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By N. Katsikaros, A. Lewis-Gray, P. Richards

"To optimize gold recovery in complex leach-to-electrowinning processes, Gekko Systems developed the Gekko resin exchange column (G-REX) as an intermediate step, using a highly gold-selective resin to isolate contaminant metals. The AuRIX®100 resin produced by Purolite is licensed exclusively to Gekko, with the G-REX column designed specifically for this resin. Operational experience has been gained at the Castlemaine Goldfields Ballarat gold mine. In near-continuous operation since 2008, the Ballarat plant treats unclarified concentrate leach solution. The extension of this technology to higher throughputs and more complex chemistry is discussed.RÉSUMÉ Afin d’optimiser la récupération de l’or dans des procédés complexes impliquant la lixiviation suivie de l’extraction électrolytique, Gekko Systems a développé la colonne Gekko de résines échangeuses d’ions (G-REX) comme étape intermédiaire, à l’aide d’une résine hautement sélective pour la récupération de l’or qui permet d’isoler les métaux contaminants. Gekko détient la licence exclusive pour la résine AuRIX®100 produite par Purolite, et la colonne G-REX a été spécifiquement conçue pour cette résine. C’est à la mine d’or Ballarat de Castlemaine Goldfields que l’expérience opérationnelle a été acquise. L’usine de Ballarat, en exploitation quasi-continue depuis 2008, traite une solution concentrée non clarifiée de lixiviation. L’extension de cette technologie à des capacités supérieures et à une chimie plus complexe est examinée.AURIX®100 RESINAuRIX100 resin is a crosslinked polystyrene alkaline resin developed by Henkel (Virnig, Mackenzie, & Adamson, 1996). The resin beads are off-white in colour and spherical, with a nominal size of 100% +600 µm. This resin is highly selective for gold and silver over many metals, by way of extracting precious metal–cyanide complexes from leach solutions with a pH of less than 11.5. The higher end of the pH scale produces the best selectivity according to the order of preference: Au > Ag > Hg > Zn > Ni > Cu > Co > Fe. Purolite produces the resin and Gekko Systems maintains licensing of AuRIX100 resin for use in its G-REX column, as part of its unique suite of gravity gold–handling equipment.Significant cost savings over carbon-in-solution (CIS) systems are realized with AURIX100 resin: approximately 4–12% in capital savings and 27–40% in operating costs (Virnig, Mackenzie, Katsikaros, & Gray, 2004). Additionally, AuRIX100 resin is not susceptible to fouling; that is, the resin does not load with inorganic salts or organic compounds that would affect the loading and extraction of precious metals. To counter any potential for fouling by inorganic salts, a dilute acid wash is periodically conducted in service on the resin to unblock resin pores."

Jan 1, 2017

By P. P. Andrieux

The recovery of the Zone G crown pillar, located between the bottom of the open pit and the top of the underground workings at the Raglan Katinniq Mine in Nunavik, started in the summer of 2008 and should be completed by the end of 2009. This article describes the rock mechanics-based approach implemented to design the recovery of this valuable block of ore. The stereophotography-based ShapeMetriX3D technique was first used to provide a comprehensive assessment of the various joint sets that comprised the pillar. Then, the statistical distributions obtained for the dip, dip direction, spacing and persistence of these sets were used in conjunction with the geometry of the large-scale faults present in the area to build and run a series of explicit rigid numerical models. Each of these models had a slightly different jointing geometry, randomly constructed from these statistical distributions. Incorporating in a properly formulated numerical model the variability of some of the input parameters has allowed the engineering team to assess in a rational and reliable manner the likelihood of success of the proposed mining method and sequence.

