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"A long-term mine production schedule optimization based on stochastic integer programming is presented that manages the risk due to geological variability and uncertainty while jointly considering mine profitability, truck fleet requirements and waste management. The evolution of the pit is controlled so that space within the mined-out pit is continuously provided to allow for tailings and waste rock to be replaced, thus minimizing the project’s environmental footprint. The method is applied at a taconite iron ore deposit and has a project net present value that is 16.9 percent higher than that of a conventional schedule and has a higher chance of meeting production forecasts. The stochastic schedule reduces equipment requirements by delaying waste mining and by mining selectively in order to meet plant ore feed requirements without stockpiling material, resulting in 23.7 and 26.2 percent lower mining capital and operating costs, respectively. IntroductionThe LabMag iron ore deposit is part of the Millennium Iron Range, a 210-km (130-mile) belt of taconite in northern Quebec and Labrador, Canada. LabMag has significant economic potential. It contains more than 3.3 Gt (3.6 billion st) of proven reserves at an average total iron content of 29.8 percent and is very low in impurities. However, on a project basis of 23 Mt/a (25 million stpy) of product, the required capital expenditure is estimated at more than $5 billion (SNC-Lavalin, 2014), which necessitates careful evaluation of all sources of risk. Resource estimation is one of the main sources of risk in a mining project as knowledge of the orebody is primarily based on drilling, which is often sparse because it is expensive. If the expected ore tonnages and qualities are not obtained when mining, the project cash flows are directly affected. The expected quantities and qualities of ore and waste are defined by the mine production schedule, which specifies the sequence of extraction and is dependent on the resource estimation. The goal of mine production scheduling is thus to maximize the expected profit, while also meeting all production targets and constraints, by creating an extraction schedule that is robust in the face of geological risk and has the highest chance possible of actually being realized."

Jan 10, 2017

By AIME AIME

TWENTY-TWO sections and all four of the divisions sent delegates to the annual meeting. They became so interested in the wide ranging dis6ussion of old and yet ever-new problems of Institute affairs that three instead of two sessions scheduled were necessary. Monday morning the meeting assembled with President Bassett presiding in the absence of President-elect Tally, who had been called to Baltimore by the serious illness of a brother. Thursday morning Vice-president Turner presided until Mr. Tally appeared after which the latter guided the sessions. Since reports from all of the active sections save one had been mimeographed and sent in advance to the delegates, detailed reports from each were dispensed with. The discussions dealt largely with membership problems, both local and national, with financing, speakers and programs, visits from national officers, and the conduct of the annual meeting. Many interesting and constructive suggestions were made and will be reported back to the sections by the delegates.

Jan 1, 1931

By F. F. Lins

There is a large use of mercury in Brazil by the gold miners in the so called "garimpos" (non registered mining operations), where it is usual to recover the gold contained in the gravity concentrates by amalgamation, which is highly deleterious to environment if not conducted properly. Unfortunately, this is a common practice there. After presenting in brief the modus operandi generally practiced in the garimpos and the environmental problems, this work reviews some of the research conducted in CETEM according to two approaches: (i) replace amalgamation by other processes and (ii) develop technology to treat mercury-contaminated soils and effluents. Conventional processes like froth flotation, to recover gold from gravity concentrates, and centrifuges were considered. Also as alternatives to amalgamation, innovative process like the recovery of gold by coal-oil agglomerates and a technology that is currently under development in our laboratory, called gold-paraffin process, are described in brief, some results presented and their potential use assessed. To reclaim sites already polluted a technology was developed to float mercury selectively from contaminated soils. The potential use of centrifuges to pre-concentrate the mercury is also discussed. The scope for applying the last techniques is to concentrate the pollutants in a small volume of mass which would be suitable for recycling or isolation from the environment. A prospective technology to treat contaminated soils, or mercury concentrates, is the immobilization of mercury by adding inorganics. Concerning the ionic mercury which may be present in effluents, precipitation of the ions and flotation of the precipitates are being studied.

