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By A. R. House, G. W. Shepherd

Newmont USA Limited owns and operates the Phoenix Mine near Battle Mountain, Nevada, USA. The existing milling facility has operated since 2006 (House, 2010). Following the startup of the milling operation, and coupled with the upswing in the copper market, Newmont realized that Phoenix had no process option to treat transition and oxide copper ores. This meant that potentially revenue generating ore would be mined as waste. With no system in place to treat the transition and oxide copper, work began to determine the most feasible approach. After evaluating multiple options, the flow sheet was set for a runof- mine (ROM) heap leach pad and solvent extraction/ electrowinning plant (L-SX/EW). This paper will discuss the eight years of successes and challenges with developing the copper L-SX/EW plant and achieving commercial production of copper cathode.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. R. Giegerich

Purpose It is the purpose of this paper to describe the application of underground conveyor systems to the transportation of ore in the Sullivan mine of The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of "Canada, Limited, at Kimberley, British Columbia. General Applications Conveying has been recognized as a means of underground transportation for a great number of years but only during the past fifteen to twenty years has there been any extended application of the method to underground metal-mine operations. Coal miners became conveyor conscious before metal miners. Probably one reason for this is the fact that there are more flat coal seams than flat orebodies. A second reason is that coal is light and is a less abrasive material than most metallic ores. The vast improvements made in belt construction during the past few years, together with improvements in mechanical conveyor equipment, have gone a long way in making this form of transportation attractive to the metal miner. In new mines being opened today, or in major extensions to older mines, the possibilities of conveyor transportation should receive serious consideration. There may not be any widespread application of the belt conveyor as a replacement for the conventional hoisting and locomotive haulage. Where there is an application, tl1e saving in cost can be appreciable and many operating ad-vantages gained because of ease in operation.

Jan 1, 1951

By M. Girard, C. Farsangi, N. Singh

"Canadian Royalties Inc. owns and exploits the Nunavik Nickel Project: a copper and nickel deposit in Nunavik, Québec. The nickel and copper concentrates are filtered by plate and frame filter presses, and are transported 100km north to Deception Bay by truck. As the site is situated in the far north, extreme weather can be detrimental to production: roads can close for significant periods of time, resulting in the concentrator using all its storage capacity. During the winter of 2017, this accounted for over 100 hours of unplanned mill downtime. Different solutions to this problem were evaluated and the most economically viable combination of solutions was determined to be the use of concentrate storage containers and upgrading the plate size of the existing nickel filter press. By satisfying new, increased utility requirements, the cycle times would not change, but produce 30% more filter cake. Simulations were developed to determine the number of concentrate containers needed in conjunction with the upgraded press to eliminate unplanned downtime due to road closures and secure production through the winter. This paper summarises these simulations, the commissioning and start-up of the upgraded filter press, container loading procedures, and how this was put together to achieve a record 2018 winter season with a 90 percent reduction in downtime. The payback period of the project was 4 months. A specialised side-tipping trailer emptied the containers during the fall of 2018.INTRODUCTION The Nunavik Nickel Project is a nickel/copper mining project located in Nunavik, Québec. The nickel and copper concentrates are stored in stock tanks after thickening and are then filtered by plate and frame filter presses at the concentrator before being transported 100km to the shipping port at Deception Bay by trucks. The region is prone to periods of extreme weather during the winter, with winds that can reach +100km/hr and blizzards that severely limit visibility. The roads to Deception Bay are often affected by this weather, causing closures that last an average of 18hrs and as long as 72hrs. Additionally, there is a 15% chance that road closures occur within 24hrs of the last event. This has been an issue for the concentrator team since start-up in 2013, causing unplanned mill downtime every winter (Table 1) due to filling concentrate storage capacity during prolonged closures of the roads to Deception Bay."

Jan 1, 2019

By A. G. B. Hayes, C. L. Renzoni

"AbstractThis paper provides a rough outline of economic expectations for the near future and then goes on to discuss their effect on the expected demand for metals, using zinc, copper, nickel and aluminum as detailed examples.IntroductionMINING, as you are all painfully aware, is a cyclical business. We believe that it will remain so as long as there are economic cycles.The fortunes of the industry are tied to those sectors of the economy where decisions can be postponed until more favourable times: automobiles, housing, appliances, inventory building and capital spending. Over the past two years, while U.S. GNP fell by 3.8%, automobile production declined by 31 %, from 9.7 million units in 1973 to 6.7 million in 1975. Housing starts plummeted some 43% from 2.1 million units in 1973 to 1.2 million in 1975. Little wonder that U.S. copper consumption fell by 37% and zinc consumption by 38% over the same period.With the rest of the world's economies moving in unison with that of the United States, it is also not surprising that times have been tough for mining.Arthur Burns, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, contends that each recession sows the seeds of its own recovery. The worse the recession, the better the subsequent recovery. If this is true, then the lot of the mining industry should improve significantly over the next two to three years."

