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The current mining operations at Newmont Boddington Gold Mine (NBG) commenced in 2008, and commissioning of the processing plant started in the latter half of 2009. Metso Process Technology and Innovation were engaged to assist NBG with commissioning and project ramp-up through the implementation of a comprehensive ?Mine-to-Mill? Process Integration and Optimisation project. This methodology entailed extensive data collection which included drill and blast audits, ore characterisation, comprehensive comminution circuit surveys and review of operational data to assess the limitations within the current mining and processing operations. The results of these investigations have been used to define the operating base line of both the mining and processing areas and identify improvement opportunities. The use of modelling and simulations, utilising actual production data, has allowed for multiple scenarios to be evaluated, minimising the requirement for actual trials and thereby minimising impact on the operation. Improvements implemented to date include: the introduction of routine rock strength measurement for inclusion in block models, modifications to blast design improving ROM fragmentation and downstream comminution process performance, and changes to improve performance of secondary crushing and grinding circuits. Close cooperation between the mine and plant personnel is playing a significant role in overcoming the challenges presented to this operation and further improvements are targeted for the second full year of process plant operation.

Jan 1, 2012

By P. Mageau-Béland, È. -M. Proulx, M. -C. Patoine

Over the past six decades, Hatch has helped several industrial processing facilities in debottlenecking their operations, allowing them to produce more with the same equipment, to reduce and even eliminate expenditure investments, or to increase the return value of their expansion projects. These successes result from the application of a proven analysis approach that can be applied to any industrial facility. A five-stage methodology is discussed and demonstrated with a specific example of a nickel concentrator optimization study. The first stage is an observation stage which allows to meet key actors at the plant, develop mutual understanding of problems, understand operating philosophy, and efficiently collect large amounts of operating and maintenance data. Following is a data compilation stage during which data is analyzed over a representative time period to identify parameters that significantly affect the production, to evaluate data reliability and to define the focus of the upcoming analysis. Quantitative metrics are defined using statistical tools such as pivot tables, histograms, percentiles and MDR (Maximum demonstrated production rate during 3 to 7 consecutive days). Then, the production bottlenecks are identified by a thorough analysis of the facility’s control philosophy, process throughput, equipment capacity, availability, downtime causes, and interaction between components of each circuit. Understanding the maintenance practices and frequency of planned shutdown is also critical to this analysis. Opportunities for improvement are identified in collaboration with the operation, maintenance and engineering teams, ranked as a function of their impact on the bottlenecks and prioritized. The final and most critical stage involves engagement with the plant stakeholders, namely the operators and the maintenance staff members, to present the results of the analysis and obtain their participation in the implementation of the solutions. The benefits of the case study translated into: 10% production capacity gain, improved maintenance planning and avoidance of several million dollars of investment.

Jan 1, 2016

By W. D. Haley

The report of the Forestry Committee, presented to the recent Imperial Conference at London, is discouraging in its view of the future of timber resources and supplies. From a review of the forestry situation throughout the world, there is every likelihood that, thirty years from this, a shortage of the soft-woods will be severely felt. In the United States, only about one-third of the present forest area contains virgin timber. This will be cleared at the rate of five and a half million acres a year, so that in twenty-five years it will be about all gone. Canada has only about 27 per cent of her original forests left, and her virgin soft-wood will last but another half century. At the present time, the value of her lumber products is over $300,000,000 annually. During the summers of 1909 and 1910, the Government of Nova Scotia caused an examination to be made of the forest conditions in this Province. The reconnaissance, which was under the direction of Professor B. E. Fernow, of Toronto, involved an examination of the various soils, the rate of growth of the wood, and a general survey of the forest area. The importance to the Province of conserving its forest resources was clearly shown, and a number of recommendations were made, which; however, were never acted upon.

