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By Richard N. Zimmer

This paper discusses the installation of corrugated steel linings in bored raises at Inco's Thompson Mine. The procedure for the installation of these linings is outlined and the relative advantages are compared with conventional methods of ground support. Future trends in the use of corrugated steel products are then discussed.

Jan 1, 1978

By V. L. Gravitis

Radioisotope X -ray techniques of analysis for nickel have been tested in laboratory and plant trials. In the laboratory tests. a comparison was made of radioisotope and conventional analyses for nickel in solid s samples taken from streams of a nickel concentrator. Coefficients of variation of 1.7% for feed and concentrate samples , and equal to 10% for final tailing samples, were obtained. Continuous determination of nickel in final tailing slurries was demonstrated in a trial lasting 20 days at a nickel concentrator (Western Mining Corporation), nickel being determined with a standard error of 0.036% Ni in the slurry solids within the range of 0.24 to 0.68% Ni. This error, obtained by comparison of on-stream probe analyses with assays of samples taken from the stream, includes errors in sampling and assay by conventional techniques.

Jan 1, 1977

WHAT IF? ?Mine closure and reclamation liabilities were fully funded -at all times from current mine revenues ?Unexpected & catastrophic events were insured ?Remediation costs could be capped ?Risk management was improved ?best practice and independent oversight ?Host communities?concerns were adequately addressed If this could be achieved within a cost-effective financial structure, this may be a solution to a complex issue for the mining industry

May 1, 2006

By J. Dong

"A “green” collector project has been initiated at Vale Base Metals Technology Development to replace xanthate. Bench and miniplant testwork showed comparable metallurgical results between xanthate and DTC (sodium dibutyl dithiocarbamate), a “greener” collector. During the first DTC plant trial, a strong interaction between the process water and DTC negatively impacted the metallurgy. The subsequent investigation showed that the quality of process water including suspended solids and dissolved metal ions had a significant impact on the performance with DTC, while less so with PAX. This paper explains these differences using UV spectrophotometry and batch flotation tests. INTRODUCTIONVale Base Metals is dedicated to sustainable mining and mineral processing. One of the key activities is to find a “greener” collector to replace xanthate (PAX: potassium amyl xanthate), which decomposes during storage and flotation causing CS2 emissions in the work place. As the most promising candidate, DTC (sodium dibutyl dithiocarbamate) was evaluated in the lab and miniplant (Dong & Xu, 2011). Consequently, a plant trial was conducted in the winter of 2010. However, the results were not as good as expected. The subsequent investigation showed that the quality of process water played a significant role in the metallurgical performance with DTC but less so with xanthate.From test work in 1996 and 1997, a series of batch tests were performed at Clarabelle Mill to investigate the winter/summer metallurgical shift with xanthate. As shown in Figure 1, the winter metallurgy was considerably worse than the summer metallurgy (Xu & Wilson, 2000). At 80% pentlandite recovery, the concentrate (Cu+Ni) grade was 21% in the winter and 26% in the summer. At 23% (Cu+Ni) concentrate grade, pentlandite recovery was 85% in the summer and 70% in the winter. In the summer, the process water is much cleaner, with very low concentrations of dissolved metals ions and suspended solids; while in the winter, the water is yellow and cloudy, with much higher suspended solids. Based on these results, it was concluded that the process water in winter has a detrimental impact on metallurgy."

Jan 1, 2012

By C. E. Smith, R. J. Inglis, M. I. Brittan, J. H. Schoeman

"AbstractA number of plant-scale cyanidation tests were carried out in an attempt to uncover the causes of fluctuations in gold recovery efficiency. Computer analysis of the results verified that the treatment of reclaimed waste rock material along with normal run-of-mine ore was having an adverse effect on metallurgical efficiency. Mineralogical examinations showed that the free gold particles in the dump material were heavily tarnished or coated (predominantly by hydrated iron oxide), accounting for the lower recoveries. The indications were that the effect could be counteracted somewhat by using higher than normal cyanide and lime reagent concentrations and adequate leaching times. Analysis of the results showed further that leach pulp density was an important operating parameter affecting extraction efficiency. A variable activation energy leaching model provided an extremely good characterization of individual batch leach runs.IntroductionFLUCTUATING METALLURGICAL EFFICIENCY at the gold concentrator of the S.A. Land and Exploration Company Limited (""Sallies"") prompted some plant-scale cyanide leach studies in an endeavour to uncover the causes of the variations in gold recovery."

