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By Balakrishnan Nanthakumar, Marek Pawlik, Dennis Grimm

"The anionic flotation of a high-iron phosphate ore from Agrium - Kapuskasing Phosphate Operations was investigated through batch flotation tests in the presence of soda ash. The flotation data were supplemented by titration of the flotation pulp with soda ash, analysis of process water chemistry, and determination of the mineralogical composition of the ore. The results of lab tests were applied to the flotation circuit design allowing the flotation plant to efficiently process problematic ores. Process control measures (pH, conductivity) were also developed.Calcium cations and sulfate anions were identified as the dominant ions present in the process water when the difficult-to-process ores are beneficiated in the flotation plant. The concentrations of calcium and sulfate ions were consistent with the presence of a small amount of a calcium sulfate mineral in the ore although an oxidation/weathering process of iron sulfide minerals present in the ore could also be responsible for the observed water chemistry and subsequent flotation problems with the ores. The latter possibility suggests that the long-term stockpiling of such ores may have a highly negative impact on the flotation process.The role of soda ash in the flotation circuit is to precipitate metal cations from the pulp thus allowing the tall oil-based collector to selectively interact with the phosphate components.INTRODUCTIONPhosphorus minerals are the main source of this element for the production of fertilizers, and the froth flotation process is the most important technology for beneficiating phosphate ores. The flotation concentrate from Agrium-Kapuskasing Phosphate Operations (KPO) is transported to Redwater Fertilizer Operations in Alberta (also operated by Agrium) where the phosphate concentrate is converted into a phosphate fertilizer and other important chemical products. The KPO phosphate ores differ widely in mineralogy and phosphate grades, and are broadly divided on-site into three classes. The easy-to-float A-type ores do not pose any major flotation problems, but the B-type and “marginal” ores, which are quite common in the KPO igneous phosphate deposit, are not always readily-floatable using the current reagent suites and process parameters (pulp density, feed particle size, pH). In fact, marginal ores are presently considered impossible to process by flotation. A-type ores contain normally more than 15% P2O5 and less than 8% ferric oxide equivalent (Fe2O3). B-type ores are approximately of the same P2O5 grades as A-type ores but their iron content may reach 30% Fe2O3. Any material containing less than 15% P2O5 is rejected as waste rock."

Jan 1, 2008

By Donald Leroux, Asim Tuzun, Simon Gariépy, Luc Lachance, Hayley Halsall-Whitney

"The importance of coherent material balance results has long been recognized by mining and metallurgical companies. Although this is still true nowadays, various stakeholders are increasingly concerned about the origin and the accuracy of the reported numbers. The last decade has shown that most metallurgical accounting concerns can be addressed by making two important changes to plant performance monitoring practices. First, introducing data redundancy into the metal balance procedure allows the estimation of measurement errors. Second, the migration from spreadsheet-based to relational database based systems brings transparency, data integrity, traceability and auditability into metallurgical accounting. Relational databases also facilitate the production of reports that metallurgical accountants must issue routinely. Recognizing the caveats of the spreadsheet-based metal accounting method they had been applying for years, Strathcona decided to switch to a commercial relational database system in 2008. For the most part, the migration was seamless. Some challenges were raised but they could all be overcome and outweighed by benefits gained from day-to-day utilization of the system.INTRODUCTION Metal accounting (Morrison, 2008) has always been essential to high-quality corporate governance of mining and metallurgical companies. Although the importance of coherent material balance results has long been recognized, various stakeholders are increasingly inquisitive about how the reported numbers were obtained and how much accuracy can be attributed to them. This accrued scrutiny is obviously no stranger to the corporate governance tightening that happened through the years in response to outrageous accounting scandals. It is also in continuity with securities laws (such as NI-43-101 in Canada) that were passed to protect the public from other market fraud. Recognizing the importance of spotless metal accounting in their reports to the public, a group of global mining companies gave AMIRA International the mandate of developing a set of rigorous yet practical metal accounting guidelines for the mining and metallurgical industry. The AMIRA P754 project was launched in 2004 and the first version of the resulting Code of Practice was released the following year. Since then, the Code was reviewed twice and revised releases were issued (AMIRA, 2007). While some parts of these guidelines are in continuity with current commonplace practices, other parts recommend changes to inherited practices that may be significant. For example, they highlight the importance of data redundancy (Lachance & Flament, 2011) which in many operations is either already available but unexploited or achievable with reasonable efforts. These guidelines also stress the importance of state-of-the-art metal accounting systems, such as those based on relational databases, which are secure and entirely auditable by a Qualified Person. Because most spreadsheet software packages allow data and formulae to be modified at any time, without a trace and anonymously, they do not meet these requirements."