Jan 1, 1927

By T. R. Ellis

The valuation of mineral properties in the U.S. is only partially regulated. The regulations which have jurisdiction or impact appear to have such mainly as a consequence of unintended fallout, since the regulations were designed for other purposes. Court case history can also be important. The combined results are a mixture of bad and good, with important lessons to be learned. Since 1981, the Securities and Exchange Commission has prohibited U.S. listed companies from reporting quantitative estimates of mineralization and the value of mineralization, other than proven and probable reserves. This results in the minerals appraiser (valuator) working with a shortage of data in his everyday work, both on the subject property and in sales analysis. Between 1989 and 1995, all 50 states and essentially all federal agencies adopted the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for real property appraisals (valuations). The major national appraisal societies also require their members to abide by USPAP. A significant portion of minerals appraisals must now follow these standards. This paper will discuss the content of USPAP. It provides a very good framework for the valuation of a minerals property or a mine, both as real property and as a business. However, the credentialing standards for real property appraisers are now prohibitive for minerals appraisers.

Mar 1, 2002

By T. R. Ellis

"The valuation of mineral properties in the U.S. is only partially regulated. The regulations which have jurisdiction or impact appear to have such mainly as a consequence of unintended fallout, since the regulations were designed for other purposes. Court case history can also be important. The combined results are a mixture of bad and good, with important lessons to be learned.Since 1981, the Securities and ExchangeCommission has prohibited U.S. listed companies from reporting quantitative estimates of mineralization and the value of mineralization, other than proven and probable reserves. This results in the minerals appraiser (valuator) working with a shortage of data in his everyday work, both on the subject property and in sales analysis.Between 1989 and 1995, all 50 states and essentially all federal agencies adopted the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for real property appraisals (valuations). The major national appraisal societies also require their members to abide by USPAP. A significant portion of minerals appraisals must now follow these standards. This paper will discuss the content of USPAP. It provides a very good framework for the valuation of a minerals property or a mine, both as real property and as a business. However, the credentialing standards for real property appraisers are now prohibitive for minerals appraisers."

Jan 1, 2002

By Frank van der Meer, Jorge Portocarrero, Alexandra Gruendken

"The number of High Pressure Grinding Rolls (“HPGRs”, also called Roller Press) installations instead of tertiary crushers is rapidly increasing. The technology has been largely accepted in the minerals industry and benefits, such as superior energy efficiency and a lower overall operating cost compared to alternative technologies, have been demonstrated at a number of operations throughout the world.This paper focuses on coarse hard ore operations and reviews the successful installation of the first Roller Press installed instead of a tertiary crusher at the Los Colorados Plant of CMH (Chile) in 1998. It details the experience obtained over the past ten years of operation from commissioning to the present day. It highlights examples of further developments made in the design to improve machine maintainability and availability as well as wear life of the grinding surfaces.A second focus lies on procedures to derive from small scale testing material properties such as wear life, flake formation and strength and their application to industrial size machines to optimize circuit design, especially when Roller Presses are used in closed circuit with screening.INTRODUCTIONRoller Presses (also known as HPGR, High Pressure Grinding Rolls) are considered today state of the art for the preparation of pellet feed. They are also gaining wide acceptance in coarse ore operations. One of the first successful operations in which a roller press was used to replace a conventional tertiary and quaternary crusher is the Los Colorados plant of CMH in Chile.When the Roller Press at Los Colorados was commissioned in 1988, there were 169 Humboldt Wedag roller presses in operation throughout the world. Of these, 14 were installed in the minerals industry. However, these were installed mainly for grinding pellet feed to increase the Blaine value. Up to that time, only three KHD roller presses had been applied for crushing coarse ore in specialized circuits. Moreover, the installation at Los Colorados was the first Roller Press ever to replace a conventional tertiary and quaternary crusher in a hard ore application."

Jan 1, 2009

By A. J. MacRae

Metallurgical furnaces are made up of complex multi-component systems that must function either together or in parallel for safe, and reliable operation. Thermal expansion of single material components experience induced stresses during heating and cooling, which can lead to cracking or failure. Multi component elements and systems can experience significant thermally induced stresses during both steady state and transient temperature conditions. Examples pertaining to temperature effects on refractory, copper cooling blocks, furnace shells, and complete systems will be discussed. The purpose of the paper is to highlight how stresses and strains are developed due to differential thermal expansion.