Jan 1, 1977

By C. G. McLachlan

Abstract This paper deals with the application of the cyanide process to recover gold from a pyrite concentrate produced by means of differential flotation. This concentrate before cyanidation contains from 0.09 oz. to 0.14 oz. gold per ton, of which only about 60 per cent is recoverable. The rest is so fine that it remains interlocked in the pyrite and therefore is not acted on by the cyanide. The concentrate also contains about 15 per cent pyrrhotite and 0.4 per cent chalcopyrite, both of which are cyanicides. The cyanicidal effect of the pyrrhotite is inhibited by preacracing the pulp with lime, and maintaining a high lime alkalinity during cyanidation. The effect of the chalcopyrice is reduced as far as possible by removing those particles which are free by means of a further flotation step immediately prior to cyanidation. This involves the flotation of some very fine material. After nullifying as far as possible these two cyanicides, the concentrate is cyanided directly, i.e., without being roasted. This leaves the pyrite available for subsequent sale as a source of sulphur dioxide and sulphuric acid, and the entire residue of the cyamde plant, amounting to about 500 tons per day, 1s now being disposed of in this way. Prior to deciding on direct cyanidation, a number of laboratory roasting tests were made. These showed chat, 1f proper control were exercised, a better recovery of gold could be effected from the roasted product than by the direct method of treatment. The tests also showed that the capital cost o the plant would be much higher than that needed for the procedure adopted. The possibility of subsequently selling the pyrite for its sulphur content would also have been eliminated. Introduction A previous paper has described in considerable detail the application of the flotation process to improve gold recovery from Noranda's milling ore, and in so doing has covered the production of an auriferous pyrite concentrate. The present paper deals with the recovery of gold by cyanidation from that concentrate. This gold, though intimately associated with the pyrite, can, for metallurgical purposes, be considered as all occuring in the native state.

Jan 1, 1946

By Holt. Grover J.

"IntroductionThe history of iron ore production in the United States has followed a pattern not far different from that set in the production of non-ferrous ores; the first interest of the prospector and miner being the discovery and development of high-grade ores. In the early stages of development of most mining districts, high-cost low-grade ores are usually of slight interest due to the additional capital investment required in concentrating plants, as well as the increased requirements of •power and other facilities. As the reserves of higher grade ores are depleted and the technical knowledge of ore beneficiation is broadened, production of concentrates from the lower grade ores is stimulated.The real stimulus necessary to arouse serious consideration of beneficiated iron ore in the Lake Superior district has been provided by the serious inroads made in the high-grade ore reserves by two World Wars.The first shipment of high-grade iron ore from the Mesabi range in Minnesota was recorded in 1892, and the first token shipment of concentrates was made 15 years later, in 1907. Not until 1910 did the production of concentrates assume any great importance. A steady increase in concentrate production over the years is shown by the fact that, in 1910, concentrates accounted for 8 per cent of the total shipments from the State, whereas by the time of World War II this percentage had increased to 22 per cent and by 1948 had risen to 26 per cent. It seems a safe assumption that the shipment of concentrated iron ore, from the Mesabi range in particular, will continue to increase even more rapidly from now on, with other iron ranges of the Lake Superior district following this lead."

Jan 1, 1950

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 K. A. Clark

SEPARATION of the oil from the bituminons sands of the Athabaska area of Alberta has been a subject of study by the Research Council of Alberta. The results of the study have been published in the Annual Reports of the Council. However, the last Annual Report in which there is mention of bituminons sand separation is that for 1934. The attention that is being directed toward the bituminons sands at the present time calls for an up-to-date summary of the work of the Research Council of Alberta on the hot-water separation process. STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTALS OF HOT-WATER PROCESS Studies of the hot-water separation process have been largely empirical in nature. The objective sought has been a complete recovery of oil from the sand in the form of a separated oil which, itself, is free from mineral matter. Various procedures have been tried in the hope of attaining this objective and a very considerable mass of observations and background of experience have been acquired. lt is rime that a theory for hot-water separation should commence to emerge. As a start toward the formulation of such a theory, the statements which follow regarding the constitution of bituminons sand and its reactions with water and air are presented. It is not pretended that they are entirely correct, but it is believed that they lie not far from the truth. (1) Bituminons sand is an aggregate of sand, clay, oil, and water. The sand consists mainly of quartz particles of 100 ta 200 mesh size and smaller, but also of particles of other minerais including mica, rutile, ilmenite, tour-maline, zircon, spinel, garnet, pyrite, and lignite. Clay occurs interbedded with the bituminons sand, of which, also, it is a constituent. lronstone nodules of all sizes up to eight inches in diameter are likely to be present in the bituminons sand beds. The oil is viscous, naphthenic, and of a specific gravity slightly greater than that of water. The oil content ranges up to, and sometimes even exceeds, 17 per cent by weight. Rich bituminons sand from beds not invaded by water has a water content of 3 to 5 per cent by weight. The water is probably present as a film around the sand particles. The oil surrounds the moist sand grains as an envelope. (2) Water wets quartz and other siliceous minerals more readily than does mineral oil. Consequently, water tends to displace the oil film surrounding the quartz and other siliceous particles when the bituminons sand is mixed with water. Whether the oil is completely displaced depends on the properties of the water. That is to say, the materials dissolved or suspended in the water modify its wetting properties.

