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By P. V. Golde, R. A. Poole, G. R. Baiden

"The results being presented in this paper are those obtained during 1996 on a drilling automation project at Stobie mine. This project has successfully demonstrated that the remote operation of multiple drills (by a single driller) from surface using Tamrock Data Solo 1000 Sixty drillrigs is technically feasible and can potentially bring significant rewards in terms of productivity and work environment improvements, as well as labour and maintenance savings. BackgroundThe ObjectiveThis paper is an update of a previous report on remote drilling research at Stobie mine. Enabled by the communications system installed at the mine, the ability to remotely control underground equipment from surface has been demonstrated (Poole et al., 1996). This paper discusses the needs and process required to carry this concept to consolidate the operation of multiple machines under a single operator.The TeamThe team assembled to develop and implement the automation and the communi-cations extensions needed to allow the multiple machines’ operation from the surface by one operator included the following:INCO Mines Research supplied the project management and original project initiative. The primary purpose was to prove the advantages of savings associated with the driller not being required to travel to the underground drill location coupled with the savings associated with one-man, multiple-machine techniques.Tamrock EJC supplied the Data Solo 1000 Sixty drills and the Tamrock specific machine-based custom software. The drills were produced in Finland with no provision for remote operation of the drill from other than the umbilical attached local console.Automated Mining Systems supplied the modifications to the drill communications equipment to allow the machine communications to become broadband compatible. As well, Automated Mining Systems also supplied the hardware necessary to be able to remotely control the portable video camera, as well as the data logging equipment.Stobie Mine personnel were made available to test the function and then integrate the concept of remote control drilling into the Stobie operations."

Jan 1, 1997

By Gordon W. Parsons, Ross E. Sampson

"THIS PAPER will trace the work done in bringing the Munro underground ""A"" •Orebody into production to replace the open pit, which was scheduled to be completed early in 1959. Included will be an outline of the exploration work and early planning, and of the final decisions on mining methods. Some of the more detailed work will be described and reasons will be given for the decisions made regarding development work, mine ventilation, ground support, and equipment. Brief mention will be made of open pit operations, as these have had some influence on underground development. Also, some of the main geological features of the ore occurrence will be de-scri0bed, as these had to be taken into consideration when making decisions on ore development and mining methods.LOCATION AND HISTORYhe Munro mine of Canadian Johns-Manville is in Ontario, approximately 50 miles east of Timmins and 40 miles west of the Que-bec-Ontari-0 boundary. The producing orebody is in the southwestern part of Munro township. Property controlled by the Company extends nortl1westerly about 2¥2 miles into Beatty township, on which two other interesting asbestos-bearing zones have been partially expl-0red. Active exploration work on the property was started in March, 194.9, and continued until the summer of 1950."

Jan 1, 1960

By Jose R. Hernandez-Aguilar

"This paper revisits data from previous studies (Hernandez-Aguilar, 2010, 2011) to better understand the link between metallurgical performance and pulp-zone bubble size (Db) in full-scale flotation systems. To obtain conclusive evidence exclusively related to the pulp (collection) zone, the experiments were designed in those studies to control both the bubble generation method and the influence of the froth zone on the overall metallurgical performance in industrial and pilot-scale flotation columns. The results showed that Db had a significantly larger effect on the recovery of coarse (> 75 µm) particles compared to the effect on fine (< 16 µm) particles. It was observed that, under certain practical conditions, the recovery of coarse particles was close to zero, but dramatically increased by reducing Db. The evidence revealed an inconsistency of the so-called “k–PSb” model: at constant froth recovery, increasing Sb (i.e., the rate of production of bubble surface area) did not always result in higher recovery, as the model predicts. Furthermore, the evidence showed that it was not the Sb but the bubble size that proved to be a more reliable link to metallurgical performance. Only in the presence of suboptimal-sized bubbles (Db > 2 mm) did the froth zone seem to play a role, possibly reflecting an effect of pulp-zone bubble size on froth stability. However, the role of the froth was negligible for Db < 1 mm.High-resolution mineralogical measurements performed on process samples revealed that, regardless of the degree of liberation, Db had a profound effect on the shape of the recovery-by-size curve, particularly the coarse particle size fraction. This observation is key as it implies that the loss in efficiency associated with floating the coarse particles was not the result of neither particle hydrophobicity nor particle detachment issues: even in the absence of mechanical agitation, liberated and highly hydrophobic coarse particles did not seem to attach to the bubbles in the first place, an inefficiency that was corrected by reducing bubble size. The data analysis suggests that poor attachment efficiency can practically affect both fine and coarse particles but via different mechanisms which are discussed here."