Jan 1, 2015

By Laura Mottola

Process Design and Change Management for Successful Deployment of Technology in Mining Over the last 30 years Canada has been successful in developing but not deploying hardrockmining automation. Our opinion is that the current lack of R&D investment and implementation capacity places Canada at risk as a future global mining leader A white elephant A burdensome possession; creating more trouble than it is worth. White (albino) elephants were regarded as holy in ancient times in Thailand and other Asian countries. Keeping a white elephant was a very expensive undertaking, since the owner had to provide the elephant with special food and provide access for people who wanted to worship it. If a Thai King became dissatisfied with a subordinate, he would give him a white elephant. The gift would, in most cases, ruin the recipient.

May 1, 2010

By Christopher P. O?Connor

Stereolithography is a well known rapid prototyping technique in the manufacturing sector. Essentially it is a three dimensional printing process that produces plastic prototype parts from standard CAD files. At present, Canadian mining companies are not fully aware of the potential of Rapid Prototyping Techniques (RPTs) for their production and mine design systems. Mining engineers and geologists attempt to visualize and understand the characteristics and layouts of orebodies on computer models and in cases where it is decided to develop physical models, the process is time consuming based on simplified constructions. Rapid prototyping techniques (RPTs) such as stereolithography can facilitate engineers and geologists to quickly and with satisfactory accuracy to visualize sections of orebodies and evaluate alternative ore extraction techniques using 3D solid models. The research discussed in this paper is carried out by the Laurentian University Mining Automation Laboratory (LUMAL) in collaboration with the Department of Mines Research of Inco Limited and the Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI) of the National Research Council of Canada. The main objective with this research is to evaluate the applicability of state-of-the-art RPTs (e.g. stereolithography) to underground hard rock mining systems. RPTs can play a significant role in accelerating the design and development process of mining systems.

May 1, 2002

By O. E. Andrew

THE object of this paper is to present a brief summary of the dust control system in use on the 3,825-foot level at the jaw crusher station, Lake Shore mine. During the years 1936 and 1937, dust survey reports were presented to the management showing that high dust concentrations were being created during operating periods. At that time, however, this crusher was running only an hour or so each shift, and it was felt that no large capital expenditure for dust control equipment could be justified. In order to afford some protection to the operators, a number of respirators then on the market were .tested and the 'Comfo' respirator was adopted for use by the crusher-men. In 1938 this crusher began to handle a large share of the total mine tonnage and the hours of operation were increased. Further dust sampling showed increased dustiness with the longer operating time. It was also realized that the operators suffered considerable inconvenience if they wore their respirators throughout the shift. If the respirators were not worn, then dangerous amounts of dust were being inhaled. The fact that the crusher station was situated on the 3,825-foot level limited the means that could be employed to eliminate the dust hazard. At that rime there was not available the 5,000 c.f.m. of fresh air which would be required to sweep out or dilute0 the dust, and there was also no way of disposing of the contaminated air without passing it on for other men to breathe. Thus it became apparent that a self-contained dust disposal system would have to be installed.

Jan 1, 1941

By CIM Mineral Resource, Mineral Reserve Committee

The CIM Mineral Exploration Best Practice Guidelines (the Exploration Guidelines) have been prepared to assist professional geoscientists and engineers to conduct consistently high-quality work in order to maintain public confidence. The Exploration Guidelines are meant to assist professional geoscientists and exploration practitioners in planning, supervising, and executing exploration programs. In Canada, there are generally two types of public resource reporting: “Disclosure”, as defined by NI 43-101, is the reporting of technical information to the public and market participants for securities legislation purposes where a Qualified Person (QP) must be involved, and reporting of exploration information for governmental agencies to support obligations under laws including the Mining Acts of each of the Provinces and Territories. The Exploration Guidelines are also relevant where the results will not be publicly reported but are intended for internal company use. While this document is intended as guidance for work conducted or supervised by geoscientists in Canada, many of the practices described herein can be adapted to mineral exploration activities in other countries. The Exploration Guidelines are not intended to inhibit original thinking, or to prevent the application of new approaches that may develop into fundamental components of successful mineral exploration programs. Rather than provide prescriptive solutions to specific issues, they include general guidelines for current professional practice and to demonstrate and defend the merits of new methods. These guidelines do not preclude individuals and companies from developing more detailed guidelines specific to their own requirements. The initial version of the Exploration Guidelines was prepared by the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Exploration Best Practices Committee and adopted by CIM Council on August 20, 2000. On January 9, 2018, CIM Council formed a new committee, the Mineral Resources and Reserves Committee (CIM MRMR Committee) with a mandate to, among other things, update the Exploration Best Practice Guidelines. The mandate for the committee was accepted by CIM Council on March 2, 2018. The new document was adopted by the CIM Council on November 23, 2018.

