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By Hämäläinen M., O. Hyvärinen, E. Jääskeläinen

HydroCopperTM is a new hydrometallurgical process for the treatment of copper sulphide concentrates, which has been developed by Outokumpu. The process includes chloride leaching of copper concentrate, solution purification and precipitation of copper(I) oxide, an intermediate product, which is reduced and cast into copper products. The reduction can be carried out by pyrometallurgical methods or hydrometallurgically in an autoclave. This paper discusses the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of the hydrogen reduction of copper(I) oxide in an autoclave. The results of the laboratory tests are presented and discussed. Finally, the autoclave method is compared with other options.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. Djivre, T. Eger, A. Godwin, I. Bhattacherya

Load-haul-dump vehicles (LHDs) are extensively used in underground mining, however, equipment design and operating conditions contribute to restricted operator sight lines. The inability to clearly see people, objects, or hazards around the machine has contributed to a number of accidents including fatal injuries. In order to identify vehicle design characteristics resulting in restricted and blocked sightlines, line-of-sight assessments are traditionally completed in the field. However, field methods are unable to evaluate lineof- sight under dynamic operating conditions, and are limited in their ability to provide feedback on the impact of various operator characteristics such as sitting height. Results of this research show computer simulation and virtual reality can be successfully used to evaluate line-of-sight during the operation of LHD vehicles. In order to benefit from virtual reality applications, the work environment, LHD vehicle, and human posture need to be represented as accurately as possible. A computer simulation program with ergonomic analysis features, Classic JACK 3.1, was successfully used. Threedimensional CAD models of LHDs were developed from manufacturer specifications and pictures taken from LHDs currently in use. The LHD models were imported into the JACK environment, a digital human was positioned in the cab of the LHD vehicle, and the vehicle and human were driven over a typical mine route. Real-time feedback in the JACK program was used to identify what the operator could see under different operating conditions. Machine characteristics and operating scenarios resulting in impaired line-of-sight were successfully identified with this method. The JACK program could also provide real-time feedback on the human’s joint forces and torques, strength requirements, postural comfort, and metabolic energy expenditure. As a result, this method could be used to successfully evaluate musculoskeletal injury risk factors along with system design recommendations to improve workplace safety and productivity in any setting. The LHDs evaluated in the JACK software package can also be combined with mine models and imported into other VR software packages (e.g. Blender) in order to enable viewing in Laurentian University’s Virtual Reality Laboratory. The VR models using these packages can be viewed in stereo to provide better appreciation of spatial vision issues.

Jan 1, 2005

By Jean Dugas, Roger Sirois

The Mineral Deposits Service of the Quebec Department of Natural Resources is engaged in the preparation of metallogenic maps as a contribution to the Canadian Sub-Committee of the Metallogenic Map of North America. The preliminary work is being done on large-scale maps. The main objective is to clearly represent information on ore deposits in a suggestive way. The design of the legend to meet these requirements is discussed. As these maps are still only descriptive, a further step will be the interpretation of data into metallogenic maps with Jess emphasis on the individual deposits and more on the metallogenic factors. Both types of map should prove useful in the search for ore deposits; the first by providing at once a large amount of information, the second by suggesting the ore controls.

Jan 1, 1967

By M. Pierce

Empirical relations exist for the estimation of rock block strength at scales larger than standard core sizes. Two recently published relations account for the significant impact that microflaws (pores, open cracks, veins) and weathering/alteration can have on scale effect. These relations were used to estimate the rock block strength of heavily microfractured quartzite from the Bingham Canyon Mine. Predictions were compared to the results of Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) tests conducted on cylindrical core samples of varying microfracture intensity and diameter. The comparison confirms the sensitivity to microfracturing suggested by existing relations and suggests that they would benefit from more detailed consideration of microfracture strength, density and persistence over a range of scales. The results of a numerical study illustrate how Synthetic Rock Mass (SRM) modeling techniques could be used to complement empirical data in the development of such relations.

