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By E. Wright

"INTRODUCTIONThe Ruttan Mine is located twenty-two km east of Leaf Rapids in northwestern Manitoba. The copper-zinc exhalative massive sulphide deposit is comprised of a series of individual and interconnected en echelon lenses which strike east 20 degrees north and dip south 70 degrees. The mine has been owned and operated by the Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Company since July 1987. Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited began mining the orebody in 1973 from an open pit, but production has been entirely from underground since 1980. HistoryDuring the progression from open pit to underground mining, it was recognized that manual methods of ore reserve calculation were inadequate for responding to changing metal prices and evaluating alternative mine plans. The mine planning system that was developed is described in the paper, ""Computerization of Ore Reserves and Mine Planning Functions at Ruttan Mine"", presented by B.C.W. Haystead at the 1984CIM Annual General Meeting. At that time, programs for core logging, diamond drill hole plotting, grade interpolation, ore outline digitizing, and reporting had been developed by the Systems Department for use on Sherritt's UNIVAC 1100 mainframe computer. Telecommunications linked terminals at the Ruttan coreshack and office to the UNIVAC in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The same mine planning system was also used at a second property.Operation of the mine planning system was expensive, and it was evident that increased use required a costly upgrading of the UNIVAC in order to maintain an acceptable service level to all users. The system was re-evaluated,' and it was concluded that: core logging was not easily adaptable to a new property, nor flexible enough for exploration; plotting, grade interpolation, and digitizing required considerable manual effort; and that the UNIVAC operating system was difficult to learn.It was recommended that a study should determine if: core logging could be redesigned and/or implemented on a microcomputer; interactive graphics be used to reduce the effort for functions requiring visual interpretation; and the creation of input processors would assist users in setting up parameters for guiding the programs."

Jan 1, 1989

By G. R. Cope, J. S. Getsinger, K. D. Lund, T. Neale

"Mineral exploration in the Sicker Group, a belt of Paleozoic volcano-sedimentary rocks on Vancouver Island, has traditionally centred on auriferous polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits such as those currently mined by Westmin Resources Ltd. near Buttle Lake. Recently, however, the focus of exploration in the Sicker Group has shifted toward targets of structurally controlled gold concentrations, with notable success. Major north and northwesterly-trending structural features such as the Cowichan-Horne Lake break (one of several regional high-angle thrust fault s active throughout a long period of geological time) and related fault systems have contributed to localization of gold mineralization.Using the extensive information database compiled by MPH Consulting Limited during numerous exploration projects in the Sicker Group, two cross sections through areas with significant gold occurrences southeast of Port Alberni are presented. The cross sections combine geological, geochemical and geophysical data in an attempt to emphasize the relationship between structural trends and gold mineralization. Examples from specific properties, including gold discoveries along the Mineral Creek fault zone, are used to illustrate this relationship."

Jan 1, 1990

By David A. Fawcett

"This paper presents a summary compilation of current Canadian coal research projects in the areas of exploration, mining and preparation. The compilation forms the basis for a review of present operations and technology, and of current research efforts. General research areas, requirements and priorities are suggested along with a discussion on achieving the research goals in terms of funds, facilities and staff. The current level of research funding in these areas is assessed. IntroductionCanada's coal production is expected to undergo major expansion over the next two decades in response to domestic demands on coal for electrical power generation, industrial uses and conversion to synthetic .fuels, and in response to export demands for both thermal and metallurgical coal s. Surface mining will continue to dominate, but underground mining will contribute an increasing proportion to total production.In Canada, coal research, particularly in the areas of exploration, mining and preparation (E, M & P), has been limited. Increased impetus has recently been given to this research with expansion of CANMET's activities and with the establishment of the Coal Mining Research Centre (CMRC). University researchers are branching into coal research; strata mechanics and preparation are popular in mining-related fields.With the increase in number of organizations and individuals involved in coal research, a means of keeping abreast of the ongoing work is necessary. An annual summary of the status of and developments in current research assists in providing this information. The CMRC prepared such a summary for Canadian coal E, M & P research in 1979 and it received favourable response, justifying the effort. A 1980compilation has been prepared and pro vides the basis for this paper; it is presented with a brief discussion on background, format and content.The compilation forms a basis for an examination of the current status of Canadian technology in E, M & P and of the ongoing research in each area. General research requirements are reviewed and programs and tasks are suggested, followed by a discussion of research goals in term s of priorities and achievement. An assessment is made of the level of research funding in Canada, with comparisons drawn from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia."