Jan 1, 2017

By R. Walker

This paper deals with the selection and design of a belt conveyor handling steam coal between a mine and a barge loading terminal, and extending for some 5 ¼ miles over some of the most rugged terrain in the state of West Virginia, U.S.A. After a thorough analysis by consulting engineers and the owner's engineers, a single-flight cablebelt conveyor was chosen as representing the alternative of greatest reliability and lowest over-all cost. The value analysis and design features of the system are covered in this paper along with an updated report on the performance of the system since its start-up in the spring of 1969.

Jan 1, 1971

By Ken Wood

"A reliable source of water of an acceptable quality is vital to the success of any mineral processing plant using wet methods. For Cerro Verde, a new 108,000 t/d copper mill in southern Peru, the main source of raw water is the Chili River. The Chili River is heavily contaminated with raw sewage, industrial wastewater and agricultural runoff, and can also receive high sediment loads during the rainy season. The initial water treatment plant could not supply design flows of water due to the exceptionally poor water quality. Problems with treated water quality caused significant difficulties with water consuming equipment, such as the plant cooling systems. This paper details the Cerro Verde water system and changes from design through to start up from a mineral processing perspective.INTRODUCTIONMining, and mineral processing in particular, is a water intensive activity. Improving water system design and practice are key strategic requirements in moving toward a more sustainable mining industry. This case study forms a basis for ongoing research into water use and reuse at mines and mineral process plants, conducted by AJ Gunson, under the supervision of Dr. Bern Klein and Dr. Marcello Veiga at the University of British Columbia. The case study material was gathered through involvement with the design, startup, and redesign of the Cerro Verde water system.Cerro Verde is a low-grade copper porphyry mine, located near the city of Arequipa in southern Peru, at an elevation approaching 2,800 m. In 1972, one of the world’s first copper Solvent Extraction – Electrowinning (SX/EW) facilities was built on the site, processing oxide ore from two main open pits. In 2004, the operator, Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A. (SMCV), approved a 108,000 t/d expansion project to process sulfide ore reserves through a new concentrator plant. The plant was designed under extremely tight schedule and capital constraints, with a mandate to intentionally avoid any overdesign."

Jan 1, 2008

By M. E. Coleman, G. Money

Pneumatic Conveying and Process Injection Technologies have been implemented in the metals markets for the last 40 years and have considerably improved the productivity and the performance of many processes. There have been many steps forward in handling technology and this paper seeks to consider those now offered by Clyde Materials Handling who as an established customer-driven solutions provider has turned its attention to supporting the Metals Market. Clyde seeks to utilise its knowledge, expertise and technologies to transform the production processes of its customers, who operate in the ferrous and non-ferrous metals industries.