Jan 1, 2012

By Michael J. Lord, Richard H. O. Wagner

"The technologies used in the mineral processing of ores are being increasingly applied to the identification and remediation of metal contaminated industrial, military and landfill sites. The objective of mineral processing treatment of contaminated site material is to restore the value of the land and to concentrate the contaminants into a very small volume of separated material which, depending upon its nature, can be further processed, marketed, or sent to a landfill. A systematic characterisation of the site material is first undertaken. Bench and pilot testing follows to evaluate criteria for metal separation. The testing may examine one or more physical or physico-chemical reprocessing methods, singly or in combination, for the remediation of the test samples. These mineral processing tests determine the % metal removal fiom the soil and the contaminants concentrated from the medium. The usefulness of mineral processing testing for site remediation flowsheet design and execution is illustrated by the case studies presented. This paper will present the test results of three case studies: an industrial site decontamination, the cleanup of a small arms firing range, and the reclamation of property within a landfill.INTRODUCTIONEnvironmental legislation and our society’s quest for a cleaner environment has led to the application of mineral processing expertise and technology for industrial site decontamination, military site cleanup and landfill reclamation. Although the required level of decontamination varies between jurisdictions, a site becomes a candidate for decontamination once the contaminant concentrations are found to exceed the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Interim Remediation Criteria for soil (decommissioning guidelines) or applicable provincial guidelines. The objective of mineral processing treatment of contaminated site material is to restore the value of the land and to concentrate the contaminants into a very small volume of separated material which, depending upon its nature, can be further processed, marketed or disposed of in a landfill"

Jan 1, 1999

By Wendy L. Naysmith

This paper deals with the various options considered and factors that influenced the final selection of the headframe, shaft layout and hoisting systems required at the Impala No 16 Shaft in order to hoist both the required 3 Mt of ore per annum, and transport men, material and equipment between the surface and the underground workings to a depth of 1640 m. The layout and construction method used for what is at present the world?s tallest concrete headframe is discussed together with the integrated hoist room foundations designed to suit multiple mechanical and electrical hoist supplier?s solutions. The mechanical components of the two tower mounted 6,5m 4 rope Koepe hoists and deflection sheaves and their layout is dealt with in detail. Various features of the bearing type, brake units and brake control system are also discussed. Installation of the mechanical and electrical hoist equipment in the headframe took place during the sinking phase of the project and placed severe restrictions on the use of the heavy lifting facilities. This required a well-managed and systematic approach to delivery of the hoist components and associated equipment, as well as close co-operation between all contractors on site.

Oct 1, 2010

By D. Rahal, I. Shah, B. Hines, S. Reddick

"The development of stirred milling technology has proven to be an enabling technology in fine grained metallic deposits. The increased grinding efficiency allows for the economic size reduction required to produce saleable concentrates. This improvement has opened the door to retreatment projects such as reprocessing of historic gold mine tailings. Recently a VXP2500 stirred mill was installed at Casmyn Mining Zimbabwe Turk mine to allow the reprocessing of historic mine tailings. After commissioning, an extensive joint research project between Casmyn and FLSmidth Minerals was conducted to optimize the performance of the mill. This paper outlines the challenges encountered in the optimization program and the outcomes from the joint research project.INTRODUCTION The development of stirred mills has opened up many new opportunities to recover valuable minerals from refractory ores. Stirred mills have already been reported as an enabling technology for the processing of fine grained ores in lead/zinc applications (Pease, Young and Curry, 2005). Historically, conventional ball mills were unable to economically grind material fine enough to produce the required recovery or concentrate grade. This often resulted in the loss of valuable materials to the final plant tailings. The advent of stirred milling has now provided an opportunity which has both economic and environmental benefits, the reprocessing of historic mine tailings. Many tailings stockpiles now contain economic concentrations of gold because of the ability of stirred mills to efficiently and economically grind the tailings to liberation sizes. The primary advantage of reprocessing historic tailings is very low cost processing. Recovering the tailings is usually as simple as pumping the material into the reprocessing circuit. The disadvantage of reprocessing tailings is the low feed grade and greater difficulty in recovery valuable minerals at the same size distribution. The material has already been previously processed so fresh surface area or an increase in metal exposure is required. These are both provided by regrinding the tailings material."

