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By G. Vibert Douglas

It has long been recognized that there are considerable difficulties connected with the physical and chemical explanation of shoots of ore. The literature of Mining Geology has frequent references to this subject; but the reasons given for the actual location of primary ore-shoots have been very tentative. In practice, the geologist or miner depends to a great extent on sampling and assaying to determine the boundaries of profitable ore within the mineralized zone. An ore-shoot is a portion of a mineralized zone which has a sufficient concentration of valuable minerals to make it ore. Ore deposits have been classified according to many schemes. There are classifications based on morphology and on genesis. However, it is also possible to classify hypo-gene hydrothermal ore-bodies in terms of ore-shoots or vice versa. A.-Ore-deposits in which the whole of the mineralized zone is ore, which is the same as saying that the ore-shoot extends throughout the mineralized zone. An example of this type of deposit would be the pyritic mineralization of Rio Tinto. B.-The second type would comprise those deposits in which the ore-shoots bear some relation to the geological structure of the area: all deposits in which 'bonanzas' occur in folds in the zone, at the intersection of veins along certain fault (or joint) features and other such controls. There are a great many examples of this type: (a) The Rhodesian copper lodes, where Bancroft and Gray have pointed out the association of the shoots of ore with drag folds. (b) A similar association has been pointed out by Faribault for some of the gold veins of Nova Scotia, e.g., Mount Uniacke. (c) The great bonanza of the Comstock lode in Nevada. C.-Deposits in which the localization of ore has been effected by the chemical character of the wall-rock. Examples of this type are the Fahlbands of Scandinavia, and the 'indicator' deposits of Ballarat, Australia. D.-Lastly, deposits in which there is apparently no structural and no chemical control.

Jan 1, 1934

By M. Piard

Fires and explosions are not likely to originate in clean gobs above pillar faces steadily driven through a solid panel in order to effect a complete extraction. As. to the storage which such a process implies where the market is intermittent, its cost will never equal that of abandoning large pillars in a fully developed property. Much less will that cost, thanks to the big sizes obtained, ever approach that of cleaning wet and dirty crushings robbed at great expense from small pillars exposed to many years of roof pressure. Even thick seams under bad roof may be fully extracted without the help of filling material. Fatal accidents from falls of roof owing to the great height of excavations, losses in coal, and the danger from fire, have compelled operators in South Staffordshire, England, to discontinue the stall-and-pillar system at one time supreme in the district, and to successfully adopt the following plan: A retreating' longwall is run along the top coal, as the first working; the bottom coal is taken in the same manner, after the fallen roof has become sufficiently consolidated to allow the mine to be reopened. A similar plan is suggested in this paper in order to deal with the outcropping and pitching seams found in the Kootenay measures.

Jan 1, 1930

By J. N. De La Vergne, J. S. Redpath

"The authors make recommendations that they believe will improve the efficiency of a mining company's use of a mining contractor's services. The recommendations are in the form of specific ""DO"" or ""DO NOT"" instructions, giving explanations and covering the contracting process from the end of the feasibility study to the end of the job. IntroductionThis paper is an attempt by the authors to set out some of the things which they feel an owner should consider to achieve maximum effectiveness from mining contractors. It is based on our experience as contractors as well as our experience as consultants to owners. Should this paper create the impression that we feel all the responsibility lies with the owner, this is neither our intention nor our belief.Before the Tendering Process BeginsUse Defined EstimatesIn Feasibility Study DO NOT estimate your cost or schedule by telephoning contractors and asking them for ballpark figures. The only kind of estimate that is worth anything is the one that is clearly defined on paper and bears the signature of the author. This type of time or cost estimate takes time to prepare. In general, the estimate will be worth what you pay for it.Ensure Adequate FinancingDO NOT ask contractors to tender on a project unless the funds have been approved for it. Remember that, depending on the size of the job, it will cost the contractor from $5,000 to $50,000 to prepare his tender. When financing is not assured, a single contractor should be approached regarding a detailed estimate and he should be paid for it. Contractors should not be expected to finance speculative mining ventures."

