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By F. T. Rabbitts

Introduction When the investigation of radioactive ores began at the Mines Branch about five years ago it was at once evident that improved chemical methods for the determination of uranium were essential. The published methods available were time-consuming and insensitive and were lacking in accuracy and precision. It was desirable to obtain methods which would be rapid, sensitive, and accurate. They should also allow for the possible presence of any interfering elements and should be adaptable to routine analysis by technicians. Chemical methods are necessary to provide standard analysed samples for counting and to check analyses by counter methods. Moreover, counter methods cannot be used, and only chemical methods are suitable, when the sample is not in equilibrium, as with weathered minerals and leach residues. As leaching processes are improved, more sensitive chemical methods are required for the increasingly lower content of uranium in the leached residues. When the leaching process reaches the plant stage, speed of analysis becomes more important, without sacrificing accuracy. The purpose of this paper is to describe briefly .the methods used at the Mines Branch for the chemical analysis of uranium in ores. These methods represent the results of investigations by a number of groups in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Jan 1, 1952

By F. W. Gray

IN 1922, the writer communicated to the Institute a paper entitled The Development of the Coal Industry in Canada (1), which summarized the considerations set out in a series of papers (2) concerned with coal-mining in Canada which he had presented in 1920 and 1921. This paper contained a forecast by decades, commencing 1920, of Canadian coal production, importation, consumption, and exports, based on anticipated rate of population increase, and continuation of the gradual increase in the per capita rate of coal consumption in Canada that had taken place every year up to 1920. The following comparative statement brings our the differences between the forecast and actual experience:

Jan 1, 1936

By Edgar Dernedde

Cryolitic melts at a temperature of about 960 °C are used in reduction cells to dissolve alumina and to produce primary aluminium. At these temperatures cryolitic melts with an acidic composition have a significant vapour pressure, which contributes substantially to the evolution of fluorides from these cells, The Antoine equation is commonly used for relating vapour pressure data of liquids at different temperatures, It is also applicable to cryolitic melts, Published equations have at least 20 numerical constants, in order to allow for the effects of melt composition. In the present work a simplified equation with only 12 numerical constants was developed and is applicable for multiple additions to molten cryolite up to 30 wt %, The simplified equation was compared with the published equations of Haupin & Kvande and Gustaysen & Ostvold using 472 vapour pressure data of cryolitic melts. Results showed that the simplified equation has the same accuracy as the published equations in the composition range of interest to industry.

Jan 1, 2004

By F. Ajersch, A. R. Hekmat

Apparent viscosities of hypo-eutectic (Al-7% Al) and hyper-eutectic (Al-35% Si) binary alloys were measured in the semi-solid state using a Couette type viscometer at variable shear rates. Analysis of the microstructural evolution demonstrates the differences in the rate and degree of attrition of the primary phase particles which are characteristic of the thixotropic nature of the semi-solid alloy. It was observed that the Si primary phase in the hyper-eutectic alloy is much more difficult to fragment than the dendritic a-Al phase in the hypo-eutectic alloy. For the case of the a-Al, the dendritic structure is broken down by attrition and fracture of the dendrite arms whereas the fracture of the Si hexagonal crystals in the hypereutectic alloy occurs along the {100} and {110} cleavage planes. Results are presented for fixed solid fractions of the primary phase at isotherm condition for each type of alloy.

Jan 1, 2006

"Option pricing is used in finance for valuing options to buy (or sell) shares at some future date because it provides a convenient framework for quantifying values subject to uncertainty. As one of the main sources of uncertainty in mining is the price (sales) of the metal, this approach can also be used for valuing mining projects.The first part of this paper reviews options and option pricing; the second part presents the approach developed by Brennan and Schwartz (1985) for using option pricing to value natural resources. Several applications of this methodology have been published; these are described. From a mining point of view, the assumptions made by Brennan and Schwartz are too simplistic. The weaknesses are discussed with a view to improving an apparently promising new way of assessing the value of projects. IntroductionThe collapse of the British merchant banking group, Barings, has highlighted the risks that can be incurred by speculators and arbitragers in the futures and options markets. But this negative attention on futures and options should not make us forget their positive aspects. They can provide producers and consumers of metals with more predictable sales prices. The introduction of the new traded average price options, TAPOS, by the London Metal Exchange in January 1997 is a response to this need. Equally important, the theory that the finance industry has developed for valuing options provides an interesting framework for valuing mineral projects as well. While this paper was being revised, the South African gold mining house, JCI, announced that it was using a methodology based on option pricing for valuing the mineral rights to deeplevel gold resources (see Box 1)."