Jan 1, 1994

By Kenneth M. Maas

The Bureau of Mines inventoried the land availability for mineral exploration and development in northern Alaska and compared this land with known mineral terranes and mineral deposits, to quantify the potential for favorable location of mining claims for metalliferous mineral deposits. This report includes thirty-three 1:500,000-scale maps that depict land availability, and the accompanying text and tables relate availability acreage to areas of favorable mineral terranes. Three categories of land availability and ownership are identified, along with 12 subcategories of land status. Available land comprises approximately 14.5 million acres or 16% of the 90.3-million-acre study area; land available with restrictions accounts for 7.5 million acres or 8%; and unavailable land encompasses 68.3 million acres or 76%. Mineral terranes underlie 37.8 million acres or 42% of the study area; 5.3 million acres or 14% are available for mineral location, 2.8 million acres or 7% are available with restrictions, and 29.7 million acres or 79% are unavailable. There are 500 known mineral deposits or occurrences within the study area. This includes 271 lode deposits, of which 171 lie within a recognized mineral terrane and 55 are on available land. The remaining 229 are placer deposits.

Jan 1, 1987

By G R. Hancock, S Grant, T Whiteside, J B. C Lowry, J Boyden, T J. Coulthard

Physically-based landform evolution models (LEM) provide a spatial framework to forecast the long-term geomorphic stability of post-mining landscapes. When used to test the relative stability of different landform designs, LEMs may assist with the development of optimal closure designs for rehabilitated mines. However, in order to reduce prediction error, factors controlling landscape evolution must also be accurately represented by models. This requires that the correct sets of processes are represented and that driving parameters used in LEMs are, if necessary, calibrated to the landscape of interest.Vegetation exerts strong controls on the hydrologic and geomorphic processes that drive landscape evolution. Hence, the spatial and temporal scales over which typical patterns in vegetation are represented in different landscapes are important considerations in LEM calibration. However, vegetation is rarely accounted for in LEMs and even when integrated is often represented simply, without representing spatial dynamics of vegetation cover that may impact landform development.This study focuses on characterising vegetation patterns to calibrate a new vegetation module of the The Cellular Automaton Evolutionary Slope and River (CAESAR)-Lisflood LEM to be applied to a conceptual rehabilitated landform of the Ranger uranium mine located in the Alligator Rivers Region (ARR) of northern Australia. In the ARR the spatial dynamics of vegetation over time are largely driven by monsoonal rains and topography. Extensive dry season fires are also common in the region, temporarily reducing vegetation cover where they occur. Hence, hydrology, topography and fire disturbance interact to shape a distinct, yet dynamic, mosaic of different vegetation types of varying cover density. As a basis for calibrating the new vegetation function, the distribution and dynamics of vegetation are characterised for this savannah landscape by remote sensing, in conjunction with ground data.CITATION:Boyden, J, Lowry, J, Coulthard, T, Whiteside, T, Hancock, G and Grant, S, 2016. Accounting for vegetation dynamics in landform evolution modelling, in Proceedings Life-of-Mine 2016 Conference , pp 63–66 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 28, 2016

By Robert Torbin

The objectives of the Continuous Shaft Lining (CSL) System are to reduce the costs, safety hazards, and time currently required in lining mine shafts with concrete. The CSL will line machine bored shafts downward from the shaft collar on a continuous basis using an inverted, pressurized slipforming technique. The technique for slip-forming downwards has been demonstrated and refined under this program. The approach taken involved laboratory scale testing of key features of the CSL concept. These feature tests included concrete distribution, concrete sealing, concrete slipforming and development of a reliable concrete mix. Based on these results, a full scale above-ground test facility and CSL were designed and fabricated. The objectives of these tests were to demonstrate the viability of the basic concept; to establish operating limits; and to provide input data and information for the design of a second generation shaft lining system. The results of the program have led to a CSL design and operational philosophy which will need to be tested in an underground environment before industry will accept the technology. However, the next generation CSL promises to meet all the original program technical objectives.