Jan 1, 2008

By V. Feldman, I. Holl, J. Zampini

"The Renard Mine, 100% owned by Stornoway Diamonds, is located approximately 250 km north of the Cree community of Mistissini and 350 km north of Chibougamau in the James Bay region of north-central Québec. The project benefits from a large and growing resource, good mining conditions, strong social acceptance, a modest environmental footprint, and the development of direct-to-mine road infrastructure. Construction began on July 10, 2014; following the completion of a 946 million CAD project financing transaction. Now completed, the mine is the first diamond mine in Québec, and one of only six in Canada, employing approximately 500 people. First ore was delivered to the plant approximately 5 months ahead of schedule on July 15, 2016. Commercial production was declared on January 1, 2017. In general, the project ramp up has been characteristic of a type 1 McNulty curve. One of the challenges during production ramp-up was a redesign of processed kimberlite dewatering (replacing the dewatering centrifuge with two stages of hydrocyclones and a dewatering screen). A processing opportunity captured by Stornoway was the design and installation of an ore sorting facility which rejected free waste rock from the valuable host rock; kimberlite. Through tackling both challenges and opportunities, Stornoway has realised and is now exceeding their original design tonnage.PROJECT DESCRIPTION Stornoway Diamond Corporation (Stornoway) was established in 2003 resulting from to a plan of arrangement between Northern Empire Minerals Ltd. and Stornoway Ventures. In 2011, Stornoway acquired 100% interest of the Renard Mine. The construction of the Renard Mine began in 2014 and achieved full production in 2017 [1, 2]."

Jan 1, 2019

By Kyle Selga, Christopher J. Greet

"The Pulp Chemistry Monitor (PCM) has been installed and operated in a number of concentrators in Australasia, and has produced some very interesting results. PCM measures the pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen, temperature and oxygen demand of process streams within a concentrator continuously and in real time.In the example presented in the paper the cleaner feed pulp chemistry is measured, and related back to changes in the mineralogy as well as variations in metallurgical response. For example, a decrease in Eh and dissolved oxygen as well as an increase in the oxygen demand. These changes in the pulp chemistry appear to coincide with increases in the feed grades, probably higher pyrite grades. Further, these variations in pulp chemistry and feed mineralogy have a negative impact on the concentrate grade and recovery.The implication is that if the pulp chemistry is monitored it is possible to predict changes in the mineralogy of the system, and from this the metallurgical response. Further, the changes in pulp chemistry can be used in a control system to counter the changes in mineralogy and maintain the metallurgy.IntroductionIt has long been recognized at a fundamental level that the flotation behaviour of sulphide minerals is dependent on the pH and Eh of the system (for example: Tolun and Kitchener, 1964; Woods, 1976). However, measuring pulp chemical parameters within an operating concentrator has had limited attention. Woodcock and Jones (1970a and b) were among the first to actually collect data from operating plants. Jones and Woodcock (1984) identified some of the chemical complexities of flotation pulps, and noted that most concentrators already operate at high levels of metallurgical performance but there was still considerable scope for improvement. These gains would, in part come from more effective chemical control. In the same volume, Healy (1984) discussed metal ion hydrolysis and precipitation, redox chemistry and how the surface chemistry of sulphide minerals can be influence flotation behaviour. The impact of grinding environment on the pulp chemistry and flotation response of a complex polymetallic sulphide ore is discussed by Forssberg and Subrahmanyam (1993). Their work essentially contrasts the pulp chemical and flotation performance of pulps ground with conventional ferrous grinding media to a fully autogenous system. The data suggested that the reduction or removal of iron hydrolysis contamination from the system could have a positive influence on flotation behaviour, and perhaps the first stage of “controlling” the chemistry of the system should be in the grinding circuit. Grano et al (1995) demonstrated that the collection of pulp, solution and surface chemical data could identify weaknesses within a concentrator, and from these data develop, test and implement solutions that improved the process. Greet et al (2006) showed that the pulp chemical trends observed through primary grinding and rougher flotation circuits of most sulphide flotation concentrators are approximately the same. There are differences in the magnitude of various pulp chemical parameters (pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen, temperature and oxygen demand) as a result of variations in the feed mineralogy and processes employed. Further, it was noted the Eh shifted to more reducing values of the ten days measurements were collected, and this change could be traced to an increase in the iron sulphide content of the feed. Metallurgically, this resulted in an increase in nickel recovery through the recovery of nickeliferous iron sulphides, and a decrease in nickel concentrate grade."