May 1, 2009

By Robert B. Parsons

"New Brunswick Finance Minister John Baxter pulled something out of a hat for the mining industry in April, but there is a general concensus in the industry that he should put II back where it came from.The industry has never been in the mood f or progressive rate structures, but that is exactly what New Brunswick 's 1984 budget offers to this depressed sector of the economy.IntroductionThe Province of New Brunswick stunned the Canadian mining community in April with the announcement that the province' s 16% mining tax rate would be replaced with a progressive rate structure effective January 1, 1984 (Table I). The proposed change, contained in the bud get papers tabled by Finance Minister John Baxter on April 17, caught the industry totally by surprise. The move to a progressive rate structure was completely unexpected for a variety of reasons:• Generally speaking, relations between the province and the industry have been relatively good, yet the industry was apparently not consulted with respect to the proposed measure and had no indication that a change of th is nature was coming. This is in stark contrast to the mood which prevailed during the major revamping of the province' s mining tax regime in 1977: at that time, the industry was invited to contribute in advance to the province's plan for a new tax structure.• The new structure would appear to make th e province less competitive in terms of mining tax rates with Ontario , Quebec, and other provinces, despite indications in the past that New Brunswick is very cognizant of this competitive factor in formulating mineral policy.• A joint report in November 1978 by federal and provincial officials to federal and provincial finance and resource ministers, which was careful not to directly criticize Ontario and Quebec's progressive mining tax rate structures, recommended that provincial "" tax regimes be examined to ensure the inclusion of appropriate mechanisms to avoid the excessive taxation of cyclical type profit "" , and that ""the federal and provincial governments consider the concern over progressive tax regimes expressed by the industry and examine mining and royalty tax regimes and the income tax regime with a view to alleviating the effect of such regime on the aggregate marginal tax rate"". In this context, any move to a progressive rate structure would be viewed by many observers as retrograde."

Jan 1, 1984

By James D. Hall

THIS essay deals with the materials and methods used in the waste filling of scopes in Canadian mines, with especial reference co the methods used at the Sullivan mine, Kimberley, B.C. The author would like to thank members of the staff of the Sullivan mine for information obtained, and acknowledges material from the following publications: Waste Filling of Stopes: Information Circular 6816, U.S. Bureau of Mines. Mining Methods and Practices at Lake Shore, by Leslie S. Weldon; Trans., C.I.M. & M., Vol. XXXIX, 1936, pp. 142-202. Development and Mining (at the Mcintyre Mine), by D. E. Keeley; Eng. & Min. Journal, November, 1933. INTRODUCTION Although mining in Canada is a relatively youthful industry, many of our mines have reached a stage of extraction which requires waste filling, both as a means of support and co make possible the winning of ore that would otherwise have co be left in the mine. Fill may be used at regular intervals as one of the cycle of operations, as in cur-and-fill and square-set scoping; or it may be introduced into a completed stope co provide permanent support for overlying rock formations, and co permit mining of pillars of valuable ore. Waste fill is sorted in resuing, which is a form of cut-and-fill scoping employed in narrow veins.

