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By W M. Gilchrist

This paper gives an estimation of the future requirements of the western world in relation to energy re-sources. It then goes on to outline the role that atomic power -with its basic raw material, uranium -will play in supplying these energy requirements. Canada's position in this picture is covered, and some interesting forecasts are made. Introduction I T is possible that the following remarks will appear to have more to do with power than uranium. However, to fully comprehend what is in store for the Canadian uranium mining industry, we must be able to estimate the potential requirement, and, to do this satisfactorily, a thorough understanding of the circumstances that will give rise to that demand is necessary. The growing need for electrical energy will play by far the major role, as large tonnages of uranium will be required for its generation. The nuclear weapon has, up to the present, comprised the major market for uranium.

Jan 1, 1964

By George Kellock

Introductory The Alberta Provincial Government has contemplated a revision of the Mines Act for some time past, and it is understood that a definite decision has now been made to do this at the next session of the Legislature. The Operators' and Miners' organizations of the Province have been asked, or at least have been given the opportunity, to submit their views and ideas relative to the proposed changes. The operators have already drafted out a number of changes which they feel would improve the Act from the standpoint of safety and practicability, and this paper has been prepared so that the general membership of the Rocky Mountain Branch of the Institute, which is composed largely of the operating and certificated officials of the mines, might have an opportunity to discuss, criticize, and improve upon the suggested changes which the operators are putting forward.

Jan 1, 1929

By Delio J-J Tortosa, Fred F. Langford

"The Cenex orebody occurs at the intersection of northwest and northeast-trending fault zones that formed during post-Hudsonian uplift. The ore is localized in breccia zones, along faults, and in veins and adjacent wallrocks. The host rocks are Tazin quartzo-fe/dspathic mylonites and ultramylonites and chloritesericite- quartz-graphite-feldspar mylonite schist. The uraniumbearing minerals are finely disseminated pitchblende and uraniferous titanate.The earliest mineralization may have been associated with /ate-stage retrograde metamorphism in the mylonite schist. The main stages of mineralization were associated with brecciation, hematization, carbonatization, and chloritization of the mylonites and ultramylonites. Uranium mineralization was clearly much later than any igneous or metamorphic activity associated with the Hudsonian orogeny.Late post-orogenic uplift, erosion, and deposition of the Martin continental clastics in fault basins were coeval with uranium mineralization. The deposit is consistent with a meteoric-hydrologic system constituting a source for orebearing fluids, hence the close spatial relationship of the uranium deposits in the Beaverlodge area with the basal unconformity of the Martin Group."

Jan 1, 1986

By L. Li

To accommodate the large payloads and harsh operating conditions associated with heavy vehicles in the mining industry, off-the-road (OTR) tires are typically used with heavy mining vehicles. These tires have increased abrasion and wear resistance due to their thicker tread, sidewall and bead thicknesses. Given these features, OTR tires are much stiffer than conventional passenger vehicle tires and cannot be mounted to a single-piece rim without damaging the structural integrity of the tire during the mounting process. Therefore, multi-piece wheels are used with OTR tires to facilitate mounting. While these assemblies are necessary, several instances of their failure have been reported to result in injuries or fatalities within the mining workplace. Many of these failures were specifically reported to be caused by the disengagement of the wheel lock ring - a component used to securely engage the assembly during operation. In this study, a threaded-connection locking mechanism has been proposed in place of the traditional lock ring design. The performance of this threaded-connection was numerically evaluated in a pull-out test against a conventional five-piece wheel assembly. The pull-out test was devised as a means of quantifying the engagement ability of each wheel?s locking mechanism. A high degree of modelling accuracy was maintained throughout the analysis by validating the vertical and horizontal static loaddeflection behaviour of the rim model of the five-piece wheel assembly against experimental data. Through validation, the model data were found to be within 10.5 and 4.80 %, for vertical and lateral loaddeflection behaviour, respectively. Results from the pull-out analysis found that the threaded-connection demonstrated a 113 % increase in the force required for disengagement to occur relative to the conventional five-piece design - a force of 9,550 kN in total.

