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By Eldon L. Brown

Location and History The Sherritt Gordon property is located in northwestern Manitoba, about 100 miles north of The Pas and 40 miles northeast of Flin Flon. It is connected with the Manitoba Northern railway, which runs from The Pas to Flin Flon by a branch line, 42 miles in length. The location of the property is shown on the sketch-map, Figure 2. The ore deposit was first discovered by Philip Sherlett, a Cree Indian, in 1922. In 1924 Sherlett's claims lapsed and the ground was re-staked by Carl Sherritt and Dick Madole, and was optioned by them to J. P. Gordon in the summer of 1925. Gordon re-optioned the property successively to three well-known mining groups, one of which did some surface trenching .and put down 28 shallow diamond-drill holes before dropping their option. In the latter part of 1927, a Company known as Sherritt Gordon Mines, Limited, was formed to take over the property, and preparations were made for systematic development work. Preliminary Development In order to fill-in gaps left by the original drilling, a light diamond-drill outfit was flown-in to the property from the Hudson Bay railway in the early fall of 1927. Ten shallow holes were put down before freeze-up .and a considerable amount of surface trenching was completed. Based on the results of the surface trenching and the shallow diamond-drilling, an extensive development campaign was outlined. A winter road, 90 miles in length, was cut from mileage 55 on the Hudson Bay railway, and during the winter of 1927-28 a total of 2,600 tons of freight was hauled-in to the property. This freight included four complete diamond-drill outfits, two complete mining plants, building material for two sets of camps, and supplies for one year's operations, including 105,000 gallons of fuel-oil for Diesel engines.

Jan 1, 1933

By J. Bélanger, B. Semlali, M. Grenon

RÉSUMÉ La conception des fosses ainsi que l'évaluation des ressources géologiques et des réserves minières sont désormais réalisées entièrement à l'aide d'outils informatiques spécialisés. Cependant, plusieurs analyses, pourtant essentielles à l'évaluation de la viabilité du projet, sont réalisées en parallèle sans véritable optimisation ni synergie avec l'ensemble des données disponibles. Cet article présente deux approches permettant d'intégrer certains types d'analyses aux modèles de blocs miniers. Ces approches permettent de quantifier la broyabilité du massif rocheux ainsi que d'étudier la stabilité des pentes minières à même les outils d'optimisation et de planification minières. Cette méthode permet dès l'étude de faisabilité d'un projet minier de maximiser les données disponibles, menant ainsi à une approche plus intégrée en conception minière. De plus, ces approches sont flexibles et permettent d'évaluer rapidement plusieurs scénarios, tout en laissant la possibilité de bonifier le modèle et de revoir la conception tout au long du projet minier.

Jan 1, 2010

By L. K. Eigenbrod

Throughout the mining industry, pneumoconiosis is one of the most severe occupational health problems being faced. The goal of completely eliminating pneumoconiosis as an occupational health hazard was underscored by the Federal Government with its enactment of Public Law 91-173 (Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969). Under this law, permissible dust level standards will be placed at 2 mg/m3 in mine atmospheres by December 30, 1972. The mining industry is thus faced with the tremendous technical challenge of achieving this level. Two basic questions can be raised with regard to this legislation. First, does a maximum dust concentration of 2 mg/m3 prevent the occurrence of pneumoconiosis? Secondly, can this dust standard be achieved using presently available methods and equipment? A precise answer to the first question has not yet been developed by the medical profession. Studies are continuing on the origin, prevention, and therapy of pneumoconiosis, and permissible dust levels could become even lower as medical evidence accumulates. The mining industry has addressed itself to the problems of dust con-tro1 for many years as related to personnel health, explosive mixtures, visibility, and machinery damage. Dust control methods being employed involve

