamp. Under the present management, Lower A ore body was discovered by diamond drilling at a depth of 700 to 1,200 feet in 1938, and new ore was found from the old C Shaft workings between 1943 and 1945.From April 15th to October 20th, 1930, 60,291 tons of ore was produced from the Amulet. During the second half of this period, the ore averaged 4.2 per cent copper, 16.3 per cent zinc, and 0.02 oz. gold and 3.35 oz. silver per ton. Due to the prevailing low prices of metals, there was no further production until July, 1937. Output was greatly accelerated in 1940 when the newly found Lower A orebody assumed the main burden of production. Up to January 1st, 1946, mill reports indicate the treatment of the following ore: GENERAL GEOLOGYFig. 1 shows the geology of the entire property. To the east is the Lake Dufault granodiorite stock and to the west the Flavrian Lake granite mass. Around the granodiorite and separating the Waite from: the Amulet section is an older diorite intrusion. The ore occurs in a series of lavas that form a broad anticline pitching eastward at a relatively low angle into the Lake Dufault intrusives. There are several steep east-west faults. The late Powell diabase dyke is shown, also the general areas of strong dalmatianite alteration, a type closely associated with the sulphide mineralization."

Jan 1, 1954

"In a continuing investigation into the development of uranium alloys for armament applications, some complex base alloy corn positions were modified by varying the amount of alloying elements and by removing one or two of the alloying elements in turn from the base alloys. These uranium-base alloys were specially formulated in a search for heat-treatable, high-strength, ductile, high-density alloys. All alloys studied were ternary, quaternary or more complex alloys of uranium with molybdenum, zirconium, niobium and vanadium. Each cast alloy was studied under three different heat-treatments, and its mechanical and corrosion properties were determined. It was found that although most of the alloys studied had the hardness and strength required, they were extremely brittle and notch-sensitive under tensile stresses."

Jan 1, 1968

By D. J. MacKinnon

"The Canadian Copper Company, formed in 1885, began mining the nickel-copper ores of Sudbury in 1887 and producing nickel-copper matte from its smelter in 1888(1). Although it was quickly appreciated that the separation of nickel and copper (i.e. refining) was critical to the production of a marketable nickel product, refined nickel was not produced in Canada until about 1918. From the beginning of the industry, there was considerable political agitation to refine nickel in the Province of Ontario(2). The companies, however, claimed that the existing processes, viz. the sodium sulphide ""tops and bottoms"" process operated by the Orford Copper Company of New Jersey, U.S.A.(1,3,4) and the carbonyl process(5,6) developed by the Mond Company at Clydach, Wales, were too costly to operate in Canada. Nickel was first refined in Ontario about 1918 when the International Nickel Company opened a nickel refinery at Port Colborne, Ontario(6). Initially, however, the refinery at Port Colborne employed the Orford sodium sulphide process, and the first electrorefined nickel in Canada was produced in 1920 by the British America Nickel Corporation whose mine and smelter were located in Sudbury, Ontario, but whose electrorefinery was located at Deschenes, Quebec, near Ottawa, Ontario. The purpose of this article is to outline the early history of nickel electrorefining and to trace the significant developments which led to the first successful commercial electrolytic nickel refinery in Canada. The development of an electrolytic process for refining nickel is due largely to the efforts of four individuals, viz. Carl Hoepfner, Hans A. Frasch, D.H. Browne and ultimately N.V. Hybinette, and the contribution of each is discussed separately below."

Jan 1, 1999

By G. A. Van Wielingen

"The conditioning of natural gas to meet contract pipeline specifications involves in the majority of cases in Western Canada, the appropriation of substantial capital expenditures for treating and processing installations. It is therefore of vital importance to the owners and producers of natural gas to arrive at an appreciation of the economics pertaining to the production and surface handling of their gas reserves at the earliest possible stage of field development. The treating and processing of natural gas often results in considerable changes in composition and related physical characteristics between the wellhead and the point of delivery of the saleable gas. This paper presents a general outline of engineering calculations which can be applied in the pre-determination of the effects that surface handling of gas will have on the composition and physical characteristics of sale-able gas. Emphasis has been placed on the calculation of hydrocarbon dew-points, heating values and shrinkages prevailing at the various stages in the surface handling of natural gas. It is believed that advance information indicating the approximate ranges of these physical properties will facilitate process selection and will provide a basis for the estimation of capital and operating costs of process installations."

