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By Changyoon Kim

Technological advances in mobile systems, such as smartphones and tablet computers, provide engineers with new opportunities to enhance the current facility management processes. Equipped with powerful system processors, touch screens, and wireless communication capabilities, mobile systems enable the experience of omnipresence of facility information. Building information modeling (BIM) also enables improvements in facility management. With an advanced data structure and visualization capacity, BIM can be used in numerous applications for facility management. This study aims to incorporate the strength of mobile systems and BIM in facility management. The proposed system, which utilizes smartphone technology, allows engineers to conduct facility management functions, such as maintenance planning, inspection, and assessment, irrespective of a user?s location. The integration of building information modeling in a system provides detailed visual information of the building components. A case study was conducted to verify the applicability of the mobile system in terms of the hardware functions, system design, and user interface. This proposed system, with its study results, provides a guideline as to how mobile systems can be effectively integrated with BIM for improved management of facility information.

Aug 1, 2013

By W. R. Lindsay

Anyox, where the Hidden Creek mine of the Granby Consolidated Mining, Smelting and Power Company is located, is situated on an excellent deep-water harbour in Granby bay, at the head of Observatory inlet, about 600 miles from Vancouver and 90 miles north of Prince Rupert. Anyox is the Indian name for the little stream which empties into Granby bay, and means 'hidden creek'. The Ore-Bodies The ore is a replacement deposit and occurs at and near the contact between argillites and a later intrusive greenstone. This contact locally has a general north-and-south trend, an irregular westerly dip, and in the vicinity of the ore-bodies there has been intense folding, accompanied by faulting. The mineralizing solutions supposedly were derived from the Coast Range granite batholith, distant one to two miles to the east and north. The whole area is cut by many dykes of varying widths, which seem to have had but little part in the ore deposition.

Jan 1, 1929

By John Taylor

"The Highvale Mine in Alberta is owned by TransAlta Utilities Corpora/ion and operated by Mana/fa Coal Lid. It is the largest coal mine in Canada and in 1982 supplied 8.6 million 1onnes of sub-bituminous ""B"" coal to TransAlta's Sundance Ceneraling Plan/. Annual produclion is scheduled to increase in 1983 when the firs/ unit of the new Keephil/s Generating Plant comes on stream and is expec/ed to exceed 11 million tonnes by 1985 when the second unit is commissioned. Coal is mined from several pits in a multi-seam operation. Comprehensive maintenance, drainage and environmental programs form a major part of the operation.IntroductionThe Highvale Mine is located eighty kilometres west of Edmonton, Alberta on the south shore of Lake Wabamun (Fig. I). The mine is owned by TransAlta Utilities Corporation (T.A.U.) and is operated by Manalta Coal Ltd. In 1982, 8.6 million tonnes of coal were supplied to T.A.U.'s 2100 MW Sundance Generating Plant, making it the largest producing coal mine in Canada. By 1985, with two 375 MW units on line at T.A. U .'s new Keephills Generating Plant, annual production is estimated to exceed eleven million tonnes. The generating plants accept crushed unwashed coal from the mine via the coal handling plant system conveyor belts. The coal is classified as sub-bituminous ""B"" and has an average heating capacity of 18.6 MJ I kg.HistoryPrior to 1943 only small scale mining took place in the Highvale area. Between 1943 and 1961 two strip mining companies, Mount Royal Collieries and Continental Collieries operated on the present mine site. Both operations excavated coal along the south shore of Lake Wabamun."

Jan 1, 1985

By R. W. Thompkins

The two largest contributors to silicosis in machine men are dust from drilling and dust from blasting. With the advent of the shatter-cut method of blasting, the evils of blasting dust were greatly reduced. The problem of dust from drilling has been attacked from two different angles: (1) The adoption of dustless frontheads or enlarged water tubes, both of which have proved capable of reducing dust concentrations; and (2) The adoption of better ventilation. Many operators are loath to adopt dustless frontheads or enlarged water tubes on Leyner drills because of the increased repair costs on drills, and also because it has been found difficult to enforce 'the proper usage of dustless machines: for example, workmen sometimes plug the vents in the fronthead.

