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By John L. Mero

"The ocean has served humanity as a source of raw materials for thousands of years, but only on a minimal scale relative to its potential. Exploration programs have shown the ocean to contain a large number of mineral deposits of great extent and attractive grade. Recent research has indicated that a number of these deposits can be economically exploited with present-day technology and that the cost of winning many industrially important minerals from the oceanic deposits is potentially much less than that of winning similar minerals from land deposits. Although the finding of mineral deposits in the sea is a relatively simple matter at the present time, the exploitation of many of these deposits has lagged due to the lack of the availability of specific mining techniques for the individual deposits. Within the past two years, however, several developments have taken place in the design and testing of ocean mining systems in depths of water as great as 12,000 feet which indicate that the problem of mining in the ocean may soon be solved.Within the next decade, the ocean should prove to be a major source of many minerals for society and should come to dominate as a source of such metals as copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, etc. Within a few years of the initiation of the mining of the deep-sea metalliferous nodules, land sources of such metals as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, etc. will be seriously affected and it is conceivable that the present structure of the world mining industry will undergo a substantial change in character."

Jan 1, 1972

By Laurence D. Burke

The electrocatalytic behaviour of gold in aqueous media is surprisingly complex and a novel view of gold electrode surfaces is proposed to explain the observed electrochemical responses. The metal surface is considered as a chemically (or redox) modified electrode, with equilibrated, low energy, surface gold atoms functioning as a relatively inert support and low coverage, high energy, protruding gold atoms (or minute clusters of same) functioning as electrocatalytic redox mediators. The protruding atoms are viewed as surface active sites and the complex electrocatalytic behaviour is attributed to the basic instability of the mediators, the diversity (and poor control) of same, and the acid/base (or hydrolysis) behaviour of the oxidized states of the mediators. It is assumed that major advances in the application of gold in the heterogeneous catalysis of gas phase reactions will be accompanied by similar advances in the use of gold in the electrocatalysis area; however, this will require considerable work of both a practical and theoretical nature.

Oct 1, 2003

By A. Luckita, A. Samtani, R. Barus, J. R. Donald, J. Syarifuddin

In conventional Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RK-EF) laterite nickel processing, management of dust continues to be problematic. A more efficient processing of dust represents an opportunity for energy efficiency, increased production, and productivity. PT International Nickel Indonesia (PTI), together with Vale Base Metals Technology Development (VBMTD), has successfully developed and implemented a novel flowsheet enhancement that capitalizes on these opportunities. In the novel flowsheet, the dust recycle stream is moved forward in the RK-EF laterite nickel smelting process. The dust is injected into the kiln's main burner, as opposed to being recycled to the dryers. A similar treatment of dust is commonly practiced in the cement industry; however, application to nickel smelters has not been fully developed to date. This paper describes this dust insufflation technology, the process through which it was developed for laterite nickel processing, and summarizes the lessons learned. A key conclusion is that successful new technology development requires a multi-disciplinary team involving members from research and development, study management, engineering consulting firms, project implementation management, process technology and operations.

Jan 1, 2011

By N. N. Rulyov

"Starting from fundamental principles of colloid-hydrodynamic theory of disperse systems we have shown that application of strongly non-uniform hydrodynamic fields allows to achieve not only faster rates of flocculation of suspension, but also supports significant improvements in the quality of clarified water and separation characteristics of solid phase. Specifically, it has been experimentally proven that the new treatment method based on these principles (then termed as ""ultra-flocculation"") allows:•,Increase the output of thickeners and pressure filters by 1,5-1,7 times;•,Decrease solids fall through into the filtrate in the process of vacuum filtration by 2¬3,5 times;•,Improve the rate of purification of water phase in the upright thickener by 1,5-1,9 times;•,Decrease flocculant consumption by 1,5-3 times;•,Increase the effective operational life time of cloth filters by 3-4 times;•,Ensure sustainable operation of separation equipment, i.e. decrease the sensitivity of process to variation in suspension concentration, as well as to variations of suspension composition and dispersion characteristics;•,Apply flocculant solutions of concentration 2-3 times higher, thus increasing the capacity of equipment used for solutions preparation."