Jan 1, 1960

By A. G. Eccles

"INTRODUCTIONWestern Mines' copper-lead-zinc operations are located in Strathcona Provincial Park, near the geographic centre of Vancouver Island. This park includes Buttle Lake, which flows into the Campbell River water system. The latter provides domestic water for the Town of Campbell River, approximately fifty-eight miles from the mine site.Operation of the concentrator commenced in December 1966, at which time the tailings were discharged into a small tailings pond near the plant. On May 8, 1967 Permit No. 185 was granted to the company, allowing discharge of the tailings, through a submerged outfall, to the bottom of Buttle Lake.Needless to say, the concept of operating a mine within a park, and the discharge of tailings into Buttle Lake generated considerable controversy. However, this has all but been eliminated over the years by the proven effectiveness of Western Mines' pollution control program. In 1973 this program was further upgraded with the addition of an alkaline chlorination plant. Effluent treatment by this method became necessary as a result of process modifications, and has been effective in maintaining the levels of characteristics in the tailings within the ever increasing pollution control requirements imposed on the industry."

Jan 1, 1977

By G. A. Vissac

METHODS of coal preparation have been greatly developed and improved during the past few years. Under the pressing competition from substitutes that have been displacing coal as a source of heat or power, the coal industry has been able, in many cases, not only to hold its own but to regain much of the lost ground, by offering better products of a higher value. The purpose of this paper is to present, in a brief and simple form, the principles of the latest methods and machinery used in coal preparation, in order to enable the coal operator t0 select methods and equipment capable of solving his own problems in the most efficient and economical way. The paper will deal, in the main, .with coal cleaning. It must be emphasized, however, that a complete coal preparation study covers many other operations, such as handling, screening, de-dusting, dust-proofing, and ash-conditioning. Handling Coal From the producing face to the railway car, coal must be handled with great care, t0 prevent degradation, because the coarser sizes are not only easier to clean than fines but, for our markets, they are often the more valuable. Generally speaking, such care is less important or is unnecessary in the Old Country, where conditions are different. The best way to minimize breakage is to avoid gravity methods in coal transportation. All chutes in a preparation plant should be shaken mechanically, and cleaning processes requiring large surge bins must be avoided. De-Dusting De-dusting of coal is accomplished by the use of vibrating screens, fans, or classifiers, or by a combination of these. Fines below 1/32-in. (or coarser than this, with some coals) can very seldom be cleaned efficiently. Common practice is to discard them immediately, if the moisture content of the coal allows this to be done. Otherwise, they are liable to give unnecessary trouble, either in the form of dust or sludge, which are difficult to collect or to settle. Flotation is the only process which will effectively clean fines.

Jan 1, 1937

By F. D. Aaring

"IntroductionTHE PINCHER CREEK gas condensate field, in Township 3, Range 28, and Townships 3 and 4, Range 29, West of the Fourth Meridian, was discovered in 1947 by the Canadian Gulf Oil Company with the completion of Pincher Creek No. 1 well in the Madison lime-stone of Mississippian age.This discovery was the result of a great deal of detailed seismic work in the area and is a credit to the geophysical personnel of the Company. The depth of the reservoir varies from 7,400 feet to 8,200 feet subsea, with the established water level at -8,200 feet. The predicted depth was but a scant 100 feet from that found in the discovery well, at 11, 705 feet. Since the discovery of the reservoir, three additional wells have penetrated the Madison limestone and have further verified the original •seismic interpretation of the limits of this reservoir.To date, •only a very small amount of gas has been produced from this field. Consequently, the reservoir studies that have been made so far are predominantly based on investigations of the phase behaviour of the fluid and physical characteristics of the reservoir rock. In view of the above limitations, it has been necessary to set up and perform model reservoir studies with the fluids and to recover as much core from the productive Madison limestone as possible in order that it might be analysed by conventional laboratory technique and be subjected to detailed microscopic geological examination."

Jan 1, 1952

By Robert S. Penczak

Red Lake Gold Deposits ? Descriptive Classification (modified from Pirie, 1982) VHR Au -- Volcanic-hosted (vein & wall-rock) replacement Au deposits ~93% of camp production Q-(T) Au -- Quartz-(tourmaline) vein Au deposits ~7% of camp production Quartz-sulphide Au deposits Porphyry-hosted sulphide Au deposits Current & Significant Past Producers Camp Production 21.6 M oz / 672 tonnes Au Other Deposits / Occurrences (Intermittent Exploration

Apr 1, 2005

By Jason J. Ballentine

This case study presents the results of a maintenance review of a soot blower system at a coal fired power generation station. The power generation station was following a ?repair when it breaks? maintenance strategy for its soot blowers. The efficiency losses incurred as a result of failures in the soot blower system and the resulting interruption and out of service time was found to have a significant effect on the plant output. The maintenance strategy for the soot blowers was reviewed using Reliability Cantered Maintenance and lifecycle simulation. This methodology provided visibility to the monetary implications of failures and allowed alternative types of maintenance to be assessed and where justified were added to a maintenance schedule in the Maximo work order management system. By reducing unplanned breakdowns the predicted reduction in efficiency losses was 45%.