Jan 1, 1943

By The Staff

"A general description of the equipment, personnel and work sequence •being used in the sinking of a circular, concrete lined, 14 foot diameter shaft which at present is at a depth of 2,484 feet. Equipping, lining and sinking of the shaft is being carried out concurrently and waste is re-moved using a mechanical mucker.INTRODUCTIONTHE BUCHANS UNIT of the American Smelting and Refining Company operates a group of mines at Buchans, Newfoundland. Buchans is in the centre of the Province (Lat. 48°47'N.; Long. 56°50'W.), five miles north of Red Indian lake at an elevation of 900 feet and is accessible by 37 miles <Jf private railway which connects with the Canadian National railway at Millertown Junction, and by 47 miles of gravel highway, which connects with the Trans-'Canada Highway at Badger."

Jan 1, 1959

By Michel Carreau

Renewable assets have large upfront capital costs but minimal operating expenses over their lifetimes. In some instances, deals can be structured so that direct capital investment is feasible, with paybacks typically within 5-7 years. In others, the burden of renewable CAPEX must be removed in order to create an attractive alternative to fossil-fuel-fired generation. Hatch has designed and oversees the construction of a renewable installation, which is financed, owned and operated by a special-purpose entity. Renewable energy is then delivered to the mining company via a customized power purchase agreement at a price that is lower than the levelized cost of fossil fuels. In this way, the mining company removes the burden of the renewable energy CAPEX from its balance sheet, thus freeing up capital, decreasing risk, and making the predictable, lower cost of renewable power more attractive than the variable cost of fossil fuels. This paper presents the above business model and success stories of hybrid power at remote sites (wind and solar coupled with diesel engine).

Aug 1, 2013

By J. R. Shore, F. G. M. Gillett, E. J. Zickar

"The addition of fines to rod mill feed has been employed at Inco Metals' Frood-Stobie Mill since 1973. The fines, which act as a ""lubricant"", causes an increase in the pulp fluidity and assists the flow of feed through the rod mill. Fines addition was one of the main factors which led to improved rod mill performance and the elimination of rod mill tangles.This paper outlines the testwork performed in evaluating the addition of fines, and summarizes the beneficial effects on rod mill grinding efficiency, throughput rates, power consumption and noise level. INTRODUCTIONFrood-Stobie Mill is situated within the Frood-Stobie mining complex, on the southern rim of the Sudbury Basin. The Mill commenced operations in November, 1967, and has since processed in excess of sixty-five million tons of ore. Minus 8-inch ore is delivered to the Mill's coarse ore bin by two surface conveyor belts from the Frood and Stobie Mines, while Little Stobie ore is transferred by underground conveyor and hoisted directly into the coarse ore bin a long with additional Stobie Mine ore."

Jan 1, 1981

By J. Marks

The measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from primary aluminium production and inventory of these emissions of carbon dioxide and PF Cs have become an important issue for primary aluminium producers. Most global producers have either voluntary emission goals or emissions limits established through national regulatory requirements. International good practices for inventory of these emissions for national governments are established through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The current good practices, last updated in 2000, are being revised and are expected to be adopted by governments in the spring of 2006. There are a number of changes expected in the guidance that will impact how facilities account for their GHG emissions. This paper describes the changes to the guidance and the implications of these changes for aluminium producers.

Jan 1, 2006

By Walter Koellner

Today?s large electric mining shovels are significant users of power and represent peak loads of more than 3.5 MW to a mine?s distribution system. The power swings during normal operation can influence the line voltage at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC). The static converters for the shovel?s motions also create voltage and current harmonics which are fed back into the mine?s power grid. In addition, shovels themselves are affected by the power quality of the mine?s distribution system. This paper introduces the use of active IGBT rectifiers, also called Active Front Ends (AFE), as alternative to conventional, line commutated SCR thyristor rectifiers. The AFEs convert the AC line input into a controlled DC-link voltage. This DC voltage is then used as input to IGBT inverters, which power the AC motors of the shovel?s Hoist, Propel, Crowd, and Swing motions. The introduction of AFEs creates the following operational improvements: i) reduction of the Harmonic Current Distortion THDi from more than 40% to less than 4%; ii) full regenerative operation; iii) the potential for line voltage stabilization at the PCC; iv) high tolerance for line voltage fluctuations; v) improved dynamic performance, and, as result vi) higher availability and productivity of the shovel.

