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By M. Muinonen, R. Pandher

Royal Nickel Corporation is developing the Dumont Nickel Project, a large nickel sulphide deposit located near the town of Amos, Québec. The nickel occurs as pentlandite, heazlewoodite, and awaruite. The relatively low grade ore can be processed to a very high grade nickel concentrate, containing 29% Ni. The absence of copper and precious metals in the ore renders this concentrate amenable to processing by dead roasting in a fluid-bed roaster and smelting in an electric furnace to produce ferronickel for sale to stainless steel producers. Laboratory test work and conceptual engineering design was completed to demonstrate the amenability of Dumont concentrate to produce ferro-nickel.

Jan 1, 2015

In the past decade, the increased engagement of business in debates around sustainable development has prompted recognition of the importance of biological diversity at the local, national and global scales. Driven by increasing populations that demand rising real incomes, a range of human induced pressures are modifying natural habitats and diminishing their ability to support life. Public policy changes have struggled to arrest the loss of habitats such as wetlands or tropical forests, and the related extinction of plant and animal species. Although conservation legislation and regulation were once the exclusive responsibility of government, new partnerships are now being forged that increase the role of the private sector and non-government organisations (NGOs) in developing and delivering conservation initiatives. Since the mid 1990s Rio Tinto has had to adapt to meet the demands of a rapidly changing conservation landscape. When Rio Tinto adopted its statement of business practice in 1998 The way we work, it explicitly recognised the need to take account of relevant environmental factors in obtaining access to lands, particularly in designated areas of high conservation value. With the revision of The way we work in April 2003, the policy on land access was strengthened through removal of the word ?designated?, thereby signalling recognition of the importance of biodiversity outside of protected areas. In addition, Rio Tinto?s revised land access policy explicitly refers to the use of land that is surplus to operational requirements for habitat protection and biodiversity conservation, subject to social considerations. In late 2003 Rio Tinto further strengthened its commitment to biodiversity with the promulgation of its biodiversity strategy and related position statement, biodiversity principles? (See Appendix 1.1) and technical guidance documents. This commitment is also embodied in a variety of initiatives at the corporate and operational levels, which are reported on annually in Rio Tinto?s Social and environment review. This guide has been prepared to support the practical implementation of Rio Tinto?s biodiversity strategy. The purpose is to provide guidance on how to effectively integrate biodiversity into Rio Tinto?s operations. It is applicable to all Rio Tinto exploration, new development projects and operations, irrespective of whether they have been operational for some years or are at the beginning or end of their operational life cycles. This guidance has been developed to support the Rio Tinto Environment Standards and the Rio Tinto Community Standard and any additional supporting documents as they are developed.

Apr 1, 2005

By N. Samman, S. N. Lau

"A series of new, grease-based, solvent free open gear lubricants were developed to meet the demanding service requirements of mining equipment. The use of these products has resulted in better performance under conditions of temperature extremes and in terms of longer component lives. They have gained widespread acceptance within the mining communities for such applications as the lubrication of mining shovels, draglines and ball mills.These products are WHMIS non-controlled and are environmentally acceptable. The benefits and advantages of using this type of product to lubricate mining equipment as well as the field evaluation and experience will be discussed."

Jan 1, 2002

By E. G. Charlesworth, M. J. Robertson

"Abstract - Gold mineralization in the Main Reef Complex at Sheba Gold Mine is hosted within shear zones in a sequence of shales and greywackes of the Fig Tree Group. Competency contrasts between these rocks and a steeply dipping chert unit provided a locus for the development of right lateral steeply dipping shear zones. A set of flatter dipping shear fractures crosscut these zones with their intersections defining a system of en échelon ore shoots.Mineralization is both of vein type and disseminated strata-controlled replacement type. The latter occurs mainly within the wall rocks to the shear zones. Arsenopyrite and pyrite are the major sulfides, with arsenopyrite being confined largely to greywacke beds and pyrite to the more iron-rich shale units. Gold was introduced, together with minor sphalerite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and early arsenopyrite, toward the end stages of a first pyrite phase. The mineralizing fluids were introduced along dilated cleavage planes and, emanating from these, produced a series of replacement fronts. Mineralization was syntectonic to late tectonic and occurred under conditions of progressive deformation, resulting in sulfides which are concentrated in the hinges of shear-related folds and semi­ massive sulfides within tension fractures which are folded, attenuated and fractured .An analysis of the structures shows a sequence of events in which an initial ductile simple-shear event with a steep sense of movement was succeeded by a more brittle strike-slip event. Mineralization is temporally related to the latter. This evolution in structural style was probably related to reactivation of the Sheba Fault as a transcurrent fault during emplacement of large granitoid bodies."