Jan 1, 1977

By R. M. Lauer

OVER THE YEARS concentration of the Sullivan ore has become progressively more difficult as the ore has become increasingly refractory. The introduction of new reagents and changes in the flow of the concentrator have been and continue to be necessary in order to maintain and improve the efficiency of metal extraction. Prior to the completion of the pilot mill in 1957 ail new ideas were developed in laboratory equipment. If these were found to be promising, there was no alternative but to introduce them directly to the main mill flow in one step. When a major change was involved there was always the possibility of serious losses while the mill was being adjusted to the changed conditions. It proved difficult to determine whether these losses were the result of the changed procedure or of failure to adjust the flow to a change in the condition of the ore during the test. The pilot mill has provided a valuable intermediate step between the laboratory and the mill. It avoids the losses which occurred when unsuccessful full-scale tests were attempted, and conversely it provides assurance that full-scale flow changes can be made without serious hazard.

Jan 1, 1960

By K. Östcrdahl

We are developing a cost-saving and environmentally friendly process with low energy consumption to recover the metal content and recycle the acid from spent pickle baths. The metals are precipitated as metal fluorides, which can be turned into metal oxides and hydrofluoric acid by thermal hydrolysis. In the proposed process the solution is concentrated by nanofiltration and the metals are precipitated in a subsequent crystallization step. Different nanofiltration membranes have been evaluated in experimental batch tests. The membrane MPF-34 from Koch Membrane Systems offered both good flux and acceptable metal retention even after long periods of acid storage. The solubility of B-FeF3.3H20 has been measured at varying acid concentrations and at different temperatures. The solubility decreases with increasing hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid concentrations. This suggests that the crystallization process should be operated at high acid concentrations. The crystal growth rate of B-FeF3.3H2O is found to be quite low but increases significantly with temperature. This suggests that the crystallization process should be operated at higher temperatures (40 - 60°C). Within the project a pilot plant has been constructed where the spent pickle bath solution is concentrated by nanofiltration to the desired metal fluoride supersaturation, and B-FeF3.3H2O is crystallized in a 10 L continuous crystallizer.

Jan 1, 2006

By A. Ignatieff

This is the first in a series of Coal Technology Reviews being prepared in accordance with a recommendation voted by the Coal Division in session at the Jubilee Meeting, Vancouver, April, 1948, that the Department of Mines and Resources be requested to arrange for publication by the proper Government authority of a Quarterly Review' of Coal Technology, for distribution among those concerned in the production and use of coal in Canada. This recommendation was subsequently endorsed both by the Council of the Institute and by the Dominion Coal Board. Further reviews (or digests) will appear at intervals in the Bulletin, or will be published and distributed by the Board which, meanwhile, has undertaken to distribute reprints of Mr. Ignatieff's review.-En. * * * The fields in coal mining technology which are considered to demand most attention and study at the present time are reviewed under the headings appearing below. Mechanization In the light of the growing shortage of skilled miners and the necessity of mitigating constantly increasing mining costs, interest continues to centre in mining methods and applications of mechanization chat will produce the maximum reduction of man power. The growth of strip or open-cut mining, also, is a consequence of this trend. Mechanization at the face attracts most attention and the trend is toward developing and adopting machines capable of cutting and loading the coal in one operation instead of having the separate operations of cutting, drilling, blasting, and loading. In Great Britain, where longwall mining is? the general practice, the A.B. Meco-Moore machine still receives much attention, and accounts describing its performance over reasonably long periods have appeared in the technical press.

Jan 1, 1948

By H. A. Halupka, I. A. Mozer

"At its plant in San Juan, Peru, Marcona Mining Company operates two grate pelletizing furnaces for the agglomeration of 3.5 million long tons of magnetic concentrates annually. Line One, installed in 1963, was built by Lurgi as a downdraft process furnace utilizing a furnace fan for the recuperation of hot gases from the cooling zone. This line was modified in 1966 to include both updraft drying and downdraft drying, and the original roof burners were converted to side-wall burners. Line Two, a Dravo-Lurgi furnace with an annual capacity of 2.4 million long tons, was built in 1966. This line, in contrast to the modified Lurgi furnace, employs direct recuperation of hot gases from the cooling zone and utilization of process gases from the firing zone for updraft drying.At its plant in San Juan, Peru, Marcona Mining Compa-ny operates two grate pelletizing furnaces for the agglo-meration of 3.5 million long tons of magnetic concentrates annually. Line One, installed in 1963, was built by Lurgi as a downdraft process furnace utilizing a furnace fan for the recuperation of hot gases from the cooling zone. This line was modified in 1966 to include both updraft drying and downdraft drying, and the original roof burners were converted to side-wall burners. Line Two, a Dravo-Lurgi furnace with an annual capacity of 2.4 million long tons, was built in 1966. This line, in contrast to the modified Lurgi furnace, employs direct recuperation of hot gases from the cooling zone and utilization of process gases from the firing zone for updraft drying. 5 per cent increased capacity, 30 per cent lower fuel oil consumption, and approximately 400 per cent reduction in grate bar and pallet corrosion. Firing of the pellet bed was improved by conversion from roof to side-wall burners. This modification also permitted utilization of monolithic refractory in place of pre-fired shapes, thereby improving over-all furnace availability and reducing refractory stock requirements from 154 different shapes to 18.Data are presented to compare operating performance of the Dravo-Lurgi furnace and the modified Lurgi furnace. These data show 30 per cent lower fuel oil consumption and 10 per cent higher capacity per unit grate area for the Dravo-Lurgi furnace, which also averages higher availability due to greater operating flexibility."