Jan 1, 1980

By Laurier Juteau

"NOT TOO LONG AGO, the CIM Education Committee saw the need for an information campaign to promote interest in mineral industry careers among young people. Today, times have changed and the Committee has now placed emphasis on the definition and function of the mining engineer. This situation, we believe, is entirely normal and the change of emphasis is not due to a change in the needs of the industry but more to a diversification of these needs. In years past, the Canadian mineral industry, although a very important part of our economy, was looked upon as a specialized craft and, because of the richness of our resources, did not suffer too much from competition. Now, times have changed and we are increasingly at the mercy of the competition and damaging inroads of price fluctuations, etc. We will therefore answer the questions raised in this discussion in the light of the role played in the past and the role to be played in the future by the Canadian mining engineer. We will begin with the following premises : (a) If mining engineers are to be involved in the massive problems of society, their traditional background is not sufficient. (b) Councils for professional development are working on criteria for the accreditation of advanced degree programs in the United States as well as in Canada, and, simultaneously, three-year technology programs are being developed along with professional engineering degree programs. (c) The difference between European and American industries regarding philosophy of life is that in Europe they appreciate wisdom more than HPs while in America the HP seems to be more important. The Engineering Digest of February 1972 reported that in the United States, during June and July of 1971, the second highest rate of unemployment was for the 55 to 64 age group ( 4.1 per cent). This survey certainly applies to Canadian industry as well. (d) Degrees to be awarded in Canadian universities and technical schools in 1972 will be:"

Jan 1, 1972

By P. Patnaik, F. Cuneo, D. M. Wang

Microwave (MW) energy has been used widely for several decades for communications, food processing, wood drying, vulcanization of rubber and medical therapy. Recently, this technology was found to be capable of successfully sintering ceramic and metallic powder materials, with the advantages of reducing soaking times and sintering temperatures. Unlike conventional heating, MW radiation works through the absorption of the microwave energy by a material placed in an electromagnetic field within the microwave cavity. A far more efficient heating process is produced due to the unique ability of microwaves in selectively heating a pecific part of the material with desirable dielectrical properties. This exploratory research was initiated with the objective of locally sintering the thermal barrier coating of gas turbine components using MW radiation. This novel technique may allow repairing of the component without subjecting the entire piece to unnecessary elevated temperatures and reduction of process time and cost. Y ttria stabilized zirconia was used in this study and sintering was conducted using a multimodal 1.2 kW microwave facility. Three configurations of heating setup were experimented and the preliminary results will be discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 2006

By A. E. Dyment

In formulating an explosive for any specific set of conditions, various factors must be taken into consideration. Is it to be subjected to water or moisture? .If so, it must be designed to have an inherent ability to resist water. Is it to be used in confined spaces underground, where ventilation is limited? If it is, it must possess qualities enabling it to form, upon explosion, the minimum quantity of noxious gases, such as carbon monoxide or oxides of nitrogen. Is it for use where low temperatures may possibly prevail? If so, it must be capable of resisting such temperatures without freezing. Is it for use where dust or inflammable gases may be present? If it is, then it must be so formulated as to produce, upon detonation, a flame of the lowest possible temperature and the shortest possible duration, in order to lessen the chance of ignition of such gas or dust. This is actually the essential property of a permitted explosive, and it is undoubtedly the most important characteristic of an explosive which is to be used in gassy or closed-light mines. This being the quality that distinguishes permitted explosives from other types, it is interesting to investigate the ways and means by which the low-flame-temperature characteristic is obtained . Generally speaking, such explosives are so designed as to contain comparatively small quantities of nitroglycerin and relatively large quantities of the strength-producing salt, ammonium nitrate. This ingredient does not develop as high a temperature upon explosion as does nitroglycerin, so its presence, in large measure, in place of nitroglycerin results in an explosive which has an inherent low-flame-temperature characteristic, as opposed to one which is .made up largely of nitroglycerin, which would ordinarily be in the high-flame-temperature class. Additions are also made of flame-quenching salts such as sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, and up to a certain limiting percentage of sodium nitrate. These salts, with the exception of the last, do not ordinarily take an active part in the explosive reaction, being present primarily to absorb heat liberated by the reacting ingredients.