Jan 1, 1980

By G. W. Poling, E. M. Coelho

"Sedimentary phosphate ores make up approximately 87% of the world's known reserves and are generally more difficult to beneficiate than igneous ores. In almost all cases, desliming prior to flotation represents the major source of losses. Laboratory studies of selective desliming of sedimentary ores are presented. Some fundamental studies with pure mineral systems are also discussed. Selective desliming, especially using selective flocculation, gave the best performance. Possible industrial applications of this selective flocculation-flotation procedure are discussed.IntroductionPhosphate ores are a major source of raw materials used in inorganic fertilizers (which supply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). Approximately 96% of the total world production of phosphate is utilized in the fertilizer industry. Reserves and production data are available in the literature. Today deposits with grades as low as 4% P2O5 are exploited in a few cases. However, in some northern African deposits, ore grades are still as high as 33 - 35% P2O5. Hout pointed out in 1982 that approximately 200 million tonnes of phosphate ore were upgraded by flotation only.Although there is a large number of phosphate minerals (over 300, only those in the apatite series are important ore minerals in phosphate ores. The most common member in this series is fluorapatite – Ca5(PO4)3F. However, in sedimentary phosphate rocks, many different substituents occur in the apatite lattice. Carbonate-fluorapatite (or francolite) is one of the most common names used to describe sedimentary apatites. It can be represented by the empirical formula:"

Jan 1, 1986

By Lloyd A. Clark

"The kuroko deposits, which are extremely variable in size, comprise both stratiform layers of clastic sulphide particles and cross-cutting vein and disseminated components. The ores lie on the flanks of rhyolitic lava domes which have risen from a postulated subvolcanic magma chamber that provided cupriferous hydrothermal solutions and also acted as a heat source driving ground-water convecting cells. The polymetallic sulphides precipitated initially in explosion craters, pipe fillings and feeder veins as rising hydrothermal solutions mixed with sea water. As sulphides clogged the plumbing system, minor phreatomagmatic explosions produced layers of sulphide fragments on the adjacent sea floor. One to ten repetitions of this process produced multiple fragmental sulphide beds. Each deposit formed in a relatively short space of time, because only minor tuff beds are intercalated in spite of active volcanicity in the region. In this model, the heated ground waters convecting through thick piles of acidic pyroclastic rocks leach the zinc, lead and barium later deposited as kuroko ores. As the subvolcanic pluton cools, the supply of silica and copper wanes and the minor counter-circulation cells above the pluton are replaced by main cell fluids bearing zinc, etc. This change in solution flow is abrupt rather than gradual, as the plumbing system is somewhat disrupted by the magmatophreatic explosions that create each ore layer.IntroductionKnowledge of the kuroko deposits ha s greatly expanded during the 25 years since modern recognition of their volcanogenic origin. However, one aspect of the ore s, which may be of unique importance in their genesis, has received little attention. That is the fragmental character of much o f the sulphide ore, which was briefly referred to in a previous publication (Clark, 1971) and is examined in more detail by Barton (1978). Most researcher s have concentrated their attention on or e deposition above and beyond the vent, which is inconsistent with the geology."

Jan 1, 1983

By C. R. Lattanzi, M. J. Davie, L. D. Smith, J. R. Goode

"The feasibility study determines the technical and economic viability of a project at the level of accuracy required by the owner to make an investment decision. The economic analysis usually includes calculation of the discounted cash flow. Key components of the cash flow include the project capital cost, the operating costs, construction schedule, production rate, product prices and financial details.This paper examines the feasibility study for a typical mining project. The paper discusses acceptable methods for the determination of the geological and mineable are reserves. The prerequisites for the development of suitable designs, and the calculation of capital and operating costs for the mine, processing plant, and infrastructure are reviewed. Important features of the cash flow analysis and its interpretation are presented.IntroductionThe commercial development of a mineral deposit invariably requires the investment of capital in preparing the deposit for production. It has always been necessary, therefore, to demonstrate to the investor of capital that production of a saleable commodity is both technically feasible and economically viable. The instrument typically used to make these determinations is the feasibility study .Traditionally, mining companies have been rather conservative in their approach to financial management. Until about thirty years ago, the capital required to develop a new mine was most frequently provided by internal corporate cash now and virtually all of the necessary technical and economic studies were performed 'in house'. Under these circumstances, there was little standardization as to what constituted an acceptable feasibility study, and even less as to what constituted an acceptable measure of economic viability."

