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By W. A. Bain

"AbstractProduction from the Excelsior Reservoir has amounted to approximately one million barrels. This production has caused a 'Pressure •drop of 10 p.s.i. from the original pressure of 1,245 p.s.i.g. Volumetric balance calculations indicate that the pool as being produced by a water drive whose strength is •probably unsurpassed in Western Canada. It has also been shown by 'unsteady state' calculations that the reservoir will still be above the saturation pressure of 915 p.s.i.g. at the time of depletion. The average permeability of the producing formation is approximately 1,000 millidarcys and, consequently, well draw-downs are very low. The field is essentially a bottom-water drive and calculations have shown that gravity drainage will greatly assist the recovery of oil. Water flooding data on several cores •have placed the flushing efficiency at •approximately 50 per cent, which indicates a recoverable oil-in-place of 17.7 million stock tank barrels. Calculations and field data indicate that the MER for the early life of this field is probably as high as 8,000 to 10,000 stock tank barrels per day.IntroductionTHE EXCELSIOR NISKU oil reservoir is located about twenty miles northeast of Edmonton. The field was discovered in November, 1949, by Imperial Excelsior N.o.1 well, in Lsd. 13, Sec. 3, Twp. 56, R. 22, W. 4, at a depth of 3,850 feet.Since discovery, development has continued on a 40~acre spacing pattern. At the end of 1951, drilling over approximately 80 per cent of the estimated productive area of 1,680 acres had established 32 we1ls capable •of production. The field •has been fairly well delineated by dry holes on all but the eastern flank ."

Jan 1, 1952

By Ifeanyichukwu Nweke

"Aluminium rolling processing from ingots to cold rolled coils comes with a lot of challenges especially in controlling defective products in casting, hot mill and cold mill operations. Hence this study focused on reducing defects at mills and cast-house using six sigma approaches. The use of six sigma approach will help the production experts to determine the gap between its operation and world class process. Practical data from First Aluminium Rolling mills were presented and analysed and mini improvement projects were proposed based on organisation need to achieve excellence. This study encourages aluminium alloy industries to pursue process improvement projects on the basis of analysis on data obtained from their shop floor, hence ensuring that through this, recovery is improved and cost of poor quality is reduced.INTRODUCTION Engineer Bill Smith while working at Motorola in 1986 introduced a new concept in which a set of techniques and tools are used for process improvement by controlling variations (defects). These tools and techniques are explained by an acronym DMAIC. D DEFINE the problem M MEASURE the variables in the problem A ANALYSE the variables of the problem I IMPLEMENT and verify the solution to the problem C CONTROL the solution to sustain it Most times in six-sigma approach, variations in the process that results in defects and customers’ dissatisfaction are targeted at 3.4 defects per million opportunities. There are numerous methods six sigma application use to achieve quality results and innovative strategies. Improving the quality of process through these methods helps identify and reduce variations which paves way for organisational excellence. In this study, it is encouraged to use six sigma techniques to improve aluminium rolling operations and other aluminium processing activities, the benefits of such improvement concept include: • Satisfy the voice of the customer (VOC) • Minimise costs • Maximise Profits • Build Good Team • Implement Profitable Project"

Jan 1, 2018

By T. Prietl

Metallurgical vessel linings are multilayered, consisting of refractory bodies, insulation materials, joints, and additional space to control for thermal expansion. A unique biaxial hot testing press (BHTP) was installed at the RHI Refractories Technology Center Leoben, Austria to enable the three-dimensional behaviour of complex vessel lining segments to be investigated under simulated service conditions. Using the BHTP, the heat up and thermo-mechanical behaviour of magnesia chromite brick lining segments with and without mortar filled joints were examined. The results obtained during the initial heat up provided validation of CFD modelling of the lining system. In addition, after the heat up and under steady state conditions, the lining behaviour during deformation-controlled compression and relaxation was examined. These analyses generated important data regarding the stiffness, joint compressibility, and brick damage of the lining segments after cyclic loading and unloading as well as the benefits of using mortar joints in the lining. These investigations were performed in collaboration with the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Secondary Metallurgy of Nonferrous Metals, University of Leoben, Austria. The BHTP has been operational since November 2004 and is providing information regarding the thermo-mechanical behaviour of different lining segments.