May 1, 2009

By M. F. Goudge

Introduction It is only fitting on this occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the Institute that we should indulge in a bit of retrospection and review the progress that has been made within this period in the various branches of the mining industry- progress that is so closely associated with the members of this Institute. Such a moment of retrospection will enable us better to appreciate the present status of the industry and to perceive more clearly the trends that should guide us in making sound plans for the future. The past half century has been a period of amazing industrial progress in Canada. In this period, the economy of our country has changed from one based chiefly on agriculture and the export of raw materials, to an economy based largely on a well integrated manufacturing industry. In all' o( these major developments, industrial minerals have played an important part and will play an increasingly, important part in the future. By ?industrial minerals? we mean the various non-metallic minerals (exclusive of fuels) as well as the rocks, sands, and clays used for industrial purposes. They are now used so widely and in such large quantities that modern industry could not function without them, and their continued availability at low cost is vital to the industrial future of Canada. The key position occupied by industrial minerals in modern Canadian industry was well illustrated two years ago when a strike occurred in the only Canadian plant producing soda-ash and calcium chloride at a time when those materials were already in short supply and unavailable from other sources. Within a short time of the shutdown of this plant, in which the two principal raw materials are limestone and salt, the great aluminium reduction plants on the Saguenay river were forced to curtail operations because of the lack of soda-ash, essential to the process of extracting aluminium from its ore. Automobile production, already harassed by a shortage of steel, was further hampered when glass for windshields and windows could not be supplied because the glass industry was slowed down almost to a standstill for want of soda-ash. Soap became almost unobtainable both to the housewife and to industrial users, because soda-ash is required in its manufacture. As a consequence of the soap shortage, the production o synthetic rubber at Sarnia was threatened because soap in large quantities is essential to the polymerization process. Motorists on gravelled highways all over Eastern Canada drove through clouds of dust because calcium chloride, used for dust laying, was not to be had. There were other cases of dislocation of industry related to the shutdown of this particular plant, but the above illustrates the wide ramifications of industrial minerals in modern industry. However, it is extremely doubtful if many Canadian citizens realized that these apparently unrelated happenings were connected in any way with limestone and salt.

Jan 1, 1948

By Tony Lipiec, Greg Gosson

"When it comes to new mines being developed, there is a general industry consensus that most low-hanging fruit has been picked. Many projects currently in the mine development pipeline have been around for decades, but were held back because of technical challenges. Future development of these deposits will likely require access to the public capital markets, and in Canada that means providing scientific and technical disclosure on these deposits in compliance with NI 43-101. As many of these “challenged” projects have metallurgical issues, the companies that own the projects need to ensure their metallurgical Qualified Persons provide transparent disclosure regarding proposed solutions to those issues.This paper provides an overview of the disclosure requirements under NI 43-101 that are pertinent to metallurgists, and other Qualified Persons who prepare technical disclosure regarding the metallurgical characteristics of a mineral project. It lists the triggers for a technical report under NI 43-101 and Canadian stock exchange policies, and identifies the sections of the report that should involve input from a metallurgist or process engineer. It briefly outlines new civil liabilities under Canadian securities laws that increase the possible consequences for not complying with the technical disclosure standards.These materials are provided for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to seek specific legal advice from their own legal counsel in relation to any decision or course of action contemplated."

Jan 1, 2003

By Éric Poulin, Simon Gariépy, Mario Paredes Malca

"While the design of a control strategy depends on the available process knowledge, its implementation depends on the available process information. On-line chemical analyzers are today widely spread in the mineral processing industry. A real-time concentration measurement of chemical components is valuable information that could bring control strategies to whole new levels. However, the use of these measures rarely reaches anything more than process monitoring. The reason is simple: the on-line chemical measurements quality is most of the time insufficient to be directly included in control strategies. The choice is then made to let the critical eye of the engineer or the operator appreciates the measurements before making any decision based on it.Data reconciliation through mass balance is a technique today widely used in the mineral processing industry to increase the accuracy and the reliability of plant data, mainly for accounting and survey analysis purposes. Real-time data reconciliation of on-line measurements appears as a natural coupling of technologies that could bring new process optimization trends. Once overcome the technical difficulties, full valorization of the instrumentation investment could be reached.This paper presents the application of real-time data reconciliation for process control and performance monitoring. It proposes a general approach, discusses challenges and illustrates concepts with industry experiences."

