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By K. R. Griffin, K. D. Luxbacher, E. C. Jong

The schlieren technique describes an optical analysis method designed to enhance light distortions caused by air movement. The ability to visualize air flow has significant implications for analyzing underground mine ventilation systems, including the enhancement of surveys and models. Currently, traditional schlieren methods are impractical underground. Background-oriented schlieren (BOS) provides a solution to this problem. BOS requires two primary components, a professional quality digital camera and a schlieren background. A schlieren background is composed of a varying contrast repetitive pattern, such as black and white stripes. This background allows the camera’s sensor to capture minor light diffractions, such as those caused by air flow. Although BOS shows great potential for ventilation analysis, sensitivity is an issue. This paper seeks to validate the BOS technique for imaging flow through a regulator by comparing BOS images with traditional schlieren images. This paper also outlines initial experimental efforts used for the validation.

Jan 1, 2011

By A. Cecala, J. Noll, J. Organiscak

Many underground metal/nonmetal mines are using enclosed cabs on mining equipment to reduce the exposure of miners to diesel particulate matter (DPM). However, some enclosed cab systems may not be meeting their expected efficiency in capturing DPM, which could be a result of inappropriate filter use, cab leaks or insufficient pressurization. NIOSH investigated several types of filters for reducing DPM to determine which type had the best capture efficiency. The laboratory results indicated that a MERV 8 (minimum efficiency reporting value, as defined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers) filter captured about 50% of the DPM, a MERV 16 filter collected 96-98% of the DPM and two HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) grade filters captured over 99% of the DPM. NIOSH also performed a field study to measure the efficiency of two cabs at a limestone mine. The cab filtration systems of a loader and haul truck were found to be over 90% effective in removing DPM, except under certain operating conditions when the efficiency was as low as 41%. A possible reason for the low efficiencies is an open window in the cab, but more studies need performed to obtain a better understanding of the cause and solution of the problem.

Jan 1, 2011

By V. T. McLemore

New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) has been collecting data on uranium mining districts, mines and mills since it was created in 1927 and has converted years of historical data into a relational database that can be imported in ArcMap. The database includes information on mining districts, mines, mills and geochemistry, as well as photographs and bibliographic resources. The available data includes location, production, reserves, geologic, geochemical, resource potential and other data. The National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) stream-sediment data provides geochemical analyses for >27,000 samples collected in New Mexico during the 1970s. The NURE hydrogeochemical data provides analyses of water samples. ArcMap includes the location of individual ore bodies as polygons and incorporates the mines and NURE data as individual site locations. The purposes of these databases are to provide computerized data that will aid in identifying and evaluating resource potential, resource development and management, production and possible environmental concerns, such as physical hazards (i.e., hazardous mine openings), indoor radon, regional exposure to radiation from the mines, background geochemical data and point sources of possible pollution in areas of known mineral deposits.

Jan 1, 2010

By L. D. Patts, S. J. Janisko, E. G. Cauda, A. D. Bugarski, G. H. Schnakenberg, J. A. Hummer

Filtration systems with disposable filter elements (DFEs) are used in the underground coal mining industry to control particulate matter emissions from diesel-powered permissible and nonpermissible coal mining equipment. This study was conducted in underground mine conditions to evaluate three types of high-temperature DFEs used in those filtration systems. The DFEs were evaluated for their effects on the concentrations and size distributions of diesel aerosols and concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Those effects were compared with the effects of a standard muffler. The experimental work was conducted directly in an underground environment using a unique diesel laboratory developed in an underground experimental mine. After an initial DFE degreening period, the filtration system with all three DFEs was found to be very effective at reducing total mass concentrations of aerosols in the mine air. The effectiveness of DFEs in filtering aerosol mass was found to be a function of the engine operating conditions. The efficiency of the new DFEs significantly increased with operating time and buildup of diesel particulate matter in the porous structure of the filter elements. A single laundering process did not exhibit substantial effects on the performance of the DFE elements. The effectiveness of DFEs in removing aerosols by number was strongly influenced by engine operating mode. The concentrations of nucleation mode aerosols in the mine air were found to be substantially higher for DFEs when the engine was operated at high-load modes rather than at low-load modes. Initial heating of certain DFEs resulted in visible white smoke and substantially elevated aerosol number concentrations. The effects of the DFEs on the total concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOX) were found to be minor. The NO2 fraction was found to be generally lower for the DFEs than for the muffler. The engine-out NO2 fraction of the total NOX was found to be substantially higher for low-load modes than for high-load modes..