Jan 1, 1947

By Dale A. Sketchley

"Abstract - Large differences in gold content between rock fragments or small volumes of unbroken rock, commonly referred to as the nugget effect, are related to sample and subsample weights, crushing and pulverizing sizes, and density, shape and size distribution of gold grains. Gy’s sampling theory, which relates gold grain characteristics to sample weight, fragment size, and error, provides a method of estimating a sampling constant that quantifies deposit characteristics that contribute to the nugget effect.Sampling control tests provide methods for determining the sampling constant. Sampling control charts, comprising nomographs that relate sample weight, error and particle size, use the sampling constant to optimize sample weights and comminution sizes, and to minimize the variability introduced by incorrect or inadequate sampling and sub-sampling procedures. The sampling constant is useful in classifying ores into arbitrary categories according to expected sampling difficulties. Spatial variations in the sampling constant can be used to aid in defining ore types for modeling geological domains, which should have unique sampling protocols. Examples that illustrate the relationship between the sampling constant and expected sampling problems, and the spatial variation of the sampling constant, are given for various deposits. Case histories of sampling programs are presented.Quality control procedures consist of monitoring sample contamination amd accuracy and precision of analytical results. Accuracy, precision and contamination are monitored by including standards, duplicates and blanks into batches of samples being analyzed. Analytical results of standards and blanks are plotted on a batch-and-time basis with control lines at plus or minus two/three standard deviations as confidence limits of the accepted round-robin value. Examples are given that illustrate a laboratory system in statistical control and the various types of problems encountered when interpreting quality control data. These include sample transcription errors, degradation, contamination, sampling errors, detection limit problems, instrumental drift, lack of statistical control, laboratory bias, procedural problems and data tampering.Where bias is negligible, precision, as a function of concentration, can be obtained from duplicates using the Thompson-Howarth precision algorithm, which also allows calculation of the practical detection limit. Examples are given that illustrate variations in precision, with grain size, for different types of duplicates, as well as mineralogical changes and sampling errors."

Jan 1, 1998

By Mario Bureau

Need for a lab assembly reaching better and consistent static anchorage capacities

May 1, 2013

By Roderick C. McDonald

Great Bear lake, the fourth largest body of water on this continent, comprises an area of approximately 12,000 square miles, and is set astride the Arctic circle, with a large portion of it witnessing both the Arctic winter night, and the Arctic summer day with its midnight sun. The very name itself, Great Bear, suggests an Arctic region. The seasonal contrasts at Great Bear lake are very marked by the cold and darkness of winter, and the warmth and brightness of summer. Signs of winter such as low clouds, snow, sleet, fog, and night frosts, generally appear the latter part of August, while ice forming on bays during the last two weeks in September ends boat travel on the lake about September 30th.Early in June the ice leaves the river mouths, during the last ten days of the month it disappears from small bays, and at some time during the last two weeks of July the main body of the lake becomes navigable. In 1916, the ice disappeared earlier than usual, and the lake was navigable on July 5th. Great Bear river generally breaks up about June 1st, but, on account of ice cliffs and floes, it is not navigable with safety until early in July. Even then, the traveller is confronted with the Charles rapids, but these might be overcome by a wagon or motor road, such as the one from Fitzgerald to Fort Smith: However, in 1931, Mr. A. W. Boland, Fort Norman, N.W.T., carried with scow and motorboat practically all freight between Fort Norman and LaBine point and Hunter bay, at the east end of the lake. During July and August, two types of clothing are required, for, although the days are mainly ones of warm sunshine, the nights are cloudy and cold. In the winter season, fur clothing is used exclusively. Considerable timber, mainly white spruce, suitable for fuel and building purposes, borders the lake and extends eastward to the Coppermine river. North of the lake, no timber is found except in the river valleys, but with oil and coal possibilities near Fort Norman, the fuel situation might be solved.

