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By M. Labrie, H. L. Gibson, G. Doiron, J. J. Watkins, D. H. Watkinson

Abstract -The Corbet deposit is one of 17 proximal Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposits located. within the Noranda Cauldron which occurs within the core of the Noranda Volcanic Complex. The deposit is located at the top of the F1avrian Formation, the lowermost formation of the 3000 m thick Mine Sequence; the deposit has yielded 2.75 M tonnes of ore grading 30Jo Cu, 0.96% Zn, 2.06 g/t Ag and 1.0 g/t Au. The multi-lens Corbet deposit formed within a 250 m wide crater that occurs within a localized breccia pile. The Corbet breccia pile was constructed by explosive magmatic and hydrovolcanic eruptions localized along the south flank of a larger andesitic shield volcano that formed during the waning stages of F1avrian volcanism. The breccia footwall of the deposit allowed unfocused and widespread hydrothermal discharge that resulted in the development of a large area of chlorite and fringing sericite alteration that exceeds, by six times, the size of the sulfide lenses and represents a significant exploration target.

Jan 1, 1993

By David Laing

Completion of a Feasibility Study represents a major milestone in the development path of a mine, and one which typically triggers a need for project financing. Obtaining funding for construction relies on a positive Feasibility Study and a host of other related activities. This paper looks at the financing process and work required to support it, during and after the Feasibility Study, and bring it to a successful closing. It will include comment on the significance of permits, environmental plans, construction contracts, offtake arrangements, hedging, insurance, and others requirements to support a financing plan.

May 1, 2010

By Ed McConaghy, P. LaRochelle

The Ambatovy Nickel Project comprises the development of mine, hydrometallurgical processing facilities and necessary infrastructure in Madagascar, positioning Ambatovy as one of the world’s largest producers of nickel and cobalt from lateritic ore. SNC-Lavalin successfully provided comprehensive Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management (EPCM) services for this major capital project which, apart from its sheer size, scope, and engineering design, represented significant location, infrastructure, labour, environmental and climatic challenges. Today, the project has reached 90% of its nameplate capacity and is in its final performance optimization stage. This paper will discuss the significant project management effort that was required to successfully address the complexity of this major project. It will cover the main project management control systems and the engineering tools and processes used during the detail engineering, procurement, and construction phases to achieve optimum project execution.

Jan 1, 2015

By E. Godin, M. Rigaud, S. C. Panigrahy, I. Malinsky

"RésuméDes boulettes de concentres d'hématite spéculaire à basse silice ont été produites en substituant la bentonite par de la tourbe, adéquatement traitée, additionnée d'une faible quantile de soude caustique durant le boulettage. La réductibilité de telles boulettes et leur gonflement pendant la réduction ont été évacues, en utilisant quatre mélanges gazeux différents, formes de H2 - CO - N2.L'influence du pouvoir réducteur du gaz utilise, sur le gonflement des boulettes, à été mis en évidence. Quelles que soient ces conditions réductrices, les propriétés mesurées sur les boulettes liées a la tourbe sont comparables aux propriétés obtenues avec des boulettes traditionnelles liées à la bentonite.ABSTRACTAdditions of peat moss and small quantities of NaOH during balling of low silica specular hematite concentrates have eliminated the need to use bentonite as a binder. The reducibility and swelling of such pellets have been evaluated using four different gas mixtures, consisting of H2 - CO -N2. The influence of the reducing power of the gases, on the swelling behaviour of pellets has been documented. Under the different reducing conditions, this new type of pellets exhibit properties similar to the ones obtained using bentonite."

Jan 1, 1987

By M. P. Sinha, Rashmi, Tata Steel Ltd., S. Jaiswal, A. Bhatnagar, P. Garg

Reagents form a crucial part of flotation process as they have the power to control the surface properties of minerals. In case of coal flotation, collectors and frothers are two the important and commonly used reagents. But other types of reagents such as promoters, modifiers and depressants are also finding wide applications because of their availability to improve selectivity and increase recovery. Because of these chemicals the scenario has changed from flotation being used mostly for high rank hydrophobic coals to low rank, oxidised or inferior coals. In the present work a case is presented in which two non-ionic surfactants (abbreviated as A & B) known to act as emulsifier have been studied to get a better flotation performance for a preparation plant with varying feed characteristics. Laboratory flotation tests were conducted with both the surfactants using three feed samples of the plant by varying the dosage at three different levels. The highest combustible matter recovery (more than 80%) was obtained for surfactant B at a dosage of 75 ppm (parts per million) for feed 1. But at the same dosage the recovery decreased by 21% and 10.2 % respectively for feed 2 and 3. On the other hand surfactant A showed a consistent result for all the three feed samples giving the highest value at a dosage of 50 ppm followed by a decrease beyond this point. The tests were complemented by contact angle measurements that demonstrated the same trend. In addition to this the reproducibility of data for Surfactant A was checked and found that the standard deviations for both separation efficiency and combustible matter recovery were within the permissible range (less than 5%). Finally an in-plant process optimization study to evaluate the performance and applicability of surfactant A at industrial level was done and has been discussed.