Jan 1, 1994

By Russell McIntosh

"The Madsen mine is in the southeastern part of Baird township, in Red Lake area, Ontario. It lies about 6 miles southwest of the town of Red Lake, with which it is connected by an all-weather road.The Madsen Red Lake Gold Mines Company was formed in March, 1935, to take over the holdings of the Falcon Gold and Jomac Gold syndicates. During 1935 an4 the early part of 1936 No. 1 shaft was sunk and drifts driven on four levels, all on a narrow quartz vein in a granite dyke.In July, 1936, the Austin zone was discovered about half a mile north of No. 1 shaft by Austin McVeigh, a prospector employed by the Company. Diamond drilling showed that the zone included an orebody worth development, and in 1937 No. 2 shaft was sunk, three levels opened up and sufficient ore outlined to justify the installation of a mill. Milling commenced in August, 1938, at the rate of 300 tons a day, which was later increased to 400 tons a day.The total production from 1938 to 1946 was 1,116,307 tons from which gold and silver having a value of $9,949,010 were recovered. The gold produced ranged from a minimum of 0.1910 oz. a ton in 1939 to a maximum of 0.2827 oz. in 1944. The average grade in 1946 was 0.2345 oz. to the ton."

Jan 1, 1954

By Victor R. Eyzaguirre

Cerro Verde is one of several large porphyry-type copper deposits in Southern Peru. The copper occurs as primary sulphides, with a significant oxide capping. The exploitation of the deposit has been correspondingly divided into two stages, the first consisting of copper production from oxides, and the second from sulphides. Minero Peru successfully started the Stage I plant in June of 1977 with the first production of electrowon copper cathodes. This paper is essentially devoted to a description of the Stage I process, which can be summarized as follows: Ore is trucked to the primary crusher, where it is crushed to 225 mm and conveyed to a coarse ore stockpile. Ore withdrawn from the stockpile is secondary crushed to 65 mm, conveyed to a truck loadout bin, loaded into trucks and driven to the leaching pads. Ore is placed on the pads in lifts and sprayed with sulphuric acid solution to dissolve the copper. Copper-bearing solution forms a pond behind a dam at the lower end of each pad and is pumped from there to the solvent extraction plant. Copper is extracted from the leach solution into an organic phase and is then stripped from the organic phase to form a purified concentrated copper solution suitable for feed to electrowinning. In electrowinning, the copper is finally recovered as cathodes suitable for sale as refined copper.

Jan 1, 1978

By Jesús L. Valenzuela, José R. Parga, Salvador Aguayo, Héctor Moreno

The Merrill Crowe zinc-precipitation process has been applied worldwide on a large number of operations for the recovery of gold and silver resulting in a higher consumption of zinc dust from cyanide solutions. However, in some of plants this precipitate is of low quality, because lead, cadmium and especially copper are precipitated along with gold and silver. The low quality precipitate also requires more fluxes in smelting and shortens crucible life. In this study, a process is introduced to remove copper, silver, lead and cadmium from barren solutions following the Merrill-Crowe process. Copper and silver are removed by precipitation in a serpentine reactor, using sodium sulfide as the precipitator, and sulfuric acid for pH control. The recovery of lead and cadmium ions with natural hydroxyapatite using cow bone powder (CBP) as a new adsorbent material, is introduced. CBP is capable of removing lead and cadmium ions from aqueous cyanide solutions with 99% efficiency. It has the ability to compete with other existing commercial adsorbents for the removal of lead and cadmium. Results show that pH value has a significant effect on copper cyanide removal efficiency, and it was determined the optimal pH range to be 2 - 3. At this pH value, the copper cyanide removal efficiency achieved was up to 99 %; and for the cyanide associated with copper cyanide complexes, the recovery was 90%. Finally, the precipitate quality was improved 400% .This procedure was successfully run at three mines in México.

