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By T. Abu Leil

A new class of ternary Mg-Sn-Ca alloys is being developed to address the dual demands of corrosion and creep resistance at service temperatures. While tin has proven to enhance the corrosion resistance, calcium is expected to significantly increase their creep resistance of binary magnesium alloys. Their effects in ternary magnesium alloys are not yet known. The series of alloys studied has Sn and Ca in the ranges 3-6% and 1¬2%, respectively. The results indicate that these alloys have two-phase structures with CaMgSn phase dispersed in a matrix that is predominantly a solid solution of magnesium. The corrosion behavior of these alloys has been investigated by means of salt spray tests and potentio-dynamic measurements. Creep behavior of these alloys was measured at a temperature of 135 C under an applied compressive stress of 85 MPa. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray facility and X-ray Diffraction techniques were used to characterize the microstructures. The results indicate the prospect of designing alloys that can provide optimum combinations of corrosion and creep resistance by adjusting the relative compositions of Sn and Ca in the system.

Jan 1, 2006

By O. G. Olvera, E. Asselin, D. Rival

Particle concentration distributions in a leaching tank have been estimated using a novel experimental approach that takes advantage of the galvanic interactions that occur between pyrite (FeS2) particles and a Pt electrode. The collision of FeS2 particles with Pt changes the open circuit potential measured with the electrode due to galvanic interactions. To discern particle collisions with the Pt electrode from experimental noise a simple analytical procedure was first adopted although the use of techniques involving frequency domain analysis is also briefly presented and discussed. Although this method is still under development, it is simple to implement and can yield valuable information regarding the hydrodynamic behavior of solid particles in stirred tanks in very short times. Finally, the advantages and drawbacks of the technique are discussed.

Jan 1, 2014

By Martha Gellner, Lutz Wuschke, Hans-Georg Jackel, Urs A. Peuker

"Electric vehicles are an alternative to the existing combustion engine driven cars. According to the EU Battery Directive a substantial recycling rate of at least 50 wt.-% has to be met for aged batteries since 2006. Existing recycling techniques are based on energy intensive pyro- and hydrometallurgical process, which are not able to recover all components. Aluminum and lithium for instance are slagged. The EU-Project “ABattReLife” investigated possibilities for a mechanical processing in order to create a sustainable process and a closed material loop from grave to cradle. After a sufficient liberation of the Li-ion batteries, components like the doped carbon black fraction (mainly lamination of electrode foils), the separator foil and the housing material can comparatively easily be separated from the other components by screening and air sifting. The remaining mixture consists of anode and cathode foils which have a similar free-settling ratio and are more difficult to separate from each other. A second comminution and compaction step modifies the particle size and shape as well as the degree of delamination. These changes influence the density of the electrode foils in order to improve the separation efficiency. Yield and purity of the generated metal concentrates were parameters to show if the separation was successful. The specific energy consumption for the different methods of processing was estimated in order to benchmark the cost-benefit ratio for each one.The studies have been accomplished with a zig zag sifter (model TUBAF), a hammer mill (model HM 340 Jehmlich) and with a Petkus-Sifter. Finally a process flow sheet was developed for a Li-ion battery recycling plant in pilot scale."

Jan 1, 2016

By Seong-Taek Lim

Recently, 7xxx aluminum alloys have been evolved into new variants for thick semiproducts which have low amount of 2nd phases and low quench sensitivity. Commercial 7xxx alloys, especially in the thick forgings made of big ingots, often entail microstructural inhomogeneities and concurrent poor mechanical properties due to limited heating ranges and slower quench cooling. In this study, high strength aluminum alloy 7175 and 7050 are adjusted as an attempt to control the equilibrium phases (M-, T- and S-phase) to have optimum microstructure for the thick forging applications. The effects of the relative content of (Zn, Mg, Cu) on the evolutions of the coarse equilibrium phases, hardening response and resultant mechanical properties are investigated. Equilibrium phases (M,T,S) are evolved depending on the constitutional effect, primarily the change of Zn:Mg ratio, and cooling rate following solutionizing. The formation of the T- and S-phases is effectively controlled, and M-phases are homogeneously precipitated in the adjusted (dilute and high Zn:Mg ratio) alloys. It provides extended heating range and lower quench sensitivity than conventional alloys. The attempts ensure the microstructural homogeneity and improved properties, and is expected to be uniquely applicable in 7xxx thick forgings.