Jan 1, 2016

By C. R. Edwards

"The Cigar Lake project will develop the world’s second largest high grade uranium deposit. The Cigar Lake Phase 1 orebody contains approximately 226 million pounds U3O8 at an average grade of 20.7% U3O8. The mine, to be operated by Cameco Corporation, will use a unique water jet boring mining method to cut previously frozen ore. A distinctive ore handling design is required to handle the high grade ore slurry exiting the mining machines. The ore will be crushed and ground underground, with the ore slurry then pumped to surface. Loaded into purpose-designed containers on tractor-trailer units, the ore slurry will be trucked to Cogema Resources Incorporated’s McClean Lake mill. McClean Lake will leach all of the ore. Forty-three percent of the resulting uranium solution will remain at McClean Lake for processing into yellowcake. The other 57% of the uranium solution will be shipped to Cameco’s Rabbit Lake mill for processing into yellowcake there. Detailed design for the Cigar Lake project is now underway. Barring regulatory or market delays, production could start up as soon as early 2005.INTRODUCTIONThe Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan hosts a number of large uranium mining and milling operations, including Cluff Lake, Key Lake, McArthur River, McClean Lake and Rabbit Lake. (Edwards 1988, Edwards 1992, Fielder 1998, Edwards and Oliver 2000, Edwards 2001) The latest project in the Athabasca Basin is the Cigar Lake project."

Jan 1, 2002

The stability of paste fill bulkheads forms an integral part of a successful paste fill system. Bulkheads are constructed at the draw points of open stopes to contain paste fill while the initial pour cures and forms a consolidated plug. Mobilization of uncured paste fill as a result of a bulkhead failure can lead to significant consequences, including endangering the safety of personnel, property damage and production losses and delays. The loading conditions in the paste fill and the resultant lateral loads on the bulkheads are complex and are dependent on many factors. This paper presents a case study of several paste fill bulkhead failures; the results of an in-situ pressure monitoring program to ascertain the pressure loads, and the subsequent paste fill bulkhead evaluation.

May 1, 2007

By Bill Mercer

The Triggers for PDAC Involvement in H&S ??Increase in serious accidents in mineral exploration in past few years ??Increasing junior role in exploration ?? Impression that there were few H&S protocols in place in smaller companies ??Lack of national benchmarking ?? The attitude that H&S is a provincial responsibility ??Corporate Social Responsibility initiative What is the issue in exploration? ??Mining?s reputation as ?dirty and dangerous? ??In public?s and media?s minds exploration employees are ?miners? ??In Canada, regulators often do not distinguish between ?exploration? and ?mining?. ??How does exploration compare to mining from a H&S point of view?

May 1, 2008

By S. R. Gilbert, C. O. Bounds, R. R. Ice

"Many ores are upgraded to produce auriferous sulphide concentrates (principally pyrite) which are not amenable to direct cyanidation. Often these refractory gold-bearing concentrates contain undesirable elements such as arsenic, antimony, etc., which present environmental and/or processing problems. The pretreatment techniques most often considered for processing these concentrates prior to cyanidation include roasting, pressure oxidation, chemical oxidation, pre-aeration, and recently, bacterial oxidation. In this paper, the technical performance and economics of bacterial pre-oxidation vs the classical roasting approach for treating a specific auriferous pyrite concentrate are compared. The results provide flow sheets, preliminary operating and capital cost estimates, and rates of return for the two processes and demonstrate the potential advantages of bacterial pre-oxidation. IntroductionThe increased attention that gold has received in the last ten years has prompted mining companies to look for lower grade orebodies. Many of these low-grade ores do not respond well to conventional direct cyanidation recovery techniques. As free-milling ores decline, gold is sought in refractory environments which, ultimately, drive up the treatment costs.There are a number of reasons for a gold ore to be termed refractory, most of which can be identified by thorough mineralogical examination. The mineralogical occurrence of gold can, to a great extent, impact the method by which the ore is treated and, consequently, the capital and operating costs. Gold in a refractory ore can often occur as discrete particles locked in a host of silicate or carbonate gangue, or associated with sulphides or sulphosalts. Depending on its particle size, gold can be liberated and recovered by mechanical size reduction such as regrinding. This approach is most effective for gold in the 10 - 50 micron range. Gold can also be associated with clay, iron hydroxides, or other minerals which tend to coat the gold surface and inhibit the penetration of the cyanide solution, resulting in poor plant recovery. Because of their resistance to cyanide dissolution, gold tellurides and other refractory gold minerals are also responsible for losses to the tailings. For these reasons, it is paramount that the mineralogical occurrence of the gold be thoroughly and accurately determined before selecting a final process flowsheet."

