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By K. Stankiewicz

Projects as regards state-of-the-art mechatronic systems aiming at increase of safety in the mining industry and at improvement of coal production technologies, which have been completed at the KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology, are presented. These projects cover automation, monitoring and visualization systems, systems for implementation of artificial intelligence techniques, and database recording systems. iRIS system for electronic marking, identification, and recording of components of powered roof supports, which was implemented in 31 Polish mining enterprises, is presented as an example of the work directly associated with an increase of operational safety. Specialists from KOMAG, ELSTA, Ltd., and Silesian University of Technology in Poland, have developed flexible, configurable, and scalable system for data management, which refers to all fixed assets of mining enterprises, meeting the requirements of users as regards marking and identification of fixed assets. The system for control of roadheaders using intelligent algorithms, based on artificial intelligence techniques is also the example of innovative actions. This system aims at increasing the safety and effectiveness of teamwork due to a possibility of remote, semiautonomous operation. Introduction of artificial intelligence technology enables adaptation of roadheader mining system to the present mining-and-geological conditions. Moreover, work aiming at implementation of state-of-the-art system for control of mine jig?s beneficiation node, integrating machines and equipment in one system, is carried out as regards automation, information integration, and visualization in coal beneficiation process. Work on recovery and conversion of thermal energy, which is a by-product during operation of machines and equipment, especially mine diesel drives, is presented. Systems for energy recuperation are more and more important due to the necessity of continuous increase of power production efficiency.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. F. Robertson

FOR several years, the rock-burst question has been given serious consideration by the operating staff at Wright-Hargreaves mine and, as a result of observations and experiences, several different methods of mining have been developed which are now in use in various parts of the mine. These are described in the following pages. It should be emphasized, how-ever, that these methods, and the views expressed in this paper, are based solely on conditions at Wright-Hargreaves mine. Such conditions may or may not be similar to those obtaining in other mines in the Kirkland Lake area, where ore occurrences, veins, wall-rock, faulting, intrusives, etc., may be entirely different. Size and shape of ore-bodies, composition of the ore-bodies and their surrounding rocks, locations of intrusives and sedimentary rocks, and direction, dip, and strength of faults, all introduce problems that are peculiar to each individual mine. Ground failure' in coal and metal mines is not at all unusual. A variety of systems of mining have been developed to delay movement of large or small blocks of ground, or, in some instances, to take advantage of the fact that ground movement, due to mining operations, is unavoidable. Ground failure may be either slow collapse or it may take place with explosive violence. It is principally with the latter condition that we are concerned in the mines of the Kirkland Lake district.

Jan 1, 1939

By Jas. E. Thomson

PUBLIC attention was first attracted to the Crow River area of north-western Ontario by the discovery of gold in 1928. The first three discoveries were eventually developed into Central Patricia, Pickle Crow, and Albany River mines. In 1929, preliminary developments were carried out at the Howell vein on N.A.M.E. (later Pickle Crow) claims, and in 1929 and 1930 surface and underground work indicated an ore-body at Central Patricia mine. However, due to the financial depression and the distance of these properties from the railway, it was not until 1934 and 1935 that, benefitted by the revaluation of gold, the real potentialities of these two properties began to be realized. Their immediate success led to a resumption of activity on neighbouring properties throughout the area in 1936 and 1937. Preliminary prospecting in the earlier period had been limited by the scarcity of rock exposures in the country. The procedure in the recent programme of intensive exploration has been along similar lines at most properties and has consisted lf detailed geological mapping accompanied by geophysical surveys and followed by systematic drilling of favourable zones. The present importance of the camp may be judged by the fact that, in 1937, Central Patricia and Pickle Crow mines together produced bullion valued at $3,662,953, and paid $1,450,000 in dividends. In addition, there were pro-mising gold developments at Albany River mine. During the past two seasons, the Geological Branch of the Ontario Department of Mines has been making a fairly detailed study of the geology and mineral deposits in the Crow River area. It is the purpose of this paper to present a brief statement of some of the structural features of these deposits; a summary of other geological information essential for the understanding of the main topic is included. A more detailed report on the area will be published shortly by the Ontario Department of Mines. It is impossible to make full acknowledgment here for all help received, for the writer is in-debted to the management, staff, and consultants of every Company in the camp for generous co-operation in the field and for information, plans, maps, and records placed at his disposal. Reports and articles on properties in the area have been written by Hurst (1), Cormie (2), Reid (3), and the staff of Pickle Crow Gold Mines ( 4).

