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By Yves Bellemare

Entre 1983 et 1997, l'exploitation de la pierre de taille au Québec a été marquée par l'émergence et la consolidation de plusieurs nouvelles variétés de granit, provenant exclusivement ou presque de la Province de Grenville. Le Québec demeure toujours le principal expéditeur canadien de granit dimensionnel, avec des expéditions annuelles représentant près de quatre-vingt-dix pour cent des expéditions totales canadiennes de granit brut et transformé. La production annuelle de granit brut oscille, depuis 1994, autour de cent mille tonnes métriques. Cette production a plus que doublé de 63 000 à 140 000 tonnes métriques entre 1981 et 1990, mais elle a connu une chute importante en 1991 (67 000 tonnes métriques); cependant depuis 1994, elle est en forte progression (Ménard, 1998). En 1983, le granit dimensionnel était extrait de plus de vingt-cinq carrières, dont les trois quarts se localisaient dans la Province géologique de Grenville. Comparativement, en 1997, le Québec comptait trente-sept carrières actives, dont trente-cinq dans le Grenville (Gaudreau et al., 1998). Cette concentration des carrières dans la Province de Grenville s'explique par la demande accrue de nouveaux produits au fil des ans et par le potentiel élevé de découvertes de nouvelles variétés dans cette Province géologique. L'accessibilité au territoire, toujours plus grande, a facilité la mise en production de carrières favorisant la diversification des produits. Le ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec (MRNQ) a consacré depuis 1980, beaucoup d'efforts dans la recherche de nouveaux gisements et de nouvelles variétés. En plus des programmes de subvention destinés aux prospecteurs ou aux compagnies, le ministère a réalisé des campagnes d'inventaire de pierre de taille, de pierre concassée et de pierre d'enrochement pour en connaître le potentiel géologique et à orienter les recherches futures (Nantel, 1983; Nantel et Martignole, 1991; Bellemare, 1995a, b, c, d, e, f, 1997, 1998a and b; Bellemare et Petryk, 1996a, b, c and d). Cette étude donne un aperçu des différentes variétés de pierres extraites dans la Province de Grenville entre 1983 et 1997, les situe dans leur contexte géologique et en localise les principales régions productrices. Elle est une suite à l'article publiée par Nantel (1984).

Jan 1, 2001

By Gary Raymond

The Similkameen Division of Newmont Mines Limited operates a low-grade open-pit copper mine in southern British Columbia. The copper mineralization is extremely erratic.As a result, over seven years of operation, ore control methods have evolved from standard flagging based on blast-hole assays, through an in-pit grab sampling system, to the present method of mining to computer-determined ore-waste boundaries based on geostatistics. These improved ore control methods have resulted in a gain of at least 25% on ore tonnage miffed, at the same grade as obtained using earlier techniques. At the same time, geostatistical ore reserve estimates are now within 7% of milled ore tonnage and grade on a yearly basis, whereas the original polygon ore reserves under-estimated mineable ore tonnage by 15% to 45% and over-estimated grade by about 20%. The author discusses why traditional ore estimation methods give poor results in erratically mineralized orebodies and describes the geostatistical approach to the problem.

