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By B. Vorobyov

A Canadian company, Sight Power Inc., has developed a revolutionary, fully automated shaft monitoring and inspection system for deep-level mining based on a 3D mobile laser scanning technology. It consists of a special hardware unit and proprietary software with Artificial Intelligence elements for object recognition, features identification and change detection. The main purpose of this system is to significantly improve the safety of underground mining as well as to increase the available hoisting time thus generating substantial additional revenue for the mine.

Aug 1, 2013

By Somchet Vongpaisal

This paper presents the R&D results on the development of a new knowledge-based system for predicting stope instability and associated unplanned dilution in deep underground mining operations. A new prototype was developed based on databases generated from 3D non-linear elasto-plastic finite element stress analysis, heuristic rules, and case histories. This prototype aims to assist mine operators to make decisions on strategic mine planning and feasibility in a quick and efficient manner thereby minimizing risk on ground failure and optimizing mining costs.

Jun 1, 2012

By Paul Stothart

Context ? Industry is active in urban, rural, and remote regions ? Faces a range of environmental challenges and ?social license? issues ? There are also Aboriginal and northern issues ? Also very active internationally, with associated challenges ? Environmental/social groups often target the industry ? The important contribution of the industry should not be overlooked Useful Minerals and Metals Minerals are intrinsic to the residential, municipal, communications, and transportation infrastructure of modern life. Examples: Hybrid motors - nickel hydride batteries Water purification systems ? nickel, rare earth elements Catalytic converters - cerium Screens and monitors - several rare earth elements Clean electricity - uranium Circuitry - gold, copper, aluminium, lithium, titanium, silver, cobalt, zinc Instruments - copper, silver, nickel, cobalt, copper, brass Protective products ? zinc, calcium carbonate, sulphur

May 1, 2008

By Renaud Cousin

Supported gold catalysts were prepared by Direct Anionic Exchange on an alumina support and tested during the reaction of CO oxidation and of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons (C1 to C3). The catalysts showed high activies over a range of concentrations and temperatures compatible with an application to automotive exhaust cleaning. Furthermore, a complete resistance to thermal ageing at 600°C in the absence or presence of water was observed due to the obtention of strongly anchored nanosized gold particles during the preparation step.

Oct 1, 2003

By A. Farzanegan, D. A. Lowther, A. R. Laplante

"Off-line optimization studies are often necessary to improve the efficiency of grinding circuits. These studies are primarily based on the mathematical modelling of processing units (e.g., ball mills and hydrocyclones) and computer simulations. To complete an optimization task, process engineers must possess skills and knowledge of different subtasks involved in such efforts, e.g., plant audit, laboratory tests, and data analysis. Such know-how can be in part provided by Knowledge-Based Systems (KBSs). One such system, being developed in C Language Integrated Production System (CLIPS), is presented here, with focus on the estimation of ball mill selection functions for the purpose of both diagnostic and simulation, and its use for the optimization of ball size. Some of the interpretation and diagnostic rules will be presented, as well as grinding kinetics and classification data likely to fire them.IntroductionSince the late eighties there has been a growing trend in applying Knowledge-Based Systems (KBSs) to mineral processing [Meech 1990, Bearman and Milne 1992). Table l lists some KBS (often referred to as expert systems) applications that have been used mainly as tools for improving on-line monitoring and control of grinding circuits. However, there has been fewer attempts to add the symbolic processing powers of KBSs to conventional off-line grinding simulators. Figure 1 shows a relatively standard procedure to perform an off-line optimization study [Napier-Munn and Lynch 1992]. In brief, a typical program includes taking representative samples from a number of streams, running laboratory tests on collected samples, estimating model parameters which describe physical processing units (e.g. ball mills and hydrocyclones) validating model predictions and using models for simulation trials. One inevitably needs to be familiar with concepts of process modelling and simulation as well as various computer programs to be able to complete all steps of the study. Much of this ""expertise"" can be captured by KBSs, given their inherent capabilities for symbolic knowledge representation and manipulation."

