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By Corrie Pitzer

Safety performance in many companies and even industries has stalled in the few years. Accidents rates are at a ?plateau? and yet, serious accidents and fatality rates are not. In more dramatic cases, such as in the BP Texas disaster, organizations that have ?exemplary? safety statistics, suddenly have a catastrophic or multi-fatality event occurring. Other classic examples are the Piper Alpha disaster and NASA?s Challenger and Columbia disasters and even the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Looking into the root causes of these accidents provides an insight into the events and deficiencies that led up to the accident, but what are the common features in the organization?s mindset? What characterizes these organizations? decision making, their approach to safety and to risk and are there specific cultural features that can be delineated? The research and review presented in this paper covers a period since 1994, which started in the Australian resource industry and since then covered international events. The features of these organizations are summarized as the seven deadly delusions, based on extensive research since 1997 of organizations that suffered unexpected disasters. Their huge focus on safety, the achievement of lofty goals and celebration of safety successes led to ?mindset? that they are leaders in safety, protected by an extraordinary safety system and that their safety incident figures indicated a truly world-class safety performance. It led them into the trap of the seven deadly delusions?

May 1, 2011

By P. Massi

"Wholly owned by the Coniagas Mining Company, the oldest continuously listed mining company on the Toronto Stock Exchange, St. Andrew Goldfields is located on Hwy. 101 approximately 30 miles east of downtown Timmins, Ontario. Geographically situated on the Porcupine-Destor Fault, the mine and mill in Stock township is positioned in the heart of Northeastern Ontario's goldmining communities.In July 1988, a 600 ft. shaft, hoist, and compressors were already in place when construction started on a 500 T.P.D. capacity C.I.P. mill and crushing plant.By June 15, 1989 the mill was commissioned and attained the design capacity by August of that same year. Since then, changes to the circuit have increased throughput to 900 T.P.D. from two significantly different ore sources.Meeting the Ministry of the Environment's guidelines is an ongoing commitment utilizing the Inca S02 process in line between the tailings pond and secondary polishing pond.INTRODUCTIONExploration on what is now known as St Andrew Goldfields' Stock Township Mine was carried out ln the early l960 1 s by Hollinger Mines Ltd. The property was acquired by Quebec Sturgeon River Mines 1n 1973 and the main shaft was started ill 1979.When St Andrew Goldfields was incorporated 1n 1983, exploration and development commenced to identify the ore body. The company decided 1n 1987 to bring the Stock township property into production after an extensive feasibility study and testwork at Lakefield Research in Toronto. Leslie Engineering was contracted to design, engineer and procure al 1. equipment from the coarse ore bin to the tailings distribution system and backfill plant"

Jan 1, 1992

By Peter Raziszewski

"A ball charge dynamics model is presented. Simulation results are compared with observed data showing good correlation. Based on the charge dynamics models, a liner wear model is presented along with some wear simulation results. Using the charge dynamics model with the liner wear model, it is possible to envision the predictions of mill power consumption as a function of liner wear. Further work is needed to validate the liner wear model.IntroductionFrom a process control point of view, industrial systems can be considered stationary or non-stationary. For example, the physical properties, such as geometric and/or material, of a system considered stationary do not change with time. However, this is not true for non-stationary systems such as those found in the mining industry where process dynamics are often violent with wear being an intrinsic process phenomenon.In this paper, a model for ball charge dynamics will be presented along with a description for liner wear. Simulation results for power draft prediction using the charge model will be compared with observed data. Further, liner wear results will also be presented."

Jan 1, 1997

By K. C. Lahiri, H. P. Das, G. G. Sarkar

"The petrographic components of any particular rank of coal often show some distinct physical and chemical characteristics. Therefore, their pro-portionate distribution in a coal greatly influences the technological behaviour of the coal.In any size or gravity separation of a coal, the petrographic constituents become segregated to different degrees in some preferred size or specific gravity range. Therefore, a knowledge of the petrographic nature of the washed and/or screened fractions is often considered essential in selecting the most efficient method for coal preparation and in exploring the proper evenues for its utilization.A graphical method is described in this paper to indicate the mineral-matter content and the petrographic components of the washed fractions of a coal at different ash levels of separation in the form of a new washability diagram. This diagram can be conveniently used to assess or predict the petrographic composition of clean coal or sinks corresponding to any desired ash level in the cleans. With the help of this diagram, it is also possible to locate the yield level of cleans at which maximum enrichment of vitrinites and exinites occurs with the least amount of mineral-matter content."