Jan 1, 1991

By C. J. Newman, D. J. Kemp, R. M. Sweetin

"The smelter is described by area; feed preparation, continuous furnace line, gas handling and auxiliary systems, blister refining, Hazelett casting of thin anodes, and scrap remelting. Early smelter campaign data is presented and compared to design. Some modifications to the basic design of the furnaces and gas trains are indicated, with their respective impacts on improving smelter performance.Plant compactness, the use of jumbo tanks, and a highly automated electrode handling system are featured in the refinery description, with brief coverage of the liberator and slimes leaching sections. Early experience in refining thin regular Hazelett anodes, and submersible pump recovery of raw slimes are relayed, together with automatic stripping from titanium blanks.Refinery tonnages and operating parameters are given showing the relatively trouble-free attainment of refinery design performance.IntroductionPrevious papers and articles ( 1), (2) ,(3 ) have described the metallurgical facilities serving the copper-zinc-silver Kidd Creek orebody located near Timmins, Ontario. For convenience a brief review of their mid-1983 operating status is presented.The concentrator, originally designed for 9,000 short tons, was commissioned in late 1966. It can now comfortably process over 13,000 metric tonnes per day largely as a result of the addition of a fourth circuit in 1978."

Jan 1, 1984

By J. Peace, J. R. Fletcher

"British Steel has increased its usage of stainless steel for bunker, silo and chute linings to reduce maintenance costs and improve productivity.A generation of low cost 12% Cr steels has been specifically developed to satisfy the needs of hardness, flow promotion and through life costing which are demanded by bulk solids handling industries.The range of stainless steels include:• a very hard martensitic grade which is particularly suitable for high stress applications where impact and abrasion are predominant;• a titanium stabilized duplex steel for structural applications, as well as low friction , medium abrasion resistant wear liner plate; and• a ferritic stainless steel with rubber backing for low stress application where flow promotion of product is the predominant requirement.Industrial applications and experiences along with methods of fixin g the stainless steels will be discussed in conjunction with the relative through-life costs of the products.IntroductionBritish Steel has become one of the most efficient steel manufacturers in the world, with improvements seen in productivity, quality, delivery, performance and response to the needs of the worldwide market place.Part of this success stems from reductions in engineering downtime in the key areas of its operations, by the introduction of better engineering design and the use of enhanced materials where significant cost benefits have been identified.The nature of producing iron and steel requires the use and handling of a number of raw materials with wide ranging properties, each calling for a different approach to solving the difficulties encountered in storing and transporting these materials to their respective point of use. Figure 1 shows steel production for 1988-89 where over 30 million tonnes of raw materials were handled in making 14 million tonnes of liquid steel at British Steel's five integrated works.Typically solid raw materials include, iron ore, coal, limestone, ferro alloys and scrap. Intermediate products such as coke and sinter create their own specific handling and wear problems.Coals and ores are shipped into the United Kingdom from several sources, and have a great variety of properties. Some coals can be extremely wet and sticky, whereas others are dry and dusty . The ores handled can vary from wet concentrate and fines to heavy angular rubble and pellets. These raw materials are off-loaded, stored and conveyed through British Steel's own port facilities at Port Talbot, Immingham, Redcar and Hunterston. British Steel also produces the majority of its own coke and all its own sinter. Coke and sinter are frequently handled at elevated temperatures which cause other handling problems."

