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By James C. Hower, B. K. Parekh

Introduction The purpose of coal preparation is to improve the quality of coal to make it suitable for a specific purpose by (1) cleaning to remove inorganic impurities; (2) sizing-crushing or screening, or both; and (3) special treatment, such as dedusting. The properties and quantities of impurities in coal are of major importance in the design and operation of steam generating equipment. Although boilers are often designed and equipped to use a wide range of coals, no boiler will perform equally well with all types of coals. All coals have certain properties that place limitations on their most advantageous use. These limitations are especially stringent for many of the older installations. Because of a general lowering of quality of raw coal in recent years, the need for coal cleaning has significantly increased. Among the factors contributing to the need for increased coal preparation are (1) increased demand for quality brought on by market and environmental requirements; (2) increased extraneous dilution caused by mine, health, and safety laws; and (3) depletion of the higher-quality coal seams. The major characteristics of coal and impurities from the standpoint of mechanical cleaning are particle size composition, generally called size consist; density differences; the relative friability of the coal and its associated impurities; hardness; and strength. Some of the other factors related to preparation are petrographic composition and rank. RANK CLASSIFICATION Coal is a general designation for a great number of solid organic minerals with different compositions and properties; all are rather rich in carbon and have a dark color, generally black. Next to mineral oil and kerogen, coal is the most important reservoir of carbon in the world. Carbon is an indispensable necessity of life as well as the main source of energy. Coals are found in stratified deposits, sometimes at great depths. All coals owe their origins to slow decomposition and chemical conversion of immense masses of organic material. As found in seams, coal is a heterogeneous mixture of organic and inorganic materials. Not only are there large differences in the properties of coal originating from different seams, but also in coal removed from different locations in a single seam. A genetic relationship exists between peats, brown coals, lignites, biturninous coals, and anthracites. As a whole, the process of coal formation, or coalification, proceeds as a continuous transformation of plant material, each phase characterized by a degree of coalification, or rank. As a measure of this rank, the carbon content or some related parameter can be used.

Jan 1, 1991

By Deepak Bhadouriya, Saurabh Singh, Aditya Raj Suman

"An experimental study of chemically enhanced filtration and dewatering of fine coal slurry with and without additives was carried out. The experiment involved determination of effect of slurry concentration, additives (cationic, anionic and nonionic), filter area, filtration velocity, particle size and cake resistance on dewatering and filtration using vacuum filtration cell. Finally, the rate of filtration and dewatering and optimum amount of additives used were determined under suitable filtration condition. Overall, it was found that the filtration and dewatering characteristics were enhanced by increased slurry concentration, larger filter area and larger particle size. In addition of additives, the kerosene was found to be best for enhancing the filtration which yielded cake moisture reductions of approximately 17% by weight. At optimum dosages, the final cake moisture contents were reduced by 3.6% and 5.8% by weight using the appropriate surfactant and flocculent, respectively.INTRODUCTIONFor India, it is estimated that coal constitute a principal source of energy for the next several decades. It is majorly used at thermal power plants to generate electricity and also to a great extent in steel and cement industry. It has been observed that its consumption is increasing so as to meet the energy requirements of the country. It has been found that in a coal preparation plant; approximately 20-25 percent coal is of the mined coal of the range below minus 0.5 mm (28 meshes). Generally, this fine fraction is discarded due to its high cost of processing and further utilisatisation is very minimal. But with ongoing research and development for advanced clean coal technology, various new techniques have been evolved to maximize the utilization of available coal. In recent time technologies such as column flotation, cleaning of fine size coal to lower the ash content and low pyretic sulfur is feasible at high recovery value. But in various researches it is found that one of the biggest hurdles in utilization of fine coal cleaning technology by the coal industry is the economic dewatering of the fine clean coal product. Thus, until an economical and practical solution to dewatering of fine clean coal is achieved, the efforts devoted to developing fine clean coal technology will be wasted. In this paper an effort toward enhancing and developing the optimum technique of dewatering and filtration of fine coal slurry has been made."