Jan 1, 2016

By H. Link

"The extremely low permeability of the water-carrying beds in the nevonian formation of the potash district of Saskatchewan does not permit the injection of cement or chemicals to seal off sufficient water from the shafts to guarantee the safety of the mine. Based on many years of experience with wet shafts in the German and French potash mining industry, Alwinsal Potash of Canada Ltd. decided to have their potash mine shaft near Lanigan, Sask., which was completed in September of 1967, lined by means of an absolutely watertight lining of combined concrete and steel-plate construction.This shaft lining, consisting of two steel shells of welded construction with concrete filled in between, has proved itself before in the German coal mining industry. It guarantees a permanently dry shaft. With this type of lining, time-robbing and very often abortive injections are superfluous and the regular repair and adjusting work as well as the corrosion of conveyances and ropes can be avoided. Above all, however, the danger of a water inrush into the shaft is abolished completely."

Jan 1, 1971

By P. G. Killeen

Proper calibration of portable gammaray spectrometers and spectrometric logging equipment is essential if they are to be used for accurate quantitative determinations of radioelement concentrations. In the case of both types of equipment, it is necessary to determine the system calibration constants (stripping factors and sensitivities). In the case of borehole logging equipment, it is further necessary to determine the system response characteristics if the data are to be computer processed to improve the accuracy and resolution of the logs. Facilities are now available near Ottawa for the complete calibration of portable gamma-ray spectrometers and spectrometric logging equipment, in addition to already existing facilities for calibrating airborne gamma-ray spectrometers. Limited additional facilities are also available or planned in several other areas of Canada.

Jan 1, 1978

By William E. Roscoe

"Valuation methods are well established for mineral properties with production or imminent production, and include discounted cash flow and comparable transactions. Valuation methods for non-producing mineral properties, however, are more subjective. Non-producing mineral properties include those at various stages of exploration, properties at the prefeasibility or feasibility stage, properties with currently uneconomic mineral resources, and past-producers. Different valuation methods may be appropriate for different types of mineral properties.Income approach methods such as discounted cash flow and option pricing are generally not applicable to properties at the exploration stage. The market approach is generally appropriate to all types of mineral properties, although it is difficult to find good comparables because of the unique nature of mineral properties and the small number of transactions. Cost approach methods, such as appraised value and geoscience factor, are commonly used for exploration stage properties.Canadian standards and guidelines for valuation of mineral properties are in the process of being finalized by a Special Committee of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIMVal Committee). The CIMVal Standards are intended to be consistent with National Instrument 43-101, which sets regulatory standards of disclosure for mineral projects, and with International Valuation Standards. The intent of the CIMVal Standards and Guidelines is that mineral property valuation be carried out by appropriately qualified individuals and that all relevant information be disclosed."