Jan 1, 1991

By Jehan Rondot

Des quartzites très pars ont été dêcouverts au cours de la cartographie de la region du lac des Martres, étape de l'étude géologique de la region de Charlevoix. On distingue quatre groupes métasédimentaires, tons con tenant des niveaux de quartzite dans an moins deux domaines géologiques différents, c'est à l'ouest, clans le domaine gneisso-charnockitique que se situent les quartzites du groupe des Martres. Quartzite et gneiss à grenat et sillimanite, en banes épais, constituent la formation de La Galette. A Pest, dans un environnement gneisso-granitique, les deux groupes métasédimentaires de Saint-Siméon, et de La Malbaie comprennent, par contraste, des bancs pen épais et de compositions variées. Les niveaux de quartzite dépassent rarement 50 m d'épaisseur. L'autre groupe metasédimentaire, celui de Saint-Tite des Caps, recoupé de nombreuses intrusions charnockitiques et granitiques, ne possède que de minces niveaux de quartzite. La pureté et la grande épaisseur des quartzites de La Galette suppose une histoire complexe qui se termine par des depots continentaux de climat aride, par opposition aux depots marins des autres groupes. D'autre part, la presence de ces quartzites an sein de roches Presque anhy¬dres et de haute temperature que sont les charnockites leur confère des caractéristiques de fusion sans decrepitation. Parmi la multitude de depots de quartzite qui existe clans le monde, peu sont de qualité supérieure. Or, de par sa composition chimique, le quartzite de La Galette se compare avantageusement à ceux des meilleurs gisements des Etats-Unis, de l'Europe de l'Ouest et de l'Afrique du Sud. D'accès facile pour l'exploitation, les gisements ne sont qu'à une trentaine de milles de Baie Saint-Paul ou de La Malbaie, sur le Saint-Laurent. L'utilisation en metallurgic prévue pour le quartzite de La Galette comprend la production de silicium, de ferro¬silicium et d'autres alliages de silicium. La composition du quartzite est en outre appropriée pour la production de carbure de silicium et de silicate de sodium. Les fines peu¬vent être utilisées pour la fabrication du verre et comme matière de charge.

Jan 1, 1977

By Matthew S. Bingham, David H. Searle

"One of the most significant developments in environmental law has been the development of mandatory project review processes, at both the federal and provincial levels.FederalWhile, in the past, project review processes have, f or the most part, been spelled out in guidelines, the guidelines have not had the force of law. All that has changed, particularly at the federal level, with the Federal Court decisions commonly referred to as the Old Man River and Alameda and Rafferty Dam cases. These decisions, taken as a whole, are authority for the proposition that the Environmental Assessment and Review Process Guidelines Order, SOR 82-487 is a law of general application, not a mere guideline which may or may not be applied. This federal environmental assessment process first provides for a screening, and, depending upon the results of the screening process, the possibility of a public review. This federal process only applies, however, when the proposal is being undertaken by a federal department, or where the Government of Canada makes a financial contribution, or where federal lands are involved, or where a federal licence or permit is required.Bill C-78, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, will replace the Federal Environmental Assessment and Review Process Guidelines Order once it has been passed by Parliament. Currently the bill is being widely discussed, both between governments as well as public interest groups.ProvincialOn the provincial scene, there are three project review processes, one concerned with new mines, the second with energy projects and the third with all other major projects. The most recent initiatives taken by British Columbia are twofold. First, the Mine Development Review Process which was in the form of a guideline, has been replaced by the Mine Development Assessment Act. Second, the Major Project Review Process has been formulated and is to apply to four main categories of major projects:1. Pulp and paper production;2. Mineral smelting and refining;3. Chemical products; and4. Major ports and marinas.Energy projects are governed by the Energy Project Review Process which is legislatively mandated under the Utilities Commission Act."

Jan 1, 1991

By T. D. Brown

"A review of the current status of gasification technology shows that many engineering systems are immediately available for use in the gasification of coal. Widespread international experience can be brought to bear on the atmospheric pressure gasification of all Canadian coals.Unless a high ash content dictates the use of a fluid-bed gasifier, it appears that bituminous coals can be used in gravitating (fixed] bed systems and that the strongly caking coals are most suited to the high-pressure entrained-bed systems . Existing and developing technologies in fluid-bed gasification are attractive for reactive lignites and subbituminous coals.The Fischer-Tropsch based process is the only commercial embodiment of coal liquefaction; the use of Canadian coals in this process depends only on their gasification characteristics. Current developments in hydroliquefaction are directed toward carboniferous coals of medium or high rank. It is not clear that cretaceous coals of the same rank will give similar process yields and economics.IntroductionThe twin coal conversion processes of gasification and liquefaction have a history which dates back beyond the current energy shortages of the western world. Indeed, liquids and gas from coal were produced before this century.Coal gas produced from a coal carbonization process was originated before 1800, and the development of gasification of non-coking coals was patented by Siemens in 1860.This patent represented the first use of air and steam together in the gasmaking process. The pioneering development of coal gasification Using oxygen and steam was demonstrated by Lurgi in the late 1920s. This historical sequence was all carried out at atmospheric pressure, and it was not until the immediate pre-war (1939/45) years that operation of the coal gasification process at elevated pressure became a reality."

