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By Hector Monette

"AFTER SPENDING a lifetime in the mining industry it is normal that one should be concerned with the future of his profession, especially if he is directly responsible for the education and formation of future mining engineers. It is not necessary to insist on the importance of mining for Canada and for the entire world to prove the necessity of the Mining Engineer. A statement was made by Zay Jeffries, former vicepresident of General Electric Co., and here I quote: ""Even though minerals without man are of no moment, man would not be man as we know him without minerals ... ""minerals are as essential to the life of social man as food is to man himself"". This certainly expresses magnificently the purpose of the mining profession. These are the reasons why I have accepted to present my views on the future of the Mining Engineer. If I express some concern it is not because I feel that there is any danger for the profession to disappear; men will always respond to a challenge and this can be found in the extraction of minerals as well as in any other field of human endeavour. However, the first big question concerns the competitive position of Canada in the world of mining. To be made available to Canadians and to the rest of the world, all this tremendous potential mineral wealth that our country has been so generously endowed with by nature must be gained from the earth's crust at a competitive cost. Otherwise it will never become ore and will have no value. Let us not forget that although minerals are discovered, mines are not found but are made. So let us be more efficient mine makers. To accomplish this end, it is the duty of the different responsible organizations at all levels - be they governmental, para-governmental, public or private institutions - to do their utmost to assure the profitable development of our mineral wealth. The University has an all-important role to play in preparing all the specialists required by this intricate machine that mining is. All the different disciplines of engineering, health, social and -managerial sciences are needed for the good functioning of the mining industry. Although they are all essential, some will play a more important role as a member of the structure. In this discussion it is the role of the most important member, the mining engineer, who is actually responsible for the extraction of the minerals from the earth's crust that must be established. From this we will then be able to analyse his responsibilities and try to suggest the mining engineering program most suitable to prepare this engineer for his future role."

Jan 1, 1972

By Lucas G. Thompson

My topic, "The Administration of Mineral Rights'.' is possibly an unusual one, as it deals with a subject upon which many of us have a more than passing interest, I thought ?it might prove consistent with the objects of this meeting, more especially as I propose to deal, not with those broad subjects of nation-wide importance which are often the subject'? of learned (and sometimes futile) academic discussion, but rather with problems in their practical light. To the scientist, the important question is What is it? to the technician, Can it be utilized? to the business-man, Will it pay? All three questions are important, and so quick has been the march of business on the heels of science? that the one question follows the other with astonishing rapidity and all three must be considered in the modern management of a mineral estate. A .good illustration of the force of this can be found in the recent advance of our knowledge of the element helium in which we have advanced from a solution of the first question to the last question in the short period of 55 years. It is to be borne in mind, however, that in the administration of mineral rights, the question "Will it pay?:' is of primary importance. What forms a mineral estate ? A former practice in western Canada in selling lands was to sell the hair with the hide. All transactions sold the lands in fee simple, which included all mines, minerals and rights and privileges whatsoever, excluding only the royal metals, gold and silver, which by imputation, though not by specific reference, in deeds. of title are reserved to the Crown. At that time the country was in the first ?stages of settlement and the value of our mineral resources was hardly appreciated and little understood.

Jan 1, 1923

By G. M. Humphrey

It is a great honour and privilege to be here in this distinguished company of the outstanding men in the mining industry and the political life of Canada. I fully recognize that I am so honoured as a symbol of the combination of American and Canadian leaders in industry who are partners in the sponsor-ship of the Quebec-Labrador iron-ore mining development which we are undertaking, and as such I want to express our great appreciation of the co-operation and assistance we have met on every hand in Canada, and the genuine friendliness and never-failing courtesy which we are always accorded. We are quite aware that it springs primarily from the very high regard in which our partner and sponsor, Jules Timmins, and our other Canadian associates are held. Their high standing among you is well known and we quite naturally fall heir to the benefits of the great esteem in which you hold them. Jules Timmins and his long-time associate, John Knox, were the original inspiration for our participation in this venture. It was their enthusiasm and vision which caught our interest and led to our joining with them in the years of exploration and search which have brought us to the threshold of this great development where we stand today. So much has been written of the details of our exploration and plans for future development that it would bore you for me to review them further here, but there is a phase of this development, and an extremely important phase of it, which I think has passed almost unnoticed and which it may be well worth while for me to bring to your attention this evening.