Jan 1, 2016

By R. Raitani

Five kaolin crudes from the state of Georgia in the U.S. were investigated for processability with chemically enhanced magnetic separation (CEMS) technologies developed by Cytec. The technologies used magnetic reagent alone or in conjunction with specialty chemicals to selectively agglomerate and magnetize the desired minerals (impurities) to be removed by the conventional magnetic separation equipment. All crudes indicated treatability using CEMS. Results indicated that CEMS technology could be applied to different kaolin crudes to obtain a product with titanium impurities less than 0.6% TiO2 from individual crudes. The features and benefits of the technologies were also reviewed.

Feb 1, 2012

By H. Yasuhara, N. Kinoshita, S. Nakashima, K. Kishida

"In this study, flow-through experiments in fractured rocks have been conducted under different stress, temperature, and pH conditions so as to understand the evolution of permeability induced by these conditions. Throughout the experiments, the confining pressures and temperatures are well-controlled. Effluent concentrations are also measured for the ten elements of Si, Al, K, Fe, Ca, Na, Mg, Ti, S, and Cl that are included mainly in the targeted rocks. In the early stage of the experiments, the fracture permeability measured abruptly decreases with time, and subsequently reaches quasi-steady state within a relatively short period. In contrast, the permeability in the intact rocks monotonically increases with time. The permeability increase and decrease are attributed likely to the relative dominance of mineral dissolution in the pore spaces and to that of mineral dissolution/crushing at the propping asperities within the fracture and/or mineral precipitation onto the free surfaces, respectively. The evolving rates and magnitudes of the permeability are likely to be controlled by the stress exerted over the contacting asperities, temperatures, and pH of the permeant. Thus, this complicated behavior should be attributed to the coupled chemically- and mechanically-induced effects, which should be examined in more detail for longer period to contribute to the safe entombment of radioactive wastes. INTRODUCTIONUnderstanding of the flow and transport characteristics of porous/fractured rocks is required for the safe and long-term geological isolation of energy-related by-products (i.e., high level radioactive wastes and anthropogenic CO2). Notably, under relatively high temperature and stress conditions, mechanically- and chemically-mediated processes may alter the pore structures in rocks, resulting in an irreversible evolution of the flow and transport behavior. Augmentation in permeability may result from mechanical dilation due to shearing and mineral dissolution within the pore spaces, while reduction may result from reversible or irreversible mechanical compaction, mineral dissolution at the contacting areas, and clogging of pore spaces by precipitation of secondary minerals."

