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By H. C. Boydell

Introduction Situated in the district of South Lorrain, some 16 miles southeast of Cobalt, Ontario, and reached from that centre either by branch line of the T. & N. O. railway or by what, for a mining camp, is a reasonably good road, the Keeley mine, owned by the Keeley Silver Mines,' Ltd., has had its history recorded by C. W. Knight (1). Silver was first discovered in South Lorrain, in Woods' vein, on Keeley property, in 1907, and the Keeley mine has been described by Knight (2) and Bell (3). The total production to February 28th, 1930, has been 10,760,107 ounces of silver and 1,285. 434 pounds (weight) of cobalt.

Jan 1, 1931

By J. M. Simard, S. Morissette, P. Coursol, P. Mackey

A new, powerful model is presented that focuses on plant logistics and scheduling aspects of the smelting, converting, fire refining and casting operations at the Horne smelter. This plant complex is the largest custom copper smelter in North America. It handles a wide range of feeds and utilizes a number of proprietary continuous and batch technologies that require good scheduling in order to maximize plant capacity and efficiency. The present model was developed by Xstrata Process Support, in collaboration with the Horne smelter, and uses the Arena® software to evaluate the impact of a number of plant variables on the annual copper capacity of the plant. Model development was carried out by Xstrata Process Support, in collaboration with the Horne smelter, through the effective combination of process chemistry knowledge and detailed knowledge of the plant operation (including all material flows and transfers, as well as information such as operating on-line times, plant stoppages and also scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities). A number of case studies were then examined, including the impact of anode furnace and casting cycle times on annual copper capacity and the impact of a one-crane mode of operation in the converter aisle, which normally operates with two cranes in service. The model predictions were found to match actual plant results very well. The present modelling of plant logistics and the scheduling aspects were found to add important dimensions at the plant with regard to projections of the real-life plant capacity. As demonstrated in the present case, this type of model and application can have a significant impact on optimizing operations at a given plant. This impact is particularly important in the current market environment, where emphasis is on maximizing plant output and lowering costs. These models can help yield the easily obtained gains that are clearly desirable in these times. Xstrata Process Support has developed Arena models for other operations and is available to explore new applications for a win-win situation at other plants, including mines and concentrator operations.

Jan 1, 2009

By C L. Briend, O&apos

This paper presents the main features of coal mining in Japan, as determined by the author while attending the International Coal Conference in October of 1963. The general economy of the country is considered, and the requirements for coking coal are outlined. Statistics and comments on production and consumption are then given, with accompanying cost figures, and the characteristics of Japanese coal mining are compared with those of Canada. Mining methods and underground transportation are covered, with emphasis on undersea mining. Finally, a description is given of a visit to the Miike colliery, the largest in Japan. I T was my privilege to attend the International Coal Conference held in Tokyo in October, 1963, to meet many prominent members of the Japan Coal Association and to visit one of the major coal fields. This is probably the reason why I was asked to present this review of the coal situation in Japan. In doing so, it must be pointed out that I am not an expert in coal mining, that my

Jan 1, 1965

By J. -F. Lessard

Most underground mines rely on ore pass systems to ensure the transport of ore and waste. The design and operation of ore pass systems often rely on past experience, which is often anecdotal and at times contradictory in nature. This paper summarizes the current practice in Quebec underground metaliferous mines. The information was collected during a series of site visits in ten underground mines. The database includes information on ore pass configuration, support, materials transited, and overall ore pass performance.