Nov 23, 2018

By Ralph Harris, Qi Xia

"Gold cyanidation rates are known to be limited by the rate of oxygen dissolution in the cyanidation tanks. The effect of solids loading on the oxygen dissolution rates is not obvious and the results of previous studies are ambiguous. The present paper presents an analysis of oxygen dissolution rates using a ""spent"" commercial gold slurry diluted to various levels of solids loading. It was found, in an 170 litre stirred tank reactor using an inverted cone sparger, that under certain high loading conditions, there was a decrease of as much as 50 %, i.e., there was a halving of the rate of oxygen dissolution as compared to that in clean water. In particular, it was observed that, due to gas flooding of the impeller, there was a drop in kLa even with an increase of gas velocity. Gas holdup reached a maximum value of only 1.7 %. The total power consumption was between 0.06- 0 .10 kw/m3 within the range of gas velocity before flooding occurred. The decrease in oxygen dissolution rate with increased solids loadings is believed to be mainly due to the increase in the apparent viscosity which reduced the turbulence and shearing effect and resulted in larger bubbles and hence reduced the reaction area a. The interrelations between solids loading, gas holdup, flow pattern, power consumption, and liquid mass transfer coefficient are discussed.IntroductionThe reactors generally used in gold cyanidation are Stirred Tank Reactors (STR). Compared with other types of reactors like fluidized bed reactor and column reactor, STR is of particular importance due to its wide application in industry. It is reported that the stirred tank reactor is used for more than 50 % of the world's chemical production (Xu and McGrath, 1996)."

Jan 1, 1997

By Trevor R. Ellis

"The valuation of mineral properties in the U.S. is only partially regulated. The regulations which have jurisdiction or impact appear to have such mainly as a consequence of unintended fallout, since the regulations were designed for other purposes. Court case history can also be important. The combined results are a mixture of bad and good, with important lessons to be learned.Since 1981, the Securities and Exchange Commission has prohibited U.S. listed companies from reporting quantitative estimates of mineralization and the value of mineralization, other than proven and probable reserves. This results in the minerals appraiser (valuator) working with a shortage of data in his everyday work, both on the subject property and in sales analysis.Between 1989 and 1995, all 50 states and essentially all Federal agencies adopted the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for real property appraisals (valuations). The major national appraisal societies also require their members to abide by USPAP. A significant portion of minerals appraisals must now follow these standards. This paper will discuss the content of USPAP. It provides a very good framework for the valuation of a minerals property or a mine, both as real property and as a business. However, the credentialing standards for real property appraisers are now prohibitive for minerals appraisers."