Jan 1, 2015

By Robert B. Fulton

The objective of this chapter is to discuss the interrelationship between industrial minerals and chemical manufacturing. It is intended to supplement rather than duplicate the commodity chapters. Particular emphasis is given to the pertinent chemical element and to market factors. Condensing this broad subject into a few pages of this handbook permits treating only the most important elements derived from industrial minerals. Hydrocarbons, which quantitatively dominate as raw materials for the chemical industry, are omitted, as are the metallic elements and the minerals covered in other "use" chapters such as phosphorous, potassium, and nitrogen for fertilizers, and titanium dioxide for pigments. The remaining six elements of major importance are: boron, bromine, chlorine, fluorine, sodium, and sulfur. These elements are treated individually under separate headings. [Table 1] affords an overview of the main industrial minerals, the chemical products derived from them, and end uses of the products. Salt brines have particular importance as raw material sources for the chemical industry. Table 2 is a chart of the chemical compounds derived from four types of brines: (1) Owens Lake-type brines, which are sources of boron and sodium compounds; (2) Midland-type brines, from which bromine, iodine, and chlorides of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium are derived; (3) Searles Lake-type brines, yielding boron, bromine, lithium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium compounds; and (4) Silver Peak- type brines, produced mainly for lithium. MARKET ATTRIBUTES Some of the important market traits common to industrial minerals used by the chemical industry are: 1. They are international commodities, such as fluorspar and sulfur, which largely move to foreign consumers. 2. Grade, and freedom from deleterious elements are important factors affecting their usability in chemical processes. An example is salt (NaCl) used in electrolysis where ultrapure evaporated salt is required to meet rigid specifications. 3. Purified products take on the characteristics of specialty items and command a distinctly higher price than the basic commodity from which they are derived. 4. In practically all cases, chemical users require some sort of cleaning or beneficiation of the naturally-occurring mineral to bring it to specification, and individual specifications may vary from user to user for essentially the same use. 5. In some instances it is necessary to strike a balance between what the vendor can supply and what the buyer requires, with the result that specifications have to be eased to afford the needed materials in marginal cases. 6. Because they tend to be bulk commodities, low cost for handling and transportation are important and such costs may limit the area from which a chemical user can draw his supply. 7. Shipments are usually in bulk and frequently in multiple-car, full-trainload or full-shipload lots to reduce transport costs, which in turn may require large terminal investment facilities. 8. Purchases are generally by contract of one year or longer term, with spot buying playing only a minor role. 9. Contract prices are usually fixed in short term commitments, but may vary according to assay, with premiums and penalties for content above or below the norm; however, general practice is for specifications to be fixed in the contract with minimums being set for the desired material and maximums for undesired elements. In longer term contracts, prices are often escalated on labor, fuel, and other vendor processing costs. 10. Suppliers of individual commodities to the chemical industry tend to be limited in number and are generally medium- to large-size producers that supply a few major consumers. 11. The bulk of the mineral volume is for basic chemical uses, sulfur suppliers to sulfuric acid producers and fluorspar for hydrofluoric acid producers being typical examples. These basic chemical products then are used for the production of other products. 12. Shortage of a supply of adequate quality leads consumers to seek substitutes. In the case of fluorspar, much work is being done on recovery of fluorine from phosphate rock. Success in the form of fluorosilicic acid and/or hydrofluoric acid production could, in time, affect the hydrofluoric acid chemical industry. 13. Markets tend to be characterized by cycles of shortage followed by oversupply, with attendant wide price fluctuations. 14. Baniers to trade can have an adverse effect on the necessary movement of industrial minerals used by the chemical industry in international trade. Antidumping laws, quotas, and tariffs can disrupt or dislocate normal markets. 15. Chemical industry consumers may back-integrate for security of supply or for favorable economics, sometimes by joint ownership and often with experienced mining partners.

Jan 1, 1994

By John E. Pavlick

The availability of concentrated brines rich iodide, bromide, chloride, sodium, magnesium and calcium ions has led to extensive chemical manufacturing operations in Michigan. The brines, ranging 1,000 to 8,000 feet below the earth's surface, are the remnants of ancient oceans which periodically covered and receded over the land area which is now Michigan. After pumping the brine to the surface, iodine and bromine are extracted via an oxidative process. Iodine and bromine find application in catalysts, disinfectants, flame retardants, oil field fluids, film, and gasoline additives. Addition of alkalinity to the brine precipitates magnesium hydroxide, used in high quality refractories needed for steel manufacture. The brines are also the country's primary source of calcium chloride, employed in ice and dust control.

Jan 1, 1984

By N. S. Dalal, N. Leelarasamee, V. Castranova, K. Van Dyke, V. Vallyathan

"INTRODCICTIONSilicosis is the chronic fibrosing disease of the lungs caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica. However, inhalation of crystalline silica, may induce three distinctly different disease patterns; i.e., chrome silicosis, accelerated silicosis, and acute silicosis. These three disease patterns differ in their pathologic characteristics, clinical symptoms, onset of disease, and mortality. Many studies in the past have focused on the elucidation of mechanisms involved in the development of chrome silicosis. We recently reported that freshly fractured silica has surface properties that could make it more reactive with lung tissue than aged silica, and that this unique reactivity of freshly fractured silica may be involved in the pathogenesis of acute silicosis (Dalal et al., 1986; Vallyathan et al., 1988; Shi et II., 1988). Because freshly fractured silica could contain some moieties in an ""excited state,"" due to the breakage of silicon oxygen bonds, we postulated that the de-excitation of these moieties could produce light which could be monitored by a luminescence measurement technique. In addition, if this ""excited state'' of silica could trigger a greater biologic response by phagocytic cells, this activation could be monitored by a chemiluminescence technique in the presence of appropriate enhancers.This investigation describes for the first time the use of luminescence in the study of freshly fractured silica and its properties. Enhanced biologic reactivity of the freshly fractured silica with alveolar macrophages was monitored by the chemiluminescence technique.MATERIALS AND METHODSNative silica was obtained from the dust bank of the GenericRespirable Dust Technology Center, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, and ground for 3~ min in an agate ball mill. It was then sieved through a 20 micron mesh filter and used within 1 O min as fresh silica or stored in glass bottles for aging. X-ray energy spectrometry and X-ray powder diffraction studies on representative samples were made to confirm the mineralogic purity. All the silica samples were found to be 99 % pure with minimal detectable conlamination by metal ions."

