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By H. Son

The three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of as-built industrial plant models plays an important role in revamping planning, maintenance planning, and preparation for dismantling during the lifecycle of industrial plants. Recently, the 3D reconstruction of existing industrial plants was conducted using laserscan data to make surveying processes more efficient. However, the current 3D reconstruction process from laser-scan data is still limited due to the need for significant human assistance. Although a great deal of effort has been made to efficiently reconstruct 3D as-built industrial plant models, the presence of objects?such as equipment, pipelines, and valves of different sizes and shapes?in existing industrial plants significantly increases the complexity of laser-scan data and makes automating the reconstruction process more challenging in practice. The purpose of this study is to propose a knowledge-based approach for the 3D reconstruction of as-built industrial plant models from unstructured laser-scan data. First, pipelines were extracted from laser-scan data based on surface curvature information and knowledge about pipelines' sizes from existing piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID). Once entire pipelines were extracted, they were modeled based on skeleton features. Then, the remaining objects were clustered and grouped separately via the region grouping process. Afterward, clustered objects were retrieved and modeled based on global feature-based matching from the 3D database. Finally, the resulting model was checked to ensure that it was well-reconstructed according to the information regarding the relationships among objects abstracted from the existing P&ID. The preliminary results on actual industrial plants show that integrating knowledge into the reconstruction steps played an important role in the proposed approach and that this approach obtained accurate as-built industrial plant models from unstructured laser-scan data. The proposed approach could be successfully utilized to assist in many applications during the lifecycle of industrial plants.

Aug 1, 2013

By Chris M. Healey

"Abstract - Perhaps the single most significant variable in the evaluation of a mining project is the reserve estimate. Many parameters are considered when estimating reserves, among them geology. This paper examines the link between the quality of a reserve estimate and a good understanding of the geological controls for the deposit. A clear understanding of the geometry is essential to the accurate definition of the shape and size of the deposit. This includes the definition of any structural controls as well as the proper interpretation of the stratigraphy. Further when the distribution of grades is erratic and there is consequently a high nugget effect, there are significant problems in estimating the true grade of the deposit.Two Saskatchewan examples are presented, one with good knowledge of the controls and therefore good estimates of reserves, and the other with a poor understanding of the geology and resultant problems in deriving good estimates. In both cases the reserve estimates at various stages in the project development are compared to actual results from underground work. The first example is the Star Lake Mine where just about all the estimates were within 10% of the actual on both tonnage and grade. The Laurel Lake deposit is discussed to show how problems in interpreting the geological data make reserve estimation very difficult. Laurel Lake has the additional problem of erratic grade distribution."

Jan 1, 1992

By S. Klemmer

Potential problems associated with groundwater inflows are a major concern to many Saskatchewan mining operations. Rock mass behaviour and stability have been linked to groundwater inflow potential. An estimate of the hydraulic conductivity of the rock mass is an important factor for assessing groundwater inflow potential. This paper presents a procedure that was developed to conduct air permeability tests, for estimating the hydraulic conductivity of the rock mass. Tests were conducted near underground excavations with the goal of assessing links between measured air permeability, rock mass classification and the rock mass response to adjacent excavations. Measured changes in air permeability corresponding to the distance from excavation boundaries may indicate changes to joint properties such as joint aperture, continuity and frequency. This study outlines the instrumentation, the experimental and analytical procedures, and the preliminary results from testing.

Nov 1, 2011

By Bertrand Robinson

Great advances have been made in rubber-lined pumps for the pumping of mill pulps. The Canadian Allis Chalmers alone report ov.er 300 such pumps put into service during the past four years. Pumps in which both the casing and the impeller are rubber covered have proved most economical in handling the usual run of mill pulps, effecting large savings in power, maintenance, and shutdown costs. For the handling of pulps containing comparatively large, sharper edged /articles, rubber-lined casings with hard iron impellers have been developed by the pumping departments of Hollinger and Noranda. These rubber-iron combination pumps show an appreciable reduction in overall pumping costs as compared with the all-rubber and the all-iron pumps. The power efficiency is lower in rubber-iron than in all-rubber pumps but higher than in the all-iron pumps, with lower replacement costs due to the cheap iron impellers used. Where continuous operation is essential, however, and duplication of units to take care of shutdown time for replacement of parts is not within the expenditure budget of the company, all-rubber pumps are being used t0 a greater extent. As in all items pertaining to milling operations, the economics of the situation must be studied as closely as the technical details, to arrive at the most advisable practice.