Jan 1, 1971

By A. Dogan Paktunc

Abstract - The Mechanic Settlement pluton is a small body of mafic and ultramafic rocks of tholeiitic affinity, occurring in the Late Neoproterozoic volcanosedimentary rocks of the Avalon terrane of the Appalachian Orogen. The lenticular-shaped intrusion is layered and consists of ultramafic and mafic lithologies in at least six cyclic units that are relatively thin or short-lived. The lowermost exposed portion of the intrusion is characterized by the cumulate sequences of olivine and olivineclinopyroxene and display relatively flat rare earth element profiles. In the overlying lithologies, plagioclase is the dominant cumulus phase following olivine in the crystallization sequence. Olivine ranges in composition from Fo73 to Fo85 and plagioclase from An62 to An89. Variations in the compositions of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene are within Wo0-4En52-87Fs11-45 and Wo39-50En23-50Fs3-19. These mineral compositional variations in part reflect cryptic patterns and correspond to normal fractionation trends in cyclic units. Elevated Pt and Pd concentrations of up to 2.6 ppm occur in ten zones within the central cyclic series in association with both the peridotitic and gabbronoritic rock types. The mineralized zones are about several meters thick and appear to have lateral continuities over several hundred meters, suggesting that they are stratiform. Platinum-group elements (PGE) occur as discrete platinum-group minerals (PGM) including vysotskite, merenskyite, michenerite, sperrylite, stillwaterite, and hollingworthite that are associated with magmatic sulfides composed of pentlandite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite. PGM grains range in size from a few micrometers to well above 20 µm. Sulfur isotope ratios and the Se/S ratios of the mineralized rocks are typically higher than the mantle values. Sulfide saturation probably occurred as a result of assimilation of crustal rocks and magma mixing during emplacement of subsequent pulses of magma. Repetition of the PGE mineralization in rather thin cyclic units suggests that the replenishing magma probably had high PGE levels and was saturated with respect to sulfide during emplacement. Ingression of the replenishing magma into the chamber in a turbulent plume and its mixing with the resident magma was probably responsible for the formation of the PGE mineralizations in the Mechanic Settlement pluton.

Jan 1, 2000

By D. E. Gorse, R. G. Anderson

"Indusmin's history dates back to 1937 when they developed the Blue Mountain Nepheline Syenite deposit at Nephton, Ontario, and began supplying material for the glass, fiberglass, paint, ceramics and rubber industries.Since then, as a subsidiary of Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Indusmin has expanded the Nephton operation, diversified into the aggregate quarries for the construction industries, with operations at Acton and Halton, Ontario, established silica plants at St. Canut, Quebec and Midland, Ontario, to supply the glass, carbide, ceramics, cleanser and concrete products industries, and the purchase of a foundry, Fahramet Limited, Orillia, Ontario, supplying steel and alloy castings to the mining, construction cement and petrochemical industries.Indusmin also has a Technical Resource Centre and Head Office facilities in Toronto.As this paper deals with Indusmin's experience with dust abatement, and although dust control is a concern at the Nephton, St. Canut and Orillia plants, we will be confining this paper to the experience gained at the Badgeley Quarry and Midland plant of the Ontario Silica Operation."

Jan 1, 1980

By H. C. Wade

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

Jan 1, 1980

By Manish Kumar Jain

The mineral industry in India is an important contributor to the country?s GDP and foreign trade, and also a significant source of employment generation. The industry is distributed almost all across the country and has operations in some of the remotest areas, where it has also served as a sole source of infrastructure development. India produces 89 minerals, out of which four are fuel minerals, 11 metallic, 52 non-metallic and 22 minor minerals. The mining leases are occupying about 0.21% of the total land mass of the country. Indian mining industry is characterized by a large number of small operational mines (approx 3000 mines). Appropriate systems have been put in place to ensure sustainable growth of the sector, which include formulation of procedures for scientific prospecting and mining and development of a mechanism of prior environmental and forest clearances for mining projects. Main emphasis is to protect the health and safety of mine workers, as well as to safeguard the interests of indigenous people through rehabilitation and resettlement packages. Efforts are under way to mainstream the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in order to promote equity in the mining industry. The issue of scientific closure and reclamation of the abandoned mine sites poses a major challenge. Present paper illustrated several initiatives have been taken in this direction along with case studies, which could be replicated in other parts of the country.