Jan 1, 2003

By M. B. Kime, E. K. Kanowa

"Heap leaching of low-grade copper-cobalt oxidized ore and solvent extraction of copper, cobalt, manganese, and zinc were investigated. Heap-leaching parameters were optimized using agitated and tray batch leaching tests, capped by tests on a pilot semicontinuous heap-leach plant. The optimum pregnant leach solution yielded 2,350 mg/L Cu, 3,800 mg/L Co, 3,600 mg/L Fe, 130 mg/L Mn, 25 mg/L Zn, and 0.58 g/L solids in suspension, with pH and acidity of 1.27 and 3.66 g/L, respectively. Copper, cobalt, and impurities (Mn and Zn) were extracted using (v/v) 30% CP-150, 20% IONQUEST® 290, and 20% D2EHPA, respectively; overall recoveries of copper, cobalt, and impurities were 98, 99, and 70%, respectively.RÉSUMÉ La lixiviation en tas des minerais oxydés de cuivre et de cobalt et l’extraction par solvant du cuivre, du cobalt, du manganèse et du zinc ont été étudiés. Les paramètres de lixiviation en tas ont été optimisés à l’aide d’essais de lixiviation en discontinu sur un plateau, complétés par des essais relatifs à une usine pilote de lixiviation en tas en semi-continu. La liqueur-mère optimale a produit 2 350 mg/L de Cu, 3 800 mg/L de Co, 3 600 mg/L de Fe, 130 mg/L de Mn, 25 mg/L de Zn et 0,58 g/L de solides en suspension, avec un pH et une acidité respectifs de 1,27 et 3,66 g/L. Le cuivre, le cobalt et les impuretés (Mn et Zn) ont été extraits avec un pourcentage volumique (v/v) de 30 % de CP-150, de 20 % d’IONQUEST ® 290 et de 20 % de D2EHPA, respectivement. Les récupérations totales de cuivre, de cobalt et d’impuretés étaient de 98 %, 99 % et 70 % respectivement.INTRODUCTIONBoss Mining S.P.R.L. is a privately owned hydrometallurgical plant located in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It treats oxidized ores of copper and cobalt that are recovered by sulphuric acid heap leaching (Trujillo, Cisternas, Gálvez, & Mellado, 2014; Kime, Kanowa, Mulaba- Bafubiandi, & Diyambi, 2016) and solvent extraction processes (Crane, Urbani, Dudley, Horner, & Virnig, 2009; Fisher, 2011; Kime et al., 2016). The ore to the plant is primarily sourced from the Luita and Mukondo mines. Geological prospecting work by Gecamines and Boss Mining showed that the Mukondo mine contains a very large cobalt reserve not yet exploited, but with grades as low as 0.2%.Currently, Boss Mining is focusing on the production of copper, but is investigating methods to efficiently produce both copper and cobalt. A challenge in the production of cobalt from this ore is its presence in the third oxidation state. This requires the addition of reducing agents, which increases the overall operating cost (Kime & Makgoale, 2016). Cobalt solvent extraction is also very sensitive to impurities such as nickel, zinc, manganese, and aluminum, which are often co-extracted (Swartz, Donegan, & Amos, 2009). This sensitivity to impurities requires the optimization of operational parameters to lower impurity levels as much as possible in the electrolyte."

Jan 1, 2017

By J. M. Janssens, Van Quach Tinh, M. Ruel, R. Leblanc

"Microscopic studies of peat moss indicate a highly porous material. In view of using this natural product as an adsorbing agent for the treatment of polluted water, studies of its adsorbing power for beef extract and alkyl benzene sulphonate solution were determined. The effects of time of contact, particle size, concentration of adsorbent and concentration of pollutant were studied. In the case of beef extract, there is a COD reduction of around 27 per cent; in the case of the alkyl benzene sulphonate, the percentage reduction varied from 72 to 95 per cent. A water treatment plant based on the adsorbing power of peat moss with simultaneous recuperation of the pollutant is proposed."

Jan 1, 1971

By Osvaldo A. Bascur, Curt Heftier

The lack of integrated information including the Energy/Utility Suppliers with sufficient detail for analysis causes inefficient operation in metallurgical complexes including the Energy/Utility Suppliers . Defining the right context for information use is essential for sustainable operations. This being said, what are we doing to enable people to act upon information and to be aligned to optimize the use of resources like raw materials, energy, water and consumables for an entire metallurgical complex? Collaboration between all company entities is a key component of improving efficiency. Evolution of web technology and object modeling of enterprise assets enables collaboration across the whole business. Operational troubleshooting occurs more quickly as the organization acts on issues to reduce wasteful operation. This paper presents a real time software infrastructure with tools that give users the ability to sift through available data, transform data into information for business continuous improvement and optimization. We will introduce a new technology for analyzing real time data, information and events using multidimensional analysis of information to detect anomalies based on the statistics of the data classified by time events to reduce the information into action. A new paradigm for collaboration at a local and strategic level is proposed to enable the enterprise to become proactive in dealing with wasted time and products. Three examples from the industry will presented and their benefits highlighted.