Jan 1, 1981

By C. J. Rockingham

"A comparative study of sulphide textures has been carried out on samples from four Archean copper-zinc massive base metal sulphide deposits: Kidd Creek, Ontario; Lake Dufault -Norbec, Quebec; Hood River-41, N. W. T.; and Geco, Ontario. These deposits have undergone metamorphic recrystallization under a range of conditions, and results of this study indicate that certain sulphide textures may be used as qualitative indicators of metamorphic grade, whereas other cannot.The sulphide textures of most value in this regard are sulphide grain sizes, which increase with increasing metamorphic grade, and the presence or absence of sedimentary/diagenetic textures, which are destroyed at the lower amphibolite facies of metamorphism. Chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite intergrowths in sphalerite increase in size, in degree of coalescence and in the ratio of unmixed pyrrhotite to chalcopyrite inclusions with increasing metamorphic rank. With increased metamorphic grade, the pyrrhotite intergrowths change from rounded inclusions on grain boundaries to rod-like shapes along sphalerite twin planes. There is also a general increase in the relative proportion of pyrrhotite in the deposits. Textures that appear to have little value as indicators of metamorphic grade are sulphide deformation textures, and triple junction point angles and their standard deviations, which show little variation from the lower greenschist to the upper amphibolite facies of metamorphism. The presence or absence of myrmekite-like magnetite also has little value in determining the relative metamorphic history of these deposits, as it is a product of local contact metamorphism."

Jan 1, 1980

By Pierre Choquet

"The whole work carried out both in situ and in laboratory by a research group of the West German collieries is presented. This work has led to a design method of steel arch supports for gate roadways that gives full satisfaction in this particular coalfield. The method accounts for mining depth, the mining system (advancing or retreating), thickness of the coal seam and other parameters.Full statistics are then given on gate roadway supports of the ECCS (European Community for Coal and Steel) coalfields. They were collected by the author in order to show that the West German method can be applied to other coalfields as the long wall systems which are generally being used are very similar. Design calculations are conducted for each coalfield's case. They show that the method would have been able to predict in most cases the support actually used.Utilization of the design method is recommended to the Cape Breton Development Corporation 's mine operators because mining conditions, even though different from European ones, present a number of similarities which make it possible to apply the design method to their particular case.This procedure might be profitable in mines facing support problems in their levels and for any planning of future projects"

Jan 1, 1986

By C. W. Hancher, B. D. Patton, W. W. Pitt

"There are a number of nitrate-containing wastewater sources, as concentrated as 30 wt % NO3 and as large as 2000 m3/day, in the nuclear fuel cycle. The biological reduction of nitrate in waste water to gaseous nitrogen, accompanied by the oxidation of a nutrient carbon source to gaseous carbon dioxide, is an ecologically sound and cost-effective method of nitrate waste disposal. These nitrate-containing wastewater sources can be successfully biologically denitrified to meet discharge standards in the range of 10 to 20 g N(NO3-)/m3 by the use of a fluidized bed bioreactor. The denitrification bacteria are a mixed culture derived from garden soil; the major strain is Pseudomonas. In the fluidized-bed bioreactor, the bacteria are allowed to attach to 0.25- to 0.50-mm-diam. coal fluidization particles, which are then fluidized by the upward flow of influent wastewater. Maintaining the bacteria-to-coal weight ratio at approximately 1:10 results in a bioreactor bacteria loading of greater than 20,000 g/m3,This paper describes the results of a bio denitrification R&D program based on the use of fluidized bioreactors capable of operating at nitrate levels of up to 7000 g/m3 and achieving denitrification rates as high as 80 g N(N03-) per day per litre of empty bioreactor volume. IntroductionThe discharge of wastewater containing nitrate at concentrations greater than stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creates an environmental hazard and constitutes a civil and/ or criminal legal liability.(I.2) At present, we have three options: (1) recycle and reuse of nitrate streams the total economic and technical balance should be Closely examined; (2) use of an alternative acid, which may pose an entirely different set of problems ; or (3) disposal of nonreusable nitrate sources by an environmentally acceptable procedure."

