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By Christoph Mueller

Mining operations are characterized by cost pressure and cycling product prices. A high potential for enhancing efficiency is the integration of all single steps of the mining working chain into a production process structure to make advantage of an optimized flow of material and information through the ?moving ore factory?. As modern mining machinery today is controlled electronically and even already operated autonomously, a smooth and cost efficient flow of data in the mining process will be crucial for cost efficient future mine operations. Therefor, the International Rock Excavation Data Exchange Standard (IREDES) was launched by major players in the industry. The task of this initiative is to define a ?common electronic language? for easy and standardized data exchange between mining machines and central computer systems. As in other industries, this standard is expected to have significant impact on the use of automated equipment. It shall provide easy ways of using multi vendor machine installations in data controlled mining processes. At the same time it reduces cost for individual development of interfaces for all parties involved. Standardized data exchange is also a crucial precondition to integrate the mining process into enterprise level modeling, cost analysis and decision finding systems. The standard?s technical architecture is open and flexible for future applications. It uses modern XML technology enabling easy data exchange with commercial databases as well as open on line networking. The IREDES work is carried out by the initiative members working jointly together in the technical work groups. Prototyping implementations of the Drill rigs profile are currently going on. Further profiles under development cover LHD?s/Loaders/Trucks and Explosives Chargers. The first official release covering the Drill Rigs profile is planned for the end of 2002.

May 1, 2002

By Alain Langlais, Caroline Boudrias Chapleau, Claude Bazin, Ahmed Bouajila

"Slurry «viscosity» has been recognised for several decades as a variable that significantly influences the operation of grinding mills. This paper describes an instrument that can be used in a laboratory or a plant to measure and monitor the flow properties of mineral slurries. Laboratory results obtained for two different ore samples are consistent with results obtained during a full scale trial. The results provide a basis for analysing the effect of the solids concentration and particle size distribution on the slurry flow properties. Grinding tests were also conducted in an attempt to link the grinding efficiency to the rheological properties of mineral slurries.INTRODUCTIONThe flow properties, or incorrectly called «viscosity», of a slurry influence the operation of mineral processing devices. Work has been conducted for instance to assess the effect of this variable on the operation of hydrocyclones (Kawatra et al. 1996; Klimpel, 1982a) and dense media separators for coal (Napier-Munn, 1996). However, most of the research effort has been oriented toward the grinding processes which is still the most energy demanding operation for ore dressing (Fuerstenau et al., 1995).Results of investigations of the influence of slurry flow properties upon grinding performances are presented regularly in the literature since 1950. In the 70's, most of the research work was conducted with the aim of using slurry flow properties for the control of grinding mill and to analyze the effect of that variable upon the population balance model breakage and rate functions (Austin et al., 1984; Hemmings et Boyes, 1977). In the 80's, most of the litterature dealing with slurry rheology was devoted to the use of viscosity modifiers to adjust the slurry flow properties, allowing an increase of grinding mill throughputs (Klimpel, 1982b; Fuerstenau et al., 1985). Although laboratory and pilot plant results show the benefits of adding these modifiers to the slurry, few plants have published results concerning the advantages of such addition (Fuerstenau et al., 1985). It is felt that the use of these modifiers introduce operating difficulties with the concentration circuits, especially flotation (Kawatra et Eisele, 1988)."