Jan 1, 2004

By Yvon T. Maurice

Under the auspices of the Federal-Provincial Uranium Reconnaissance Program, a geochemical orientation survey was undertaken in an area of uraniferous Lower Proterozoic (Aphebian) rocks near Cape Dorset in southwest Baffin Island. The main objective of this study was to establish a methodology for a future reconnaissance geochemical program using lake samples over a 300-mile Lower Proterozoic rock belt that occurs along the southern coast of Baffin Island. Mineralogical and chemical studies of known radioactive occurrences, combined with detailed sampling of secondary environment media in the vicinity of the showings. indicate that uranium is the most significant pathfinder, despite considerable enrichment of other metals in the uraniferous rocks, Significant geochemical patterns produced by uranium in lake waters and uranium in lake sediments have been obtained, but their relative usefulness depends on the distribution of carbonate bedrock, which in turn affect the bicarbonate content of lake waters. In southern Baffin Island, because of erratic variation in lake-water alkalinity, it is recommended that both water s and sediments be sampled on a routine basis. The need for lake-water acidification to prevent depletion of soluble metal ions in samples resulting from adsorption on the walls of the containers and/or suspended solid matter is discussed briefly. The base metal potential of the area was examined in some detail and found to be significant, particularly for a Lower Proterozoic gossanous formation that occurs throughout southern Baffin Island.

Jan 1, 1977

By M. Choy, A. Kadiayi, E. Magdzinski

"Design of engineering controls to limit occupational noise exposure rely on accurate calculation inputs. Sound in mines can carry considerable distances. Mine ventilation engineers rely on noise propagation calculations to estimate silencer performance criteria for key mine fan installations that are often in proximity to occupied areas of a mine and can remain in service for decades. The blasted and rockbolted walls of hard rock mining tunnels have unique acoustical properties. Underground testing in an operating metal mine in Sudbury, Canada was performed and results processed to characterize noise propagation in mines, with the goal of improving the accuracy of noise calculations.INTRODUCTIONAs mine operators continue to improve and promote workplace safety, addressing noise at fixed infrastructure locations is observed as increasingly common. Underground fans are important to consider in this context, as they are typically loud, in proximity to occupied and sensitive workplaces, and operate nearly continuously. Predicting noise propagation from ventilation fans within underground mines has long been a challenge, with few available resources documenting acoustical properties as calculation inputs. Other factors in addition to rock face absorption properties include tunnel geometry and distance from the fan, which play critical roles in characterizing the noise level at any given point away from the fan. By understanding and establishing methods to better predict noise dissipation along underground mining tunnels, engineers can design noise controls with a greater degree of precision and confidence to effectively protect workers from over exposure to noise.This paper investigates classical methods of predicting reverberant room and direct field noise propagation. These prediction methods are then compared to noise measurements taken within the Fraser Mine of Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Sudbury INO) Measurements were taken at a depth of ~881 m (2,889 ft), along an ~300 m (984 ft) long blasted hard rock mining tunnel. The noise along the mine tunnel resulted from the intakes of two 900 kW (1,200 hp) ventilation fans with a combined exhaust capacity of 300 m3/s (630,000 cfm)."

