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By W. Petruk

Mineralogical studies and concentration tests were conducted on samples from an oolitic iron deposit from the Peace River district in Alberta to determine what concentrate grades and metal recoveries could be obtained. The samples assayed 32 to 37 wt. % Fe, and consisted of goethite, nontronite, ferruginous opal, siderite , quartz, amorphous phosphate and illite . Flotation with fatty acids yielded the best over-all results. A flotation concentrate from a composite sample of the iron horizon assayed, by weight, 43.0% Fe, 12.3% SiO2 , 1.9% CaD, 0.9% MgO, 4.5% Al2O3 and 2.0% P2O5 and lost 17.2% on ignition, for an iron recovery of 48.8% and a silica rejection of 80%. When heated to drive off the water, the concentrate assayed 52 w t. % Fe and 14. 8% w t. % SiO2

Jan 1, 1977

By A. Azad

SAGD (Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage) is an in-situ oil recovery technique for heavy oil reservoirs. The technique has been successfully applied to many projects in the past 25 years and the process has been, now, well understood. It is now believed that geomechanics plays an important role in SAGD and should be considered in numerical or analytical modeling. Currently, geomechanics is numerically modeled through combining a multi-phase flow and a geomechanical simulator. Numerical modeling is, however, time consuming, need lots of input data, and could not be used for quick decision-making purposes. To decrease the modeling time, this study based on a new version of the Reis drainage model, proposes coupled mathematical model and reserves the effect of geomechanics in the process. Results showed a perfect match with the past experimental and numerical data.

May 1, 2009

By D. Stone

"The Beal Mountain mine near Anaconda, Montana, is an interesting case history of a mine that has continued operations despite several large pit wall failures over a period of approximately 10 years. The largest event involved some 3.9 million tons of rock that has moved steadily at a rate of about 0.05 ft/day since 1992. This paper documents the geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs implemented at Beal to provide the company with a comfortable baseline that supported ongoing operations. The success and failure of a variety of stabilization measures will be discussed, along with typical instrumentation responses for several significant events. The success of Beal Mountain serves as a good model for mines faced with serious geotechnical challenges."

Jan 1, 2002

By G. Lee, E. T. C. Spooner

"Molybdenum mineralization at Boss Mountain is hosted by the Triassic Takomkane quartz monzodiorite batholith and is associated with a Cretaceous monzogranite stock. Ore has been mined from a sheeted vein system that describes a partial annulus centred upon the apical region of the stock and from subvertical breccia pipes that emanate from the stock. Molybdenite precipitation is coincident with CO2 effervescence from a dilute (1.9 mole o/o NaC/ equivalent) hydrothermal fluid over a temperature range of 250°C to 370°C at a pressure of approximately 350 bars, interpreted to be greater than or equal to the lithostatic load and equivalent to a depth of 1.3 km or less.IntroductionThe chemical and thermal constraints on molybdenum transport and deposition to form molybdenum ore deposits are not well understood. To address this problem, the Boss Mountain mine in central British Columbia, operated by Noranda Mines Ltd., was chosen as a well-described (Soregaroli and Nelson, 1976), relatively small and simple example of a Cordilleran Mo~ deposit. It is situated on the northeast slope of Takornkane Mountain, 10 km west of the community of Hendrix Lake (N.T.S. 93A/2W; latitude 52°06'N, longtitude 120°56'W). Access is from 100 Mile House by nearly 90 km of road, the first 50 km of which are paved."

Jan 1, 1995

By H. Soto, J. Jara, F. Nava

"A combination of oxidation and precipitation was used to eliminate cyanide from gold milling effluents. Preliminary laboratory work developed with both synthetic cyanide solutions and with industrial effluents indicated that ozone can easily destroy free cyanide and weakly complexed cyanide (i.e. copper and zinc cyanide). In this case the reaction is quite fast and seems to be controlled by the mass transfer of ozone to the solution. Experimental results indicate that free cyanide and weak-acid dissociable cyanide in mill effluents can be reduced to less than 1 ppm. However, the iron-cyanide complexes proved to be quite resilient to destruction with ozone and they remained in the solution even after most of the free and weakly complexed cyanide was destroyed with ozone. These results were confirmed in a pilot trial developed at the Sphinx plant in northern Quebec.To deal with the problem presented by the presence of the iron complexes two different approaches were studied: use of a combination ozone-ultraviolet light oxidation, and the precipitation of iron-ferrocyanide complexes in the residual solution after ozonation. This last method proved quite promising since reduced the total cyanide levels of industrial solutions assaying as much as 250 ppm to less than 1 ppm of total cyanide. Control of the · pH of the solution was the key to obtain the precipitation of the iron complexes. The use of iron to precipitate cyanide complexes has the advantage of being less expensive and less toxic than copper (used by the Inco process)."