Jan 1, 1979

By M. A. Bérubé, M. Choquette, P. W. Godbehere

"RESUMELa scorie produite par le procédé pyrométallurgique d'extraction Noranda contient environ5% de cuivre. Elle est traitée comme un minerai conventionnel de cuivre au concentrateur de Mines Noranda et les rejets de flottation présentent encore des teneurs souvent supérieures à 0.3% en cuivre. La scorie est principalement constituée de magnétite, de fayalite et d'un verre siliceux. Bien sûr, Ie cuivre y est majoritairement sous forme de sulfures et d'un peu de cuivre métallique. Le verre contient toutefois un peu de cuivre en solution, de 0.14 à 0.33% en moyenne, selon l’echantillon examine, ce qui représente à peine 1% de tout Ie cuivre de la scorie. Dans les rejets de flottation, cela justifie par contre de 15 à 25% des pertes totales en cuivre, Ie reste se retrouvant sous forme de tres petits globules de sulfures de cuivre ou de cuivre métallique, en moyenne de 2 à 3 micromètres de diamètre et bien emprisonnes dans Ie verre.SUMMARYThe slag produced by the Noranda continuous smelting process usually contains about 5% copper. It is processed as a conventional copper ore at the concentrator of Noranda Mines. The flotation tailings still often contain more than 0.3% Cu. The slag is mainly constituted by magnetite, fayalite and a siliceous glass. Evidently, the copper occurs mostly as sulphides and, to a lesser extent, as metallic copper. However the glass contains a small amount of this metal in solution, between 0.14 and 0.33% on an average, depending upon the investigated sample. This represents scarcely 1% of the total copper in the crude slag, but as much as 15 to 25% of this metal in the flotation tailings, in which the major part of the copper occurs as very small globules of copper sulphides or metallic copper with an average diameter of about 2 to 3 um and well-locked in the glass."

Jan 1, 1987

By James Logan

BC Alkaline CuBC Cu--Au PorphyriesAu Porphyries ?Formed over narrow time interval ~205 Ma ?from silica deficientvsalkali-enriched magmas ?At shallowdepths ?Structuralcontrol ?Cu-Au-Ag, trace Mo ?Oxidized system anhydrite, magnetite ?Multipleintrusions & multiplemineralized centres

May 1, 2006

By Donald Brisebois

The mining of high-grade, narrow vein deposits is an important field of activity in the precious metal mining sector. The principle factor that has undermined the profitability and effectiveness of mining such ore zones is the substantial dilution that occurs when blasting with explosives during extraction. In order to minimise dilution, the Thermal Fragmentation Mining Method enables the operator to extract a narrow mineralised corridor, 50 cm to 1 metre wide (according to the width of the vein), between two sub-level drifts. By inserting a strong burner powered by diesel fuel and compressed air into a pilot hole previously drilled directly into the vein, a thermal reaction is created, spalling the rock and enlarging the hole to 80 cm in diameter. The remaining ore between the thermal holes is broken loose using low powered explosives, leaving the waste walls intact. This patented method produces highly concentrated ore, resulting in 400% - 500% less dilution when compared to conventional mining methods. The mining method reduces the environmental affects of mining operations since much smaller quantities of rock are displaced, stockpiled, and treated using chemical agents. The fully mechanised equipment operated by a 2-person team (1 thermal fragmentation operator, 1 drilling operator) maximises the effectiveness of skilled personnel, and increases productivity and safety. The Thermal Fragmentation is currently employed in 3 mining operations in North America.

May 1, 2010

By Stephen D. Butt

Presentation Outline Overview of abandoned mine workings problem. Outline project phases and major outcomes. ? Phase 1 ? Assessment of current imaging technology ? Phase 2 ? Prototype technology development. ? Phase 3 ? Proof of concept ? Montague Gold Mines field trials. Research status - summary of ongoing and future work.

Apr 1, 2005

By Nobuyoshi Yabuki

Building Information Modeling is a prevailing methodology in the building industry and half (by length) of the world's shield tunnels are in Japan. Accordingly, for shield tunnels from 2005 to 2007, we developed a product model called IFC-ShieldTunnel, which is based on Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), in order to meet the future demand for such a product model. IFC-ShieldTunnel was developed by adding new elements that are specific to shield tunnels and that are not included in the original IFC. The added elements include shafts, segments (A, B, and K types), waterproofing elements, segment joint elements, and ring joint elements. Furthermore, soil layers and void elements were created. Recently, we updated the product model by re-organizing the entities and correcting errors. We deployed the updated IFCShieldTunnel model in the construction of an actual shield tunnel in Tokyo for about a year from August 2010 in order to check its feasibility. In the verification process, first, segments were modeled using Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 and property data were assigned to each segment element. Next, a mapping between the original attributes of the entities of IFC and properties of IFC-ShieldTunnel segments was developed. Using this mapping and IFC?s IfcBuildingElementProxy function, we were able to convert the IFC data from Revit Structure 2011 to IFC-ShieldTunnel automatically. Segment data were also converted from Revit Structure to Google SketchUp by IFC-ShieldTunnel. Furthermore, the construction scheduling and cost data were converted from Revit Structure to EXCEL for 4D and 5D analyses of construction. We interviewed engineers who used IFC-ShieldTunnel and received positive comments about the utilization of the product model. Overall, our test demonstrated the feasibility of IFC-ShieldTunnel. In future work, we plan to apply IFC-ShieldTunnel to more projects and test its practicality.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. Nielsen