Jan 1, 2011

By P. T. Bissert, J. P. Ducarme, J. L. Carr, A. K. Smith

The continuous mining machine is a key piece of equipment used in underground coal mining operations. Over the past several decades these machines have been involved in a number of mine worker fatalities. Proximity detection systems have been developed to avert hazards associated with operating continuous mining machines. Incorporating intelligent design into proximity detection systems allows workers greater freedom to position themselves to see visual cues or avoid other hazards such as haulage equipment or unsupported roof or ribs. However, intelligent systems must be as safe as conventional proximity detection systems. An evaluation of the 39 fatal accidents for which the Mine Safety and Health Administration has published fatality investigation reports was conducted to determine whether the accident may have been prevented by conventional or intelligent proximity. Multiple zone configurations for the intelligent systems were studied to determine how system performance might be affected by the zone configuration. Researchers found that 32 of the 39 fatalities, or 82 percent, may have been prevented by both conventional and intelligent proximity systems. These results indicate that, by properly configuring the zones of an intelligent proximity detection system, equivalent protection to a conventional system is possible.

Jan 1, 2016

By John Postle, Maureen Jensen, Marcel Vallee, Bernie Haystead, Dan Hora, Graham Clow

The Committee's proposed standards establish definitions and guidelines for the reporting of Exploration Information, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves in Canada and are identified as the "CIM Standards" and referred to as such hereafter in this document. To provide additional clarification to Qualified Persons (QPs), guidelines have been included with the respective definitions. The CIM Standards are applicable to all minerals including industrial minerals, diamonds and other gemstones. Reserve definitions for bitumen, natural gas and oil are not included in these Standards. The CIM Standards are not intended to cover mineral inventory estimates that will be reported to government agencies.

Jan 1, 2001

By Yves Bellemare

Entre 1983 et 1997, l'exploitation de la pierre de taille au Québec a été marquée par l'émergence et la consolidation de plusieurs nouvelles variétés de granit, provenant exclusivement ou presque de la Province de Grenville. Le Québec demeure toujours le principal expéditeur canadien de granit dimensionnel, avec des expéditions annuelles représentant près de quatre-vingt-dix pour cent des expéditions totales canadiennes de granit brut et transformé. La production annuelle de granit brut oscille, depuis 1994, autour de cent mille tonnes métriques. Cette production a plus que doublé de 63 000 à 140 000 tonnes métriques entre 1981 et 1990, mais elle a connu une chute importante en 1991 (67 000 tonnes métriques); cependant depuis 1994, elle est en forte progression (Ménard, 1998). En 1983, le granit dimensionnel était extrait de plus de vingt-cinq carrières, dont les trois quarts se localisaient dans la Province géologique de Grenville. Comparativement, en 1997, le Québec comptait trente-sept carrières actives, dont trente-cinq dans le Grenville (Gaudreau et al., 1998). Cette concentration des carrières dans la Province de Grenville s'explique par la demande accrue de nouveaux produits au fil des ans et par le potentiel élevé de découvertes de nouvelles variétés dans cette Province géologique. L'accessibilité au territoire, toujours plus grande, a facilité la mise en production de carrières favorisant la diversification des produits. Le ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec (MRNQ) a consacré depuis 1980, beaucoup d'efforts dans la recherche de nouveaux gisements et de nouvelles variétés. En plus des programmes de subvention destinés aux prospecteurs ou aux compagnies, le ministère a réalisé des campagnes d'inventaire de pierre de taille, de pierre concassée et de pierre d'enrochement pour en connaître le potentiel géologique et à orienter les recherches futures (Nantel, 1983; Nantel et Martignole, 1991; Bellemare, 1995a, b, c, d, e, f, 1997, 1998a and b; Bellemare et Petryk, 1996a, b, c and d). Cette étude donne un aperçu des différentes variétés de pierres extraites dans la Province de Grenville entre 1983 et 1997, les situe dans leur contexte géologique et en localise les principales régions productrices. Elle est une suite à l'article publiée par Nantel (1984).