Jan 1, 1944

By D. J. McCulla

Mineral development and utilization affect the health of the economy and the pattern of long-term development throughout Canada. There are many diverse opinions on the contribution of minerals to the economy, but there is a dearth of adequate quantitative information. This paper discusses some recent research and provides some new information.

Jan 1, 1977

By Hans E. Madeisky, Bruce W. Downing

The acid rock drainage (ARD) buffering capacity of mine waste is governed by its bulk chemical composition and its mineral assemblage. Conventional acid base accounting (ABA) tests can be used to predict short-term buffering, but should be used with caution to model or predict the long-term ARD buffering capacity of mine waste. ABA data for mine waste samples from four different deposit types: an orthosite-hosted magmatic sul?de nickel, dunite-hosted magmatic sul?denickel, porphyry copper-gold, and volcanic-hosted high sul?dation epithermal silver, were compared with whole-rock geochemical and petrographic data obtained from the same samples. Our objective was to devise and test a method of predicting ARD buffering capacity based on bulk chemistry and modal mineralogy. In other words, we developed a quantitative theoretical method for calculating neutralizing potential, relying on easily obtainable and relatively inexpensive whole-rock and sulfur XRF analyses, which could substitute for conventional ABA procedures in situations where these procedures are either too costly or too time consuming. For each deposit type, models were devised that reasonably approximate the net neutralization potential estimated by the ABA data obtained from laboratory tests. Once an appropriate model has been developed and tested, portable X-ray ?uorescence equipment, already used for grade control at many mine sites, could provide the whole-rock and sulfur analyses required to estimate the ARD potential of the waste material. Although this approach is not intended as a substitute for the legally mandated ABA test procedure, it could facilitate the timely and cost-effective management and mitigation of ARD at a mine site.

Jan 1, 1997

By Hans E. Madeisky, Bruce W. Downing

Abstract-The acid rock drainage (ARD) buffering capacity of mine waste is governed by its bulk chemical composition and its mineral assemblage. Conventional acid base accounting (ABA) tests can be used to predict short-term buffering, but should be used with caution to model or predict the long-term ARD buffering capacity of mine waste. ABA data for mine waste samples from four different deposit types: anorthosite-hosted magmatic sulfide nickel, dunite-hosted magmatic sulfide nickel, porphyry copper-gold, and volcanic-hosted high sulfidation epithermal silver, were compared with whole-rock geochemical and petrographic data obtained from the same samples. Our objective was to devise and test a method of predicting ARD buffering capacity based on bulk chemistry and modal mineralogy. In other words, we developed a quantitative theoretical method for calculating neutralizing potential, relying on easily obtainable and relatively inexpensive whole-rock and sulfur XRF analyses, which could substitute for conventional ABA procedures in situations where these procedures are either too costly or too time consuming. For each deposit type, models were devised that reasonably approximate the net neutralization potential estimated by the ABA data obtained from laboratory tests. Once an appropriate model has been developed and tested, portable X-ray fluorescence equipment, already used for grade control at many mine sites, could provide the wholerock and sulfur analyses required to estimate the ARD potential of the waste material. Although this approach is not intended as a substitute for the legally mandated ABA test procedure, it could facilitate the timely and cost-effective management and mitigation of ARD at a mine site.