Jan 1, 2006

By Phillip Cancilla, Daniel Roy, Frank Rosenblum

"The manual moisture determination methods employed today by mineral processing plants falls short in providing timely information required for automation control. The costs associated with transporting and handling concentrates still represent a major portion of the overall treatment price. When considering the cash flow of a mining operation, that is governed by both the smelter contract, with moisture penalties and the quantity and quality of the concentrates shipped, an efficient method of on-line moisture content would be a welcome tool.A novel on-line determination system for ore concentrate moisture content would replace the normally tedious classic manual procedure. Since the introduction of microelectronic-based control systems, operators have strived to reduce the treatment costs to the minimum therefore a representative and timely determination of on-line moisture content becomes vital for control set points and timely feedback. Reliable sensors have long been on the “wish list” of mineral processors since the problem has always been that you can only control what you can measure. Today, the task of moisture determination is still done in the classical technique of loss in weight by uncontrolled procedures. These same methods were introduced in the earliest base metal concentrators. Generally, it is acceptable to have ore concentrate moisture content vary within a range of 7 to 9%. Many times, delays in manually achieving reliable feedback on the moisture content results in the moisture varying from 5 to 12% before corrective actions can be made.This paper first reviews the traditional and widely available methods for determining moisture content in granular materials by applying physical principals and properties to measure moisture content. All methods are in some form affected when employed on mineral ore concentrates. This paper describes a unique and promising on-line moisture sensor in two mineral processing applications, which not only automates the tedious tasks but also results in reliable moisture feedback that can be used in the optimization of the de-watering process equipment such as pressure or vacuum filters and fuel-fired driers. Finally, two measurement applications will be presented to indicate the usefulness and to summarize the measurement requirements for the proposed method of employing drag force and mechanical properties of the material itself to determine the moisture content."

Jan 1, 2001

By F. R. Jones, B. W. Taylor, A. R. MacPherson, L. J. Lamb

"The Lake St. Joseph Iron Deposit is in Northwestern Ontario. Exploration to date by Steep Rock Iron Mines Limited has indicated an ore reserve of 683 million long tons. Metallurgical investigations have proved that suitable oxide pellets and/or superconcentrates can be economically produced from this ore. Studies of the Lake St. Joseph iron ore deposits have covered the period 1956-71, and have embodied applications of the improvement in mining and processing technology over this period. Market demand in the early 1960's for high-grade oxide pellets as a replacement for natural iron ores for the blast furnace first drew attention to the potential of the Lake St. Joseph deposit. The current market trend toward utilization of sponge iron to replace steel scrap as feed to electric furnaces and cupolas now suggests that the deposit can better be exploited as a prime source of superconcentrates."

Jan 1, 1972

By J. -F. Lessard

Most underground mines rely on ore pass systems to ensure the transport of ore and waste. The design and operation of ore pass systems often rely on past experience, which is often anecdotal and at times contradictory in nature. This paper summarizes the current practice in Quebec underground metaliferous mines. The information was collected during a series of site visits in ten underground mines. The database includes information on ore pass configuration, support, materials transited, and overall ore pass performance.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. W. Meier, J. O. Edwards, R. C. Bell

"IntroductionTHE DIE CASTING industry .as we know it today is the direct result of the invention and development of die casting machines during the nineteenth century and of reliable alloys in the twentieth. The early machines were designed to cast low melting point metals such as lead .and tin, and their alloys.It was inevitable that, as these die castings were put into service, the demand should arise for stronger materials. Zinc alloys, often containing lead, tin, copper, and aluminum as major constituents, were relatively easy to cast and stronger than the lead and tin alloys. However, it became apparent after a number of years that these zinc alloys tended to become brittle, distort, and corrode, particularly if kept in warm, humid atmospheres. Thus, considerable quantities of zinc-base .alloys were in use before the trouble was realized and effective measures could .be taken to determine the cause of the instability.The deleterious effect of certain metallic impurities on the properties of zinc •die casting .alloys has now been known for about thirty years. Brauer .and Peirce, and, later, other research workers of the New Jersey Zinc Company such as Anderson and Werley, discovered the pronouned effect of lead, cadmium, and tin on the stability of zinc-alloys."