Jan 1, 1997

By STEPHEN V. FORGERON

The Loch Lamond celestite properties in central Cape Breton Island were mined by Kaiser Celestite Mining Limited from 1970 until 1976. Poor market conditions in J976forced operations to cease. Kaiser holdings included the Lake Enon, MacRae and A mac prospects. A total of about 272,000 tonnes of raw celestite have been mined. Celestite deposits are situated in the Loch Lamond Basin, specifically in Lower Windsor sedimentary rocks. Of the five formations in the Lower Windsor Group, celestite is found in the upper four. Celestite in the Enon Formation occasionally replaces shale that separates stromatolitic dolomite columns; elsewhere in the formation it occurs in association with siltstone and gypsum. Jn the B2 Limestone Formation celestite fills pores or grades between limestone and gypsum. It replaces both limestone and silty limestone conglomerate in the Loch Lamond Formation; this limestone is of unusually high grade (60 to 70% SrSO,J for the area. Evidence indicates that the Uist Formation may hold important celestite reserves. Original celestite mineralization probably resulted from evaporation of seawater on mudflats or 'sabkhas'. Secondary mineralization also may have occurred. Strontium ions could have been leached from pre-existing concentrations and overlying gypsum, moved downdip in groundwater and combined with sulphate rich waters to deposit as celestite in porous B2 limestones.

Jan 1, 1984

By E. V. Manlapig, U. Erol, V. Ross, K. Tshimanga

Lonmin RoM ball mills are treating two types of feed ore produced by conventional mining and mechanised mining methods. It was reported that reduction in mill throughput was observed when treating the mechanised mining ore. Detailed grinding surveys were conducted for troubleshooting. Ore samples were collected for breakage characterisation using a JKRBT based on different particle density components. XRD analysis was conducted to investigate the association of minerals with density components. The plant surveys and the breakage characterisation tests all suggested that the two mining methods did not significantly affect either the ore breakage properties or the RoM mill performance. Instead, the mill discharge open area exerted a remarkable influence on mill throughput. The RoM ball mill operated at Lonmin K4 Concentrator has been proven to be a versatile mill that performed stably with variations in feed size distribution and feed ore changes by different mining techniques. The reasons are elucidated by the multi-component breakage characterisation and the plant surveys data.

Jan 1, 2012

By Jas. E. Thomson

PUBLIC attention was first attracted to the Crow River area of north-western Ontario by the discovery of gold in 1928. The first three discoveries were eventually developed into Central Patricia, Pickle Crow, and Albany River mines. In 1929, preliminary developments were carried out at the Howell vein on N.A.M.E. (later Pickle Crow) claims, and in 1929 and 1930 surface and underground work indicated an ore-body at Central Patricia mine. However, due to the financial depression and the distance of these properties from the railway, it was not until 1934 and 1935 that, benefitted by the revaluation of gold, the real potentialities of these two properties began to be realized. Their immediate success led to a resumption of activity on neighbouring properties throughout the area in 1936 and 1937. Preliminary prospecting in the earlier period had been limited by the scarcity of rock exposures in the country. The procedure in the recent programme of intensive exploration has been along similar lines at most properties and has consisted lf detailed geological mapping accompanied by geophysical surveys and followed by systematic drilling of favourable zones. The present importance of the camp may be judged by the fact that, in 1937, Central Patricia and Pickle Crow mines together produced bullion valued at $3,662,953, and paid $1,450,000 in dividends. In addition, there were pro-mising gold developments at Albany River mine. During the past two seasons, the Geological Branch of the Ontario Department of Mines has been making a fairly detailed study of the geology and mineral deposits in the Crow River area. It is the purpose of this paper to present a brief statement of some of the structural features of these deposits; a summary of other geological information essential for the understanding of the main topic is included. A more detailed report on the area will be published shortly by the Ontario Department of Mines. It is impossible to make full acknowledgment here for all help received, for the writer is in-debted to the management, staff, and consultants of every Company in the camp for generous co-operation in the field and for information, plans, maps, and records placed at his disposal. Reports and articles on properties in the area have been written by Hurst (1), Cormie (2), Reid (3), and the staff of Pickle Crow Gold Mines ( 4).