Jan 1, 2014

By B. Tanda

A process has been developed at Curtin University whereby glycine is used in an alkaline environment to leach gold, silver and copper from their ores, concentrates, process intermediates and wastes. Copper mineralisation investigated includes various oxides, sulfides and native copper. The leach process utilises an oxidising environment such as oxygen. Glycine is a non-toxic, non-volatile, edible, low cost reagent which is produced in large industrial quantities for use in several industries. Glycine and its copper and precious metals complexes are stable over wide pH, Eh and temperature ranges. Other than losses in leach residues, the glycine is recovered and recycled for leaching. Iron dissolution is insignificant in the pregnant leach solution. Iron in pyrite remains unaffected, whereas iron associated with base metal sulfides (e.g. chalcopyrite and bornite) is converted to a readily filterable iron hydroxide. Efficient separation of copper by solvent extraction and conventional electrowinning has been shown to be feasible for a number of organic extractants, whereas gold and silver glycinates adsorb very well onto carbon allowing CIP/CIL/CIC (carbon-in-column) based processes. The process is ideal for ores containing acid-consuming gangue, concentrates with high arsenic or halide contents and for copper-gold ores with significant sulfide mineralisation. The process eliminates many of the problems associated with the processing of copper-gold-silver ores, such as elemental sulfur formation, silica gels, unwanted metal co-dissolution, and jarosite precipitation. The reagents used and process residues are much safer and environmentally benign than conventional process options. The processing technology can be applied to in-situ, heap and vat, or agitated tank leaching at temperatures ranging from ambient to below 100?C at atmospheric pressure and is currently being commercialised. This paper will focus on copper leaching and recovery and iron rejection from a chalcopyrite flotation concentrate.

Jan 1, 2016

By Stephen A. Gasiorowski, Frank J. Hrach, James D. Bittner

Separation Technologies, LLC (ST) has developed a processing system based on triboelectric charging and electrostatic separation that provides the mineral processing industry a means to beneficiate fine materials with an entirely dry technology. The environmentally friendly process can eliminate wet processing and required drying of the final material. The process requires little if any pre-treatment of the material other than grinding and operates at high capacity - up to 40 tonnes per hour by a compact machine. Energy consumption is low, approximately 1 kWh/tonne of material processed. Since the only potential emission of the process is dust, permitting is typically relatively easy. In contrast to the other available electrostatic separation processes that are typically limited to particles greater than 75 µm in size, the ST belt separator is ideally suited for separation of very fine (<1 µm) to moderately coarse (500 µm) materials with very high throughputs. The triboelectric particle charging is effective for a wide range of materials and only requires particle-particle contact. The small gap, high electric field, counter-current flow, vigorous particle-particle agitation and self-cleaning action of the belt on the electrodes are the critical features of the ST separator. The high efficiency multi-stage separation through charging / recharging and internal recycle results in far superior separations and is effective on fine materials that cannot be separated at all by the conventional electrostatic techniques. Since 1995, this triboelectric process has been extensively used for the beneficiation of coal fly ash with eighteen separators in place and over 100 machine-years of operation at locations in North America and Europe. The technology has been also successfully applied to the beneficiation of a variety of minerals including calcium carbonates, talc, and potash.