Jan 1, 1970

In-Country Business Development Agenda ?Siting/Permitting/Operational Planning ?Securing, maintaining, enhancing social license to operate ?Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services ?IFC Performance Standards ?Environmental, Social, Risk Governance (ESG) ?Climate change plan

Aug 1, 2013

By Ben Habermann

"The object of the work described in this paper was to increase the understanding of the relation that capillary pressure of a rock, hydro-dynamics, and accumulation of oil in stratigraphie traps have to one an-other. The hydrodynamic oil-water tilt equation is derived by considering the two vector gradients involved: (1) buoyancy of oil in water and (2) hydraulic gradient.Recent theories show the necessity for oil to have a continuons phase in the reservoir rock in order to mi-grate; this fact applies to hydro-static as well as to hydrodynamic conditions. Hydrostatically, the displacement pressure of the rock deter-mines the amount of oil that can be trapped behind a permeability barrier. If the buoyancy of oil in water exceeds the displacement pressure, oil will migrate up-dip; an oil trap will be formed where displacement pressure is greater.In stratigraphie traps the pressure drop caused by moving water is positive when its direction is down-dip, helping accumulation; and it is negative when its direction is up-dip, forcing the oil into the tighter section of the reservoir. Theoretically, pro-vided we have data such as: (1) the displacement pressure of an up-dip permeability pinchout, (2) density difference between the oil and water in place, and (3) the direction and magnitude of the hydrodynamic gradient (if any), the possible extent of a stratigraphie oil accumulation down-dip can be predicted.To test the above theory sample cores from three wells in the Denver Basin were analyzed and the oil column that could be held under hydro-static conditions was calculated. After the hydrodynamic influence was considered, the results were compared with actual field data.The significant fact shown by this investigation is that the calculated oil column in one reservoir very closely approximates the actual extent of the oil column in a well. Also in accordance with the theory, the capillary pressure caused by the buoyancy of the oil column exceeded the measured displacement pressure on core samples from another productive field. For very tight shaly sand and questionable oil shows, the interpretation of data is very critical, as shown by experiments on core samples from a third field."

Jan 1, 1960

By A. Rodriguez-Prado, P. Kuschk, R. L. Legge, W. C. Lennox

Using constructed wetlands to chemically reduce hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) to Cr(III) from industrial and mining wastewater has proven to be feasible and efficient. Applying first-order kinetics to describe the process is simple, but in some cases a more accurate model is required to reflect the process. This paper studies the feasibility of using non–first-order kinetics to describe the reduction process. Results indicate that half- and second-order kinetics adequately described Cr(VI) reduction in laboratory wetland mesocosms. The organic carbon content played a relevant role, whether it was built up by plant growth or spiked into the feed water.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. C. Gibson, C. H. Stockwell

"The San Antonio gold mine is at Bissett, Manitoba, on the north shore of Rice lake, 100 miles northeast of Winnipeg. Gold was discovered on the property in 1911, but intensive exploration was not undertaken until 1926. Milling commenced on May 1st, 1932. Total amount of ore milled from that time until the end of 1946 was 1,766,670 tons, having a value of $18,378,317.GENERAL GEOLOGYThe rocks in the vicinity of the mine are Precambrian and include three groups, namely, the Rice Lake series of volcanic and sedimentary rocks, basic and acidic intrusions, and a younger formation of sediments known as the San Antonio formation (Fig. 1). The lower part of the Rice Lake series, consisting of flows of rhyolite, trachyte, and andesite with interstratified beds of agglomerate, occupies an area extending southward from Rice lake. The lake itself and the country to both east and west of its northern end is underlain by the next succeeding beds of the series, which are chiefly tuffs, arkose, and conglomerate, but include a thin band of basalt. Northward from the lake, these are succeeded by the upper beds of the series, first a thin band of basalt and, overlying this, porphyritic andesite flows interlayered with beds of volcanic breccia or agglomerate.The Rice Lake series has been invaded on the east side of the lake by a body of basic rock ranging in composition from gabbro to diorite and quartz diorite, now much altered. This is cut by younger sills and dykes of basic rock, probably diabase, the original texture of which is largely destroyed by alteration. Numerous dykes of feldspar porphyry, quartzfeldspar porphyry, and a few of a rhyolite-like rock, occur south of the lake, but are uncommon to the north. They cut the diabase and older rocks.Extending westward from Rice lake and lying with marked angular unconformity against all of these rocks is the San Antonio formation, consisting of cross-bedded, arkosic quartzite."

