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By A. H. C. A. Zimmerman

WE have just heard what must be regarded as a thoughtful, constructive and somewhat painful analysis of the financial function of our industry. While thinking about this, it is interesting to reflect on the conditions which have stunted the growth of the financial side of our affairs. Mining must be regarded as a wealthy business. •while immeasurable grub takes and development budgets have been lost, there can be little argument that a productive ore-body nearly always produces the type of wealth that breeds some extravagance. I recognize that this statement can be attacked from many sides, but an historical comparison with a commercial enterprise involving similar investment will demonstrate what I mean. However, these old times are be-ginning to disappear for a variety of reasons. High amongst these are: ( l) Increased costs of exploration. (2) Remoteness of many new finds. (3) Fixed or declining metal prices (particularly when expressed in constant dollars). ( 4) Constant demands for higher wages.

Jan 1, 1962

By Habib Zughbi, Paul Zulli

"A key step towards sustainability in iron and steelmaking is to optimise the use of raw materials and energy consumption, and consequently minimise CO2 emissions. Models based on a Process Integration (PI) approach play a key role in evaluating various scenarios and the impact of introducing changes in raw materials and operational conditions on the overall energy consumption and CO2 emissions. BlueScope uses a PI based comprehensive model for its Port Kembla Steelworks (PKSW), called the Integrated Steelworks Energy and Emissions Model (ISEEM). ISEEM is tightly coupled to the configuration of PKSW. It is based on mass and energy balances as well as thermodynamic relationships. ISEEM is a steady-state model and is used to predict overall and detailed unit-by-unit energy consumptions and CO2 emissions. It is also used for plant-based scenario modelling. This paper investigates the impact of major changes to PKSW configuration, including the shutting down of a blast furnace and cokemaking battery, on the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the plant. It discusses some of the issues involved in updating the model and some identified opportunities."

Jan 1, 2015

By Louis Frost

The coal-mining industry of Nova Scotia, particularly of the island of Cape Breton, today faced as no other industry with economic problems calling for progressive engineering with production on an economic basis, must soon enter upon a phase of reorganization wherein all factors conducive to the cost of producing coal relative to the prolongation of the life of the collieries with the ultimate winning of the maximum submarine area must be closely reviewed. Bearing this in mind and applying the process of elimination to coal-mining costs generally, we are left with only three channels through which we may approach the problem of cost reduction in producing coal: (a) intensive mechanization (b) reduction in the cost of labour (c) reduction in the cost of materials. Assuming that mechanization has reached an economic stage and that labour costs have reached an economic limit, we must turn our attention to the general material costs, which may be classified as 'live' and 'dead' costs. The former take in all things which can be accredited with a fractional depreciation and written off the balance sheet over a period of years. On the other hand, the ?dead'costs-of which the cost of supporting the underground workings form part must be completely written off: for these, no return may be expected, other than the economic return in the reduction of the cost per ton of coal produced.

Jan 1, 1928

By K. M. Murphy, M. B. Wittrup

ABSTRACT The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment recognizes the importance of environmental protection as an important contributor to Saskatchewan’s economy, with the environmental performance of industry closely monitored. Unfortunately, environmental regulation is often accompanied by significant process that does not always add value to environmental protection activities. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has embarked on a visionary restructuring of its regulatory framework from conventional command and control regulation to a results-based regulatory framework. This new regulatory framework will provide for establishing clear environmental protection and resource management objectives; streamlining the environmental acts and regulations; developing an environmental code of practice; relying on qualified persons; enhancing compliance and enforcement tools; eliminating of many permits; and developing greater certainty in environmental assessment decisions. Results-based regulation promises to deliver enhanced environmental protection with less process. The uranium industry in Saskatchewan will be used as an example of the potential effects of results-based regulation.

Jan 1, 2012

By Hans Lundberg

Introduction Today, geophysical exploration is recognized as a special science wedged between geology and mining. Universities and technical institutes have special professors teaching geophysics applied to oil and ore prospecting. The list of literature on geophysical exploration has grown from practically nothing at all some twenty-five years ago to ~ several thousands of books, some of them very imposing volumes. Most of the methods now used have been developed since the first World War, and very large systematic exploration campaigns have been carried out in many places, in many countries. It has been rather difficult to obtain enough information as to what is going on in Canada. However, since the Associate Committee on Geodesy and Geophysics of the National Research Council became more actively engaged in promoting geophysical research, it may be easier to obtain information and, in the future, the quarterly issued Canadian Geophysical Bulletin may throw considerable light on the current geophysical activities in Canada. Some twenty crews have been engaged the last few years in geophysical prospecting for ore. In the United States, between 500 and 600 crews are employed exclusively in geophysical prospecting. Most of these, however, are engaged in oil exploration. During the winter 1942-1943, the German Government employed some fifty crews on geophysical exploration, and some ten crews were working for private enterprises.

