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By Richard J. Haslinger, C. Mark Rebagliati, James L. Oliver

Abstract - Exploration at the Specogna gold deposit has identified a geological resource of 65.0 Mt grading 1.63 g/t Au, which equates to 3 million ounces of contained gold. This resource is hosted in a low-sulfidation epithermal deposit of Miocene age that is localized along the northwesterlytrending Sandspit fault. The fault has juxtaposed Late Cretaceous mudstone of the Haida Formation to the west, with Late Tertiary coarse clastic sediments and lesser andesitic volcanic rocks of the Skonun Formation to the east. A plagioclase porphyritic dacite dike intrudes the Haida mudstone and Skonun sediments along the fault. Gold mineralization, in hydrothermal breccias, veins and stockworks developed mainly in Skonun sediments and dacite. These are formed in an 800 m long zone that roughly parallels the Sandspit fault. The gold zone is funnel-shaped in cross-section, approximately 300 m wide at surface, 220 m above sea level, and narrows to approximately 50 m, at sea level. The deposit lies within an elongate zone of moderate to intense hydrothermal alteration that, at surface, extends over a known area of approximately 2 km2. Its western extent is bounded by the Sandspit fault. There is an asymmetric alteration zonation, with a core of silicic-potassic (adularia) and smectite-illite clay alteration that is bounded to the east by argillic alteration. Similar zoning defined by the distribution of metals reflects the position of the main feeder conduit. Mineralization of altered wallrock is dominated by 1% to 4% auriferous pyrite and marcasite. Gold and silver occur as electrum; individual silver minerals have not been identified. Other sulfides are rare, and are identified only microscopically. The mineral suite is typical of low-sulfidation epithermal systems. Gold occurs in early, multi-phase, variably bladed and banded quartz veins and breccias, which are cut by barren, single phase, drusy quartz veins.

Jan 1, 1998

By W. H. De Blois

Introduction In the contact process for ?the manufacture of sulphuric acid, sulphur dioxide gas - produced by the burning of sulphur or of sulphur-bearing ores, or as a by-product in the treatment of sulphide ores - is made to combine with the oxygen of the air to form sulphur trioxide, which then only requires the addition of water to form sulphuric acid. The substance, as for example platinum, causing this combination is usually referred to as a catalyst, a convenient term, in the definition and explanation of which many pages have been written. Catalysis is now a comparatively common means of effecting chemical combination, but if the question were raised here tonight as to what actually goes on when this apparently innocent third party unites the parties of the first and second . part, without itself being altered in any way, I am afraid even our most learned members would have to confess their inability to entirely explain the phenomenon; for although the subject is under investigation, there is still much to learn. The contact process, however, is one of the outstanding achievements in chemical engineering. ? From the standpoint of the difficulties involved and the time absorbed in their solution, it probably stands alone in the field of technical chemistry. In fact, the manufacture of sulphuric acid has, from the earliest days, been surrounded with problems which have interested the ablest chemists. The Chamber System Although this paper has particularly to deal with the contact process, it may not be amiss to refer briefly to the chamber system, which was, and still is, a most important factor in the sulphuric acid industry.

Jan 1, 1927

By S. Sundararajan, Z. Lin

ABSTRACT Fierce market competition and demand have made it imperative for mining companies to achieve higher productivity and operational efficiency. The selection of the best mining method and equipment combinations will enable companies to meet production and efficiency targets. Continuous mining is increasingly preferred by companies for its high efficiency and low unit costs. We developed simulation models for two continuous mining systems: the continuous surface miner (CSM) system and the at-face slurrying (AFS) system. Considering two different case studies, the paper discusses application of developed models to determine the optimal number of trucks and equipment capacities for the two systems.

Jan 1, 2013

By S. Beskri, N. Geoffroy

When metallurgical plants are designed, a lot of consideration is almost always given to material selection and possible damage mechanisms. Materials engineers are generally involved and will strive to select optimal alloys or refractories for the design conditions. Once in operation however, things often change. Equipment is overstressed to increase production, corrosive leaks are not always promptly addressed, proper welding procedures are disregarded, etc. This paper describes various cases from the mining and metals industry where serious mishaps, associated consequences, and costs could have been avoided if simple and proactive steps had been taken. It also presents a strategy, based on safety reviews, to help predict and prevent damage to critical pieces of equipment.