Jan 1, 1954

By S. K. Kawatra, S. J. Ripke, T. C. Eisele

It was determined by the authors that the water that remains in the filter cake after filtration in iron ore concentrators can contain several hundred times greater concentrations of calcium ions and other cations, due to surface chemical effects carrying the ions along with the water. Filter cake from two plants was analyzed. The water retained in samples of magnetite concentrate filter cake in Plant 1 contained 5088 ppm calcium and 5995 ppm magnesium, while the Plant 2 filter cake contained 231 ppm calcium and 119 ppm magnesium. These levels were dramatically elevated compared to the water that was removed from the concentrate by filtration for recycle to the plants (9 ppm calcium/15 ppm magnesium for Plant 1, and 11.9 ppm calcium/9.3 ppm magnesium in Plant 2). In addition to possible effects on agglomeration performance, the presence of these cations also affected the efficiency of filtration. In order to reduce the effects of these cations on filtration in Plant 2, carbon dioxide was injected into the slurry before it entered the filter press. This was found to increase filtration rates by up to 23.7%. Comparison of the results from the two plants shows that the concentrations of cations present in the filter cake will vary greatly from plant to plant, with correspondingly large variations in their effects on plant operations.

Jan 1, 2004

By Rodrigo Serna-Guerrero, Ted Nuorivaara

"As the demand of raw materials increases in a global scale due to demographic and economical changes, it is necessary to find technological solutions that improve current production processes in an efficient and sustainable manner. The main objective of this preliminary study is to evaluate the properties of foam produced with a cellulose-based molecule as an alterative to commercial frothing agents in flotation operations. There are two potential advantages identified with the use of cellulose-based additives for the proposed application: i) these chemicals can be produced from sustainable sources (i.e., non-edible crops), and ii) cellulose can be functionalized with chemical groups, in order to rationally modify its behaviour. In previous studies dealing with foam stabilization, it has been proposed that some functionalized cellulose species present a self-assembly mechanism at gas-liquid interfaces. Unlike typical surfactant-based frothers, cellulose molecules form networks around the bubbles that act as protective layers to the mechanical stress and to the occurrence of ionic species. This work studied the properties of foams produced in the presence of a partially hydroxylated cellulose molecule (i.e., hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; HPMC) under various concentrations in a laboratory-scale column. A comparison with a commercial surfactant frother (i.e., Nasfroth 240) is presented, and a rationalization of the behaviour of HPMC in terms of foam properties (i.e., surface tension, bubble size, foam depth) is proposed. INTRODUCTIONThe search for green alternatives to chemicals produced from non-renewable sources has become a topic of major relevance in industry (Choi et al., 2015). As a chemical consuming industry, the mining sector faces now the challenge of adopting new processing technologies and strategies in order to achieve the future demands of sustainability. Evidently, a move towards green chemistry can only take place by identifying substitute molecules offering potential advantages in terms of recovery and grade."

Jan 1, 2016

By K. Fagerlund, L. Rosenback, T. Mäkinen, Y. Anjala

This paper deals with the nickel smelter and refinery concepts Outokumpu has applied at Harjavalta and several other plants. Also other process routes and modifications developed and tested by Outokumpu during the recent years are highlighted. Outokumpu started nickel production in Harjavalta in 1959. Until 1995 the Flash Smelting - Peirce-Smith (PS) converting route was applied. High grade nickel matte from the converting step was further refined by means of leaching and electrowinning to produce cathode nickel. In 1995 the nickel production capacity was increased from 17 000 t/a to 52 000 t/a based on the Direct Outokumpu Nickel Smelting Process (DON). In the DON process PS converting is eliminated and high grade nickel matte with low Fe-content is directly produced in the flash smelting furnace (FSF). Metal values from the smelting slag are recovered in the electric furnace (EF) as iron containing Ni-matte. The DON process can be operated with either two matte concept, where high grade FSF matte and EF matte are produced, or a single matte concept, where EF matte is recycled to the smelting furnace and thus only one type of high grade matte is obtained. The additional refinery capacity at Harjavalta is based on hydrogen reduction producing.