Jan 1, 2014

By B. A. Strathdee

An arsenical ore containing both pyrite and arsenopyrite was heated to a temperature at which decomposition and distillation took place. The condensate consisted of metallic arsenic and arsenic disulphide, although the analysis of the ore showed that volatile arsenic and sulphur were present in proportion to produce a condensate of arsenic trisulphide and sulphur. Distillation tests on the mineral arsenopyrite also produced a condensate of metallic arsenic and arsenic disulphide. This arsenic sulphide gave a distinct x-ray diffraction pattern which was not listed in the A.S.T.M. data file. This same sulphide can be produced by heating a mixture of arsenic and sulphur in vacuo. Its chemical analysis corresponds to As2S2. The dissociation pressures of arsenopyrite and the vapour pressures of arsenic disulphide and arsenic metal were measured, using a quartz "spoon" gauge. The dissociation pressures of arsenopyrite were compared with the published data for the dissociation pressures of pyrite to account

Jan 1, 1961

By R. A. Ford

The paper outlines: methods used for the determination of wear metals in motor and transmission oils; contaminents in motor, transmission and crusher lubricating oils; and viscosity determinations. Case histories and costs are presented to illustrate the value of an oil analysis program. Introduction NORANDA MINES LIMITED (BELL COPPER DIVISION) is located on the shores of Babine Lake, approximately 450 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia. Access to the mine is by road from Topley, B.C., about 40 miles away. When a preventive maintenance analysis program was first considered, it was obvious that if samples were to be sent out for analysis, results would not be available for at least a week, due to the distance from any commercial laboratory. The assay laboratory was asked to investigate the possibility of determining wear metals on site. A limited program was started soon after production commenced, and this has now grown to include all large mobile equipment as well as crushers and grinding mills. The laboratory also now determines viscosity, fuel dilution, dirt and abrasives, glycol and water. All these results are ready within two days. This paper will outline the methods used, data interpretation, several case histories and the benefits from such a program.

Jan 1, 1977

By T E. Tibbetts

This paper deals with coal sampling in general and with mechanical coal sampling in particular. The necessity of obtaining representative samples is emphasized. Other sections of the paper are devoted to the design and selection of automatic samplers, with a consideration of the three main types, and the testing, operation and maintenance of these samplers. The cost of the installation of an automated sampling system must be related to the value of the material to be sampled, to the volume of coal involved, and to the savings in labour and economy which can be achieved. Introduction T HE Committee?:; on Coal Sampling of the Coal Study Subsection, Thermal Power Section (Eastern Zone), Canadian Electrical Association, was established in November, 1963, to "study the various problem areas of coal sampling." The first undertaking of the Committee was to at-tempt to survey the problem areas of coal sampling through an evaluation of coal sampling difficulties as experienced at both the plant design and operational levels within the electric utilities represented on the Committee. The results of this enquiry indicated that satisfactory answers to almost any conceivable

Jan 1, 1965

By Harry Perry

By 1980, the free world's need for economic sources of energy is expected to double. As a result, there will be a tremendous potential for all energy sources working together to supply the demand. For coal to continue its dominant role as a low-cost energy source, means must be found for it to meet the challenge of nuclear power and to overcome obstacles placed on its use by air and water pollution regulations. As the more limited reserves of gas and oil diminish, economic ways are also required for converting coal to synthetic liquid and gaseous fuels, and to chemicals, thus resulting in optimum utility of the most abundant low-cost fuel resource. The means for accomplishing these ends can only come about by a vigorous research and development program. Successful efforts by industry and government working together, both in America and abroad, will assure the continued use of coal to meet the world's energy demands. This paper discusses the emerging patterns of energy sources throughout the world and the role that research and development on coal will play in supplying future energy requirements.

Jan 1, 1967

By W. A. Lang

Introduction In this review, which is the fifth of the series on the Progress in Coal Technology, an attempt has been made to outline some of the more important developments that have taken place in coal carbonization during the last decade. Research into both high-and low-temperature carbonization has been active for three principal reasons: (1) the growing shortages in most countries of high-quality coking coals; (2) the demand for smokeless fuels for domestic purposes; (3) the need for metallurgical coke for the increased output of steel in the post-war years. The growing importance of coal tars as a source of chemicals for the preparation of synthetic products and of coal gases for the recovery of sulphur is evident. Many of the researches initiated because of wartime necessity have been continued .and even expanded in the post-war years. High-temperature carbonization with a suitable coal yields a strong coke which is used primarily for metallurgical purposes, a tar with good marketable value, and a large yield of gas of medium calorific value. Low-temperature carbonization gives a more free-burning solid product suitable for a domestic fuel, a high yield of a tar which is generally regarded as superior to high-temperature tar for chemical purposes, and a smaller yield of a higher-heat-value gas.