Jan 1, 1937

By N. F. Faria, F. Monteiro, B. O. Taiwo, A. Palangio, D. Fonseca, J. Manuel

This paper explores the interpretation and application of Particle Size Distribution (PSD) curves in optimizing blast design and enhancing downstream operations. The study looks at important factors like D50, D80, fines content, and the uniformity index to show how PSD curves affect the efficiency of different mining processes. The first section of this paper discusses the impact of blast design parameters such as burden, spacing, and explosive energy on the resulting PSD, highlighting their significance for downstream operations like crushing, and material handling. The section concluded that proper alignment of PSD with downstream size classes, like primary crusher inlet sizes, among others, can result in substantial cost reductions and productivity gains. The second part presents a case study from dstgroup aggregate quarry in northern Portugal, utilizing fragmentation analysis to evaluate blast performance and promote continuous improvement. The section specifically examines the effect of stemming material size on blast fragmentation, comparing the impact of using aggregate with a D80 of 12.32 mm versus a D80 of 21.94 mm. The D80 value represents the particle size at which 80% of the stemming material is smaller, making it a critical parameter in evaluating the stemming's effectiveness in confining explosive energy. The drilling and blasting designs were meticulously planned using O-PitDev and O-PitSurface software to ensure accuracy in blast parameters and layout. To assess the fragmentation resulting from these different stemming material sizes, the study utilized WipFrag 4 software. The software allowed for precise measurement of particle size distribution after the blast, as well as a detailed comparison between the two stemming sizes. Results from the analysis indicate that using bigger-sized stemming material led to improved blast confinement, which in turn resulted in better fragmentation compared to the smaller-sized material. The reviewed blast videos demonstrate that the larger aggregate effectively contained the explosive energy within the borehole, thereby reducing premature venting and directing more energy towards breaking the surrounding rock mass. This led to finer fragmentation with D80 = 1240.1 mm, D50 = 685.9, and Dmax = 2580 mm, which is advantageous in downstream operations like crushing and milling. On the other hand, the smaller stemming material (D80 = 21.94 mm) did not confine the explosive energy as efficiently, resulting in coarser fragmentation (D80 = 1327.37 mm, D50 = 750.76, and Dmax = 2370 mm) and reduced overall blast efficiency. These findings highlight the significant influence of stemming material size on blast performance and fragmentation outcomes. 

May 4, 2025

By W. L. Falconer

"IntroductionThe very recent emphasis on the importance of the northern portions of the Alberta basin as a prospective oil province has led the oil companies northward into new and undeveloped territory. Northern Alberta is a land of continuous forest, covering a plains-type topography. The plains are only occasionally broken by sharp, broad river valleys. Tributary streams head up quickly and very soon lose themselves in large undrained areas. It is these pseudo-swamps that cause most of the troubles and headaches of the oil explorer.The rivers have served as the main transportation arteries since people first ventured into this area. The bush is being pushed back, but the advance is slow and there is very little more than trappers' trails beyond a few miles from the Northern Alberta Railway lines and the recently built Grimshaw or McKenzie Highway. Indeed, bush and muskeg flank many miles of the railways and roads within as close a distance as fifty miles of Edmonton. Northern Alberta is pioneer country in the truest sense of the word, and our greatest problems derive from this fact. In all pioneer areas, the first requirement is the development of access roads, and before active oil exploraton can get down to the job at hand these roads and trails must be an accomplished fact. There are two factors in Northern Alberta which offer discouragement to the oil explorer: the first and greatest stumbling block is presented by the numerous muskegs, large and small; the second is the fact that road building uses up so much of reservation time. Of course, the second is aggravated by, and a direct result of, the first. So we come back to the main problem facing the development of the north - the muskegs."

Jan 1, 1950

By P. C. Benedict, J. A. Titcomb

"The following description of the geology of the Northern Empire mine is recorded by the senior author, but is based on the observations and complementary mapping of both authors.The Northern Empire mine is a mile east of Beardmore, and 100 miles northeast of Port Arthur, Thunder Bay district, Ontario.Production started in March, 1934, and terminated in September, 1941. The total number of tons milled was 425,866, from which 153,103 oz. gold was recovered. The lowest level from which ore was mined was the 1,900- foot, but considerable drifting was performed on the 2,075-foot and 800 feet on the 2,415-foot, the deepest level,The vein strikes about N.72°E. and has an average dip of80°S. In stoped sections the quartz averaged about 2 feet wide. On the 1,725-foot level it was drifted on continuously for more than 7,000 feet. In the mine as a whole, practically no commercial ore was found beyond points 1,400 feet west and 1,800 feet east of the shaft. Conspicuous wall-rock alteration extended throughout this section, but not much beyond these limits. There was some splitting of the vein and widening of the alteration halo on the lower levels. The average general colour of the quartz changes with depth .The vein is in 'Keewatin' lava flows, to which it is almost conformable. It lies only a short distance south from the 'Timiskaming-Keewatin' contact ( Fig. 2). This contact is marked by a black graphitic fault. So far as is known the fault is parallel, or nearly parallel, with the flows in strike, but dips at 72°S., which is 5° flatter than the average dip of the overturned flows. A post-vein, almost flat sheet of diabase about 550 feet thick cuts outthe vein from about the 650- to the 1,200-foot level ( Figs . 1 and 3). If it was intruded along a fault, the fault had only minor displacement. A strong alteration halo extends to 200 feet above and below the diabase. The vein was conspicuous but in large part it was below ore grade for 100 feet or more above and below the diabase.-"