Jan 1, 1951

By J. A. H. Church

My paper entitled "Spontaneous Combustion of Coal in Mines;" read some time ago before this Branch, consisted chiefly of extracts from the British Blue Book dealing with the same subject. Fallowing my article, Mr. de Hart submitted a paper dealing with the application of existing methods of working in Alberta to the conditions obtaining in our bituminous mines. I must confess that the perusal of his paper did not enlighten me either as to what might be a method preferable to those in vogue or even to Mr. de Hart's ideas on the subject, nor did the ensuing discussion of Mr. de Hart's paper afford any great clarification of the problem. The outstanding idea, supplied by Mr. Dick, seemed to be that a retreating system could not be employed, as no operator would feel justified in risking the capital necessary to driving to the boundary when the whole might be jeopardized by a fire breaking out in the waste. That a fire would break out in the waste of any adit-level working seemed to be conceded by all, and with that I agree; that an ignited waste could not be safely sealed off by means of stoppings in a coal barrier-pillar appeared to be the contention of Mr. Dick, or perhaps he attributed this idea to the Mines Branch-anyhow, it seemed to loom over the discussion like a miasma. With this aspect I do not agree, as ? reliance is placed wholly on stoppings in the thick seams of South Staffordshire, even in fiery mines. In the thick coal at Exhall colliery, or elsewhere in Warwickshire (34 feet 4 inches) containing hard and soft coal in layers, a fire assuming serious proportions is sealed off. By the way, retreating long-wall methods are employed. In Fifeshire, sealing off fire in the Dysart mine has been accomplished successfully. The seam averages about 20 feet thick.

Jan 1, 1924

By Jamal Asfahani

Abstract - Natural gamma ray well logging, an effective tool in geophysical prospecting, is used to investigate the radioactive and phosphatic layers in the Khneifiss mine in Syria. The interpretation of the gamma ray measurements, using numerical methods of analysis developed previously and applied successfully in some phosphatic areas in Syria, make it possible to define precisely the phosphate thickness from place to place in the study area. This technique has been successfully applied while studying seven boreholes in the area. Sixty-three core samples from phosphatic layers in the boreholes have been analyzed, using gamma ray spectrometry for the determination of P2O5 , U, Th, and K. Good correlation between P2O5 content and U concentration has been found. The total count gamma logs correlate reasonably well with the U core analysis, suggesting that radioactive equilibrium exists in the U decay series. These gamma logs can be therefore used effectively to quantitatively map the distribution of P2O5 and U. The characteristics of both subsurface phosphatic sand and phosphatic rocks have been investigated and outlined using a statistical approach. The affinity of uranium to some trace elements such as V, Sr, Cu, and Ni has been verified using correlation matrices of these elements.

Jan 1, 2002

By O. Bernal

The Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A, a subsidiary of Phelps Dodge Mining Company, operates a copper mining facility located in southern Peru. This "mine-forleach" operation currently produces 90,000 mtpy of copper cathode from secondary sulfide ore utilizing crushing, leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning processes. The leach solution handling and application rates have undergone constant development over the years. This paper discusses the improvements in leach application designed to: 1) satisfy the needs of the "lixiviant request rate", which requires the use of application rates as low as 3.5 L/h/m2 and as high as 15 Llhlm2 with variable rest periods according to the leach kinetics, and 2) alleviate the poor solution distribution on the surface of the leach heaps inherent to drip emitters. Low application rates result in poor surface solution distribution and the formation of upside down cones of dry, non-leached material in the top meter of stacked ore, with heavy jarosite and iron salt precipitation; moreover, ferric iron is lost as insoluble precipitates. On the other hand, high unit flows associated with poor agglomerate quality can lead to uneven solution flow patterns within the heap leading to solution short-circuits, fines migration, and ponding with adverse effects on acid consumption and recovery.