Jan 1, 1990

By Hsu-Hui Hsing

In several previous studies from this laboratory (1-4) the autophobicity concept of Zisman and co-workers (5, 6) has been extended to gas phase adsorption processes. Low molecular weight alcohols adsorb on silica or alumina to yield novel isotherms in that monolayer adsorption occurs at low relative pressures indicative of strong bonding, but subsequently multilayer adsorption is quite sparse and diminishes with molecular weight of the alcohol. Such isotherms fit no standard classification scheme, however, in the vacinity of monolayer coverage alcohol isotherms give an excellent fit to the Langmuir or B. E. T. , Type I model (7). Monolayer adsorption is relatively irreversible and it is thus possible to prepare these chemisorbed layers and perform subsequent adsorption studies thereon. All indications are that the adsorptive properties on such films is radically different from that on the underlying alumina (4, 8) and in one study finite contact angles for hydrocarbon fluids were observed. One perennial conceptual difficulty is that there is no observed upper bound to the adsorption isotherm which would be necessary for autophobic adsorption to occur. The cause for this has been studied, and it is currently believed that adsorption is complicated by reversible capillary condensation at contact points between powder particles. The evidence for this is that large particle powders give less "apparent" adsorption at high relative pressures and in one very tedious study adsorption on planar sheets, oxidized aluminum displayed similar reduced uptake at high relative pressures when compared with high specific surface area powders (3).

Jan 1, 1974

By S. I. Sobol

Completeness of cobalt recovery from slag requires decomposition of maggemite and non - ferrous metal desorption with polymerized silicon-acid. Cobalt losses are reduced in leaching tai1s up to 200 g/t of iron.

Jan 1, 1993

By John W. Tieman

Coal is a term applied to vegetable matter which, through geological processes of heat and pressure, has had both its physical and chemical properties changed. Because its chemical composition is variable, geologists classify coal as a rock rather than a mineral. Peat represents the initial stages in the development of coal, although not classified as coal itself. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF COAL The physical properties are concerned with the characteristics of coal in its natural state, or prior to its end use as a fuel. For example, the hardness of coal determines the maintenance cost on coal handling equipment; the specific gravity of coal determines the coal preparation techniques used in a cleaning plant as well as the capacity of coal bins, boats and size of cargo, and other coal storage facilities. The physical properties are, of course, dependent upon the chemical constituents that make up coal, and thus all properties are interrelated. Specific Gravity The specific gravity of a body is the ratio of the weight of the body in air and the weight of an equal volume of water. The specific gravity of pure coal ranges between 1.25 and 1.70, generally increasing with rank. The most important use of this physical characteristic is the part that it plays in the cleaning of coal by wet wash methods. The basic principle on which these operate is that the specific gravity of coals differs from their associated impurities and that there is a relationship between the velocity of the fall of particles in water and their density. Since the specific gravity of slate is around 2.5 and pyrite is about 5.0, pyrite and slate will fall to the bottom of a container filled with water more rapidly than coal. If the water is given a pulsating motion by

Jan 1, 1973

By Woodcock J. T

During the dissolution of gold in fully aerated cyanide solutions the CN ion is the active agent, and consequently the usual method of evaluating the dissolving power of such solutions is to determine the CN- concentration analytically. The presence in the solutions of copper and/or zinc which themselves form complex cyanides, may result in erroneous conclusions as to the free cyanide ion concentration determined by titration.In this paper the theory of titration of such solutions has been developed, and potentiometric methods have been used to follow the behaviour of complex cyanides of copper and zinc. The results for cuprocyanides show Cu (CN)s to be the most important copper complex, and in addition they explain the reported low rates of solution of gold in copperbearing solutions which when titrated in the usual way, appear to have adequate free cyanide. An explanation of the misleading value of the titration is given, and suggestions for recognition of the condition are offered. Preliminary results for zinc-bearing solutions show that there is no satisfactory end-point for the titration of CN- in excess of that in the complex Zn (CN) 4=, which dissociates to CN and Zn(CN)g-.