Jan 1, 1938

By Patricia Dillon

EHS Management Standards Communication and Reporting (8) ! Establish processes for internal and external communications ! Designate responsibilities for communication with COI ! Report as defined by senior management ! Report annually to employees, shareholders, COI on EHS and social performance Community Rights and Public Consultation (9) !Identify COI?s and establish process to hear concerns !Acknowledge and respond to complaints !Support local communities !Plan for closure and conduct public consultation !New projects include identification of COI?s, concerns to be considered in design

May 1, 2004

By J-F. Magnan, M-A. Thibault, R. Boulianne, C. Gauthier, J-P. Gagné, G. Dufour

During the production of aluminium in smelters, the anodes used in electrolysis cells have to be replaced frequently. Anode butts are usually placed on anode trays for transportation and cooling, a practice during which Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) is emitted in large quantities. Covers developed in 2000 by Alcoa Deschambault to fit on the anodes trays were implemented, resulting in significant reductions of HF emissions. However, the covers are expensive to maintain and use short-life consumable parts. In January 2004, STAS and Alcoa decided to develop a more efficient design of cover, with lower maintenance costs and no need for consumable materials (like soft cushions). This paper presents a summary of the work performed to develop the new design as well as a summary of the test results.

Jan 1, 2006

By Robert P. Harrison, Marie-Christine Patoinel, Kristian E. Waters

This paper describes a collaboration between McGill University and Hatch Ltd. to expose undergraduate students to real-world industrial projects. As part of the final-year design course, the students receive a detailed lecture on Scale-Up of New Technologies', including seven case studies drawn from over fifty years of full-scale industrial projects. The students are taught the basic concepts of scale-up, including the limits of pure theory and the need for empiricism. Insights from real scale-up failures and successes are fictionalized as Projects A, B, C, etc. The students are then asked to identify the guiding principles that can be distilled from these case studies.

Jan 1, 2011

By H. O. Olsen

"GeneralTHE IRON ORE at Marmora is a replacement deposit of Precambrian limestone and is overlain with Palaeozoic limestone. It is a low-grade magnetite deposit and the ore will require concentration be-fore it can be used economically for the production of iron and steel.Present plans estimate an annual production of 500,000 tons of concentrate in the form of pellets. This will require mining approximately two million tons of ore and\ waste annually. Shipment of pellets from Marmora to a ship-loading dock at Picton will be made by rail on a year-'round basis. Shipments from Picton to the Lackawanna plant of the Bethlehem Steel Company at Buffalo, N.Y., will be carried on during the Lake shipping season.LocationThe mine, located a mile southeast of Marmora village in Hastings county, Ontario, is 31 miles north of Belleville and 3•7 miles east of Peterborough. Marmora is 130 miles from Toronto and 150 miles from Ottawa. Highway No. 7 passes half a mile north of the mine and Highway No. 14 half a mile west of the mine. The Canadian National railways' branch line between Trenton and Bancroft passes through the property just east of the open pit.HistoryThe Ontario Department of Mines conducted an airborne magnetic survey of the district during 1948 and 1949. Maps of this survey were released to the public early in 1950. Bethlehem representatives carried out ground surveys in the Marmora area shortly thereafter and in June, 1950, commenced diamond drilling."

Jan 1, 1955

By K. Iturralde

The article discusses the possibility of automation in refurbishment processes of social dwelling built from 1950 to 1970. These massively produced buildings were mostly designed prior to the law enforcement regarding thermal insulation or accessibility. Nowadays, many of these buildings are being retrofitted. The article focuses on the works in the external envelope. The task of renewing the whole social building stock is big and it requires a systematic process that facilitates a rapid upgrading, without neglecting the specific situation of each case. How could an automatic refurbishment process of these buildings be defined? The process should start with the data collection of the building and the creation of a 3D model using software such as BIM. The project, drafted in 3D, should facilitate the manufacture of building elements by robotics. In turn, it should be noted that during the assembly at the site, the pieces must be fixed quickly and efficiently. Is it possible to implement an automated process for the refurbishment of apartments built in the second half of the twentieth century? To approach the answer, a virtual refurbishment project is performed. The article focuses on the rehabilitation of the building envelope. Furthermore, it gives special attention to the double skin facade. It is well known that a second skin in this type of building can be an element that integrates several functions. Finally, needless to say that refurbishment of residential buildings is a need in our society. By extending its life cycle, robotic refurbishment provides more favorable socioeconomic and environmental capabilities than the sole construction of new buildings.