Jan 1, 2015

By R. S. James, S. P. Goff, A. E. Armitage

"Abstract - Oxide-facies banded iron formation in the Third Portage Lake area is hosted by ultramafic and calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and related sedimentary rocks of the Archean (2.8 Ga) Woodburn Lake Group, 80 km north of Baker Lake. These rocks record at least two phases of metamorphism/ metasomatism. Greenschist facies metamorphism, in the temperature range of 370°C to 520°C and at pressures above 2.3 kbar, has affected all rocks on a regional scale. Later mineralization and alteration of banded iron formation (BIF) and associated volcanic rocks resulted from metasomatic fluids which carried Mg, K, Ca, S, As, Cu and Au. These fluids were confined to ductile to brittle, cross-cutting and layer-parallel micro-shears developed in the thickened hinge region of a shallow plunging recumbent fold. Metasomatic reactions yielded cummingtonite + biotite-bearing assemblages which are associated with strongly mineralized iron formation. Pyrrhotite is the dominant sulfide phase and occurs within ductily deformed iron formation where it pervasively replaces magnetite. Minor fine-grained chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite generally occur as inclusions within pyrrhotite and recrystallized magnetite, and rarely as individual grains. Pyrite is restricted to brittlely deformed iron formation, and to the contact between iron formation and altered ultramafic rocks, where it is associated with quartz veins. Pyrite typically replaces pyrrhotite. Native gold is associated with both pyrrhotite and pyrite, but higher gold concentrations are associated with pyrite. Grunerite/Ca-amphibole + stilpnomelane and sparse pyrrhotite and pyrite characterize weakly mineralized iron formation. Within adjacent ultramafic rocks, metasomatic reactions yielded assemblages of interlayered Ca-amphibole + biotite, and talc + Ca-amphibole + carbonate + biotite. K-Ar geochronology on metasomatic biotite from mineralized BIF yielded a 1791 ± 32 Ma age.An epigenetic model is favored for the emplacement of gold. The age of the gold mineralization in the Third Portage Lake area is uncertain, but may be Proterozoic based on the preliminary isotopic age and by analogy with Proterozoic gold deposits elsewhere in this part of the Churchill Structural Province."

Jan 1, 1996

By R. S. James, S. P. Goff, A. E. Armitage

"Oxide-facies banded iron formation in the Third Portage Lake area is hosted by ultramafic and calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and related sedimentary rocks of the Archean (2.8 Ga) Woodburn Lake Group, 80 km north of Baker Lake. These rocks record at least two phases of metamorphism/ metasomatism. Greenschist facies metamorphism, in the temperature range of 370°C to 520°C and at pressures above 2.3 kbar, has affected all rocks on a regional scale. Later mineralization and alteration of banded iron formation (BIF) and associated volcanic rocks resulted from metasomatic fluids which carried Mg, K, Ca, S, As, Cu and Au. These fluids were confined to ductile to brittle, cross-cutting and layer-parallel micro-shears developed in the thickened hinge region of a shallow plunging recumbent fold. Metasomatic reactions yielded cummingtonite + biotite-bearing assemblages which are associated with strongly mineralized iron formation. Pyrrhotite is the dominant sulfide phase and occurs within ductily deformed iron formation where it pervasively replaces magnetite. Minor fine-grained chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite generally occur as inclusions within pyrrhotite and recrystallized magnetite, and rarely as individual grains. Pyrite is restricted to brittlely deformed iron formation, and to the contact between iron formation and altered ultramafic rocks, where it is associated with quartz veins. Pyrite typically replaces pyrrhotite. Native gold is associated with both pyrrhotite and pyrite, but higher gold concentrations are associated with pyrite. Grunerite/Ca-amphibole + stilpnomelane and sparse pyrrhotite and pyrite characterize weakly mineralized iron formation. Within adjacent ultramafic rocks, metasomatic reactions yielded assemblages of interlayered Ca-amphibole + biotite, and talc + Ca-amphibole + carbonate + biotite. K-Ar geochronology on metasomatic biotite from mineralized BIF yielded a 1791 ± 32 Ma age.An epigenetic model is favored for the emplacement of gold. The age of the gold mineralization in the Third Portage Lake area is uncertain, but may be Proterozoic based on the preliminary isotopic age and by analogy with Proterozoic gold deposits elsewhere in this part of the Churchill Structural Province. Copyright"