Jan 1, 1950

By John J. Friel

The addition of dolomite to iron ore pellets improves their high-temperature reduction properties primarily by increasing their reducibility and raising their softening temperature. In this study we prepared dolomite-fluxed pellets from three different concentrates; Hibbing, a magnetic taconite, Knob Lake, an earthy hematite; and Carol Lake, a mixture of specular hematite with magnetite. The composition n of the concentrates is given in Table I. The pellets were subjected to standard physical tests and the following reduction tests: low temperature degradation, swelling, softening, and thermogravimetric analysis. Petrographic examination and electron microprobe analysis allowed us to evaluate the effect of composition and firing on the phase assemblage. Further, we were able to interpret the test results in terms of chemistry and microstructure. This approach enabled us to determine which fluxed composition best suited each of the concentrates.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. J. Friel, E. S. Erickson

Dolomite-fluxed pellets of various compositions were made from magnetite concentrate, hematite concentrate and a concentrate containing a natural mixture of both. Physical properties and reduction test results were used to ascertain proper compositions and firing temperatures. These pellets were subjected to physical tests and to reduction tests. Petrographic and electron microprobe examinations were made to evaluate the effect of composition and fining on the phase assemblage. We interpreted our test results in terms of chemistry and microstructure and related these to properties. This approach enabled w to determine the composition best suited to each of the three concentrates. Compared with acid pellets, dolomite- fluxed pellets of the optimum compositions had similar physical properties but swelled less, softened at a higher temperature, and reduced faster and more completely.

Jan 1, 1983

Since its commercial in Australia at Broken Hill in the early part of the 20th century, the flotation process has grown to become the single most important minerals separation method available to mineral processing engineers. Statistics on flotation are impressive both in terms of growth of tonnages treated and in terms of the variety of separations accomplished. Because of the steady decline in the grade of ores and because many of the ores remaining are finely disseminated mixtures of minerals (many of them in a highly oxidized state) mineral processing scientists and engineers are now con- fronted with the problem of improving and modifying conventional flotation techniques so as to be able to effic- iently process these more refractory types of-ores. The flotation process did not come into being as the result of an intensive fundamental research effort but, in a similar way to so many other methods used in the processing of raw materials, it was developed over the years by the continued application of empirical methods. As a result, most of the basic research in this field has long been concerned with the problem of explaining why the existing process works so well. We are now at the stage where any further substan- tial extension of the flotation process will demand a more profound understanding of its fundamental principles. Current knowledge of flotation fundamentals is still far from the stage where processes can be designed, optimized, and controlled from first principles. The extensive

Jan 1, 1984

By Jacques Ouellet, Ferri Hassani

"Within the mining industry paste backfill technology has evolved over the last two decades. This technology aims at producing safe and cost effective backfill of high strength. When used as cemented backfill underground the usual practice in the mining operations was to consider the backfill as a component under the production engineer responsibility. With its growing use in various site conditions some problems were encountered. Over time the mechanical characteristics of paste backfill could deteriorate. Investigations on these problems brought an increased understanding of paste backfill chemistry. Effectively, paste backfill is produced with tailings slurry having sometimes very complex chemistry and mineralogy. The bonding agents can be sensitive to the chemistry of these slurries. Today, a new understanding of the complex chemical reactions involved in cementing paste backfill is derived from concrete research literature. Cemented paste backfill is a manufactured product and as thus all steps involved in its making must be looked at. Both the processing engineers and mining engineers need to be involved. The proposed paper will go over the various developments and new understanding gained over the years on paste backfill chemistry. The authors had the opportunity to work with various Canadian mines that implemented paste backfill in their operations. Chemical alterations case study will serve to illustrate the importance of a good understanding of cement and paste chemistry. The authors will then conclude on research orientations needed to bring a more efficient use of paste backfill technology. The crucial role of the processing engineers in the paste backfill manufacturing will be discussed.INTRODUCTIONPaste backfill is usually prepared from a mixture of solids and water containing at least 15% particles smaller than 20 microns with the addition of binders for mechanical strength. Historically, tailings had been classified to extract the fines and only the coarse part was placed underground as sand slurry. Paste fill was researched in the last three decades to enable mining operations to use all the tailings, including fines, in backfill. The outcome of the early studies showed that paste fill provides high strength but due to preparation complexities and transportation problems is expensive. A greater understanding of the transportation mechanisms and advances in dewatering technology in recent years has resulted in more practical use of paste backfill."