May 1, 2001

By Kiran B. Chaudhuri, Michael Koch, Jorg Lema Patino

"Stricter pollution regulations together with other factors have stimulated interest in the modernization of the traditional sinter - blast-furnace lead operation. In this context, direct smelting methods have again come into prominence. Consequently, the Kivcet Lead Smelting Process, which belongs to this group, has attracted the attention of the lead producers of the world. The Kivcet Process offers the advantage that lead and zinc can be simultaneously recovered in a single furnace unit. KHD Humboldt Wedag A G, Koln, Federal Republic of Germany, has signed a contract with the Sociedad Complejo Metalurgico de Karachipampa of Bolivia for the delivery of a turn-key Kivcet plant, which is expected to be the first plant of its kind in commercial operation. This paper describes the design and expected operating data of the plant."

Jan 1, 1980

By PETER O. SANDVIK

The Cargill deposit, located 32 km south west of Kapuskasing, Ontario, was discovered by International Minerals and Chemical Corporation in 1975 and has been evaluated through an extensive program of drilling, chemical analyses, metallurgical tests and engineering and economic studies. The Cargill alkalic complex, comprising mainly carbonatite and pyroxenite-amphibolite rocks, was intruded into the rift system of the Kapuskasing magnetic-gravity high. Weathering and leaching under assumed temperate to cool climatic conditions plus faulting, shearing and/ or initial petrographic variations within the carbonatite developed a small, locally confined karst system. This resulted in a thick enriched leached carbonatite zone capped by troughs and sinks, and filled with a residuum of apatite, goethite, clay and other minerals. Residuum thickness ranges from nonexistent on ridges to 170 m in troughs and sinks. Apatite values are 5 to 15% in fresh carbonatite, 20 to 40% in leached carbonatite and 20 to 98% in residuum. A tentative open-pit mine designed for preliminary feasibility studies is estimated to contain 62.5 million tonnes averaging 19.6% P20 5.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. Currie, J. McManus, R. Chenier

"Cominco Copper Division&apos;s Valley Mine is located in the Highland Valley of British Columbia, approximately 275 km by air northeast of Vancouver. The nearest towns are Logan Lake, located IS km to the east and Ashcroft, located about 50 km to the northwest.Preproduction stripping of rock and overburden at the Valley Mine&apos;s Lake Zone Pit began in mid-1982 following a decision to discontinue mining in the adjacent Jersey Pit. Equipment and mining methods were carried over from the Bethlehem Copper operations which, with Valley Copper Mines, were merged into Cominco in December 1982.Blasting practices, as carried over from the Bethlehem pits, were designed to provide the fine fragmentation required to meet production requirements using the Bethlehem crusher. However, after mining the first few benches of the Lake Zone Pit, it became apparent that overblasting at the pit limits was causing a number of bench failures, as well as contributing to an over-all reduction of the material strength of the rock mass forming the southwest wall of the pit.With present ultimate pit plans calling for the southwest wall to be as high as 300 m, Valley staff realized that potential slope stability problems should be dealt with as early as possible. This philosophy would enable experimentation on phase pit walls in order to attain the optimum slope angle on the ultimate pit wall.As part of an over-a ll slope stability program, a controlled blasting program was initiated at the Lake Zone Pit in March 1983. In this program, Valley engineering and production staff worked together with Golder Associates in establishing design criteria and evaluating the results. This program resulted in a marked improvement in the soundness of pit walls while maintaining the required degree of fragmentation."