Jan 1, 1932

By Christopher H. Clement

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is an independent, international organization that advances for the public benefit the science of radiological protection, in particular by providing recommendations and guidance on all aspects of protection against ionizing radiation. This presentation touches on aspects of The 2007 Recommendations of the ICRP, a fundamental document that lays out the system of radiological protection for all exposure situations and types, and focuses on other recent publications relevant to the uranium industry. Of particular relevance are the 2009 ICRP Statement on Radon and the accompanying report on lung cancer risk from radon.

Aug 1, 2010

By B. S. Riess

A novel design for an automated uranium pellet stacking system is presented. This system is designed as a drop-in solution to the current production line to enhance the fuel pellet stacking process. The three main goals of this system are to reduce worker exposure to radiation to as low as reasonable achievable (ALARA), improve product quality, and increase productivity. The proposed system will reduce the potential for human error. This single automated system will replace the two existing pellet stacking stations while increasing the total output, eliminating pellet stacking as a bottleneck in the fuel bundle assembly process.

Aug 1, 2010

By A. Innus, R. Pelletier, C. Allaire

Refractory used for molten aluminium confinement is typically assessed separately for thermo-physical properties and molten aluminium resistance. This present work provides a case study comparison of four commercial refractory products that were subjected to a test procedure that combines mechanical impact, thermal shock with molten aluminium contact. The main conclusion of this work is that physical and mechanical property values by themselves do not, and cannot, predict the response of refractory to potential interactions between molten aluminium contact and thermal shock and mechanical impact. Adequate physical simulation is imperative to quantify the effect of such interactions.

Jan 1, 2004

By H. Kuboyama

The synergistic effects of polymer additives such as gelatin and polyethylene glycol) (PEG) and Cl- on Cu electrodeposition have been investigated by measuring the polarization curves for Cu deposition, by rotating ring-disk electrode technique and by AC impedance measurements. The cathode potential for Cu deposition was greatly polarized in solutions containing both Cl- and gelatin or PEG, showing evident synergistic effect of polymer additives and Cl- on Cu deposition. The cathode potential was shifted to the less noble direction with increasing the concentration of Cl- in solutions containing polymer additives and showed the maximum polarization at Cl- concentration range between 0.1 and 1 mmol/L. The rotating ring-disk electrode technique revealed that Cu deposition in solutions containing small amounts of Cl- proceeded with initial formation of adsorbed intermediate CuClad. The Cole-Cole plots obtained by AC impedance techniques suggest that the reduction of CuClad is suppressed by polymer additives. The morphology of Cu deposited from solutions containing both PEG and Cl- showed the compacted surface composed of smaller grains due to an increase in the overpotential for Cu deposition.

Jan 1, 2007

By Selvia Tourn, Liliana Castro

"Abstract - Argentina, a large country with an important agriculture industry, needs an ever-increasing amount of phosphorus and potassium, as essential elements for plant growth. Current requirements are met from imports, but potential resources exist in Argentina. For example, several phosphatic occurrences are known in paleo-marine basins, the most significant of which are in Tertiary units in Patagonia. In addition, two types of potassium deposits are also known in Argentina: evaporite deposits in the Neuquén Basin at depths of 750 m to 1500 m contain 22 to 25 wt% K2O equivalent; and glauconitic sandstone containing about 6 wt% K2O has been identified in Patagonia.Several experiments were undertaken to test unprocessed phosphate rocks as slow-release, direct-application fertilizers, with good results. In addition, it is proposed that direct application of glauconitic sands would provide an efficient and economic alternative source of potassium. Tests with glauconite samples are still in progress. The existence of both phosphate and glauconitic rocks in Patagonia suggests that development of an extractive industry for these materials would not only help Argentina approach self-sufficiency in fertilizer usage, but also assist in the socio-economic development of this region."