Jan 1, 1988

By Denis Labrie

Le minage en profondeur sous contrainte modérée à élevée présente de nombreux défis aux opérateurs et aux ingénieurs de mine notamment au niveau du contrôle de terrain et de l?environnement minier souterrain, pour assurer la sécurité des travailleurs sous terre et la continuité du cycle d?opération. Des conditions de contrainte élevée signifient une pression accrue au front de taille et sur les structures minières tels les piliers de mine et les fins de zone, un risque de rupture violente ou de coup de toit plus élevé, des zones de rupture plus grandes au pourtour des excavations, des charges accrues sur le support de terrain, etc. Le présent article fournit un aperçu du travail fait à l?intérieur du Programme de Contrôle de terrain de CANMET au cours des sept (7) dernières années, entre 1995 et 2001, pour comprendre et suivre l?évolution des niveaux de contrainte à l?intérieur des structures minières. Les propriétés déterminées en laboratoire sur des échantillons rocheux et les prévisions effectuées au moment de la conception sont comparées avec les observations effectuées en chantier à la paroi des excavations et à l?intérieur de la masse rocheuse. La plupart des cas discutés ici montrent une corrélation satisfaisante entre les observations effectuées en chantier d?une part, et les résultats d?essai obtenus en laboratoire et les calculs réalisés lors de la conception d?autre part. Ces observations peuvent donc être considérées comme des moyens relativement sûrs pour vérifier et suivre l?évolution des niveaux de contrainte présents à l?intérieur des structures minières.

May 1, 2002

By Zhuofei Yang, Jidong Kang, David S. Wilkinson

The fatigue behavior of AM60 high pressure die casting magnesium alloys was studied in a straincontrolled manner. The fatigue test was interrupted every 2,000 cycles for X-ray tomography scanning. The specimen was removed to be scanned on a desktop micro-CT system. The value of using X-ray tomography in a fatigue properties study was assessed with respect to porosity, cracks and fracture surfaces. The 3D analysis and model results showed porosity could be well measured and modelled in 3D. Defects bands are made of pores under 50 µm in volume-equivalent sphere diameter. Larger pores are randomly distributed in the region between two defect bands. Observation of cracks by X-ray tomography occurs in three ways such that the 3D model gives the best illustration of crack-porosity interaction while the other two methods have better detectability on crack initiation and crack tip observation. X-ray tomography is also of value in failure analysis on fracture surfaces. By summarizing X-ray tomography data during fatigue testing and observing fracture surfaces on a 3D model, a better understanding on the crack initiation, crack-porosity interaction and the morphology of fracture surface is achieved.