Jan 1, 2004

By Wael Abdellah

Mine haulage drifts are the primary access to the mining blocks of an orebody in a multilevel mining system of a tabular ore deposit. The stability and functionality of haulage drifts are thus crucial to the success of a mining operation. Drift instability could lead to serious consequences such as injuries, production delays and higher operational cost. In this paper, the performance of the haulage drift stability is evaluated on the basis of the primary rock support system comprising 1.8 m resin grouted rebars in the drift walls and 2.1 m long bolt in the back. Two failure criteria namely the extent of Mohr-Coulomb yield zones around the drift, and linear elastic brittle shear failure are adopted and compared, with respect to lower level and same-level mining and filling sequence in the vicinity of the haulage drift. The case study is one of the #1 Shear East zone of the Garson Mine in Sudbury, Ontario. Random Monte Carlo (RMC) technique, which has been previously established to assess the haulage drift stability, is employed in this investigation. The RMC technique is used in conjunction with finite difference modelling software FLAC for random assignment of model input parameters in the FLAC grid. Deterministic model results reveal the drift behaviour in terms of deformation (convergence) and mining-induced stress distribution. Comparison between the two different criteria is carried out to determine which method is most suitable in evaluating unsatisfactory drift performance. The results are presented in terms of probability of instability and categorized with respect to failure condition and mining step. It is shown that the brittle shear failure condition based on linear elastic response calls for enhanced support system at a later mining step than what Mohr- Coulomb yielding condition does. The paper presents a detailed discussion of the stochastic analysis results.

Jun 1, 2012

By E. R. Mitchell

When we grow up in an urban environment and choose to become a part of a way of life, it is sometimes difficult to appreciate the cost of this decision in terms of pollution. Explained in this article is our dependence on technology and the amount of pollution that technology produces. Inventories of air pollution on both a personal and a national basis are given so that the reader may judge the magnitude of the problem. In doing so, it is hoped that the reader will understand the need for a responsible attitude toward pollution by everyone and how he can make a personal contribution.

Jan 1, 1971

By E. Johansson, T. Siren, K. Kemppainen

"As part of the preparations for the design of an underground repository for radioactive waste at Posiva’s Olkiluoto site on the west coast of Finland, there has been considerable site investigation work. Except the extensive surface based investigations, Posiva started in 2004 the construction of an underground characterisation facility termed the ‘ONKALO’. The ONKALO has now been completely excavated to the anticipated repository depth i.e. -430–450 m. The research conducted in the ONKALO gives further information on the bedrock and groundwater conditions of the final disposal site, as well as on the impact of the construction. The ONKALO provides an excellent opportunity to investigate the rock at tunnel scale, to conduct in-situ testing in rock, to develop excavation and final disposal techniques in realistic conditions. The ONKALO has aided in collecting the data needed, supported by a Preliminary Safety Assessment, for the application of the construction license that was submitted in the end of 2012. The target is to begin disposal operations in 2022. According to current plans, the final disposal would end in 2112 and the repository would be sealed up by 2120. The testing in the ONKALO still continues several years. This paper presents the current characterisation and research activities in the ONKALO. INTRODUCTIONAfter the Finnish Government's favourable policy decision in 2001, Posiva Oy, which is an expert organisation responsible for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel of the owners in Finland, has focused further investigations at the Olkiluoto site, western Finland (Figure 1) and has started in 2004 the construction of an underground facility termed the ‘ONKALO’. The ONKALO is not a nuclear waste repository, but more than just an underground research laboratory URL – it is an underground rock characterisation facility. The ONKALO has now been completely excavated to the anticipated repository depth i.e. -430–450 m. In addition to facilitating bedrock research, the ONKALO also provides an opportunity to develop excavation techniques and final disposal techniques in realistic conditions. Later, the ONKALO facilities can be put into use when building and using the repository. The construction methods and materials have been selected in order not to jeopardise the long-term safety of the repository site. The findings of the ONKALO and other investigations will provide the knowledge needed for an application, supported by a Preliminary Safety Assessment, to construct a final repository for spent nuclear fuel at the site. Posiva has submitted an application for the construction licence for a disposal facility in the end of 2012. The target is to begin disposal operations in 2022 and the repository would be sealed up by 2120."