Jan 1, 1952

By Anton Gronningsater

AT the present time we hear a great deal about organization of labour, collective bargaining, workmen's councils, and company unions; about C.1.0. with its principle of vertical unions and A.F.L., largely based on craft unions; and about provincial and federal laws for protection of labour's right to collective bargaining. What we perhaps hear too little about is corresponding organization of the employers, although it recently is mentioned more frequently. I will only mention W. H. Davis, Chairman of the United States War Labour Board, who has had and is having plenty of experience in this field and has also studied labour conditions in Europe-in Sweden for instance. He has repeatedly expressed the opinion that where employer-employee problems are involved, a thing badly needed in America is organization of employers as well as employees to get some order in the present chaos. With this I agree. I believe a strong organization on one side necessitates a correspondingly strong organization on the other side; that has at least been the experience in the industrialized countries in Europe. I happen to be fairly familiar with conditions in Norway, where they have struggled with these problems for fifty years, and a talk on the history, development, and present state of employer-employee relations in that country might perhaps be of interest as giving a general picture of the development of such relations in the northwestern European countries as a whole. The talk was originally given to the Fourth Year students in Mining and Metallurgy at the University of Toronto. I have changed it somewhat to fit a different audience, but I hope you will make allowances if you now and then are reminded of the school auditorium. I will try to be as objective and factual as possible, but it is probably unavoidable that some of what is said is coloured by personal opinion.

Jan 1, 1943

By K. Lascelles

ABSTRACT Nickel compounds vary significantly in their toxicological properties, so it is critical that continuing studies to accurately quantify worker exposures consider the processing that accompanies refining nickel-containing materials. The Clydach nickel refinery, which has operated for more than 100 years, was the first nickel-producing facility to show a high risk for lung and nasal-sinus cancers among workers employed since it opened in 1902. Process chemistry and equipment have changed dramatically over Clydach’s history. This paper describes the processing evolution at Clydach with a focus on the propensity for aerosol formation and the forms of nickel in airborne dusts.

Jan 1, 2013

By C. J. Allen, L. Battiston

"Introduction It has long been recognized by the hot-dip galvanizing industry that the characteristics of the galvanized coating can be influenced significantly by steel and pro cessing variables. Probably the variable of most concern to galvan izers today is steel chemistry. More specifically, the problem is the excessive reactivity of continuously-cast, silicon-bearing steels. In the past, structural steels processed by general galvanizers were in the low-to-medium ca rbon category and contained silicon at either low impurity levels (as with rimmed steels), or less than approximately 0.10% (as with semi-killed steels). The structures of the coatings produced on such steels are characterized by dense, compact layers of delta and zeta iron-zinc alloy phases and a distinct outer layer of eta zinc, which usually imparts a bright shiny appearance to the coating. The presence of silicon in steel, above the so-called semi-killed levels, is known to cause marked stru ctural changes in galvanized coatings. Such coatings are characterized by a relatively thin delta layer, a thick , coarse zeta layer and frequently an absence of the eta layer. The eta phase, comprising zinc which is carried out of the bath during withdrawal of the work, can be consumed by the continuation of the coating reactions until its temperature drops to the solidification point. This results in a dull grey and often mottled surface instead of the usually bright metallic appearance. These galvanized coatings are usually much thicker than coating specifications requ ire and they are usually more brittle and have poor adhesion to the steel. In service, these coatings tend to develop a rust-like discolouration. With the wider use of continuous casting by the steel producers and the associated additions of silicon in this process, the problem is becoming more important and receiving greater attention from the galvanizing industry ."