Jan 1, 2019

By R. Vergunst, E. A. Devuyst, G. Robbins

"INTRODUCTIONThe Inca process for continuous cyanide removal from industrial wastewaters was patented in 1984 by G.J. Borbely, et.al. (1). The process requires SO2, air, lime and a copper catalyst. Both free and complexed cyanide are oxidized to cyanate in the pH range 8 to 10. Cyanide bound to iron is removed by precipitation as a ferrocyanide insoluble salt and other base metals are removed as hydroxides.The process was piloted in 1982 on barren bleed solution at Campbell Red Lake Mines Ltd., Ontario (2). Since 1982, the Inca SO2-air cyanide removal technology has been applied in twelve commercial installations. The process has significant advantages over other commercial processes in the completeness of cyanide removal and lower reagent requirements and costs.COMMERCIAL INSTALLATIONSBy the end of 1988 Inca will have applied its patented cyanide removal technology to twelve commercial operations. Three of these, namely Scottie Gold Mines, Dupont of Canada Expl. Baker mill and Carolin, all in British Columbia, Canada, have ceased cyanidation operations but SO2-air cyanide destruction results were good for all mills, particularly so for over two years for the Scottie mill.Removal of cyanide from CIL slurry tailings is applied at Equity Silver (9,500 tpd) and Inca's new 1,200 tpd mill at Inca/Golden Knight. Detoxification of CIP tailings is carried out by Colosseum California (3,600 tpd) and Canamax's Ketza River operation (360 tpd). Repulped tailings from Merril-Crowe flowsheets are treated at Total Erickson's Mount Skukum mill (300 tpd) and Skyline's Johnny Mountain mill (200 tpd) and barren bleed at Inco/Queenston's McBean mill (500 tpd). Lynngold's MacLellan mill (1,800 tpd) treats pond supernatant water. Plating shop cyanide effluents are decyanized at Kuntz Electroplating in Kitchener, Ontario. Many of the above commercial operations were described in some detail in previous publications (3,4). Typical installations are described in this paper. A summary of operating results is given in Table 1."

Jan 1, 1989

By J. N. Hilton, D. Moffett, E. Barnes

"A recent pilot-plant program carried out at Rio Algom's Quirke uranium mine at Elliot Lake, Ontario is described. The goal of the research was the production of tailings basin effluents which were low in total radium-226. The process tested involved precipitation of radium with barium chloride and sedimentation in plastic-lined settling ponds. Adjustment of the tailings basin overflow from its normal value of pH 9.5 by addition of sulphuric acid to about pH 7.5 was found to give approximately a five-fold improvement in total radium-226 removal. A five-month demonstration test resulted in an effluent with a mean total radium-226 activity of44 pCi/L after 2.5 days settling time and 29 pCi/L after 5 days. The results from the demonstration program are used to propose a schedule of achievable total radium-226 activities where precipitation and sedimentation are employed. The maximum suggested values for 5 days nominal settling time are: 30 pCi/L in an annual mean, 45 pCi/L in a monthly mean. 60pCiIL in a weekly mean and 80 pCi/L in any single grab sample.IntroductionRadium-226 has been removed from effluents at the Elliot Lake uranium mines since the introduction of the first barium chloride treatment system in 1965. Current practice, which has changed little over the years, consists of radium-barium sulphate precipitation by the addition of a low do se of barium chloride to the clear overflow from the tailings basin(l·2l. Provision is made for the precipitate to settle in large natural or constructed ponds and lagoons. The residence time in these ponds, which depends on the site, ranges from 3 to 35 days, with varying degrees of efficiency being achieved."

Jan 1, 1981

By R. L. Stanton

"The present contribution examines, in some detail, what appear to be the three outstanding features of the field occurrence of the conformable ""pyritic"" deposits. These are their association with fragmental volcanic rocks (and derivatives), their occurrence in sediments of near-shore formation, and their highly variable structural associations.In a recent paper it has been suggested that two such ""pyritic"" de-posits in New Brunswick may have originated as marine concentrations of volcanic base metal and sulphur compounds, and that many of their present features are the result of diagenesis, folding, and regional metamorphism. This is now put for-ward as a general explanation for the particular class of deposit considered.Such deposits should, on this hypo-thesis, be regarded quite simply as an integral part of the particular geological environment in which they occur -as a normal, though minor, sedimentarry type developed, char-acteristically, in near-shore and shelf facies of intravolcanic units formed along the margins of eugeosynclines. They should not be considered -as, for example, is required by the re-placement theory -as later features simply superimposed on a geological situation to which they are genetically unrelated. Where they are associated with folds and other structures, this may be attributed, from one in-stance to another, to mechanical migration during folding, weaknesses induced by pre-existing sulphides, and, occasionally, to fortuitousness.In the light of this postulated origin, it is suggested that the first stages in regional prospecting for deposits of this particular class should be broadly palaeogeographical. Later phases of the search should then be directed to the delineation of sedimentary facies and, finally, to the investigation of geological structure."