Jan 1, 1992

By L. C. Bird, N. T. L. Landgren, M. W. Mikhail

"Through funds made available in 1972 by the Nova Scotia Department of Mines and Energy (DME) and the federal Department of Regional Economic Expansion, a program was initiated to recover saleable coal from mine waste dumps adjacent to the existing Acadia wash plant in Stellarton, Nova Scotia.Following evaluation of these dumps in 1972, the Acadia wash plant was modified to treat high-ash material. The first production was recorded in late 1974. By the end of 1979, a total of 738,202 t of dump material had been processed, yielding a total of 205,212 t of thermal-quality coal.The successful Stellarton operation led to considering the possibility of recovering thermal coal from other dumps. Evaluation of the Westville dumps indicated total recoverable reserves of 1,346,617 t averaging 53.8OJo ash.Parameters for plant design were defined from the washability characteristics of the dump material and the results of a bulk test. Two options were proposed; one was to use the existing plant with some modifications, the other was to build a modular mobile plant that could be used at future dump sites in the province after Westville. At the 25% ash level, the potential recovery of coal from the dump was estimated at 41% yield (by weight) or 549,679 t."

Jan 1, 1981

By David Meadows, John Starkey

"As part of the ongoing project development for the Tenke Fungurume Copper-Cobalt Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Phelps Dodge Corporation has examined methodologies for determining the size of grinding mills to support a 7000 mtpd operation. Six samples were tested by Hazen Research, Inc. (HRI) to obtain the JK parameters using the JK Drop Weight Test, standard Bond crushing, and rod mill work indices, abrasion indices and by Dawson for Bond Ball Mill Work Index tests using crushed feed, and Standard Autogenous Grinding Design (SAGDesign) Tests, patented by Outokumpu. (See reference 8 below).The comparison of these results gives context to how the various measurements relate to each other and how they can be used to obtain an accurate design for the grinding mills required for the Tenke Project. This is the first published direct comparison between JK Drop Weight, standard bond work indices, and SAGDesign test results. The SAGDesign test includes a SAG test followed by a Bond BM Wi test done on SAG ground material.INTRODUCTIONAfter the presentation of the paper “SAGDesign Testing – What It Is and Why It Works” at the recently concluded SAG 2006 Conference in Vancouver, a question was asked about how SAGDesign ore hardness measurements compared with other comminution tests, specifically the JK Drop Weight Test and the parameters that are derived from such testing. At that time it was noted that a paper was being prepared for the CMP Conference in January to show how various ore hardness measurements compare with each other when done on the same samples.This paper will therefore present the first such comparison using test results from the Phelps Dodge Tenke Fungurume Project where six composite samples were examined by the tests noted below. A seventh sample was tested at Dawson but not at other labs. The tests were done at four different laboratories listed below and included the tests shown."

Jan 1, 2007

By Deon van Tonder, Chuck Edwards

"Solvent extraction is used in many acid leach uranium circuits to upgrade and purify the uranium bearing solution prior to final product precipitation. A number of strip options are available to recover the uranium from the loaded organic. This paper compares some of these options on the basis of typical capital and operating costs for both the solvent extraction circuit and downstream uranium processing, and also considers other related issues. The aim is to provide an objective comparative assessment of these options that could be used as a qualitative guide in process selection or improvement.INTRODUCTIONIn the 1950s the uranium industry was the first industry to adopt solvent extraction (SX). Since then, the flow sheets have advanced. Notable was the introduction of tertiary amine extractants by General Mills during the late 1950s and 1960s (Mackenzie, 1997; Mackenzie, 2005), which is still today considered ‘state of the art’ technology. Initially solvent extraction was done in combination with ion-exchange, such as in the Eluex flow sheet, followed later by the adoption of direct solvent extraction from pregnant leach solution (PLS). From a strip-precipitation perspective ammonia strip followed by ammonium diuranate precipitation was widely adopted as the norm in the uranium industry. More recently alternative strip systems have been receiving increasing attention due to the environmental, health and safety issues associated with ammonia and the resulting calcined uranium oxide product. This paper explores some of these alternative options in comparison with the ammonia route.It is important to acknowledge that each operation is unique, and therefore the information and philosophy outlined in this paper serve to provide a general guide that can be potentially applied and adapted to any site or project."