Jan 1, 1987

By K. J. Palmer, D. A. Silva

"Evaluating resources and reserves requires the reliable modelling of geological domains and their grades. “Multiple point statistics” simulation is a relatively new geostatistical method to generate complex, high-resolution geological models by extracting high-order spatial relations from training images. A method based on combining multiple training images is developed to obtain the correct amount of large-scale continuity and short-scale variability. A calibration process matches the geological spatial variability between the final realizations and the drillhole dataset. A case study with data from the Red Dog mine, Alaska, United States, shows an appropriate reproduction of short-scale variability along boundaries between geological units.RÉSUMÉ L’évaluation des ressources et des réserves exige une modélisation fiable des domaines géologiques et de leur teneur. La simulation par « statistique multipoint » est une méthode géostatistique relativement nouvelle pour générer des modèles géologiques complexes à haute résolution par l’extraction de relations spatiales d’ordre supérieur à partir d’images d’entraînement. Une méthode basée sur la combinaison de multiples images d’entraînement est développée afin d’obtenir la bonne quantité de continuité à grande échelle et de variabilité à petite échelle. Un processus d’étalonnage fait correspondre la variabilité géologique spatiale entre les réalisations finales et l’ensemble des données de forage. Une étude de cas avec des données de la mine Red Dog, Alaska, États-Unis, montre une reproduction adéquate de la variabilité à petite échelle le long des limites entre les unités géologiques."

Jan 1, 2015

By C. H. Wright

Introduction The rapidly expanding and increasingly complex Canadian industrial structure, with the mining, metallurgical, and chemical industries as a large integral part, has, in recent years, brought greatly increased importance and value to our industrial minerals. In the modern economy of our mineral industry the importance which is due the non-metallics has been somewhat overshadowed by the great value of our large metal production and, in addition, by the glamour and fascination usually associated with the mining and treatment of gold ores. The term 'Industrial Mineral' is used in this paper in its usual sense and refers to non-metallics other than fuels. Coal and petroleum products, including natural gas, are considered as industrial minerals in those applications in which they are used for strictly chemical process purposes. Certain reduction metallurgical industries are so closely allied to chemical industries that for purposes been of this discussion no attempt has made to differentiate between them. Chemical industry in Canada today is a fairly large factor in our national economy, whereas in 1898, when the Canadian Mining Institute was born, it was very small indeed. Chemical concerns are largely dependent on industrial minerals for raw materials and process supplies and, as the country has developed industrially, so have the demands for non-metallics increased, not only by chemical industry but also by other large consumers, such as the construction and metallurgical industries. At the present time there is a greater than normal incentive prevailing for new discoveries, due to the serious lack of balance that exists in our import and export trade. This fact has resulted in intensive efforts to rectify the situation by locating new deposits and re-assessing those already known in an effort to enlarge and improve our home production of raw materials and also to extend their processing in Canada for our own needs and for export. The rapid advances in science and technology that have taken place since 1900 have also resulted in many cases of beneficiation and utilization of otherwise too low grade materials in order to satisfy current demands. The purpose of this paper is to indicate the history and the trends of the utilization of industrial minerals in established industry and to indicate the important part played by non-metallics in connection with the opening up of new industries. Some consideration has been given to the continual competition between natural and 'synthetic products and to the general tendency towards more rigid specifications.