Jan 1, 1997

By J. C. Gilbert

"IntroductionTHE PURPOSE of this paper is to discuss in a general way the heavy oil situation in Western Canada, and particularly to acquaint those in the oil industry who have not participated in the heavy oil end of the business with past and current developments. The author has covered •briefly the location of the heavy •and asphalt-base oil fields, their geology, current drilling and production practice, the location of the •refineries capable of handling heavy crude, their products and markets, and the problems and future prospects of the industry.Location and Description of FieldsThe term heavy oil is generally used to denote crude of 20.9° gravity and under. Since the products from heavy oil are also to a lesser extent obtained from asphalt-base crudes of higher gravity, some mention will be made here of the latter; but in general the emphasis of the paper is on heavy oil as such.In the order of their production to date, the heavy oil fields and those light oil fields which produce asphalt-base crudes are : Lloydminster, Taber, Vermilion, Conrad, Princess, and Wainwright.The Lloydminster oil field has not only produced most of the heavy oil, but also is currently the largest producer, supplying at the present time about 80 per cent of the heavy and asphalt-base crudes produced in Western Canada."

Jan 1, 1952

By C. R. Larsen, R. G. Bradburn, A. L. Mular, B. C. Flintoff

"Following the acquisition of grinding- circuit data at Brenda Mines Limited for simulation purposes, various methods to mass balance the circuit were evaluated. Unfortunately, different answers were obtained for different balancing methods. A data-adjustment procedure was therefore developed. The procedure assumes that all ""best-fit"" criterion. A search is conducted with the minimum set of water masses and narrow size ranges of solids around the circuit (called search variables), which permit the computation of any of the measured data points. Search variables are used to calculate measured values for an objective function of the form: [ ] where W, is a weighting factor•, M1 is a measured value and M. is a corresponding . value calculated from search vanables. The best values of M, are those which minimize R. The above method is compared with others that have been utilized for mass balancing circuits."

Jan 1, 1976

By F. Habashi

"A short account will be presented on the extraction of rare earths from monazite sand, bastnasite ore, and phosphate rock of igneous origin. This includes mineral beneficiation, leaching methods, fractional crystallization [of historical interest], ion exchange, solvent extraction, precipitation from solution, and reduction to metals. INTRODUCTIONOriginally, the term rare earths was only used for the oxides, R2O3, which are similar to one other in their chemical and physical properties and are therefore difficult to separate. Within the rare earth group, the elements scandium, yttrium, and lanthanum differ in their atomic structure from the elements cerium to lutetium (the lanthanides, Ln). Scandium occupies a special position with respect to this classification and its other properties, and therefore does not belong to either of these groups. The rare earth elements always occur in nature in association with each other. The isolation of groups of rare earth elements or of individual elements requires costly separation and fractionation processes owing to the great similarity of the chemical and physical properties of their compounds, which explains why the history of their discovery has extended over such a long period.The word “rare”, when used to describe this group of elements, originates from the fact it was thought that these elements could only be isolated from very rare minerals. Considering their abundance in the Earth’s crust, the term rare is now inappropriate. These elements are lithophilic and are therefore concentrated in oxidic compounds such as carbonates, silicates, titano-tantalo-niobates, and phosphates.The abundance of the rare earth elements taken together is quite considerable. Cerium, the most common rare earth, is more abundant than cobalt. Yttrium is more abundant than lead, whereas Lu and Tm are as abundant as Sb, Hg, Bi, and Ag. For all practical purposes promethium does not occur in nature. It forms only in nuclear reactors."

Jan 1, 2012

By H. B. Merlin

"The past demands for energy and the contributions by the major sources are shown for the world and regions, and for Canada. Three forecasts of future demand are presented. By the year 2000, the world will be consuming energy at a rate of 670-700 x 1015 Btu/year. Canada's rate is estimated at 20 x 1015 Btu/year. Electricity will increase its portion of energy from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent, and more than 40 per cent of the primary energy w1ll. be required to generate 1t. World, regional and Canad1an forecasts are g1ven for total electricity generated and for electricity generated in nuclear stations. The integral world requirement for energy by the year 2000 will be over 12 x 10 18 Btu. Current recoverable fossil and hydro reserves are about 18 x 1018 Btu. The total reserves are estimated to be seven times greater.World production of electricity in nuclear stations by the year 2000 will be almost three times the electricity produced in the world today. The amount of fuel consumed in generating this electricity will depend upon the types and mix of reactors installed. The heavy water reactors, alone or in conjunction with fast breeders and liquid fuel reactors, are the most efficient users of uranium and thorium resources. The heavy water reactors are also the most efficient producers of plutonium which will be required as fuel for fast breeders."

Jan 1, 1969

By R. A. Wyman

A comparison of the amount of minus-28-mesh product produced by a standard grinding test procedure is provided for 45 non-metallic materials. The percentage of product, the weight of product per unit of energy used and the weight of product per mill revolution are shown. The results exhibited excellent reproducibility and demonstrated an accurate comparison of grindability for non-metallic materials.

