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By J. Larose, E. Irissou

The aerospace business has always been driven by innovation. A significant portion of the overall business technology development strategies is still based today on improved materials and coatings. In this highly regulatory business environment, large amounts of funding are required to increase the maturity level of novel technologies, but the evolution process still remains a delicate endeavor. The technical risks involved during technology development obviously need to be managed and mitigated throughout the development cycle, but other hurdles almost inevitably get encountered, such as budget limitations, transition from lab scale to production scale, loss of focus, intellectual property negotiations and supply chain integrity. This presentation will cover some of the issues raised when a great idea is slowly morphed into an aerospace production part.

Jan 1, 2010

By Melinda Bissinger, Frederic Berube

Environmental considerations are important in the aerospace industry. To that effect, several elements such as engine emission, noise and materials are identified by the industry and the society as requiring significant improvements for future and current products in order to be aligned with current expectations. In this context, the industry is addressing this opportunity by investing significantly in new engineering solutions that will meet greener targets. To this effect, the impact of material choice is significant and will make a difference in the forth coming solutions. Several opportunities to develop more efficient products, quieter aircrafts using materials and manufacturing processes that will be more respectful of environmental considerations exist. The presentation will cover those elements and provide an overview of the upcoming solutions.

Jan 1, 2010

By M. Hosseinzadeh

By changing the quality of consumed refractory bricks in burner zone of sarcheshmeh copper complex anod kiln removing of carbon precipitation phenomenon was studied. For blister deoxygenation LPG is blowing in anod kiln and cause destoring microsturcture and bonding of refractory bricks. Studies are shown that in a part of the bricks which have a temperature of 800 - 1000 °C , iron content phases in magesia - chromite bricks are like catalist and cause increasing the rate of carbon precipitation reactions . In a way that in comparsion of two bricks with best and medium quality with different analysis, this problem is more critical in best quality bricks containing high iron oxide. Therefore special magesia spinel bricks suggested and installed in burning zone.

Jan 1, 2004

By Arne Renström

A fleet management system such as Minestar with CAES and Aquila could basically be defined as a tool for production control and distribution of drill and load maps, but should also be considered as continuous improvements and a never ending production study. The objective of production studies is to establish facts to be used for production improvements. In a mine operation there are many issues to improve and they spread from achieving productions plans, drilling precision, improved spotting while loading to equipment utilisation. This gives that there is not one single key value to present; we need to manage information presented on maps, as trends, graphs, tables and pre-calculated data for ?free-use? normally in spread-sheets to be able to turn data into useful information.

May 1, 2003

By EJ. Reichhardf

The Molopo Farms Complex is a major, layered ultramafic/mafic, early Proterowic intrusion which is totally covered by sediments of the Karoo and Kalahari Fonnations and situated in southern Botswana and northeastern South Africa. The approximately 3000 m thick, generally fine- to medium-grained ultramafic and mafic cumulates are intrusive into equivalents of Thmsvaal Supergroup sediments and lavas. Multiphase defonnation resulted in tilting and segmentation of the Complex into individual tectonic blocks. Sr isotopes document at least two chemically distinct parental liquids which interacted in a complex manner to form an approximately 1000 m thick rhythmically layered succession which straddles the ultramafic/mafic boundary. Repeated mixing resulted in a complex cryptic layering pattern and numerous sulfide-enriched layers which contain significant PGE+Au concentrations.

Jan 1, 1994

By H. Alzraiee

Traditional planning methods such as CPM and PERT have been useful tools to manage construction projects. However, the underlying model of these traditional methods often seems to fail to represent real projects as they tend to assume no interrelationship between project components. In reality, project components have complex dynamic feedback process that requires modeling of inherent uncertainty in the execution of these projects. Nevertheless, this dynamic nature and uncertainty have not been explicitly addressed by traditional planning methods. Project failure can be attributed to poor representation of the inner and outer aspects of operations that are responsible for project dynamics. Uncontrollable external forces are often cited but the real cause may be internal such as the feedback process among components of the project. An alternative perspective is offered in this paper through system dynamics (SD) that accounts for the feedback process and discrete event simulation (DES) for modeling the uncertainty. The proposed method utilizes SD method for modeling project dynamics and DES method coupled with CPM network for operational details and uncertainty, respectively. A case study that involves preparing engineering drawings in a design office is used to demonstrate the use of the developed method and to highlight its capabilities. Modeling the dynamic dimension is expected to enhance planning and scheduling of construction operations and to provide a better understanding of the impact of various internal and external factors on project schedule and productivity performance.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. Valenzuel