Aug 1, 2013

"Some of the tools developed for the processing of nickel laterite ore by resin-in-pulp (RIP) may be applicable to the remediation of metalliferous mine drainage (MMD). In both cases, recovery of metal value and production of a stable waste stream appropriate for long term storage is desired. MMD typically has the additional challenge of management of toxic low-value metals. Seen in this light, innovations in RIP reactor configuration, selective elution strategies and novel synthetic ion exchange resins become useful tools for taking on the MMD challenge in a way that maximizes both environmental and economic benefit. INTRODUCTIONAcid mine drainage (AMD) is a common problem in any country with significant past mining activity. When sulphide containing minerals, tailings or slag are exposed to water, oxygen and sulphur oxidizing bacteria, AMD will result. Abundant and reactive iron sulphide minerals leach first, providing acidity and the ferrous/ferric couple that can enhance the oxidation kinetics of other minerals. If this runoff contacts encounters acid consuming carbonates or silicates, the acidity may be neutralized, but certain heavy metals remain in solution and can continue to be an environmental hazard (Gray, 1997). For this reason, the remainder of this paper will refer to the broader term metalliferous mine drainage (MMD) rather than acid mine drainage. In either case, such drainage, containing high heavy metal concentrations and often significant acidity, is toxic to aquatic life and can lead to significant damage to ecosystems and to public watercourses. MMD is a problem most commonly associated with now defunct sulphide mineral mines, but similarly toxic streams can result from many types of waste, such as poorly stabilized leach tailings, slag heaps, and coal flotation tailings (Johnson and Hallberg, 2005; Lee et al., 2002; Sainz et al., 2002; Schüring et al., 1997). In any case, the management and remediation of MMD is an important ongoing problem for the resource industry, particularly for the many mines in Canada closed before the advent of more stringent environmental standards. MMD remediation represents a significant long term expense for the resource industry. Multi-disciplinary efforts to understand and mitigate this problem range from creation of artificial wetlands (Poulin and Lawrence, 1996; Sheoran and Sheoran, 2006) to sophisticated biochemical reactors and precipitation processes (Hatami, 2010). Certain remediation technologies such as ion exchange offer methods to make a saleable product by recovering valuable dissolved metals. This paper will show how these technologies can help defray the cost of remediation, and offer potential to turn a dangerous waste stream into a useful product."

Jan 1, 2012

By Walter Greaves

THIS paper describes a series of tests performed at the Hollinger mill during the past four years, in which both metal and rubber-lined pumps were used for pumping sand and slime. While conditions will not be the same at other mills, it is felt that the information gained from the tests should be of value to other operators and of assistance to them in selecting the most efficient size of pump and kind of lining for economical operation. For the successful operation of pumps with rubber linings there are certain conditions, which, if recognized at the outset, will save the operator a good deal of work and trouble. First is the necessity of keeping sharp pieces of steel, or anything that might cut the lining, out of the pumps. This can be effected by placing screens in the proper locations. Second is to recognize the fact that the rubber lining of the shell, and the rubber cover of the impeller, are subjected to very different conditions. The shell lining, :being at rest and well supported by the metal case, has a relatively easy job compared ? with the impeller covering, which is subjected to centrifugal force and has a tendency to tear itself away from the metal core. Also, the pulp travels through and past the impeller at a high velocity. These two factors, centrifugal force and velocity of the pulp, would appear to set a limit to the speed at which, for a given set of conditions, it is economical to run a rubber-covered impeller. Therefore, a pump should be large enough for the work to be done. To get the best mechanical efficiency, it must be operated somewhere near the limit of its capacity, but this may not give the best overall cost, because the saving in power, due to the high efficiency, may easily be lost through excessive wear on the lining. It would appear that this condition is more critical in a rubber-lined pump than in one lined with metal.

Jan 1, 1939

By L. C. Johnston, J. N. Gills

This paper reviews the basic reactions of the blast furnace and the open hearth furnace, and then discusses the quarrying and sizing requirements of the limestone feed for each. Particular emphasis is placed on the lime-stone at Irish Cove, now being mined under an agreement between Scotia Limestone Limited and Dosco Steel Limited. The drilling and blasting operations are described, along with loading and haulage, plant flow, water supply, power supply and transportation facilities.

Jan 1, 1967

By J. A. Beesley

This paper reviews contemporary international law concerning the seabed, current developments in the United Nations on the seabed, and the main outstanding problems. It emphasizes the importance that the Canadian government attaches to this area.