Jan 1, 1971

By Jacob W. Young

A casual reading of the geological literature extant to-day would give one the impression that carbon is an element which by some chance or another always existed at or near the surface of the earth, and was never of a magmatic origin. The carbonaceous matter in shales is said to be of vegetal derivation; petroleum is stated to have been derived from vegetable matter or from marine animal bodies; if carbon or bituminous matter is found in igneous rocks or associated with metallic ores, the statement is made that deeply buried carbonaceous sedimentaries were undoubtedly the source from which such carbon or bituminous matter was derived. This, I do not consider a reasonable or common sense view of the matter. Carbon is one of the elements of which the earth is composed. In the table giving the periodicity of the elements it comes sixth in the order of increasing atomic weights. It is an element formed like all the rest were formed, and must be as common to the interior of the earth as the rest of the eighty-odd elements so far discovered. The spectroscopic analysis of light from the sun, and the stars, shows the presence of carbon in the sun and in the colder stars. Thus with carbon, an element, found throughout the universe as well as on the earth, it is entirely reasonable to consider it as present in the interior of the earth with the other elements. Such being the case, the magmatic origin for the various forms of carbon in rocks and ores is a rational and logical conclusion. If but a small fraction of thought and effort was made along these lines, which is made in fostering the idea of the organic origin of the carbon found in the earth's crust, untold advances in this phase of geological science would result.

Jan 1, 1925

By H. C. Meister

THE zinc-smelting industry of the United States has grown very rapidly in recent years and bids fair to outrival that of all other countries in the future. On account of the geographical situation of the chief ore-supplies, the industry may be divided into two main groups, the eastern and the western. The eastern and older group includes the works of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia, which practically control their own ore-supply. The western group includes the works of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin and Indiana, which do not control their own ore-supply, but are compelled to buy the ore in the open market. It is for this reason that the western zinc-smelting industry has been undergoing continual changes since its inception 40 years ago. During the early discoveries of lead- and zinc-ore in the lead- and zinc-districts of Wisconsin and northern Illinois, the zinc-ore (sinithsonite or " bone " as the miner calls it) had no value and was considered waste; but later, when this ore was found in large quantities, it attracted the attention of metallurgists, which finally resulted, during the early sixties, in the building of the Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Works at LaSalle, Ill., the pioneer zinc-works of the West. A few years later, zinc-ore was discovered associated with the lead-ore in Jefferson county, southeastern Missouri, which started the industry at Carondelet or South St. Louis. Still later, the discoveries of zinc-ore in the lead-ore region, first' at Granby and then around Joplin, lead to the introduction of the industry in the southwest Missouri and Kansas districts. At first the development of the industry was slow, but it progressed steadily and it is now one of the leading metallurgical industries of the middle West.

Jan 1, 1905

By HARRINCTON EMERSON

UNEMPLOYMENT is the most ominous shadow ahead of the industrial nations today. Only two great industrial countries are free from unemployment, France and the Soviet Commonwealth. In France the social unit is the family, not the individual. This has saved France. In the Soviet Commonwealth, development is proceeding so rapidly from agricultural to industrial that there is still a dearth of muscle workers in the non-agricultural enterprises. In the other industrial countries unemployment results both from acute temporary recession in industrial activities and from the rapidly increasing substitution of the machine for the man. Temporary recessions can be mitigated, alleviated by makeshifts, often ill considered. Secular recessions due to a fundamental change in the way of accomplishing physical, chemical results cannot be cured by any makeshift. There must be a period of transition. There is therefore before us the three- fold problem, immediate, prosimate and ultimate.

Jan 1, 1930

The purpose of this study is to develop designs to facilitate and accelerate auger rotation stoppage (and auger rotation start up so as to promote auger disengagement during auger miner repositioning) and to provide a time delay and warning signal prior to auger start up to permit any miner s near the augers to get away from the augers before they start rotating. In the underground coal mines in the U.S., there are four auger miners that are currently in use. They are the Jeffrey 100L (see Figure 1-1) and 100M (see Figure 1-2), and the Wilcox WCM and the MK20A (see Figure 1-3).