Jan 1, 2003

By E. S. Moore

DEEP oxidation and-secondary enrichment of ore deposits, although so important in many parts of the world, are comparatively rare in the Canadian shield. Intensive glaciation during the Pleistocene epoch accounts for their rarity. Glaciation has cost Canada much in the destruction of not only enriched ore deposits, but placers that must have been developed near our numerous gold deposits during the long period of weathering that pre-ceded the Pleistocene. There seems to be a very common misconception regarding the average depth of rock that has been removed from the shield by glaciers. These bodies of ice are usually given credit for the removal of the greater portion of the thousands of feet of rock that we know has been eroded from this large area since Precambrian time. As a matter of fact, the average thickness of solid rock removed can be measured in tens rather than even hundreds of feet, although very deep erosion has resulted in some sections where the glacial ice has been constricted in depressions, such as deep valleys and lake basins. On the other hand, there are few areas within the shield where the glaciers have not disturbed practically all of the mantle rock and some feet of the underlying bed-rock. The chances of finding deeply oxidized cappings and enriched ore deposits are therefore comparatively few and these have been found chiefly where favourable structural and topographic conditions for their formation and preservation have existed. Faulting has been responsible for several of these deposits, and easily decomposed rocks, such as. sulphides and carbonates, have been very important factors. Topographic features, such as high and resistant hills, favourably situated with respect to the ore deposits have, in a few cases, played a part in providing protection from glacial erosion and in furnishing head for the descent of surface waters. At least four cases of oxidation to depths quite abnormal in the Canadian shield have so far been found in Ontario. These are the Helen and Josephine iron mines in the Michipicoten district, the Keeley silver mine in South Lor-rain, and the Ross gold mine in Hislop township, Cochrane district. A deeply oxidized zinc deposit of unusual interest occurs in the Precambrian rocks in New York State, not far from the Canadian border, and there arc the well-known iron deposits in the Lake Superior region of the United States.

Jan 1, 1938

By P. D. R. Maltby

"1. INTRODUCTIONMy talk today will discuss a new development in the thickening of slurries and clarification of waste water - the Enviro-Clear thickener. Several industrial installations of the thickener have been made in North America in the following applications:1.,water clarification in sugar beet processing plants.2.,separation of pregnant liquors from solid wastes following acid leaching in uranium mills3.,clarification of waste water from coal treatment plants as described in a paper in the June 1975 transactions of the SME entitled ""Application and Utilization of the Enviro Clear Thickener in a U.S. Steel Coal Preparation Plant"" by A.A. Terchnik, D.T. King and J.S. Anderson.2. HISTORYThe application of the Enviro-Clear thickener can be traced back to the filing of U.S. Patent 3523889 in 1970 by the inventor F. Eis. The claims of this patent are shown in Slide 1.The new concept was developed for sugar beet processing by the Spreckels Division of Amstar Corporation, and several such thickeners have subsequently been installed in various sugar beet plants. The Enviro-Clear Co. or New York took over the world-wide manufacturing and marketing of the thickener. Experience in the sugar beet industry indicated that the Enviro-Clear thickener volume requirements could be reduced to as low as one tenth that of a conventional type thickener. Various coal samples were supplied by U.S. Steel Research Laboratories for testing. The tests indicated that feed rate loadings of 3 gpm/ft.2 could be obtained by the Enviro-Clear thickener. Such results led to several industrial applications in the coal industry. Subsequently other branches of the mineral processing industry have come to learn of the possibilities of using this thickener. Slide 2 shows a list of commercial Enviro-Clear installations at the end of 1975."

Jan 1, 1976

By H. C. Wade

"Description and UseDischarge liners or pulp lifters as they are sometimes called are a trough type liner used at the discharge end of the mill where ground ore passes to the trunnion.There are basically two methods of discharging pulp. The First and most common is the overflow method. Here ground ore travels from the feed to the discharge end where it exits through the discharge trunnion in an overflowing manner, hence the name ""overflow"". (See Figure I) The second method of discharging pulp is the grate method. With this method you block-off the trunnion and hold the ore inside the mill for a longer period of time. This allows only the desired size of ore out of the mill. Ore passes through the grate liners, into the Vibrathane Discharge liner, and finally down to the trunnion. Greater control of the ore size results wit1 this method as compared to the overflow method and it also eliminates reclassifying and regrinding. (See Figure 2)Types in UsePresently the majority of discharge liners in use today are rubber. (Metal insert and rubber covered) In some extremely course applications steel and nihard are used."