Jan 1, 2001

By Paul Guliov

Preliminary investigations of stone resources were conducted in the La Range, Johnson Lake-Pelican Narrows-Deschambault Lake and Creighton-Amisk Lake regions of Saskatchewan. The work identified a rich variety of accessible, attractive and technically promising stone resources. Ordovician dolomites in various combinations of red, buff, yellow, grey and purple are very dense and take a very good polish. These are classified as marbles in the industry and some rival the famous marbles of Verona, Italy. A wide variety of attractive granites have been identified. Among these is a jade green stone (charnockite) and ornamental banded granites (gneisses). A dark greenish to black stone (amphibolite) with white and red veining resembles the well-known Verde Antique variety of Vermont and Italy and surpasses it aesthetically and in engineering properties. Some of these stones have been displayed at Canadian and United States expositions where they received an enthusiastic response from the international stone industry. More detailed evaluation and test quarrying of promising deposits are required. Such work could be rewarding to the industry as some stone varieties in the province have the potential for gaining international markets.

Jan 1, 2001

By Lynn I. Kelley

Potash is the primary industrial mineral produced in Saskatchewan, followed, in terms of gross value, by aggregate, sodium sulphate, salt, potassium sulphate, peat, clays, silica sand, calcium chloride brine and "clinker." Potentially economic deposits of kaolin, diamond and building stone are under evaluation.

Jan 1, 2001

By Robert Halupka

The industrial minerals sector represents a broad range of products involving a variety of technologies serving a diversity of markets and end uses. Unit values of products vary widely, reflecting the peculiarities of each product/market sector. Generalizations are therefore understandably difficult to make and borrowers may need to take extra time to "educate" lenders on the key aspects of their business and industry sub-sector. This paper will examine the factors and the thinking that lenders apply when considering financing proposals to companies in the industrial minerals sector. If you understand the lender's perspective and their concerns, then you can make better use of your own time and resources when arranging financing for your company or project.

Jan 1, 2001

By Alex Matheson, Nick W. D. Massey, Peter T. Bobrowsky

Crowing pressures on aggregate resources include diminishing reserves, high transportation costs, sterilization and land use conflicts. In the absence of detailed resource knowledge for a particular region, aggregate resource potential maps provide the best "first approximation" regarding the surficial distribution of sand and gravel. The 1:50 000 scale Level Ill aggregate potential map integrates several important factors which influence the management of sand and gravel. Data used to generate this type of thematic map is readily available in most areas, fieldwork required is minimal, there is a logical quantitative evaluation of the data layers and integration is easily accomplished on a desktop PC-based platform. Also the aggregate potential map, with its focus on identifying areas of potential future aggregate exploitation as well as present inventory, provides a useful tool for the aggregate explorationist.

Jan 1, 2001

By Paul Guliov

Industrial clays, including a variety of bentonites and kaolinbased clays in southern Saskatchewan are hosted by Late Cretaceous and Early Tertiary sediments. Ofparticular significance are the deposits of swelling bentonite in the Cretaceous Bearpaw Formation and the kaolinitic clays of the Cretaceous Whitemud and Paleocene Ravenscrag Formations. Swelling bentonite is currently produced in the Wilcox-Truax area by Canadian Clay Products Inc. and yields at least seven different commercial products for a variety of applications. Kaolinitic plastic clays, including ball clay, stoneware and earthenware clay, as well as kaolin in southern Saskatchewan, have a long history of development and use. Products include common and face brick, refractory bricks and other shapes, chinaware, pottery, sewer pipe, chimney flue linings and tiles. Currently clay production is for out-of-province brick manufacturing and for pottery. Recent research and improved technology combined with expansion in certain areas of the global clay industry generally hold promise for a resurgence of a clay-based industry in Saskatchewan. Products of particular promise include: clay tiles; kaolin fillers and extenders; and aluminum as well as related by-products from kaolinitic clays based on the carbochlorination process.