Jan 1, 1980

By P. Diehl, M. David

"As shortage in the supply of mineral commodities become more probable, there is an increasing need for reliable and comparable reserve/resource data. It is therefore necessary to standardize the traditional classification procedure by quantifying the three basic criteria in resource evaluation: economic feasibility, geologic assurance and recovery. For the portion of fairly well documented deposits and as far as their geologic parameters are concerned, geostatistical methods can considerably improve the quality of ore classification. In respect of economic feasibility and recovery, approved geostatistical methods can be introduced directly into the classification procedure. The concept of geologic assurance, however, requires a new interpretation in terms of geostatistical error spread. As the ""risk"" in estimating an ore parameter is also a function of the respective block size, it is reasonable to define not only upper limits for the risk intervals for each class of uncertainty, but also block dimensions which reflect the typical stage of planning associated with the different ore categories. An algorithm has been developed to block out areas inside a mine or a large panel which satisfies the constraints of an ore category in respect of the risk intervals of a parameter and in respect of their size. The method has been computerized and is demonstrated on a massive copper-nickel deposit.IntroductionFacing an uncertain future with respect to the demand and supply of mineral commodities, both governmental authorities and the mining industries show an increasing interest in a useful framework for the assessment and classification of the remaining mineral resources"". This is reflected by the recently published appraisal and classification scheme of the United Nations as well as by the new or revised classification systems of the USA; Canada or Australia. Moreover there are various classification schemes which are currently discussed in major mining companies."

Jan 1, 1982

By D. F. VanDine, H. George

"The possibility of spoil pile failure at the Kara Kara bauxite strip mine, Guyana, South America, is of major concern to the mine operators. The current mining technique requires the continuous operation of an 11 ms bucket capacity walking dragline on top of 18 metres of freshly spoiled uncompacted overburden material consisting of varying mixtures of kaolinitic clay and quartzitic sand. A field biased geotechnical study of undisturbed overburden and corresponding spoiled material has identified site-specific, non-linear correlations between vane shear strength, standard penetration resistance and spoil pile composition. Readily available geological exploration borehole logs has enabled a composite clay isopach map of the entire mining property to be drawn and critical areas to be zoned according to expected slope stability. Stability has been assessed using simple hand calculation techniques. Use of the resulting stability map provides the mine operators with a means of forecasting the need for appropriate preventative measures at varying stages of mine development, throughout the life of the mine.A similar investigation procedure could be employed at many presently operating and future strip mines.IntroductionThe Kara Kara bauxite stripe mine is located at Linden within the bauxite belt of Guyana in South America. The mining property covers a total area of 88 hectares of flat to gently sloping ground of which some forty per cent is being actively mined or being preparatorily stripped of overburden, prior to eventual mining (George and Gordon, 1979). The regional climate is tropic and humid. Temperatures vary from 16°C to 38°C and yearly rainfall averages 2600 mm, with at least 55 per cent of this precipitation occurring during the 'wet season' months of May to July and December to January."

Jan 1, 1983

By L. A. Mells

"A laboratory test program was initiated by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources as part of the National Uranium Tailings Program to investigate the applicability of a radium selective ion exchange complexer for removing radium from Canadian uranium mining effluents. The test program was carried out by Melis Consulting Engineers Ltd. under contract to the Department of Supply and Services using the Saskatchewan Research Council facilities located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.The results of this work showed the ion exchange complexer, Dowex XFS 43230.00, to be efficient in removing radium from contaminated water of uranium mining operations with the ultimate loading capacity of the resin on one type of water treated being determined as approximately 1,600 Bq/cm3 of new resin. Although this resin has potential application for treatment of effluent streams in uranium operations it has been identified that the resin efficiency and capacity is directly related to the chemistry of the water being treated and site-specific testwork is required in order to establish reliable design data for full-scale operations.IntroductionThe possible applicability of a radium-selective ion exchange complexer for removing radium from Canadian uranium mining effluents had been identified and discussed as a possible alternative to present radium removal methods during a review of disposal technology options for the National Uranium Tailings Program of the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources(1). Work by other workers(2.3) had shown the complexer to be very efficient in removing radium from contaminated water. Also, plant trials on contaminated minewater at the Mt. Taylor uranium mine in New Mexico is reported to have shown the resin complexer to be efficient under plant operating conditions.As a result, a laboratory test program was initiated by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources as part of the National Uranium Tailings Program to investigate the suitability of this resin for Canadian uranium mining effluents. The test program was carried out by Melis Consulting Engineers Ltd. (MCEL) under contract to the Department of Supply and Services using the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) facilities located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan."