Arsenic is a common impurity in copper sulfide concentrates treated pyrometallurgically, which inevitably during the smelting-converting process reports in the final copper product affecting its properties, but also it is a very toxic occupational hazard. Arsenic recovery or disposal from concentrates or arsenic-containing copper smelter dusts have been practiced in the metallurgical industry for many years. It has been recovered principally as arsenic trioxide by roasting or leaching then precipitated. On the other hand, several hydrometallurgical processes have been developed and implemented in smelters to remove it from arsenicbearing dusts and stabilize it prior to disposal in the form of a solid compound, either as calcium arsenate, arsenic sulfide or ferric arsenate. This paper reviews the methods implemented for arsenic recovery worldwide and arsenic disposal in the metallurgical industry.

May 1, 2001

By R. A. L. Drew, C. A. Rodríguez González, Caleym W. F.

This work addresses the need of new refractories for copper converters. Technological improvements and environmental regulations for chromium containing refractories have generated this need. Chemical interactions, mechanism of penetration and the effect of oxygen potential and temperature in the system Cu2S-FeS-SiO2-O2 are presented for two refractories: a burned magnesite chrome brick (typically used by the copper industry) and a chrome-free spinel direct bonded brick. The main difference determined in the refractory performance was the blister copper penetration resistance; burned magnesite chrome brick is penetrated while direct bonded brick is not. These results are very promising since blister copper penetration has been reported as the major cause of refractory wear. The results are explained in terms of refractory porosity and wetting characteristics.

Jan 1, 2004

By Chih-Huey Lin

The Au/?-Al2O3 catalyst prepared by AuCl3 impregnation is subjected to the influence of residual chlorine after an oven drying. A post-impregnation NH4OH treatment was able to eliminate chlorine, and to reduce the cluster size of Au moiety. However, the CO oxidation activity was not increased by this post-impregnation NH4OH treatment. This suggests that certain metal-support interaction (MSI) is the determining factor for the activity of Au catalysts. Thermal treatment under H2, O2 or He was attempted to increase MSI of the prepared catalyst with or without the post-impregnation NH4OH treatment. No significant activity enhancement was found but the TPD analysis suggests that a H2 treatment has a higher chance to induce MSI.

Oct 1, 2003

By S. Xu, A. Ramesh, F El-dabbagh, Z. Fang, A. Sobhy, J. A. Kozinski

Waste remediation is a goal that will be driven forward by economic conditions. As the cost of waste disposal increases, new methods of waste reduction will become economically attractive, and will be implemented. It is difficult to imagine, however, a time when there will be no waste generation. For the foreseeable future, despite effective reduction practices, there will still be hundreds of millions of tons of waste that must be destroyed or controlled to protect the public health and the sanctity of the environment. To remain faithful to environmental covenants, the mineral and metallurgical industries will face these new challenges. This paper discusses novel waste remediation approaches and techniques focusing on hazardous wastes and thermal remediation. Aspects concerning technological and environmental importance are examined. Solutions for neutralization of environmentally hazardous compounds are proposed.

Jan 1, 2004

By Seongki Lee

The purpose of this paper is to propose the real-time facility management system framework based on Building Information Model (BIM) and Web of Things. Latest IT such as BIM is rapidly spreading to architecture, civil engineering, engineering and maintenance with the aim of simplifying complex system in buildings and facilities, minimizing operation cost, providing high value services and advancing facility management. In particular, BIM-based management framework design to assist the development of sensor information operation system, which adds convenience to facility maintenance and management, has emerged as a key issue. To this end, this paper proposed conceptual framework for data warehouse, web service and interface that make up real-time facility management system. The paper also produced conceptual methodology on CoRE-based web service platform, mobile device, BIM and WSN mapping.