Jan 1, 2007

The teaching of geophysics in Canada at the present time presents a variety of approaches to the subject, and the different paths adopted imply, in turn, an uncertainty in the minds of some educators as to the role this science is to play in the future progress of geology, and a hesitancy to commit themselves to foster its development. The pedagogical attitudes vary from a whole-hearted acknowledgment that the science of geophysics is fundamental to the understanding of terrestrial phenomena (including, of course, geological processes) to a hesitant immersion of the toe to test the water's temperature (which is, of course, essentially a geophysical experiment) before deciding whether or not the time is ripe for total immersion. The present discussion has been organized in the hope that it will help to clarify the roads to geophysics and assist educators in making a more understanding choice of the best paths for them to follow, according to their particular requirements and objectives. Before proceeding further, however, it is necessary to define the term geophysics and circumscribe the field it covers. In the first place, it should be emphasized that geophysics is NOT confined to the art of geophysical prospecting. The popularization of geophysics has unfortunately engendered a general misconception of the word, and consequently a tendency to ignore the wider meaning of the term. Etymologically, geophysics means the physics of the earth. It is so understood by the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics and the various geophysical societies which adhere thereto. To them, geophysical prospecting is but a very small field indeed, which they consider had best be left to engineering and prospecting organizations.

Jan 1, 1951

"One of the corporate values mentioned by many companies deals with respect for people. This paper discusses one aspect of this value, namely, the need for clarity of accountabilities and authorities. The job of the manager in achieving this goal is analyzed and the benefits of enhancing the manager-employee conversation outlined. IntroductionCorporate values usually refer to the standards of behaviour that the leaders of the organization expect of all employees, including themselves, in carrying out their duties. Terms such as integrity, respect for the individual, continuous improvement, continuous learning, teamwork, speed, and innovation are quite common. The company-specific values are typically developed by the top executives of the company, and then tested with a broader group of employees. Where the process works, employees have a good understanding of what behaviour is expected of them in doing their work, in making difficult decisions, and in interacting with others.Having spent considerable time in his career investigating and studying the management systems at over 50 of the most successful companies in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan, the author has had the opportunity to visit organizations such as Hewlett-Packard, 3M, Xerox, Intel, Toyota, NEC, Komatsu, British Airways, and Eastman Chemical. These experiences, together with the work of many other researchers, including the work of Dr. Elliott Jacques, have helped significantly to form the thoughts expressed below.Rather than reviewing the creation of corporate values and their deployment through the organization, these remarks focus on issues over which managers and employees have some control. The value in which managers can have significant impact deals with people and the respect shown them in the workplace. The component of respect to be emphasized is to be clear about expectations or accountabilities for oneself and the people who report to you, and to ensure that personal authority matches those expectations."

Jan 1, 1999

By C. J. Sullivan

Many metalliferous ?provinces are co-extensive with particular groups of sedimentary, volcanic, or :basic plutonic rocks. Deposits may be truly syngenetic (Rand, Rhodesia-Katanga, Mans-field, Blind River, White Pine); re-. concentrated by circulating waters (Colorado Plateau, Red Bed Coppers) ; or re-concentrated thermally during metamorphism and granitization (most uranium and lead-zinc provinces ?and some copper and gold provinces). Basalts may yield important cop-per provinces when folded and re-heated. Granitization of basalts which have not reached the chlorite-carbon-ate phase of metamorphism may produce copper provinces. If they reach ?the chlorite-carbonate stage, granitization may result in a gold province. Copper and copper-nickel provinces may result if gabbros are granitized, and a ?similar alteration of per-idotite may result in asbestos or nickel ores. Many similar associations are known. Granite is not a source of ore, but a result of heat. A classification of ?ore with respect to source rocks is of greater prospecting value than are classifications based on magmatic differentiation and hydrother-mal solution theories. Volcanic centres are important ore foci because the thermally unstable metallic sulphides may be concentrated here by a distillation process. The ores found in the hot spring deposits, viz., mercury, mercury sulphide, sulphur, and the compounds of ?antimony and arsenic, are not those which are soluble in water at low temperature (epithermal sub-division of hydrothermal class), abrut those which are unstable thermally at comparatively low temperatures . Water is one of the most common thermally unstable minerals, and generally accompanies the thermally activated ore-forming sulphides.