Jan 1, 2003

By CIM Environmental, Social Responsibility Society

Within the mining industry, the pathway from exploration, to planning, construction, operation and closure has become more complex over the last few decades. The current financial, environmental and social influences present the mining industry with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. In addition, international environmental and social reporting standards and codes are becoming increasingly robust. The reporting requirements provide an added impetus for issuers to effectively manage environmental and social impacts and risks. Reporting requirements also provide the opportunity to be transparent. The intended audience for these Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Guidelines for Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimation includes practitioners, industry participants at all levels of skill and experience, corporate management and board members, government agencies, academic institutions and interested parties. For practitioners, this document provides underlying key principles of environmental, social and governance practices. The ESG Guidelines provide guidance for those using environmental, social, governmental and governance information when preparing and implementing mineral exploration programs and contributing to the preparation of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for mineral properties that are either at the study stage (i.e., scoping / preliminary economic assessment, pre-feasibility, or feasibility studies) or in operation. The guidelines can also be used to help mineral resource and mining companies apply good practice to manage their environmental and social risks and opportunities. Companies can identify and retain appropriate professionals to prepare environmental and social materials to support company studies. The guidelines are also a resource for companies developing effective environmental and social management strategies at any project stage. This document is not intended to be prescriptive and is not intended to provide exhaustive guidance on what to consider in terms of environmental, social, legal and governmental modifying factors in the preparation of MRMR estimates. Rather, it is intended as general guidance to assist companies and practitioners in considering and applying these modifying factors for MRMR estimates. This document is also not intended to guide environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA); however, the measures needed to manage impacts help inform the constraints and costs for defining mineral resources and mineral reserves and inform the costs and schedules of mineral project studies. All documentation of MRMR estimates made by an issuer and intended to be, or reasonably likely to be, made available to the public in a jurisdiction of Canada must comply with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), as amended from time to time (Canadian Securities Administrators, 2016a and 2016b). Disclosure is not addressed in these ESG Guidelines. Determination of what to include in disclosures is defined in the applicable Securities’ legal frameworks. Appendix A presents a summary table showing the linkage of the principles and topics in these ESG Guidelines to the potential effects on project costs, schedules, government permits and approvals, social licence to operate and financing.

Sep 8, 2023

By W. E. Halle, G. J. S. Govett

"The Institute of Applied Geology, Manila, Philippines, is jointly sponsored by the University of the Philippines, the Philippines Bureau of Mines and the United Nations Development Programme (Special Fund). It provides, in its fourth year of operation, an interesting example of international cooperation in mineral development. Objectives include: (1) the training of mining engineers in modern techniques of mineral exploration; (2) assisting government and industry in discovering new ore deposits; and (3) providing the basis for the establishment of an economically oriented graduate school of geology at the University, the first of its kind in the country. Training of engineers requires roughly one full year, which is divided between academic study and actual field practice. Lecture and laboratory instruction include courses at university level designed specifically to up-grade those aspects of the geological sciences that are required by mining engineers now qualifying as mineral exploration engineers-economic geology, applied geochemistry, geo-physical exploration, petrology and structural geology. The field training involves direct participation in actual mineral exploration projects arranged with the co-operation of the Bureau of Mines and private interests engaged in mineral development and production. The system works well in practice, and the Institute staff and trainees were responsible for outlining new evidence of economic mineralization. It is also apparent from the application of the exploration methods available to the project -geological mapping, air photo interpretation, magnetic, electric, electromagnetic, self potential and gravity surveying as well as geochemical prospecting -that, under the humid, tropical, mountainous conditions in which the practical program was conducted, air-supported geochemical prospecting with attendant reconnaissance geological mapping affords the most economical and effective approach to mineral exploration for at least some of the deposits characteristic of the region."

Jan 1, 1968

By J. D. Jorgenson

?? U.S. domestic production peaked at 120 Mt during years of the Korean Conflict120 Conflict ?? Pellet production increased, as highPellet high-grade ores decreasedores decreased ?? Until 1982 recession, most U.S. iron ore mines owned by steel companiesmines companies ?? Large Canadian iron ore mines brought into production after 1950into 1950