Jan 1, 2006

By J. B. De Hart

This paper has been confined to the consideration of the working of thick seams, from six feet to sixteen feet, which are pitching at about thirty degrees to the horizontal. The discussion has been limited to these set conditions because they are the ones of commonest occurrence in the Southern Alberta bituminous coal district, because, from the point of view of safety, thin seams are more easily worked, and because a discussion of all the possible combinations of thick and thin seams pitching at angles varying from zero to ninety degrees with the horizontal would involve a task impossible in the time available. It has been assumed that the mine makes gas freely and that the coal is friable and tends to make inflammable dust which is highly explosive. Since the problem requires the taking into account means of maintaining a high proportion of lump coal, it is further assumed that lump coal commands a price considerably higher than the price which can be obtained for run-of-mine or for slack coal. Figure 1, tabulating the various factors which must be considered and their relation to each other, indicates diagrammatically the complexity of the problem. Any method of working becomes divided into two distinct components, the active workings of the mine and the old abandoned workings. While these are in a measure distinct, they are nevertheless inter-related, as shown in the diagram.

Jan 1, 1930

By J R. M Hutcheson

Advocate Mines Limited came into initial production on June 30, 1963, with an annual capacity in excess of 60,000 tons of high-quality chrysotile asbestos fihres, thus strengthening Canada's position in world production. The history of this development is traced from discovery through initial exploration, financing, orebody delineation and evaluation, pilot-plant production and product evaluation, construction of the plant, construction of deep?-sea shipping facilities, provision for a closed shipping season, and provision for the remoteness and for the lack of services, through to realization of full production capacity. The many unique aspects of the project are given special attention, particularly in the light of the first year of full-capacity operation. The marketing of the products in a highly competitive world market is reviewed, with special emphasis on product evaluation, quality control and the shipping of high-quality products to consumers throughout the world. C ANADA'S newest asbestos producer, Advocate Mines Limited, is located at the north end of the Burlington Peninsula, White Bay District, Newfound-

Jan 1, 1965

By Dina M. Aloi

In today?s evolving and globalized world, mining companies are being pressured to move beyond compliance towards long-term sustainability and sustainable development. Companies are expected to ?engage? communities without a clear understanding of ?how? to do this or to what end. This move, away from compliance, develops more of a focus on ?Community? Social Responsibility and sustainability. This shift leads to the development of world-class projects that provide sustainable development for people, reduce the incidence of costly delays, and promote good global citizenship for companies. The process of ?engaging? communities in mining project design and development leads to a stronger license to operate, and a reduction in social and political risk. To create this mutually beneficial relationship between communities and companies, communities must be ?engaged? in the project development and risk assessment processes as early as possible, preferably during the exploration or the concept phases. How to create this ?engagement? and manage this risk will be discussed.

May 1, 2007

By N. W. Byrne

THE study of diamond drill results at the Lake Athabaska property of Athona Mines, Limited, and the co-ordination of information secured, has demanded extensive application of methods for interpreting true conditions, both structurally and from the point of view of ore outlook. This work was in charge of a capable engineer, who, as the result of exhaustive study of the drill cores, has been able to issue maps and plans exceeding the expectations of the majority of engineers and geologists who visited the field during the past summer (1935); that is, having in view the fact that staking of the property had been completed but a few months beforehand and that geological conditions were practically unknown up to the time drilling began in April. The following pages present an outline of the work of the assay and engineering offices in co-ordinating and interpreting the results of the drilling. The writer desires to acknowledge the suggestions offered by A.P. Beavan, geologist and engineer at Athona Mines, whom he assisted during the drilling campaign, and also the co-operation of the drilling contractor's employees. The geological map, mine plans, and forms accompanying the paper are from the Company's engineering office files.

Jan 1, 1937

By G. R. Addie

"In February, 1975, the President of Georgia Iron Works Company, Mr. Tom Hagler decided to build a new hydraulic laboratory to water performance test all of the companies' centrifugal slurry pumps.Equipment procurement started in March, 1975, by ordering of a mini computer data acquisition system.Work commenced on the lab in July, 1976, by erection of a Butler Building and the laying down of a 20,000 gallon concrete sump.By late October, a facility compromising two water test loops of 8"" and 18"" pipe diameter was in operation carrying out head quantity and suction performance tests on pumps up to 16"" in size.In August of the following year, an 8"" diameter pipe slurry loop was installed to enable pipe friction and deposition velocity of a slurry to be measured in an 8"" inside diameter pipe.With the encouragement of Reserve Mining in Minnesota and IMCC in Florida, this was followed in March, 1978, by the addition of over 300 feet of 18"" diameter pipe to make up an 18"" diameter pipe slurry system complete with head loss and deposition velocity observation sections.The office and shop areas of the lab were again expanded in April, 1978, to provide further expansion to the test sections and staff facilities."