Aug 1, 2013

By Pierre Boulanger

This paper describes a generic technology for modeling in real time the various operations of surface mines. Based on various sensor fusion techniques and high-speed network, a virtual reality model of a mine capable of representing not only static infrastructures but also mobile equipment such as trucks and excavators is created. The modeling technique deal with a wide range of sensors such as survey data, satellite pictures, ore concentration, machine condition indicators, video, sound, real-time GPS locator, range sensor, etc. The model created allows for every piece of information to be displayed in context allowing for a better temporal and spatial correlation of events by mine operators, planners, and supervisors. Syncrude, a Canadian mining company located in northern Alberta, is planning to use this technology, not only to understand oil sands mining processes better, but also to give decision-makers better access to the timely, accurate information from the field that they need to make informed decisions.

May 1, 2001

By Steve T. Laflin

Since the beginning of the nuclear era, there has never been a commercial solution for the large quantities of depleted uranium hexafluoride generated from uranium enrichment. In the United States alone, there is already in excess of 1.6 billion pounds of DUF6 currently stored. INIS is constructing a commercial uranium processing and fluorine extraction facility. The INIS facility will convert depleted uranium hexafluoride and use it as feed material for the patented Fluorine Extraction Process to produce high purity fluoride gases and anhydrous hydrofluoric acid. The project will provide an environmentally friendly and commercially viable solution for DUF6 tails management.

Aug 1, 2010

By Atulya Verma, Samantha Espley, Nashel Kalaka

Numerical modelling simulations of proposed mining sequences are used to evaluate mining induced stress concentrations and their migration associated with the progress of mining. This analysis is a standard practice for most prospective mining projects at various levels of feasibility study. The studies are usually initiated at the beginning of the mining cycle, on a global scale, and are maintained and updated throughout the life of mine (LoM) to identify or address local issues and the required remedies as and when needed. Developments in numerical modeling techniques along with advancements in computing technology and data storage/management capacity have given rock engineers access to a huge volume of data that needs to be analyzed and assessed. The most common approach to numerically evaluate stress concentrations and migrations in underground mines is to select the points of interest in a given volume such as the back of an excavation or points within pillars around critical infrastructure, and plot the stresses or a derivative of stresses over time to represent life of mine concentrations and migrations of stresses. The problem with this approach is the sharp gradient of stresses close to excavation boundaries. Slight changes in the location of selected points can change the stress concentration and migration patterns substantially and all generalized statements about LoM risk can be challenged in one way or another. For global stresses, the most common current approach of data analysis is by viewing series of pictures representing stress contours. In this approach, it is easy to overlook some critical detail and/or be masked by personal preferences of contour/picture representation. To overcome the problem of representing and analyzing huge volume of stress simulation data, the authors, through their experience at different mining operations, developed a volume-based technique to reliably evaluate mining-induced stress concentrations and migrations. The volume-based approach is for risk-based assessments of adjacent regions in the rockmass, in and around planned stoping excavations. The volume of interest is the entire ore body that is planned to be mined, but it could be just a part of the ore body depending on the specific use case. The risk identifiers are the induced stresses as compared to the strength of the rockmass. Over the LoM, the risk identifiers are tracked versus the corresponding excavation ratio of the zone. This approach is very effective in identifying the stages of mining that are contributing the most to the mining induced stress risk and the results can be used for proactive planning and mitigations measures such as alternative mining sequences, or stope sizes, or extraction methods. The approach has also been very successful in application at mature mines, particularly in assessing the re-initiation of mining in zone that has been dormant for some time. The volume-based approach allows for an assessment of the current state of the rockmass and the identification of future risks when planning resumption of mining activities.

Jan 1, 2023

By Q. Jia, M. Rigaud, F. Ye, X. Zhong

In this work, the rheological behavior of ultra-low cement alumina-based castables with addition of flake graphite and extruded graphite pellets has been investigated. Emphasis has been laid on the influence of the type and amount of carbon additions and the results are compared with corresponding alumina castable samples without any carbon addition. It is found that alumina-based castables with extruded graphite pellets have good rheological behavior and flowability with lower water demand (< 6.3%), and no segregation during the shearing of castable.