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Honarmand, Z. Moezifar, H. Ranjbar

Abstract - The Sar Cheshmeh area covers an area of 640 km2, and is located in the southern part of the Iranian Volcanic-Sedimentary Belt. ETM+ images have been used for alteration mapping. The Crosta method was found useful for enhancing exposed areas containing hydroxyl and iron oxide minerals. However, field checking has shown that this method is not able to identify all the known areas of hydrothermal alteration. Many of these altered areas are also not clearly resolved in the geophysical data. In order to improve resolution of such areas, integration of remote sensing and geophysical data may be helpful. The Darrehzar Cu deposit was chosen as a control area. The data have been divided into two sets: explanatory and target variables. The explanatory data are Landsat hydroxyl and iron oxide images and airborne geophysical data (K, U, and Th total counts, and total magnetics). The target variables are rock geochemistry and ground geophysics. Data analysis and integration of geophysical and remote sensing data were performed using directed principal components. This technique is found to be useful for the delineation of hydrothermally altered areas with more confidence.

Jan 1, 2002

By J S. Kermeen

This paper deals with drilling and blasting techniques at the Phoenix mine, near Grand F1nks, B.C., which is now operated by The Granby Mining Company Ltd. The difficulties of open-pit mining through former underground workings are unique to this operation. Rock types are related to drilling conditions, and the methods used, or contemplated, to overcome the several difficulties are outlined. The equipment used is also mentioned. Finally, blasting techniques and costs are reviewed. Introduction T HE Granby Mining Company operates on open-pit copper mine and concentrator at the site of the original Phoenix mine, near Grand Forks in south-central British Columbia. The pit is a side-hill cut measuring approximately 1,000 by 2,000 ft., and covering a vertical range of from 4,550 to 4,950 feet above sea level. The mill is currently operating at 1,900 tons per day. A 4.5 to 1.0 waste to ore ratio necessitates the removal of some 15,000 tons of ore and waste per working day. Mining conditions at Phoenix are extraordinary in that all the ore zones currently being

Jan 1, 1965

By C. E. Cairnes

The Slocan mining camp in Kootenay district; British Columbia; has long been noted for the great number of its silver-bearing deposits; and for the success that has; in many instances; attended their development. The orebearing area lies east of Slocan lake and mainly within a radius of 6 to 8 miles of the mining town of Sandon. Within this limited area 135 or more properties have shipped ore in quantities of from 100 tons or less to more than 500; 000 tons; and with a total value in silver; lead; and zinc ranging from a few hundred dollars to well over $10; 000; 000. Of the three metals; silver has easily ranked first in value; with lead second and zinc third. Zinc production; however; made slow progress in the early years; and with . the exception of the Lucky Jim mine; and a few others where high-grade ore could be readily hand-sorted; was a detriment to the silver-lead ores until improved methods of separation enabled it to take an important place in the mineral production of the Slocan.

Jan 1, 1954

By Xiaolin Cheng, A. J. Sinclair

"Norm calculation procedures originally designed principally for igneous rocks are very rigid in their application and, in general, do not utilize important alteration minerals. For instance, volatile components are essential constituents of many metasomatic rocks but either are not used or are not used effectively in determining normative minerals by the CIPW norm or Niggli-Barth norm procedures. Our approach to determining norms for metasomatic rocks allots all major, minor and volatile constituents to a set of standard normative minerals which are commonly observed as products of hydrothermal alteration. A useful procedure is to have a metasomatic norm approximate the mode as closely as possible. Petrographic information helps to provide the necessary mineralogical constraints. With the recognition of an immobile component and knowledge of sampling and analytical errors in lithogeo chemical data, it is possible to recast norms into amounts of alteration minerals relative to a given amount (100 grams) of parent rock. Combining these results with the calculations of absolute loss or gain of individual chemical constituents and considering errors (e) for an appropriate confidence level, an overall (net) material exchange equation can be presented as follows:<equation>where all items have extensive units (e.g., grams). The model includes the initial and final mineralogy of rocks (evident in the field) as well as gains and losses of specific elements. Only those constituents whose calculated losses and gains are significantly different from zero are retained in the above model, and only the normative minerals with abundances significantly different from zero are included in the model (equation). One advantage of the chemico-mineralogic model is that parent rock and product are modeled in mineralogical terms that are familiar to and easily usable by exploration geologists."