Jan 1, 1948

By W. A. Lang

COAL of sub-bituminous rank underlies much of the plains area of Alberta. This coal is geo-logically young, and occurs in Belly River and Edmonton strata of Up-per Cretaceous age. Generally, the seams are flat-lying, but in some areas they may dip as much as 5 degrees. The overburden, composed mainly of glacial clays and sand-stones, may vary in depth from a few feet to several thousand feet. Recovery of the coal has 'been by drift, slope, and shaft underground mines, and by open-pit stripping operations. Production has been obtained from a large number of mines, most of which have been relatively small and with preparation equipment limited to a loading tipple with screening facilities, and a picking belt where high-ash materials can be removed from the larger sizes. The coal has been sold for domestic and industrial space-heating, for production of process steam, and for power generation. In re-cent years competition from natural gas, propane, and oil has seriously interfered with the production and marketing of sub-bituminous coal, especially with the disposal of the smaller sizes at a realistic price.

Jan 1, 1958

By A. D. Huffman

This paper covers the major salt deposits of Canada, with a brief summary of the early history of the industry and a more extended outline of progress since the second world war. Both dry mining and solution mining are covered, and the future of salt mining in Canada is discussed.

Jan 1, 1968

By L. Heber Cole

The search for potash in western Canada during the years of the great war led to the staking of claims on many of the "alkali lakes" and sloughs which occur in numerous localities in the morainic areas of the prairies, as well as in British Columbia, in the hope that potash salts would be found in commercial quantities. While the search for potash, up to the present time, has been disappointing, the prospecting of these areas has demonstrated that Canada possesses large reserves of sodium and magnesium compounds, principally in the form of sulphates, carbonates and chlorides. he writer first became interested in these deposits in 1911 while investigating the sodium chloride springs of northern Manitoba. In the fall of that year a number of the sulphate ? deposits in Saskatchewan and Alberta were visited, but owing to the excessive rains at that period, all the deposits were under water and only a few brine samples were obtained. Owing to pressure of other work investigations of the alkali deposits in western Canada, by the Mines Branch of the Department of Mines, could not be undertaken until the field season of 1921, but since that time the work has been continuous. During the summer of 1918 a reported discovery of a large deposit of potash bearing salts was featured in western papers and in a short time practically all the lakes and sloughs of the prairie provinces, which showed the least indication of being saline, were staked for potash. This reported discovery was not substantiated on investigation and many of those who had staked claims allowed them t~ lapse without the slightest effort to determine the character of the material in the deposits which they? had leased.

Jan 1, 1924

By Olivia Gamache

When working in remote and extreme environments, projects are faced with new challenges for engineering and project execution. This is heightened when also working in countries with a developing environmental regulatory framework, small skilled workforce available for recruitment, and minimal infrastructure such as power, roads, and water. There is an increasing realization that social and environmental aspects need to be built into project execution. Giving proper attention to these issues during project development and execution, and maximizing opportunities is an ongoing challenge.