Jan 1, 2011

By Dong-min Lee

As the construction industry is becoming more large-scaled and complex, the BIM technology has been utilized throughout the industry. Since 2008, the construction industry in South Korea (Korea) has required carrying on BIM-based project continually. According to this trend, BIM S/W market, as well as BIM library market is also gradually activated. Many countries have already been establishing Web-based BIM library market, also Korea has been trying to establishing this Web-based BIM library market. In this study, through market research of Web-based BIM library market of advanced countries including the U.S.A. and U.K., establishment strategy of BIM library market to be derived by late starters that introduce BIM such as Korea, Japan and China was deduced based on current establishment status of BIM library market in Korea. In addition, deal with an issue that a clear revenue-sharing system between business principals of Web-based BIM library market is not available at the current stage was presented as a factor of inhibiting activation of BIM library market. So in order to offer a reasonable revenue-sharing strategy in BIM library market as conceptual level, a methodology and process of applying Game theory being used for deriving. It is expected that a reasonable revenue-sharing model between business principals would be presented as its standard of BIM library market to be more activated in the future.

Aug 1, 2013

By Su-Ping Peng

Three dimensional (3D) seismic exploration has been carried out since the 1980s in the mining district of China, where it has been playing an indispensable role in the high yield and efficiency of coal mining. Unlike oil exploration, this technique uses high density seismic acquisition technology. In recent years, it has focused on wide azimuth 3D seismic acquisition. Evaluation of geometry moved away from depending on folds, azimuth and offset, toward being based upon a focus-ray beam. Conventionally, coalfield 3D seismic interpretation focused on time domain and was based on kinematics information, which is only suitable for less complex geological conditions. To achieve high-resolution processing for the complex topography and structure in coalfields, data processing shifted from poststack to prestack. The means to improve the accuracy of interpretation for complex geological conditions are 1) integration of multiple attributes and multiple disciplines, 2) combination of seismic and geological data, and 3) comprehensive combination of time domain and depth domain data. With the demand for lithological exploration, high-resolution data processing must also take into account the requirements of preserving amplitude in seismic data. Seismic attributes technology, seismic inversion technology, and dynamic tracking interpretation are key techniques in 3D seismic exploration. They greatly improve interpretation accuracy, produce better results in the goaf space description of the coal-bearing strata and coal seam structure, and effectively reduce exploration costs under complicated geological conditions. Therefore, these techniques will be the primary means employed in the future to deal with coalfield complex structure and lithological exploration.

Aug 1, 2013

By Dale Verran, Jared Orynik, Chad Sorba, David Bronkhorst

Denison Mines Corp. (“Denison”) has a 90% interest in the Wheeler River Uranium Project (“Wheeler River”) located along the eastern edge of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan between the Key Lake mill and the McArthur River uranium mine. The project is host to the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, discovered by Denison in 2008 and 2014 respectively, which include combined Indicated Mineral Resources of 132.1 million pounds U3O8 (1,809,000 tonnes at an average grade of 3.3% U3O8). The Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”), completed in accordance with NI 43-101 in September 2018, is highlighted by the selection of the In-Situ Recovery (“ISR”) mining method for the development of the Phoenix deposit, with an estimated average operating cost of $4.33 (US$3.33) per pound U3O8. Phoenix is the highest-grade undeveloped uranium deposit known globally, including Indicated Mineral Resources of 166,000 tonnes at 19.1% U3O8 for 70.2 million pounds U3O8. The paper aims to provide a summary of Wheeler River and an overview of the proposed development of the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits according to the PFS completed for the Project. Further details regarding the PFS, including additional scientific and technical information are described in greater detail in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled "Pre-Feasibility Study for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" dated October 30, 2018 with an effective date of September 24, 2018. A copy of this report is available on Denison's website and under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Jan 1, 2020

By N. O. Lotter

The connection between mineralogy and metallurgical performance in a plant was recognised long ago (Gaudin, 1939; Petruk, 1976; Petruk and Hughson, 1977; Cabri, 1981; Petruk and Schnaar, 1981; Kinloch, 1982; Peyerl, 1983, Baum et al 1989 for example). The modern toolbox that we now routinely use for flowsheet development took decades to develop (Lotter et al., 2002; Baum and Lotter, 2004; Lotter, 2011 for example). Many workers contributed considerable time and effort to this overall mission of connecting sampling, mineralogy and mineral processing to integrate the flowsheet development activities. Certain key milestones marked this journey, such as Gy’s treatise on the sampling of particulate materials in 1979, which was later added to by François-Bongarçon, Pitard, Minnitt, and Holmes for example. The development of QEM*SEM by Gottlieb et al. of the MLA by Gu et al. constituted a huge leap forward in accuracy and mineral measurement capacity, as well as a reduction in standard errors of mineral characterisation. The advancement of the microprobe to an automated platform made a significant difference to detailed compositional mineralogy. This led to a strong position from which to draw meaningful processing implications from the mineralogical data. Reproducible flotation testing and reliable plant survey material for characterisation was dealt with by, amongst others, High Confidence Flotation Testing ( Lotter, 1995: Runge, 2010, and Bradshaw, 1997); and Statistical Benchmark Surveying (Lotter, 2005), with earlier prototypes which were steadily improved (Lotter, 1994; Restarick, 1976). The sterling work of Napier-Munn in engaging sound statistical methods with mineral processing led to the successful design and use of methods that could identify and quantify small recovery gains in plant scale trials. This history and present capability are reviewed, including leverage into asset management.