Jan 1, 1960

By Bevan. P. A.

The general location, topography and climate are discussed briefly, together with an historical record of the deposit. General geology, grade control and ore reserves are covered at some length, and reasons are given for the operation being placed on a salvage basis.

Jan 1, 1973

By G. M. Hutt

Introduction The major development of industrial minerals in Manitoba has been in building materials. 'The building-stone industry is developed far beyond the needs of the Province, and the well known Tyndall limestone is marketed over a wide area throughout the other provinces to Canada. Similarly, gypsum and gypsum products are produced in excess of local requirements and are exported to adjacent provinces. The crushed-stone, sand and gravel, limestone, and lime industries are sufficiently developed to supply the needs of the Province and, notably in the case of lime and lime-stone, there is a surplus for export to the adjacent provinces and to the United States. The manufacture of common brick is well established, but for face-brick and other clay products the Province is dependent largely on importations. Production of silica-sand will increase as Canadian markets become available through recognition of the utility value of the Black Island sand as foundry-sand and for other purposes. There is some possibility of the export of feldspar, of lithium ore and concentrates, and perhaps of salt. A considerable part of the Province has not been seriously prospected for industrial minerals and it may be expected that, as time goes on, other deposits of non-metallic minerals will be discovered and opened up, especially as the prairie provinces become more industrialized. At the present time, there is some activity in the southern part of the Province based on gas and oil indications. Whatever may be the outcome of this work, it should yield valuable information concerning the geological structure of the area.

Jan 1, 1934

By A. M. Bell

General Summary THIS paper attempts to describe in a preliminary and general manner the nature of certain copper discoveries now being developed by Gaspe Copper Mines, Limited, in Holland township, in the interior of the Gaspe peninsula. Some copper mineralization appears to have been known here at the time of the earliest French explorations, was rediscovered in 1921, and has been under intermittent development by Noranda Mines since 1938. In the last two years discoveries have enhanced the picture so that the deposit now promises to develop into one of the important Canadian copper producers. As ideas are constantly changing with continuing development, any picture given now is very partial and tentative and must be subject to future revision. The nature of these copper occurrences differs from others known in eastern America. In many respects they have unique features but they are most closely akin to some copper deposits found away from the intrusive rocks in the porphyry copper districts of the western United States. The most important orebodies are replacement deposits in a limestone horizon in which the ore gangue is converted to skarn. These lie at considerable distances from any known intrusive but seem to have been derived from a buried stock of granite that intrudes the sedimentary rocks of Lower Devonian age. This intrusive has produced alteration effects in the overlying rocks that may afford a key to locating other ore areas in the Peninsula.

Jan 1, 1951

The methods employed for the addition of uranium to steels and cast iron in the Physical Metallurgy Division are outlined. It has been found that the segregation of? uranium is a major problem in aluminum and/or silicon killed steels and that the cooling rate is important in al-lowing the segregate to settle to one area, which can subsequently be discarded. The unsegregated areas were found to be extremely low in total oxygen, acid insoluble aluminum (AizOg) and, in some cases, slightly lower in nitrogen. Uranium recoveries, based on analyses of the unsegregated areas, were quite constant, at about 45 per cent, regardless of the type of uranium master alloy used for the addition. No segregation of carbon, manganese, silicon, sulphur, phosphorous, chromium or copper was observed in these steels. In commercial heats, the recoveries ranged from 7 to? 29 per cent for ladle additions to oxygen converted steel. When the steel was fully deoxidized prior to the uranium addition, recoveries ranged from 49 to 66 per cent, regardless of the steelmaking process.