Jan 1, 2007

By H. Arima

The Akita Zinc Company is the only refinery which produces hematite from the iron content in the zinc leach residue. The Akita Hematite Process consists of five stages, which are SO2 pressure leaching, the first neutralization stage, the de-arsenic process, the second neutralization stage and pressure hematite precipitation. In order to strengthen its cost competitiveness and stabilize its operation, the Akita Hematite Process has been modified continuously. Most recently, two process modifications were carried out. The first was an improved ability to maintain a lower arsenic concentration in the de-arsenic process, and the second was an increased throughput in the hematite precipitation autoclave. The details of these recent changes in the Akita Hematite Process are presented in this paper.

Jan 1, 2006

By K. Sun

The exothermic behavior of the intermetallic reactions inside an Al-Mn metallic powder compact and its assimilation fundamentals in molten aluminum were examined. In this study cylindrical compacts were manufactured and tested. The experimental work involved simultaneous temperature measurements of three thermocouples as well as detection of the apparent weight of the cylindrical specimen during its assimilation in liquid aluminum. The details of the intermetallic reactions prior to the compact complete disintegration were investigated by microscopically studying the morphology and local composition in a partially reacted compact. The variation of manganese concentration in the melt was determined by chemically analyzing the samples taken from the molten aluminum at specific time intervals. The exothermic reaction increases the compact's temperature above that of the liquid aluminum. In tandem with this exothermic reaction, the compact is suffering a swelling action. This swelling action disintegrates the cylindrical specimen, which is assimilated into the liquid aluminum. The intermetallic reactions proceed in a stepwise manner. Both the bath temperature and the compact composition impact on the exothermicity of the intermetallic reactions. However, when the amount of Mn in the compact is greater than 75-wt%, the maximum centerline temperature rise is slightly reduced as Mn amount increases.

Jan 1, 2004

By Terry A. Lee

The grade of mineral resource estimates underpin all major economic considerations of mining prospects. While there are reporting requirements to satisfy when stating a mineral resource estimate, an examination of NI 43-101 style reports suggests that authors believe that there are a number of ways of addressing these requirements. As a reader of these reports, some processes are helpful and others are not so in getting a real appreciation of how realistic is the mineral resource estimate. Critical to the quality of the mineral resource estimate is how realistic is the economic mineral concentration component. In many cases, this parameter is called grade. The industry experiences increased difficulty in achieving realistic grade estimates as the sample grade variability increases. The level of transparency in a mineral resource estimate is very much a function of the competence of the author. An objective presentation of the critical data, such as grade sampling variability can assist a reader in determining if the geology of the mineral concentration is adequately understood and how realistic is mineral resource grade estimate. This paper has considered 75 NI 43-101 style reports released in the past 2 years. The review demonstrates features that were helpful in determining how realistic the mineral resource grade estimate is. If there is insufficient transparency in a report, there is a high probability that the mineral resource grade estimate will not be realistic.

Apr 1, 2005

By K. Adham

Both the dry and the wet fluorination systems require hydrogen fluoride (HF) for the process of uranium conversion to uranium hexafluoride (UF6). The dry methods depend on the electrolysis of HF to generate the fluorine (F2) required for the high temperature pyro-fluorination. The wet methods require aqueous HF in water solutions for the low temperature hydro-fluorination (Argonne, 2019). This paper uses the available HF safety guidelines and industry information to discuss the issues of transportation, storage and utilization. Health effects and environmental considerations are reviewed. Safe practices for handling the HF (both as anhydrous and as aqueous) are considered. Proper selection of different materials of construction are discussed, for both the anhydrous and the aqueous HF.