Jan 1, 1957

By D. Moffat

Rio Algom Limited has mined uranium at Elliot Lake, Ontario for 20 years. The production of this energy-generating element results in the need to dispose of low-level radioactive solid wastes and liquid effluents. Because of the wet-temperate climate at Elliot Lake, the liquid effluents are of particular importance. Radium-226 is the isotope which requires most attention, and the current practice for its control is by addition of barium chloride and retention of the resultant precipitates in large settling ponds. Analyses of typical effluents and waste streams are discussed and typical levels of radium-226, thorium-230, thorium-232, thorium-228, lead-2iO, polonium-2iO, and uranium isotopes are presented.

Jan 1, 1979

By C. R. Hocott

"IntroductionRESEARCH in petroleum production consists primarily in investigations related to the drilling for and recovery of oil. As an organized activity of individual oil companies, production research is now 30 to 35 years old, and the petroleum industry may point with justifiable pride to the achievements of this third of a •century. Emphasis on research has grown through the years until at the present time many of the larger companies operating in the United States •have well-organized production research staffs.In addition to the efforts of the oil companies, significant research and development in petroleum production technology have been performed by oilfield service companies and others. Valuable contributions have been made through fundamental research carried on by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and by various colleges and universities, both in their own programmes and in programmes sponsored by industry, such as those of the American Petroleum Institute. However, the total effort of these groups is small when compared to the sum of the effort devoted to research by the individual .oil companies. In contrast to some industries which conduct the major portion of their research through co-operative, sponsored research at universities or research institutions, research by the petroleum industry is done predominantly by individual company research staffs. These industrial research groups have usually been organized in such a way as to provide liaison and co-ordination with operating technical staffs. In this way, the research groups are kept aware of the major problems confronting the operating departments and, correspondingly, the operating technical people •are able to keep informed on research activity and progress. This type of close contact generally results in prompt testing of research developments in actual operations."

Jan 1, 1953

By B. Szpunar

Structural and mechanical changes of urania are investigated when oxidized to U3O8. The CASTEP ab-initio quantum mechanical program, employing density functional theory is used. The total energy technique is implemented to investigate changes in the lattice constants. The ab-initio calculations predict a 36% increase in the volume per uranium atom when transforming from UO2 to U3O8, which agrees very well with experimental data. The implication of this prediction on the linear expansion and fuel fragmentation is discussed. The calculated elastic constants of urania are in good agreement with experiment. The predicted mechanical properties of UO2 and U3O8 are compared.

Aug 1, 2010

By V. C. Pandolfelli, S. F. Santos, L. A. Rodrigues

Under conditions of stable crack propagation at room temperature, the elastic energy stored in ceramic materials is converted mainly to surface energy. However, at high temperatures, creep may also occur in such materials, in which case it will present a ductile behavior. This paper discusses the brittle-ductile transition of a refractory material. Stable crack propagation and creep tests were carried out under a three-point bending device. A commercial ceramic containing 63 wt-% of SiO2 and 31 wt-% of Al2O3 was used as testing material. The results revealed that the change in behavior from brittle to ductile was caused by softening of a vitreous phase present in the material's microstructure.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. Standen T.

The main purpose of this publication is to present relevant advances in processes and technologies of importance for consideration in the design of new refineries and the modernization of existing refinery facilities. Operation at current densities of between 300 A/m2 and 350 A/m2 is already part of the criteria customarily implemented on recent projects. This is due in part to the development of permanent cathode technology. In recent years, this technology has also been integrated with process control and automatic electrode handling and preparation machines. The combined implementation of these technologies has the advantage of enabling the process to be monitored, thus assuring traceability and allowing greater knowledge of the process to accrue.

