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By F. Bruey, T. Bruce, D. R. Nagaraj, W. Thomas, P. Riccio, E. Guitard

"AEROPHINE® 3418A Promoter is a flotation collector that has been an industry standard in the Canadian mineral processing industry since its first commercial use at the Kidd Creek concentrator in 1980. Its wide range of applications in sulphide mineral flotation has made it successful, specifically in the processing of complex sulphide ores which contain copper, lead, zinc, and silver or any combination of these elements for selective separation.AEROPHINE® 3418A Promoter is a unique, phosphine-based collector originally developed for the flotation of copper sulphide minerals and activated zinc minerals. It is now recognized for its selectivity for complex, polymetallic sulphide ores and porphyry copper ores. In addition, AEROPHINE® 3418A Promoter is highly selective for copper, lead, activated zinc, nickel and precious metals. AEROPHINE® 3418A Promoter exhibits strength yet, selectivity against iron sulphides (pyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite, and arsenopyrite), non-activated sphalerite, and many minerals which contain penalty elements.This paper outlines a brief history of the product’s development, its historical use in Canada and several potential innovative mineral processing applications with the use of the chemistry. Three Canadian case studies will be presented on various ore types including: a Cu-Au ore, a Cu-Zn ore, and Cu-Pb-Zn ore. A plant production update will also be given on the future supply of AEROPHINE® 3418A Promoter.INTRODUCTIONCytec Industries Inc. operates a phosphine derivatives plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, that manufactures various products for their speciality chemicals division. The products from this site are based on phosphine (PH3) chemistry and are used in a variety of markets including electronics, agriculture, LED lighting, water treatment, metal extraction, and mineral processing. One of the major products is the phosphine-based sulphide mineral collector, AEROPHINE® 3418A Promoter.AEROPHINE® 3418A Promoter (Figure 1) was originally developed for the flotation of copper and activated zinc minerals (Thomas, 2010).."

Jan 1, 2015

By J. Katzur

Recently in Germany, novel artificial humus in combination with water-storing hydrogels has successfully been tested as soil improving material in pot experiments. The novel artificial humus (NOVIHUM®) is derived from lignite through oxidative ammonolysis. The product contains c. 5.5% nitrogen. Using NOVIHUM® as fertiliser, variable amounts of the contained nitrogen are gradually available to the plant, depending on the hydrolysis rates of the different N-compounds. NOVIHUM® is a unique combination of long-term fertiliser and stable humus. The tested hydrogel is a polyacrylate/poly-amide copolymer, which is able to improve the water holding capacity of the soil and to retard significantly desiccation. In May 2000, in Germany (Aue region), an experimental site was set up under extremely difficult growing conditions for trees (Quercus petraea) on a uranium spoil pile of the mining company WISMUT Ltd. The oak plots treated with NOVIHUM® and hydrogel showed increased total increment-values, which mainly are the result of the second growth phase. Obviously, these plants profit from the favourable physical parameters of the substrate and the use of the novel artificial humus as nitrogen source. The oak trees can better use the plant-available NH4-nitrogen released from the artificial humus during the planting year. In Greece, an experiment was set up in December 2000 aiming to the afforestation (Pinus nigra, Abies cephalonica) of a bauxite spoil pile of SILVER & BARYTE ORES MINING Co. S.A., on the Parnassus Mountain. The scope was to demonstrate, that the above soil improving materials are also appropriate for the recultivation of sites under extreme climatic and orographic conditions. The first results revealed, that where NOVIHUM® and hydrogel were combined, plant growth was greater than the average. The one-year results of the experiments fulfil our expectations concerning the application of NOVIHUM® in combination with hydrogel for the afforestation of problematic sites, such as the south-exposed steep slopes of the spoil piles of uranium mining. They may represent the most detrimental sites for afforestation in Europe.

Jan 1, 2002

By C K. Bell, L. S. Collett

An AFMAG survey was flown in 1968 over the Upper Nelson River area, Manitoba. The flight direction was northwest-southeast and flight spacing was 2 miles. In the Cross Lake Subprovince, AFMAG showed that an isolated peridotite outcrop was part of a dike that extended over 80 miles. Diabase dikes are not always marked by an anomaly, but isolated cross-overs, when used in conjunction with geological and magnetic data, permit their extrapolation. Anomalies coincide with areas of sulphide mineralization. In the Flin Fion Subprovince, known and unknown northeast-trending faults are detected. The Berry Creek fault was extended south through Tramping lake, then under the Paleozoic cover. Conductors were detected at, or near, the axes of major synclines within Amisk and Snow Group sediments. Granitic terranes have low conductivity and, because they are characterized by smooth AFMAG profiles, they can be delimited. AF.MAG is being recognized as a geophysical method that can aid geological mapping and interpretation. Its most important contribution to the geologist will be in regions where out-crops are sparse.