Aug 1, 2013

By H. W. Hughes

"The Wasamac Gold Mines mill, situated 10 miles from Rouyn-Noranda on highway 59, commenced milling April 1st 1965 at a rate of 700 tons per day. This has gradually increased to over 1200 tons per day in December. The mill has done up to 1400 tons on occasion.The ore was formed in the Wasa shear zone by means of replacement. The minerals which replaced the original rocks were carbonates, quartz, pyrite, chlorite, gold and silver. Work index varies from 9. 6 on the chlorite to 11. 6 on the quartz. The gold is very finely disseminated throughout the gangue and while associated with the pyrite is not included in the pyrite. Very seldom is gold found or seen in the free state.Test work showed a medium fine grind of 85 to 90 per cent was necessary to achieve a 95.00 per cent extraction. Straight cyanidation time of 30 to 36 hours was indicated. This has been borne out by subsequent mill performance with a grind around 87 per cent minus 200 mesh and extraction ranging from 95 to 96 per cent.When it was decided to bring the Wasamac property into production, the Bicroft Uranium Mines Ltd. crushing and grinding units together with one pebble mill and the pachuca tanks from Dyno Uranium Mines Ltd. were purchased.Wasamac crusher house and mill buildings are of laminated wood construction, covered with 5/ 8th inch plywood and corrugated iron sheeting."

Jan 1, 1966

By K. C. Sole

In most copper solvent-extraction operations, an important consideration in choice of extractant is the requirement for high selectivity of copper over iron. Ester-modified aldoxime extractants presently offer the best Cu:Fe selectivity. In some plants, however, the process feed liquors contain significant amounts of manganese but little iron. Although manganese is not chemically extracted by oximes, trace amounts are carried over to the electrowinning circuit by physical entrainment. This may result in anodic oxidation of manganese which, in turn, can cause oxidative degradation of the organic phase when returned to the solvent-extraction circuit in the spent electrolyte. Many of these operations prefer to operate with higher levels of iron reporting to the advance electrolyte, as appropriate control of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) couple will ensure that manganese remains in the benign Mn(II) form. A new reagent, LS 4202, designed by Cytec, now offers the possibility of tailoring the iron co-extraction, so that appropriate Cu:Fe selectivity can be achieved in the solvent-extraction operation to maintain an electrolyte Fe:Mn mass ratio of >10:1, while retaining the other benefits offered by ester-modified aldoximes. The results of an integrated solvent extraction-electrowinning pilot-plant trial are presented, in which the performances of the conventional extractants ACORGA® M.5774 and LIX® 984N are compared with LS 4202. The Cu:Fe selectivity is demonstrated, along with results on the transfer of other impurities to the advance electrolyte.

Jan 1, 2007

By D. Magoon

The metals industry has enjoyed a resurgence in prices and demand for its commodities during the global surge in economic activity that began in 2005. This success has brought with it an unprecedented demand for professionals in all sectors of our economy. Nowhere is that more true than in the mining and metallurgy sectors. However, this welcome improvement follows on the heels of almost two decades of challenging markets for the mining and metallurgy. Our sector's protracted economic slump created a paucity of demand for professionals that had several consequences. Our industry came to be viewed as a low ?tech, uninteresting place to work. Low demand for professionals encouraged students to seek other career options. Reduced demand for graduates, coupled with diminished program funding by our sector, resulted in dramatic shrinkage in university mining and metallurgy programs. This paper explores the lessons to be learned from our recent economic history and discusses some strategies for addressing our image issue. Attracting and retaining good employees is also strongly influenced by a company's reputation and record as a good employer. This reality is very well illustrated by the findings of an international survey undertaken by Towers Perrin in 2005 of 86,000 employees of mid-sized and large companies in 16 countries. The key findings related to attracting and retaining employees are presented. These findings are also discussed in the context of their specific applicability to the mining and metallurgy industry.

Jan 1, 2007

By Clifford R. Stanley

"Abstract - Reproducible analyses of representative samples for elements affected by the ‘nugget effect’ is vital in mineral exploration and reserve estimation. Unfortunately, a priori knowledge of what size of sample is representative from a mineral deposit or its dispersion train is commonly unavailable. Use of the simple ‘equant grain model’ and the NUGGET computer program facilitates determination of the sampling parameters that will produce appropriate samples for chemical analysis. Based on Poisson statistics, NUGGET can be used to determine: (1) the ‘effective grain size’ of nuggets in a suite of samples, (2) the level of representativity (precision) that samples with specific nugget grain sizes will exhibit, and (3) the sample size required to obtain a specific level of sample representativity. The program determines these sampling parameters for any element in any mineral, including solid solution minerals (e.g., Au, electrum, Pt-Fe alloy, diamond), and allows assumption of a variety of grain shapes (e.g., ellipsoids, cylinders, parallelepipeds, etc.). Furthermore, it outputs the effective number of nuggets expected in a sample of given size and the percentile confidence bounds on any element concentration affected by the nugget effect.Results from the software allow determination of effective sampling and analysis strategies that minimize the nugget effect in geochemical analysis/assaying used in mineral exploration and reserve estimation. This will not only improve confidence in the resulting exploration results or reserve estimate, but will facilitate estimation of the error associated with any subsequent interpretation or reserve figure."