"The Polaris mining operation (Fig. I) is located on Little Cornwallis Island in the Canadian Arctic, an area with a very limited shipping season and a hostile climate. The operation consists of the underground works, barge-mounted concentrator facilities, concentrate storage and shipping facilities, a personnel accommodation complex and an airstrip.The electrical energy for the operation is provided by four 2.3 MW diesel-generators installed on the barge. The power is distributed through a 4.16 KV system connected directly to the generators and to the large motors. All other loads are supplied at 600 V or 120 V.The power plant has been designed as a Total Energy System with maximum energy efficiency and thus designed for maximum heat recovery. The waste heat recovered on a year 'round basis is expected to be sufficient for the process heating and drying as well as the space heating for offices and accommodations. The engine cooling system consists of two glycol-water loops, a "" cold"" loop for charge air and lube oil cooling and a ""warm"" loop for jacket water cooling. Each loop is complete with heat exchangers f or heat recovery and out-door forced air radiators to dispose of excess heat. A water loop in the concentrator area transfers the heat from the jacket water loop and the exhaust gas boiler to the space heating equipment, the process and the heating system for the accommodations. Part of the exhaust gas is diverted to the concentrate dryers.IntroductionThe Polaris Mine is a highly mechanized, trackless mine with access through a decline. Drill equipment is electrically powered to minimize fumes and heat. Dry development and production drilling eliminates the need for an underground water supply system.The concentrator, power generators, work shops and auxiliary facilities are located on a barge which is beached in a prepared berth on the shore of Crozier Strait. Oil storage tanks, concentrate storage and accommodation buildings are built on shore. The concentrate storage building ha s a 12-month capacity and is fed from the concentrator by a conveyor system.The accommodation building houses up to 240 people, includes administration office, dining and recreation facilities. The complex is housed in on e interconnected building with public use areas alternating with accommodation units.At full production annual concentrate shipments will amount to about 220,000 wet tonnes. This will be accommodated by about 8 shipments during the regular shipping period-August 15 to October 15. Re-supply of general cargo and fuel will be carried out annually in about 3 shipments within the same period."

Jan 1, 1984

By Deni Côte, Michel Dagbert, Marcel Vallée

"Greater reliability of mineral deposit and reserve estimates can be attained through better quality control of the data and information acquisition, and the estimation processes. This paper reviews the following key requirements:1. greater awareness of the significant figures of both data and estimates, and better understanding of the probabilistic aspects of the estimates, their confidence limits and margins of error;2. greater reliability of the information that supports the estimates, by more explicit and more rigorous methods and standards for data acquisition and for interpretations;3. more quantitative estimations of geological/mineral continuity, based on improved three dimensional sampling patterns and the use of geostatistics; and 4. better integration at the project engineering and mine production stages, of the mineral deposit characteristics and mining method constraints, for more efficient mineral recovery and mine quality control.RÉSUMÉUne plus grande fiabilité des estimations des gisements et des réserves minières requiert plus d'emphase sur le contrôle de la qualité de I ‘acquisition de l'information et du processus d'estimation. Les exigences suivantes sont revues:1. le respect du niveau d'exactitude des données et des estimes en n'utilisant que le nombre approprie de chiffres significatifs des observations et mesures, et en exprimant le niveau de confiance et la marge d'erreur des estimations;2. l'amélioration de fa fiabilité des données par des normes plus rigoureuses pour leur acquisition et leur vérification, et par des méthodes plus systématiques d'interprétation et de modélisation;3. l'estimation plus rigoureuse de la continuité des minéralisations dans les trois dimensions des gisements, par des patrons échantillonnages mieux adaptes awe paramètres géologiquement minéralogiques, et par l'utilisation des méthodes géostatistiques; et4. l'intégration plus poussée, particulièrement lors de la planification de l'exploitation minière, des caractéristiques des gisements avec les contraintes des méthodes d'exploitation, pour améliorer la récupération et le contrôle de la qualité en exploitation."