Jan 1, 2012

By Joe Holmes, Peter Langlois

"Falconbridge’s Raglan Concentrator, located at the northern limit of Quebec’s Nunavik Region, has been in operation since December 1997. Originally designed to process 800,000 tonnes per year of high grade nickel ore, plant capacity is currently approaching 1,000,000 tonnes per year. Optimization of the ABC grinding circuit has proven to be the most challenging component of this capacity increase. Concurrent flotation circuit modifications have allowed concentrate grades to increase from 16 to 18 percent nickel, while maintaining recoveries. Concentrate drying problems encountered during the first 15 months of operation have been addressed through equipment upgrades. The challenges associated with surface deposition of filtered tailings in an arctic environment are now better understood, and detailed design of the progressive reclamation cover is underway.GRINDINGCircuit OverviewOre from open pit and underground mining operations is introduced to the underground ore handling system via surface and underground truck dumps. Two underground bins with a combined capacity of 4000 tonnes provide roughly a day of live capacity for ore storage. Ore from the two bins is conveyed to a 150 tonne surge bin immediately ahead of the grinding circuit in the concentrator.The Raglan grinding circuit has a conventional ABC configuration (Figure 1) with a design capacity of 100 mtph (800,000 tonnes per year). The 24’ AG mill is powered by a 3000 hp motor with variable speed drive. AG discharge is sized on a 8’x16’ single deck vibrating screen, with screen oversize recirculating to a 5 %’ short head cone crusher (400 hp) before returning to the AG mill. Screen undersize is combined with ball mill discharge to feed up to 5 15” Krebs hydrocyclones. The ball mill is a 14’x 21’ overflow mill driven by a 3000 hp motor at 73% critical speed. Target Pgo for the grinding circuit product is 65 microns"

Jan 1, 2001

By Trevor Yeomans

"NVI Mining’s Myra Falls Operation is a forty year old underground mining operation feeding a 4000 mtpd concentrator.The current Mill, built in 1985, was designed to process a large massive sulphide ore-body. This ore-body, known as the “HW”, contains about 50% pyrite. Value minerals are chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, with precious metals occurring in all mineral types.By 1997, mining of a new ore-body, known as “Battle-Gap” commenced. Mineralogically complex, the new orebody contains about 15% pyrite, copper minerals including primary chalcopyrite, secondary bornite, chalcocite and tennantite, combined with increased galena and sphalerite.Flotation performance generally decreased with increasing amounts of Battle-Gap ore types, with both copper concentrate quality (increased lead and zinc content) and copper recoveries being affected.Following significant metallurgical testwork, a new fully sequential copper-lead-zinc flotation flowsheet and reagent scheme was developed.This sequential flowsheet was progressively installed and commissioned during 2006.Copper concentrate lead and zinc smelter penalty contents have been reduced by some 40%, whilst increasing copper recovery by 10%.INTRODUCTIONNVI Mining operates the Myra Falls Operation near Campbell River on Vancouver Island, BC. The complex has been in operation since 1966 with mining being predominantly underground. One unique feature of Myra Falls is that the mine operates within a BC Provincial Park.In 1985, a new large massive sulphide ore-body (HW) had been defined, and metallurgically tested. A new concentrator was built based upon this massive pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite mineralization producing copper and zinc concentrates by conventional flotation methods."

Jan 1, 2008

By Rick Collins

Presentation Agenda 1.Sudbury Basin 2.Diamond Drilling 3.Planned Production 4.Safety 5.Timeline 6.Sustainable Development 7.Scope Elements 8.Progress 9.Delivery Approach 10.Owners and EPCM Roles 11.Contract Styles 12.Mine Systems & Technologies 13.Q & A

May 1, 2009

By Casey Erickson

Goldstrike Property ??Located in Elko, NV USA?Carlin Trend ??Mining Since 1985 ??27 Million Ounces of Gold Mined ??Production of 400,000 tons/day ??1,600 Employees

May 1, 2011

By Olli Haavisto, Juha Timperi

"Accurate on-line assays of mineral slurries are the basis for effective operation of flotation circuits. Typically the elemental content measurements are obtained by an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, which samples the process lines and performs the analysis concurrently line-by-line. For a more frequent measurement of each slurry line the XRF measurements can be complemented with reflectance spectrum information. In reflectance spectroscopy the absorbance properties of the slurry in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range are analyzed. The advantage of reflectance spectroscopy is that measurements can be obtained quickly and simultaneously from several slurry lines. However, since the shape of the spectrum is only indirectly affected by the slurry elemental contents, frequent calibration of the measurement against the XRF analyzer is necessary. This study elaborates the combination of reflectance spectrum analysis with XRF. Results of laboratory tests for different slurries are presented and the operation of the system in a copper-zinc flotation plant is demonstrated.IntroductionElemental analysis of mineral flotation slurries is the most important factor in evaluating the performance of concentration processes. Timely on-line assays are also used as the basis for controlling the circuits and ensuring that the grade and recovery targets are reached. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is the dominant technology in on-line elemental slurry analysis, and typically centralized XRF analyzers are used. The advantage of a centralized analyzer is that one measurement probe can be used to acquire the data from several slurry lines. This reduces the overall operating cost of the system when compared to distributed analyzer system design with several measurement probes requiring maintenance and spare parts. Slurry samplers are installed in the interesting process flows and representative sample flows are brought to the analyzer, where the slurry is further sampled and measured consecutively by the XRF analyzer. Due to the centralized structure of the analyzers and consecutively measurement of the sampling lines the sampling interval per slurry line can be relatively long. In larger concentration plants with several sampling lines a typical assay interval is in the range of 10-20 minutes."