Jan 1, 1974

By Paul. D. Merica

I LIKE to look upon the award this year also as a recognition of the importance of metallic materials of construction to the engineer and of the active progress which I believe is continually being made in almost all branches of that field today. It has been said that metals are the material backbone of industry and technology. Well in that case, I suppose we metallurgists are industry's bonesetters. And it is possibly not inappropriate that we should occasionally give some atten¬tion to those bony structures of our industrial activities upon which engineers in other fields hang their manifold and striking creations. What is going on in the field of metals development? Well, in the first

Jan 1, 1938

The low production rates associated with the underground metal mining industry have received considerable attention during the last decade. A number of significant technological advancements, in the form of new equipment, have taken place to improve the economics of ore production. Unfortunately, an extremely important factor in the equation -- the operator protection and safety -- continues to receive a low priority. The underground metal mining industry has one of the poorest industrial safety records in the United States. Equipment operators are constantly being placed in hazardous situations. Even one fatality is one too many. All of us bear the responsibility to eliminate it. This project is one of the important steps currently being undertaken by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to improve the operational safety of seven major pieces of ore handling equipment commonly used in underground metal and non-metal mines. The objectives of this study are; (a) to identify the existing hazards associated with the operation of the specific equipment, and (b) to recommend practical solutions that will minimize these hazards and reduce operator injuries. These recommendations are to be in the areas of equipment design improvements, additional operator protection and warning devices, equipment operating procedures and any modifications to the existing safety regulations.

Jan 1, 1975

By A Mooney, J Marsden, H Grosser, G Dunstan

Carrapateena is a copper-gold deposit hosted in a brecciated granite complex, located 500km North of Adelaide, South Australia. The deposit is being mined using the Sub Level Caving (SLC) Mining method at a rate of 4.25 MTPA. The Carrapateena SLC construction was completed in Q4 2019, with ramp up to a mine production rate of 4.25 MTPA completed within 12 months; ~ 6 months earlier than originally planned (OZ Minerals, 2020b). Traditional SLC designs have had issues with safety interactions on production levels, namely at the perimeter drive, as well as presented challenges for the application of automation due to frequency of activity required to achieve ring turnover rates. Safety in design provides an opportunity to learn from experience at recent modern SLC operations and by considering hazards early in the design process minimise exposure and improve safety, productivity and automation of mining activity. This paper discusses the work carried out during the Carrapateena feasibility study and optimised during project execution; to update the SLC production level mine design, with a layout known as the Carrapateena Crows Foot Level Layout. This paper focuses on: • An introduction to the Carrapateena Operation and mine plan. • An overview and historical challenges of traditional level layout. • An introduction to the Carrapateena Crows Foot level layout, including production level design parameters as well as development metres and productivity comparisons. • Outlines the benefits of the Crows Foot design for safety in design of SLC operations. Provides a roadmap for improved production efficiency, level operational philosophy and the application of automation within the SLC.

Mar 15, 2021

By J. Paraszczak

ABSTRACT Diesel-powered loaders are a pillar of modern underground metal mining. As these mines are getting deeper and hotter and the emission regulations stricter, ventilation costs are soaring, affecting production cost. Also, the cost of diesel fuel is expected to rise. These may make the use of diesel engines more problematic. Electric load-haul-dump machines (LHDs) are an interesting alternative. This paper compares features and performance of diesel and electric, cable-powered LHDs. It overviews equipment offerings, and compares, analyzes and discusses technical parameters, operational problems and cost issues. The paper gives some conclusions about electric LHD applicability and performance, indicates possible applications, and suggests further research work.

Jan 1, 2013

By William M. Knuth

This study involved a review of bonding and bond release practices in the states of the Eastern and Midwestern Coal Provinces. Data was collected from regulatory authorities and site visits to document the bonding and release procedures in the states related to achieving successful reclamation. The regulations related to PL95-87 were reviewed. The analysis included suggested modified or new bond release criteria, a review of applicable bond release inspection techniques was prepared, a conceptual graduated bonding system and incentive procedures for reclamation of surface mine sites to alternative or higher land uses. A number of conclusions and recommendations for further research were included. A detailed bibliography and a glossary are included in the report.