Jan 1, 1996

By A. L. Mackie

Arsenic is a highly toxic element and a known human carcinogen. It is often a contaminant in mine water discharges, particularly from gold mining and roasting operations, and has been found at concentrations as high as 4 g/L. Increasingly stringent controls on the concentration of arsenic allowed to be discharged into the environment cannot always be met by current treatment processes and thus enhanced technologies are required to achieve low treated effluent concentrations at reasonable costs. A novel two-step physicochemical treatment process was developed and tested at the bench-scale using synthetic mine water solutions (SMWs) in order to reduce arsenic concentrations in treated effluent to exceed current discharge regulations. The process includes chemical coagulation with ferric sulphate and ballasted flocculation for enhanced solid-liquid separation. The SMW contained 59 ± 2 mg/L arsenic with a slightly alkaline pH. The effect of arsenic speciation on the process was tested by using either arsenite, As(III), or arsenate, As(V), in the SMW solutions. Tests were performed at cold temperature (3 ± 1 °C) to ensure the process? efficacy year-round in northern climates. Arsenic in As(V) SMW solutions was removed to a final total concentration of 0.0054 ± 0.002 mg/L, almost half the current recommended allowable drinking water concentration of 0.010 mg/L. As(III) was removed to a concentration below the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations? (MMER) current limit of 0.50 mg/L, to 0.32 ± 0.06 mg/L, with double the coagulant dose used in Stage 1 for As(V) removal. Oxidant addition at a concentration of 5 mg KMnO4/L in Stage 2 resulted in final total arsenic concentrations of 0.017 ± 0.002 mg/L and pH adjustment with lime in Stage 2 resulted in 0.0415 ± 0.0007 mg As/L in treated As(III) SMW. Both of these modifications to the process reduced arsenic concentrations to below proposed new MMER limits (i.e., 0.10 mg/L). This two-stage treatment process was shown to reduce arsenic concentrations to well below current treatment guidelines while reducing or eliminating chemical oxidant demand.

Aug 1, 2013

By Kish. L.

"The results of a chemical and mineralogical study of eighteen opaque-oxide occurrences are discussed and the detailed chemical, metallurgical and mining feasibility study of a vanadium-rich magnetite deposit is summarized. A plot of the mol-percentages in the system FeO- Fe2O 3-TiO2 indicates that the deposits fall into two distinct groups: some contain hematite with ilmenite, and some others have magnetite with ilmenite (titaniferous magnetites). The plot also suggests that the two types of deposits were crystallized from liquids of different compositions. Each group has its distinct structural features. Vanadium is present in all of the studied specimens, however concentrations of economic importance have so far been found only in the titaniferous magnetite deposits. The vanadium content of the oxide concentrations of the Dore Lake Complex is the largest among the studied occurrences. Analyses of the concentrates of the drill-core sections show a compositional variation across the orebody; a continuous increase in the tenor of Ti02 and a decrease in the vanadium content upward in the layered sequence is found. Concentration tests on several tons of samples indicate that about 80 per cent of the vanadium is recovered in the magnetite concentrate."

Jan 1, 1972

MR. J. F. MYERS, Consulting J3eneficiation Engineer, Greenwich, Conn.: In the written discussion contributed by Mr. F. C. Bond in item ( 2) (page 515), speaiking about the significance of the ratio of mill diameter to the make-up ball diameter, he states: "When this ratio exceeds 100 the power and capacity of the mill are de-creased"; and the paragraph ends with a reference to the 30 per cent ball volume "with some de-crease in mill capacity". I believe this broad statement is incorrect. When we are dealing with a non-cataracting mill, pre-ceded by a good rod mill, there is a slight increase in capacity, but the power does drop. The second point that I consider needs consideration is Mr. Bond's item (8), Proper Mill Speed (page 516). This paragraph should be qualified to cover single-stage mills only. It does not apply where a rod mill is followed by a non-cataracting ball mill. The statement as is, with no qualification, gives an erroneous idea of proper mill speeds.