Jan 1, 2004

By G. G. Li

"A dynamic ventilation-modeling package, VREX, was used to simulate the mine activities through tracking the equipment movements in underground workings and determine the airflow demand for a new production scenario in a ventilation-on-demand (VOD) system. It incorporates the mine development data from a discrete event simulation and balances the ventilation network using the CANVENT ventilation solver. A case study was performed to demonstrate the capabilities of the software, evaluate the performance of the network and determine the potential energy savings for implementing VOD in a deep mine operation.INTRODUCTIONThe ventilation cost of an underground mine can be significant—up to 50% of the mine’s energy consumption could be used to run fans and provide heat/refrigeration to meet the specified production environment for workers and equipment. The VOD system has proven to be more efficient in operating the fans and supplying the amount of air corresponding to the mine activities taking place in underground workings (Hardcastle, Kocsis, & O’Connor, 2006). In order to properly solve and evaluate the VOD system, a dynamic ventilation modeling software VREX—the ventilation rules engine has been developed to simulate the mine activities and determine the airflow demand for each production scenario within an operation period (Dasys & Cameron, 2011).VREX is a decision support tool, backed by the CANVENT mine ventilation solver (Li, Kocsis, & Hardcastle, 2009), for determining the outcomes of network configuration changes over time. The software incorporates the mine development data with ventilation modeling through the discrete event simulation (DES) performed by SimMineTM. As it simulates the air requirements for different vehicles and activities, VREX can evaluate both the performance of the ventilation system and the potential economic benefits of making operational or technological changes (Pritchard, 2010). For example, the model can be used to assess the economic and environmental impacts arising from modifying regulations to support the use of electric or lower emission vehicles. The combination of DES and ventilation modeling provides a new technology to generate the production scenarios according to mine schedules and activities and to determine the potential benefits for various levels of ventilation control, such as time interval and work shift change."

Jan 1, 2019

By W. M. Lupton

"Internal grinding mill entries are routinely done by mill personnel during scheduled maintenance periods. Reasons for entry include mill liner life profiles, liner inspcections and replacement and grinding media investigations. These entries require employees to adhere to safety regulations and policies including special permitting, testing, procedure-following practices and the wearing of proper personal protective equipment.A realized semi-autogenous mill entry safety hazard is the unpredicted breakage and occasional shattering of large diameter grinding media while personnel are inside. This was a concern to both media user and supflier. American Barrick's Holt McDermott Mine has improved mi l operational procedures and the media manufacturer has assisted by their developments to essentially eliminate this problem.This paper presents the improvements instituted; and the author's wish to communicate this potential hazard to other large diameter SAG ball users or potential users.INTRODUCTIONAmerican Barrick' s Holt McDermott mine is situated on Highway 101, some 70 kilometers northeast of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, 120 km east of Timmins and 90 km northwest of Rouyn Noranda, Quebec. The mine draws 160 employees from these surrounding areas to extract and process the underground ore, and recover near 60,000 ounces of gold per year. The mill department is completing it's fifth year of operation this spring.The company and the employees are proud of the safety improvements realized over the short history of the mine. Post accident/incident reviews and pro-active safety awareness programs have substantially reduced the mine's accident frequency and severity to date.One of the mill department's objectives is to provide a safe working environment for mill personnel, which includes the interior of the grinding mills."

Jan 1, 1993

By Robert K. Jonas

Mining companies can improve production and reduce costs by using the best available technology to control their operations. Many mines are challenged to use multivariable predictive control due to limited experience or staffing, as well as being concerned over the robustness and sustainability of predictive controls. As a result many mines are not realizing optimal performance from their assets, and thusly are not realizing the production increases or cost reductions that this technology can deliver. Over the past few years, the application of multivariable model-based predictive control has gained acceptance in many mining processes and has proven to be robust and sustainable for some of the most challenging mining processes. New automated modeling and performance monitoring software have greatly simplified the effort to implement and maintain these solutions. In addition, many progressive companies have chosen to co-source the implementation and service of these solutions to assure project success and continued benefits stream. This technology has been successfully applied to a wide variety of processes; grinding mills, alumina digestion, CCD washer and thickeners, kilns, calciners, roasters, flash smelters, heat exchangers, evaporators, and most recently in the demanding process of flotation. This paper discusses the state-of-the art in advance control technologies in the mining industry, including the impact of these technologies on maximizing benefits, and implementing best practices for long term sustainability. Benefits from recent multivariable predictive control applications in copper mining will be reviewed, and the use of the latest predictive control technologies and practices in mining will be discussed.

Oct 1, 2009