Jan 1, 1939

By Ian E. Efford

The paper gives an assessment of Canada's energy supply-and-demand position, the current situation and projections into the future, as well as a review of some alternative energy futures for Canada. The main elements of Canada's energy strategy for the period 1977-1990, with particular reference to the role of energy conservation, are discussed, leading in to the development of the national energy conservation program.

Jan 1, 1977

By Wang Xianzheng

For a long period of time, the Chinese Government has been attaching great importance to and supporting the rapid development of the coal industry. Particularly since more than 30 years ago, when China introduced the Reform and Opening-up policy, the reform and development of the Chinese coal industry has witnessed world-recognized achievements. National coal production increased from 618 million tonnes in 1978 to 3.52 billion tonnes in 2011. While China?s coal production accounts for 49.5% of the world?s total, its annual production growth contributes to over 80% of global production growth. China is a country utilizing coal as its main source of energy. As the Chinese Government gives support to the rapid development of new and renewable energy sources, as well as to increased coal utilization efficiency, the ratio of coal in the primary energy consumption mix will gradually decline. However, for a long period of time to come, the total volume of coal demand will keep rising modestly. The Chinese Government has been highly committed to and actively promoting the overall, coordinated and sustainable development model, which puts people first. It has put forward a strategic task to build an ecological civilization, and highlighted its resolve to uphold the basic national policy of resource conservation and environmental protection, with a view to the pursuit of sustainable development. China will incorporate its response to climate change into the national economic and social development program, and take effective measures to lower CO2 emissions 40?45% per unit of GDP in 2020 compared to 2005. At the same time, China will increase the ratio of non-fossil fuels to 15% in the primary energy consumption mix. All of the above factors have raised requirements for the Chinese coal industry, with implications for clear directions, plans and goals for the development of the coal industry.

Aug 1, 2013

By George B. Saunders

It is the purpose of this paper to point out conditions as they exist in the merchandizing of coal, to compare these conditions with methods in use by competitive producers of coal substitutes, and to present briefly some suggestions which may help the individual operator to market more coal in the immediate future, while we are waiting for the scientist and research worker, who are now busy on coal betterment , to produce in a practical way the results which they now write about in such glowing terms. While it may be unnecessary to call the attention of coal operators to the present deplorable condition of the industry, it might be well to impress upon our members in other branches of mining, as well as upon the public at large, the seriousness of the situation. Emerging from the war and the period of reconstruction that followed, the coal industry found itself with too many mines and too many men for normal conditions. To make matters worse, the interruptions in deliveries caused by strikes, the unfavourable publicity caused by socialistic propaganda, and the repeated governmental investigations, made the market a fertile field for coal substitutes which were not so handicapped. These substitutes were well advertised, and were marketed in an up-to-date manner, furnishing an example from which the coal operator could well profit. Now, whether or not there is agreement as to the cause or causes of this condition, there can be no doubt that we are today face to face with the fact that the sale of coal has not kept pace with the sale and use of other commodities. Had it done so, we would ere this have been able to take care of the surplus labour and work our mines at least approximately full time.