Jan 1, 1954

By P. Favreau

This paper describes the progress accomplished at the Noranda Technology Centre in the field of three-dimensional computer-aided underground blast design. Traditional methods of laying out underground blasts are reviewed, and the new computer-aided approach is described. Time savings achieved through the use of BLASTCAD can be advantageously used to better engineer blasts, using models and blast vibration analysis. Future work involving the attachment of blast models directly to the system is also addressed.

Feb 1, 1993

By M. L. Haider

Introduction I Appreciate very much the opportunity of discussing with you tonight oil developments in western Canada. These developments are of importance to all of us, first because of their great economic significance to all of Canada, and second because of the location of the new oilfields. Situated as they are in the west and northwest, they are of considerable strategic value from the standpoint of continental defence. The story of oil development in Canada covers a span of almost a century, during which time success in finding reserves of petroleum was barely sufficient to maintain interest in continuing the search. Finally, in 1947, a well of the first importance was completed in Alberta and, judging by discoveries made since then, it appears that Canada, at long last, is to become an important producer of petroleum.

Jan 1, 1950

By A. Lawson

"Continued and expanded use of underground diesel-powered equipment is considered desirable in order to achieve necessary production capability, particularly when coal becomes increasingly in demand as an energy source. Although diesel engines are derated for underground use, concern has been expressed in many quarters regarding the health effects of worker exposure to diesel-generated particulate and NOx emissions. This concern will increase as Canadian diesel fuel quality becomes heavier and with higher sulphur content. This could result in a requirement to increase ventilation rates by 50%.This paper describes the results of studies of various approaches designed to reduce diesel emissions. Two major approaches have been followed: fuel modification, and emission control hardware development. The results of progress in the development of these approaches will be described.Fuel modification includes the application of water/diesel and methanol/diesel fuel emulsions to the engine. Details of the techniques employed in this approach will be described, together with the effects on diesel emissions. (The paper is concerned with the emission aspects only, not the possible major engine modifications and/ or substitute materials of construction for 100070 methanol.) Use of methanol has the added advantage of acting as a diesel fuel substitute and extender, and there are expectations that underground diesel engines could eventually operate on close to 100% methanol fuel, thereby eliminating particulate emissions. The results of emission control hardware development will also be presented and will include the effects of catalysts, water scrubbers, exhaust filters and exhaust gas recirculation techniques on emissions. A combined systems approach employing a number of these components appears to be the most viable method of controlling the complete array of diesel emissions.This work should culminate in a better understanding of the costs involved in employing fuel modification or emission control hardware relative to the costs of increased ventilation which mpy be necessary to maintain a safe working environment for the underground worker."

Jan 1, 1981

By Link. Theo A.

Introduction Since the discovery of a major oil pool at Leduc, Alberta, on February 13th, 1947, the long spell of 'oil drought' in Western Canada is now being turned into an oil and gas flood which requires immediate action to obtain the optimum economic benefits. The Woodbend, Section 9, and Okalta extensions of the Leduc field itself have been established; the Redwater pool, lying thirty-seven miles northeast of Edmonton, has been discovered and is being drilled up, and the Imperial Schoepp No. 1 or Golden Spike discovery holds promise of something phenomenal in view of the 500 feet of oil-saturated coral-reef porosity whose areal extent is not known. Imperial Stanolind Barrhead No. 1, northwest of Edmonton, revealed the presence of oil in the Madison, and just recently Gulf N.J. Ellis No. 1, some sixty miles southeast of Leduc, found commercial production in the Leduc D-2 discovery zone. In addition to these Paloeozoic discoveries, gas and oil reserves have also been established in the Upper and Lower Cretaceous, which must be penetrated by all tests on the way through the geological column to the Devonian. If ever there appeared to be an index of 'things to come' in the oil industry, this is it. However, without these recent discoveries the picture in Western Canada does and always did, look very promising indeed. A brief survey of the geological setting in Western Canada is the object of this contribution.