Jan 1, 1983

By C. S. Smith

It is the policy of The Metallurgical Society to provide, in the TRANSACTIONS OF THE METALLURGICAL SOCIETY OF AIME, a prompt and accurate medium for publication of reports of significant new research in both the scientific and engineering aspects of metallurgy. Papers submitted to the Society are judged by competent reviewers according to established criteria for technical merit, accuracy, originality, and presentation. STAFF: Editor, Dr. Gerhard Derge; Editorial Assistant, M. A. Redmyrski; Staff Coordinator, James J. Burke. THE METALLURGICAL SOCIETY: W. R. Hibbard, Jr., President; J. C. Kinnear, Jr., Post-President; John Chipman, Vice President; T. D. Jones, Treasurer; R. W. Shearman, Secretory. PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE METALLURGICAL SOCIETY: A. W. Thornton, Chairman- Dennis Carney John Chipman J. C. Fulton J. H. Hollomon H. H. Kellogg, A. E. Lee, R. Moddin, J. D. sullivan, and D.' Swan. Review and selection of manuscripts is under the supervision of the following Publications Committees: Extractive Metallurgy Division: T. B. King, Chairman; S. J. Dickenson, R. P. Hermsdorf, R. Schuhmann, Jr., and P. T. Stroup. lnstitute of Metals DM lion: Robert Maddin, Chairman. F. Lincoln Vogel, Jr.. Vice chairman. W. A. Backofen R. W. Boliuffi J. H. Bechtold' M. B. Bever R: S. Busk C 6. Goetzel poul Gordon C. D. Grobom, Jr., Robert F. Hehe-mann R. I. Joffee F. i. Joumot Jr. lrvin R. Kromer, A. J. Leno. Horold Morgolfn, C. J. McHargue, Russell A. Meussner, J. B. Newkirk, H. W. Paxton, G. E. Pellissier, I. S. Servi, Alon U. Seybolt, A. J. Shaler, and Jack Washburn. Iron and Steel Division: J. C. Fulton, Chairman. T. B. King, F. C. Laogenberg, W. O. Philbrook, and T. 0. Winkler. Publishod bimonthl by the American Institute of Mining Metollurgicol and Petroleum Engineers Inc., 29 West 39th Street, New York 16, N. Y. Telephone: PEonylvanie 6-9220. Subscription $20 par yew for non-AIME members in United States and North, South and Control Americo $25 foreign; $5 for AIME members. Single copies, $4.00, single copios foreign $5,00. The AIME is 1958 by the Amarican mode or opinion axpressed in it* publications ... Copyright by the Amarican lnstitute of Mining, MataIlurgicol, and Petrolum Engineers, Inc,. . . Reg. istered cable address AIME New Yark ... Indexed in Engineering Inderx, Industrial Arts ...Index and Chemicol Number5. Absrtracis . . . Second class postage paid at New York,Indor. N. Y., Industrialond Ann Arbor, Mich.

Jan 1, 1959

By Doyle A. Ellerbruch

An FM-CW microwave system was investigated for measuring coal layer thickness. Measurements were made in three different mines near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, near Fairview, West Virginia, and near Coffeen, Illinois. Microwave frequencies in the range 1-2 GHz were used to measure samples up to 55 cm thick. All samples were backed with a naturally occurring shale. Measurements were also made on coal and shale samples compounded in the laboratory at the Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh Mining and Safety Research Center near Bruceton, Pennsylvania. The results indicate that layer thickness can be determined in most cases, although large anomalies may, in some cases, produce misleading results. Many anomalies that were detected with the FM-CW system were verified visually by drilling into the coal layer. The dielectric constant of coal apparently varies significantly within a coal seam. The form of the output signals from the FM-CW system seem to simplify the data interpretation and analysis process as compared to the manually swept microwave system used previously. It appears that this technique has the potential of measuring changes in the dielectric constant of a coal seam and providing an output that can be used for real-time corrections in layer thickness; measurement.