Jan 1, 1964

By B. Yu, Y. O. Oyediran, M. Robart

"This paper presents the latest flotation development testwork conducted in 2015 on the ‘B Zone’ samples from the Strange Lake Alkalic Complex (SLAC). Since the discovery by Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC), metallurgical development has been under taken by a number of mining companies targeting various value metals, including yttrium, zirconium, niobium, and rare earths.Most recent, Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. (Quest) completed a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) in 2013 where the flowsheet was relatively complex and led Quest to explore alternative options. In 2014, the PFS flowsheet was simplified and one of the features introduced was pre-concentration by rougher flotation. The combined rougher flotation concentrate and slimes successfully recovered >90% TREE in 60% mass thus reducing capital cost and technical risks of the downstream hydrometallurgical processes. The latest flotation development testwork focused on achieving a pre-concentrate in which >80% TREE are recovered in 20% mass. Two separate reagent schemes, based on an ester phosphate collector (Clariant 1682) and a benzoylhydroxamic acid collector (Florrea 7510), were developed. Parameters evaluated in the development testwork included desliming, secondary yttrium and zircon collectors, depressants, temperature, conditioning temperature, time, and density, pH, sodium silicate type, cleaning, and flowsheet configuration. Both developed reagent schemes achieved the targeted metallurgy.INTRODUCTIONThe Strange Lake Alkalic Complex (SLAC) was discovered after geological survey and mapping studies by Geological Survey of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources between 1967 and 1980. Subsequent exploratory drilling programs by Iron Ore Company (IOC) in the 1980s found that the REE and high field strength element (HFSE) mineralization were within the central region of the SLAC which was named A Zone by IOC and later renamed Main Zone by Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. (Quest). Additional exploratory drilling outside the Main Zone by IOC and later by Quest, led to the discovery of B Zone, which was recognized as the most significant deposit of rare earth elements, yttrium, and zirconium in the SLAC. The B Zone Indicated Resources are estimated at 278.13 Mt at 0.93% total rare earth oxide (TREO) and Inferred Mineral Resources are estimated at 214.35 Mt at 0.85% TREO (Oyediran et al., 2014)."

Jan 1, 2016

By SangHyeok Han

Selecting the best possible cranes and identifying spatial conflict-free locations on sites can result in productivity and safety improvements for large-scale industrial construction projects. In the current practice, experienced lift engineers select cranes based on the heaviest lift and/or the largest lifting radius of the identified crane. This practice is relatively time-consuming, and optimization of the crane?s use and location is also difficult. There are many factors which need to be considered during the crane selection process, a reality which further complicates the process. This paper presents a framework which aims at developing a decision support system to enhance the crane selection process and collision-free path planning for large-scale construction projects. This paper utilizes an innovative crane selection matrix in order to establish a process for optimized crane selection for construction projects. The study considers more than 40 different factors in order to reduce time and improve safety for crane operations. Following finalization of crane type (mobile crane versus tower crane), a visualization model to simulate crane operation and identify collision-free crane operation paths is proposed. This process can assist project managers to plan the lifting process more effectively and efficiently. A case study-based approach was utilized to demonstrate the proposed methodology. The methodology was tested in the planning and construction process for boiler house structures in Mannheim, Germany. The project entailed numerous challenges: one of the major tasks was to lift a 102-ton load on the top of the boiler structure through crane collaboration; space limitations on site also presented several challenges related to crane selection, location, and operation processes. Based on the project constraints, the proposed crane selection framework, and the visualization models, two tower cranes were selected and successfully implemented in the case study.