Jan 1, 1977

By Peter Price

Introduction The Horne mine, the property of Noranda Mines, Limited, has in the last six years become one of Canada's leading gold and copper producers. Since the smelter was blown-in during December, 1927, up to the end of 1933, it has produced approximately 1,200,000 oz. of gold and 35O,OOO,OOO lb. of copper. The property is situated within an area occupied entirely by pre-Cambrian rocks and characterized by the complexity of rock types and structures common in such terrain. But apart from this the mine also presents other features of unusual interest in the size, number, and variety of the ore-bodies, the mineralogical associations, and the rather exceptional values both in gold and copper. It is not surprising, therefore, that a study of the geology of the mine should bring to light many interesting problems. The present paper summarizes, as concisely as possible, the results of such a study. Actually, it is a much abridged version of a more comprehensive and detailed paper completed by the writer a year ago (1), but embodying certain corrections and additional data made possible as a result of further development at the mine and of field work carried out during the summer of 1933. Owing to limitations of space, the paper is, in the main, a presentation of conclusions arrived at in the course of the study. Much of the supporting evidence cited in the thesis referred to has, of necessity, been omitted here.

Jan 1, 1934

By S. Power Warren

Introduction It is generally conceded by flotation men that the condition at the surface of a particle of mineral or gangue is the most important factor controlling its behaviour in a flotation cell. Much research work has been devoted to the study of the forces that are active at the surface of the particle and of the effect of the surrounding solution upon these forces. Study of the relationship between mineral or gangue particles and gas bubbles indicates that, in the main at least, flotation is a physical phenomenon. The important factor, that of mineral-gas-bubble attachment, is unquestionably physical; however, modifications may be effected by chemical means, whereby the nature either of the surface of the particle or of the surrounding solution may be changed. For example, the coating of lead sulphide that forms on lead-carbonate ore particles when sodium sulphide is added greatly aids the flotation of the carbonate particles. Without going into the question as to why, under certain surface conditions, mineral particles will attach themselves to gas bubbles whereas under other conditions they will remain unaffected, it may be stated that there are three general conditions in a flotation pulp which control the attachment of the particle and the gas bubble.

Jan 1, 1933

By H. Wotruba, L. von Ketelhodt, M. Kowalzcyk, M. Robben

ABSTRACT Decreasing reserves, water shortages, increasing energy costs, and environmental and social constraints are challenges to the gold mining industry that must be met with innovative machines and methods. This paper introduces the principles of sensor-based sorting and installations that demonstrate the technical and financial viability of the method. The scenarios discussed highlight the potential and advantages of this dry processing technology that requires little infrastructure. Case studies are presented for different ore types using optical- and X-ray transmission–based sorting. Current research is discussed in terms of the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence sorting for gold applications.

Jan 1, 2013

By G. Harper

"AbstractThe Suetut. Copper deposit, 230 miles northwest of Prince George, B.C., was discovered in August of 1971. Subsequent exploration has included 56,417 feet of surface diamond drilling in 139 holes. The deposit occur in gently dipping volcanic rocks of the Upper Triassic Takla Group, which out crops as rugged mountains.The general Mesozoic sequence comprises some 20,000 feet of green and red basaltic to andesitic rocks. The Lower Formation is characterized by subaqueous basalt, andesite and augite porphyry flows with interbedded breccias. They were rapidly deposited in tectonic depressions of limited extent and steep gradients. Facies changes are abundant. The Middle Formation. consists of volcaniclastic rocks made up of fragments from the underlying formation. Two cycles are discernible , both with basal turbiditic, tuffaceous sandstone and shale units overlain by massive, volcanic conglomerates exhibiting graded and cross bedding. A broader, shallower-water basin is indicated. The top of the uppermost unit was subaerially deposited. The Upper Formation is a variable sequence of volcanic sedimentary rocks. Detritus was supplied from a wide source area and included multiple reworked fragments of the lower formations and material from other rock groups known in the region. Zeolite facies metamorphism is recognized throughout: the entire sequence. Epidote is particularly abundant in the Middle Formation, demonstrating the results of metasomatism.The mineralized zone is approximately concordant with the strata over 100-200 feet of the Middle Formation succession . It lies just below the zone of transition from subaqueous to subaerial deposition in the top unit. Hematite, chalcocite, pyrite, bornite, chalcopyrite and native copper are disseminated throughout all sizes of lithic fragments and matrix. Concentration into the specific zone is believed to be due to upward leaching of copper during lowgrade metamorphic and metasomatic reaction. Precipitation occurred in the zone of hydration characterized by prehnite-pumpellyite below the oxidized subaerial rocks."

Jan 1, 1977