Jan 1, 1993

By S. Jordanov

The nature of processes that take place on top of copper bearing grains during the suppression of copper acid drainage from mine tailings was studied on a grain model. Cyclic voltammetry (C.V.) was employed as an experimental technique suitable for indirect measuring of copper leaching. Experiments were done in sulfuric acid (pH=2) at electrodes that progressively approach the real situation during acid main drainage, starting with Cu-metal, then with CuO and finally with CuO covered with CaSO4. Oxidation was found to be the only process that takes place on metallic copper electrode anodically polarized up to 2 V vs. Cu/CuSO4 reference electrode. Dissolution is intensive and reaches up to 50 mA.cm-2. When the same was repeated, but on CuO electrode, anodic currents were some 4 times lower than on the bare metallic surface. This indicates that the electrode material is not completely oxidized to copper(II)oxide and the Cu(O) or Cu(I) residues are oxidized during the anodic polarization. This explains the diminished dissolution. Dissolution is further restricted at electrodes covered with CaSO4. It is some 20 times lower than on the bare oxide electrode. When the second layer of CaSO4 was applied, anodic currents were another 15 times lower. Total decrease of anodic currents when transition is made from Cu-metal to CuO covered with 2 layers of CaSO4 reaches up to 7.500 times. C.V. measurements produced a proof that mechanical blockage is the way how lime prevents leaching of copper bearing grains in immobilization experiments referred elsewhere.

Jan 1, 2007

By Pierre Choquet

"The whole work carried out both in situ and in laboratory by a research group of the West German collieries is presented. This work has led to a design method of steel arch supports for gate roadways that gives full satisfaction in this particular coalfield. The method accounts for mining depth, the mining system (advancing or retreating), thickness of the coal seam and other parameters.Full statistics are then given on gate roadway supports of the ECCS (European Community for Coal and Steel) coalfields. They were collected by the author in order to show that the West German method can be applied to other coalfields as the long wall systems which are generally being used are very similar. Design calculations are conducted for each coalfield's case. They show that the method would have been able to predict in most cases the support actually used.Utilization of the design method is recommended to the Cape Breton Development Corporation 's mine operators because mining conditions, even though different from European ones, present a number of similarities which make it possible to apply the design method to their particular case.This procedure might be profitable in mines facing support problems in their levels and for any planning of future projects"

Jan 1, 1986

By Tibor Horvath

Dust abatement is possible on bulk materials, whether conveyed or stockpiled. Minimum (ppm) quantities of chemical additives can efficiently and rapidly control dust of conveyed substrates with no effect on floatation chemistry. Top coating of large surface areas can control surface dust and wind erosion. Environmental and toxicity impact must be considered in any treatment, especially on areas with percolation runoff, leachates, or limited containment. The most effective dust control is preventing release of substrate fines rather than trapping and removing air borne dust. Techniques to prevent release of fines from conveyed substrates will be discussed. Dust control dynamics are a very complex combination of solid phase physical and chemical interactions between the substrate and the fines. ?Smart Technology? products permit dust abatement of stockpiled substrates and tailing fields with no environmental impact. Using ?Smart Technology?, the dust abatement products remain active and can re-seal damaged areas. Efficient, low environmental and toxicity impact, dust control will be demonstrated through case studies where these principals have been applied.