Jan 1, 1995

By Xiaolin Cheng, A. J. Sinclair

"Abstract - Norm calculation procedures originally designed principally for igneous rocks are very rigid in their application and, in general, do not utilize important alteration minerals. For instance, volatile components are essential constituents of many metasomatic rocks but either are not used or are not used effectively in determining normative minerals by the CIPW norm or Niggli-Barth norm procedures. Our approach to determining norms for metasomatic rocks allots all major, minor and volatile constituents to a set of standard normative minerals which are commonly observed as products of hydrothermal alteration. A useful procedure is to have a metasomatic norm approximate the mode as closely as possible. Petrographic information helps to provide the necessary mineralogical constraints. With the recognition of an immobile component and knowledge of sampling and analytical errors in lithogeochemical data, it is possible to recast norms into amounts of alteration minerals relative to a given amount (100 grams) of parent rock. Combining these results with the calculations of absolute loss or gain of individual chemical constituents and considering errors (e) for an appropriate confidence level, an overall (net) material exchange equation can be presented as follows:SMineralparent rock ± e + SConstituentgained from solution ± e= SMineralaltered rock ± e + SConstituentlost from wall-rock ± ewhere all items have extensive units (e.g., grams). The model includes the initial and final mineralogy of rocks (evident in the field) as well as gains and losses of specific elements. Only those constituents whose calculated losses and gains are significantly different from zero are retained in the above model, and only the normative minerals with abundances significantly different from zero are included in the model (equation). One advantage of the chemicomineralogic model is that parent rock and product are modeled in mineralogical terms that are familiar to and easily usable by exploration geologists."

Jan 1, 1995

By D. G. Cerigo

"INTRODUCTIONAn interim report covering an uncompleted project on revenue mill optimization was presented at the invitation of Mr. C.S. Stevens, the Secretary of the Canadian Gold Metallurgists. The work described summarizes the preliminary work carried out at the Noranda Research Centre on computer mill optimization and is an attempt to arrive at a model of a circuit using the ""black box"" approach and hence by using economic factors related to concentrate dollar value to maximize revenue. The help and cooperation of Mr. J.D. Wild, Mr. M.J.S. Bennett of Noranda and Dr. A. Bobkowicz of McGill University is gratefully acknowledged.DERIVATION OF MODELHistorical data from the Normetal mill were used for the study. Normetal ore contains chalcopyrite, sphalerite, gold, silver, pyrite and pyrrhotite. For simplicity, data were chosen for days when only two concentrates had been derived, a copper concentrate which also contains the gold and silver, and a zinc concentrate. In these periods when pyrite concentrate was not produced, its circuit was used as an extra zinc scavenger unit. Figure I is a schematic drawing of the circuit and Table I explains the nomenclature.The mill had been operated to obtain a fixed grade of copper and zinc in the copper and zinc concentrates respectively, at the same time insuring acceptable recovery levels. The target grade for the copper and zinc concentrates had been derived by manual calculations based on past experience. The data used were 170 sets of daily mill reports, a sample of which is shown in Table II. The data consist of daily tonnages of feed, concentrates and tailings and their average compositions obtained by taking samples every twenty minutes from each stream and analyzing the daily composite samples."

Jan 1, 1967