Jan 1, 1957

By Daniel Lachapelle, Nuri Hmidi, Turgut Yalcin

"Simulation can serve as a convenient tool in studying the behaviour and performance of grinding circuits by facilitating the evaluation of various scenarios and identification of optimum operating conditions. This technique was applied to the St Andrew Goldfields Ltd.’s Stock Mine Mill which is a 1300 tpd gold milling facility, offering custom milling services as well as processing the Company’s own ores. Lack of adequate instrumentation in the mill poses a challenge in attaining optimum performance especially with changing ore types and characteristics. The grinding process is monitored essentially by manual measurement and adjustment of pulp densities at various streams. A simulation program was designed to assist in the effective implementation of this mode of grinding control. Product sizes from both the primary and secondary grinding circuits were correlated empirically to relevant process variables using a database formed from the results of past sampling campaigns. The simulator was created in Microsoft Excel whose data analysis and optimization tools coupled with its Visual Basic Programming capabilities were found to provide an excellent environment for the development of a cost-effective, efficient and user-friendly simulation program.INTRODUCTIONGrinding is often a very costly unit process in milling operations, mainly due to the excessive energy consumption associated with it. For example, for a Canadian copper-zinc flotation mill, grinding was listed as being the most costly item taking up 30.4% of the total milling expenses, followed by the flotation cost at 2 1 .O% (Kidd Creek Mines Ltd., 1982). A survey on 45 copper flotation mills around the world showed the average grinding cost to be 34.5% of the total milling cost (Weiss, 1985).Overgrinding aggravates the cost issue, while insufficient grinding either causes loss of valuable minerals to tails or results in low-grade concentrates. Therefore, it is essential that grinding circuits be carefully controlled and monitored. To this end, a great deal of effort has been devoted over the years to the modelling and simulation of grinding systems in order to assist in the efficient running of these processes."

Jan 1, 2001

By Staff, G. M. Hogg

"The eastern portion of the Late Precambrian geosynclinal structure known as the Labrador Trough comprises a 16,000-square-mile sulphide-bearing belt of good potential as a base metal exploration area. Hollinger and Hanna mining interests have carried on exploration in the region since 1953, with encouraging results. This program has been considerable in terms of both effort and expenditure, and has resulted in an apparently successful primary evaluation of the entire belt.Much detailed work remains to be done in the area. Exploration to date has been largely of a reconnaissance nature, employing various methods in common use in Canada today. In the course of this work, several deposits of promise, containing near-economic quantities of copper, zinc, nickel and other metals, have been located. A broad classification of these deposits is proposed.Exploration in the sulphide belt was started on the basis of partial control of the area under mineral exploration concessions. This was necessary to justify operations in an area of difficult access and high operating costs. The results of this now-terminated arrangement are regarded as being of benefit to those directly concerned as well as to the mineral industry in general."

Jan 1, 1966

By F. W. Gray

Foreword: It is not my purpose, in this address, to write the history of the Geological Survey of Canada, which has from time to time been reviewed by the officers of the Survey itself, and by men more competent than myself to handle so large a subject, but rather to set out some of the reasons for the regard in which the Survey is held by our Institute, the body best qualified to speak for the mining men of Canada. And, a further purpose is to publish the desire of our Institute that the work of the Survey shall be maintained at the highest pitch of efficiency the resources of our country. will permit, because to scrimp expenses on the Survey is 'to save at the spigot and lose at the bunghole." A historical examination of the grounds on which it may be asserted the Geological Survey has been, and still is, of fundamental economic value to our country, discloses a prescience on the part of the forefathers of Canada, calling for our admiring gratitude, and reveals a unanimity among the real leaders of Canadian thought, on the value of geological knowledge, that is impressive in its continuance dawn to this date. There seems always to have been before our people the realisation that large stretches of Canada are unfitted for agricultural settlement, and that our glaciated areas, the barrens and tundra of the North, and our extensive mountain ranges, had promise of compensating mineral content which the geologist and the prospector, labouring together through the years, would disclose. The Geological Survey is one of Canada's oldest public services, distinguished by an unimpaired tradition of honourable and useful labour. Founded in 1843, under William Edmond Logan, not yet 'Sir William', one year after the Act of Union, it was directed by him until 1869, or into the early years of Confederation, so that the early years .of the Survey were also, politically, the formative years of Canada, as we know her today.