Jan 1, 1997

By H. E. Frimmel

Abstract - Most of the gold in the Late Archean Witwatersrand Basin is of detrital origin but, in its present form, it is metamorphosed. The only relict detrital features preserved are the morpho­logical characteristics of some placer gold particles. Regional burial metamorphism in the shallower and deeper levels of the Witwatersrand Supergroup reached temperatures around 300°C and 350°C at pressures between 2 kbar and 3 kbar, respectively , estimated from phase relations, chlorite-chloritoid exchange thermometry and chlorite thermometry . Metamorphism of the gold involved compositional homogenization of individual gold particles and partial recrystallization. Various infiltration events caused the partial mobilization of the gold at slightly lower temperatures, between 240°C and 300°C. These infiltrations can be related to crustal extension during the deposition of massive carbonate sequences of the Transvaal Supergroup (around 2.5 Ga), and later to the emplacement of the Bushveld Complex, and to the Vredefort event around 2.0 Ga ago. The mobility of the gold was dependent on the sulfur fugacity prevailing in a particular horizon which, in turn, was deter­ mined by the amount of pyrite (and other sulfides) present in that horizon. With the sulfur fugacity being controlled by stratigraphy, low fluid:rock ratios in a pyrite-rich horizon were most conducive for the mobilization of the gold. Thus, long-range gold mobilization in the Witwatersrand Basin can be expected to be the exception rather than the rule.

Jan 1, 1994

By H. C. Cooke

THE gold mining industry, in Canada as in other countries, has passed through trying times in the past year. The strains and stresses of war have drawn away much of its man-power, both from the labour and the management. The urgent needs of the war machine have greatly curtailed the amounts of steel and explosives that can be allotted to the mines; and the loss, by enemy action, of supplies of such essential things as rubber, bids fair to reduce operations still further, if not cripple them entirely in time. And, as if these difficulties were not enough, war on the psychological front has been declared on the gold mines. Earnest supporters of the war effort, well-meaning theorists, and perhaps others whose intent is less disinterested, have all combined to clamour against the continuance of gold mining. We have been asked, what is the use of taking gold out of one hole in Canada to put it into another in Kentucky. We have been assured that gold will never again have any value, except for filling teeth. We have been repeatedly adjured to look at Germany, how well it has got along without gold. We have been told that it is unthinkable, when this nation is girding her loins for war, that labour and materials should be diverted to this useless effort. Gold miners should be diverted to the base-metal mines, where they can produce something of real value to the war effort; or to war factories; or, in fact, almost anywhere, so long as they are got out of the gold mines. And, what has made the situation even more disturbing, it has seemed as if all this clamour might be convincing governments. In fact, as you all know, the government of the United States did actually take the step of ordering its gold mines to cease operations. Fortunately, however, for Canada, the facts that no large favourable effects resulted from that action, and that, in Canada, gold mining is a much larger part of the national economy than in the United States, have caused our government, so far at least, to avoid this drastic step. In talking about this, however, let me emphasize that I have no more inside information on the subject than any of you. Like Will Rogers, all I know is what I see in the papers.

Jan 1, 1943

By M. Kuyumcu

After German reunification the mining industry in former East Germany was profoundly restructured. Beside privatization of profitable companies the public sector took over responsibility for the mining operations to be shut down. Therefore state-owned companies cope with technical, ecological, and social challenges. The rehabilitation and reclamation has to rededicate former mining areas to new use and provided new jobs as well. In the lignite mining districts there are around 100,000 ha of mining area, a mining caused disturbance to the groundwater balance and to the system of surface water bodies of approx. 390,000 ha. They are called the largest landscape construction site in Europe. In addition to the results and diverse experience achieved over the past 23 years, a description will follow of our new challenges and of an outlook on remaining tasks. This article will describe the financing, as well as aspects of the jobcreation policy arising from lignite industry remediation.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. Galibois, M. Fiset, T. Vo Van