Jan 1, 2014

By S. Ross, M. Mayhew

"Kirkland Lake Gold introduced battery equipped vehicles (BEVs) at the Macassa Mine in 2011. The fleet of underground BEV haulage trucks and loaders has grown over the years to over 30 units, the world’s largest, currently handling approximately 80% of the daily production tonnage. The inflow and outflow of air occur through a limited number of relatively small openings, which limits the air volume delivered to the underground workings. In addition to improving air quality, the reduced heat load generated by the BEV (when compared to diesel equipment) had a significant positive impact in the workplace. The use of BEV for material handling has enabled increases in production that would not have been possible using diesel equipment.INTRODUCTIONMacassa mine was developed as a track-drift access mine, with the most recent shaft (#3) sunk in 1986. A new mining complex, the South Mine Complex (SMC) was discovered below the 5025 foot elevation south of traditional mining areas, and the majority of mining now occurs in the SMC. The discovery of that zone has led to an internal ramp which is used to access the SMC and haul ore to #3 shaft.The amount of airflow that can be moved through the mine is limited by the existing infrastructure to surface. This amount was recently increased to near its practical maximum from 118 CMS (250 kCFM) to 151 CMS (320 kCFM).Both diesel and electric equipment are used at Macassa. Tethered Load-Haul-Dump Machines (LHDs) have been replaced with Battery Electric LHDs, due to their increased mobility and depth of the mine. Battery trucks continue to replace locomotives to transport both ore and waste to the shaft, as mining has transitioned from tracked levels to trackless level and haulage has transitioned from horizontal levels to an inclined ramp.EQUIPMENT FLEET AT MACASSAMost of the primary material movers utilized at Macassa Mine are battery operated. As the mine goes deeper the battery technology will continue to be critical to the success of the operations. With over 300,000 hours of proven operation success, the battery technology and equipment will continue to be a major part of Macassa’s future."

Jan 1, 2019

By Kevan Ford, Getulio Junior, Rob Henderson, Wayne Philips, Chris Martin, Rob Thorpe

"Plant 2 at the Kinross Paracatu gold operation in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, was commissioned in late 2008. Designed to be the largest tonnage, lowest grade gold milling operation in the world, Plant 2’s throughput has steadily increased towards its design capacity of 5087 tons per hour.The plant employs a gold-specific flotation scheme to recover the majority of gold, which is present as discrete free gold particles. Additional gold is recovered by jigs in the grinding circuit, and the jig concentrates are reground, upgraded and subjected to intensive cyanide leaching. The flotation cleaner concentrate is reground and leached using a conventional CIL circuit.One year after start-up, with the plant stabilizing operationally, plant circuit surveys were completed by a joint team from Kinross Paracatu and Blue Coast Metallurgy Ltd. The surveys audited the flotation and concentrate treatment circuits to investigate the metallurgical performance.This paper describes the Plant 2 operation and how the surveys were designed and executed. Some of the quality control systems that were employed to provide meaningful data from such a low grade gold ore are described and findings and actions taken to improve metallurgy as a consequence of the surveys are discussed.INTRODUCTIONThe Paracatu mine is located two kilometres north of the city of Paracatu, in the north western portion of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 230 km southeast of the national capital Brasília (shown in Figure 1). The present day Paracatu mining operation, fully owned by Kinross Gold, through its Brazilian subsidiary Rio Paracatu Mineração (RPM) is designed to be the largest tonnage, lowest grade free milling gold operation in the world.The deposit currently hosts some 1.2 billion tonnes of ore at a grade of ~0.41 g/t gold, hence contains a total gold reserve of over 20 million ounces. At a designed plant throughput rate of 61 Mt/year the mine life goes beyond 2030."

Jan 1, 2011

By ByongPil Lee, Changkyu Lee, Jin Gyun Park, Hyung Sub Eom, Sung-Koo Jo, Jae-Young Lee, Gilsoo Han