Jan 1, 2016

Vale Inco?s Coleman Mine 153 Orebody is a narrow vein deposit with a dip that varies from 30 to 70 degrees. It has a strike length of 1200-feet and the current mining extends from the 4250 level to 5100 level. The primary mining method is mechanized cut-and-fill although drift-and-fill is also used in wider sections of the ore zone. The ore body is divided into six main mining horizons with an average of three mining blocks on each cut. There are some interesting rock mechanics challenges related to mining upward from the 4550 level and these challenges are increasing as the mining front progresses toward the 4400 level. The mining of the 4550 block is currently at cut 13 whereby the crown pillar thickness is approximately 60-feet. Significant factors including increased stress levels in the crown pillar, the change in the orebody dip at this level and a recently indentified geological structure in the footwall, have all combined to introduce seismic activity in the footwall of 4550 level. Closer studies revealed a consistent trend of seismicity that was further examined with core logging and Acoustic TeleViewer technology. The data from these assessment tools disclosed a geological structure that is influencing the mining environment. This paper reviews the seismic analysis for the 4550 level mining zone and the subsequent procedures used to locate the new geological structure. The paper also discusses the key mining practices used to successfully mine cut 13 of 4550 level and briefly reviews the studies that are underway to up-date the mine design for continued extraction of high-grade ore in a safe and productive manner.

May 1, 2009

By Michael Young, Peter Allum, Mingwei Gao

"Tough economical conditions and high grade but fine-grained ore processing have forced the mining industry to look for more efficient processes. Isa Mill Technology for ultra-fine and fine grinding is one such process employed at several mining operations in Australia including Mount Isa Mines Limited in Australia. Mount Isa Mines is a business unit of MIM Holdings Limited. MIM is an Australian-based international mining and mineral processing company with around 8000 employees worldwide. Major products include copper, gold, zinc-lead-silver, coal and technology sales.The Isa Mill is a horizontal stirred mill with sizes up to 3 m3 chamber net volume and 1 120 kW installed motor. It was jointly invented by Mount Isa Mines of Australia and Netzsch Feinmahltecknik GmbH of Germany for ultra-fine and fine grinding duties in the minerals industry. Isa Mill operations started in 1994 at the Mount Isa Mines Leadzinc Concentrator and then at MIM’s McArthur River Mine in 1995. These Isa Mills have been used to liberate sphalerite and galena at Mount Isa and silica at McArthur River by grinding to less than 7 micron.This paper discusses the Isa Mill Technology and reports on the metallurgical performance of the Isa Mills at Mount Isa Mines, including work done over the last 9 years to improve mill design, process efficiency and maintenance, which has resulted in the current state-of-the-art Isa Mill Technology.INTRODUCTIONThe current leadzinc deposits at Mount Isa Mines (George Fisher, Hilton and Isa) have an average grade of 10.5% zinc, 7.2% lead and 165g/t silver. Fine grinding, in particular in the zinc retreatment circuit requiring a milled product P80 of 7 micron, is essential to treat the ores from the Mount Isa Mines deposits. Every one micron size reduction in the zinc retreatment circuit below a P80 of 10 micron improves the overall plant zinc recovery by 1%, resulting in an increase in revenue of about 1 million dollars per annum."