Jan 1, 1948

By T. Banerjee, R. deS. Almeida, D. Gudgeon, F. C. F. Batista, L. deÁ. Silva

"Yamana Chapada’s mine is one of the larger copper-gold mines in Brazil. The mine is located in Goiás state, in the central part of Brazil. The mine has estimated Mineral Reserves of 4.1 million ounces of gold and 3.2 billion pounds of copper as of December 31, 2016. While gold and silver are significant, Chapada’s process flowsheet is configured closer to that of copper facilities. This includes a SAG/Ball configuration for grinding followed by flotation. In the case of Chapada, the mineralogy results in higher-than-normal complexity, notably a significant circulating load both in the grinding and flotation circuits. From an operating perspective, the complexities are controllable, but require careful attention to ensure that circulating loads are effectively managed and gold is not lost to tailings. Chapada created an automation roadmap in 2016 designed to increase plant performance (tonnage, recovery and efficiency). Based on strong potential, the project was fast tracked and within 4 months instruments were installed, control algorithms implemented, and training sessions took place to ensure sustainability at site. This paper will follow the Chapada journey from identifying the opportunities through to implementation and testing.IntroductionYamana Chapada mine is a Copper-Gold mine located in Goiás State, Brazil. Although the mine contains large quantities in Mineral Reserve of gold (4.1 million contained oz as of December 31, 2016), Chapada is primarily a copper mine with copper principally found as chalcopyrite. Accordingly, the processing flowsheet at Chapada is comparable to that of other copper mines with a SAG and Ball mill each partnered with a cyclopack, followed by a flotation circuit. While the overall design is conventional, the mineralogy at Chapada results in significant circulating loads both in the grinding and flotation circuits. This does introduce certain complexities for operating strategies and practices, but, importantly, favourable recoveries and elevated processing rates can be maintained, albeit they need to be closely managed. Plant automation helps in this regard."

Jan 1, 2018

By J. G. A. Stevenson

"IntroductionDURING the past quarter of a century diamond drilling, in all its phases, has increased in Canada to a very impressive total of more than 10,000,000 feet annually. Since the art of diamond drilling became recognized, some seventy-five years ago, there has been considerable improvement in both equipment and technique. The steam-powered drill rig and the hand-set diamond bit are things of the past.The purpose of this paper is to review some drilling trends •and practices over the past few years. In the preparation of the paper, the author wishes to acknowledge kind assistance of Mr. J. D. Cumming, Dr. C. H. Hitchcock, Mr. Robert H. Quintal, and many others, including staff members of the Longyear organization.Figures provided by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics for the year 1954 show that Canadian production of metallic and non-metallic minerals and structural materials had a value of $1,454.2 million, excluding radioactive products for which figures are not available. Approximately 61 per cent of this valuation comprised production of nickel, copper, gold, coal, asbestos, zinc, lead, and iron. It is certain that diamond drilling played a major role in the discovery and development of the orebodies from which these minerals were obtained.After the surface examination of an ore deposit, diamond drilling will automatically follow, in order to determine structure, grade, and tonnage.Footage drilled by mining companies and contractors on mineral exploration and blast-hole work since 1945, as reported by the Do-minion Bureau of Statistics, is shown in Figure 1."

Jan 1, 1955

By E. C. Payne

"IntroductionTHE SMALLER industrial and commercial steam generating plants in the United States are suffering from an ‘engineering deficiency' which, if allowed to continue, will probably result in the extinction of the species• that now burn •approximately 75 million tons of coal. We will classify as 'small' those plants which should require not more than one operating man per shift, including those in which as little .as thirty minutes per day should be adequate for .all service attention. These are the small steam plants that need the most, and get the least, expert attention for fuel :planning, equipment selection, design layout, .and proper operating technique. Dissatisfaction with bituminous coal is usually caused by one or more preventable weaknesses such as excessive or burdensome labour •for firing, .coal or ash handling and manual operation, smoke and fly ash emission above nuisance levels:, high maintenance and premium coal application for acceptable operation, and .finally, overall steam costs which are not .competitive. These 'deficiencies', so .common in the small coal-fired steam plants, can be readily eliminated by competent engineering and modern equipment with automatic controls."

Jan 1, 1953

By R. Matusewicz

The key drivers for the copper smelting industry are a complex mix of economic and "human" factors which combine to drive technology in new directions and can provide a strong indication of future industry trends. Recent examples have been the drive to achieve increased scale of production and resultant cost efficiencies by using a single furnace high intensity smelting vessel, and the broad acceptance of Top Submerged Lancing (TSL) technology for this duty. The development and adoption of continuous converting processes to counter the increased pressures faced by the Peirce Smith converting process is another example of the need for innovation. This paper discusses the merits of the continuous converting process, describes how the Ausmelt TSL batch converting process has been adapted to the new Ausmelt Continuous Copper Converting (C3) process in response to these industry trends and examines the Ausmelt continuous converting flowsheet options available to the end user.