Jan 1, 1978

By P. Cicmanec

Mining activities in the territory of Slovakia have a long history. Mining techniques have developed rapidly in the last centuries. This paper deals not only with mining history, but also with underground brown coal mining, magnesite mining and other mining activities at present and sustainable developments of the mining industry in the Slovak Republic. This paper looks forward in the context of mineral raw materials in Europe (Global Europe, 2012).

Aug 1, 2013

By H. C., Simpson

MANY metals by virtue of their place of occurrence as ore, and their uses are travelers! Iron and steel, for instance, is one of the greatest of travelers in the form of ships and the romance of iron in this respect is only just beginning to be superseded by the stories which can be told of the travels of aluminum and its alloys, used in the building of airplanes. Tin is a traveler from the Straits Settlements to this country and Europe, for use in the canning industry; afterward traveling all over the civilized world as a part of the container for preserved foods. Silver is somewhat of an aristocrat, when its uses are measured against those of the baser metals. From earliest times it has been used for adornment (first perhaps o4 the person and later for the embellishment of weapons and' buildings), for the making of fine ar¬ticles used in the household, and as money. While its uses have been widened by the discoveries in chemistry, electricity and other sciences, its early uses are still much in evidence in our modern life.

Jan 1, 1928

By Y G. Anoman

This paper discusses the operating model within Endeavour Mining Corporation regarding the options of owner mining against contract mining. It’s based on the concept of ‘are we carrying out the most efficient mining’ regarding cost and performance. This question can only be answered through an extensive contract mining tender process and conducting a comprehensive comparison to evaluate the transition viability. Karma mine, located in Burkina Faso, is the subject of this paper. The Tender model included sales of equipment, parts and tooling associated with the traditional Load and Haul Schedule of Rates (SOR). The methodology focused on the structure of the tender process, which consists in the development of a SOR based on haulage profiles and mining schedule. This is a new Endeavour framework that allowed the bidders to compete on an even level. This was performed using a systemic analysis which encompassed all the elements involved in a transition such as the Human Resources (HR), taxes and customs implications, directs and non-direct costs (Finance and interest on assets, depreciation, insurance), contractor risk profiling. It was assessed against the normalised internal pricing tender-based. This paper gives an insight into how a West African mining operation addressed the sensitivities of the HR functions against the commercial aspects. This was one of the most successful transitions in West Africa and was carried out during the COVID crisis. The outcome of this project has created value by detailing a lesson learned model for both commercial and HR aspects. This discusses the commercial comparisons along with the internal model with the underlying HR functions as a risk factor that could have jeopardised the continuation of the operation. This resulted in a smooth transition with the additional cash flow generated by the sale of the parts and equipment turned Karma into a viable operation.

Jun 22, 2022

By Frank E. Federspiel

In 1992, the Bureau of Mines conducted a mineral resource investigation of the 78,000-acre Garns Mountain study area in southeastern Idaho. The area had been proposed for Wilderness. It is underlain by Paleozoic to Mesozoic-age sedimentary rocks about 11,000 feet thick. Rocks have been faulted, offset, and folded as part of the northerly-trending Idaho-Wyoming Overthrust Belt. Study area mineral occurrences are: phosphate in the Permian Phosphoria Formation; coal in the Cretaceous Frontier end Bear River Formations; and uranium in carbonaceous and phosphate-bearing shales and coal of these formations. Four zones of phosphate are estimated to contain about 528 mitt ion tons of rock with over 10% P205; samples of phosphate-rich rock also contained as much as 3950 ppm chromium, 3280 ppm vanadium, 23 ppm gallium, and 5540 ppm zinc. Fragments of poor-quality coal and carbonaceous shale were found in the area; coal was mined near the northeast border. Uranium content up to 0.016% U3O8 is in carbon-rich shales. Oil and gas were drilled for, with minimal success, in folded sedimentary rocks (frontier and Nugget Sandstone) in the Horseshoe anticline, near the east border. Examined workings included 12 dozer cuts, 4 trenches, 2 prospect pits, and 2 caved adits. No production is known, and no leases or claims are held for the area.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. L. Thornton