Aug 1, 2013

By S. Haggarty

"Wholly owned by Corona Corporation, the Nickel Plate Mine is an open pit, gold mining operation located near Hedley, 50 km west of Penticton, in Southern British Columbia.Milling capacity is 3,400 SDT /Day with an average feed grade of 0.080 Oz Au/Ton. Gold processing involves three stage grinding including tertiary pebble milling, two stage cyanide leaching and filtering and Merrill-Crowe zinc precipitation.A summary of process improvements required to increase milling capacity above the initial design tonnage of 2, 700 SDT /Day are described -Installation of a 42"" x 65"" Allis Chalmers Gyratory crusher replacing a 42"" x 48"" Traylor jaw crusher.Installation of polyurethane screen panels replacing woven wire cloths on an 8' x 20 ft triple deck screen.Installation of a hopper clarifier to reduce filtrate turbidity.Automated control of solution balancing and effluent treatment circuits.INTRODUCTIONThis paper describes mining and milling practices at the Nickel Plate Mine and details post start-up process modifications which were required to attain design tonnage.Wholly owned by Corona Corporation, the Nickel Plate Mine is an open pit, gold mining operation located near Hedley, 50 km west of Penticton, in Southern British Columbia.Mining capacity from the open pit is approximately 32,000 TPD with an average waste/ore ratio of 8.4:1.Milling capacity is 3,400 SOT/Day, above initial design tonnage of 2,700 SOT/Day. Feed grade averages 0.08 Oz Au per ton yielding 85,000 troy ounces of gold per year."

Jan 1, 1991

By P. Bousquet

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a serious environmental problem that preoccupies the Canadian mining industry. Considerable amounts of money are spent every year in an effort to prevent or reduce the acid mine drainage phenomenon. AMD occurs when sulphide minerals (e.g., pyrite) contained in rock are exposed to air and water and subsequently oxidize to produce low pH water. This acid effluent has the potential to mobilize any heavy metals contained in the rock. Coating the sulphide minerals with silicates is a new promising technology to reduce AMD. Pyrite is treated with a solution containing H2O2, sodium silicate and a buffering agent. H2O2 oxidizes a small part of pyrite producing ferric iron (Fe3+) ions. These ions subsequently react with the silicate ions to produce ferric hydroxide-silica that precipitates on the pyrite surface producing a passive coating. This silicate coating can protect the grains of pyrite from oxidation. This paper presents a series of experiments that confirm that silicate coating can considerably reduce AMD.

Jan 1, 2002

By G. H. Hope

"Pamour Porcupine Mines of Timmins, Ontario operates two 3,000 ton per day concentrators which receive ore from eight to ten mines in the area. The area milling concept was adopted by Pamour in 1971 and has been used successfully since then. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the advantages and the problems of area milling. Pamour Porcupine Mines Limited operates two 3,000 ton per day concentrators which receive ore from eight to ten mines in the Porcupine region. The area milling concept was adopted as the route to survival for Pamour and has worked successfully. HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDProduction of gold from the Porcupine region in Northern Ontario started in the early 1900's and has been continuous since that time. Some of the major operators were companies such as Mcintyre, Hollinger, Dome, Pamour, Paymaster and the list goes on. An underground survey would reveal hundreds of miles of drifts and raises. The main group of mines extends from South East of Timmins to the Pamour Mine, 15 miles to the east. During the lean years of the sixties when gold prices were low, labour costs were rising rapidly, and ore grades were dropping, many of the area mines closed down their operations."