Jan 1, 1976

By Robert H. Peters

Groundfall accidents have been the leading cause of fatalities in the underground coal mining industry for many years. Statistics from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) indicate that approximately half of the victims of these fatal accidents were in an area where no devices had been installed to support the mine roof. This report was prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to provide guidance to operators of underground mines concerning the use of techniques that may help to keep miners from going under unsupported mine roof. The report is divided into two major sections. The first section reviews the findings from several areas of empirical research pertaining to strategies for convincing employees to avoid unsafe acts and/or adopt self-protective behaviors. The strategies are (1) incentives and feedback, (2) disciplinary actions, (3) training (primarily fear communications and behavioral modeling), and (4) nondirective techniques. This literature review has a broad focus and should be helpful in making decisions about how to encourage a wide variety of types of self-protective behaviors. The second major section of the report presents an analysis of each strategy's potential for keeping miners away from unsupported roof.

Jan 1, 1991

By Clarence Karr

In 1955 the Federal Bureau of Mines established a low-temperature tar laboratory at its new Appalachian Experiment Station in Morgantown, W. Va. The objective of the laboratory is to investigate the yields and chemical and physical properties of tars from low-temperature carbonization of coal, to investigate means of economically upgrading these tars, and to make available to industry and the public essential data for increasing coal utilization through the establishment of a new coal-chemical industry, based on the utilization of low-temperature tars. Because of the obvious economic significance of phenols, as well as the relative ease with which they can be separated and analyzed, initial research has centered mainly around this class of tar constituents. It was realized early that no listing of phenols and their physical properties existed that included enough compounds to be practicable. The purpose of this paper is to make such a compilation available.

Jan 1, 1957

By Malcolm F. Hawkes, Robert F. Mehl

THE rate of isothermal transformation of austenite to pearlite depends upon the rate of nucleation, N, and the rate of growth, G, of pearlite in austenite.1.2 Values of N are given in terms of the number of nuclei forming in unit time per unit grain boundary area of unreacted austenite; values of G are given in terms of the linear rate of radial growth. Variations in the isothermal rate with temperature result from variation of -N and G with temperature. Depth of hardening of a steel depends fundamentally upon values of N and G; changes in carbon and alloy content effect changes in N and G and thus affect depth of hardening. Quantitative studies are available on N and G for the formation of pearlite in plain carbon eutectoid steels.3 Systematic studies in this field are necessary if the phenomena are to be well enough known to furnish. a proper basis for full rationalization and for theory. Accordingly, the studies are continuing, both with respect to the effect of alloying elements upon the values of N and G in the formation of pearlite, and to the values of N and G for the formation of ferrite in hypoeutectoid steels. The present paper is the first relating to the effect of alloying elements upon the values of N and G for pearlite. It offers special interest since cobalt is known to have an anomalous effect upon the rate of formation of pearlite, accelerating it, whereas all other elements retard it.' It will be shown that cobalt increases both N and G for pearlite and that this effect is inherent in the Fe-Co-C system and not dependent upon factors relating to austenite heterogeneity nor upon any recognizable adventitious factor. Inasmuch as the rate of diffusion of carbon in austenite and the interlamellar spacing of pearlite are variables related to G and possibly to N (in a manner not yet certain), measurements of the "effect of cobalt upon them are also reported here. In the course of the work, measurements were made on the effect of cobalt upon the martensite temperature and these are given. COBALT AS AN ALLOYING ELEMENT IN STEEL PROPERTIES OF COBALT Cobalt resembles iron more closely than does any other chemical element. Its atomic number is 27, hence it is the element immediately following iron in the periodic system. The two differ in atomic structure only in the fact that cobalt contains seven electrons instead of six in the third, or transition, level of the third shell. The next shell, which is the