Jan 1, 1969

By R. Argane

In this work we assessed the geochemical behavior of concentrator tailings deposited at the abandoned mines of Zeida and Mibladen (Upper Moulouya, Morocco), using physico-chemical analyses, mineralogical characterization, acid base accounting and weathering cell tests. The aim of the study was to evaluate mine drainage quality and to assess metal mobility from these concentrator tailings. Chemical analyses show that the Upper-Moulouya abandoned tailings contain relatively high quantities of lead (0.261 to 0.594 % wt). Mineralogical analyses reveal the abundance of neutralizing minerals (calcite, dolomite, ankerite, and aluminosilicates) which influence mine drainage and metal mobility in mine tailings. Leachate analyses from weathering cell tests show alkaline conditions, small conductivity values, and low solubility of Pb-mineral phases. According to these results, abandoned mine tailings in the Upper-Moulouya district have very low potential for generation of contaminated mine drainage and for leaching of heavy metals. However, the inhalation of tailings exposed to winds generate dust problem facing the local population and may cause health consequences.

Aug 1, 2013

By H. Kuno, H. Kobayakawa

A borehole inclinometer with FBG optical fiber sensors has been developed to clarify very slow slope movements, and the results of its application to a real slope have been shown. The main characteristics kept in mind while developing this inclinometer are as follows. Firstly, the workability must be good so that only one cable is required for taking the measurements, because the inclinometer is composed of several FBG sensor elements constructed on an optical fiber. Secondly, the minimum interval of the distorted measurements must be close, namely, within 100 mm. Thirdly, the inclinometer must excel in thunder resistance. The measurements were executed by setting up the developed borehole inclinometer on a slope where the rate of displacement is several millimeters per year. The movement of the device was developed by comparing it with that of the results of an existing borehole inclinometer. The area of the displacement concentration, 1 m in width for 4-m sections, was confirmed by the existing borehole inclinometer. The boring core, recovered using a high-quality drilling technique, was examined. Landslide clay was not permitted at the location where the displacement had concentrated as a result of comparing the measurement results with the boring core, and the rotation of gravel by the movement of the slope’s land block was allowed. These results show the slope being caught in the stage just before a primary landslide. In addition, the feature whereby the slope behavior depends on the depth was analyzed by comparing the information on the underground displacement with precipitation and earthquake records.

Jan 1, 2015

By John R. Hayes, Kebbi A. Hughes, John Rowson, Peter E. R. Blanchard, Jeremiah C. Beam, Andrew P. Grosvenor, Arthur Situm

Uranium ore bodies contain elements within mineral phases that need to be disposed of responsibly. Solid waste can be placed in a tailings management facility (TMF) to contain the waste elements and limit interactions with the environment. It is important to understand how the chemistry of the tailings evolves throughout the lifetime of the operations that feed the TMF and after the site has been decommissioned. The objective of our collaboration with Orano Canada was to study how the tailings from the TMF located at McClean Lake, Saskatchewan change over time. This manuscript discusses our use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray microprobe to study the fate of Mo and Ca in the tailings. Mo is considered an element of concern (EOC) and it is necessary to determine if a stable solid Mo-bearing species forms. Thermodynamic modeling suggested that aqueous Mo would precipitate over time as powellite (CaMoO4). Comparing Mo K-edge XAS spectra from the solid tailings to the aqueous Mo concentration in the pore water showed that powellite did form and that this did result in a decrease in the aqueous Mo concentration over time. Further, it has been proposed that Ca2+(aq) can react with bicarbonate ions in the pore water and precipitate as calcium carbonate (e.g., CaCO3). This reaction would limit the aqueous bicarbonate present in the tailings that could react with uranyl ions to form soluble uranyl-carbonate complexes. We have identified several trace Ca-bearing species, including carbonates, in the tailings using XAS and X-ray microprobe.