Jan 1, 1980

By C. Cutts, K. Wheatley

The Dragon Lake Zone (uranium prospect) comprises a N160º trending vein that is approximately 110 m long, up to 5 m wide and from 1 to 40 m high. The zone is mostly within altered sandstone of the Fair Point Formation, the basal unit of the Paleoproterozoic Athabasca Group, but it also extends downward (up to 3.5 m) into basement rocks that occupy the northerly trending Maybelle River Shear Zone (MRSZ). This subvertical shear zone separates graphitic paragneiss and weakly deformed granitoid rocks to the east from non-graphitic paragneiss and foliated granitoid rocks to the west. The Dragon Lake Zone cuts across both the MRSZ and N060º-N070º-trending cross-faults that offset the shear zone but not the mineralized vein, which contains values up to 54.5% U over 50 cm core length. Strong chloritization occurs in graphitic paragneiss and sandstone adjacent to mineralization. Silica was depleted from the basement rocks and redeposited at the borders of the 5-15-m-wide alteration zone, as well as within overlying sandstone of the Manitou Falls Formation. There are minimal alteration effects in the overlying Lazenby Lake Formation. Geochemistry shows that the alteration zone in the Fair Point Formation is highly anomalous in metals, most notably in Ni, As, U, Pb, Co, and B. Clay within this zone is illitic and Fe-rich chlorite is also present. Brittle deformation is not as widespread or as well developed in the Fair Point Formation as it is in the overlying Manitou Falls Formation, which is extensively brecciated and contains some anomalous metal values.

Jan 1, 2013

By V. N. Bryant

"1.0 SYNOPSISThe Colomac property, located 137 miles by air northwest of Yellowknife in Canada's NWT. will recover gold from 10,000 tons per day of open pit ore.The decision to proceed with the project was based on a mineable ore reserve of 16 million tons (including dilution) averaging 0.064 oz/ton. After an in-fill drilling program in the latter half of 1988, Colomac's mineable, proven and probable ore reserves were increased to 28 million tons averaging 0.056 oz/ton of gold.A feasibility study completed by Wright Engineers for Neptune Resources in December 1987 examined the possibility of vat leaching followed by C.l.P. and electrowinning. A second feasibility study completed by Wright in February 1988 demonstrated that a conventional agitated leach circuit using a finer grind justified the higher capital cost of this process. This study was accepted and formed the basis of the project authorization.Preliminary engineering commenced in April 1988 and detailed engineering was started in September of that year with the objective of a mine/mill start-up by early 1990.The short time period available to meet the project deadline was additionally challenging, as site access is either by plane year round, and winter road from early February to late March. Normal lead times for equipment design, specifications, quotations and bid analyses were not possible, if the winter road time-slot was to be met."

Jan 1, 1990

By A. K. Croteau

"At Craigmont Mines Limited, Merritt, B.C., the mining practice of trackless sub-level caving was started in the latter part of 1966. This type of mining was new to the mine personnel and the mining industry of Canada as a whole. Sub-level caving has presented many old and a number of new problems in maintaining the equipment used in this method. This paper will deal with some of these problems as they affect this particular mining operation. It will be impossible to review all phases of the equipment, but an attempt will be made to cover the most pertinent aspects in maintaining the drilling, mucking and hauling, and auxiliary equipment."