Jan 1, 1938

By J. H. Nantel

Indications are that underground mining is gaining favour with large and small mining companies due to environmental and sustainability concerns. Dramatic changes to mine fill technologies will be needed in order to keep pace with these emerging trends. The industry will be compelled to gravitate toward zero discharge mining operations. Innovative handling of mine tailings will become a focal point in this effort. The challenges are to use a greater portion of the residues and to manufacture a fill with better properties. This is a tall order that can only be addressed through a systematic research and implementation process involving mining companies, universities, research organizations, manufacturers and governments. The mining industry has to be at the forefront of this technology push in mine fills for the future mines. It will also be called upon to lead the way in other research areas. The industry will have to partner with other technology providers: universities, government laboratories and consultants.

May 1, 2007

By W. T. Gotheridge

The principal sources of coal-dust underground are, of course, coal, and the working of coal. Coal-dust is most dangerous when it is in the finest state of division. This class of dust is found mostly on the roads, being blown or shaken off the loaded trams in transit, or carried in suspension by air currents. The air current passing from the working faces may also carry dust in suspension into the return airway, and the air current from the surface may carry dust from the shakerscreens into the intake airways. The mosl dangerous dust we have to contend with is, (a) that which is most finely divided, and (b) that which contains the most volatile matter, including the inflammable occluded gases, and also oxygen absorbed from the air. According to experiments, coal-dust in a fine and dry state would intensify an explosion, in air free from fire-damp carrying in excess of 3 ozs. of fine dust or 6 ozs. of coarse dust per cubic yard. The volatile matter in the dust must be between 12 and 31 per cent. in the ash-free coal, the latter percentage giving the highest flame velocity. It is vary difficult to propagate flame where coal-dust contains a large percentage of stone-dust, (say 50 per cent.). Shale-dust or other incombustible dust containing no volatile hydro-carbons or carbonaceous matter will prevent the extension of an explosion if mixed with coal-dust in proportion of say 70 per cent., and if the dust is finely divided and dry.

Jan 1, 1924

By Forrest A. Kerr

Northern British Columbia is a term which probably conveys to various individuals quite different meanings. To the average person it signifies an area of indefinite size and indefinite position which may start at Prince Rupert, Stewart, or somewhere else, and end at Alaska or .the Yukon. Many people, in their conception, fail to encompass in their mind's eye that vast tract of land lying ~o the east of the panhandle of Alaska. Few realize that the area north of an east-west line through Stewart represents more than one-third of the Province and is, of course, the part most appropriately designated as northern British Columbia. This section, more especially the northernmost 100,000 square miles, from political, geographic, and economic viewpoints stands isolated perhaps more than any other part of British Columbia. Unlike the rest of the Province, it has no coast line, being cut off from the Pacific ocean by a narrow strip of Alaska. It is bounded on the north by the Yukon, and on the east by Alberta. In the south this northernmost 100,000 square miles is limited by a divide of rugged mountainous country separating the drainage basins of the Stikine and Liard rivers from those to the south.

Jan 1, 1929

By E. E. Mueser

As Mr. Lundberg has already ably covered the theory of various methods of electrical prospecting, I shall confine my remarks to a consideration of the features which must obtain in an electrical prospecting method in order that it may be useful from a practical standpoint. These remarks I shall make with particular reference to the Elbof method. The successful application of all these methods rests, in the first place, upon the possibility of correlating theory, or empirically established facts, with the field data. Their practical usefulness, however, requires that the technique of making the field observations, and the procedure itself, be such that the method may be applied to large areas, under normal average conditions. The method, therefore, should not involve excessive preliminary labour costs to prepare the ground for actual prospecting work, nor should the prospecting work itself be so slow that its cost, when applied to extensive areas, becomes prohibitive. Moreover, it should be possible to apply the method even under difficult terrain conditions, such as rough topography and dense vegetation. It may be said of most of the methods referred to in the preceding paper, that, while they are interesting and theoretically sound, they fail to meet such practical requirements as I have outlined.