Jan 1, 1998

By Chin J. Chang

Powder metallurgy (P/M) technique is known for its capability of producing near-net-shape parts. Its specific characteristics have resulted in low cost and eliminated of many secondary machining. However, more and more P/M parts do require additional operations to fulfil their complex geometric features and surface roughness. Many of the machining factors that influence the machinability of cast and wrought steel parts, such as cutting speed, feedrate, coolant, tool geometry and shape, are also considered in the machining of P/M components. The special feature in P/M structure is the porosity that can decrease the machinability and shorten the tool life. Different variables have been considered in the machinability of P/M materials. Densities and the free machining additive manganese sulphide (MnS), are the two main factors of material composition, which dominate the P/M machining performance. Machining process is the main method that generates the desired working surface of machining components. This paper will discuss the metallurgical structure of the powder metallurgy components, their physical properties and possible issues when encountering machining operation. Turning operation has been tested in this investigation to show the relationship between the cutting speed, federate, cutting forces and chip formation. This investigation also discusses how the free machining additive, manganese sulphide, affects the P/M structure and machinability in order to understand how the metallurgical structure can affect the machining operation and, how to obtain the optimised surface results.

May 1, 2001

By Jeremy D. Glennon

A number of exciting challenges, opportunities and unanswered questions remain concerning the chemistry, geochemistry, medical, industrial and analytical applications of gold and its compounds.1 Among the challenges presented is the need for extraction methods for gold, at process and indeed analytical scales, that avoid the use of organic solvents or hazardous reagents. Extensive environmental contamination has occurred in the Brazilian Amazon from the mercury-gold amalgamation process. Major problems with the cyanidation process are the relatively slow dissolution kinetics and the health and environmental problems associated with it. With innovation and technical changes, a cleaner way for solubilising and extracting this versatile precious metal can be found. This cleaner future may lie in supercritical fluid science. Interestingly, geochemical studies of gold solubility and speciation in hydrothermal solutions have highlighted the importance of supercritical conditions and sulphur species in the deposition of gold in natural environments. Gold solubility in supercritical brines is far higher than previously supposed while interest in the high content of carbon dioxide in the mineralizing fluids is growing. 2,3 In recent years, also, there has been a tremendous amount of attention paid in analytical chemistry and in industry, to the area of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of organic and metallic species. 4 This interest has been fuelled by the introduction of more stringent environmental control and the subsequent need for cleaner solvents and processes to replace established ones. Carbon dioxide is the substance of choice for SFE because of its moderate critical parameters (Tc = 31oC, Pc = 73atm), inertness and availability in pure form. It is an excellent extraction medium for non-polar and moderately polar species, and with careful ligand design, it can be used for analytical and process scale metal extraction from solution and solid phases. In general, the dissolution of a metal in supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) requires that the charge on the metal ion be neutralised on complexation by the ligand or through a form of ion pairing (analogous to the situation where metal ions are extracted into organic solvents, such as methyl isobutyl ketone or toluene). In this way, then, many chelating agents such as dithiocarbamates and hydroxamic acids have been utilised to extract metal ions such as Cu and Fe into sc- CO2, the process greatly enhanced by the use of fluorinated ligand derivatives. 5-7 In this review paper, we show that supercritical conditions and complexation with sulphur donor atoms, important in the natural deposition of gold, can form the basis of a clean, eco-friendly chemistry for gold extraction. Analytical scale extractions of gold from a variety of matrices can be conveniently used to assess the efficiency of any new proposed ligand.