Jan 1, 2007

By Y. Turen, Y. Karakas, E. Candan, C. Sahinturk

In this study, wettability between sprayable tundish lining (MgO) and molten steel was investigated by using sessile drop method. Content of glass fiber (SiO2) in the MgO varied between 0 to 8 wt% whereas mean particle sizes of the MgO were 25, 75, 150 and 300µm. Experimental results revealed that contact angle (0) of sessile drop on the MgO was not altered by the addition of glass fiber up to 1 wt.% whereas above 2 wt.% addition decreased the 0 considerably. Contact angle, 0, increased considerably with increasing MgO particle size. SEM analysis showed deposition of glass phase was present at the interface as the finer MgO particles were used.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. M. Papic

"This paper describes the Sasol coal liquefaction process, as used in South Africa. It covers coal supply, coal gasification, gas purification, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the major utility systems involved and the economics of the process.IntroductionThe Sasol coal liquefaction process is based on Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid fuels from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are in turn obtained by gasification of coal with steam and oxygen. The process is shown schematically in Figure I.The first step in the process is coal preparation, in which the coal is crushed and screened to a 3-50 mm size for gasification on one side and to -3 mm size for steam and power production on the other. Oxygen needed for coal gasificatoin is produced in the air separation plant.Coal is gasified under pressure by steam and oxygen in the Lurgi gasification plant, where raw, impure gas is produced . The raw gas is first washed in a scrubber with a circulating gas liquor, heat is then recovered from it in a waste heat recovery boiler and the gas is further cooled for purification. Water-insoluble materials (tar oils) in the gas liquor are separated from aqueous solution and sent to tar refining for the recovery of tar products. The aqueous portion of the gas liquor goes to a Phenosolvan solvent extraction process, where phenols and ammonia are recovered. Water then proceeds to the effluent treatment plant.The scrubbed and cooled raw gas goes to a Rectisol gas purification plant, where all components other than hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane are removed as completely as possible by absorption in refrigerated methanol. The acid gases (CO2, H2S) stripped from the methanol in the Rectisol unit are processed in a Stretford plant for recovery of sulphur. Regenerated methanol is returned to the process. The purified synthesis gas is passed to the fluidized-bed Synthol reactors, where Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactions take place.The synthesis products are recovered in a product recovery unit as separate streams of decant oil containing higher-molecular- weight hydrocarbons, light oil comprised of lower-molecular- weight species, the aqueous stream containing water solubles, a C3/C4 stream, a C2 stream , a methane stream and a hydrogen-rich stream. Most of the hydrogen is recycled to the Synthol reactors; a major portion of the methane is reformed to hydrogen and carbon monoxide for recycle; the C2 fraction goes to an ethylene plant; and liquid streams proceed to the product refinery.The product refinery is used to upgrade and purify the Synthol products to specification fuels and chemicals.Sasol l, the first coal liquefaction plant in South Africa , was built in 1955. It is still operating and has a product output of about half a million tonnes per year. The Sasol II plant is in a commissioning stage and will be in full operation in 1981. It is about five times the size of Sasoll. It uses over 12 million tonnes of coal and produces more than 2 million tonnes of saleable products annually (1,2,3). The Sasol llI plant, which is a mirror image of Sasol II, is under construction and scheduled for completion in 1983."

Jan 1, 1981

By L. Avramovic, B. Han, R. Jonovic, Z. Stevanovic, K. Haga, S. Dimitrijevic, A. Shibayama, L. Godirilwe, Y. Takasaki