Jan 1, 1971

By A Agasty, O Langefeld, MáKellner, E Clausen

The lowering of the pollutant concentration limits at the workplace subjects the mining industry to higher requirements for dilution; this situation is worsened with the current discussions within the European Union (EU) to set new stricter exposure limits for nitrogen oxides in the workplace. This is directly reflected in the performance of the mine ventilation system, which may need to be revised to meet the new standards. The after blast re-entry time, being inversely proportional to the threshold limits, will be higher for a lower limit. This in turn increases the down time for production from the blasted area.Numerical tools have been very useful in predicting the effectiveness of ventilation. This study aims at analysing the dilution time for NOx gases from an ANFO blast in a room and pillar panel. The effect of changing the ventilation on the dilution time is studied next, which helps with the selection of a suitable ventilation system.CITATION:Agasty, A, Clausen, E, Kellner, M and Langefeld, O, 2013. After blast re-entry time for a room and pillar operation, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 179-186 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

By David Guy, John Stanbury, Gilbert Tallard

"In 2009, storm surge from Hurricane Sandy inundated the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant located at El. +4 to +12 (+1.2 to +3.6 m) in East Rockaway, Long Island, NY. With all systems down, raw sewage water mixed in the floodwaters. A recurrence of such an event being unacceptable, and in view of rising future sea levels, a flood protection project was developed by Nassau County with funding coming in large part from the federally funded Sandy Rescue Fund. Designed by Arcadis/Hazen & Sawyer Engineers J.V., the protection took the form of a perimeter barrier capable of withstanding future storm surge. Due to limitations imposed by property lines and existing facilities, a levee design with three different types of cross section was developed to adapt to each location, adding construction complexity. The Long Island subsurface is characterized by beach sand extending to great depth. The clay required for the core and levee cover therefore had to be brought in from out of state. A thin silty clay layer at El. -23 to -25 (-7.0 to -7.6 m) served as an aquitard. The under-seepage was reduced by a hanging cut-off wall designed as a vibrated beam thin wall and filled with a salt water resistant, low permeability, self-hardening slurry.INTRODUCTIONOn October 29, 2009, Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, with a devastating effect on the region. The low lying Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) (Fig. 1) serving Nassau County on Long Island was submerged (Fig. 2). All basements and underground mechanical facilities were flooded (Fig. 3) and millions gallons of effluent were released into the waters of the nearby Hewlett Bay which connects via other small waterways to the Atlantic Ocean."

Jan 1, 2016

By Finley A. Campbell

THE Quemont and Horne mines are located at Noranda in north-western Quebec. As shown in Figure 1, the Noranda area lies between the Cadillac-Bouzan fault zone on the south and the Porcupine-Destor fault zone to the north. Both of these major structural lineaments appear to be geometrically, and possibly genetically, related to the Grenville Front. The regional geology has been discussed by Wilson (12), Cooke et al. ( 2), and others. The geology in the Noranda vicinity, as compiled by Dugas and Gilbert ( 3), is shown in Figure 2. The Cadillac-Bouzan fault zone separates the dominantly Temiskaming-type sediments in the south from the Keewatin-type canic rocks to the north. These volcanics, which vary in composition from rhyolite to andesite, form a broad anticlinorium with a general eastward plunge. A succession of dioritic stocks, sills and dikes have been mapped in the area. The principal granitic rock masses include the Powell, Flavrian and Dufault stocks.