Jan 1, 2013

By N. Mejia, Z. Xiao, D. Fragomini, A. R. Laplante

"The adaptation to platinum-group minerals (PGMs) of a protocol developed to predict gold recovery by gravity is presented. The protocol is based on three different data sets: ore characterization of gravity-recoverable minerals, description of their behaviour in cyclones and ball mills, and performance of recovery units. Examples of these are given. It is shown that the gravity-recoverable PGM (GRPGM) content can be very high. A case study at the Clarabelle mill is presented. Sperrylite is the dominant platinum mineral, and its partition curve is very similar to that of gold, despite its lower density. Its grinding kinetics is significantly higher than for gold. As a result, sperrylite accumulates in finer sizes than native gold, but can still be recovered by gravity or flash flotation. Recovery projections based on gravity recoverable data are presented.BACKGROUNDReliable modeling of gold recovery by gravity or flash flotation from a grinding circuit is based on the ability to describe the properties of gold-bearing particles in the ore, their behaviour in grinding and classification units and the performance of the equipment used for recovery, be it gravity or flotation. This is shown in Figure 1."

Jan 1, 2004

"Many underground mines are achieving extended life and optimizing existing facilities by mining at greater depths. The challenges to do this require a sound engineering approach to mine design and mine services, as well as ingenuity in safety design. The social consequence is full utilization of existing infrastructure.Accessing ores at depths of 2000 m to 3000 m requires exceptional hoisting design. May’s theme issue includes a paper that examines a case study of one such hoisting plant, with emphasis on the hoist rope selection at Agnico-Eagle’s Penna shaft. The paper also describes the process whereby consultation with provincial safety authorities resulted in a revised safety factor suited to the hoist. Another paper examines the challenges of ventilating mechanized mines to 3000 m, including air cooling and dilution of diesel exhaust emissions. Vent system designs are discussed, using sound engineering design, and proven technology that minimizes emissions to achieve cost efficiencies. The paper suggests design based on process and ventilation simulators to obtain realistic economic data at the design stage. Increased ground pressures present unique challenges for production and safety. While this is not confined to deep mining, one paper examines rock pressures and seismic events at the Brunswick mine, for which experience may be applied at depth. It describes seismic monitoring as a predictive tool in a real mine situation, and how it is used to improve overall recoveries and maintain worker safety."

Jan 1, 2004

By N. Shi, T. G. Joseph

The design of dippers for cable shovels has essentially remained unchanged for the last 100 years. In the past 10 years, shovel manufacturers have started taking another look at dipper design, resulting in changes that have borne models from major manufacturers that address some of the wear conditions and material retention problems that dominate maintenance and operational costs. However, with the exception of added lateral curvatures to the front and corners of the dipper, the geometry is essentially unchanged. This paper looks at the criteria that have resulted in the first new cutting dipper design in a century. The design is based on kinematic considerations, reflected in a revolutionary geometry that matches the range of motions of the shovel, designed to minimize wear, impact loading and power required to dig, thus maximizing productivity for a minimum energy requirement. The shape configuration is such that the weight of the dipper is reduced through wall thickness, enabling a larger capacity dipper to be conceived for the same shovel. Benefits are reflected in reduced operational and maintenance costs and increased productivity.

Jan 1, 2006

By Elizabeth Wademan

Recessions Eventually End ??Companies aggressively cutting production and inventories ??these will come in-line with demand ??U.S. home inventories are declining ??Housing becoming more affordable ??Global trade recovering after collapsing ??Lower oil prices should act as a stimulus Protracted Deleveraging Process Beginning ??Era of leverage-driven consumption is over ??Greatest destruction of consumer wealth since WWII ??Consumers will no longer be able to substitute capital gains for savings ??Shift towards savings will be a headwind to economic growth ???Paradox of Thrift?