Jan 1, 2020

By W. Petruk, D. R. Morris

"The lead concentrate produced from the volcanogenic base metal ore of Brunswick Mining and Smelting in New Brunswick contains major to trace amounts of iron, zinc, cadmium, arsenic, antimony, copper, silver, selenium, tellurium, bismuth, sulphur, tin, indium, mercury and manganese as impurities. When the concentrate is sintered some of these impurities enter a variety of oxide phases, whereas others precipitate as metals. In the lead blast furnace the oxide phases decompose and the impurities recombine 10 form new phases, most are eventually discharged to the slag. The metals of the sinter remain as metals in the lead blast furnace where even more are produced, and are discharged largely with the lead bullion,IntroductionMany lead concentrates are produced from volcanogenic base metal ores . Such ores contain a wide variety of trace minerals and trace elements , therefore, concentrate s obtained from them will contain the trace elements as impurities . The impurities in the lead concentrate from one such ore, the Brunswick No. 12 deposit of Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation (BM S) in the Bathurst area in New Brunswick , were studied as pan of a larger investigation that was conducted to determine the extent of chemical reactions of the sinter within the lead blast furnace(1,2) The lead concentrate was investigated to identify the host mineral s for the impurities, the lead sinter was studied to identify the host phases, and frozen products from different depths within the BMS blast furnace at Belledune, New Brunswick were studied to determine the behaviour of the impurities.T he investigation was performed by pre pa ring polished sections o f the samples and studying them with a reflecting microscope, a scanning electron microscope (SE M) equipped with a Kevex energy dispersive X-ra y analysis system, a microprobe, and a Quantimet 720 image analyzer. The samples were also analyzed by X-ray diffractometer, and individual grains were analyzed by the Debye-Scherrer X-ray powder film method."

Jan 1, 1985

By Andrzej Luszczkiewicz, Magdalena Duchnowska, KGHM Polska Miedz S. A., Witold Pawlos, Jan Drzymala, Alicja Bakalarz, Przemyslaw B. Kowalczuk

Numerous data in the literature confirm that the chemical composition and consumption of grinding media influence electrochemical properties of flotation suspension as well as effectiveness and selectivity of upgrading processes. During a milling process, attrition of grinding media is observed. Depending on the susceptibility to abrasion, the grinding media influence, to a different extent, the redox potential, pH as well as flotation efficiency. As a result, different upgradeability of sulfide minerals is observed. The paper presents laboratory scale flotation results, obtained for the copper sulfide ore from Polkowice Region of KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. in Poland ground in the presence of forged steel, highchrome iron and stainless steel as the grinding media. The investigated flotation feed contained 36 g/t (ppm) of silver and 1.86 % of copper. Several flotation tests were conducted using fixed amount of frother and a mixture of sodium ethyl and isobutyl xanthates as the collector at three different doses of 75, 100 and 125 g/t. A comparison of the obtained results confirmed that the application of grinding media with different chemical compositions influenced the electrochemical properties of the suspension and recovery of silver and copper in the final concentrate. The highest values of redox potential were observed for the stainless steel as the grinding medium. Moreover, in the presence of this type of grinding media, regardless of the collector dosage, the best silver upgrading was observed. For the forged and high-chrome iron media, the recovery of silver depended on the collector dosage. It is indicated that higher levels of the redox potential, together with smaller amount of iron released from the grinding medium, improve the flotation of the silver-bearing mineral compounds from the copper sulfide ore.

Jan 1, 2016

By J. E. Nesset, W. Zhang, J. A. Finch

Frother influences water recovery through control of bubble size and a chemical effect. De-coupling the two is necessary to establish the extent of the chemistry effect. A setup is described to give steady state water overflow rate (Jwo) along with measurements of bubble size into and on top of the froth. Arguing neither bubble size correlates directly with water overflow, a frother mass balance is solved to estimate the bubble surface area flux in the overflow (Sb0 ). The solution required measurement of frother concentration using TOC analysis and frother adsorption density using surface tension data. The relationship between Jwo and Sbo reveals the frother chemistry effect, quantified for discussion purposes by an equivalent water layer thickness.