"RÉSUMÉUn groupe de 22 objets prov enant des Forges du St-Maurice a été étudié de façon systématique par analyse chimique et examen métallographique afin de préciser leurs caractéristiques et d'en évaluer la qualité métallurgique.La plupart des échantillons de fe r forgé et d'acier sont hétérogènes tant au niveau structural que composition chimique. L'examen de quelques produits fin is a mont ré qu 'on appliquait des traitements superficiels bien que le contrôle métallurgique fût plutôt empirique.AbstractA group of 22 specimens originating from ""Les Forges du St Maurice"" has been systematically studied by chemical analysis and metallographic examination in order to determine their characteristics and to evaluate their metallurgical quality.The bulk of the forged iron and steel samples are heterogeneous from both their microstructure and their chemical composition. Observation of a few finish products has permitted to establish that surface heat treating was applied although its metallurgical control was rather empirical."

Jan 1, 1984

By G. C. Lipsyy

ALL mineral production? of Can11.da is transported in a mine car at some stage during its extraction. There are as many types and varieties of mine cars as there are of mines. Many of the cars in use were developed in the blacksmith shop. Others were designed by engineers and improved by the mine foremen and the mechanics. Every mine car has the ideas of miner, blacksmith, mechanic, and engineer incorporated in it. Many of these ideas are not generally known. This paper was written to make at least some of this information available to the mining industry. In drawings, tables, and notes, it gives all the important details pertaining to the cars. It .does not recommend any particular type of car for any particular piece of work, nor does it present drawings from which a car can be built. It gives the engineer or master mechanic information on many cars which he can apply to his own particular problems. It is hoped that this information will be of use to mine operators. If a few new ideas are conceived as a result of the paper, the author will feel that the effort of compiling it has been worth while. In order to obtain the data for the preparation of the paper, a questionnaire, copy of which is here reproduced, was sent to all the operating mining companies in Canada. An accompanying letter briefly explained the purpose of the paper and asked for co-operation in furnishing as complete information as possible.

Jan 1, 1945

By D. C. Peck, James. R. S., Chubb. P. T.

"Abstract -The East Bull Lake gabbro-anorthosite intrusion is one of several Early Proterozoic layered matie intrusions occurring along the Southern Province - Superior Province boundary in the Elliot Lake - Sudbury region, Ontario. The base of the East Bull Lake intrusion comprises abundant plagioclase cumulates (Leucogabbronorite Zone) hosting two distinct styles of sulfide mineralization: (1) disseminated magmatic sulfides, and (2) disseminated to massive, structurally controlled sulfides. Both types of mineralization are enriched in Pd, Pt, Au, Cu and Ni. The host rocks to the sulfide mineralization display a range of interesting features including nodular textures, dendritic­ pegmatitic matie pods, inclusion-rich zones (pyroxenite, anorthosite and granitic inclusions) and mag­ matie breccias. Disseminated chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pentlandite occur in concentrations of up to lOOJo within erratically distributed gossan pods near the base of the intrusion. The sulfides were originally precipitated from intercumulus liquids, but were subsequently recrystallized and locally remobilized along fractures during the major period of metamorphism and deformation that af­ fected the East Bull Lake intrusion. The base- and precious-metal tenor of the structurally controlled sulfides can be explained by extensive remobilization and reconcentration of the pre-existing magmatic sulfides in the vicinity of a major shear zone. Both styles of sulfide mineralization locally contain ppm abundances of POE + Au and are generally Pd- and Cu-rich, although both display large variations in Pd :Pt and Cu:Ni ratios. The magmatic sulfides are more strongly enriched in POE and contain up to 1470 ppm Pd in 100% sulfide. Severa! factors, including source characteristics, magmatic processes (crustal assimilation, fractional crystallization) and post-magmatic inter­ action with hydrous fluid, have influenced the present distribution of POE, Cu and Ni in the East Bull Lake intrusion .The magmatic sulfide occurrences from the East Bull Lake intrusion compare favorably with marginal-type deposits from rift-related intrusions (Noril'sk-Talnakh region, Siberia; Duluth Com­ plex, U.S.A.) in terrns of their distribution, but are most similar to reef-type POE deposits with respect to their base- and precious-metal geochemistry. The combination of high POE tenors and large tonnages that is observed for the POE-Cu-Ni mineralization from the East Bull Lake intrusion suggests that a good potential exists for the presence of economie concentrations of Pd, Pt, Au, Cu and Ni in the intrusion. On a global scale, the East Bull Lake intrusion is part of a suite of Early Proterozoic plutons, many of which contain significant volumes of stratiform and/or marginal­ type POE-Cu-Ni mineralization. The East Bull Lake intrusion is also one of the oldest mineralized intrusions derived from a sub-Superior Province mantle source region that has given rise to several significant magmatic POE-Cu-Ni deposits during the period 2.5 Ga to 1.1 Ga."