Jan 1, 1985

By L. R. Fyffe, D. R. Lentz, S. H. Mcclenaghan

"Abstract - The Eel River area in the southwestern Miramichi terrane of New Brunswick contains a complete calc-alkaline suite of volcanic rocks that are interlayered with intervals of sedimentary and polylithic fragmental rocks, and are overlain by a thick sedimentary sequence. This package, collectively referred to as the Meductic Group, was deposited in a submerged volcanic arc setting interpreted to be part of the Popelogan arc. Rifting of this arc led to the development of the Tetagouche-Exploits back-arc basin, and formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in bimodal volcanic rocks of the Bathurst Mining Camp in the northeastern Miramichi Terrane. Unlike the Bathurst Mining Camp, volcanic rocks in the southeastern Miramichi Highlands form a continuous calc-alkaline suite characterized by increasing Zr/TiO2 with increasing SiO2, in part resulting from progressive coupled assimilation and fractional crystallization of nested magma systems. Slumping of semi-consolidated volcanic and sedimentary rocks in topographically unstable areas resulted in numerous slumps and debris flows that are preserved throughout the Eel River area. In the early 1990s, the discovery of a large sulfide clast in a road cut along the Benton road sparked interest in the volcanogenic massive sulfide potential of the Eel River area. Subsequent drilling intersected smaller fragments, one clast of which graded 16.7% Zn, 5.6% Pb, 90 ppm Ag, and 220 ppb Au. The intersection of thin lenses of stratiform sulfides in another drillhole indicates favorable conditions for the preservation of massive sulfides. Their subsequent incorporation into synvolcanic debris flows resulted in the transport and deposition of sulfide clasts from hydrothermal vents to more distal locations. Similar to the Buchans deposits of Newfoundland, tracing these debris flows back to their source would be beneficial from an exploration perspective. Approximately 15 km to the southwest of the Eel River area, gold-bearing base metal sulfide clasts (11.1% Zn, 6.13% Pb, 0.19% Cu, 108 ppm Ag, and 1100 ppb Au) occur within intermediate-composition volcanic rocks at Monument Brook in eastern Maine. Sommaire - Le secteur d’Eel River dans le sud-ouest de la terrane de Miramichi au Nouveau Brunswick contient une séquence complète de roches volcaniques calco-alcalines interstratifiées avec des roches sédimentaires et fragmentaires polylithologiques, sous une épaisse couverture sédimentaire. Cet assemblage constitue le Groupe de Meductic, et a été déposé dans un environnement d’arc insulaire interprété comme une partie de l’arc de Popelogan. Le rifting de cet arc à mené au développement du bassin d’arrière-arc de Tetagouche-Exploits, et à la formation de gisements de sulfures massifs volcanogènes dans les roches volcaniques bimodales du Camp Minier de Bathurst dans le nord-est de la terrane de Miramichi. Contrairement au Camp Minier de Bathurst, les roches volcaniques des hautes terres du sud-est de Miramichi constituent une suite calco-alcaline continue caractérisée par un accroissement du rapport Zr/TiO2 à des valeurs croissantes de SiO2, résultant en partie de l’assimilation progressive et de la cristallisation fractionnée de systèmes magmatiques superposés. L’effondrement de roches volcaniques et sédimentaires semi-consolidées dans des secteurs topographiquement instables est à l’origine des nombreux slumps et coulées de débris qui sont préservés dans le secteur d’Eel River. Au début des années 1990, la découverte d’un large claste de sulfures le long de la route Benton provoqué un intérêt pour le potentiel en gisements de sulfures massifs volcanogènes dans les secteur d’Eel River. Des forages ont par la suite recoupé des fragments plus petits, dont un claste qui a retourné des teneurs de 16.7% Zn, 5.6% Pb, 90 ppm Ag et 220 ppb Au. Le recoupement de minces lentilles de sulfures stratiformes dans un autre forage indique des conditions propices à la préservation des sulfures massifs."