Jan 1, 2015

By H. J. McQueen

The modeling of the extrusion of 6061 alloy and its composites with 10 to 20 vol% Al203 or SiC by two techniques. The uniaxial finite element method FEM (DEFORM" ) provided force-stroke curves and temperature rise over the range 450-500 °C, 2.6-5mm/s and extrusion ratios of 31 and 64. The traditional technique considers ideal work and redundant work as well as friction and uses average temperatures and strain rates. The two techniques are used to clarify each other and to extend the analysis to 400 and 350 °C. The calculated efficiencies are compared to measured values in extrusion trials and to values derived for 7075 extrusion analyses. The analyses are based on constitutive equations determined by torsion testing tests.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Darragh

"Past Growth The Canadian coal industry has grown rapidly during the past two decades. Coal production increased over four-fold between 1965 and 1982; consumption almost doubled, imports remained relatively flat, exports soared and total demand increased nearly two and a half times. Coal production grew during this period at an average rate of 8.60/o, compounded annually; this remarkable performance is shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. The relationship between production and consumption is shown in Figure 1, where in 1981 the total Canadian production of coal for the first time exceeded total Canadian consumption. ln Figure 2, the relationship between imports from the United States and Canadian coal exports is shown; in_ 1981 again for the first time, exports offshore exceeded imports into Canada. The rapid growth in Canadian coal use between 1965 and 1982 followed a major decline after World War II, as the country moved rapidly to an oil based economy. Changes in consumption patterns between 1945 and 1982 are shown ~n Table 2. Railway consumption of coal was reduced to zero m the early 1960s. The industrial and domestic consumers market share fell from about 660/o in 1960 to 6.70/o in 1975; this share, however, appears to have stabilized in recent years and actual volumes can be expected to increase in the future. The steel industry's share of the coal market fell over the same period, but the volume in recent years has remained fairly constant at about seven megatonnes per year.Perhaps the most significant change in consumption is in the share of coal consumed in the generation of electricity; this has increased from 80/o in 1960 to over three quarters of the total Canadian coal consumed in 1982. This increase in thermal coal consumption has been supplied by indigenous coal, and was accompanied by a decreasing share for coal imported from the U.S.A. into central Canada. It is expected, because of the nuclear power commitment in Ontario, that this share will continue to decrease, although the total volume of coal imported may increase slowly over time. This will likely also have a dampening effect on future coal sales to Ontario from western Canada."

Jan 1, 1985

By Thomas Genty, Pascal Marcotte, Matthew Gillman, John Baechler

Elevated concentrations of ammonia nitrogen is a common characteristic of mine impacted water and generally results from the dissolution of undetonated explosives (i.e., Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil and emulsion explosives) by contact water. Several active water treatment technologies are commercially available to remove ammonia nitrogen, but reduction of active treatment demand by promoting natural attenuation is considered best industry practice. In this paper, the results of laboratory-scale and full-scale trials of a semi-passive approach (i.e., enhanced algae growth) to remove ammonia nitrogen at the Meliadine mine are presented. Phosphorus was found to be the limiting factor to algae growth at the mine site. The addition of various concentrations of phosphorus was first tested at a laboratory scale. The samples were exposed to in-situ conditions, and ammonia nitrogen removal rates ranging from 40% to 93% were achieved over a period of 24 days. This paper also presents the methodology and results of an in-pond treatment during which a 50% ammonia nitrogen removal rate was observed after 68 days. The studied mine site uses breakpoint chlorination as its primary treatment approach for ammonia nitrogen removal. The results presented in this paper show the potential of using enhanced algae growth as a pre-treatment method, subsequently reducing the quantity of chemicals required for operating the breakpoint chlorination plant. This potential requires further investigation and additional trials are currently under evaluation.

Jan 1, 2023

By Andre du Preez

Emergency Fall Arrest System Rio Tinto?s Primary Objective: ?To achieve repeatable controlled safe deceleration rates during emergency fall arrest activation (Ontario OHSA Regulations) ?Must operate effectively on mine specified steel shaft guides.