Jan 1, 2018

By H. S. Fowler

The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company has been in the business of mining and exploration since its incorporation in 1906. The Company has reports written as early as 1890. Consequently, its files contain a very large number of reports, and also of maps, of ail descriptions. REPORTS Before describing the filing of maps, a brie{ note on our general system of filing reports will perhaps clarify the discussion. Reports of a non-periodic nature, primarily those based upon examinations by field engineers, are separated from all other data and filed in what we know as the Mine Series System. Each property on which reports are written is given a serial number, known as the Mine Series Number. This serial number is assigned at the time the first report is filed and it remains permanently identified with the property, regardless of its state of activity. Our mine series numbers now total over 5,000. The serial number for a property may be found by referring to an alphabetical index of properties. MAPS We found it necessary to divide maps into two groups: (1) Maps of properties (2) Maps of areas

Jan 1, 1944

By A. Kapoor

Gold mill effluents contain toxic pollutants such as cyanide (CN), thiocyanate (CNS), ammonia (NH4-N), and a variety of toxic metals. Various practical and economical technologies are in use for the removal of CN and toxic metals from gold mill effluents, however, the removal of CNS and NH4-N is challenging. The presence of CNS and NH4-N may make effluents toxic to aquatic life. The new Canadian Metal Mining Effluent Regulations will require mine effluents to be nontoxic. As a result, there is a need to develop practical and economical technology for CNS and NH4-N removal. The Mine Effluents Program in the Environment Group is presently evaluating biotechnology processes for the removal of CNS and NH4-N from gold mill effluents. The processes being evaluated are attached growth systems such as a Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) and completely mixed suspended growth systems such as a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) operating in a batch mode. The research to date at MMSL has shown that the RBC is very effective in removing CNS and NH4-N from simulated effluents. The NH4-N removal project showed that the RBC is capable of removing 0.8 g NH4-N/m2 of RBC disk area per day at an average temperature of 4.5 oC and hydraulic loading rate of 0.02 m3/m2/d. The RBC was also found to be very effective in removing CNS (feed = 200 mg/L and effluent < 1 mg/L) at 8 oC and a hydraulic loading rate of 0.02 m3/m2/d. The SBR was effective in removing CNS and NH4-N (generated from CNS degradation) at SBR operating conditions of two-12 h treatment cycles and a temperature of 12 oC. The end product of CNS and NH4-N oxidation was NO3-N, which is relatively non-toxic.

Nov 1, 2002

By L. Chunpongtong

ABSTRACT The mining limit in oil sands is regulated by the ratio of total mining volume (ore, interburden, and overburden) one has to mine per volume of bitumen in place (TV/BIP). This paper presents a mathematical solution for creating the most economical pit outline where the TV/BIP ratio upper limit is 12, by combining mining economic theory and the Lerchs-Grossmann (LG) algorithm.

Jan 1, 2014

By L. Chunpongtong

The mining limit in oil sands is regulated by the ratio of total mining volume (ore, interburden, and overburden) one has to mine per volume of bitumen in place (TV/BIP). This paper presents a mathematical solution for creating the most economical pit outline where the TV/BIP ratio upper limit is 12, by combining mining economic theory and the Lerchs-Grossmann (LG) algorithm.

Jan 1, 2014

By Jamel Sgaoula

During 1998 COGEMA Resources Inc. announced that operations at the Cluff Lake mine will be suspended indefinitely by the end of year 2000 as a result of deteriorating uranium market conditions. To remain profitable, Cluff Lake mine started an aggressive cost reduction program. A cost reduction team was formed to look for ways to lower production costs. The focus of this team was to screen all areas and to come up with ideas to improve the economy of the mine and ensure the viability of the operations over the remaining three years of operations. Among the areas where significant savings were achieved are: (1) replacement of portion of cement with fly ash in backfill; (2) backfill optimization; and (3) new shotcrete plant installation on site for bulk in-house shotcrete production. This paper details the research work carried out by Cluff Lake mine on these projects and results of its application.

May 1, 2001