Jan 1, 1980

By Michel Fontaine, Bruno St-Cyr

"The mission of the CENTRE DE RECHERCHE INDUSTRIELLE DU QUEBEC (CRIQ) is to stimulate economic development by guiding businesses in their pursuit of innovation.With a comprehensive approach to their needs, CRIQ provides businesses with expertise based on the most recent developments and insights in the fields of:Research and Development ServicesAutomation and production processesDevelopment of industrial equipmentEnvironmental biotechnologiesTesting and Product Qualification Services Industrial and Technological Information ServicesConsultancy and competitive intelligence servicesIndustrial information bankStandardization ServicesElaboration of standards and product certificationSystems registrationEXPERTISE COMPETENCE, INNOVATIONSince its founding in 1969, CRIQ has been involved in over 100,000 projects. The results of its research and development services have enabled it to build over one hundred pieces of equipment, almost all still in operation today. CRIQ has been and remains the driving force of innovation and expertise on the industrial scene, offering highly competitive solutions to a clientele from numerous industrial sectors.CRIQ became a crown corporation operating on a commercial basis on June 30, 1997. This change in its corporate structure has enabled it to put a marked emphasis on trade and implement an array of new operational practices.The formation of marketing companies with private partners, the opening up to corporate business and international markets, the new directions for internal research and the strengthening of its marketing component are among the activities CRIQ has initiated over the last fiscal year to finally reach its cruising speed."

Jan 1, 2000

By Natasha A. Essar

Nevsun Resources Ltd. Bisha Mine Project is a gold and base metal development project in the Gash Barka region of west-central Eritrea. The project has the potential to be one of the largest industrial developments in the country, and Eritreans have no experience in modern mining. Nevsun recognized early that the success of the Bisha Project would require meaningful consultation and engagement with all levels of Eritrean society. Meaningful engagement required not only full disclosure, but also capacity building from government officials at all levels to other stakeholders who live in the nearby communities. This paper describes the approach used to develop capacity and to help introduce a modern mining culture in a country without previous experience in mining.

May 1, 2007

By C. B. Webber, W. A. Grell

"Sherritt Gordon's Ruttan Mine is a copper-zinc operation located approximately 600 miles north-west of Winnipeg. Open pit mining began in 1973 at 10,000 Tpd., with a change over to underground mining in 1981 producing 7,500 Tpd. Ore is crushed to -3/4"" followed by rod and ball mill grinding (two ball mills in series), differential copper-zinc flotation, and dewatering. The copper and zinc concentrates are trucked 75 miles to Lynn Lake, where they are shipped by rail to the HBM&S smelter at Flin Flon.This paper describes a method used to predict the effect of grind particle size on metallurgical performance, as well as details on the copper and zinc metallurgical performance due to fine grinding in actual plant operation.Initial statistical studies on historical data (including ore source, head gr3de, grind, etc.) indicated that copper and zinc recoveries increased with fineness of grind, in the range of 50 to 65% -200 mesh.In order to extrapolate beyond 65% -200 mesh, and to develop expected nonlinear relations between grind, Cu concentrate grade, and recovery, the assays of screen fractions of copper concentrate and tailing were used to determin8 the relation between net smelter return (a function of grade and recovery) and grinding cost. The optimum economic grind would be that grind at which the net smelter return less grinding cost reached a maximum."

Jan 1, 1982

By W. G. Johnson

"As we move into 1983, Canada is not only in a deep recession, there are major changes taking place.International competition is growing fiercer.Major core industries such as automobile, steel, mining, oil, agriculture, forestry, fishing, major manufacturing and others are just not expanding.If and when recovery comes starting in mid-1983, as many predict, don't expect industries to suddenly resume former growth patterns. It's just not possible.Companies, by necessity, are becoming lean and mean, and they are still in the process of reducing staff to meet changing times and conditions. Many of the staff now being released may never return to fulltime work with a single employer, particularly if they cannot measure up to more exacting performance standards and management expectations.There are clear cut instances of people who lose a job for reasons beyond their control. A merger, the loss of function, or a major reorganization sometimes creates casualties of people who were excellent performers. Such people can survive well, based on the tongue of good report and with some help from associates or others. However, even good performers often have difficulty in adjusting to the rigors of finding a new job and to become their own personal salesman."