Oct 1, 2003

By Lawrence Devon Smith, Keith Spence, William Roscoe

"In March 2003 the CIM Council adopted and approved the document “Standards and Guidelines for Valuation of Mineral Properties” as developed by the Special Committee of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum on Valuation of Mineral Properties (CIMVal). The document is referred to as the CIMVal Standards and Guidelines. The document evolved from a specific recommendation by The Mining Standards Task Force (MSTF) of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Ontario Securities Commission in its Final Report (January 1999) that the CIM form a committee of valuation practitioners to review and advise on approaches to valuation of Mineral Properties. The CIMVal Standards and Guidelines are organized into two parts: •,Standards which are general rules in the Valuation of Mineral Properties. The use of the Standards is mandatory if the Valuation Report is stated to follow CIMVal (although not mandatory in the sense of having regulatory authority). Definitions are given at the beginning of the Standards. •,Guidelines which elaborate on the Standards and, while not mandatory, provide guidance and best practices which are highly recommended to be followed in the Valuation of Mineral Properties.CIMVal specifies requirements for the Qualified Valuator who has the responsibility for choosing the appropriate approaches and methods for the valuation of mineral properties. With regard to the specifics of the application and practice of valuation approaches and methods, CIMVal directs the Qualified Valuator to the large body of published papers, published valuations, presentations and court judgments to guide his or her choice. This is also the approach taken by VALMIN (Australia) and SAMVAL (South Africa). To facilitate the dissemination of industry practice, the CIMVal Committee organized a “Valuation Day” at the CIM Annual General Meeting in Toronto (Mining Millennium 2000), on March 8, 2000. Industry experts presented papers on valuation of Mineral Properties which were subsequently published in a proceedings volume and individually ad technical papers in the CIM Bulletin. The Management and Economics Society of CIM has continued to identify and publish papers on valuation in the CIM Bulletin and Magazine. The present document gathers in one place the CIMVal Standards and Guidelines, the papers from the 2000 Valuation Day, and a number of subsequent papers that illustrate industry practice for the valuation of mineral properties."

Jan 1, 2003

By A. L. Mular

"On behalf of Bob Bruce and myself I would like to begin by stressing some key points.First, most of us know that the Canadian Mineral Processors was formed in 1969 and is an offshoot of the Canadian Gold Metallurgists. I attended that first meeting in 1969, and I haven't missed a meeting since! Pretty obvious that CMP serves the best booze! At any rate, we know that our meetings are supported by CANMET. Camsell Hall is always at our disposal; Bob Bruce acts as permanent secretary pretty much free of charge; we receive a financial grant from CANMET. This brings me to a second point.Second the Canadian Mineral Processors do not enjoy a free ride in this relationship. CMP provides a genuine service to the mining industry, to government, and to universities. For the industry, CMP serves as a forum for the rapid dissemination of new ideas and new technology developed at remote locations throughout Canada. New developments outside Canada are introduced by invited speakers at our meetings. The effect is to help reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.For government, problem areas and research priorities can be isolated through mutual discussions. Direct communication at our meetings can help CANMET to temper its goals and modify its national priorities.For universities, CMP provides a wealth of operating experience and practical know how. The yearly proceedings are a major current reference source fo1· those of us who teach mineral processing. Admittedly, the proceedings are publ-shed from CMP coffers. However, I note that our fees are up this year, which brings me to a third point.Third, we face some potential problems of a financial and political nature. From a financial view, we may lose our CANMET grant and other financial good will simply because of spending constraints. Our fees are expected to climb each year thereafter.From a political view, we know that the metallurgical society of CIM is anxious to incorporate CMP as a section. The pros and cons of such a merger have been described in a recent mailing. In th2 final analysis, the political and financial problems are interrelated. There are several alternative solutions to both problems, which brings me to a fourth point"

Jan 1, 1979

By Robert J. McCarthy

There are two things on everyone's lips when mining folks gather these days - one is the exciting business opportunities that now exist for mine development and expansion, and the other is the dire shortage of human resources needed to design, manage, and even operate the mines. Years of stagnant industry growth, limited employment opportunities, and unwarranted perceptions of remote and harsh working conditions have caused mining to be a less than desirable career choice. Attrition and reduced entry to the workforce has resulted in shortages for not only mining professionals, but also skilled trades people and operators. Consequently, to survive, let alone grow, mining companies, suppliers, and educators are all pursuing innovative solutions with technology, inter-industry recruiting, centralized services, and strategic partnerships. This paper describes some of these initiatives and proposes others, now that the people are gone!

May 1, 2008