Jan 1, 2002

By B. Zane Egan

The Calsinter process for recovery from fly ash involves sintering the fly ash with calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate at 1200°C, followed by a dilute sulfuric acid leach step. Flue gas desulfurization sludge containing calcium sulfite, calcium sulfate, and unreacted calcium carbonate may be substituted for the calcium sulfate and calcium carbonate. Conversion of aluminum in fly ash by the sintering process to an acid-leachable species was measured as a function of sintering time and temperature in the range of 800°-1200°C The sinter-leach steps were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. SEM photographs indicated that the glassy spheroids in the original fly ash were converted to a crystalline structure by the sintering reaction.

Jan 1, 1980

By N. H. MacMillan, O. C. Dias

Recent work by Westwood et al. (reviewed in Refs. 1-6) has established that many rocks, minerals, ceramics, and glasses exhibit phenomenologically similar chemomechanical (Rebinder) effects when deformed in different liquid environments, apparently as the result of chemisorption-induced variations in their near-surface flow and flow-dependent fracture behavior. In particular, it appears that there exists an empirical, but apparently general, correlation between the near-surface flow stress of an inorganic nonmetal and its surface charge- namely, that such a solid is hardest at its zero point of charge (i.e., when its zeta potential [ ] = 0) and softens as [ ] increases, regardless of the sign of zeta. Moreover, because near-surface flow and fracture phenomena are two of the important determinants of the rates of machining and comminution processes, both Westwood et al. and others7 have been able to use this so-called "[ ]-correlation" to develop cutting fluids and grinding aids that in many instances have given rise to several fold increases in performance. In addition, Westwood et al. have demonstrated that both aqueous and organic environments can give rise to similar improvements in cutting rate for a given combination of tool and workpiece, provided that both impart the same surface charge to the work- piece (i.e., transfer the same number of electrons to or from its surface). This last finding implies that in any application it should always be possible to find some cutting fluid that is at once effective, cheap, nontoxic, and nonpolluting. Thus, reports of apparently similar environmental influences on the mechanical behavior of diamond,8 certain organic crystals and polymers,9-14 and coa1-15-21 suggest that it is pertinent to ask: (a) whether the [ ]-correlation (or any analogous relationship) extends to coal; and (b), if so, whether this relationship can be used to guide the development of superior aids for grinding coal. Accordingly, correlations have been sought between (1) the zeta potentials, (2) the hardnesses, and (3 and 4) the drilling and grinding characteristics of coals of different rank in different aqueous and organic environments. This paper reports the results of that search.

Jan 1, 1980

By R. K. Mehta

Existing acid mine drainage treatment techniques are not remedial In nature, i.e. though heavy metals can be removed from acid mine water, their presence in tailings and large quantities of these tailings tend to increase capital and operating cost for tailing management. This paper presents the results of a series of systematic tests which finally resulted In the development of the "ferrite" process for mine drainage of coal operations at ambient temperature. The role of pH, temperature, quantity of ferrous salt addition and degree of oxidation is investigated targeting the production of high emu spinel ferrites and effluent water complying regulatory standards with respect to Iron. manganese suspended solids and pH.