Jan 1, 1983

By K. J. R. Ford

"Significant advances in mining and metallurgical operations have occurred over the last two decades, to define ore bodies via geological mapping, mineralogical analyses, geostatistical models and resource reserve modeling. Metallurgical process measurement, controls and modeling have also significantly progressed, with advanced instrumentation, control software, data capture systems and simulation tools. This progress together with development of the science of geometallurgy has allowed geologists, mineralogists, miners and metallurgists to start working together to define geometallurgical ore units and link these to mine planning and projected metallurgical performance. However, application of full geometallurgical programs into existing mine-processing operations or into new “greenfield” projects has been slow. This is mainly due to higher costs, limited dedicated technical resources and little or no corporate leadership. Additionally, life-of-mine cash flow models, the “dollars”, have been largely driven by ore tonnage rates, pay-metal grades and fixed pay-metal percentage recoveries, with few or no geometallurgical parameters included.Here defined, the “electrons” represent intrinsic ore characteristics embracing chemical composition, mineralogy, gangue components and their associated fundamental metallurgical processing phenomena. With its ever expanding treasure chest of measurement and modeling tools, geometallurgy paints a much clearer picture of the “electrons” for the geologist and metallurgist. But to fully understand and realize the real net value of ores over the life of a mine, a comprehensive link of “electrons to the dollars” is essential. Intrinsic characteristics of geometallurgical ore units are by definition linked to their metallurgical processing, but importantly need also to be related to operating costs, capital requirements and revenue.This paper discusses this important linkage under topics of ore geology and mineralogy, metallurgical processing, waste disposal, environmental issues, metal refining, project engineering and lifeof- mine models. Topics are illustrated by multi-metal references and by case examples from gold ore heap leaching and manganese ore smelting projects. 1"

Jan 1, 2013

By George Hope, Brigitte Lacouture

"The Red Dog mine has increased mill throughput most years since start-up. Although flotation equipment has been added over the last 10 years, the Red Dog metallurgical performance has been restricted by a lack of adequate flotation capacity. Two reduced tonnage trials conducted in 1997 as well as numerous SAG relines have consistently indicated the potential to significantly increase both zinc concentrate recovery and grade with additional flotation capacity. Later in 1999, a new circuit was designed with increased flotation capacity while simplifying the current circuit, providing for three stages of dilution cleaning, and creating a retreat section. The purpose of the retreat section is to target the more complex particles and allow the chemical environment to be fine tuned for improved iron depression. In total, 21 Outokumpu OK50 (50 m3) mechanical flotation cells and four 3.66 mØ column cells were added to the current flotation circuit. The VIP (value improvement program) mill optimization project is also addressing thickening, water treatment, and power generation issues and has a total budget of US$105 M. Start-up of equipment was phased in to minimize the impact on current operations and the project was completed by the end of 2001. IntroductionRed Dog Operations started production in November 1989. The mine is located above the Arctic Circle in northwest Alaska. It is linked by an 80 km road to a port-site facility where the concentrate is stored. Concentrate is shipped to markets throughout the world during the one hundred days of open seas. As of January 2002, the Red Dog main pit had 38.4 Mt of reserves grading 19.2% Zn, 5.3% Pb, and 102 g/t Ag. Additional reserves and resources contribute an additional 72 Mt at 15.6% Zn, 4.2% Pb, and 78 g/t Ag. Red Dog is a Mississippian to Permian, black shale-hosted, zinc-lead-silver deposit located in the DeLong Mountains, western Brooks Range, Alaska. All the rocks associated with the mineralizing event are considered to be part of the exhalite rock package. Silicification was a dominant component of the mineralizing event and the host shale has been silicified and locally resembles a chert. The major sulphides in decreasing order of abundance are sphalerite, pyrite, marcasite and galena. Most of the deposit’s silver occurs within the crystal structure of the galena. The dominant ore mineral, sphalerite, is very fine grained to amorphous and is commonly intergrown with silica. Ore textures are massive, fragmental, chaotic, veined and rarely show classic sulphide sedimentary layering. The upper portion of the orebody has been physically and chemically weathered. Oxidation has altered the sulphides to sulphates. The zinc and iron sulphates are very soluble and are readily depleted from the weathered cap, while the lead sulphate is residual and is, therefore, enriched."

Jan 1, 2003

By W. Beres, Li. J.

The finite element method (FEM) has been applied to investigate the stress fields and deformation of a TiN/Ti-6A1-4V coating/substrate system subjected to nanoindentation. MSC Patran and MSC Marc were used to prepare the three-dimensional finite element models and to perform the simulations of the Vickers nanoindentation experiments. Pure silicon and TiN/Ti-6A1-4V coating/substrate system were analyzed. The properties of the materials were assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic with a linear hardening behavior. The reverse method was used to extract material properties, such as the yield stress and strain hardening coefficient, from the numerical results by comparing the simulated indentation load vs. penetration depth (P-h) curves with those obtained experimentally. Both non-linear elastic and non-linear elastic-plastic analyses were carried out for the coating/substrate system. The results are given for four different coating thicknesses.