May 1, 2009

By Sylvain Létourneau

Help organizations maximize the benefits of the data that they collect ? perform scientific research in: machine learning, data mining, statistics, artificial intelligence, soft computing, information retrieval, information systems, and natural language processing ? preferred application areas: Equipment Health Management, Bioinformatics, Health, Web Mining ? today?s talk limited to Equipment Health Management While the aircraft is still in the air, IDS: ? clusters relevant WRN, FLR, and snag (pilot) messages ? identifies probable causes based on TSM and provide links to corresponding TSM pages ? assesses MEL conditions (GO, NOGO, GOIF, ?) ? displays relevant maintenance history, suggests fixes based on similar cases ? Commercialization with MxI Technologies Ltd and Air Canada in 2000

May 1, 2008

By A. R. Miller, M. C. Bétournay, D. L. Barnes

"A number of successful proof-of-concept projects have been carried out to replace conventional power application, such as diesel and rechargeable batteries, in underground mine vehicles. This has led to the development and testing of the world’s first fuel cell production vehicle, a mine locomotive. A fuel cell loader is being built and tested.This paper provides an insight into other projects that are being carried out. Some are related to further underground applications, and some to further research, such as refueling options, power plant durability, and vehicle automation.Also outlined is an evaluation of the overall mining applications and advantages this technology can bring to underground mining, including the facilitation of automation and tele-remote operation."

Jan 1, 2003

By Stephen J. Roberts

Gold catalysts were prepared on co-precipitated, calcined copper oxide - zinc oxide support by an inverse deposition-precipitation method. These catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and studied for CO oxidation activity at various catalyst calcination temperatures. TPR studies of the support material exhibited a double peak and shift to lower temperatures for the reduction of Cux+ to metallic copper, as opposed to the single reduction peak for pure CuO. This phenomenon is possibly caused by an interaction with the zinc oxide. The addition of gold to the support CuOZnO led to a further shift in copper reducibility to lower temperatures. Gold present in the initial uncalcined catalyst as Au3+ was auto-reduced to Au0 under various calcination temperatures. The Au3+ reduction peak was observed to shift to lower temperatures with increasing calcination temperature. The catalytic activity was found to pass through a minimum value with respect to calcination temperature. Catalysts with both gold in entirely the 3+ or metallic oxidation state were found to exhibit high activity. Furthermore, the catalysts were found to decrease in activity with decreasing Au3+ content up to an intermediate calcination temperature, afterwhich the activity increased sharply. Possibly at higher temperatures, a stronger Au-support interaction is formed, leading to a new active site.

Oct 1, 2003

By S. Dicarlo

"In late 1985, B-zone ore was first processed through the Eldor Mines mill at Rabbit Lake. Extensive modifications had been completed in order to mill this ore. In-plant process development was initiated to tune up the new circuits and concentrated on leaching, solvent extraction, impurity and uranium precipitation and tailing and effluent treatment. This process development effort and the results are described.INTRODUCTIONEldor Mines, a division of Eldorado Resources Limited, operates the Rabbit lake mine-mill complex at Collins Bay on the western shore of Wollaston Lake in northeastern Saskatchewan.The first orebody was discovered in 1968 by Gulf Minerals Canada Limited below a small body of water named Rabbit Lake. Ore from the Rabbit Lake (RL) deposit was first processed through the new mill in June, 1975, with depletion scheduled over the next ten years. Continued exploration in the area led to the discovery of four orebodies in the vicinity of Collins Bay: A-zone (1971), B-zone (1977), D-zone (1978) and Eagle Point (1980). Collins Bay is about ten kilometres from the mill facility.In 1982, Gulf Minerals was acquired by Eldorado Nuclear Ltd., who continued the development effort to bring the B-zone deposit into production. The RL pit was mined out in May, 1984 with stockpiled ore providing mill feed until startup on B-zone ore, which was scheduled for November, 1985."

Jan 1, 1988

By George A. Lawrence, J. C. McHardy

"Field operating experience with an improved flotation mechanism for handling various flotation applications is covered in this paper. Some aspects of designing flotation machines are also presented. Operating data from extensive testing of commercial size equipment under actual plant operating conditions in the following applications is detailed:1. Copper Flotation2. Fine Coal Flotation3. Base Metal Sulfide FlotationDesign features, design improvements, modifications tested, and overall performance data are reviewed. Some mecl1anical performance data as well as metallurgical performance results are presented. Some comparisons with conventional flotation equipment are reported in this paper.Flotation sizing theories are reviewed and an actual equipment selection ex2.mple is presented. Scale-up criteria used for developing large cells are briefly covered.The paper concludes with a brief review of anticipated future flotation equipment design needs. IntroductionThe mining/milling industry is faced with increasing pressure to cut costs while maintaining product quality and indeed, in some instances, expanding production. For copper, nickel, iron, molybdenum, lead and zinc sulphides, coal, phosphate and some other minerals;, flotation remains the primary method of concentration and recovery of the valuable mineral away from the gangue. Cost reduction in flotation can be broadly focused on two areas:1. Flotation Chemicals2. Flotation Equipment"