Jan 1, 2020

By D. Kulchyski, R. Thibault, D. Lamoureux

"Mine tunneling applications are sensitive to the leakage and friction performance of ducting systems. Improvements in performance can help project economics through reduction in drift height, booster fan spacing, fan electrical power requirement, and deferral of ventilation raise construction. Semirigid plastic ducting has enjoyed significant adoption in mine tunneling in recent years. This paper explores technical properties and performance aspects of this relatively new material application.INTRODUCTIONUnderground mining projects are sensitive to mine development cost and schedule to meet first production—both of which are defined to a substantial extent by mine access construction. The very nature of mine access development requires driving accesses into new areas and even mechanized and automated tunneling methods require ventilation. Until underground airways are connected, allowing a flow-through circuit, ducted ventilation is required to establish ventilation within any single-access (i.e.: dead-end) heading. See Figure 1 as an example of ducted ventilation. Improving performance of ducted ventilation systems impacts project cost and schedule in several ways:For drifts whose height is defined by overhead clearance above haul trucks or tall equipment, smaller diameter ducting will decrease heading size.With higher ventilation flows, activities can be less ventilation-constricted; secondary headings can be worked without restriction, which improves schedule.Given the ability to provide more air for a given fan power, blasting gasses can clear the face and mine more quickly so crews can return to work more quickly - allowing higher advance rates.Lower electrical costs – both due to lower power consumed by fans and with the requirement for fewer electrical stations to power booster fans."

Jan 1, 2019

By K. D. Peaslee

Slag splashing is an important development that has dramatically improved BOF vessel campaign life and reduced operating costs. This paper highlights research from physical modeling work using a 1/8-scale room temperature model BOF and slag characterization studies from several plants in North America and China. In the model studies, gas flow rate during blow and viscosity of the liquid were found to be two of the most important factors to changing the overall rate of liquid splashed onto the vessel sidewalls. When the flow rate was increased or viscosity decreased, the lower regions of the walls were splashed at a much greater rate. It was also shown that by changing the lance height, more liquid was deposited in the upper regions of the vessel at the expense of lower regions. Reducing the number of nozzles was found to be the most effective method of selectively coating a particular vertical section of the wall. Studies of BOF's using slag splashing in North America and China showed a difference in the melting characteristics of the final slag. Generally, slag splashing is successful when the melting point of the slag is 220-270°C below the tap temperature to maintain a balance between fluidity and refractoriness.

Jan 1, 2004

By Ken Hester, Bruce Arthur

"Introduction""Pebble milling"" is a term used to describe secondary grinding done with rock pebbles rather than steel balls or other steel or metal shapes. This paper discusses pebble milling with particular attention being paid to uranium grinding circuits.Pebble milling is typically employed:a. where the cost of steel balls becomes exorbitant, as may be the case in an isolated area.b. where the extra steel added from steel ball consumption may be detrimental to further processing.c. where the over-all economics favour the use of pebbles rather than ball.Pebble milling differs from autogenous and semi-autogenous grinding in that a sized product has been removed from some part of the primary comminution circuit, and it is this sized product which is added as grinding media to the pebble milling stage. The pebbles do not necessarily have to be produced from the ore- ""foreign"" pebbles can be used. Also, pebble milling generally refers to grinding from a fine size, below about 6 mesh (3360 micron), with relatively small media, that is, secondary grinding. In South Africa, however, primary pebble mills are sometimes used to grind crusher house product, and thus function in place of rod mills. Pebbles for this service are large and heavy as they must weigh as much as balls used in similar service.The first large applications of pebble milling were in South Africa(n. ""Tube milling"" with pebbles started in 1904. The tube mill was simply a tumbling mill with a length to diameter ratio over two. A ""typical"" early tube mill was 5.5 ft. (1.7 m) in diameter and 16 ft. (4.9 m) in length. Diameters increased steadily. King(n mentions 8-ft. (2.4 m) units in his 1949 book. By 1961, the largest units discussed by Jackson('' were 12ft. (3. 7 m) in diameter."

Jan 1, 1989

By Charles Graham

It is the general belief that the coal deposits on Vancouver Island are extremely large, and easily available. Indeed, they are frequently described by prominent public men and by writers in the press as "illimitable" and "inexhaustible." It is well that the facts that have been established as a result of seventy years of surface prospecting, underground operations and extensive diamond-drilling in this coalfield should be disclosed. HISTORY The presence of coal on the coast of British Columbia was first made known by Dr. W. F. Tolmie in 183 5. This coal was brought to him by Indians from the north-east coast of Vancouver Island, probably from Suquash. In 1850 the existence of coal at Nanaimo was announced by Mr. ]. W. MacKay. Development was started in 1852, and coal was shipped before the close of 185 3. The first operations were carried on by the Hudson's Bay Company, who operated the mines until 1861, when they sold them to the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company. Practically all of the operations in the immediate vicinity of Nanaimo have been carried on by this Company and its successors. In 1869, Mr. Robert Dunsmuir discovered coal about five miles north-west of Nanaimo, at Wellington. The Welling-ton Colliery Company was organized, and began to produce coal from the Wellington mines in 1871, the coal being shipped from Departure bay. This colliery was a large producer for several years, but was finally closed in 1900.