May 1, 2013

By Robert B. Parsons

"The junior mining company's bank account is depleted, but there are high hopes for the company's property. Where to get the necessary development funds is a common problem facing many juniors.This month, Tax Notes discusses briefly the principal income tax implications of several alternative development plans that are typically available to the junior mining company and its shareholders.IntroductionAt some point in time, many junior exploration companies face a common dilemma-a promising prospect has been proven up and is read y for further development, but alas, the company is flat broke! In this situation, a number of alternatives is available to the company, including the possibility of ""going it alone"" by raising capital through a public offering, or by striking a deal with a ""major"" or some other substantial investor.This article focuses on the latter possibility, and discusses in broad term s the main income tax implications of various arrangements between a typical junior exploration company and a larger public company for the development of a particular property. It will be appreciated that a discussion of other important considerations, such as those pertaining to securities exchange regulation s and company law requirements, is beyond the scope of this article.Jointly Owned CorporationPerhaps the simplest way of dealing with the problem of financing the development of a property is to sell the property outright, pocket the proceeds, and run! Clearly, though, this alternative is unacceptable to most prospectors and developers, who are predictably reluctant to completely relinquish their equity interest in a promising property. An additional strike against such an outright sale is that the sale could trigger an income tax liability. Generally speaking, in the case of a simple sale of a mineral property, for income tax purposes the proceeds are applied to reduce the taxpayer' s unclaimed balance of Canadian development expense (""CDE""), with any unapplied excess being brought into income and taxed at ordinary corporate tax rates."

Jan 1, 1983

By MacKenzie Dickson

"INTRODUCTIONGold is found in many natural states, native nuggets, loose grain in river sands, veins in rock, as well as associated with sulphides, oxides, etc., disseminated more or less minutely.Its high value in recent years has spawned new technologies to win values from sources once considered too lean for commercial recovery. Cyanide leaching from fine milled ore or tailings, from upstream recovery operations, coupled with adsorption onto relatively coarse granules of activated carbon, concentrate the gold enough to be converted to bullion by time-honoured methods.The carbon granules are fragile. Size degradation in handling must be minimized not only to prevent loss of gold on fine fragments of carbon that could pass with the barren tailings, but to maintain adsorption efficiency. Besides, the granulated carbon itself is costly. Circular Vibroscreens are winning acceptance for dewatering carbon granules thanks to their gentle yet effective performance in gold recovery systems around the world. The system at Equity Silver is illustrative.BackgroundEquity Silver Mines Ltd., Houston, British Columbia, first began production in September 1980. In 1984, a feasibility study showed that additional gold and silver could be economically recovered through cyanide leaching of the flotation tailing.Although the carbon-in-pulp (ClP) or carbon-in-leach (CIL) process is commonly used for extracting precious metals from slurries, the use of circular vibrating screens, and Vibroscreens in particular, for the carbon circuit is an innovation that cuts costs.Rectangular vibrating screens have been the conventional separation mechanism of choice across North America. In contrast, the use of Vibroscreens has been proven to be less costly for the initial purchase and installation. Also, these circular vibrating screens require less power and less space. A description of Equity Silver Mines' process shows how these screens have been successfully integrated into the system."

Jan 1, 1989

By Nabeel Khan

Annual oil production from the Canadian Oil Sands in Northern Alberta has been rising for several decades, and more ore and overburden are excavated each year from an increasing number of open pit mines. Overburden meeting certain specifications will be used to dam tailings and fill open pits, but the remaining material must be stored in overburden storage structures (OBSS). Well-designed overburden storage structures are more stable and cost less in the short- and long-term. The purpose of this paper is to explore OBSS designs that will be stable yet economical in the short- and long-term. The geological background of the site is briefly discussed, including the effect of each of the main geologic layers (recently deposited till and muskeg, Clearwater Formation clay shales, McMurray Formation oil sands, and the Devonian limestone) on the slope stability of the OBSS. Cost is considered in the analysis when balancing between minimizing costs (steeper slopes) and acceptable factors of safety (flatter slopes), all the while considering the financial consequences of failure. Potential failure planes are identified and probabilistic analysis is conducted on the critical failure surface. The variations in the factor of safety caused by varying pore water pressure, friction angle, and cohesion, are plotted and discussed.