Jan 1, 2009

By Stefan Planeta

On discute les performances techniques et économiques des méthodes d'exploitation à haut rendement dans les mines métallifères au Canada. L'accent est mis sur la dilution et pertes des réserves minières et sur les coûts opératoires et totaux. Une analyse technique de quelques opérations minières est également effectuée. Il ressort de cette analyse que les résultats réels des opérations minières en cours diffèrent souvent de ces planifiés suite à la dilution du minerai et aux pertes importantes des réserves minières. On propose, définit et discute un certain nombre des facteurs de performances technologiques et économiques pour pouvoir mieux apprécier les problèmes rencontrés dans plusieurs mines en opération. À l'aide des études de cas on démontre impact négatif de la dilution et des pertes additionnelles des réserves minières sur la rentabilité des opérations en cours et sur les nouveaux projets miniers. On conclut, que l'application des indicateurs proposés donnerait un outil valable, aux opérateurs miniers, aux niveaux de la planification, du suivi des travaux d'exploitation et d'éventuelles études comparatives entre les différentes situations minières. ABSTRACT The paper discusses technical and cost performance of bulk mining methods in Canadian U/G metal mines. It focuses on ore dilution, ore reserves losses as well as on operational and total cost. Technical analysis of some mining operations has been performed. It indicates that due to dilution and significant reserves losses, the actual results of mining operations often differ substantially from those planned. The paper proposes, defines and discusses several indicators quantifying technical and economical performance in order to assess better the problems encountered in several operating mines. The case studies presented here have demonstrated an adverse effect of dilution and additional reserves losses onto profitability of existing operations and new mining projects. It is concluded that the application of the above mentioned indicators may be beneficial for mine operators. They may become a very useful tool at the stages of planning, follow-up of mining works and with regards to comparative studies between different mining situations.

May 1, 2001

The rate of liquid copper deoxidation during top blowing of reducing flames has been investigated using a high capacity thermogravimetric unit at 1200 °C. For 1 kg copper samples, it was observed that the rate of deoxidation was proportional to the flow rate of the reducing reagent (H2 or CO). Under similar experimental conditions, it was found that H2 is more effective than CO even though both have similar thermodynamic potential to deoxidize liquid copper. The rate of deoxidation of liquid copper with reducing 0 2/CH4 flames was measured for 0 2/CH4 molar ratios of 1.5 to 2. The deoxidation rate depends on the 0 2/CH4 ratio and decreases as it approaches the stoichiometric ratio (02/CH4 = 2). Estimation of the rate of deoxidation of liquid copper with top blowing flames based on the thermodynamic composition ofH2 and CO in the product gases, agrees well with measured values.

Jan 1, 2007

Arsenic bearing minerals such as enargite (Cu3AsS4) and tennantite (Cu12As4S13), which may associate with major copper minerals such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), chalcocite (Cu2S) and bomite (Cu2FeS4), usually report to the copper concentrate in conventional flotation due to their similar flotation properties. Arsenic in a copper concentrate causes environmental problems and also problems in the subsequent pyrometallurgical process. Voltammetric studies were carried out to investigate the oxidation characteristics of enargite, tennantite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bomite. Contact angle measurements and micro-flotation tests were conducted to examine the flotation characteristics of enargite and chalcopyrite under controlled pulp potentials. Selective flotation of enargite from chalcopyrite under varied pulp potentials was conducted to investigate the feasibility of arsenic removal from a copper concentrate. The test results indicate that the non-arsenic bearing copper minerals ( chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bornite) were easier to oxidise than arsenic bearing minerals ( enargite and tennantite) in an alkaline solution. Enargite floated well at a potential as high as +0.45 V vs. SCE while chalcopyrite was completely depressed at a potential higher than +0.43 V vs. SCE. Selective flotation revealed that enargite can be successfully removed from chalcopyrite through controlling the pulp potential at +0.30 ~ +0.50 V vs. SCE.