Jan 1, 1985

By Euler De Souza

Backfilling in Canadian mines has been practised for close to 100 years and evidence anticipates the application of mine fill technology at an increasing rate during the foreseeable future. The evolution of backfill technology is closely related to the advancement of modern mining methods and the development of new backfill technology continues to evolve. The authors, after conducting extensive surveys of backfill practices in underground mines across Canada, have concluded that, because backfill operations employ large quantities of cement and experience large costs associated both with backfilling practice and cement use, opportunities exist for reducing backfill energy costs and enhancing the application of alternative cementing agents in backfill. Consequently, the authors have developed an alternate, equally effective and lower cost binder agent replacement for cement, and incorporated waste glass into the development of a lower cost backfill (glassfill). This paper presents the results of two design stages associated with the development of glassfill: strength development and flow performance. The advancement of this technology has reached a stage that should promote industrial implementation within the Canadian mining industry. A number of Canadian mining operations exhibit potential for plant optimization through possible binder source replacement, and might thus realize associated reductions in backfill and energy costs.

Apr 1, 2005

By R. F. Pilgrim

"This first chapter of the SPOC Manual 1s intended as a general introduction to all the other chapters in which the mineral process evaluation and optimization methodology is presented. This chapter also provides a brief description of available software for mainframe and m1crocomputers and provides information on its distribution by the Technology Information Division. CANMETRESUMECe premier chapitre du manuel SPOC est un guide général qui présente les autres chapitres ou l'on traite de la méthodologie d'évaluation et d'optimisation des procédés miméralurgiques. Le lecteur y trouvera aussi une description sommaire des programmes de calcul développés pour ordinateurs centraux et pour micro-ordinateurs ainsi que la façon de les obtenir de la Division de l'information technologique du CANMETComputer simulation of mineral processes has slowly emerged as an established branch of activity in A&D centres and in several teaching institutions after decades of slow progress. Substantial efforts to develop application software based on years of research on process modelling are being pursued in many countries ( 1 .2,3,4.5). The late BO's should see a flurry of success stones about significant leaps of productivity achieved in several plants through systematic process evaluation and computer simulation studies.In Canada. the SPOC project (Simulated Processrng of Ore and Coal) was initiated at CAN MET in 1980 with the obJective of developing and transferrrng to the mineral rndustry a computer-based methodology for process evaluation and optimization. The proiect deliverables include:- an engineering manual covering most aspects of off-line computer simulation:- a bank of FORTRAN software accessible through data communication lines for user familiarization and distributed at a nominal cost in source form by CANMETThe yearly progress reports of the project contain detailed information on the project elements since 1980 16). The context of SPOC can be summed up by quoting Gordon Agar""s 1975 statement during a workshop on research needs in the mineral industry: ""What is needed is a joint effort between the academic community and one or more enliglitened industrial concerns. The effort will have to be an iterative one with data collection followed by testing the model modification of the model (s), more testing prediction, modification. data collection and so on (7). A few parallel in1- t1atives had been reported in papers or research contract reports (8, 9) but there was an obvious need for CANMET to bridge the gap between the R&D and the production sectors by undertaking a project that would document past applications and induce a new generation of initiatives through the consol1dat1on and transfer of suitable manuals and software. The effort took shape as the CANMET SPOC pro1ect in which methodology transfer was to play a key role (10)."

Jan 1, 1986

By Scott A. Stebbins

Cost evaluation models constructed specifically to evaluate the economic potential of an individually motorized railcar system of ore and waste transport demonstrate that the approach may be considerably more cost effective than traditional rubber-tired haulage methods. The system design places a motorized drive unit on each railcar, as opposed to the more common configuration in which a series of un-motorized cars trail behind a single locomotive. These motorized railcars are directed to various load and dump points by a computerized dispatch system, and as such have the advantage of operating unmanned. In addition, the tractive effort of the rail-type drive system is noticeably more efficient than that of the rubber-tired mode of transport. The savings are realized primarily through comparative reductions in the requirements for labor and, to a lesser degree, energy.

Nov 1, 2011