Jan 1, 2005

By Vicki Tschirhart, Bill Morris, McMaster University

A new method for mapping faults within basement rocks underlying the Thelon Formation and glacial overburden was developed and tested in the Aberdeen Sub-basin. This method utilizes newly acquired aeromagnetic data, the Blakely algorithm for defining magnetic source edges, a calculated dip-direction map, a digital elevation model (DEM) derived from the Canadian Digital Elevation Database, and the positions of identified, inferred and newly mapped faults that are within and adjacent to this sub-basin. Combining these data revealed three age groups of faults. One group is seen only on the DEM; these faults are young brittle structures that have no effect on the sub-Thelon basement unconformity, and are not visible on the dip direction map. A second group is evident on the dip direction map but not the DEM; these faults are old basement structures that did not propagate upward through the Thelon Formation. The third group is expressed on both the DEM and dip direction map; these faults are also old structures that propagated upward during and/or after deposition of the Thelon Formation. The latter group of faults may be of greatest interest for uranium exploration, with reactivation increasing their potential to serve as conduits to transport uranium-rich fluids and focus deposition at or near the unconformity surface. This methodology has promise for comprehensive mapping of basin faults and tracking the tectonic development of the whole Thelon Basin through time.

Jan 1, 2013

By T. C. Rao, Deb Kanungo

"The results of tests carried out on a 3-in. hydrocyclone have shown the linear relationships that exist between: (1) the flow-rate of water in the feed to and the overflow product from the cyclone; (2) the flow-rate of solids in the feed to and the underflow product from the cyclone. The underflow size distribution of an operation has been found to be linear and its usefulness in evaluating particle distribution in the cyclone has been discussed. Effects of design and operating variables on the above relationships have been discussed. The performance of this 3-in. hydrocyclone has been compared with that of a 20-in. cyclone, the results for which are available in the literature."

Jan 1, 1973

By A. M. Abdel-Rehim

The present work reports a study of production of thorium concentrate from Egyptian monazite by decomposition of ammonium carbonate solutions containing ammonium thorium and uranyl carbonate complexes. These solutions were obtained from the processing of monazite by alkaline leaching in ball-mill autoclaves, followed by selective separation of thorium and uranium from lanthanides by autoclave leaching of the hydroxide cake obtained with ammonium carbonate - bicarbonate solutions. The separation of thorium and uranium in the form of thorium concentrate from their carbonate complexes was achieved by different methods, including neutralization of solutions at pH = 6.7 by acid, addition of alkali at pH = 11.5, heating of solution at 100°C and processing of carbonate solution with steam under pressure in steel autoclaves. Processing of solutions of thorium and uranyl carbonate complexes in an autoclave with steam causes their decomposition. Complete recovery of thorium 99.8% and 98.4% uranium recovery in thorium concentrate was attained at 120°C and steam pressure 2 atm, within 10 min. Meanwhile, the recovery of lanthanides was low and did not exceed 1.1%. The thorium concentrate produced contains 67.82% Th, 4.6% U and 3.14% REE. All methods achieve complete separation of thorium and uranium from their carbonate solutions, but the first two methods are unfavourable for the industry due to the high cost of reagents and their inability to regenerate the ammonium carbonate. The decomposition of ammonium thorium and uranyl carbonate complexes with steam under pressure is recommended for industrial application for its simplicity and the ability to regenerate the ammonium carbonate.

Jan 1, 2004

By I. S. Parrish

The Sullivan Mining Group has been exploring the mineral deposits of the Mount Pleasant area of southern New Brunswick since 1967. Sullivan geologists have logged over sixty miles of drill core, mapped over five miles of underground workings and studied numerous surface exposures. Several mineralized zones have been defined and two higher-grade porphyrytungsten bodies delineated. Within these bodies, wolframite occurs as disseminated specks and grains up to one-half inch in diameter. The host rock is a brecciated rhyolite porphyry that has intruded quartz-feldspar porphyry of Mississippian age . The host rock is itself intruded by an acid porphyry called transition rock and is underlain by a microgranite. The mineralized zones, host rock, transition rock and microgranite are all thought to be derived from the same magma, and to represent progressive fractions from that magma.

Jan 1, 1978