Jan 1, 2001

By Terence M. Gordon, Mati Raudsepp, Gregory M. Dipple

Four methods of measuring mineral abundance in a rock are examined for their potential in assaying for high-tech industrial minerals. One method uses X-ray powder-diffraction data and the other three rely on whole rock chemical data and information on mineral assemblages and mineral compositions. All four methods were employed to estimate wollastonite content in diamond drill core of skarn collected as part of an exploration program and are compared to visual estimates of wollastonite content from core logs. These techniques for assaying wollastonite span a considerable range ofaccuracy and expense, and combined, define a non-linear relationship between these variables. Accuracy increases rapidly relative lo expense up to total costs of about $50 per analysis. Assay methods in the $50-100 per analysis range have associated errors of 5-10% relative and probably suffice for most exploration programs. Improvements in accuracy above this level require a much larger investment. The most expensive assay technique (-$300 per analysis) yields the most accurate measurement of grade (relative error -1%). Its application may best be limited to periodic checks on other assay techniques and for fine-tuning ofmineral separation procedures.

Jan 1, 2001

By Colin Jones

Canadian Clay Products Inc., which mines bentonite in Saskatchewan near Truax and operates a plant at Wilcox, is the sole producer of swelling bentonite, often called western bentonite, in Canada. Seven products produced by the company are used in binders, sealants, water and waste water treatment, plasticizing agents, foundries and absorbents. Reserves are reported at about one million tonnes for the deposit but the area in general contains significant additional reserves.

Jan 1, 2001

By Colin Harvey

The paper industry in the Pacific Northwest is a potentially large market for industrial clays. Current trends within the paper industry towards higher quality newsprint, filled and coated papers, offers an incentive for exploration in the region since the current supply of kaolin is mainly from Georgia in the southeastern U.S. Freight rates commonly exceed US$100 per tonne. The kaolin resources of the Pacific Northwest require expensive processing technologies to meet the industry specifications and it is doubtful that any large development of the local resources can be supported at the present time. Competition from high-quality regional resources of carbonates is another factor weighing against the development of local kaolin resources while there is a potential threat from shipments ofAsian and Brazilian kaolin in the early part of the 21st century.

Jan 1, 2001

By James D. Bamburak

Total mineral production in Manitoba has averaged C$1 billion over the past ten years. Industrial mineral production has comprised almost 10% of the total, with more than half coming from the aggregate sector. In southeastern Manitoba, tantalum, spodumene and amblygonite concentrates, cesium and rubidium ores, cesium formate, dimension stone and sphagnum peat moss are produced. Gypsum, high-calcium limestone and lime are produced in the Interlake area. Early industrial mineral production consisted of tools and implements, salt and pottery. Historical production has included: salt, building stone, aggregate, lime and dolime, lignite coal, gypsum, natural and Portland cement, calcium bentonite, brick, light-weight aggregate, caustic soda and soda ash, and silica sand. Future industrial mineral production may come from reactivated quarries, pits and wells or from new producers of current commodities. Newproducts may include: stainless steel master alloy, silicon metal, titanium and magnetite, lithium carbonate, float-plate glass and ferrosilicon, "marble" dimension stone, magnesium metal, potash and kaolin.

Jan 1, 2001

By W. A. Dixon Edwards

Industrial mineral production in Alberta, worth $468 million in 1997, comes from a dozen types of industrial minerals, mined by about 400 producers. Cement and lime from Paleozoic limestone formations exposed along the Rocky Mountains account for the greatest production value. Sand andgravel is the primary source ofmineral aggregate. Almost two-thirds of this aggregate is consumed in the Edmonton and Calgary regions. Sulphur produced at 48 sour gas processing plants and two oil sands plants was valued at $84.8 million in 1997 and accounted for 80% ofCanadian sulphur production. Four companies solution mine the Elk Point salt beds to produce chlor-alkali chemicals, industrial salt and sodium chlorate. Natural brine is also produced as a dust control product. Al $22 million, peat moss is a major industrial mineral product in Alberta. Other minerals with noteworthy production include shale, stone, silica and ammolite. The commodities with the greatest development potential are diamond, silica and oil sands tailings by-product minerals.