Jan 1, 2007

By Michel Gauthier, Jacque Trottier

"ForewordA symposium on base metal deposits was held in Bathurst, New Brunswick, from June 10-13, 1990, sponsored jointly by the Geological Surveys Branch of the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, the New Brunswick Prospectors and Developers Association, and the Geology Division of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Papers prepared for the symposuim are being published as a series of articles in the CIM Bulletin. This third paper (the first was by Fyffe, et al., in Vol. 83, No. 938, the second is in this issue) in the series presents an overview of the tectonic setting and geochemistry of base metal deposits in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.ABSTRACTIt is well known that the classification system of volcanogenic massive sulphides (VMS) is based upon their metal content. This metal content, the result of hydrothermal solutions circulating within strata underlying the deposits, is generally thought to be related directly to two parameters: (1) the nature of the underlying stratigraphic sequence; and (2) the physico-chemical conditions that existed at the time of the hydrothermal event. Furthermore, these two parameters are, in turn, related to the tectonic setting. One must bear in mind that these parameters are diachronous and evolve with time. These factors are considered in our analysis of the major VMS deposits of the southeastern Quebec Appalachians. This analysis will describe the time and environment of formation of these deposits and integrate them into an evolving paleotectonic model.VMS deposits in the southeastern Quebec Appalachians formed during three distinct metallogenic episodes. During the first episode, which involved early closing of the Iapetus Ocean and associated destruction of oceanic crust by subduction processes(Early Ordovician?), cupriferous VMS deposits hosted by pillowed, mafic (boninitic) lava flows were formed in immature island-arc systems (""Cyprus-type"", e.g. Huntingdon deposit).In the second episode, which also occurred during the closure of Iapetus but at a later stage (Early to Middle Ordovician), mature island-arcs formed and hosted polymetallic VMS deposits (""Kuroko-type"", e.g. Eustis deposit).Finally, during culmination of the Taconic and/or Acadian orogenies (Middle Ordovician and/or Devonian), transtensional basins, associated with tholeitic to transitional mafic volcanism began to develop. Major sedimentation occurred contemporaneous with volcanism, and within this framework polymetallic VMS deposits were formed (""Besshi-type"", e.g. the Memphremagog deposit).Although incomplete, the proposed paleotectonic model represents the sequence of the tectonic settings that prevailed during the formation of the VMS deposits of the southeastern Quebec Appalachians."

Jan 1, 1991

By J. B. Edwards

"The case is presented for the use of simulators for the computer-based training (CBT) of mining plant operators and for introducing them to automatically controlled systems. As well as their use in the classroom, the role of simulators is examined for ""on-plant"" use in trouble-shooting, fault-finding and maintenance of automatic systems. Case studies are presented showing how specific simulators are becoming established or have potential in the areas of automated materials handling, machine testing, setup and guidance. The evolution of scientific simulations into simulators of widespread practical use is discussed and present-day limitations of computer speed and graphics are considered. Related areas of research for the Canadian Centre for Automation and Robotics in Mining (CCARM) are identified.IntroductionCCARM's Commitment to Simulator DevelopmentAs automation is progressively developed and exploited in mining operations, there arises an urgent need to educate and train staff responsible for its introduction and operation in our mines and for its maintenance. For this purpose , an essential ingredient of an automation program is the development of appropriate mining system simulators for use by a wide variety of personnel. The author has been fortunate to have been closely involved with the development of automatic control systems for a variety of mining machines and mining systems in the United Kingdom. A key ingredient of the research phase in each case has been the use of simulation techniques. As projects have moved toward their commissioning and exploitation phase, the simulations have evolved into simulators tailored for use by machine operators and maintenance personnel. Illustrative case studies are presented later. The researach of the newly constituted Canadian Centre for Automation and Robotics in Mining (CCARM) will likewise involve extensive simulation, and the development of simulators (from the scientific programs) for use at the mine by operators and technicians will be given high priority in the Centre's over-all work program."

Jan 1, 1990

By F. S. Thurner

This paper, a description of the new ore-unloading and stockpiling facilities at the Sydney Works of DOSCO Steel Limited, deals with a new approach to arrive at the most economical solution to combine ore unloading facilities for common bulk carriers and for different types of self-unloading vessels. Also discussed is the design and installation of a 1-mile-long steel-cord belt conveyor sys-tem with a most modern type of mobile belt conveyor stacker, along with automatic and semi-automatic controls for the entire ship-unloading and stockpiling operations.