Jan 1, 2004

By Eugene (Gene) Bounds

The Mining industry faces many challenges, one of which is the demand to communicate over a variety of media, be it visual, sound, voice, data or any combination. Over the years multiple infrastructures have been put in place to overcome environmental obstacles and address these communication needs. A mine is an aggressive environment for electronic equipment and as such only the best quality equipment can perform under those special conditions of e.g. temperature, dust and humidity. Siemens Canada and its partner LComm will discuss a mining solution using a unique combination of technologies based on fibre optics, standard communication interfaces, passive antenna infrastructure and wireless services. The presentation looks at maximizing the use of infrastructure, reducing costs, addressing difficulty of communications coverage above and below the surface and the capability to future proof the capital investment as new requirements and applications are identified. Discussion will address: Wireless voice, high speed data Data acquisition for process control from sensors Video for remote control and security Miner safety and location Timely receipt of large volumes of information

Apr 1, 2005

By Gordon E. Forward

Sustainable development in the mining and metallurgical industrial sectors can be implemented by two distinct groups: 1. The managers and operators of existing facilities ? working with industrial processes and systems that have been operating for many years, in some cases several decades 2. Those who are engineering and building new facilities or upgrades of existing plants. The focus of this paper is to look at approaches and tools available to bring sustainable development thinking and action to these two distinct areas. The paper will discuss: 1. The concept of working with existing facilities and processes to minimize waste and maximize product from a regional raw material/resource consumption perspective using By-product Synergy. The BPS concept has been carried out in Texas (TXI-Chaparral?s STAR Example), in Calgary, Alberta with Suncor assistance, in Montreal, Quebec with Noranda as project leader and currently in Ontario with Dofasco as industry champion. Successful outcomes are presented. 2. A new approach to designing greenfield facilities or upgrades to existing plants using a sustainable development review process. Undertaking the review early in every project can institutionalize the concept of discussing and implementing waste elimination, design for environment, eco-efficiency, risk minimization and community awareness and involvement in the future capital stock. The review process has been developed as an excellent tool for measuring and reporting on a corporation?s sustainable development progress. Examples of how this approach has been adopted in the mining and metallurgical industry, and the resultant outcomes are given.

May 1, 2002

By V. K. Gupta

"Effect of mill speed on grinding kinetics has been investigated with a view to using mill speed as a manipulated variable for control and optimization of the grinding circuit performance under variable ore hardness conditions. Dry and wet batch grinding tests were carried out for quartz, limestone and cement clinker in a 29 cm x 18 cm laboratory ball mill. Mill speed values selected were 55 and 70% critical. In the case of dry grinding operation, with an exception of quartz, for all materials studied the effect of mill speed on grinding rate was found to be insignificant for sizes finer than about 35 mesh. In the case of wet operation, grinding rates were found to be approximately proportional to the mill speed. The implications of these results are discussed.INTRODUCTIONIt is well known that mill speed has a considerable effect on the grinding rate of the ore particles l-3 For particles of a given size there is an optimum speed at which mill grinding efficiency is maximum (i.e. specific energy consumption is minimum) 3•4. Mill speed can, therefore, be effectively used as a manipulated variable to deal with the disturbances arising from changes in the size and hardness (grinding rate) of the ore being fed to the grinding circuit. Though, it has not been the case so far, with recent developments of ring motors2 and frequency inverters5 a continuous variation of mill speed has now become feasible, and it is expected that mill speed control will soon be a regular feature of plant operation2,6."