Jan 1, 2002

By Paul Krivokuca

Outline Quinsam Coal Mine ?? Location ?? Mine History ?? Safety ?? Production ?? Hiring 4S Mine ?? Depillaring design ?? Structural mapping, Risk assessment ?? Rock Bolt Design Selection ?? Training

May 1, 2008

By Keith R. Vining

Solid fuel, usually coke or anthracite, is commonly added to ground iron ore fines in the pelletising process to reduce the amount of burner fuel required and the maximum firing temperature, while maintaining pellet strength and the productivity of the pelletising plant. However, the use of coke and coal contribute to the production of greenhouse gases (eg carbon dioxide) and are a source of NOx and SOx emissions. Utilising wood biomass / wood char is one methodology CSIRO Minerals is investigating as an alternative to coke and coal, as it is a renewable energy source that is very reactive, has a low ash content and the potential to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from the iron and steel-making process. Previous work has established that charcoal can effectively replace coke in the sintering process (Lovel et al, 2005), and the following experimental work aims to demonstrate that it can also provide an adequate replacement for coke and coal in the pelletising process. The paper presents the results of an experimental testwork program comparing the behaviour of fired pellets containing traditional solid fuels and charcoal. The physical properties of the pellets are compared in terms of their compressive strength, tumble and abrasion indices and the reduction properties. A qualitative assessment of the pellet microstructures is also presented.

May 1, 2007

By P. Walford, C. Mealin, D. Good

"The geology of the Ore Fault Ni-Cu deposit has been reinterpreted in the light of recent studies of the geology of the Neoarchean Bird River Sill Complex and the occurrence of economic Ni-Cu and Zn-Cu-Ag mineralization. The Ni-Cu sulfides are hosted by the lower of two parallel NNW-trending and moderately W-dipping mafic-ultramafic intrusions related to the Bird River Sill Complex. The bod¬ies intruded a bimodal volcanic suite consisting of weakly deformed mafic flows and felsic pyroclastic rocks. The mafic volcanic rocks are geochemically related to the MORB-type rocks of the Lamprey Falls Formation, and the felsic volcanic rocks are related to arc-type rocks of the Peterson Creek Formation. The original pyroxene- and olivine-dominated mineralogy of the sills has been replaced by variable ser¬pentine-amphibole-talc-carbonate assemblages.The Ni-Cu sulfide assemblage exhibits textures and geochemical signatures typical of orthomagmatic sulfide mineralization. The sulfide minerals are associated with cumulate layers of magnetic ferrochromite that range in thickness from a few to tens of centimeters. A later event of Zn-Cu-Ag sulfide mineralization associated with quartz veining and garnet-chlorite alteration along a fault that strikes north, dips vertically, and cuts all rock types. The mineralized fault is cut by the NE-trending Peterson Creek shear zone. Where the Ni-Cu and Zn-Cu-Ag mineralized zones intersect, remnant magmatic features such as amphibolite or cumulate ferrochromite bands occur within quartz veins or local chlorite alteration. The mixed zones contain a very unusual polymetallic assemblage of Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, and platinum group elements (PGE)."

Jan 1, 2009

By John Frostiak, Lloyd Buckingham, Kenneth G. Thomas, Luis Wilson

"The El Indio roasting facility associated with El Indio Mine in Central Chile has operated since 1981. It is a facility developed to remove arsenic and antimony from gold bearing enargite/pyrite flotation concentrates.The three installed roasters are Nichols Herreschoff units each with 14 hearths and measuring 4.85 metres diameter. Hearths are rabbled by central shaft driven rabble arms. Product is progressively heated to 750°C under neutral to reducing atmospheric conditions to drive off labile sulphur, arsenic and antimony.Ancillary equipment includes skip hoist feed arrangements, water cooled screw conveyors for transporting and cooling calcine, gas cyclones, post combustion chambers, heat exchangers, electrostatic precipitators, bag houses, gas scrubbers and packaging facilities .Operating practices, history, mineralogy and results are reviewed. The improvements to arsenic and antimony extraction, ambiental conditions and environmental achievements are discussed.INTRODUCTIONHistoryThe El Indio property lies in the El Indio belt, a copper, gold and silver area approximately 175 km long by 10 km wide. The property is located in the Andes Mountains of the central part of Chile at latitude 30"" South and 160 km from the sea-side city of La Serena. Plant location is at 3850 meters above sea level.The property currently consists of two underground mines feeding the El Indio plant and an open pit feeding the newer Tambo leach plant. The property has been controlled by a succession of owners (St. Joe Minerals, Fluor, Bond Gold International and Lac Minerals Ltd.) before acquisition by Barrick Gold Corporation in 1994."