Pyrite (FeS2) and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) which could not be recovered, are present in mine tailings discharged from Bor copper mine. About 0.3% of copper (Cu) is contained in these tailings, therefore it can be considered as a useful copper resource. At the same time, pyrite is known to promote acid mine drainage, therefore it is necessary to detoxify the tailings. An efficient method has been proposed to recover copper and reduce the environmental impacts of tailings by a combined hydrometallurgical process of high pressure leaching (HPL), solvent extraction (SX) and electrowinning (EW) process. HPL process yielded high copper leaching rate (>95%) when water (H2O) was used as a leaching media. On the other hand, pyrite contained in the tailings was converted to iron oxide by high pressure leaching. Stability evaluation of the residue obtained from high pressure leaching, confirmed almost no elution of metal ions. The percentage of copper extracted and stripped from the Cu-loaded organic phase reached 97.4%. Moreover, it was confirmed that a low iron concentration in the electrolyte of copper electrowinning, resulted in the improvement of current efficiency of copper electrodeposition. INTRODUCTION Mine tailings are a by-product obtained from the flotation process and there are billions of tons of already existing tailings all over the world. Moreover, several billion tons of additional copper tailings will inevitably be produced in the coming years (Onuaguluchi & Eren, 2012). With the declining average copper ore grade, alternative sources of copper are highly sought, mine tailings have a comparable copper grade to that of low-grade ores (0.2–0.3%) therefore, it can be said that copper mine tailings present a very important source of secondary raw material for copper production (Antonijevi´c et. al., 2008). Consequently, it is necessary to confirm the possibility of the valuable metals (such as copper) recovery from mine tailing in which copper content is about 0.2–0.3%. Our group investigates the flotation and high pressure leaching processes for recovering of copper from mine tailings. Previous work on related samples include copper and nickel flotation tailings from Botswana, and a low–grade copper ore sample from Chile. Impurities, which are associated metals in mine tailing such as iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) co-dissolve into the solution during the HPL treatment process. Therefore, separation of copper from impurities is necessary for selective extraction of copper from mine tailings and upgrading the copper concentration in the leachate to enable further purifying of Cu by electrowinning. Thus, it is important to investigate the possibility of applying solvent extraction for concentration of copper from leachate solutions of mine tailings (Onuaguluchi & Eren, 2012; Antonijevi´c et. al., 2008). In this study, LIX-84I was used as an extractant of copper from the leachate of high pressure leaching of mine tailing. As a fundamental solvent extraction investigation, the extraction behavior of copper was studied using a simulated solution of the leachate from the high-pressure oxidative leaching of mine tailing. The effects of; solution pH, extraction time, extractant concentration and phase ratio on copper extraction and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) concentration on stripping were investigated.

Jan 1, 2019

By Dan Zou, Ji Chen, Deqian Li

"Bayan Obo mixed RE concentrate is the largest RE source in the world. RE elements occur dominantly in bastnaesite and monazite. This paper describes a clean and green technique for processing Bayan Obo mixed rare earth (RE) concentrate. A two-step oxidation method can lead to the effective recovery of REs, thorium (Th), fluorine (F) and phosphorus (P). Ce has a property of valency change, enabling the separation of it from other RE(III) elements. Making use of the interactions of cerium (IV) (Ce(IV)), F and P, a new extraction system was created to separate Ce(IV) effectively from other RE(III) while recovering F, P and Th by complexing F and P following the oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV). The method includes two parts. Firstly, bastnaesite is oxidized by air roasting and sulfuric acid leaching. And then a first leach liquor containing Ce(IV), F and P is obtained. Secondly, monazite was converted into REhydroxide through alkaline attack and then Ce(III) in the RE-hydroxide was oxidized into Ce(IV) by wetair oxidation. After sulfuric acid leaching the oxidized RE-hydroxide, a second leach liquor is obtained. The two parts of leach liquor containing Ce(IV), F and P are then extracted by Cyanex923 to obtain CeO2, CeF3 and CePO4 based on the complex of Ce(IV) with F and P. The raffinate was further extracted by the primary amine N1923, and Th-product was recovered as ThO2. The RE elements recovery yield during the whole process is greater than 92%. The new technique not only provides a new way for Bayan Obo RE ore utilization, but also avoids resource waste and environment pollution.INTRODUCTIONRare Earths (REs) refer to lanthanides, including scandium and yttrium. Owing to the similar structure and property of RE(III), it is difficult to separate them from each other, especially for the adjacent elements. According to the United States Geological Survey, in 2010, the whole world has about 142 million tonnes of rare earth reserves. In that, China ranks the second with 22% following Brazil which ranks first with 32% (Cheng, 2011). There are three main RE ore types in China with about 80% mixed ores in Bayan Obo, 10% bastnaesite ores in SiChuan and ShanDong province and 2.9% ion adsorption ores in Southern China. Bayan Obo mixed RE concentrate consists of bastnaesite and monazite. The concentrate contains CeO2/_REO of 50% and there are 7–8% F, 4-6% P and 0.2–0.3% Th."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. W. M. Porritt, K. C. Cheng