Jan 1, 1947

By J. W. Kramers, R. A. S. Brown

"Samples from seven test wells distributed throughout the surface-mineable area of the Athabasca Oil Sands have been evaluated to determine the amounts of heavy minerals present and the titanium and zirconium contents. The samples were treated to yield the size distribution of the titanium and zirconium minerals as well as their spatial distribution. The study has shown that heavy minerals are found throughout the surface-mineable area; concentrations range from 0.24 to 2.29 per cent (by weight), with a mean of 1.02 per cent. Titanium and zirconium contents vary throughout the area, and are found preferentially in the finer size fractions. •on the basis of preliminary calculations, the tailings streams from an oil sands plant would provide sufficient feed for a large-scale titanium pigment plant, and the tailings from one plant would provide sufficient zircon feed to satisfy Canadian demand for. metallic zirconium. Variability of the heavy mineral content and composition is such that the heavy mineral potential must be evaluated in detail for each mine site."

Jan 1, 1976

By J. R. Levin, E. J. Schelter

"We present some of our recent efforts in the development of predictive, directed oxidation chemistry of cerium(III) complexes under non-aqueous conditions. The electrochemistry of cerium(III)- alkali metal heterobimetallic aryloxide complexes is reported and compared with cerium aryloxide complexes that are kinetically stabilized by hydrogen bonding cations that span between the complexed aryloxide ligands. Comparative electrochemical measurements reveal differences between the heterobimetallic complexes and the hydrogen-bonded complexes.INTRODUCTIONThe rare earth elements comprise the lanthanides, La–Lu, and the element yttrium (Aspinall, 2001). Rare earth ores such as monazite, LnPO4, and bastnäsite, LnFCO3, typically bear mixtures of light rare earths: La–Sm while monazite, LnPO4, contains mixtures of heavy rare earths (Eu–Lu) (Cotton, 2006). Pure rare earth elements typically are isolated using a liquid-liquid separations process.(Bautista, 1995) The hydrometallurgy of these elements is a difficult problem because the separation factors between neighboring rare earths, which are predicated on the small differences in the sizes of the trivalent ions, are quite small (Cox, 1992). The element cerium, with its 4f1 electronic configuration in the trivalent state, is unique among the rare earth elements due to a relatively accessible 4f0 electronic configuration. The accessibility of the 4f0 configuration underlies the chemistry of cerium(IV), the only rare earth ion with molecular chemistry in the tetravalent oxidation state (Cotton, 2006). Cerium is trivially separated from mixtures of light rare earths by making use of its unique oxidation chemistry. In an effort to extend separations chemistry by oxidation reactions to other rare earth elements such as terbium and praseodymium, the solution electrochemistry of well-defined cerium complexes is of interest."

Jan 1, 2012

By Clyde E. Williams, JAMES L. GREGG

THIS review of the past year's progress in iron and steel metallurgy presents examples of only a few of the interesting or important accomplishments made in the United States. In the field of iron ore concentration increased attention was given to the study of the more difficultly separated wash ores and some progress was made in tabling. One difficulty with the table, in concentrating iron ore where the percentage of concentrate in the feed is large, has been the removal of fine silica from the thick layer .of concentrates in the cleaning zone. One company has -Made an important contribution toward the solution of this problem by an extension of the well-known plateau principle. By a special riffling of the plateau section of the table, the concentrates are crowded together. This action forces the fine silica to the top of the bed in the cleaning zone, whence the cross-flowing currents of water -can wash it into the middling product. Some work has been done on the application of froth flotation to the concentration of iron ores. Laboratory experiments were made at the Colorado School of Mines in which hematite was, successfully floated. Using oleic acid as a frothing and collecting agent and sodium carbonate as the conditioning agent, a high recovery of rich ,concentrate was obtained. A laboratory flotation unit is in use at Taconite, on the Mesabi range, and a commer-