Jan 1, 1970

By David D. Davidson

Commodities remain hot for the time being, but for how much longer? The bulls point to global economic growth lead by China?s insatiable demand for raw materials. To further emphasis the bullish view they point to the emergence of India for follow through demand. The bears remain convinced China?s growth is unsustainable and with higher interest rates and high oil prices, the United States economy is poised to slow. Both groups can make a convincing argument and both will be proven right in the fullness of time. Profitability and balance sheet strength for the mining industry has rarely been better. Is this a time to be bold or cautious? In this paper, the author will address the dilemma facing today?s management as they pursue growth and try to minimize risk.

Apr 1, 2005

By Eric Konigsmann

"Omai Gold Mines is a large scale open pit gold mining operation located in central Guyana, South America with a 12,000 tonne per day milling facility. Mill operations were initiated in December 1992 with commercial production beginning in January 1993. The entire operation employs approximately 120 expatriates and some 800 Guyanese nationals and is expected to produce in excess of 250,000 ounces of gold per year. The total mineable reserves contain 2.5 million ounces of gold with a projected mine life of twelve years.The milling circuits feature an SABC grinding circuit, gravity concentration and a conventional CIP gold recovery circuit. This paper will review the mill start up and ""run-in"" phase during the first year of operation. Emphasis will be placed on descriptions of start up problems and circuit modifications, mill performance trends in 1993, and personnel training and development. An outlook for 1994 is also given.IntroductionOmai Gold Mines is a large scale, open pit gold mining operation located in the Potaro district of Guyana, South America, some 160 kilometers south of the capital city Georgetown. Although there are numerous small scale gold mining ventures in Guyana, particularly with the dredging operations on the rivers, Omai is the first hard rock, open pit mine to be developed in the country. At present, this mining operation is one of the largest gold mines in South America.The Omai gold deposit has been exploited for over one hundred years. In the late 1800's, a German syndicate used hydraulicing with subsequent gravimetric separators such as sluice boxes and trommel screens to recover gold from saprolite, a soft, oxidized, claylike mineral which covers much of the claim area. Through the early 1900's and up until the 1950's, numerous mining companies including Anaconda Mining Co. Ltd. explored and drilled the Omai deposit but the technology and low gold price of the day made the reserve uneconomic to develop."

Jan 1, 1994

By G. M. Hughes, J. Ellis

"IntroductionHydraulics has been considered a science for thousands of years. Applications included water wheels, dam; and slice gates but today the term ""hydraulics"" commonly refers to ""power hydraulics"" in which fluid is used under controlled pressure to do work. The mining industry employee’s hydraulics in practically every aspect of its operations, on such equipment as trucks, front end loaders, LHD units, crushers and hydrostroke feeders. The many benefits of hydraulic drives such as ease of variable speed control, high power: weight ratio low envelope size of hydraulic actuators and ease of maintenance have been extensively developed in the pulp and paper, chemical, steel, and other basic industries, but until quite recently, concentrator operators have not taken advantage of the versatile methods of power transmission offered by hydraulic systems.After some preliminary testing at the Lynn Lake concentrator Sherritt Cordon Mines Limited installed several hydraulic system; at their Fox Mine concentrator to drive slurry pumps and conveyors. The systems used at Fox and the systems which will be installed at the Ruttan concentrator are briefly described in this paper. Since acceptance is based mainly on understanding a few basic principles of hydraulics system; including pumps, motors, circuitry and central methods are also presented in the paper.PRINCIPLES OF POWER HYDRAULICSBasicsHydraulic systems provide an uncomplicated, versatile means of power transmission. The basic system is quite simple. It consists of five main elements, as shown in Figure 1, which are:1. Prime Mover - generally an electric motor.2. Hydraulic Pump - fixed or variable positive displacement type such as a piston or vane p.mp which displaces a constant amount of fluid for ead1 revolution - this unit converts mechanical energy of the prime mover into fluid energy.3. Oil Reservoir - a standard tank to operate under atmospheric pressure which has a capacity of 2 - 3 times the maximum gpm outp.it of the hydraulic pump."