Oct 1, 2010

By T. C. Holmes

Introduction The Dome mine, in the Porcupine mining camp of northern Ontario, is one of the important gold mines of the country, having produced over 139 million dollars worth of gold from the commencement of production in '1910 to the end of 1944. The geology of the mine is complex and a number of types of ore are known, each occurring under particular conditions. The mine workings are very extensive and by far the greater part of them have been geologically mapped only in reconnaissance fashion. By 1940, when the writer joined the mine staff, the orebodies in the sedimentary trough and the 'nose' orebodies, the first types to be developed, were almost worked out and many workings were inaccessible, so the descriptions of these types are based largely on study of the plans and records. The same applies to a lesser extent to some other types. At various places in this paper, statements are made as to the mineralogical or chemical composition of the rocks. Most of these determinations are based on examinations made with a hand lens and cannot, therefore, be regarded as very reliable. General Geology As there are several types of ore in the mine, occurring under quite diverse conditions, a brief outline of the geology is given here, sufficient to provide a general picture into which the fuller descriptions given with each type of ore can be fitted.

Jan 1, 1947

By Daniel Cluff

Frozen backfill for mining operations in permafrost must be delivered in such a state so as not to thermally impose on the host rock surrounding the filled stope. The placement process, the material strength demand, and the freezing time delay are the parameters that control the applicability of the method. A two-year research program was carried out in the field and using a laboratory-scale apparatus, designed to simulate a pour of frozen backfill, to study the mixing, thermal properties and segregation. The frozen rock and tailings must be at a below zero temperature and get fully wetted so the surfaces cause adherence of the particles to one another and enhance the solidification of the poured backfill. The results provided a recipe and a process for mix design for open stoping operations in cold regions. The testing evaluated the sensitivity of the test parameters that included the amount of water added in the mix, the temperare of water, the rockfill/tailings ratio, and the temperature of solid constituents.The paper presents the result of this environmentally friendly, innovative technology. The distribution of the materials and the mixing process are instrumental in achieving the properties required for open stoping applications.

Oct 1, 2010

By C. E. McCoy

This paper will discuss briefly loader shovel requirements and then present a detailed survey of electrical drive systems to meet these requirements. The survey in general will deal with the various electrical provisions for shovel drives, along with the advantages and disadvantages, and in particular will discuss the MG set and static D. C. drive systems. Also included will be some insight into the requirements for optimum electrical power at the shovels.

Jan 1, 1979

By Didier Fohlen

Three Policy Shifts to enhance IFC?s Accountability ? Comprehensive and dynamic treatment of social, health, safety and environmental risks ?Covers a range of risks encountered by clients in emerging markets ?Framework to anticipate risks and to address them as they arise ?Includes community development, biodiversity, human rights ... ? Effective principles to guide an outcomes-based approach ?By clients and IFC ?Focus on broad community support and value-added sustainable development initiatives Enhanced governance, transparency and disclosure

May 1, 2006

By E. I. Vargha-Butler

The determination of surface tensions and contact angles of coal particles is of great interest for coal beneficiation processes such as froth flotation and oil agglomeration and for the inclusion of coal particles into oil droplets as a means of enriching the fuel. Methods for contact-angle measurements on small irregularly shaped solid particles have not been available in the past. Therefore, we recently developed a novel technique to determine contact angles and surf ace tensions of coal particles. Two types of bituminous and one type of subbituminous coal particles have been tested. The technique used is called the freezing-front technique and it considers the behaviour of the test particles (in the range of 20-250 pm) at the solidification front of carefully selected, well-defined solidifying melts (matrix materials) such as thymol, biphenyl, naphthalene, salol and 2-phenyl phenol.The results show that the technique works well, providing quantitative and detailed information on the wettability of coal particles. The sensitivity of the method is so high that a difference in contact angle of approximately 4 degrees between the smaller and the larger particles is clearly registered.