Jan 1, 1993

By Owen Matthews

THE property of Cochenour Willans Gold Mines, Limited, is in Dome township, Red Lake area, northwestern Ontario, a hundred miles north of Kenora and close to the Manitoba border. 'Planes of Canadian Pacific Air Lines, Limited, serve the district daily, except Sundays, from Kenora, Ontario, and Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, passengers being trans-ported from Winnipeg to Lac du Bonnet by car. Freight is handled by the Patricia Transportation Company. It is brought in from Hudson, Ontario, on the Canadian National railway, in summer by water and in winter by tractor trains over the frozen lakes. The first staking on the property was done during the 'rush' of 1926 and 1927 by William M. Cochenour, and on April 30th, 1928, a syndicate was formed, taking in claims of W. M. Cochenour and Dan Willans and H. G. Young. Surface trenching was carried on almost continuously until 1934. In October, 1932, Ventures Limited took an option on the property, and in December of that year they carried out an extensive diamond drilling programme, but considering the results did not justify further work, they relinquished the option. In July, 1934, further surface work was carried out under the supervision of W. P. Mackle and, on the strength of his report, Noah Timmins Incorporated took an option on the property and agreed to make an initial expenditure of $100,000 on development work. This was carried out under the direction of Hollinger Consolidated Gold Mines and included the sinking of a shaft to a depth of 165 feet, establishment of a level at the 150-foot horizon, and some 1,900 lineal feet of drifting and cross-cutting. The results obtained from this work were not considered of sufficient promise and the option was terminated in August, 1935. Mr. Cochenour then approached Alex Mackenzie and associates, and the present Company, Cochenour Willans Gold Mines, Limited, was organized on April 9th, 1936, and sufficient money was raised to continue operations. Under the direction of W. P. Mackle, the shaft was deepened and a second level was established at the 275-foot horizon; but, due to several adverse reports by outside engineers, it was found impossible to raise sufficient money to carry on the work and operations were suspended in December, 1937. In January, 1939, an agreement was entered into with Gold Eagle Gold Mines for the milling in their plant of some Cochenour ore. A total of 4,959 tons was treated, and the results were so encouraging that further finances were raised by C. A. Gentles & Company, of Toronto. Following further development in the mine, it was decided to erect a mill. Construction was started on September 1st and the mill was turned over on November 29th. The first gold brick was poured on December 23rd.

Jan 1, 1942

By S. Leong

This paper reports on research examining disclosures from mining companies regarding their water usage in the Macquarie and Lachlan catchment areas, both parts of the Murray-Darling Basin in New South Wales, Australia. The objective of the research was to assess whether this disclosure is sufficient to allow communities to determine whether mining companies are complying with mining conditions of consent and abiding by the requirements of their water licencing agreements. These requirements are then compared to the water reporting requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Water Accounting Framework for the Minerals Industry (WAFMI). Communities are concerned about whether the mining industry?s use of water will have impacts on their livelihoods and lifestyle and thus require information concerning the quantity of water that will be extracted, how much water will be left for other stakeholders and whether the mining will affect water quality. This is an archival study. It has involved examining relevant publically available information released by mining companies and government regulators and determining if this is sufficient to meet the needs of the local communities. Additionally, it has involved looking at information indirectly provided by mining companies, via the use of intermediaries. Further, information availability concerning basic water accounting and regulatory breeches and whether such information is available at the mine site level has been considered. It is found that while NSW legislation places very little reporting requirements on mining companies, the development consent conditions for new projects and extensions to existing projects are quite significant and should be sufficient to meet the needs of local catchment residents though such information is not always easily accessible for the layperson.