Jan 1, 1932

By George Harrington

THIS paper is a brief description of the design and equipment of a new coal mine in southern Illinois, which has many features not common practice in shaft coal mining and which is laid out and equipped for such unusually large capacity that it promises soon to become one of the largest mining operations of its kind. Shaft sinking for the mine, New Orient, was commenced in May, 1921, by the Chicago, Wilmington & Franklin Coal Co. In October, 1924, the plant was practically completed and was producing over 6000 tons of coal per day. There is good prospect that within a few years, when the mine is fully developed and manned, the output will attain a daily rate of 12,000 tons. The coal seam at New Orient lies approximately horizontal, about 500 ft. below the surface, and may be said to run from 9 to 12 ft. in thickness. The tendency in Franklin County has been toward large mining units (5000 to 6000 tons per day) with great care being given to protection against fire and explosion hazards, and usually with quite elaborate surface plants permitting careful preparation of the coal into graded sizes comparable with those made in the anthracite region. The field is unionized, with uniform conditions of wages for various classes of work, hours, etc., and the Illinois mining laws are quite specific with regard to fireproofing and safety measures. These conditions make it difficult for any but well-equipped and well-operated mines to meet the competition of the numerous fine properties of which this county can justly be proud. The coal company's property was already developed on the western side by the Orient. mine-a much visited and written about operation (with which many of you are possibly familiar through the Department of Mines' film "The Story of Coal ") which until recently held the 8-hr. production record with 8218 tons and usually ran quite consistently with production of slightly over 6000 tons per day. Experience at Orient was naturally one of the greatest influences in determining the location and character of the New Orient.

Jan 2, 1925

By C. A. Young, J. L. Bowden

"Cyclic voltammetry experiments were conducted on copper and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) in the absence and presence of ethyl xanthate, and compared to mass-balanced EH–pH diagrams. The results for copper duplicate those found in the literature and confirm xanthate chemisorption. However, the, results indicate that chalcopyrite oxidizes to chalcocite (Cu2S) and only afterwards is chemisorption observed due to small currents appearing with xanthate. This phenomenon suggests that the mineral's hydrophobicity is induced by more than dixanthogen and copper xanthate. Hydrophobicity was found to be pH-dependent over a range of alkaline conditions (pH 7–11) at narrow potentials (0 to –200 mV). An EH–pH diagram for chalcopyrite with xanthate is presented to illustrate the conditions under which chalcopyrite would be hydrophobic and thereby more thoroughly explain the results in the literature. IntroductionSulphide minerals are generally concentrated from ores by froth flotation, a physiochemical process that induces separation based on differences in hydrophobicity. In this process, a gas is bubbled into a slurry and the minerals that are hydrophobic (water-repelling) adhere to the bubbles and float to the surface while the hydrophilic (water-loving) minerals remain in the slurry. With sulphide minerals, the hydrophobicity is generally established in two ways. The first is by the addition of a collector, which is a heteropolar molecule with a reactive inorganic head group and an inert organic tail. Typically, the head group bonds with the sulphide mineral surface by adsorbtion either chemically (chemisorption) or physically (physisorption) or by complexing with atoms that solubilize somewhat at the surface (surface precipitation). These interactions leave the organic tail protruding from the mineral surface, thereby inducing hydrophobicity. The second method is by oxidation of the mineral surface to form a layer that is metal-deficient/sulphide-rich or comprised of elemental sulphur. Because the layer mimics naturally hydrophobic sulphur, this enables ‘collectorless’ flotation. Furthermore, this oxidation phenomenon adds an electrochemical dimension to the understanding of sulphide mineral flotation."