Jan 1, 1962

By V. Labiouse, M. Souley, N. Lafrance, C. Auvray

"Chalk rocks have been used for centuries as a strong building material and for the production of lime. The shallow underground room-and-pillar quarries where the chalk was extracted are now abandoned and endure the effects of time and weathering, increasing their risk of collapse. The risk of instability, involving natural or anthropic underground structures, is an issue for more than 10 000 towns in France.In order to investigate the causes of underground quarry collapse and to aid prevention strategies, we carried out a study of the physico-mechanical behaviour and ageing of chalk in abandoned pillars in two underground quarries, in situ-instrumented by INERIS, in the Parisian Basin, France. Core samples were drilled horizontally from pillars in the Saint-Martin-Le-Noeud dolomitic chalk quarry (Oise, France) and the Estreux glauconitic chalk quarry (Nord, France).Uniaxial tests were performed on dry and saturated cylindrical plug samples extracted perpendicular to the cores at regular distances along their lengths. Physical and mechanical properties were obtained. The dolomitic chalk (Saint-Martin-Le-Noeud) exhibits variation in mechanical and physical properties with horizontal pillar depth. Both density and compressive strength seem to increase outwards from the pillar-core to the pillar-wall. This is the opposite of that would be expected from a purely mechanical point of view. SEM analysis revealed progressive degradation and homogeneity of the grains from the edge to the inside of the pillar. At the pillar wall, the crystal faces are well-defined, almost euhedral, and the grains are of variable size. In contrast, at the inside of the pillar, crystals are finer-grained and are anhedral with highly degraded edges. In the physico-mechanical tests and SEM analyses performed on the Estreux samples, no significant variation was observed between the pillar-walls and pillar-core. However, dissolution marks were observed along the entire length of the half-pillar core."

Jan 1, 2015

By David A. Milligan

This paper describes the Darwin Silver Recovery project, located 66 km (40 miles) outside of Lone Pine, near Darwin, Inyo County, California. A lead-zinc mine and a flotation concentrator were operated there from 1945 to 1957. By the time the mine was shut down, 1.53 Tg (1.69 million short tons) of tailings had been stored in ponds. An average silver assay of 47 mg/kg (1.38 troy oz/st) of tailings stimulated interest for commercial silver recovery. A heap leach process was developed in 1981 at the Tucson Research Center of Anaconda Minerals Company, a division of Atlantic Richfield Company. Agglomeration techniques were used on the ore since the fine grind did not allow direct heap leaching. Lime and cement were required as binders, Early laboratory tests showed that recoveries equal to those from an agitated leach could be achieved at lower capital and operating costs. Laboratory tests determined cyanide requirements, lime and cement usages, and percolation or leach rates, as well as confirming that a zinc precipitation step could recover the silver from the leach solution.

Jan 1, 1983

By C. A. Holley

The generation of coal fines is a growing problem which has serious environmental and resource recovery Impact. Several methods of agglomeration are studied including the production of briquettes for the consumer market. Simplified process flow diagrams, "order of magnitude" plant capital cost and operating costs are presented.

Jan 1, 1986

By Philip L. LeHoux

"Kennecott Barneys Canyon Mining Co. is a gold heap leaching facility that has been in operation since 1989. In 1994, a flotation plant was commissioned to remove sulphide minerals from refractory sulphide ore. Tailings from the plant are mixed with oxide heap leach material in order to produce a geotechnically stable agglomerate from which the gold is leached and recovered in a conventional heap leach cyanidation process. The experience to arrive at an effective blending methodology is discussed.IntroductionAgglomeration is the practice of binding fine particles to coarser rock or other fines in order to avoid the deleterious effects of mobilizing the fines during the course of heap leaching(l-Chamberlin). Agglomeration has been considered a key component of successful operation at many heap leach sites. If the ore is of sedimentary origin and crushed, there is a high likelihood that the resulting product will contain a significant quantity of fines and a skewed gradation, that i~, a disproportionate amount of coarse and fine particles, with few in the intermediate size range. The exact methodology for determining whether the practice of agglomeration will have to be integrated into the operating scheme has been well discussed. These conditions are primarily geotechnical and geochemical. This paper will deal with the specific experiences of Kennecott Barneys Canyon Mining Company in modifying the agglomeration practices to suit evolving operational requirements."

Jan 1, 1997

By Sara Swiokla Korsikas, Toren Olson, Amado Guzman, Yuri O. Zepeda P

Ore agglomeration has been used as part of the heap leaching process for the last 40 years. However, industrial experience shows that the lack of a universal agglomeration standard has limited the benefits of this, otherwise, valuable unit process. The more complex the ore, in terms of the nature and relative abundance of fines (<74 μm), the more important that the agglomeration product satisfies some minimal requirements. This paper presents an agglomeration scale that identifies the quality standards for agglomerates and documents the resulting mechanical, physical, and hydraulic (hydrodynamic) behavior associated with each level on the agglomeration scale. The hydrodynamic properties of an agglomeration product are critical for the proper design of a leaching operation and, as shown in this paper, can be used to select the optimal pretreatment method for a given ore sample. Agglomeration as a unit process not only allows better conditioning of the hydrodynamic behavior of the ore but also creates an opportunity for optimized delivery of reagents to kick-start the leaching process which may ultimately improve the economic performance of leaching. Industrial case data is used to demonstrate the shortfalls associated with low-quality agglomeration and the benefits of improved agglomeration which range from enhanced porous structure (better percolation and drainage characteristics) to better metallurgical response (faster kinetics and higher metal recovery). Proper agglomeration has been used to render otherwise untreatable ores into valuable leaching resources.