Jun 1, 2012

By B. Lafrance, C. J. Beaumont-Smith, L. R. Jones

"Abstract - The Burnt Timber gold deposit is located in the Paleoproterozoic Lynn Lake greenstone belt of the Trans-Hudson Orogen, Manitoba. The deposit occurs along the Johnson shear zone, and is hosted by enriched and depleted tholeiitic volcanic arc basalts cut by feldspar porphyry dikes. The Johnson shear zone is a regional, belt-parallel structure characterized by the intensification of the regional S2 foliation. At the Burnt Timber deposit, S2 is folded by centimeter- to meter-scale, Z-shaped, F3 chevron folds that have an axial planar S3 crenulation cleavage. Within the 20 to 30 m-wide core zone of the shear zone, S2 and F3 are transposed parallel to S3 and the volcanic rocks are strongly sheared parallel to S3. The presence of a steeply plunging stretching lineation, together with dextral shear sense indicators along both S2 and S3 on horizontal surfaces, suggest that the Johnson shear zone is a dextral transpression zone. Gold was introduced in pyritic, biotitic, and carbonatized mafic volcanic rocks along the core of the shear zone. Mylonitic mafic volcanic rocks contain localized high-grade zones (=10 g/t Au) that differ from wider carbonatized, low-grade zones (<3 g/t Au) by the presence of deformed gold-bearing quartz-pyrite veins. High-grade zones are also associated with swarms of quartz-pyrite veins that cut across sericitized and carbonatized feldspar porphyry dikes, which acted as brittle, competent bodies during shearing. Gold deposition in the high-grade zones was controlled by the channeling of hydrothermal fluid along the core of the shear zone during shearing of the volcanic rocks, and brittle fracturing of the porphyry dikes. Sommaire - Le gîte aurifère de Burnt Timber est situé dans la ceinture de roches vertes Paléoprotérozoïque de Lynn Lake dans l’orogène Trans-Hudsonien, au Manitoba. Ce gîte est situé le long de la zone de cisaillement de Johnson et est encaissé dans des basaltes tholéiitiques d’arc enrichis et appauvris recoupés par des dykes porphyriques. La zone de cisaillement de Johnson est une structure régionale parallèle à la ceinture de Lynn Lake caractérisée par une intensité accrue de la foliation régionale S2. Au gîte de Burnt Timber, S2 est affectée par un plissement F3 en chevrons en Z d’échelle centimétrique à métrique associé à un clivage de crénulation de plan axial S3. Dans la zone centrale de 20 à 30 m de largeur au sein de la zone de cisaillement, S2 et F3 sont transposés parallèlement à S3 et les roches volcaniques sont fortement cisaillées le long de S3. La présence conjointe d’une linéation d’étirement à forte plongée et d’indicateurs cinématiques dextres sur les surfaces horizontales S2 et S3 suggère que la zone de cisaillement de Johnson est une zone transpressive dextre. L’or a été mis en place dans des volcanites mafiques altérées en pyrite, en biotite, et en carbonate au coeur de la zone de cisaillement. Les roches volcaniques mylonitiques présentent des zones aurifères locales à haute teneur (=10 g/t Au) qui diffèrent des zones à basse teneur (<3 g/t Au) par la présence de veines de quartz et de pyrite aurifère. Des zones à haute teneur associées à des essaims de veinules de quartz et de pyrite sont aussi notées dans des dykes porphyriques à plagioclase altérés en séricite et en carbonates; ces dykes se sont comportés comme des corps compétents durant le cisaillement. La déposition de l’or dans le zones à haute teneur a été contrôlée par la circulation du fluide hydrothermal au coeur de la zone de cisaillement durant la déformation des roches volcaniques et la fracturation des dykes porphyriques."