Introduction The importance of coal in our economy is well established, but it may not .be so generally realized how important a part it plays in our daily life. Select a product - any product - and, if it is made in America, bituminous coal has touched it first. Everywhere we will find coal, derivatives of coal, or functions made possible by coal. Apart from the well known major uses of coal for domestic purposes, coking, utilities, railways, and manufacture of steel and cement, there are over 200,000 products derived from coal, from lipstick colours to nylon products and perfumes. An item of interest is the recent action of the Canadian Government in voting $90,000 for development of coal deposits in Yukon Territory to make coal available to the settlers in that area. The value of this move, in case of some emergency, is very evident. Coal in its several stages of formation as peat, lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, semi-bituminous, semi-anthracite, and anthracite, has been used for centuries. Coal, as such, was not very well known to the ancients. First reference to "magic stone', or coal, was in 371 BC by Theophrastus, a pupil of Aristotle. This substance was said to burn like wood coal or charcoal and was used by the smiths. The first record we have in modern times was in 852 AD, when sea coal was gathered by the cowled monks of Durham, in Britain, and even at that time a major problem was transportation. Our first record of coal in this continent was near Richmond, Virginia, in 1700. Commercial mining was not under way, however, until 1750. The anthracite fields (presumably in Pennsylvania) were opened in 1793. Even so, there was no extensive mining until about the year 1820. The famous Pocahontas coalfields were opened in 1883. The earliest record of coal mining in Canada is about 1746.

Jan 1, 1950

For the third successive year it appears that demand for platinum will exceed supplies of newly-mined metal, forecasts Johnson Matthey in its "Platinum 1987 Interim Review." Based on data available at the end of August 1987, Johnson Matthey estimates that western world demand for platinum could exceed 93t (3 million oz) for the first time ever in 1987. Given a likely increase in demand of 4.3t to around 94t (140,000 oz to around 3.02 million oz), up by about 5% over 1986, there would be a 1.8- to 2.2-t (60,000- to 70,000-oz) shortfall in 1987 supply. South African mines enjoying undisrupted production last year after strikes affected Impala's output in 1986. The rate of increases in western world supplies, though, has probably not kept pace with the growth in demand. A downturn in US demand for platinum was counterbalanced by substantially increased purchases from Japanese and Western European consumers of the metal. Total imports of platinum into Japan in 1987 may have reached a record level of 45t (1.45 million oz). The largest source of demand for platinum remains its use in autocatalysts US and Japanese auto manufacturers reduced their platinum purchases in the wake of falling car production. Therefore, a small decline in overall 1987 sales of perhaps 780 kt (25,000 oz) was expected in 1987. Western European demand, however, rose strongly as a result of increased output. The spread of exhaust emission control regulations has sharply boosted the number of cars equipped with three-way catalysts containing platinum and rhodium. Western European auto makers probably needed 5.6t (180,000 oz) of platinum last year, a 50% increase over 1986. The jewelry industry, the second largest user of platinum, increased its offtake of platinum in 1987. Japan, the key to the jewelry industry's consumption of platinum, could absorb 24.8 to 26.4 (800,000 to 850,000 oz) in 1987, compared with 23t (740,000 oz) in 1986. Platinum has wide and diverse applications in industry. Other major users are the chemical, glass, electronics and petroleum industries. They were expected to increase their aggregate demand by about 1.8t (60,000 oz), or 11% in 1987. Investment demand for small platinum bars and coins of up to 311g (10 oz) dropped back in relatively inhospitable conditions. This, after rapid increases in recent years and a surge in US demand in 1986. However, Japanese investors purchasing bars weighing 500g or 1 kg (16 to 32 oz), and considered more speculative, recovered last year. Over the first eight months of 1987, platinum performed strongly on the open market with average prices well up from 1986 in dollar terms. But the increase was less marked where measured in sterling or yen. Platinum ad¬vanced by $3.70/g ($115 per oz) between Jan. 1 and mid-September with the average price having been surpassed only in the heady days of 1980. Johnson Matthey believes that supply and demand appear likely to keep more or less in step on a gently rising path. The recent open market volatility will continue with prices fluctuating widely over short periods. Writing in mid-September, and basing its view on the tangible evidence of platinum's price fall since the review was written, the company's assessment of price prospects is unchanged. Demand for platinum remains strong all-round. In October, imports of platinum into Japan were exceptionally high. And in the US and Japan there was a marked resurgence of demand from private investors. Although market sentiment may have been influenced in part by the news of several potential new platinum mines in South Africa, the full effects of these prospects on supply, even if they were all to materialize, would not be felt before the early-mid 1990s, Johnson Matthey said. According to the review, no radical change in platinum supplies is discernible in the near-term. Incremental growth from South Africa can be expected as the major producers continue to make the most of their existing resources. The Soviet Union may be keener to sell than it appeared earlier in 1987, especially if prices hold up, but a substantial increase is improbable. Canadian supplies are not capable of much variation from present levels. The palladium-rich Stillwater mine will make a modest contribution. Referring to the investment market, Johnson Matthey concluded that despite this year's reduction in sales of small-denomination investment products, platinum does appear to have established itself with private investors. Bearing in mind how business multiplied in comparatively unfavorable conditions before 1986, it is reasonable to look for a resumption of growth once the climate improves.