Jan 1, 1951

By John D. Godfrey

A brief account of economic developments in and around northeastern Alberta is presented and mention is made of mining and industrial developments currently of interest in the area. Planned and projected operations are briefly discussed for this region. The history of geological surveys and mining activities in the Shield area of Alberta and the adjoining parts of Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan is traced. Reassessment of the presently-known economic picture of northwestern Canada in conjunction with some recent information on Precambrian structures of northeastern Alberta points to some interesting mining possibilities, particularly in and around that province.

Jan 1, 1960

By P. L. Li, B. X. Song, C. H. Wang, T. Wang, Z. Hu

"The treatment of an oxidized copper-gold ore by stage cyanide addition was investigated. For cyanidation, free cyanide ion concentration can be an indicator of whether there is copper dissolved in cyanide solution, and maintaining the free cyanide ion concentration lower than 1.0 g/L could be an effective way to prevent copper dissolution and reduce cyanide consumption. For that purpose, stage cyanide addition was introduced to control free cyanide ion concentration within the range from 0.8 to 1.0 g/L. Cyanidation tests results indicate that gold extraction was still acceptable at reduced cyanide consumption with a lower copper extraction. Based on the experimental study, industry application works at Beiya concentrator of Yunnan province, China were successfully conducted. When the raw ore contains 2.95 ppm Au and 0.75% Cu, by stage cyanide addition method, the gold extraction was still 93% at reduced cyanide consumption of 2135 g/t, which was only half of one addition method, and the copper extraction dropped to only 5%, which indicated that dissolution was prevented for almost 75% of the malachites.INTRODUCTIONCyanide with its competency to form a strong complex with gold, is the most preferable lixiviant for gold leaching. However, cyanidation is not inherently a selective process since many other minerals present in the ore are also readily soluble, especially the copper minerals. Muir (2011) reported that every 1% reactive copper present in the ore consumes about 30 kg/t NaCN, which can have detrimental effects on the process efficiency and economics due to high cyanide consumption, reduced gold leach rates and poor gold recovery."

Jan 1, 2016

By A Walker

The presence of high noise levels in many industries, together with the fact that countries are becoming increasingly concerned with the health of its citizens, has contributed to the importance of the problem of hearing loss. This problem has become the focus of scientific research, law and medicine, and the object of this thesis is to present the means whereby noise may be detected, with its resulting effects and possible means of control, in mining operations. 0BJECTIONABLE noise is a particularly prevalent by-product of the mining industry, and, al-though a dangerous noise level has been recognized, it is believed that at no time now, or in the future, will it be possible to enumerate a single over-all decibel figure at which hearing impairment will oc-cur. Individual susceptibility must be recognized in any study of occupational loss of hearing aimed at the setting of standards and criteria for industrial noise control.

Jan 1, 1963

By Wenxue Chen

This paper presents a new type of bolt with full thread and uniform strength, and fabricated with a Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bolt-making machine designed by the authors. The mechanical performance of the new bolt is assessed with strength tests conducted with the bolt in acid, alkaline and saline water conditions, with increasing concentration. The purpose is to test the new GFRP bolt?s mechanical performance in harsh conditions, especially metal mines with acid or alkaline environments. Comparison of the color, weight, size and antistatic ability of the GFRP bolt before and after it is immersion in solution is presented. Changes in tensile and shear strength, torsion, and anchoring force were evaluated in the laboratory. The results show that the mechanical properties of the GFRP bolt are more sensitive in alkaline than in acid and saline water. However, the loss ratio of mechanical properties of the GFRP bolt is very small according to the results of tensile and shear strength, torsion and anchoring force. The new bolt can be useful for applications in acid or other harsh mines.