May 1, 2013

By Marcel Labbé

La largeur de l?armature peut être modifiée selon les besoins du client entre 48 " et 64" de largeur totale, donc 2 sections de 24" à 32". Ceci permet à l?opérateur d?effectuer le démantèlement de l?équipement pour le déplacement dans les endroits restreints. Le déménagement d?un niveau à un sous-niveau devrait se faire dans un quart de travail de 8 heures. L?option de largeur permet au client de choisir un équipement adapté à son environnement de travail (1). La largeur de la table de forage peut être modifiée selon les besoins du client entre 48" et 96". Cette particularité permet une meilleure stabilité, et plus de précision dans le forage (2). Il y a 4 pattes hydrauliques à chaque coin pour la stabilisation lors de forage (3). La table de forage a 360° d?angle de forage sur 3 côtés du transporteur. La table peut sortir de chaque côté du transporteur de 40 ½" à partir du centre du transporteur pour faciliter la mise en place de la foreuse dans les endroits difficiles d?accès. La plage de forage est considérablement agrandie. Cette caractéristique qui fonctionne hydraulique, permet à l?opérateur de forer sans être obligé de changer la position du transporteur pour des changements de trous. Tous les types de foreuse peuvent être installés sur cette table de forage (4). Sa petite dimension lui permet d?accéder, par des monteries de 30" de diamètre, à des sites de travail de 2,5 mètres de hauteur et largeur. C?est un équipement adapté aux gisements filoniens. Ce genre de gisement est de moins en moins rentable pour les compagnies minières. La mécanisation des ces gisements va permettre de les rentabilisés en augmentant la productivité et la santé du travailleur, en réduisant la dilution (5). Les manettes de contrôle de la foreuse, les mouvements de la table de forage ainsi que le déplacement du transporteur ont été installés selon les recommandations d?un ergonome. Des recherches ont été effectuées par ce spécialiste sur les cas d?accident survenus avec l?utilisation de ce genre d?équipement. Il a déterminé les positions le plus confortable que l?opérateur doit prendre pour éviter les douleurs prolongées (6). Le système de roulement est composé de 4 roues pleines installées sur 4 planétaires de 9000 à 15000 livres de capacité munis chacun d?un moteur hydraulique. Des freins ont été installés sur les planétaires pour assurer la sécurité de l?opérateur et faciliter le positionnement du transporteur lors du forage. Des roues rétractables peuvent être installées pour faciliter l?accès sur rail (7). Ce transporteur peut être alimenté par une puissance électrique plutôt que par une puissance pneumatique. Cette puissance électrique est fournie par un Power Pack qui transforme l?énergie en puissance hydraulique. Ce type d?alimentation est employé lors du forage de développement, mais il peut aussi être utilisé pour le forage long trou. Cet avantage permet au client qui a un problème de pression d?air d?utiliser l?électricité. Par contre si vous utilisez l?électricité mais que dans un secteur isolé le gros courant électrique n?est pas accessible vous pouvez utiliser votre équipement en utilisant la puissance pneumatique. Le changement d?alimentation énergétique se fait facilement (8). Cet équipement est construit pour effectuer 4 types d?activités : forage de développement de niveau et sousniveau avec l?installation d?un bras porteur, forage et pose de câbles d?encrage pour soutènement de terrain, forage de production long trou et forage de monterie ascendante et descendante. L?avantage est que vous investissez dans un seul équipement au lieu de 2 ou 3. Cet avantage vous fait économiser dans votre budget d?équipement. En plus cet équipement est construit pour de dure travaux et ne contient aucun système électronique (9).

May 1, 2001

"The pressure leaching of alkali-pretreated limonitic laterite ore in nitric acid was studied. The optimal leaching conditions are as follows: leaching temperature of 458 K, initial nitric acid of 2.44 mol/L, leaching time of 60 min, liquid to solid ratio of 2:1 mL/g, agitation speed of 500 RPM. Under the above conditions, the extraction of nickel and cobalt can be achieved as approximate 95% and 80% respectively while that of iron is as lower as 1%. The leaching residue containing 70% of iron in the form of hematite and trace amount of chromium is suitable as the raw material for iron-making. The nitric acid in the leaching solution can be regenerated and further recycled to leach. INTRODUCTIONIt has been estimated that 60%-70% of the world land-based nickel resources presented in nickel laterites containing 130 million tons of nickel although these only accounted for about 42% of the world nickel production (Sudol, 2005; Luo et al., 2010). The nickel resource of laterite has not yet been fully utilized. Due to the increasing global demand of nickel and the declining global reserves of nickel sulphides, there is an increasing focus on the processing of the huge reserves of laterite ores today. Nickel laterite ores can be simply divided into two types, namely, silicate-rich and limonite. The former can be treated effectively by pyrometallurgical process in which the ferronickel product or nickel/iron sulphide matte is produced (Monhemius, 1987). The limonitic laterite is rich in iron in the form of goethite which is the main nickel-bearing mineral and usually contains cobalt associated with a manganese phase (Chang et al., 2010; Georgiou and Papangelakis, 2004). The limonitic laterite is usually processed by hydrometallurgical methods, such as atmosphere acid leaching (AL) (Xu et al., 2005; McDonald and Whittington, 2008), high pressure acid leaching (HPAL) (Chou et al., 1977; Georgiou and Papangelakis, 1998; Rubisov et al., 2000; Whittington and Muir, 2000) and reductive roasting-ammonia leaching (Caron Process) (Whittington and Muir, 2000; Valix and Cheung, 2002). The AL process can proceed at lower temperature, thus the operation costs may be very low. But two biggest problems associate with the AL process, namely, the slow rates of nickel extraction and potentially the significant amount of impurities such as iron and aluminum in the leaching solutions, which hampers the wide application of the AL process. The Caron Process uses the pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods together to obtain the metallic values, but the overall metal recovery is relatively low, especially for cobalt. In recent years, the environment-friendly process of HPAL has become increasingly important because it is most suitable for low-grade ores and leads to high extraction of the valuables. However, the HPAL process needs a much higher temperature and pressure (503-533 K, 4-5 MPa) to maintain a relatively fast leaching rates, which results in higher operation costs. Moreover, another serious problem of scale formation in autoclaves occurs in the HPAL process, for example, in Moa Bay, up to 20 cm scale may build up resulting in 5 days descale downtime per month. In addition, the iron residues cannot be utilized for ironmaking due to the presence of high content chromium (Ema and Harada, 1987; Owada and Harada, 1987; Takagi and Furui, 1987)."