Aug 1, 2013

By H. Bouzahzah

Sulfidic tailings, subjected to atmospheric water and oxygen action, can generate acid mine drainage (AMD); which is the most important environmental problem facing the mining industry. AMD generating potential can be assessed by the static tests which consist of a screening method where the neutralization potential (NP) and the acid-generating potential (AP) of a given rock sample are determined. The AP and NP are determined separately in the different static test existing procedures which can be divided into two distinct classes: chemical and the mineralogical methods. For some chemical method, the AP is calculated on the basis of total sulfide sulfur content in the sample which may overestimate its AP if significant quantities of non-sulfide sulfur species are present (e.g. organic S in coals, some sulfate as gypsum, barite, etc.). However, the mineralogical method evaluates the AP by the sum of the individual sulfides participation on acid generation based on their concentration within the sample and can be more accurate than the chemical method. For AP calculation, the Paktunc (1999a) mineralogical static test takes into consideration all sulfide minerals occurring in the sample. However, it does not take into account the rates of acidity production of these sulfides submitted to weathering conditions. So, the present study focusses on the modification of Paktunc AP calculation by considering the acidity production rates of these minerals. To reach this objective, five base-metal sulfides (pyrite as reference, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, galena), diluted within quartz (25?75 wt.%) simulating mill tailings were subjected to a kinetic test to evaluate their AP. The results show that all the studied sulfides minerals generate acidity at different rates, so the Paktunc?s equation for AP calculation has been adapted accordingly.

Aug 1, 2013

By J. Abrahams, A. Nesbitt

Over the past half-century, researchers have commented on the complexities of ion-exchange processes, but have been forced to use gross assumptions to simplify the associated mathematics sufficiently for mathematical models to be of practical use, given the available computational power. This paper reviews the development of increasingly complex models as computational power has increased over the past half-century, from the direct application of Fick's Law in 1947, through to today's models requiring finiteelement methods. The assumptions required for and the associated limitations of the various models are presented and the associated computational complexities are discussed. A case study is presented in which a continuous loss of capacity in an acid resin was observed over about sixty cycles of loading and elution. Resin poisoning does not explain this observation. This paper presents the capacity loss data, speculates on possible causes of the phenomenon, discusses why conventional kinetic and equilibrium mechanisms cannot explain it and concludes that the need to develop a more rigorous model is apparent. The significance of this observation is that standard tests done for a new resin application could significantly overestimate the commercial performance of the resin concerned, highlighting the importance of computer simulation in this field of process engineering.

Jan 1, 2005

By Dong-min Lee

As the construction industry is becoming more large-scaled and complex, the BIM technology has been utilized throughout the industry. Since 2008, the construction industry in South Korea (Korea) has required carrying on BIM-based project continually. According to this trend, BIM S/W market, as well as BIM library market is also gradually activated. Many countries have already been establishing Web-based BIM library market, also Korea has been trying to establishing this Web-based BIM library market. In this study, through market research of Web-based BIM library market of advanced countries including the U.S.A. and U.K., establishment strategy of BIM library market to be derived by late starters that introduce BIM such as Korea, Japan and China was deduced based on current establishment status of BIM library market in Korea. In addition, deal with an issue that a clear revenue-sharing system between business principals of Web-based BIM library market is not available at the current stage was presented as a factor of inhibiting activation of BIM library market. So in order to offer a reasonable revenue-sharing strategy in BIM library market as conceptual level, a methodology and process of applying Game theory being used for deriving. It is expected that a reasonable revenue-sharing model between business principals would be presented as its standard of BIM library market to be more activated in the future.

Aug 1, 2013

By Rita Awwad

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been gaining a significant edge in the construction industry over the last decade. BIM allows gathering all building information in one shared database that can help all construction entities better understand, integrate and visualize all work progress from inception to operation of the building. The main purpose behind BIM is to bring all project participants together (Client, Architect, Contractor, Consultant) since the initial stages of a project allowing them to cooperate and work as a team in the promise of an increased productivity, reduced cost, enhanced quality and faster delivery. However, a full-fledged implementation of BIM tools and benefits is not yet achieved in the construction industry and remains a debatable issue for researchers and practitioners in the construction field. This paper aims at assessing BIM awareness and usage in the Lebanese construction industry through conducting interviews with contractors, architects and consultants that are key players in the Lebanese market. A comprehensive literature review about BIM adoption in some developed countries and in the surrounding region is also provided in order to better evaluate the Lebanese industry status in comparison with foreign industries. This research sheds the light on BIM awareness of the different construction parties in the Lebanese market, assesses the extent of its current use, identifies the pertaining implementation challenges, and provides recommendations to enhance BIM role in the Lebanese construction industry.