Jan 2, 1988

By Robert H. King

An analysis of low-voltage shielded trailing cables is performed to develop a method for calculating the differences in operating costs between shielded and non-shielded cables. Two types of shield constructions are considered (SH-C and SH-D) for the three major underground coal mining methods. Data from laboratory and in-mine testing are presented in addition to an analysis of safety benefits. Recommendations for further investigations are proposed. Example calculations with sensitivity analyses are presented. Recommendations for further investigation include costs impact considerations.

Jan 1, 1980

By H. Ehnes

"“Industry 4.0” – “Mining 4.0” - perhaps you have already heard of these terms? These keywords signify the next stage of industrial production. The internet and production technologies are growing closer together. Machines can communicate with one another, wherever they may happen to be located. The “Internet of Things” is the appropriate term. But what does SAFETY 7.0 mean? It is both brand new and traditional at the same time. It also has to do with the success of companies, with efficient production. And yet there is a great deal more at stake. It has to do with our lives and our safety – the supreme commodity in this world. What exactly SAFETY 7.0 means, what the number 0 stands for and the meaning of the number 7, and what this all has to do with mining will be explained in the following article. Mining is a fascinating undertaking. Mining is indispensable for a country’s economic development, whatever that may concern: infrastructure, energy supplies or raw materials for industrial production. Mining has brought forth many technological developments and innovations that can currently be found in our daily lives. Mining is impressive, grandiose and repeatedly fascinates mankind with its immense dimensions. Miners throughout the world still work hard and, for this reason, are bound to one another in a special way. In mining, every man looks out for the other; you have to be able to rely on each other. That creates a strong bond. The other side of the coin is that mining and disasters belong to normality in the media and thus also in our perception. Accidents at work and even catastrophes occur in mining, quarries, or raw material operations almost on a daily basis somewhere in the world. They are often associated with extremely serious injuries, or even a fatal outcome, for the miners affected and, in turn, dramatic consequences for the families of those involved. It could be in China, India, Russia, or somewhere in Africa, Asia or America – it mostly does not happen in front of our door or in our neighbour- hood. Perhaps because of this in the daily concert of negative headlines, we do not register these catastrophes any more in our minds. We write them off under the heading “Nothing special”, since there are, day in day out, more terrible news items about wars, civil wars, famines, or ecological disasters. Things only really change if there is a dramatic number of deaths or when we are personally affected, close by in the vicinity, or can witness the rescue action live. In Europe, these three mining disasters in particular have recently generated media resonance:"

Jan 1, 2016