Jan 1, 2012

By Gerald Blackmore

This paper discusses the present state and future trends within the coal industry, and then goes into the reasoning behind these planned trends. Such factors as marketing, costs, new mining techniques and machinery, and manpower and human resources are considered. Finally, the author refers to the effect that these trends will have on the coal industry of Cape Breton.

Jan 1, 1968

By G. Mihaylov

The basic principles of systems analysis are presented. A model has been designed to determine the location of the Main opening in the presence of three or more stock orebodies. The necessary condition is to find a location for the Collection point which is an essential element in opening up each orebody (stock). The model takes into account the total transportation costs from each orebody to the collection point. Three variants are considered provided that the orefield is divided into two levels at least: - a collection point is designed at every level; - a collection point is designed at the lowest level, i.e. where the so-called concentration level is formed; - the collection point is located at a point between the planes of the two levels; The effect of the depth of mining and mine output on determining the method of opening up the orefield has been analyzed by considering a vertical and/or an inclined shaft. A function has been constructed which allows for investigating in both a static and dynamic regime the capital costs for constructing the whole complex including the shaft. The character of the function does not allow finding the global limits. Therefore, it is of particular importance to specify the limiting conditions. In this case these are the flow capacity of development openings and the shaft. The basic groups of cost and natural indicators for assessing and selecting an optimal technological solution have been systematized. The combined analysis of the two approaches to finding the location of the Main opening and determining the mining method enables us to determine when an inclined shaft is best, and the depth at which opening by a vertical shaft has no alternative. Thus, a transition area is formed for which the selection of an optimal technological solution requires an analysis similar to that proposed in this paper. Conclusions are finally drawn which serve as a basis for determining the areas of application of each opening, including the use of a combined scheme of mine opening. The approach presented can be used in both investigating the possibilities for opening up new orefields and reconstructing existing ones in cases when the mining operations go deeper.

Aug 1, 2013

By M. S. Badollet

"The study of the physical properties of asbestos minerals requires a careful isolation of the fiber from the wall rock and, at a later stage, a comparison of these physical properties with those of fibers that have passed through the milling and beneficiation processes.The effects of mineral impurities, loss of fiber length and the formation of extreme fines (asbestic and/or associated minerals) often show up in the formation of special asbestos products as well as in the commercial production of asbestos papers, mill-boards, asbestos cement products, plastics and insulation materials, and in the filtration of blood plasma and wines.Numerous test methods have been developed in Canada and in England for use in the asbestos industry. Special treatments of asbestos fibers have been used to improve their physical and chemical properties and to eliminate impurities.Numerous problems connected with the use of asbestos fibers are discussed, such as the effects of asbestos on filtration, surface area, surface treatments using organic or inorganic materials, the surface charge on the fiber, the presence of magnetite and air pollution elimination. Biological studies on finely ground asbestos, when dispersed in 0.9 per cent sodium chloride solution and then sterilized and injected into hamsters, show that by reducing the dose, the tissue damage can be largely avoided. In these experiments, Arizona asbestos fibers were carefully extracted from the wall rock, finely ground, and examined chemically and micros-copically for any mineral impurities that might be present so that any effect on the hamsters would be directly due to the presence of the asbestos. The harsh Arizona fiber induced more extensive tissue response than the soft fiber when tested in hamsters."

Jan 1, 1969

By I. Ruiz Bustinza, L. F. Verdeja, Daniel Sbarbaro, R. Parra, J. Mochón

The oxidation of sulfides is a complex process involving gaseous products and intermediate species given rise to emission and absorption spectra which carry out important information about the reaction process. This information could be used for on line monitoring of pyrometallurgical reactor if the appropriate sensors were available. We present in this paper an analysis of the concept that has been successfully applied in iron and steel making industry, as well on fuel combustion control, where the spectra measurement gives the possibility for online monitoring and automatic control of high temperature processes. This concept has not been widely applied in the nonferrous pyrometallurgical primary production. The design of new sensors is discussed from the analysis of spectra measurements during flash combustion of copper concentrates at laboratory scale.