May 1, 2011

By P. R. Clark, M. D. Gleghorn

"IntroductionAt TransAlta Utilities Corporation's Highvale Mine, located west of Edmonton, Alberta (Fig. I and 2), dragline stripping has proved to be a practical and economical method of overburden removal and future plans have been based upon the continued use of draglines (Fig. 3) as the major stripping equipment (Williams, 1979, Nikols et al., 1986). However, long range planning has shown that the capacity of draglines alone will be exceeded in the early 1990s as mining progresses into deeper overburden cover (Tapics, 1983). Strip ratios will increase from I.3 bank m!/ t of coal in 1985to 4.5 bank m3 / t in 1995. During this period the depth of overburden will increase substantially and the areas to be mined will be characterized by weak soils including glacially displaced overburden. This increased overburden depth in relatively weak soils will make it impractical to _continue side casting by draglines without prestripping in advance. In 1983, a major investigation was initiated to determine what additional overburden removal equipment was appropriate to the Highvale operations, and recognizing the long delivery times of this major equipment. when it would be required. This paper describes studies and tests which were undertaken in 1983 and 1984 to select prestripping methods and equipment for the future operation of the mine.Previous planning studies have shown that with the current burn schedule and with the economies of progressing from low cover to high cover, as has been practiced in the past, overburden volumes will exceed the capacity of the existing draglines in the early 1990s (Fig. 4). These previous studies had placed reliance on (I tandem dragline operation for future overburden removal requirements up to a depth of 45 m throughout the Highvale Mine. New drilling together with the associated geotechnical studies and some detailed planning on the practicality of using tandem draglines, created concerns about their universal application. Even without considering geotechnical conditions there was a depth limitation to tandem dragJines and substantial prestripping would be required to achieve the ultimate depths."

Jan 1, 1987

By Fabio Mielli

In these times of increasing costs and diminished returns, energy consumption is one source of savings that remains relatively untapped in the mining sector. Typically, 15% to 40% of operational costs can be attributed to energy in mining operations. This ?process variable? is a complex, multi-faceted variable that involves government regulations, societal pressures, cost and competitiveness. A mining company able to successfully embrace an energy efficiency program is more often than not a successful mining company. Production optimization programs, relatively common today, provide increased production, increased availability of assets and, in many cases, improved quality. They generally ignore the energy question altogether. Production Energy Optimization combines reductions in energy consumption with production improvements to reduce the cost per unit of production while improving emissions reporting. An energy strategy in mining and mineral processing operations is a critical component of Production Energy Optimization. This strategy must support the financial and operational integrity of the business. Developing a successful energy strategy requires a well structured approach such as following: ??Understanding where energy is being used and why, ??Recommending and implementing energy conservation measures, ??Driving visibility to targets and results, ??Re-evaluating continuously. The objective of this paper is to help you better understand the process, tools and technologies that enable mining organizations today to address energy and sustainability issues more tactically and proactively.

Aug 1, 2013

By Virginia T. McLemore

The Gallinas Mountains are in northern Lincoln County and southern Torrance County, New Mexico, USA where a series of alkaline igneous bodies, including porphyritic latite, trachyte/syenite, andesite, and rhyolite laccoliths, flows, dikes, and plugs, have intruded Permian sedimentary rocks belonging to the Permian Abo, Yeso, and Glorieta Formations. A small amount of bastnaesite, a REE mineral, was recovered during processing for fluorite from the Gallinas Mountains. Four types of deposits are found in the Gallinas Mountains: epithermal REE-F veins, Cu-REE-F veins, REE-F breccia pipes and iron skarn deposits; all are associated with Tertiary alkaline to alkalic-calcic igneous rocks. Alteration includes brecciation, silicification, chloritization, and fenitization. District zonation is defined by Cu-REE-F (±Pb, Zn, Ag) veins that form center of the district, surrounded by REE-F veins. Carbonatites are inferred at depth by the presence of fenitization, carbonatization of the breccias, presence of REE and similarity of the intrusive rocks and mineralization to areas with known carbonatites.

May 1, 2011

By V. D. del Valle, T. G. Joseph, J. J. Berezan

Aggressive driving patterns, rough and poorly maintained roads and pit floors, along with the occasional bump and poorly placed load from a shovel can create intense and sometimes serious vibration levels on a heavy hauler. The effects of high vibration have been shown to be of concern for the health of the operator as well as the reliability of the equipment. It is proposed that an onboard vibration warning system based on the ISO 2631-1 standard could be used to help operators reduce the vibration levels experienced in a heavy hauler. The onboard system would consist of a screen that displays the instantaneous vibration in the form of three lights: green (safe zone), yellow (cautious zone), and red (danger zone), as well as an overall vibration exposure or dose for the entire shift. With the utilization of the warning system, it is anticipated that the overall vibration levels will be decreased resulting in improved operator health, a reduction of vibration-induced maintenance, and improved haul roads through reduced impact loading and repair for localized trouble areas.

Jan 1, 2004