Jan 1, 2001

By Henri-Louis Jacob et Marc Bélanger

La province de Québec est un important producteur de roches et de minéraux industriels. En 1998, la valeur de cette production se chiffrait à 1,26 milliard de dollars canadiens (données préliminaires). Les minéraux industriels produits comprenaient: l'amiante extraite des gisements de chrysotile associés aux complexes ophiolitiques de Thetford Mines et d'Asbestos; l'ilménite et les scories enrichies en titane produites à partir du gisement d'ilménite massive du lac Tio associé au complexe anorthositique du lac Allard; le talc produit dans la région de Thetford Mines, à partir des roches à talc-carbonates associées à des feuillets de serpentinite; le mica broyé produit à partir de l'intrusion de suzorite du lac Letondal; le graphite en paillettes extrait du gisement du Lac-des-Îles; la wollastonite extraite d'une zone de skarn dans un lambeau de roches métasédimentaires enclavé dans le massif d'anor-thosite du LacSaint- Jean; le sel extrait aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine d'un gîte associé aux évaporites du Croupe de Windsor. Les nombreuses carrières dans le sud du Québec produisent, en plus de la pierre concassée, diverses substances incluant la pierre dimensionnelle (granite surtout); le calcaire pour la chaux, le ciment ainsi que divers usages industriels; la silice extraite à partir de formations de grès ou de quartzite. Le Québec est aussi un important producteur de tourbe de sphaignes qui est extraite de vastes tourbières qui se sont formées un peu partout dans le sud du Québec à la suite de la dernière glaciation. Les autres ressources en minéraux industriels comprennent des gîtes déjà exploités de brucite, de chromite, de magnésite dolomitique et de feldspaths ainsi que des gîtes de magnésite, de barytine et d'apatite faisant présentement l'objet d'évaluation.

Jan 1, 2001

By James Mackie

The Vancouver Stock Exchange (VSE) has been providing venture capital for start-up companies since 1907. Ninety years' experience in the junior mining industry has enabled the VSE to develop policies and procedures tailored to the unique needs of start-up companies. Policies and procedures applicable to listed companies are documented in the Corporate Finance Services Department "Policy and Procedures Manual." Approximately 50% of the companies listed on the VSE are in the mineral exploration and development business. The largest number are exploring base metal, precious metal or diamond properties. A recent count shows that about 20 companies are exploring industrial mineral or non-metallic deposits. The minerals sought by these companies include limestone, decorative stone, building stone, lava rock, wollastonite, zeolite, garnet and graphite. There are two basic routes to obtaining VSE financing for an industrial mineral property. The owner can either sell an interest in the property to a listed company or form a company and have it listed on the VSE. In each instance, the listed company is responsible for raising funds to develop the property. A typical financing consists of the sale of company securities byway ofeitherprivate placement or prospectus offering.

Jan 1, 2001

By D. Roy Eccles

A multi-element geochemical response, with contrasts of up to 29 times background, was obtained in soil above the Mountain Lake Diatreme, northwestern Alberta. The overall geochemical signature is indicative of an ultramafic source; geochemical responses contain elevated concentrations of Co, Cr,O, Cu and Ni with the presence of high Ba, Ga, HI, PO,, Rb, Ta, Ti and light rare earth elements suggestive ofa kimberlite or lamproite body. The shape, or morphology, of the enzyme leach-based geochemical signature over the Mountain Lake Diatreme combines moderately strong to strong oxidation halos, or a rabbit's- ear geochemical profile, with a sharply-defined apical geochemical profile. Because some Alberta diatremes discovered to date form positive topographic highs, the resultant geochemical signature may express the soil development profile that forms directly on top of kimberlitic and lamproitic bodies. The enzyme leach technique, which has proven to be a useful tool in base metal, precious metal and petroleum exploration, may have a significant impact on exploration for kimberlite, lamproite and related rocks in Alberta by providing industry with a useful and cost effective tool to probe blind and/or buried anomalies identified by airborne and ground magnetic surveys in areas of glacial overburden.

Jan 1, 2001