Jan 1, 1992

By G. Roy, D. R. Lentz, A. O. Wills

"Abstract - Diamond-drill hole DDH-B357, located 1.5 km north of the Brunswick No. 6 Zn-Pb- Cu-Ag volcanic-sediment-hosted massive sulfide (VSHMS) deposit, intersects three exhalative horizons within variably altered felsic volcanic rocks of the Nepisiguit Falls and Flat Landing Brook formations. These three petrographically indistinguishable iron formation intervals (Fe2O3T = 21.4 wt.%) likely represent cogenetic hydrothermal sedimentary units because they display a common geochemical signature: Fe2O3T = 42.9 ± 10.5 wt.%, MnO = 5.4 ± 3.1 wt.%, elevated base metal values (Zn+Pb = 1999 ± 1091 ppm), strong enrichment in additional exhalative components (CaO = 5.3 ± 3.9 wt.%; P2O5 = 1.43 ± 1.00 wt.%), oxidized signature (Fe/Mn = 10 ± 6), as well as a common immobile element signature (Zr/TiO2 = 0.025 ± 0.007) representative of a pelagic source. The calc-alkaline to transitional host volcanic rocks can be discriminated by Zr/TiO2, and to a lesser extent by Th/Nb: Nepisiguit Falls Formation: Zr/TiO2 = 0.053 ± 0.004, Th/Nb = 1.08 ± 0.37; Flat Landing Brook Formation: Zr/TiO2 = 0.107 ± 0.043, Th/Nb = 0.86 ± 0.17. A symmetrical repetition of the footwall-iron formation-hanging wall stratigraphic sequence is observed in DDH-B357, with distinct felsic volcanic rock domains separated by the three iron formations. This is best explained by parasitic F2 folds on the west flank of the south-plunging Brunswick antiform, similar to the fold closures known to host massive sulfide accumulations in the Brunswick No. 6 and No. 12 mines. Iron formation geochemistry and felsic volcanic rock chemostratigraphy from drill core sampling can provide an effective mineral exploration tool for the structurally complex rocks of the Bathurst Mining Camp. Sommaire - Le forage au diamant DDH-B357, situé à 1.5 km au nord du gisement de Sulfures Massifs à Encaissant Volcanique et Sédimentaire (SMEVS) de Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag Brunswick No. 6 recoupe trois horizons exhalatifs au sein des roches volcaniques felsiques diversement altérées des formations de Nepisiguit Falls et de Flat Landing Brook. Ces trois intervalles de formation de fer, impossibles à distinguer pétrographiquement les uns des autres, représentent vraisemblablement des unités sédimentaires hydrothermales cogénétiques sur la base de leur signature géochimique commune: Fe2O3T = 42.9 ± 10.5 % poids, MnO = 5.4 ± 3.1 % poids, des teneurs élevées en métaux usuels (Zn+Pb = 1999 ± 1091 ppm), un fort enrichissement en composantes exhalatives additionnelles (CaO = 5.3 ± 3.9 % poids; P2O5 = 1.43 ± 1.00 % poids), une signature oxydée (Fe/ Mn = 10 ± 6), ainsi qu’une signature d’éléments immobiles communs (Zr/TiO2 = 0.025 ± 0.007) indicative d’une source pélagique. Les roches volcaniques encaissantes calco-alcalines à transitionnelles peuvent êtres reconnues par leur rapport Zr/TiO2, et à un moindre degré par leur rapport Th/Nb: Formation de Nepisiguit Falls: Zr/TiO2 = 0.053 ± 0.004, Th/Nb = 1.08 ± 0.37; Formation de Flat Landing Brook: Zr/TiO2 = 0.107 ± 0.043, Th/Nb = 0.86 ± 0.17. Une répétition symétrique de la séquence stratigraphique Mur-Formation de Fer-Toit a été observée dans le forage DDH-B357, avec des domaines distincts constitués de roches volcaniques felsiques séparés par les trois formations de fer. La meilleure explication est que le flanc ouest de l’anticlinal Brunswick à plongée sud est affecté par des plis parasites F2, similaires aux zones de charnière contenant les sulfures massifs des mines Brunswick No. 6 et No. 12. La géochimie des formations de fer et la chimiostratigraphie des roches volcaniques felsiques en forage peuvent fournir un outil d’exploration minérale efficace dans les roches structuralement complexes du Camp Minier de Bathurst."