Jan 1, 1981

By L. D. Smith

"This paper examines the impact of the various assumptions that go into an economic evaluation, and shows how these can be combined to show an exciting result that may not really exist. An example of an embellished case (the kind that one frequently sees when projects are being promoted) is developed and the cumulative impact is analyzed to show the actual project underneath. The paper also points out some areas to watch for overly optimistic assumptions such as prices, inflation, and debt. The concept of a “bare bones” base case is proposed (constant metal prices, constant dollars, no inflation, no debt, no interest, on a project basis, after tax) as a common reference point.As well, the discount rate is examined as one of the fundamental means of reflecting risk in discounted cash flow evaluations. Current industry practice is discussed, and a methodology for the analysis of risk levels is proposed that assesses the constituent components of the discount rate: real interest, mineral project risks, and country risk."

Jan 1, 2002

By Tom Cooney

A small number of mining contractors worldwide have evolved their businesses to be able to provide a ?total service solution? to their clients. Thiess, an Australian-based international mining service provider, works with numerous clients to tailor delivery methods and commercial arrangements to suit individual projects. The benefits of Thiess? extensive experience is brought to each client and project, whilst business improvement within projects, to the mutual benefit of both the client and Thiess, is a key part of all long term contract relationships. Historically, optimal business outcomes were closely related to the achievement of production and cost performance measures. Whilst these remain fundamental to successful mining businesses, other elements of sustainability are assuming increasing importance. As a large energy user, greenhouse and energy management is becoming an important part of Thiess? business. Thiess is a signatory to Australian government initiatives such as Greenhouse Challenge Plus, and is integrating energy management into its operations and business improvement programs, in many cases to the benefit also of the client. This paper will highlight the benefits that an organisation such as Thiess can bring to a mine owner. Thiess? approach to business improvement and cost reduction, sustainability and energy management, as well as the relationship between these will also be considered. Increasingly, overall mining performance is dependent on the alignment of formally disparate elements.

May 1, 2007

By C. J. Preston, R. E. Ström, G. R. Baiden

"On January 1st 1996 Inco Limited, Tamrock OY, Dyno Explosives Group and CANMET formed a consortium for the development of robotic mining equipment. This project is a five year research and development agreement that combines the talents of the above organizations to facilitate the creation of mining equipment and systems for robotic mining.The projects are based on the communication system developed by Inco Mines Research and currently sold and marketed by Automated Mining Systems Limited. Main projects include the development and implementation of a positioning and navigation module (including a software mapping system that will be inherent to each piece of equipment), robotic systems for development and mining, and software systems to support the use of this equipment. Included in the program is the establishment of a test mine, at Inco’s 175 ore- body at Copper Cliff. This facility will allow collaboration of companies and research organizations for the design and testing of techniques and equipment for Robotic mining.This paper discusses the creation of this new research alliance, the Mining Automation Program or MAP."

Jan 1, 1997

By N. I. Basuki, E. T. C. Spooner

"Abstract - More than 2800 published fluid inclusion data (primary inclusions) from eighteen typical Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) Zn-Pb deposits and districts were examined to study possible relationships between MVT fluid properties and metal tonnages and ore grades. The mean Th and salinity values for fifteen MVT deposits and districts are 122°C ± 21°C and 20.7 ± 2.6 wt% CaCl2 equivalent, respectively. In general, temperatures increase from pre-ore to ore stages, and salinities decrease from ore to post-ore stages. From post-ore to late calcite stages, salinity and temperature decrease with various trends within specific districts.Several conclusions are drawn: first, results show that Hanor’s (1996) salinity threshold for metalrich basinal fluids applies to typical MVT ore fluids (~16 wt% CaCl2 equivalent). Second, the lower limit of mean Th values of measured MVT deposits and districts (n = 15) of ~75°C is similar to Hanor’s (1996) observed temperature threshold for metal-rich basinal brines of ~60°C (n = 224). Third, there is no statistically significant relationship between fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures (Th) and metal tonnages or ore grades. Fourth, there seems to be a tendency for large tonnage districts/deposits to be associated with mean fluid salinities that are relatively low (~16 to 21 wt% CaCl2 equivalent) within the overall range of salinity means (~16 to 26 wt% CaCl2 equivalent). There is also a correlation between higher ore grades and higher salinities. Finally, comparison with other sedimentary rock-hosted Zn-Pb deposit types shows a trend of salinity decrease and temperature increase from MVT, sandstone-hosted and diapir-related Pb-Zn deposits, to vein-type and Irishtype Pb-Zn deposits, and then to sedex deposits. However, more data are needed for sedex deposits. The salinity threshold for significant Zn-Pb transport decreases to =~10 wt% CaCl2 equivalent at ~250°C. This study suggests that fluid inclusion analysis during exploration may be useful in assessing ore-forming potential (threshold salinity) and possible ore grades (salinity)."