May 1, 2007

By Y. J. Yu, C. D. Zhang, Y. S. Zhao, W. G. Liang, Y. D. Geng, J. L. Bi

"In this study, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and thermal conductivity (TC) of shale in two perpendicular directions, vertical and parallel to the bedding of the rock, are firstly measured by experiment. The experimental results show that the CTE of the shale in the vertical direction is 1.69 times as much as that in the parallel direction, while the TC in the parallel direction is 1.83 times larger than that of the vertical direction. Based on the no initial strain assumptions, numerical simulations for the thermal cracking in shale are carried out with the obtained coefficients. Using finite element method and thermal-mechanical coupling theory, two fracture mechanical parameters, KI and J-integral of the shale are also analyzed for the shale thermal fracturing. The simulation results show that both KI and J-integral reach the maximum when the fracturing angle equals to 0° in the shale, namely parallel to the bedding direciton. It is also found that the two fracture parameters decrease with the fracturing angle increasing. Additionally, the thermal fracturing effect of the shale is evaluated under a given scenario. The study is significant for shale oil or gas recovery by in situ pyrolyzing method.INTRODUCTIONOil shale is regarded as a kind of unconventional resource that can contribute to production of shale oil and hydrocarbon gases (Rahm & Dianne, 2011). As is known that there is a large deposit of oil shale in China, and present technology for exploiting oil shale still concentrates on open-pit mining, obtaining shale oil by retorting shale on the ground (Li, Tang, Xue, Zheng, & Du, 2014; Qian, Yin, 2008). However, this technology has a bad effect on the environment and leads to severe resource waste for utilizing oil shale. Exploiting oil shale by in-situ method for ‘green mining’ is widely necessary in China (Kang, Wang, Cao, Liang, Chang, & Liu, 2013; Waters, Dean, Downie, Kerrihard, Austbo, & McPherson, 2009; Zoback, Kohli, Das, & McClure, 2012). One of effective method to exploit shale oil is heating oil shale in-situ underground. For instance, the in-situ conversion process (ICP technique) from Shell Company etc. used a direct heating method, and convectional heating oil shale underground by injecting superheated steam from Mining Technology Institute, Taiyuan University of Technology and constructing horizontal fracture in vertical wellbore from Chevron Company use indirect heating method (Chaudhary, Ehlig, & Wattenbarger, 2011; Hazra, Lee, Economides, & Moridis, 2013; Zhao et al., 2010). The convectional heating method contains complicated procedures with phase transition in double-media of fracture-matrix of oil shale subjected to multi-physical fields coupling including stress, fluid and temperature (Zhao et al., 2010). The characteristics of thermodynamics, solid mechanics and seepage of oil shale have been investigated separately (Hopkins, Rosen, & Hill,1998; Kang, Zhao, & Yang, 2008; Yang, Zhao, Kang, 2010; Zhao, Yang, Feng, Liang, & Kang, 2008; Zhao, Cao, Zhao, Lin, & Wang, 2008). However, it is quite difficult to solve constrained problem of each physical parameter in multi-physical fields coupling for oil shale pyrolysis."