Aug 1, 2013

By Mike Fontaine

The success of a project is defined by meeting the financial performance objectives of the business case within a stipulated timeframe. Early in design, little information is normally available; the uncertainty introduces risk to the project outcome. Using a range of risk management tools and techniques, a project can be developed from front end loading phases 1 through 3 (FEL1–FEL3), and project implementation (FEL4) and then into operations with an optimized probability of success. For every project element, the risk management framework embodies: establishing a context; assessing risk (identify, analyze, and evaluate); and treating risk. Embedded within design activities, this process mitigates or eliminates risks. Monitoring and control, as well as extensive communication and consultation with stakeholders, is integral to the risk management process.

Jan 1, 2015

By P. K. Kaiser, C. D. Martin, F. Amann

"This article focuses on the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of homogeneous and heterogeneous rocks. Critical factors impacting the UCS of rocks are reviewed and then separate assessments of UCS data from homogeneous and heterogeneous rocks are presented. The variability (coefficient of variation) of UCS test results for homogeneous rocks is found to be generally <25% while for heterogeneous rocks the variability is >35%. Failure mode variation is found to be the cause of the variability of UCS test results in heterogeneous rocks. Empirical engineering design methods that use UCS as an input parameter are discussed and suggestions are provided for selecting appropriate UCS values.INTRODUCTIONThe UCS is one of the most commonly used rock engineering parameters whether for rock mass classification or for strength determination. The mean UCS and its variability are often assumed to represent a reliable rock material property. For the reasons discussed in this article, UCS is rarely representative of the intact rock UCS. The UCS test simply records the collapse load during uniaxial loading of a cylindrical specimen. As suggested by many, the UCS is an index rather than a unique engineering parameter. The UCS is thus a proxy for rock strength which depends on the loading rate (e.g., Bieniawski 1967), specimen geometry (e.g., Hudson et al., 1971), specimen size (e.g., Bieniawski 1968), and many other factors. Furthermore, the UCS is not the same as the Hoek-Brown strength criterion parameter sci.There are differences in opinion on what is commonly considered to be ‘intact rock’. When sampling ‘intact’ pieces of core from drillholes crossing blocks of rock bound by block forming discontinuities, samples will be ‘intact’ but some samples will be veined, others will be damaged, and others will be neither. According to Hoek (1983), intact rock pieces are “the unfractured blocks occurring between structural discontinuities in a typical rock mass” and the sci parameter for intact rock is determined using the fitting procedure proposed by Hoek and Brown (1997) based on the data requirements outlined by Hoek (1983). Studies (e.g., Bewick and Kaiser 2014; Kaiser and Kim 2014) have shown that independently determined UCS and sci values for the same rock type are not equivalent. Thus, UCS data cannot be used as a replacement for sci."

Jan 1, 2015

By D. Tetsuka, H. Okamoto

The amount of impurities to be processed in a copper smelting process has increased for recent years because of an increase in the electronic scrap amount. It has been found that Sb and Ni effect on the operation of our copper electrorefining process. It is found that the current efficiency of the copper electrorefining tended to be decreased as the Ni concentration in the electrolyte increased. The passivation of the process seemed to be more related to SO4 concentration in the electrolyte rather than the Ni concentration in it. The current efficiency decreased when the Sb content in the anode was high. A high Sb content in the anode caused easy passivation by forming a gel-like film in the slime layer. We have developed a method to for see the anode passivation in a short time while generating a slime layer. We confirmed the tendency of passivation through the experiment of changing Pb content in anode. Passivation was easily occur with an increase in Pb content in the anode. The amount of slime increased as the Pb content in the anode increased. This suggests that passivation was facilitated because liquid diffusion near the anode was inhibited. INTRODUCTION The amount of impurities to be processed in copper smelting has been growing in recent years because the amount of electronic scrap has increased. Figure 1 shows that the contents of Sb and Ni in copper anodes have increased since 2007.High Sb and Ni contents in the copper anode decreased the current efficiency of the process and made the quality of copper cathode poor because of the anode passivation and the formation of floating slime in the electrolyte during electrorefining. If these influences of impurities are suppressed, it would be possible to make copper electro-refining current density higher and to process much amount of electronic scrap. We examined the components of our copper electro-refining process like anode composition, slime properties and electrolyte composition, and investigated the mechanism by which Sb and Ni affect passivation and current efficiency. When examining the influence of Ni, we noticed that the SO4 important. The effect of SO42 – was also discussed

Jan 1, 2019