Jan 1, 1968

By C. S. Parsons

Custom milling-plants have been operated successfully for a great many years on this continent. One of the outstanding examples in the United States is the Golden Cycle mill at Colorado Springs, which mills the gold-telluride ores from the Cripple Creek district. In eastern Canada, the Northern Custom Concentrators, Limited, at Cobalt, successfully treated the cobalt-silver ores of that area for a number of years. Flotation plants have entered the custom field in the past few years. The building of flotation concentrators to treat ores on a custom basis indicates the advance which has been made in flotation. In fact, three years ago it was considered almost impossible to treat successfully a mixture of miscellaneous ores by flotation. The methods used at that time were considered so delicate that any change, even in a single ore, would usually result in decreasing the effectiveness of the separation. Today we find four large custom flotation plants in the United States and one in Canada for treating complex lead-zinc ores from many different localities. The advent of these mills was brought about by the serious problem confronting the lead-smelting plants due to increasing amounts of zinc in the ores presented for treatment. It was necessary to penalize the mines shipping high-zinc ores. The penalty is justified, because high zinc in the lead blast-furnace charge not only decreases the tonnage of the furnace but increases the amount of flux necessary, as well as increasing the metal loss in the slag. It has been estimated that in the Salt Lake valley alone, 75,000,000 pounds of zinc was lost in the slag-dumps from the operations of three large lead blast-furnace plants. It has also been estimated that $150,000 worth of additional flux was required to slag this zinc. It was to avoid at least a part of this wste and to help maintain an ore supply that custom flotation concentrators were built by the smelters.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. Stiksma, K. Buban, J. Oftsie, R. Kalanchey, S. Sadykov, E. McConaghy

The Kazakhmys zinc refinery in Balkhash, Kazakhstan, which employs the Dynatec Zinc Pressure Leach Process, officially launched autoclave operations on December 27, 2003. The Kazakhmys plant is the world's first greenfields zinc refinery based on Dynatec's two-stage pressure leach technology. Production of zinc was realized on February 9, 2004, when the first cathode was stripped. Currently the plant start-up is ongoing, with progression to two-stage zinc pressure leach operation and ramp-up to full design capacity continuing through 2004.

Jan 1, 2004

By B. Dyck, C. Rodgers

ABSTRACT Cameco Corporation is revitalizing its Key Lake Operation uranium mill in northern Saskatchewan. The mill currently uses ammonia stripping in solvent extraction (SX) and ammonia yellowcake precipitation. As part of the revitalization, the company considered installing strong acid stripping in solvent extraction (used at its Rabbit Lake Operation), which would lead to using hydrogen peroxide for uranium precipitation. As part of the process evaluation, tests were carried out to study how the drying temperature in indirect fired dryers would affect the uranium peroxide yellowcake precipitate properties. This paper discusses the test work results, including the relationships between drying temperature and product reactivity with water, product colour, product grade, and energy input requirements.

Jan 1, 2012

By M. Krasowska, K. Malysa, M. Krzan

The paper presents fascinating, in our opinion, observations on mechanism and course of processes occurring during bubble collision with hydrophobic and hydrophilic solid surface. Hydrophobicity of particle surface is a necessary condition for the particle attachment to bubble. We have observed that even in the case of such hydrophobic solid surface as Teflon, the bubble attachment didn't occur at first collision. In distilled water the bubble bounced a few times without attachment. Influence of a-terpineol and n¬pentanol on bubble local and terminal velocity and the phenomena occurring during bubble collisions with hydrophobic and hydrophilic solid surfaces was studied. Bubble collisions with the solid surfaces were monitored and recorded using the high-speed (1182 frames per second) camera. It was found that in distilled water the velocity variations of the "approach-bounce" cycles were identical for Teflon and glass. Four distinct "approach-bounce" cycles were detected both at Teflon and glass surfaces. Moreover, the amplitude and frequency of the velocity variations were identical on collisions with the hydrophobic (polished) and hydrophilic surface. There was no immediate three phase contact formation, with the hydrophobic Teflon surface, what we found really astonishing. Roughness of Teflon surface seems to be important parameter, which affects probability of the bubble attachment as a result of a presence of micro-and/or nano-bubbles at the surface. It was detected that the presence of the micro-bubble affected attachment of the colliding bubble even in distilled water. Presence of a small amount of a-terpineol or n-pentanol affects dramatically the bubble velocity, but their role in mechanism of the bubble attachment needs further study.

Jan 1, 2004