Jan 1, 2015

By J. G. Bennett

Coal consumption has increased globally by 57% over the last ten years. Underground mining typically provides coal of the highest calorific value and accounts for the greatest proportion of production. Despite a negative environmental image and indeed impact, this industry appears likely to thrive on the global scale for many years to come. Such mining consumes large amounts of electricity with implications for carbon dioxide emission at power plants and emits substantial quantities of the powerful greenhouse gas methane. In response to this significant carbon footprint, the European Union has funded research to examine the potential for a range of improvement technologies in a project entitled Low Carbon Mine Site Energy Initiatives (LOWCARB). Coal properties related to seams and mines, together with longwall characteristics, provide the basis for research into modelling optimally efficient methane drainage with a view to assisting mining as well as maximising electricity generation at surface and hence oxidation of the methane. Possible systems for the oxidation of very low concentration methane in ventilation air, which contributes the greatest greenhouse gas impact due to the volumes emitted, have been studied and modelled. Simulation and investigation of intelligent optimisation of electricity demand patterns provide the basis for reducing the demand peaks at mines and hence the cost and ultimately the carbon footprint of a mine, while specific investigations have been undertaken into ventilation efficiency at an unusually challenging mine and simulation of mine water pumping in order to develop an innovative method to monitor pumping systems efficiency. For post-mining use, the potential of disused shafts for compressed air energy storage to improve the operation of future electricity grids with high renewable energy penetration by reducing peak generation capacity requirements has been studied. While underground coal mining will always by definition be related to a significant carbon footprint, this paper provides an overview of a set of initiatives that can make a positive environmental impact while controlling costs across a huge global industry.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. H. Lang

Introduction The recent uranium discovery at Theano point, lake Superior, is probably a rediscovery of the first reported Canadian uranium occurrence. A description of material from the original discovery was published in 1847 by J. L. LeConte, and many attempts have been made to relocate the deposit. Such attempts have in the past been unsuccessful because of vagueness in the original description of the locality. Besides being a prospect that seems to merit development work, the Camray discovery is important because it reaffirms the occurrence of pitchblende in the eastern part of the Precambrian shield. Much staking followed the announcement of the discovery, and some additional finds have been reported. Location The Camray discovery is at the shore of Theano point, lake Superior, about seventy miles north of Sault Ste. Marie (see Figure 1). It is in township 29, range XIV, district of Algoma. The showing is two miles from Highway No. 17, and is reached by a rough trail that leaves the highway at mileage 72.9 from Sault Ste. Marie. There are no towns of any size nearer than Sault Ste. Marie.

Jan 1, 1949

By Herbert D. Drechsler, James B. Stephenson

"AbstractThe paper identifies the major components of price change which affect the determination of the internal rate of return of a mining project. It illustrates several price indexes which may be used to measure general price increases, identifying techniques which might incorporate them into mine valuation procedures. The ""hurdle rate"" for new investment is discussed.IntroductionDECISIONS regarding the value of an orebody and whether or when to mine an orebody are based on an estimate of the cash flows which would be associated with its exploitation. These pro-forma cash flows represent cash in or out of a possible mineable deposit and include exploration and construction costs, sales revenues, operating expenses, taxes, debt borrowings, interest and debt repayment. It has long been recognized that when combining the cash flows occurring over the life of the mine, dollars received or paid out early have greater value than those received or paid out later. This time value of money has been incorporated into mine evaluation calculations through the use of present-value or discounting techniques. Another factor affecting mine valuation, inflation, is not accounted for by valuation techniques now in use. In recent years, price changes have become more volatile. In the past, price change could easily be ignored when evaluating potential mines. Today, the combination of larger investments and greater price volatility leads to great concern about the effects of price change on mine valuation."

Jan 1, 1977

By R. Marleau, R. Assad, J. Dugas

"A study of the geological features of known occurrences of mineralization in Gaspe is the basis for a classification. Nickel, chromite, asbestos and some copper are pre-or syn-Taconic, whereas the most important deposits are tied to granitic post-Taconic stocks. Most occurrences are clearly related to igneous rocks: nickel, chromium and asbestos to Ordovician serpentinite; copper to volcanic rocks of different ages; and copper, zinc and lead to acidic intrusions with apparent zoning. Some lead-zinc deposits lying between the Grande Greve and York Lake formations are stratigraphically controlled. Some occurrences are tied to faults; e.g., the nickel-copper mineralization along the North Grand Pabos fault. Northerly-trending transverse structures appear to coincide with the Gaspe Copper, Mount McGerrigle (Tabletop) granite and Lemieux dome areas of mineralization. JEAN DUGAS, after graduating"

Jan 1, 1969

By V. E. Dawson

Brake testing of large mining trucks was initiated in British. Columbia in 1969 following an accident involving the failure of the service brakes of a l00-ton electric-drive truck. Some selected results of the 1976 brake test program are presented and discussed ?in this paper . The tests were conducted on end- dump trucks having load capacities ranging from 85 to 235 tons. All tests were made with the vehicles fully loaded operating on downhill grades varying from 8 to 10 %. Stopping distances were measured from initial speeds varying between 10 and 39 mph. The results are adequate, in most cases, to determine the "ultimate" capabilities of the service brakes of varying models and sizes of haulage trucks operating in British Columbia mines.

Jan 1, 1977