Jan 1, 1932

By Andrew Kerr

Abstract - The base-metal and PGE contents of samples from magmatic sulfide mineralization are commonly correlated with their sulfide contents, indicating that the metal contents of bulk sulfides remain approximately constant within a given prospect or part thereof. Calculated sulfide metal contents provide valuable information in mineral exploration and research, but there are few formal descriptions and analyses of the procedures. Sulfide metal contents are best calculated using an assumed value (35.7% S) for a typical pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-pentlandite mixture, and there appears to be little advantage in accounting for sulfide species separately. Regression of metal data against sulfur is probably the most rigorous approach, but is not always practical. Above 10% S, calculations are very robust, but lower sulfide contents generally demand at least some correction for non-sulfidehosted metals. Such corrections can become significant below 5% S, and/or in olivine-rich samples. They are best accomplished by mass-balance calculations, using concentration data from unmineralized host rocks. Significant uncertainties are introduced by analytical errors for sulfur, base-metals, and PGE, which are commonly measured from separate sample aliquots. These combined errors in sulfide metal contents generally exceed ±10%, but expand further at low S contents. In general, treatment of data from samples containing <2.5% S must be approached with caution, especially for PGE, for which the exact host minerals may not be known. Application of the method in simple grade-potential assessment is straightforward, but research studies involving sulfide-poor samples are inherently more complex. Under-correction or over-correction of data for non-sulfide-hosted metals can lead to false negative or positive correlations between sulfide metal contents and sulfide content. As the latter may itself be linked to geological parameters, such as depth within an intrusive body, undue significance could be ascribed to such trends. There are also valid geological reasons for such correlations, and such data require careful assessment to separate true and artificial variations. Propagated analytical uncertainties increase significantly in sulfide-poor samples, and must also be borne in mind whenever data from different localities or units are compared and contrasted.

Jan 1, 2001

By J. R. Donald, K. Scholey

"Nickel has been mined and processed from the Sudbury basin for over 100 years. During this period, the process has evolved into what is one of the largest and most complex mining and metallurgical facilities in the world. This paper will describe the geology and mining of the Sudbury basin as well as the Copper Cliff metallurgical flowsheet circa 2005, including:•,Clarabelle Mill,•,The flash smelting furnaces,•,The bulk converters,•,Matte casting, separation, and processing•,The carbonyl refineries•,Carbonyl residue processing•,Copper processing•,Sulphur productsThe challenges of today and the opportunities for the future are discussed."

Jan 1, 2005

By A. Sobering, G. N. Carlson

"This paper describes the conversion of the grinding section of the W a bush Mines pelletizing plant from conventional wet, open-circuit trunnion overflow ball milling, with filtering, and bentonite mixing on a common conveyor belt, to dry, open-circuit, grate discharge grinding, with pug mill mixing of bentonite and water at individual mills.The test work and data on operating economies to justify the cost of conversion are given. It is too early, at the time of writing, to have complete operating confirmation, but data are available. A brief description of the original plant is included."

Jan 1, 1971

Carrying Energy ?Energy ?Power, data, signal, hydraulics, pneumatics? ?Needs to be conveyed from a stationary point to a system in motion ?Cable Carriers (steel and plastic), Festoon Systems, Cable Reels and Bus Bars Polymer Cable Carriers ?Life Line for modern machinery ?Transmitting power, data, signal, hydraulics or pneumatic energy ?Constructed and designed to work in harsh environments, at high speeds and to do this continuously ?Meet a wide variety of cable (Media) requirements ?Virtually maintenance free ?High efficiency

Nov 1, 2011

By S. Caron

From the early 70?s, ?Centre de Recherche Minérale? (CRM) has conducted and co-ordinated Research and Development activities for the mineralurgical and metallurgical industries. Since 1999, CRM has continued its mandate through COREM which is a consortium of 13 members that uses the benefits and advantages of collaborative pre-competitive industry / university research. In particular, COREM?s ?In-Situ Optimization Group? is involved in the implementation of modern optimization and control tools. The POP Project was launched in order to increase and consolidate the use of modern optimization and control tools and methods for mineralurgical and metallurgical processes. To ensure a successful transfer in the industry, there are a number of essential activities that have to be undertaken. These activities have been identified by COREM?s members and are grouped into three main modules: - R&D Module: Research and Development in universities, research centres and other partners; - Technology Transfer Module: integration of new tools and methods into the POP Software, industrial applications and technical support; - Training Module: education of new engineers in universities, continuing education of plant personnel through on-site workshops and resource networking by specific information exchange tools. This paper outlines the opportunities that led to the definition of the POP Project and describes its main modules. The main features of the POP Software are presented, the first application is described and finally, future developments are discussed.

May 1, 2001

By R R. Wainwright

Friction-type hoists have been in operation at Geco Mines Limited since Septtember, 1957. At the end of the year 1963, the skip hoist had handled nearly ~ million tons of ore and waste. In March, 1962, with the deepening of the shaft, the hoisting de11th was increased from 1,450 to 2,450 feet. Operating experience with the hoists, hoist and balance ropes, rope treads and other related equipment is presented. The paper is intended to supplement an earlier one -"Heavy-Duty Friction Hoisting at Geco Mines," by W. M. Harvey (C.I.M. Transactions, Volume LXIII, 1960, pp. 193 -197). General G ECO Mine Limited is located at Manitouwadge, Ontario, approximately 160 miles east of Port Arthur and 190 mile northwest of Sault Ste. Marie. The Company was formed to exploit a copper-zinc-silver orebody, with current ore reserve (1963) of approximately 21 million tons. The production plant was designed to mine and treat 1.25 million tons per annum. The production and service hoists are mounted at-the top of a reinforced concrete tower above the shaft.