Jan 1, 2006

By L. R. Fyffe, D. R. Lentz, S. H. Mcclenaghan

"Abstract - The Eel River area in the southwestern Miramichi terrane of New Brunswick contains a complete calc-alkaline suite of volcanic rocks that are interlayered with intervals of sedimentary and polylithic fragmental rocks, and are overlain by a thick sedimentary sequence. This package, collectively referred to as the Meductic Group, was deposited in a submerged volcanic arc setting interpreted to be part of the Popelogan arc. Rifting of this arc led to the development of the Tetagouche-Exploits back-arc basin, and formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in bimodal volcanic rocks of the Bathurst Mining Camp in the northeastern Miramichi Terrane. Unlike the Bathurst Mining Camp, volcanic rocks in the southeastern Miramichi Highlands form a continuous calc-alkaline suite characterized by increasing Zr/TiO2 with increasing SiO2, in part resulting from progressive coupled assimilation and fractional crystallization of nested magma systems. Slumping of semi-consolidated volcanic and sedimentary rocks in topographically unstable areas resulted in numerous slumps and debris flows that are preserved throughout the Eel River area. In the early 1990s, the discovery of a large sulfide clast in a road cut along the Benton road sparked interest in the volcanogenic massive sulfide potential of the Eel River area. Subsequent drilling intersected smaller fragments, one clast of which graded 16.7% Zn, 5.6% Pb, 90 ppm Ag, and 220 ppb Au. The intersection of thin lenses of stratiform sulfides in another drillhole indicates favorable conditions for the preservation of massive sulfides. Their subsequent incorporation into synvolcanic debris flows resulted in the transport and deposition of sulfide clasts from hydrothermal vents to more distal locations. Similar to the Buchans deposits of Newfoundland, tracing these debris flows back to their source would be beneficial from an exploration perspective. Approximately 15 km to the southwest of the Eel River area, gold-bearing base metal sulfide clasts (11.1% Zn, 6.13% Pb, 0.19% Cu, 108 ppm Ag, and 1100 ppb Au) occur within intermediate-composition volcanic rocks at Monument Brook in eastern Maine. Sommaire - Le secteur d’Eel River dans le sud-ouest de la terrane de Miramichi au Nouveau Brunswick contient une séquence complète de roches volcaniques calco-alcalines interstratifiées avec des roches sédimentaires et fragmentaires polylithologiques, sous une épaisse couverture sédimentaire. Cet assemblage constitue le Groupe de Meductic, et a été déposé dans un environnement d’arc insulaire interprété comme une partie de l’arc de Popelogan. Le rifting de cet arc à mené au développement du bassin d’arrière-arc de Tetagouche-Exploits, et à la formation de gisements de sulfures massifs volcanogènes dans les roches volcaniques bimodales du Camp Minier de Bathurst dans le nord-est de la terrane de Miramichi. Contrairement au Camp Minier de Bathurst, les roches volcaniques des hautes terres du sud-est de Miramichi constituent une suite calco-alcaline continue caractérisée par un accroissement du rapport Zr/TiO2 à des valeurs croissantes de SiO2, résultant en partie de l’assimilation progressive et de la cristallisation fractionnée de systèmes magmatiques superposés. L’effondrement de roches volcaniques et sédimentaires semi-consolidées dans des secteurs topographiquement instables est à l’origine des nombreux slumps et coulées de débris qui sont préservés dans le secteur d’Eel River. Au début des années 1990, la découverte d’un large claste de sulfures le long de la route Benton provoqué un intérêt pour le potentiel en gisements de sulfures massifs volcanogènes dans les secteur d’Eel River. Des forages ont par la suite recoupé des fragments plus petits, dont un claste qui a retourné des teneurs de 16.7% Zn, 5.6% Pb, 90 ppm Ag et 220 ppb Au. Le recoupement de minces lentilles de sulfures stratiformes dans un autre forage indique des conditions propices à la préservation des sulfures massifs."

Jan 1, 2006