Jan 1, 2006

By Troy Boisjoli

Since its discovery in February 2014, the Arrow Uranium Deposit has undergone rapid development through aggressive and systematic drilling programs and is now being progressed through advanced engineering and permitting. Based on the 2018 NI 43-101 Technical Report, the Probable Mineral Reserve estimate totals 234.1 million (“M”) pounds (“lbs”) triuranium octoxide (“U3O8”), contained in 3.43 M tonnes at an average grade of 3.09% U3O8. The proposed processing plant at the Rook I Project (the “Project”) will be capable of producing up to 31 M lbs of U3O8 per year, with a projected mine life of nine years based on the Probable Mineral Reserve estimate, although NexGen is permitting a 24-year operating life at the Project assuming the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources are upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued mineral resource development drilling. The Project will be developed through transverse and longitudinal longhole mining methods, pairing primary and secondary stoping techniques with a high degree of equipment mechanization which will provide a combination of good productivity, high extraction, and stable back support. This next generation of uranium operations combines the use of advanced tele-remote equipment and instrumentation with a low-cost bulk mining method and a best-in-class tailings management practice, effectively reducing operating costs and setting a new standard for elite environmental and social practices.

Jan 1, 2020

By A. Staley, W. J. Cashwell, M. S. Moats

In the 1990’s, Técnicas Reunidas developed the Modified ZINCEX® Process to recover zinc from ores and secondary materials. The heart of this process was the use of solvent extraction to produce purified zinc electrolyte instead of traditional zinc dust cementation. This development was commercialized by Reunion Mining and Anglo American for primary ore at the Skorpion mine in Namibia with the first SHG zinc produced in May 2003. Horsehead Corporation through Horsehead Metal Products, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, is presently commercializing the MZP for the treatment of Waelz oxide. This paper will review open source information about the lessons learned and process modifications that have occurred at Skorpion over the past decade. It will also provide an update on Horsehead’s facility being constructed in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

Jan 1, 2014

By A. Gutiérrez

At present, most ore milling is done in tumbling mills, consisting of huge cylinders turning on their horizontal axis. This rotational motion causes the ore charge and the grinding balls to interact by impact, compression and abrasion, to reduce the size of the ore. This method is very inefficient since only around 12% of the energy supplied is used for actual grinding, the rest being used in moving the large mass of balls and ore within the mill. This work aimed at better understanding the milling process by evaluating the movement of the load through the Discrete Elements Method (DEM). First, the number of bodies (balls and ore) moving inside the mill is determined, to correlate to the potential impacts that constitute one of the milling mechanisms. Then, the number of high energy impacts is evaluated to correlate to the bodies in motion. At this stage, a differentiation between grinding media and the ore, as well as between the types of contact taking place in the mill, has to be made. This latter issue is of great relevance since from the five identified contact types (ball-ball, ball-liner, ore-ore, ball-ore and ore-liner) only the last three actually contribute to the milling process, the other two causing structural damage to the mill.

Jan 1, 2007

By P. L. Wright

"This is a brief history of the development of the mining project, with a description of the proven geology. The paper describes how the experiences gained progressively demanded change in the mine design. The equipment used is described, together with methods of working. Interesting facts have been proved regarding gas emissions and roof. supi;iort. The. working cycles evolved are completely flexible m operation and lend themselves to maximum utilization of the most productive units. The two underground mines are compared, showing the variance in conditions already experienced. Programs currently in operation to improve standards and production are: the training of miners, maintenance men and officials; experiments in floor consolidation and continuing roof support trials; and the effect of comparative stability of working crews on the performance of the operation."

Jan 1, 1973

By Thomas E. Shumka

ASTM E2905 describes a two-part standard for electromagnetic methods for preparation and examination of ring gear teeth in the mining sector for SAG and Ball Mill ring gear drives, including pinions? particularly on the addendum, dedendum, and root areas. This practice addresses the need to detect surface breaking flaws electronically and to have the ability to accurately size any surface breaking cracks found on cast and forged SAG and ball mill ring gear and pinion teeth faster and more effectively than other methods. Eddy-current surface arrays are seeing increasing use throughout the industry for the detection of surface breaking flaws in conducting materials. Example applications include examinations of pipelines, bridges, engines, aerospace structures, and any conducting material for surface breaking flaws including cracks. In addition, model-based methods are being used to size cracks accurately found in the addendum, dedendum, and the root of SAG and ball mill girth gear teeth. As visual interpretation of a surface breaking discontinuity on gear teeth is the normal analysis, the colors and 3D images that are provided with this technique, help with visualization and therefore are absolutely invaluable in such circumstances. This practice will help to standardize the use of this nondestructive testing approach.