Feb 9, 2024

By S. M. Marshall

The investigations recorded in this bulletin were conducted by the Pacific Coke & Coal Co. in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Mines and the University of Washington. They cover one phase of a comprehensive investigation to determine whether coals from an extensive, undeveloped area of Pierce County, Wash., can be used in the manufacture of coke for the iron blast furnace. The completed investigation had three parts: (1) A geological survey of the coal property, (2) washing and crushing tests of the coals, and (3) coking and by-product tests. The geological survey, which was not conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Mines and the University of Washington, included systematic tracing of the coal beds by test holes throughout the property, except some portions covered by an impenetrable layer of glacial drift. By this means all of the beds were correlated, their thickness and general character were determined, and tonnage estimates were made. Only such parts of the survey results as are necessary to a full explanation of the investigations described herein are included in this bulletin.

Jan 1, 1931

By C. L. Glorioso

As an introduction and credentials for our talk, let me take a moment to introduce you to Wimpey Worldwide and specifically to Wimpey Minerals, USA, Inc.

Jan 1, 1995

By Anthony M. Bauer

It is the nature of mining to reshape the landscape. Mining is an earth moving process with many of the same activities associated with the regrading of a site for a shopping center, drainage channel, housing project or ballfield. The difference exists only in purpose and duration of activity. The purpose of mining is to, produce a valuable product. The purpose of regrading for construction of a project is to create a predetermined landscape for a specific end use. In both situations the objective is to move earth materials as efficiently as possible. The question is then raised, if similarities exist, can mining operations be directed to shape predetermined landscapes as an integral part of its earth moving activity. This paper will explore the opportunities and issues of shaping sand, gravel and hardrock construction aggregate sites for productive end uses. It is based upon the premise that, as an earth moving operation, the process of extracting sand and gravel includes an inherent capability to shape productive lands as an integral part of the mining operation. In the course of any mining operation non-commercial materials, including overburden, fines and excess sand are handled to extract and process the commercial products. This activity exists regardless of whether or not there is a plan to reclaim the land. Moving this dirt is a basic operational cost. This cost need not be significantly increased when the material is deposited to shape land rather than be stock- piled just to clear the way for mining the deposit. Moving of dirt to create useable land can be guided by the same criteria used to remove the dirt from the deposit: for example, limiting the- hauling distance. Over a period of time earth handling costs can be reduced by minimizing the need to transport the stockpiled material a second time to the new landform location.

Jan 1, 1984

By Alex Matheson, Nick W. D. Massey, Peter T. Bobrowsky

Crowing pressures on aggregate resources include diminishing reserves, high transportation costs, sterilization and land use conflicts. In the absence of detailed resource knowledge for a particular region, aggregate resource potential maps provide the best "first approximation" regarding the surficial distribution of sand and gravel. The 1:50 000 scale Level Ill aggregate potential map integrates several important factors which influence the management of sand and gravel. Data used to generate this type of thematic map is readily available in most areas, fieldwork required is minimal, there is a logical quantitative evaluation of the data layers and integration is easily accomplished on a desktop PC-based platform. Also the aggregate potential map, with its focus on identifying areas of potential future aggregate exploitation as well as present inventory, provides a useful tool for the aggregate explorationist.

Jan 1, 2001

By D. J. Beeby

California&apos;s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA) was passed in 1975 to identify and protect mineral resources in areas of high land use conflict and ensure reclamation of mined lands. Under SMARA, aggregate resource availability is quantified and compared to forecasted demand in specific market regions. Fifteen regions studied thus far cover 51,800 km2 (20,000 sq miles) and contain 45 Gt (50 billion st) of high-quality aggregate resources that have been legally designated as "regionally significant," providing a measure of protection previously unavailable. SMARA reports and state testimony at local hearings have supplied objective information and helped reduce conflict in mine permitting decisions.