"A new hydrometallurgical process for nickel extraction from a low grade laterite ore such as limonite has been developed by RIST and POSCO. This POSCO Nickel Extraction Process (PosNEP) consists of five main processes: ore reduction using hydrogen as a reductant; acid leaching at atmospheric pressure and temperature; cementation by the use of reduced-ore seed; production of the main product such as ferronickel or a high purity nickel compound; and production of by-products such as cobalt and iron in the forms of cobalt sulfate and iron oxide. In addition, hydrogen produced in acid leaching and hydrochloric acid regenerated in pyrohydrolysis for iron oxide production can be reused in the process, which makes PosNEP more cost-effective. The performance of PosNEP has been proven through pilot tests, showing that this process is economically and technically viable. In this paper, basic concepts and detailed test results of PosNEP are shown.INTRODUCTIONNickel has been extracted from two types of ore, sulfide and oxide ore. Nickel and cobalt usually occur together in the ores. The principal ore mineral of the sulfide is pentlandite, (Ni,Fe)9S8, which is easily beneficiated to produce sulfide concentrates(Moats & Davenport, 2014). These concentrates are usually treated by smelting and converting to make a matte. The produced matte is then purified through either hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processes to produce high-purity nickel. In general, this process for sulfide ore has been known as a more cost-effective process than that for oxide ore.The oxide ore is laterite comprised of two different ore types, saprolite and limonite. The main nickel-bearing mineral of saprolite is nickeliferrous garnierite,(Mg,Ni)6Si4O10(OH)8, and that of limonite is nickeliferrous goethite (Fe,Ni)O·OH ore (Moats & Davenport, 2014). Since the saprolite has high contents of nickel and slag formers (MgO and SiO2) and a low content of iron, it tends to be treated by a pyrometallurgical smelting process such as calcination and electric furnace techniques to produce ferronickel for use in stainless steel. In this process, the cobalt in the ferronickel does not have any economic value."

Jan 1, 2017

By P. Choquet, F. Miller

"The development and testing of a simple low-cost gauge for measurement of tension in a cable bolt grouted in a borehole are presented. Its principle is based on a resistance wire which is wound on a 70 cm length into the spiral grooves of the wire strand cable bolt. Readings are then taken by a robust automatic data logger with a several day autonomy or by a portable readout. In order to have a complete profile of tension along the cable bolt, a number of tension gauges can be installed along its length.This paper provides a description of the development and laboratory calibration of the tension gauge and addresses the two modes of loading for a cable bolt in a rock mass, namely pure tension and shearing at a joint location.In the second part of the paper, four field tests in underground and open pit mines are reported. The first test was used to substantially modify both the gauge and the readout unit principles while the other tests which are still on-going show a very satisfactory behaviour of the modified version of the tension gauge. IntroductionCable-bolting is often used as ground support in Canadian mines for a variety of applications. In underground mines, cable bolts can be installed vertically at the back of cut and fill stopes or in an inclined fashion in the walls of large open stopes. Alternatively, cable bolts at Mines Gaspe (Noranda Inc.) are used in a fan-shaped pattern from a drill drift to stabilize the inclined roof in 25 m wide open stapes. This new application oriented our research efforts toward the design of a novel instrumentation to monitor the efficiency of most commonly used 5/8-inch cable bolts."

Jan 1, 1988

By R. F. Baxter, C. M. Read, R. I. McCulloch

"Globalization of the aluminium industry continues to increase the pace of change and the intensity of competition, while simultaneously, society demands better products, cleaner technologies and sustainable industries. Bechtel, a global engineering, construction and project management company, is not immune to either the opportunities or the challenges created by globalization. However, and not withstanding the challenges, for aluminium industry ""players"" with a true global perspective, globalization presents very real opportunities that may be leveraged to deliver value creating goods and services. The following paper will focus on the exploitation of one of the opportunities created by globalization in the Knowledge Management domain - the application of high level tools and methodologies to improve global delivery of greenfield and brownfield aluminium smelter construction projects. Specific examples will be presented of value driven solutions that were delivered at the early stages of project engineering."

Jan 1, 2006

By K. Bullock, M. Levesque, G. Lyle, D. L. Millar

ABSTRACT The options for reducing the carbon footprint of energy use in mining fall into three categories of activity: i) reducing demand, ii) improving energy utilization, and iii) adopting low carbon energy technologies. In addition to the environmental imperative, the economic case for these activities gains higher priority as the prices of electricity, gas, and liquid fuels increase. Low-carbon, energy-saving technology options that are available to mining industry companies lead to projects with return rates that must compete alongside other capital-intensive projects considered by mining company boards. Energy projects frequently involve longer payback periods and lower rates of return than those of competing bids for capital, such as new mineral property developments. For energy services companies that specialize in the financing, construction, efficient operation, and maintenance of energy projects, the same returns and payback periods can be considered acceptable or even attractive.

Jan 1, 2012