Knowledge of radon emanation rates from uranium-bearing rocks is essential to the design of mine ventilation systems for uranium mines. Measurements of equilibrium ratio between radon and its daughters in mine air are important for a better control of mine radiation conditions. The concentrations of radon and daughters were monitored at cut-and-fill stopes in the Beaverlodge Mine of Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. during all phases of the mining cycle. The radon emanation rates of ore and rock samples were measured at the laboratory and the results were compared with in-situ emanation tests in an isolated ore drift. Samples of backfill solution, backfill drainage and ground seepage water were measured [or radon and analyzed for radium and uranium. The results showed that discharges of backfill solution and daily shift-end blasts were the two major sources for a rapid release of radon gas in the ventilation air. Other mining operations, such as drilling, mucking, etc., contributed little effect on radon release to the mining environment. Radon emanation rates of the Beaverlodge are samples ranged from 13 x 10-18 to 600 X 10-18 Ci/cm2/ sec and that of waste rock samples from 0.54 x 10-18 to 13.4 X 10-18 Ci/cm2/sec. The in-situ emanation rate of mine walls with ore-to-rock ratios of 1 to 7 was 60 x 10-18 Ci/cm2/sec. The average equilibrium ratio of radon and its daughters in stapes was 32.6%. Under a normal ventilation condition, the average background levels of radon concentration in cut-and-fill stopes ranged from 13 to 80 pCi/L. The discharges of backfill solution during backfill operations at 100 tons solids per hour released approximately 1.8 x 106 pCi/min of radon and elevated radon concentration in stapes 2 to 5 times above the background levels.

Jan 1, 1981

By E. Ghali, W. Zhang, C. Su, N. Sorour, G. Houlachi

"Zinc electrowinning process is sensitive to the presence of metallic impurities such as lead ions that could substantially and negatively affect the power consumption and surface morphology. Effect of various concentrations of manganese ions and traces of lead ions up to 2.5 mg L-1 added to the electrolyte during electrowinning have been investigated by electrochemical polarization techniques such as galvanostatic, cyclic voltammetry and potentiodynamic. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were applied to examine the surface morphology and crystallographic orientation, respectively. Microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry has been used to determine the lead content in the deposit and in the electrolyte after electrodeposition. It was found that lead ions added to the zinc electrolyte led to the increase of cathodic overpotential and current efficiencies of zinc deposit. However, addition of Mn2+ into the zinc electrolyte resulted in the decrease of cathodic potential and current efficiency of zinc deposit. It can be stated as example that galvanostatic polarisation at 40?C and 52.5 mA cm-2 in presence of lead up to 0.1-0.2 mg L-1 in the electrolyte and 8-12 g L-1 Mn could be better considered as practical working parameters for electrowinning process.INTRODUCTIONApproximately 85% of the global production of zinc metal is produced by electrolytic process (Sinclair, 2005). The main goal of the zinc plant is to obtain pure zinc deposits with high current efficiencies. Smooth and pure deposits with high current efficiency (CE) are always obtained from pure electrolytes (Alfantazi & Dreisinger, 2001). The presence of metallic impurities in the zinc sulphate electrolyte is a major problem for the zinc electrowinning industry, since decreases in current efficiency, changes in deposit morphology and cathodic polarization are observed for electrolytes containing small concentrations of impurities (Ault & Frazer, 1988; Muresan, Maurin, Oniciu & Gaga, 1996). Low level concentrations as parts per million of these impurities are reported to influence negatively the zinc electrodeposition (Beshore, Flori, Schade & O'Keefe, 1987)."

Jan 1, 2016