Aug 1, 2013

By Ian R. Morrison

"Abstract - The Izok Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit is located 265 km south of Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Nunavut Territory, Canada, in the west-central Slave structural province. The Izok deposit is owned 100% by Inmet Mining Corporation and represents one of the largest undeveloped zinc-copper resources in North America. The Izok deposit is hosted within and near the top of a thick sequence of predominantly felsic pyroclastic rocks of late Archean age. The hanging-wall stratigraphy includes additional felsic volcaniclastic rocks, andesitic and basaltic flows, thin sulfide-rich iron formations, and turbiditic sedimentary rocks. The felsic volcanic rocks are intruded by intermediate dikes and sills, followed by gabbroic dikes and sills. Both intrusive suites are interpreted to be volcanic feeders to the overlying flows. All lithologies are subsequently cut by younger, irregular, granitic pegmatite and diabase dikes. The volcanic and sedimentary rocks are regionally metamorphosed to pyroxene hornfels grade. The massive sulfides occur within a large (kilometer-scale) Na-depleted sericitic alteration zone. The immediate footwall and hanging-wall rocks to the deposit are characterized by zones of muscovite- biotite-sillimanite, lesser chlorite-biotite-cordierite, and locally intense silicification and sodium metasomatism. All lithologies have been affected by younger Ca-metasomatism. As currently defined, the Izok deposit comprises a cluster of five complexly zoned composite lenses: the Northwest, North, Central West, Central East, and Inukshuk lenses. The first four lenses are amenable to open-pit mining, whereas the Inukshuk lens will require underground development. The total indicated mineral resource presently stands at 16.5 million tonnes with a grade of 2.2% Cu, 11.4% Zn, 1.1% Pb, and 60 g/t Ag. Inmet Mining Corporation is presently reviewing the economic feasibility of developing the property."

Jan 1, 2004

By W. Harry Foster

"Asbestos Corporation Limited, incorporated in 1925, operates four asbestos mines and three asbestos mills in the Thetford Mines 1•egion of Quebec's Eastern Townships. A unique asbestos orebody, located in the Ungava Peninsula of Nouveau Quebec, was purchased by Asbestos Corporation Limited in 1964 and commenced production in 1972. As there were no existing facilities in the isolated, arctic region of Asbestos Hill, it was necessary for Asbestos Corporation Limited to construct at Deception Bay a deepsea wharf, a large ungraded fibre shed, a power plant and camp facilities. Forty-two miles of road were needed and were constructed from Deception Bay to Asbestos Hill. At Asbestos Hill, a complete crushing-drying-milling complex, a power plant, pe1•sonnel accommodations and open-pit facilities were provided. Unloading facilities and a fib1•e finishing mill we1l constructed at Nordenham, West Germany. The ""Asbestos Hill- Nordenham Story” is divided into individual papers covering all aspects of the engineering, construction and operation of this unique enterprise. Particular emphasis has been placed on those unusual aspects caused by the isolated location, arctic conditions, short shipping season and the deep permafrost."

Jan 1, 1976

By Alan E. Gallie

One of the requirements for the successful waging of war is an unlimited supply of iron ore. In the spring of 1941 the demand for iron ore was expected to exceed the supply. This was particularly so in the case of high-grade lump iron ore, essential to the open-hearth process of making steel. The bulk of Canada's iron ore was imported from the United States. At this time, Canada was making every effort to conserve United States funds for more vital purchases. For these reasons, the development of Canadian iron ore resources became of prime importance. Several companies undertook investigations and one of these examined the old Josephine deposit. Location The Josephine property is in the district of Algoma, in the Michipicoten area of the Sault Ste. Marie mining division of Ontario. It is 120 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie and 20 rail-miles east of Michipicoten harbour, on lake Superior (see Figure 1). Transportation in the area is furnished by the Algoma Central and Hudson Bay railway. The Michipicoten branch of this line passes within a mile of the Josephine mine. Michipicoten harbour provides a port through which iron ore is currently shipped. Power in the area is supplied by the Great Lakes Power Company, with generating plants on Michipicoten river, on Montreal river, and on St. Mary's river at Sault Ste. Marie. A series of transmission lines cover the district and one of these is connected to the Josephine mine by a 3 ½-mile branch line. History The Josephine property was staked by Alois Goetz in 1899. Before the claims could be recorded, the township in which they are located was given to the Algoma Central & Hudson Bay railway as part of a land grant. As a result, the ownership remained in dispute until August 24th, 1906, when a settlement was arbitrated by the Honourable Frank Cochrane. His ruling is interesting and is quoted in part.

Jan 1, 1947

The Millennium deposit, located in northern Saskatchewan between the McArthur River mine and the Key Lake mill, has considerable potential for becoming an operating mine. Located in the Athabasca Basin, Millennium is blessed with both the riches and the challenges that this basin offers. The potential for ground water inflows during shaft sinking, and the unconventional challenges associated with underground uranium mining, render the successful development of a new mine in this area especially rewarding. The preliminary design and engineering of the Millennium Project has tapped into the experience of other operations in the area, and has utilized new applications of geophysics technology to enhance the understanding of the local geological structure. This discussion will focus on the innovations, and the challenges specific to uranium mining, for a deposit that is poised to be one of the next mines to supplement Saskatchewan's uranium resources.

May 1, 2008