Jan 1, 1949

By D. Berkley

"Economic and environmental constraints drive more and more industrial organizations in using energy management as one of the means for addressing these issues. The recent increase in energy price could even make energy management a matter of “survival” in some cases.Experience shows that energy management is successful when the energy is managed like a resource, i.e. continuously, systematically, and in an organized manner, not like an expense, paying the bills once a month. This requires the development and implementation of an energy management program (EMP).This paper outlines some of the barriers, keys to success, components, and approaches to a successful energy management program, plant- or corporation-wide."

Jan 1, 2005

By Lawrence Devon Smith

"What is Due Diligence?Within the mining industry the term “due diligence” is used to describe a detailed data review, generally in connection with the purchase or sale of a mineral property, the approval of a large capital expenditure, or the borrowing of a large sum of money.The term originates in the requirement of the board of directors of a corporation to “act honestly and in good faith ... and exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances” (OBCA, 1994). Furthermore, the law assumes that a corporation (or its board) will have exercised due diligence in the acquisition of an asset and, therefore, knowingly (in the absence of fraud or deceit) will have taken on the liabilities and obligations associated with the asset (Nelson, 1994). This is the familiar “Buyer Beware”.Directors are liable for their decisions except “if the director relies in good faith upon financial statements of the corporation represented … by an officer of the corporation or in a written report of the auditor, or a report of a lawyer, accountant, engineer, appraiser, or other person whose profession lends credibility to a statement made by any such person.” (OBCA, 1994).Hence the importance of reports prepared by professionals. They provide confirmation that the directors have exercised due diligence in the performance of their duties. For this reason these reports are referred to as due diligence studies"

Jan 1, 1997

By Lawrence Devon Smith

"Within the mining industry the term “due diligence” is used to describe a detailed data review, generally in connection with the purchase or sale of a mineral property, the approval of a large capital expenditure, or the borrowing of a large sum of money.The term originates in the requirement of the board of directors of a corporation to “act honestly and in good faith and exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances” (OBCA, 1994). Furthermore, the law assumes that a corporation (or its board) will have exercised due diligence in the acquisition of an asset and, therefore, knowingly (in the absence of fraud or deceit) will have taken on the liabilities and obligations associated with the asset (Nelson, 1994). This is the familiar “Buyer Beware”.Directors are liable for their decisions except “if the director relies in good faith up on financial statements of the corporation represented by an officer of the corporation or in a written report of the auditor, or a report of a lawyer, accountant, engineer, appraiser, or other person whose profession lends credibility to a statement made by any such person.”(OBCA, 1994).Hence the importance of reports prepared by professionals. They provide confirmation that the directors have exercised due diligence in the performance of their duties. For this reason these reports are referred to as due diligence studies."

Jan 1, 1996

By Adam Chrzanowski, Eugene E. Derenyi, Peter Wilson

"The rapid growth of the mining industry in Canada necessitates a reevaluation of existing mining surveying techniques and the development of new methods. In this connection, the Department of Surveying Engineering at the University of New Brunswick initiated a research program, and the major points of investigation conducted to date are as follows: 1. Based on practical experience and theoretical studies, all factors influencing classical shaft-plumbing procedures were analyzed. Refined methods were developed to increase accuracy. 2. The performance of electronic and optical distance-measuring instruments in underground conditions were investigated. In this connection, test measurements were made in various mines, employing four types of Tellurometers, two models of Geodimeters and a proto-type optical range-finder. 3. Tests were conducted and methods developed for the mapping of large underground chambers by photo-grammetric means. The aforementioned points are discussed at some length in the paper. The authors have also indicated areas where further research is needed and suggested ways and means to improve and modernize mining surveying as a whole throughout Canada."