Jan 1, 1965

By Seungwoo Park, Whuisu Shim, Roe-Hoan Yoon, Kaiwu Huang

"A comprehensive froth model has been derived from first principles. It is based on predicting the kinetics of film thinning in the presence of particles of varying sizes and surface hydrophobicity. According to the Reynolds lubrication theory, the thinning of a horizontal film is driven by the excess film pressure (p), which is determined by the capillary pressure (pc) and the disjoining pressure (II). In the presence of particles, macroscopic capillary pressure (pc) is affected by the local capillary pressure (pc,local) in the vicinity of a particle and the number of particles in the film (N1,film), which in turn vary with the hydrophobicity and size of the particles. The Reynolds equation corrected for pc,local and N1,film is then used to predict the time (or froth height) at which a film is thinned to a critical rupture thickness (hcr), which in turn can be predicted using the Vrij’s capillary wave model (1966) after a modification to incorporate the contributions from hydrophobic disjoining pressure (IIhp). The model can predict bubble coarsening represented by the bubble size ratio between the top (d2,t) and bottom (d2,b) of a froth as functions of particle size and hydrophobicity, ? -potentials, frother dosages, froth height, gas flow rate, salt concentration, etc. The model predictions have been verified in experiments.INTRODUCTIONFroth flotation is regarded the best available technology today for upgrading minerals and coal fines. In the pulp phase of a flotation cell, air bubbles collect hydrophobic particles dispersed in it and rise to enter the froth phase on the top. Once in a froth phase, the bubbles coalesce with each other and become larger, resulting in a decreased bubble surface area. Under conditions of limited surface area, less hydrophobic particles drop off the bubble surface and return to the pulp phase. Thus, bubble coarsening provides a useful mechanism of increasing product grades. On the other hand, uncontrolled coarsening results in a decrease in bubble carrying capacity and hence throughput."

Jan 1, 2016

By S. N. Kalyakin, D. S. Flett, M. A. Mulagaleeva, N. V. Gudkova, S. S. Serdyuk, V. I. Kuzmin, Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology SB RAS, O. A. Logutenko, V. N. Kuzmina, V. G. Lomayev

"The Chuktukon niobium-rare earth elements ore deposit is located in Siberia (Russia). Weathered carbonatite crusts are the basis of the ore deposit. The deposit itself is 3.5 km in length, about 800 to 1400 m in width and up to 200–300 m in thickness. The ores are composed of iron-manganese oxides (hydrogoethite, hematite, psilomelane, pyrolusite) and contain 3–7% of rare-earth phosphates (florencite, monazite) and 0.5–1% of niobium oxide (pyrochlore). The ore is completely finely dispersed and consists of oxide particles formed of compact, dense aggregates which makes ore dressing as well as leaching of the rare and radioactive elements very difficult. Several options for processing of these ores have been considered: 1) reduction of the iron oxides to magnetite followed by beneficiation with magnetic separation to produce a rare metal concentrate; 2) processing of the rare earth elements (REE) containing minerals by direct alkaline-acid treatment; 3) processing of the ores using nitric acid leaching in an autoclave.INTRODUCTIONThe Chuktukon niobium-rare earth metal ore deposit is located in Siberia, in the Krasnoyarsk region, 110 km from the Boguchan hydroelectric power station which has recently been commissioned. This mineral raw materials is capable of providing impetus for the modernization of the Russian rare metal industry because of its qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The deposit is located in a region of promising industrial development and is a part of the territoriy where the Russian Federation’s Program “Complex Development of the Lower Angara Region” is currenly being realized. The main program directions are creation and development of industrial activities in sectors such as power, metallurgy, oil and gas, gold, rare-metals, and timber. The program will aid the development of the niobium and rare-metal resources of the Lower Angara and neighbouring regions as well as increase the national production of REE and therefore import substitution (Lapin, 1997; Lomaev & Kuzmin, 2003; Lomaev & Serdyuk, 2011; Serdyuk, Lomaev, & Kontorovich, 2000)."

Jan 1, 2016