Jan 1, 2007

By Charles Goodeve

"BEFORE I begin, I should like to thank The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy for the honour they have bestowed in inviting me to give this address at the fourth annual C.I.M. Conference of Metallurgists banquet.Secondly, I should like' to convey the greetings of the Iron and Steel Institute of Great Britain in accordance with a request made by its Council at its last meeting. The I.S.I. hopes for the continued growth in strength of this annual Conference and in the collaboration between our respective societies.When I read the program of this Conference, it was brought home to me what a non-ferrons country Canada is. Also, I realized what enormous advances have been, and are being made, and what an ex-citing field non-ferrous metallurgy is for the scientist. This made me wonder, as I have done before, whether the future for steel was proof against these advances.At present, iron and steel stand astride the metallurgical world like a Colossus; I hope that the bronze industry will pardon my stealing their thunder and mixing my metaphors! Will this still be so in the future?The best way to answer this question is to take a look at the fundamentals to see why the iron atom dominates to such an extent that al! other metals are called ""non-ferrons."" Is its present position due to historical and therefore ephemeral reasons, or is there a fundamental difference between the atom of iron and those of other metals?"

Jan 1, 1966

By W. W. Culver

The paper explores the substance, circumstances and significance of the Whelpley and Storer Copper Process. The 1866 Whelpley and Storer patent specified a process combining mechanical and chemical engineering. The process called for a down-drafting shaft furnace with a horizontal flue connected at the bottom of the shaft. Powdered sulphide ore was roasted in the shaft and then sent forward fully oxidized to a bath of sulphuric acid and/or calcium chloride. The “water furnace” was developed in Boston, at a time when the city was home to most Michigan copper mining companies. The process was field-tested at Quebec’s Harvey Hill copper mine. In 1865 James Douglas, Jr. took over management of the Harvey Hill mine with the challenge of saving the family investment. He needed a way to make money from low-grade sulphides. Through his relationship with chemist T. Sterry Hunt, Douglas learned of a possible way ahead using the process developed by Whelpley and Storer. The paper confirms the centrality of publications, meetings, and networking in the advancement of metallurgy. The process is of interest historically, as much as anything, because it is one of the pillars of James Douglas’ distinguished career in copper. INTRODUCTION At the 1866 meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Buffalo, New York, T. Sterry Hunt (1826–1892) read a paper “On the Metallurgical System of Messrs. Whelpley and Storer.” The paper is part of a chain of events that constitute the foundation of James Douglas’ (1837–1918) success in the copper mining industry. To understand the career of Douglas over the early years of modern copper mining, we must necessarily start with Whelpley and Storer. Going back to Hunt’s paper, he concluded his remarks by asserting that the Whelpley and Storer Process was “capable of such wide and varied application, that it is probably destined to have a very important influence on the industry of the world” (Hunt, 1867a). He reached this conclusion reasoning that the process had overcome a critical metallurgical hurdle (Hunt, 1867a). Hunt, a geo-chemist in modern terms, recalled that the chemist of those years easily separated copper from “sulphuretted” ores by converting it to a soluble salt from which pure metal was precipitated by “an equivalent of iron.” The problem was to “…apply this principle in the working of copper ores on a great scale...” (Hunt, 1867a). Hunt noted that this very problem had “…engaged the attention of many metallurgists, and has given rise to various processes for obtaining copper by the moist way, many of which are nearly or quite perfect in their operation, but are lacking in practicability and cheapness” (Hunt, 1867a). Hunt thought Whelpley and Storer had overcome the low-grade sulphide hurdle with a commercially viable engineering breakthrough. Yet in the history of copper metallurgy, the process is missing. What happened?

Jan 1, 2019