Jan 1, 1999

By J. Lee, M. Peart, T. Bhambhani, D. R. Nagaraj, P. Riccio

"Over the past decade or so, our efforts have focused on developing the rationale and concepts for new technology in reagent development and optimization in the processing of base and precious metals. A major outcome of these efforts have been the development of a novel family of collectors, principally driven by the MAXGOLD® and Aero XD-5002® chemistries, for precious metals recovery from primary Au ores and Cu-Au ores. These chemistries was developed to be robust to address the complex mineralogy and gold deportment in these ores. Plant trial data for a variety of ores have confirmed that the both Aero® XD-5002 and MAXGOLD® chemistry are indeed versatile in recovering gold values occurring as gold alloys and/or associated with many types of sulfides, and in altering the deportment of certain sulfides (such as those bearing As, Bi etc). An overview will be given in this paper using plant data to highlight the application of these reagents.INTRODUCTIONThe subject matter of this paper is the flotation of Au containing minerals from their ores. The motivation from this manuscript comes from the several challenges faced with the processing of Au ores, as was articulated in detail by Nagaraj (2008). The biggest challenge is the complex mineralogy; most easy-to-treat free-milling ores bodies are largely depleted. The Au values are distributed in multiple host minerals such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite and Cu minerals such as chalcopyrite. Au values also happen to be finely disseminated within the various minerals and are sometimes invisible in optical microscopy. Additionally, on any given day, some mines treat multiple ore types, and the mineralogy is different for each ore type.Xanthates continue to be the collectors of choice at most Au and PGM operations around the world. Most primary Au operations tend to consume very large amounts of collectors; the dosage ranges anywhere between 40-400 g/t and this has been attributed to both mineralogical and non-mineralogical factors (non-mineralogical factors include the low cost of xanthates and the mindset that “more is always better”, which is not necessarily the case). In addition, several studies now show that xanthates alone are never sufficient where multiple value minerals are present, and that supplementary collectors are required. The large doses present a substantial cost to the minerals industry, and many mining companies have expressed the need for more efficient reagents that can improve metallurgical performance at low dosages."

Jan 1, 2013

By I. O. Ojala

Detailed knowledge of velocity-depth trends is essential for constructing well-to seismic ties, determining background velocity and generating synthetic seismic traces for interpreting seismic amplitudes in terms of porosity, lithology and pore fluid type. The acoustic properties of shales are of particular importance in the exploration setting as shales constitute more than 80% of sediments and rocks in siliclastic environments. Seismic and sonic log data may be used for estimating overpressure in shales in order to maintain borehole stability during drilling. In addition, velocities in shales can be used for predicting its mechanical properties and hence, borehole collapse. Despite of the apparent importance of understanding shale acoustics, sonic logs in shales are frequently unavailable or unreliable especially for older wells. Hence, it is essential to compute pseudo-velocity logs from other available information. This can be accomplished by using empirical relationships or rock physics transforms. In this study we have compared the predictive power of resistivity (Faust 1951, Hubert 2008) and porosity based models (Wyllie 1956, Holt & Fjær 2003) for computing synthetic P-wave velocity logs using wireline log data from mudstone intervals at three North Sea wells. The wells 6507/2-1, 6507/2-2 and 6507/2-1 are located at the Haltenbanken area at the Norwegian Sea. The wells targeted hydrocarbon potential at the upper Cretaceous and lower Tertiary sandstone sequences. The sandstone beds are overlain by thick Tertiary and Cretaceous sequences of mudstones. Since our primary goal is to model acoustic velocities in shale, we used wireline data from the Nordland (NL), Rogaland (RL) and Hordaland (HL) groups that are mainly composed of mudstone. The mudstone beds were identified from the well log data by using natural gamma log, sonic and resistivity data as well as information from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate website. The volume of shale was estimated from the natural gamma log and the data points with values higher than 0.65 were discarded. Similarly, the data points with shale volume less than 40 % were discarded. Furthermore, exceptionally high resistivity values amounting to more than 6 Ohm m were not included in the analysis. Porosities were determined from the density log assuming 2.7 and 1.05 g/cm3 for matrix and fluid densities, respectively. The depth that was used for calculating Vp from Faust (1953) was the depth below mudline in order to the compare of well data from wells that have been drilled at different depths (Hubert 2008).

May 1, 2009