Aug 1, 2013

By C. M. Díaz, P. J. Mackey, P. Coursol

In a recent paper [1], the present authors discussed calculated energy consumption numbers in copper sulphide concentrate smelting for four different smelting technologies. For the present study, from among these technologies, they selected the Noranda/Teniente continuous bath smelting followed by Peirce Smith (PS) converting route to investigate the impact on total energy requirement of some key process variations, such as tuyere injection of dry concentrate vs. slingering of wet concentrate over the molten bath, continuous converting vs. conventional batch PS converting and commercially proven slag cleaning alternatives. In their calculations, the authors used the same thermochemical model and methodology used in their earlier paper. This approach to explore plant design options provides an interesting basis for evaluating flowsheet modifications that could lead to significant copper smelting energy savings. The METSIM software was used in the present paper to carry out heat and mass balance computations for 8 different flowsheet configurations. The results are presented and discussed in the paper with respect to copper recoveries, energy requirements and CO2 emissions.

Jan 1, 2011

By C. A. Campbell

"There has been a significant reduction in maintenance hours and improved performance by maintenance crews at the MacLeod mine since the introduction of a Maintenance Control system which includes the use of maintenance standards. This paper deals with the steps taken to develop and implement the program. The objectives of the program and the organization and training of the control group are outlined. The work-order system, standards application, classification of work and the preventive maintenance procedures will be discussed.All maintenance information is processed on a Model 360-20 IBM computer, which turns out maintenance records and control reports for management action. Information in these reports, and reasons for reporting, will be discussed and the benefits resulting from the program reviewed."

Jan 1, 1973

By Ralph J. Holmes

"An accurate knowledge of the chemical, mineralogical and physical characteristics of ores and mineral products that are mined, processed and sold commercially is crucial to resource definition, effective resource utilisation, plant design, process control, metallurgical accounting and finally quality control to ensure that contract specifications are met and equitable payment is received for product sales. However, the responsibility for sampling is often entrusted to personnel who do not fully appreciate the significance and importance of collecting fully representative samples for analysis, and they seem satisfied as long as some material is collected and returned to the laboratory for analysis. Furthermore, sample stations incorporated into the design of new plants are often the first casualties when cost cutting exercises commence. There is really little point in accurately analysing samples if they are not representative in the first place, because the resultant analyses can be seriously biased and the effort taken to carefully analyse such samples is largely a waste of time and resources.Ultimately, a poor knowledge of the characteristics of ores and mineral products limits the ability of mining companies to optimise the life of ore resources and plant performance, and failure to meet final product specifications can have disastrous consequences, including price penalties and more seriously loss of sales contracts and significant revenue losses due to poor sampling practices at the point of sale. Consequently, it is critical that sampling is given the attention it deserves as the first important step in the quality measurement chain. The golden rule for correct sampling is that all parts of the ore, concentrate, slurry or other material being sampled must have an equal opportunity of being collected and becoming part of the final sample for analysis."

Jan 1, 2016

By H. Memarian

In the last few decades, many developing countries have tried to expand and improve upon higher education, which is acknowledged to be the leading factor for development. In this respect, develiping countries have significantly increased the number of tertiary institutions and their students. These rapid expansions, along with all the benefits, have drawbacks as well. An example is the status of mining engineering education in Iran. Presently, the number of active mining engineering departments in Iran (27) is more than the sum of similar departments in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa (23 altogether). Also, the number of annual mining graduates in Iran (645) is more than the cumulative graduates of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia (613). The expansion of mining engineering education in Iran has coincided with the closing or merging of similar mining departments, as well as a decline in the number of interested students in the industrialized world. The present study shows that the need for development and the excessive number of high school graduates, resulting from high population growth in the early 1980s, are the two primary factors influencing the significant expansion of mining engineering education in Iran.

Jan 1, 2007

By F. Daniel Rosenkranz, Peter L. Silveston

Experiments investigating the treatment of a ground wood white water waste from an Ontario pulp and paper mill by an HVCB coal are reported. Adsorption capacity for the waste, with a soluble COD contribution of 2,100 mg/I, amounted to 0.17 per cent, by weight, of the Nova Scotia coal used. Percolation of the white water waste through a coal bed indicated that soluble COD is removed. For finely ground coals, over 90 per cent of the suspended solids in the waste are retained on the coal. Plugging of the coal bed is rapid, so that any treating process using filtration would have to renew the surface of the bed frequently.

Jan 1, 1970