Jan 1, 2016

By M. Vallée, J. -P. Charette, D. P. Gold

"The Oka Carbonatite and Alkaline Complex is a Lower Cretaceous intrusive body of the Monteregian petrographic province. Carbonate rocks of various types, and associated alkaline rocks of the ijolite and okaite suites, are distributed in a double ring-dyke structure 4 Yi miles long by 1 1/2 miles across. Alnoite and alrioite breccia pipes intrude all rocks of the Complex and indicate, from inclusions, that a cover of Palaeozoic rocks existed at the time of emplacement.The results of radiometric, magnetic and gravity surveys of the Complex are compiled and discussed both with respect to the regional pattern and, locally, the bed-rock geology. The Complex is characterized by high-intensity anomalies.Exploration activities started during 1953, and mining operations began in 1961 on the property of St. Lawrence Columbium and Metals Corporation, at one time the world's largest producer of niobium concentrates. Because of the boudinaged and fractured nature of many of the rocks and the variability in grade of the ore minerals, the role of the mining geologist is both demanding and exacting. Rock types are varied and their mutual relation-ships ambiguous, the minerals are rare and complex, and close geological control of the ore is needed in the mine and in the mill. Closely spaced diamond drill holes are needed for mining control, and the ore-waste contact is defined mainly by assay results.In the exploration for 'carbonatites' in Eastern Canada, aeromagnetic surveys are judged to be the best exploration tool, followed in decreasing order by the search for circular structures on aerial photographs, regional gravity surveys and radiometric surveys."

Jan 1, 1967

By Laszlo Valentyik

The wide scale acceptance of the heavy media separation is due to its simplicity and efficiency. The two most important variables of the process are specific gravity and consistency of the medium. The latter is a function of the settling rate of the media solids. The almost always present clay in the feed and conse¬quently in the medium acts as a stabilizing agent, and its optimum concentration varied between 3-4%.(1,2) Since polymers essentially perform the same function in oil well drilling muds - i.e. to suspend cuttings during drilling - as the fine clay in heavy media separation, this led to the investigation of whether polymers could be used in heavy media separation as supporting agents. During the first phase of the work, it was found that by the controlled addition of polymers, the stability of the heavy media increased without unduly increasing viscosity of the suspensions, thus yielding conditions for more effective and efficient separation. The results of the experiments were reported in a paper at the AIME Centennial Annual Meeting, March 1971.(3) This paper presents the results of the experiment carried out during the second phase of the work.

Jan 1, 1975

By P. C. Dagneau

QUEBEC CARTIER MINING COMPANY was incorporated in 1957 to explore and develop low grade iron are deposits in Northeastern Quebec. Four separate deposits were located and identified as being of ore quality and size to support commercial development. Said deposits were located at Lac Jeannine, Mount-Wright, Fire Lake and Mount-Reed. In 1970, in preparation for the replacement of the depleting Lac Jeannine are reserves, construction of an SS-mile railway extension was initiated, towards the newly selected mine site at Mount-Wright. This orebody was selected because the physical and chemical characteristics of the ore were very much similar to those of Lac Jeannine, as well as its huge reserves, estimated at more than one billion tons. In addition to the railroad extension, a mine, concentrator and related facilities were constructed and the new town of Fermont was created. Total investment for the Mount-Wright project exceeded $700 million and initial production commenced in 1976. Quebec Cartier is presently (1992) the leading producer and seller of iron ore in North America at 15,5 million tons and employs some 2,300 people.

Jan 1, 1993

By Rolland L. Blake

Petrographic and mineralogical studies were made on unoxidized samples from the Cuyuna and Mesabi districts to study occurrence and properties of the iron phyllosilicate minerals . Examination of 96 thin sections from the thinbedded facies of the main iron - formation of the Cuyuna district indicates that the most abundant minerals are Mn - Mg - siderite , stilpnome lane , and minnesotaite . Reconstitution and recrystallization of minerals has occurred along certain beds , and textures indicate that some minnesotaite apparently formed at expense of stilpnomelane . Three samples of stilpnome lane and one of minnesotaite were concentrated from fracture - fillings within iron- formation . Results of chemical , optical , spectrographic , X- ray diffraction , and differential thermal analyses on these samples are reported . The detection of ammonia in stilpnome lane samples is the first such occurrence reported , and its significance is discussed . New mineral data are presented on greenalite and probable septechamosite from the Mesabi district .

Jan 1, 1964