Jan 1, 2015

By C. R. Powell, W. H. Maher

"This paper presents a short history of the development of milling at Buchans, Newfoundland, and a description of the operation.History and DevelopmentTHE original ore discovery was made at Buchans in 1905 by Matty Mitchell, a Micmac Indian who was prospecting for The Anglo Newfoundland Development Company, which company was then preparing to build a paper mill at Grand Falls, some 50 miles east of Buchans. A development program, initiated in 1906, was terminated in 1911 because of metallurgical difficulties. Intermittent testing was carried out by The American Smelting and Refining Company, and in 1925 a satisfactory method of concentration by flotation was found. Following this, intensive geophysical reconnaisasnce, succeeded by diamond drilling, uncovered two additional orebodies similar to the original discovery at Buchans River."

Jan 1, 1966

By M. P. Tixier

Abstract In a review of the application of electrical logging in Canada, examples are .given of long and short distance correlations by means of the electrical logs. The use of MicroLogging for the determination of permeable and porous formations is explained. The question of log analysis for the quantitative determination of fluid saturation and porosity is .discussed. An example is provided to illustrate the significance of the resistivity gradient. The advantages of the new method of the Laterolog are shown, chiefly for the case of wells filled with high-salinity mud. Introduction Electrical logging techniques developed rapidly in Canada at the time an intensive drilling activity started for the exploitation of the Devonian series in Alberta, namely, at the beginning of 1947. The conventional service was soon thereafter supplemented with the latest technica1 improvements. Canada has been among the first regions to take advantage of MicroLogging*, which has proved a most powerful .tool for the investigation of permeable and porous formations; also, the more recent development known as the Laterolog has ?been introduced in Canada. The Laterolog provides a better determination of .the formations, particularly in the case of salty mud where the conventional logging is greatly handicapped. The various methods of electrical logging are now commonly known in oil industry and have been described in numerous publications ( 1) ( 2) (3).

Jan 1, 1951

By W. E. Roscoe

"Mineral exploration properties are those on which an economically viable mineral deposit has not yet been discovered. Such properties are bought, sold, optioned and joint ventured on the basis of their perceived potential for the existence and discovery of a viable mineral deposit. The intrinsic value of an exploration property is therefore based on the exploration potential. One measure of the exploration potential is the amount that can be justified to spend on exploration for a viable deposit.The appraised value method uses a cost approach to value exploration properties. It is based on the premise that an exploration property is worth the meaningful past exploration expenditures plus warranted future costs to test remaining exploration potential. Results of past exploration work are analyzed in order to retain only those past expenditures that are productive in terms of identifying remaining potential. Warranted future costs comprise a reasonable exploration budget to test that potential."

Jan 1, 2002

By K. E. Barnes

"The “Jameson Cell” flotation cell was developed at Mount Isa Mines in the late 1980’s to address deficiencies in our flotation column installations. Early base metal installations had a variable record. The test work and trials showed they made an improvement metallurgically when operated correctly, but performance of the early installations was hindered by a range of operational and maintenance issues. The installations needed to be more robust, and we needed a better understanding of how to successfully integrate the cells into the plant flow sheet.During the 1990’s, Jameson Cells had great success in coal fines flotation and organic removal in SXEW applications, and became the standard in these applications in Australia. These installations improved the cell design and materials of construction and the cell flow sheet design, to make it low wear with self-regulating control, producing good performance with little operator input.These improvements have enabled a fresh look at the use of Jameson Cells in base metals. Recent new installations have shown significant benefits in “hybrid” circuits, that combine the best features of both Jameson Cells and conventional flotation cells, achieving better overall circuit performance in a smaller footprint than either technology could do by itself.Case studies of successful base metal applications are discussed, using size-by-size mineralogical performance to explain the improved circuit performance. The new methods of flow sheet test work design are also described."

Jan 1, 2006

By H. J. McQueen

About 1973 the abrupt decrease in crude oil shipments due to political action by Middle Eastern suppliers, caused a shortage and a steep price rise. In response, Canada had to develop strategies of diminishing consumption and increasing production in both traditional and environmentally friendly resources. To clarify the situation in Canada, there are brief histories of energy (discovery, pipelines), manufacturing and science development, 1800-1970. Energy strategies, both nationally and in Quebec, succeeded in curbing consumption and in expanding production while fostering research in renewable sources. The industry-sector committees provided free exchange of conservation techniques through the federal energy ministry, with progress reports issued annually. Pipeline history in North America is reviewed along with manufacture and construction plans in Canada. Considerable success in all the aspects provided long lasting benefits, but after the embargo was lifted, many research initiatives were gradually abandoned for political reasons. Sustainability is the goal; society must conduct conserver analysis, legislation and action to enhance it.

Jan 1, 2015