Dec 1, 1981

By G. M. Brownell

Introduction The Flin Flon mine is located on the boundary line between the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan at a point about four hundred miles northwest of Winnipeg. A branch of the Canadian National railway provides the town of Flin Flon with direct transportation facilities. The property was staked in 1914 and, after a considerable amount of exploration; the Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Company was organized and brought the property into production in November, 1930 (1). Mining is carried on by open pit and underground methods at the rate of about 4,400 tons per day. Production for the year 1934 was: 99,334 ounces of gold; 1,335,319 ounces of silver; 37,486,054~pounds of copper; and 49,427,280 pounds of zinc; in addition to small amounts of cadmium and selenium. The Flin Flon deposit is one of the largest low-grade ore deposits in Canada with complete hydro-electric and metallurgical plants for the production of blister copper and electrolytic zinc. Previous Work The development of the Flin Flon mine into one of the major mining operations in Canada has created a need for a more detailed geological study of the area. Practically all of the information published to date concerns the general surface features. It is the purpose of this paper to deal more specifically with the ore-body and its relationship to the enclosing rock as revealed by studies made possible through recent underground development. The earliest published report on the area is by E. L. Bruce (2), who made a reconnaissance geological investigation of the region for the Geo-logical Survey of Canada in 1914 and established the main. petrological units. Several years later the area immediately around Flm Flon was mapped in greater detail by F. J. Alcock (3). In the summer of 1934, the area of Missi sediments to the north and east of the mine was studied by J. W. Ambrose. His report has not yet appeared in print but his findings are of importance.

Jan 1, 1935

By Anna Szostak-Chrzanowski, Adam Chrzanowski

"New techniques in monitoring surveys and new methods in the analysis and prediction of ground subsidence are being developed in the Department of Surveying Engineering at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). The new surveying techniques include a telemetry monitoring system developed at UNB in cooperation with CANMET, and use of the satellite Global Positioning System. A generalized approach to the analysis of deformation surveys has been developed which permits an integrated analysis of geodetic and geotechnical measurements in geometrical modelling of ground subsidence. A computer program, FEMMA, has been developed for the elastic and non-linear elastic analysis and the deterministic prediction of deformations using the finite element method.IntroductionResearch and development of new monitoring techniques and new methods in the analysis and prediction of ground subsidence in mining areas is an integral part of a broad research program on deformation surveys which is being carried out in the Department of Surveying Engineering at the University of New Brunswick.The research concentrates on:developmentof a general method for predicting deformations with an emphasis on the use of the non-linear elastic finite element analysis; development of a generalized approach to the geometrical analysis of deformation surveys with an integration of geodetic and geotechnical measurements; and development of new monitoring techniques with an emphasis on continuous data acquisition and application of new space techniques such as the satellite Global Positioning System (GPS).This paper gives a brief report on the progress and recent developments within the above program."

Jan 1, 1987

By S. H. Lucas

"This paper describes the development and application of single-stage fluidized bed continuous ion exchange to the following processes: removal of base metals from mine water; cyanide removal from gold mill waste; uranium removal from sulphuric acid leach liquor; and uranium removal from mine water. IntroductionThe recovery of metals by fixed bed ion exchange has been practiced for many years. However, the operation has been semi-continuous and can only treat clarified liquors. Substantial savings could be made if the operation were continuous, thus reducing the resin inventory, and if the costly filtration and clarification steps could be eliminated. Work has been in progress over the past twenty-five years on the recovery of metals from unfiltered ore leach slurries, heap leach liquors and mine drainage waters containing a small amount of suspended solids. In the case of dilute waste solutions, with suspended matter and high flow rates, filtration is usually prohibitively expensive.Continuous ion exchange operation using fluidized beds has made it possible to reduce considerably the resin inventory and to allow the treatment of unclarified liquors and slurries. The subject has been reviewed on several occasions (1. 2. 3, 4). Although fluidized beds in multi-stage columns are an improvement over previous resin-in-pulp treatment, they have complicated internal structure and I or involved automatic control systems to move the resin stages.Slater and Prud'homme performed studies on multi-stage fluid beds, and concluded that the performance of single, deep fluidized beds of resin with continuous or semi-continuous flow of both phases would be worth investigating, particularly in the case of very dilute metal solutionsoi, A pilot plant was designed and built at CANMET in a cooperative project with Dr. Slateroi. The use of deep fluidized beds of resin (with a large height/diameter ratio) for treating dilute solutions has the attraction of engineering simplicity. Extreme simplicity of equipment design is considered of paramount importance when treating, for example, mine waters at high flow rates, possibly of the order of several million gallons per day. This paper describes the development of the concept of single-stage fluidized bed continuous ion exchange arid reviews the pilotplant development of processes for the treatment of base metal mine water, cyanide waste water, uranium leach liquor and uranium mine water."

Jan 1, 1980