Jan 1, 1987

By John H. Fowler

"Most of the aggregate used in Nova Scotia is produced from numerous glaciofluvial and ice-contact deposits scattered throughout the province. Production from bedrock sources is increasing, with most of the coarse aggregate used in the Halifax-Dartmouth area coming from quarries operating within the metro area.A recently completed provincial sand and gravel inventory mapping program has identified some ""resource-poor"" areas where comprehensive aggregate evaluation programs are underway. Although some areas of the province are experiencing aggregate supply problems, large volumes are exported to markets as far away as Bermuda.IntroductionThe Nova Scotia Department of Mines and Energy has been involved with aggregate resource studies for several years, although sand, gravel and crushed stone are not designated as minerals under the Mineral Resources Act of Nova Scotia. Our role has been to provide the aggregate industry with resource data as well as provide similar information to governmental agencies involved with municipal planning, water resource studies and environmental protection regulations. Several private consulting firms use the information in many of their site development studies.We became involved with aggregates in a rather roundabout way. Several years ago, an outcry from inhabitants of a small coastal community over the removal of sand and gravel from a local beach moved the provincial Department of Lands and Forests to take action to protect provincial beaches. We were asked by the Department to provide information and to suggest alternative sources here operators extracting sand and gravel from beaches could relocate. This request initiated an aggregate inventory survey in southeastern Cape Breton, which was later extended to cover the entire province. The initial provincial sand z and gravel inventory survey provided a series of 1:50,000 maps showing the distribution of sand and gravel deposits in the province."

Jan 1, 1982

By M. A. Vos

"Aggregates are the low-cost mineral raw material of building construction. Large volumes of aggregate are consumed each year. The availability of aggregates in southern Ontario is discussed in the context of the geological formations in which they occur. Sand and gravel are abundant in glacial deposits and in recent sediments. A knowledge of the glacial history is important for their discovery. Bedrock formations provide a variety of aggregates in Ontario. Knowledge of the rock types involved and of the depth of overburden are important for evaluation of the aggregate potential of bedrock resources in an area. Utilization of available resources intensifies as the population increases. Urban development makes it progressively more difficult to satisfy the demands of the construction industry. The effects of urban development on the aggregate resource base of an area are illustrated by developments and consumption statistics in the Toronto- centred region. There is an obvious need for a comprehensive survey of available resources in urban areas to serve as a guide in land-use planning. To fill this need, staff members of the Industrial Minerals Section, Geological Branch, Ontario Department of Mines and Northern Affairs, are engaged in mapping projects and mineral resource studies in southern Ontario as well as in some urban areas of northern Ontario."

Jan 1, 1972

By G. V. Henderson

The San Gabriel Valley contains some of the richest and most extensive sand and gravel deposits in California. Operating quarries within the San Gabriel area mine more than 15 million tons of high quality aggregate per year. This represents about 45 percent of the total mined in the greater Los Angeles area, one of the nation&apos;s largest aggregate markets and producing regions. Popular opposition to continued aggregate production in the San Gabriel Valley is high, especially in the city of Irwindale where 40 per-cent of the city&apos;s property is made up of "excavated holes," some 150-200 feet deep. Reclamation of 70 years of mining is now an almost impossible task. Zoning regulations have the effect of depleting these vast reserves rapidly by changing the definition of total reserves to include only "legally minable reserves." All but two or three of the aggregate mines now operating will be depleted or zoned out of business by the year 2000. Some studies indicate that there will be no aggregate mining operations by 1995. Recent studies show a drastic change in land use patterns within this valuable mineral resource area over the past 20 years. The San Gabriel Valley is a classic example of the lack of adequate regional planning with regard to urban development in MRA&apos;s and represents a "too little, too late" effort by local government and industry.

Jan 1, 1978

By W. M. Tupper

Municipal governments recognize the importance of aggregates in the local economy and the need to manage this resource in the interest of the public good. They have encountered problems with regulating the industry and the dichotomy between the urban need and the rural source. They have suffered from a lack of financial benefit, an adequate aggregate inventory, provincial strategy, economic information and public understanding. A provincial strategy for ensuring the availability of aggregate supplies to developing areas of the Province is essential. The Province should also be responsible for licensing, research, technical expertise on rehabilitation, public education and financial assistance. Upper-tier municipalities (regions or counties) should assume responsibility for resource management, including resource availability, demand characteristics, truck routing, phasing of resource development and sequential land-use planning. Area municipalities (towns and townships) can best determine the social and environmental impact of a specific aggregate development proposal and should therefore have the primary responsibility for the location of new pits and quarries. They should also have the authority to supplement provincial regulations concerning operating standards and the phasing and standards of site rehabilitation.

Jan 1, 1978