Jan 1, 1972

By W. Noel O?Brien

Introduction Since 1930 numerous improvements have been made in equipment designed for the mechanical removal of broken ore in underground mining operations. New applications of mechanical equipment, as? well as improvements and adaptations of well established systems, are being made continually. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss present-day equipment for the removal or transfer of broken ore by means of a powered hoist and scraper arrangement. The terms used throughout the paper are those commonly employed in the trade literature and by mining men. The terms slusher hoist, hoist, and scraper hoist are used inter-changeably to mean a machine, powered by compressed air or electricity, with drums for the winding of wire rope. The tail rope, also known as the pull-back rope or return rope, drags the empty scraper toward the tail-sheave, that is, back to the loading point. No attempt is made to cover the entire field of application of scraping methods. Rather it is the? writer's desire to emphasize the fundamental principles of scraping practice and design and to relate them to some modern applications. The available literature on scraping practice has been freely used. together with personal observation and information and advice of practising engineers and representatives of companies manufacturing slushing equipment.

Jan 1, 1951

By R. Ramírez, N. Aslin, G. Ríos, T. Bravo, A. R. Almansa

Lacy copper has been an on-going concern at Atlantic Copper for at least 10 years and was first reported to Glencore Technology in mid-2010. Over the past 12 years, many of the plates were replaced due to age and general deterioration however; plate passivation and lacy copper issues have persisted. After analyzing all the possible causes of this phenomena, it was found that the problem is caused by a degradation of stainless steel as a consequence of the deposition of Sb oxides. These deposits act as passivating agents of stainless steel, which reduces the density of copper nuclei, causing defective copper deposit, with low thickness and ductility. After doing several tests for reducing/removing the phenomena, the over-riding factor was found to be the anode-cathode overlap. An adequate overlap eliminates the problem of "lacy copper". This was verified during an eight month trial with anodes extended 2.5cm in length. Longer anode not only avoids the appearance of lacy copper, but also recovers cathodes that already have lacy copper. On the other hand polishing of plates only gives rise to a temporary solution that requires on-going polishing, to avoid the re-appearance of lacy copper. INTRODUCTION The electrolytic copper refinery of Atlantic Copper in Huelva (Spain) was commissioned in 1970 with an initial capacity of 40,000 t of cathodes per year. In 1975 the copper refinery was expanded to 108,000 t/year. From 1994 to 1996, a new expansion together with the implementation of ISA permanent cathode technology led to a capacity of 215,000 t/y. Since 1995, a progressive increase in the current density up to 350 A/m2 has been accomplished, which together with an increase in the number of cells from 1,120 to 1,204, has led to the present cathode production capacity of 290,000 t/y A lack of copper deposition in the lower part of the steel permanent cathodes was first reported in 2010. This phenomenon is known as “Lacy copper” because of the appearance of the copper deposit as it can be seen in Figure 1. The occurrence of this phenomena was relatively low and was assumed to be originated by an excessive anode scrapping. Nevertheless, in December 2015 Lacy Copper was observed in a significant amount of copper cathodes giving rise to the following issues: Increased tramp copper – housekeeping and maintenance problems Poor appearance of cathode deposit and untidy looking bundles