Jan 1, 1967

By M. S. Badollet

"IntroductionAsbestos as received by the manufacturer of asbestos products is •in the •form of either crudes or milled fibres processed to different degrees of texture. Frequently, the manufacturer finds that l:ihe fibres as he buys them are not adaptable to his plant processes, and, therefore, it is necessary for him either to contact the mine supplying the material and request a specific texture for the :fibre or to reprocess the fibre in his own plant.When the mine or mill manager is requested to change his milling equipment to produce a special grade of fibre with a specific texture, he would like to comply. However, if he began to make special fibre grades for each customer, he would be in the position of constantly rearranging his milling technique, adding more equipment, or building a new mill. In the end, his mill would he producing hundreds of different fibre grades of varying degrees of texture, which is a difficult accomplishment if he desires to maintain any quantity of production."

Jan 1, 1950

By N. Saracoglu, R. H. Wallis, J. E. Betz, F. L. Jagodits, B. R. Krause

"Geophysical test surveys were conducted with various methods (EM, lP, gravity and magnetic) over the McClean uranium deposits of the Canadian Oxy- lnco Joint Venture. The result s were assessed to judge the contribution each method might make toward further discoveries of graphite-associated uranium occurrences.The best drill targets have proven to be discontinuities in graphitic conductors and locations where the tatter are intersected by fracture zones in the Athabasca. The tests demonstrated that the preferred combination of geophysical survey s is horizontal loop EM to locate graphitic conductors in the basement and VLF-EM to locate the fractures.IntroductionThe discoveries of the McClean North and South uranium deposit s (Fig. 1) are essentially geophysical successes resulting from drilling MaxMin delineations of INPUT airborne electromagnetic responses (Saracoglu et al., 1983). After the initial discovery in 1979, various geophysical methods, techniques and instruments were employed to test their effectiveness in this environment and to guide exploration for other deposit s of a similar nature in the remainder of the 260 km2 property.The McClean uranium deposits lie below 150 m to 180 m of overburden and Athabasca Group. Radioactive signatures might be expected; however, the Athabasca Group acts as a barrier to radioactive emanations. Fortunately, the uranium mineralization is associated with graphite in the crystalline basement. Prior drilling of ground electromagnetic anomalies confirmed that EM surveys could locate and out line basement graphitic conductors. However, as there were many anomalies, most of which could not reasonably be expected to be associated with uranium , there was need to identify additional parameters, related to mineralization, which could be detected geophysically and used to narrow the search."

Jan 1, 1986

By D. M. Richards

"IntroductionThe Highland Valley Copper partnership was formed in July 1986 as a logical result of a mine with a large ore reserve but a small mill, and a mine with a large, modern mill but dwindling ore reserves. The original partnership of Cominco and Rio Algom was expanded in January 1988 to include Highmont Mining Company. During 1988/89 the Highmont mill was moved 7.5 km to adjoin the Lornex mill, becoming the Highland mill in the process, with a nominal capacity of 130 000 tonnes per day.The mine is located near the town of Logan Lake, 220 km northeast of Vancouver, British Columbia and 55 km southwest of Kamloops. The map in Figure 1 shows the general area. Kamloops is a major service centre and is served by two railways, two major roads and a regional airport. The mine site is situated between 1200 m and 1600 m above sea level on the Thompson Plateau. Principle activities in the area, in addition to mining, are cattle ranching and forestry. Ore reserves at the beginning of 1996 totaled 533 million tonnes at a grade of 0.42% copper and 0.008% molybdenum. Ore is mined from two pits — Valley, 3 km northwest of the mill; and Lornex, 1 km southwest of the mill. With 78% of the reserves, the Valley pit is the focus of activity.In order for Highland Valley Copper to remain competitive with a very low grade ore reserve, it has been necessary throughout the mine’s life for new technologies to be embraced as they become available. These have included such diverse technologies as in-pit crushing and conveying, large mechanical drive trucks, computerized truck dispatch and oneman survey instruments. During the next few years, it is planned to introduce two further technologies that are relatively new to both the world at large and the mining industry in particular. These are namely Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), both of which are expected to have a major impact on the way mining is carried out in the years to come."

Jan 1, 1997