Jan 1, 2006

By Robert B. Parsons

"Several recent cases indicate that the Courts may be leaning toward a more favourable treatment of mine closing and related costs. In this article, we look at two recent cases, Burnco Industries Ltd. and Nomad Sand & Gravel Ltd. The former was heard before the Federal Court - Trial Division and the latter before the Tax Review Board.It appears that in certain situations mining companies may now be able to sustain current deductibility of estimated mine closing costs during the productive years of the mine, rather than waiting until either the date on which mining ceases or the reclamation and similar activities commence. This would be of great benefit to the mining industry, as waiting until the bitter end often means that there are no revenues available against which the expenses may be offset and, hence, no tax relief.IntroductionUnder the Income Tax Act in Canada, taxpayers are not permitted any deductions in respect of an outlay or expense in determining income from a business or property, except to the extent that such expenditures are made or incurred by the taxpayer for the purpose of gaining or producing income. In addition, no deductions are permitted for amounts transferred or credited to a reserve, contingent account or sinking fund except as expressly permitted by the Act.In large measure, these provisions are relevant to the mining industry to the extent that they determine the periods during which expenses may be charged against revenues for income tax purposes. Several recent cases have indicated that the Courts are leaning toward a more favourable treatment of accrued costs in the mining industry than was previously considered to be the case."

Jan 1, 1982

By H. Ikeman

"The highly specialized communication systems used in the mining industry place exacting demands on equipment and transmission media. Safely and reliability of services are perhaps the two most important factors. Fibre optics is ideally suited 10 meet these stringent requirements. Aside from being an intrinsically safe, non-sparking and EMI/RFI immune medium , fibre optics offers greater reliability , higher quality of services and superior flexibility over conventional copper or radio-based communication systems.This paper wilt show how fibre optics can be applied in mining industry applications. Emerging trends and concepts will be presented to show how fibre-optic-based integrated service communication networks and local distribution systems can be implemented.IntroductionCommunication requirements in today&apos;s mine s are varied and extensive. The communication system must be rugged , safe and reliable, yet provide an ever increasing amount of high quality services. Presently, these systems are implemented using conventional copper cable. As mining method s and technology advance and the demand for better and more communication services increases, traditional systems quickly reach their limitations. It is under these circumstances that we turn to fibre optic communication systems.Fibre optics is a mature technology which is finding its way into more and more applications worldwide. A fibre optic communication system can provide a level of performance unattainable by conventional cable systems yet ca n be cost competitive. As is well known, fibre optics provides a noise-free, noise-immune, high -capacity communications channel. Glass fibre, being dielectric and non-sparking, is an intrinsically safe communications medium. Clearly, it is ideally suited to the harsh environment present in a mine.From a communication systems point-of-view, the topology of a deep mine is unique. The objective of the systems engineer is to implement a total communications capability throughout this wide spread area. Ideally all classes of services should be accessible throughout the network-an integrated network concept. Recent advances in communications technology combined with fibre optics make this realizable."

Jan 1, 1984

By G. R. C. Pacheco, D. M. Fonseca, R. Neuböck, G. E. Gonçalves, W. Moulin-Silva

Degradation by sulfur gases is an important lining wear mechanism in the copper industry. SO2/SO3 gases infiltrate into the pores of the basic refractory bricks, combine with their raw materials through expansive reactions and significantly modify the bricks’ structure. This study presents a comparison of the corrosion resistance against sulfur attack of different magnesia-based refractories using a simple, low-cost and quantitative method. Recipes containing sintered MgO grains showed lower resistance to corrosion by sulfur oxides compared to basic grades containing fused grains. Chromium corundum grades were used as a reference and showed very good resistance to this corrosion mechanism under the test conditions. The novel test provided relevant results that agree with what is commonly observed during operation and in previous post-mortem studies. This tool could be very useful in selecting refractory grades for the copper industry and predicting their performance. INTRODUCTION Oxidation of matte sulfides during copper production leads to the formation of sulfur oxides, which infiltrate into the pores of the refractory lining and react with the basic oxides below 1000°C to form magnesium and calcium sulfates. This reaction is accompanied by an expressive volume increase, consequent densification of the refractory microstructure and weakening of the brick bond (Malfliet et al., 2013). Thus, corrosion by SO2/SO3 is an important wear mechanism in the non-ferrous industry and the resistance to this compound should be considered when defining refractories for this application. Previous studies on this matter include expensive and complex testing methods involving pressurized SO2 gas cylinders in order to investigate the corrosion resistance of MgO-containing materials by sulfur oxides (Gerle & Podwórny et al., 2016; Fotoyi & Eric, 2011; Fotoyi, 2009; Podwórny & Piotrowski et al., 2008). The current study was based on a test developed by Pacheco & Fonseca (2018) to assess alkali infiltration and aims to provide an evaluation method of the corrosion resistance of refractories by SO2/SO3 in a simple and quantitative manner. This novel test is useful to compare the corrosion resistance of different refractory recipes and properly select the grades that should be employed in the non-ferrous industry. A case study is provided to illustrate the damage caused by sulfur oxides in refractory linings.