Jan 1, 2019

By Hans von Michaelis

"INTRODUCTIONThe renaissance in gold and silver recovery technology has continued to unfold and it is appropriate to review some of the useful new technologies as well as try to identify some of the industry's future needs and frontiers.The remarkable strengthening in the US dollar has resulted in a relatively low gold price in US Dollars of around $310/oz at the time of writing and silver at $6.25/oz. This general softening in the dollar prices and the recent confusion as to environmental compatibility of cyanidation tailings and effluents, has led to a slowdown in announcements of new operations. Another reason for the slackening off in the USA is that in the past few years a large part of the capital has come from oi I and gas companies that now seem to be losing interest in mineral ventures, and foreign investors for whom the dollar is becoming out of reach. In the author's opinion this represents an unprecedented window of opportunity.Elsewhere in the world where local currencies have weakened, the price of gold is at or close to its all time high.For example, in South African Rands, the gold price was R571.00/oz when the rand was US$1.47 and the gold price reached US$800. Now at US $309/oz and with the Rand at US$0.51 = Rl .00, the local gold price is R600. The price of si Iver in Mexican pesos is not much less than it was when silver reached US$50/oz. Gold, and silver prices in local currencies outside North America are still buovant and at levels where additional investment in new projects is more encouraging.Even in Canada where the dollar is worth about US$0. 75, this provides a smaller but significant cushion compared with US operations. Considering the present strength of the US dollar and even the Canadian dollar relative to many other gold producing countries, there should be significant investment opportunities at today's prices. Mining companies have started to descend on Brazil, for example, where in a matter of just a few years annual gold production has increased from 10 to 70 tons. In South Africa, a Canadian company backed by Swiss financing has been able to take over a Witwatersrand gold mining operation and is installing a huge new tailin9s retreatment plant to process about 1 million tons per month of tailings."

Jan 1, 1985

By Y. L. Su, S. Vongpaisal, H. A. Smith

"It is extremely difficult for a mine's central control room operator to control peakpower demands and to maintain normal materials handling operations at the same time. An investigation of the Falconbridge Strathcona Mine 's central control room has revealed that there are more than eight thousand possible combinations of ""situations"" that can arise. For such a circumstance, an expert system can become a very valuable tool to assist the operator in taking the most appropriate and timely action.A forward chaining expert system module has been developed for this application. The module is based on Level 5 ObjectTM software. It is graphics oriented and user-friendly. Training requirement is minimal.ForewordThis paper has arisen out of work carried out by YLS Associates and Falconbridge Limited as part of a contract between Falconbridge and the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Government of Canada, on the application of expert systems in mining operations.IntroductionThe electrical bill charged to large consumers by Ontario Hydro is based upon two elements: demand and energy consumption. The demand is the peak kilowatt level that the consumer has required during a monthly period. It is not uncommon for the demand portion to be as much as one third of the monthly bill. Energy consumption is the total kilowatt-hour s (kWh) consumed during the period.Ways to reduce the energy consumption part of the electrical bill involve utilizing energy-efficient equipment and operating machines in off-peak hours when a lower energy rate is charged. Maintaining the peak power below a critical level may require that simultaneous usage of major pieces of equipment be avoided. A 3000 kW skip run at an inopportune time could cost a company an extra $30,000 in that month's power cost.Potential disadvantages associated with peak power control are lost production due to work stoppage and increased operating costs due to the need to employ extra personnel. Most companies find these matters relatively easy to deal with and with incentives provided by Ontario Hydro, actively pursue this facet of energy savings (Harju , 1991)."

Jan 1, 1993

By Donald Strickland, Peter Kresin, Dave Hall

"Have your parents or grandparents ever tried to share with you their wisdom and you ignored it because it did not relate to you‘? I have been ignorant and inevitably grew older and wished I had listened. The result: learning the hard way. As British Astronomer Fred Hoyle once said. “It is the true nature of mankind to learn from mistakes not from example.“ Hopefully we will continue to learn from the examples shared by our fellow mineral processors in these conference proceedings. It is the intent of this paper to share wisdom from the Musselwhite Mine that you may apply to your own operation.This paper is divided into three sections:1. Feasibility3. Operation3 . DesignKey points of the Feasibility and Design stages are summarized. followed by an analysis of actual operating statistics. An attempt is made to relate these statistics back to the feasibility and design with emphasis on areas of success and those with potential for improvement."

Jan 1, 1999