Jan 1, 1985

By G. D. Just

"Extensive mechanization of underground mining operations, improvements in blasting technology and the development of simulation models for systems evaluation has now made it feasible to optimize rock fragmentation and materials handling operations. Methods of achieving these objectives are described in this paper, with particular emphasis on the need to obtain precise field data measurements. Techniques are illustrated with reference to the sub-level open stoping system of mine production. IntroductionThe primary objective to be achieved in any mining system is to deliver a specified grade of ore to the mineral processing plant at a planned delivery rate and at the minimum total mining cost. Design and management of such a system is complicated by the large number of unit operations and the often unknown inter- relationships between the different unit processes. This particularly applies in underground mines, where planning restrictions and unit costs are much greater than in comparable tonnage sur face mining operations. These difficulties can often be resolved by the application of judgment based on extensive experience, but the costly trial -and-error methods required for new technology discourage innovation.Most modern medium- and large-scale mines are now extensively mechanized. Consequently, the performance of each unit operation by individual items of equipment should be predictable for a given set of conditions. An essential prerequisite is that quantitative performance data are available from field measurements. Such information can then be used to optimize the design and management of the complete mining system to achieve the minimum tot al mining cost. One of the most significant factors influencing all unit costs is the degree of rock fragmentation. The importance of this variable is indicated by the fact that opt imization of rock fragmentation implies minimization of tot al mining system costs."

Jan 1, 1980

By Lloyd H. Yeomans

"This paper will cover recent developments in conveyor applications with specific reference to capacities, bell speeds and distances. It will also discuss certain unique arrangements of horizontal, curved and loop belt systems. In addition, the recent changes in safety factors resulting from new conveyor construction methods will be reviewed.IntroductionConveyor belt systems are currently undergoing dramatic changes. Their use is being extended to providing a viable means for the transportation of bulk material over longer and longer distances.In this paper, a brief account of the historical development' of the belt is outlined, demonstrating how conveyor technology has adapted to changing market demands.Today, energy and environmental requirements are providing what may even be greater challenges. The ability of the belt conveyor to transport material and meet those requirements, places it in the position of replacing many conventional means of bulk material transportation.The paper also outlines some of the progress which has been recently made in this regard and includes a broad approach to the subject of belt design and application.Recent design developments have greatly extended the potential of conveyor belt systems to include applications thought impossible just a few years ago.Graphically illustrating the potential of this new technology IS a belting system currently operating in New Caledonia. Built in 1970, the system has an incredible centre distance of 43,000 ft, or about eight miles.Not to be outdone, the British Coal Board is currently constructing a belt system with a centre distance of 49,000 ft and a speed of 1,650 feet-per-minute. This system is expected to be completed in 1986.These innovative advances contrast dramatically to the conveyor belt's beginnings in the early industrial revolution. Oliver Evans, writing in the 1795 edition of 'Miller's Guide' defined the conveyor belt as a ""broad endless strap of thin pliant leather or canvas, revolving on two pulleys in a case or trough.""Obviously, the conveyor belt has come a long way since those early days."

Jan 1, 1983

By David L. Anderson

"The objective of this paper is to describe the potential impact of inter-provincial competition f or new output capacity on the Canadian potash industry. It will be shown that the ramifications of such actions are potentially severe, especially since the potash industry is one of the few non-fuel minerals in which Canada purportedly possesses a significant degree of market power. More specifically, the paper addresses the impact of possible expansions in New Brunswick, Manitoba and, perhaps, Saskatchewan. The findings suggest that such initiatives could result in substantial excess capacity and the dissipation of monopoly rents. In summary, given the market structure of the industry, it is unlikely that the employment and economic effects associated with industry expansion will offset the loss in national welfare attributable to rent dissipation.IntroductionThe objective of this paper is to discuss the potential impact of inter-provincial competition for new output capacity on the Canadian potash industry. The ramifications of such competition are potentially severe: given that the potash industry is one of the few non-fuel minerals in which we purportedly possess a significant degree of market power(1), it is important that sound supply management practices are followed. However, possible initiatives by New Brunswick, Manitoba and, perhaps, Saskatchewan may initiate an inter-provincial competition which could result in substantial excess capacity and the dissipation of economic rents(2). Given the market structure of the industry, it is not intuitively obvious that the employment and economic effects associated with industry expansion will offset the loss in national welfare attributable to rent dissipation."

Jan 1, 1985