Jan 1, 1985

By T. C. Holmes

Introduction The Dome mine, in the Porcupine mining camp of northern Ontario, is one of the important gold mines of the country, having produced over 139 million dollars worth of gold from the commencement of production in '1910 to the end of 1944. The geology of the mine is complex and a number of types of ore are known, each occurring under particular conditions. The mine workings are very extensive and by far the greater part of them have been geologically mapped only in reconnaissance fashion. By 1940, when the writer joined the mine staff, the orebodies in the sedimentary trough and the 'nose' orebodies, the first types to be developed, were almost worked out and many workings were inaccessible, so the descriptions of these types are based largely on study of the plans and records. The same applies to a lesser extent to some other types. At various places in this paper, statements are made as to the mineralogical or chemical composition of the rocks. Most of these determinations are based on examinations made with a hand lens and cannot, therefore, be regarded as very reliable. General Geology As there are several types of ore in the mine, occurring under quite diverse conditions, a brief outline of the geology is given here, sufficient to provide a general picture into which the fuller descriptions given with each type of ore can be fitted.

Jan 1, 1947

By R. C. E. Bray, Peter Price

"The property of Pamour Porcupine Mines, Limited, is in the eastern Porcupine area, about 12 miles northeast of Timmins. It covers parts of lots 3-6 (inclusive), cons. 5 and 6, Whitney tp., Cochrane district, Ontario. It is an amalgamation of the old La Palme, Three Nations, and Porcupine Grande properties.The first discovery on the Pamour was made in 1911. During 1911 to 1914 a small shaft was sunk on the Three Nations vein to the 200-foot level and a 100-ton stamp mill was put in operation, but only a small production was achieved. The property remained idle from 1914 to 1923. In 1924 some diamond drilling was done along the Keewatin-Timiskaming contact with some encouraging results, but the gold mineralization encountered was too low in general at the price of gold then prevailing to warrant further · work. The increase in the price of gold revived interest in the area, and the above noted amalgamation was effected in 1934. Options were taken and successively dropped by two large mining companies. Following this, exploration both on the surface and underground was started by Quebec Gold Mining Corporation, Limited. Diamond drilling in the early part of 1933 showed considerable ore in conglomerate and greywacke to the east. In the middle of 1935 Noranda Mines, Limited, assumed control and management. A new shaft was sunk and the property was ·equipped with a mill having an initial capacity of750 tons a day. This was subsequently enlarged to 1,500 tons a day.From the commencement of milling (May 16, 1936) to the end of 1946, 5,025,545 tons of ore having an average grade of 0.1327 oz. a ton ($4.64 at $35 an oz.) have been mined and milled."

Jan 1, 1954

By C. Ketata, M. C. Rockwell

During the operation of a mineral processing plant, the unit processes are investigated by analyzing the data extracted by means of stream sampling. The data structure is identical to the time series form. Data analysis is a crucial step in understanding the plant performance. To control the plant performance efficiently, it is very important to avoid sampling errors, which is impossible. However, it is possible to minimize these errors. The factors influencing these errors are divided into two categories: material properties illustrating its heterogeneity, and sampler features. The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of the material composition variation on sampling errors, and to compare our evaluation method with that of Gy. Note that the stream mass flowrate is assumed to be constant during the sampling process.

Jan 1, 2001

By C. S. Maggs, L. Shwydiuk, H. W. Newcomen

The southwest wall of the Lornex Pit at the Highland Valley Copper mine has been experiencing slope displacements since 1978. Measures to manage the displacements on previous pushbacks have included stepping out, scheduling pushbacks to unload the crest of unstable areas, slope dewatering and mining with intensive slope monitoring. The final pushback on this wall is currently being mined and substantial modifications to the slope geometry could prove to be uneconomical. As a result, a campaign of surface water collection and diversion, horizontal drainhole drilling and deep well drilling is currently underway to maintain an acceptable degree of stability to the end of mine life. The various factors contributing to instability, including engineering geologic controls, rock mass strength, and surface and groundwater hydrology are presented. Movement trends, displacement magnitudes and stability analyses results are also discussed.

Jan 1, 2003

By N. Bédard

"This paper highlights Cambior’s initial approach for recruiting and retaining its international employees, the importance of proper preparation and the support needed to ensure a competent and stable workforce.In general, most of the training and information available for human resources personnel prepares the specialist for handling various aspects of labour relations, recruitment and hiring, benefits administration, employee relocation, etc. This is usually done in a Canadian context.Only recently, has more specialized training been developed to prepare human resources practitioners for the complex issues related to expatriate employees and dealing with human resources issues in other countries"

Jan 1, 2004