May 1, 2013

By R. Niechcial

As populations grow and industry expands, the limited fresh water resources available are increasingly under stress. This situation creates conflict between communities and industry; and the sustainability of both is threatened. The symbiotic relationship between community and industry highlights the need to develop innovative solutions to these water shortages. The sea may hold the key to providing the resource to permit the development of industry, the sustainability of communities, and the protection of the dwindling legacy water resources around the world. Desalination technologies have developed to where it is now economically viable to create industrial and potable water quality from seawater. Nowhere is this development more important than in the arid region of Northern Chile, where high copper prices have encouraged a boom in mine development.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. M. Newell, G. R. Peatfield

"The Red-Chris porphyry Cu-Au deposit is located between Ealue and Kluea lakes, southeast of the village of Iskut on the Stewart Cassiar highway in northwestern British Columbia. It was explored by Texasgulf Inc., in a joint venture with Great Plains Development Company of Canada, Ltd. and Silver Standard Mines Ltd., during the period 1973 to 1980. Exploration resumed in 1994, following acquisition of the interests originally held by Texasgulf and Great Plains Development by American Bullion Minerals Ltd.Prospectors were first drawn to the area by prominent limonitic stain zones exposed in creek gullies in the western part of the property. These zones are developed on the alteration halo at the western periphery of the deposit. The potential ore zones do not crop out and were first exposed in a bulldozer trench excavated in 1971. Subsequent exploration was by percussion and diamond drilling, guided to some extent by induced polarization surveys. In 1976, estimated resources contained within two crudely designed open pits were 41 million tonnes with an average grade of 0.56% Cu and 0.34 g/t Au, with a cutoff grade of0.25% Cu. New resource estimates based on a major drilling program completed by American Bullion in 1994 were released as this paper goes to press. These estimates were calculated using various copper cutoff grades; at the 0.4% Cu cutoff, the ""in-situ geological reserve"" is given as 100 million tonnes grading 0.58% Cu and 0.46 g! t Au (American Bullion Minerals Ltd., 1995).The deposit consists mainly of pyrite, chalcopyrite and increasing bornite at depth, in zones of quartz-vein stockwork hosted by an elongate body of altered monzonite porphyry of latest Triassic or earliest Jurassic age. The stock intruded volcanic and sedimentary rocks of probable Stuhini Group affinity and is in faulted contact with sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic Bowser Lake Group. Gypsum stockworks are developed in the higher levels of the subvolcanic porphyry system. Late-stage quartz-carbonate veins carry small amounts of galena and sphalerite. Complex faulting within the deposit makes drill-hole correlations difficult. Alteration assemblages include an early potassic phase, almost completely destroyed by later phyllic alteration, and surrounded by a propylitic assemblage dominated by ankeritic carbonates in altered sedimentary rocks.The deposit has characteristics of bath the alkalic and calc-alkalic classes of porphyry copper deposits. The development of quartzvein stockwork suggests a calc-alkalic affinity, but the hostrocks contain little or no free quartz, molybdenum is present in trace amounts only and gold values are significant. Copper grades vary between wide extremes with unusually high grades in some sections of the deposit. The weight of evidence available in the 1970s led us to place the Red-Chris deposit firmly in the alkalic family. The quartz-sericite alteration assemblage was attributed to breakdown of potassium feldspar in a near-surface alteration environment in which seawater may have had a significant role. These interpretalions are retained here, but preliminary conclusions from the most recent work suggest that they may require some modification."

Jan 1, 1995