Jan 1, 1924

By T. C. Crosby

"Grinding has a marked effect on concentrator recovery and operating cost, and improved operation through automatic control can enhance plant performance. The correct application of automatic control can only be accomplished after the basic process variables and their effect on mill operation have been defined. This paper develops a control system for a closed circuit grinding system. Typical control systems, such as those for feed, water flow, level and circulating load, are discussed. A method of determining controllability, using the calculated reaction curve technique, is outlined. Various successful automatic grinding control applications are discussed and future possibilities are outlined. Although this paper primarily deals with closed wet grinding• circuits, the principles involved can be readily applied to other processes."

Jan 1, 1967

By Redhead Robert J.

"In 1991, the Canadian Council of Ministers for the Environment (CCME) charged its Waste Management Task Group with developing a nationally coordinated strategy to measure, monitor, and achieve the objective of decreasing the generation of waste (solid and hazardous) by50% from 1988 levels by the year 2000.With the encouragement of the CCME, which viewed hazardous waste as largely an industry problem, a committee, the “Industry Action Group”, representing eleven industry trade associations with a strong interest and involvement in hazardous waste was recruited.The Municipality of Markham, Ontario was also recruited (Appendix 1)."

Jan 1, 1996

By F. W. Guernsey

Of all the elements, sulphur occupies a place by itself. It is mined in situ, in such quantities and of such purity that, as regards the tonnage produced, it is the first of any element on the list. Iron and coal the great tonnage producers, are combinations of elements, while sulphur is mined and marketed almost chemically pure. It is sold, in large quantities, commercially, calling for a purity of 99.5 per cent while for medicinal purposes, the Pharmacopoeia requires only 99 per cent. purity. It is a very common commodity, and like many common things is of extreme importance, in the progress of our civilization. The substance has been known from the earliest times, the word sulphur being derived from the Sanskrit Culvari", hence the Latin Sulphur. Commercially it is also called brimstone, this word being a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon Bryne Stane or burning stone. From our younger days, we have been more or less familiar with the mineral. On the spiritual side being threatened, if we did not behave ourselves, with an ultimate consumption in a lake of fire and brimstone, (which in moments of reflexion was not pleasant to contemplate) while our bodily ills were taken care of by inward applications as a spring medicine. In both instances, the effect required, was generally attained. Sulphur occurs in nature, both free and in the combined state, it being estimated that it forms, over one tenth of one per cent of the first ten miles of the earths surface. (I do not know who did the estimating and it is not guaranteed).

Jan 1, 1923

By Denis Raymond, Yvon Trudeau

"Abstract-The Orion gold mine, located 7 km northeast of the town of Malartic, Quebec, was discovered in mid-1985. Underground exploration was undertaken in 1986Ieading to commercial production in 1988. The upper part of the orebody was exploited above the 125 m level and a total of 131 090 t at an average grade of 5.31 g/t gold were extracted.This paper describes the authors' current knowledge and interpretation of the geology, gold distribution, and structure of the Orion No. 8 ore zone deposit. The deposit is an epigenetic lode gold occurrence somewhat unique in that both quartz-vein type and pyritic type of gold ore occur side-by-side. It is located within the Marban-Norlartic Deformation Corridor (MNDC) formed during a first deformation stage (D1). The MNDC is a well-defined regional structural feature in the Val d'Or- Malartic mining camp. Primary gold mineralization is associated with the D1 event and is represented by pyritized , silicified and brecciated basaltic lavas enclosed by ultramafic flow units. The ore zone is concordant with the MNDC. Felsic intrusions are spatially related with the ore zone, but their role in the genesis of the ore has yet to be defined.A second deformation event (D2) resulted in local folding, a second schistosity (S2) and reverse faulting. Gold remobilization, the formation of the gold-bearing quartz breccia and the emplacement of the main quartz vein at the No . 8 zone deposit were associated with this event."

Jan 1, 1992

By W. Keith Buck

This paper defines the discipline of mineral economics. By example, it describes the application of the tools of economic analysis to mineral problems - to problems in the areas of: mineral resource analysis and forecasting, mineral industry activity from exploration to distribution and marketing, mineral commodity analysis, and mineral policy analysis and policy formulation - all in a regional, national or international context.

Jan 1, 1972