Jan 1, 1926

By M. H. Govett, G. J. S. Govett

"The current American ""energy crisis"", occurring in the midst of a global debate on the adequacy of mineral supplies to support present and projected levels of world consumption, has focused attention on Canada as a major world producer of minerals. Exports of minerals account for approximately one-third of Canadian foreign earnings; more than half of these exports are to the United States. Although the United States is a net importer of most industrially important metals, with the exception of nickel and zinc, only a small part of American mineral imports are from Canada; these imports are minerals for which geographical proximity and strategic considerations are important. In the short-term, Canada is more dependent on her exports to the U.S. than America is on imports from Canada. It is argued that Canada, far from indulging in economic nationalism to preserve her resources, should expand her exports while the markets are available."

Jan 1, 1973

By K. Chotruangprasert

This paper explores Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting practices within the mining industry. Specifically, this paper investigates how and why a mining company makes voluntary reporting decisions to include the GRI indicators that may be considered ?negative? to the company?s reputation. Due to the voluntary nature of the GRI Guidelines, a GRI adopter is not legally obligated to report every GRI indicator. Not surprisingly, empirical studies that evaluated the extent to which companies? sustainability reports meet the GRI requirements (Guenther, Hoppe, & Poser, 2006; Morhardt, Baird, & Freeman, 2002; Samy, Odemilin, & Bampton, 2010; Skouloudis, Evangelinos, & Kourmousis, 2009) have found that reporting practices of the companies under their studies are well below the standards reflected in the GRI Guidelines. An influential study by Clarkson et al (2008) uses economic-based and socio-political theories to explain variation in companies? environmental disclosure. They have found that, as predicted by economic-based theory, superior environmental performers disclosed more ?hard? (i.e. verifiable) environmental information. Inferior environmental performers are found to disclose more ?soft? (i.e., not easily verifiable) claims, which is consistent with socio-political theories (Clarkson, Li, Richardson, & Vasvari, 2008). However, this study and the existing literature do not adequately explain why a company may act in a way that cannot be explained by economic-based and socio-political theories, for example, why it would report some negative soft data that it is not required to report. This paper intends to address this literature gap. GRI reporting by a Canadian mining company, which I would like to call ?Company C?, is used as a case study for this paper. Company C was selected for this research because in addition to ?positive? information, its GRI-based sustainability report also includes both hard and soft ?negative? information such as grievances. Research methods include interviewing Company C?s employees who are involved in preparing GRI reports and reviewing documents prepared both by the company and by external parties. I find that integrative social contracts theory (ISCT) offers a valuable explanation to Company C?s reporting practices. From the ISCT perspective, Company C?s management appears to feel that the company is obligated under social contracts to be transparent. Therefore, Company C disclosed both positive and negative social and environmental information to the public because the management appeared to think that it is the right thing to do. At the same time, being transparent about the bad news gave the company an opportunity to conclude that it had done something to avoid future occurrence of the negative incidents. Therefore, I propose that, in addition to the economic and socio-political theories that are more often used in literature, insights from ISCT are instrumental in improving our understanding of the corporate non-financial reporting practices phenomenon.

Aug 1, 2013

By Christopher R. Lattanzi

"Discounted cash flow analysis provides a means of relating the magnitude of expected future cash profits to the magnitude of the initial cash investment required to purchase an asset or to develop it for commercial production. The objectives of discounted cash flow analysis are to determine:.. The net present value of a stream of expected future cash revenues and expenditures... The rate of return which the expected future cash flows will yield on a given level of initial cash investment.In the case of mineral properties, discounted cash flow analysis is generally accepted as the preferred method of valuation, whenever sufficient data are available to permit its reasoned application. Sufficient data are required to support estimation of all of the individual elements of cash revenue and cash expenditure which will be associated with the development and operation of the property, up to the end of its estimated life. It is the accuracy of these input estimates which determines the validity of the resulting determinations of profitability and rate of return on invested capital.In undertaking any discounted cash flow analysis, it is important to recognize certain fundamental attributes of the mining industty:.. The basis of any mineral development is the existence of an ore reserve... Costs are determined by the number of tonnes mined and processed, while revenues are determined by the number of pounds or ounces of metal produced. The two are related by the recovered grade of the ore... Profit is typically more sensitive to changes in revenue than it is to changes in cost... Commodity price is a principal determinant of revenue, but it is also the factor with which is associated the greatest level of financial risk.In the end, of all of the factors which must be considered in the discounted cash flow valuation of a mineral property, the most significant are the reliability of the reserve estimate, particularly with respect to recovered grade, the price at which the product is to be sold, and the risk of not maintaining the projected level of price."

Jan 1, 2003