Jan 1, 2002

By R. W. Schutz

"Titanium possesses an exceptional and wide-range resistance to chlorides and their compounds when compared to most corrosion-resistant engineering alloys (CRAs) used in the chemical process industry. This natural resistance to chlorides stems from titanium’s protective, tenacious, and readily rehealable titanium oxide surface film, which is chemically stable over a wide range of pH and redox potentials in aqueous environments. This passive film explains titanium’s elevated resistance to anodic pitting, crevice and stress corrosion, and erosion-corrosion in aqueous chloride environments.Guidelines for successful selection and application of industrial titanium alloys are derived from an extensive laboratory test database and more than forty years of industrial/chemical service experience. These guidelines are simplified, and alloy corrosion performance is assessed with respect to four basic aqueous chloride service categories where selection or consideration of titanium is highly merited. An overview of historical titanium alloy applications in chloride-rich environments in a wide variety of process industries substantiates their exceptional chloride tolerance. These industrial titanium alloys are cost-competitive with stainless steels and nickel alloys, readily commercially available, and routinely fabricated and welded in the shop and field via well-established methods."

Jan 1, 2002

By I. S. Thompson

"Exploration properties form a continuum from grass roots to those with favourable geology, geochemical and/or geophysical anomalies, mineralization, showings (prospects), and finally to those with defined mineral deposits. Often, properties exhibit a composite of these categories.The most problematic to value are properties or deposits that are not economically exploitable at the time of the valuation due to a lack of exploration, insufficient grade or tonnage, poor mining conditions, or the imposition of socio-economic, environmental, or legal constraints.Various acceptable methods of valuing the range of all such mineral properties or deposits are reviewed. Some less appropriate methods are also discussed."

Jan 1, 2002

By K. B. Chaudhurl

The thermodynamics of the reactions taking place are examined with the aid of equilibrium diagrams for the Pb-O-S system. Based on investigations of chemical, mineralogical and differential-thermo analyses of intermediate products of different desulphuration degrees, an attempt is made to explain the mechanisms of the reactions in the smelting shaft of the KIVCET furnace. The differences between this and other direct lead smelting processes are demonstrated by these thermodynamic and kinetic considerations. Proceeding from these results, the practicability of direct lead smelting processes is discussed with reference to the composition of the primary feed materials to be processed. This comparison also considers the behaviour of minor metals, the products obtained and their characteristics in respect to further treatment. For assessing the operating costs, the over-all energy consumption is considered taking into account various price relations between electric energy and fuels/reductants. Based on the peculiarities of the various processes, an attempt is made to compare the necessary means of meeting the pollution control requirements. The paper concludes with reference to the criteria and problems involved in comparable evaluations.

Jan 1, 1978

By N. A. White

Whereas the ultimate world supply of energy minerals-defined as fossil fuels and fissile materials - is controlled by geological factors, the actual supply at any particular time is controlled by economic feasibility, technological innovations and /or political decisions. This paper identifies and discusses the principal uncertainties surrounding the international availability of energy minerals from now until the end of the century. A brief comparison is also made between energy and non-energy minerals. Genuine shortage s of energy minerals are now of a very long-term nature, whereas artificial ones may occur at any time and have a serious effect on the world economy due to the dependence of most OECD countries on imports of energy mineral . This paper argues that events over the last decade, such as the demand for a New International Economic Order, the OPEC increase in crude oil prices and the growing international lobby on environmental issues especially relating to nuclear safety - will progressively lead to a major, long-lasting transformation of the energy scene world wide. This transformation will encompass demand, in terms of conservation and efficiency, the supply mix of the various energy minerals , the supply system and the structure of the different energy industries . It is already affecting the role of governments and reaching into the question of national sovereignty both of developed countries, such as the U.K., Norway and Australia, and the developing countries, thereby making energy minerals a key area of international relations.

Jan 1, 1978

By D. Stone

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

Jan 1, 2002