Jan 1, 2019

By G. R. Haiden, E. Henderson

"An LHD teleoperation and guidance system, developed at the Ontario Division of Inco Limited, has been demonstrated in operation at Copper Cliff North Mine (CCNM) since late September, 1993. The tests performed to date have evaluated the feasibility and production viability of multiple LHD operation, from surface by one operator.The systems technology required to accomplish this consists of an electronic monitoring and control package mounted on the LHD; a high bandwidth mining computer network capable of providing radio frequency coverage; and an operator control console which provides an operator workstation for multiple LHD operation.This paper discusses the systems required to accomplish the task of LHD teleoperation and guidance, the benefits of multiple machine operation and future research and development directions. IntroductionSince underground mining began, persolU1el have entered the mine workings to mine ore. Today, however, the rapid advancement of modem telecommunications, computer hardware and software technology has opened the door to remote mining technology that was considered unfeasible a few years ago. This paper discusses the ingredients of remote mining technology that have been developed at Inco Limited.Figure I represents an historical view of the application of electronics to LHD operation at Inco Limited. In 1980, the first radio remote controls for the operation of LI-IDs in large open stopes were tested. The successful application of this technology at Inco went hand-in-hand with the development and application of the Vertical Crater Retreat mining method. The combination of these two advances had a very positive effect on the productivity in the mid-eighties at Inco. In 1991, the Mines Research Department of the Ontario Division advanced remote control technology by developing a high capacity underground mining telecommunications system. This system is capable of moving voice, data and video information throughout the mine workings. The system is based on broadband communication technology found in most automated factories, with the added benefit of providing the information to and from mobile equipment through radio interfaces. The first test of the system consisted of an operator teleoperating a single LHD (on the 3000 ft level) from the surface. The next test on September 13, 1993, demonstrated the first production application of multiple LHDs being run from surface with a single operator."

Jan 1, 1994

By W. M. Moon, Hugh G. Miller, C. -S. So

"Digital image processing and enhancement techniques have been applied to airborne gamma ray spectrometry data from Sudbury, Ontario. These results have been correlated and compared with the available geological maps to evaluate their usefulness for identifying lithological units. Digital processing allows the correlation of various data sets, and different combinations of images can be tested and viewed as a composite image. Composite images with pseudocolours provide an opportunity to analyze and correlate information that is not otherwise apparent in individual images. Principal component analysis has been applied to the gamma ray spectrometry data to evaluate their efficacy and relative information contents of the measured and computed data. The results of this study indicate that the combined radioelements image (obtained by combining the radioelement image and the ratio images) is effective for defining areas of relative concentration of a specific element in near surface materials. Furthermore, the composite radioelements image (produced by combining three separate radioelement images) and composite principal components image reflect large-scale lithological variations. IntroductionThe Sudbury area is a unique geological structure located in the southern Canadian Shield (Fig. 1). Because the area hosts economically significant nickel-copper deposits (Pye et al., 1984), it has been surveyed in great detail by geological and geophysical methods. In order to obtain meaningful geological infonnation about the Sudbury area, several studies have been carried out with the application of innovative mathematical techniques for geophysical modelling, and attempts have been made to integrate the multisensor geophysical data available for the area (e.g. Gupta et aI., 1984; Moon et al., 1988; Singh et al., 1993). The main objective of this paper is to apply digital image processing and enhancement techniques to airborne ganuna ray spectrometry data in order to determine their usefulness for regional geological mapping."

Jan 1, 1994