Jan 1, 1929

By Ken McIntyre, Trodel Wolf-Dieter

"Sirius Minerals is a UK based fertilizer development company focused on advancing into operation its polyhalite project in North Yorkshire, England. The operation is known as the Woodsmith Mine which has an estimated 2.7 Billion Tonnes of reserves and is currently in the construction phase. DMC Mining Services was selected to carry out the construction of four shafts for the project, a production shaft of 6.75m diameter to a depth of 1594 m, a ventilation shaft of 6.75 m diameter to a depth of 1565 m, and two additional shafts to support the construction of the material transport system (the MTS and Lockwood Beck intermediate) to 360m in depth for servicing the underground conveyor network for transport of product from the mine site to the costal port facilities located at Teasside. This paper will review the status of the project to date and the innovative approaches that DMC is utilizing to ensure a safe and successful shaft sinking project. INTRODUCTION The Woodsmith Mine in North Yorkshire is a Sirius Minerals-owned deep potash and polyhalite mine located near to the hamlet of Sneatonthorpe, Whitby in North Yorkshire, England, approximately 75 km east of York. The area of interest is more than 700 km2. The £3.2 billion project is to develop the Woodsmith Mine to extract polyhalite, and a tunnel system to transport it to a materials handling facility and harbour at Teesside. The site is the world's largest and highest-grade deposit of polyhalite and is expected to produce 20 million tonnes of polyhalite, potash and POLY4 per annum, as well as create over 1,000 direct jobs and many more indirectly. It has the potential to generate over £2 billion of annual exports for the UK. As the project will require mining to be undertaken in the North York Moors National Park, many objections were raised about the mine. Sirius Minerals has gone to great lengths to ensure that the project is sensitive to the local landscape, including: mineshaft head frames that will be positioned below ground to reduce their visual impact; surface buildings will be kept to a minimum; and the entire site will be landscaped and screened by existing woodland to blend in with the surrounding area. The project will also abide by strict environmental limits which govern our activity during the construction phase."

Jan 1, 2019

By J. Contreras

In the period 2003-2004, the situation of the copper concentrate market was unfavourable for smelters and refineries, with low TC/RC values and euro-dollar parity affecting European companies negatively. Within this scenario, Atlantic Copper decided to develop a plan to increase its competitiveness and to improve its results in these market circumstances. The plan affected all departments in the Company and was based mainly on cost reduction in energy and manpower. A general analysis of the Complex's overall efficiency was carried out and, based on this analysis, two major Projects emerged, "Primavera" and "KF". Each Project consisted of smaller sub-projects which aimed at improving the areas which could perform better according to our general analysis. The paper describes how this entire project developed and the final results obtained by the Company.

Jan 1, 2007

By G. A. Peebles

"This paper describes the various types of radiometric instruments and the techniques of their operation for grade control, sampling, assaying and probing drill holes at Eldorado Nuclear's uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan. Modifications that have been made to these instruments are discussed, and suggestions are made for the development of more refined and specialized radiometric equipment."

Jan 1, 1969

By R. M. de Carvalho

Empirical and phenomenological models of SAG and AG mills have dominated the scene for the last few decades, being used nearly every time a mill is scale-up or an attempt is made to improve its performance. However, in spite of their success, these models fail to describe the details of both the grinding environment and the breakage mechanisms. The result is a generally good track record, with a few ? but very important ? instances when these models fall short in their predictions, which can be very costly. Further, nearly all of these models require detailed calibration to industrial and pilot plant data, being costly in their application, although still with limited predictive capabilities. Recognizing these challenges, a new model framework has been proposed which overcomes the limitations of currently used models by coupling the microscale population balance model, the discrete element model and functions that describe internal classification at the mill grate. This model framework has already been applied to describe breakage in ball mills, with showing very promising results. However, in the case of SAG and AG mills a much greater level of complexity is involved in the model, given the interaction between the mechanical environment that is formed totally or, in part, by the ore itself, and the breakage response in the mill. The paper describes the model framework, demonstrating how it can address appropriately effects such as mill speed, mill filling and size distribution, on the response from the mill. Some of the advantages of the model are related to its intrinsic multi-component and dynamic nature, which allows simulating appropriately mixtures of ores of different competences in a transient manner.

Jan 1, 2012

By M. J. MONEA

Canada's only economic high-swelling bentonite deposit is mined in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, by A vonlea Mineral Industries Limited. The bentonite resulted from devitrified and altered volcanic ash released during the Laramide Orogeny. Volcanic ash was deposited in a pre-Cretaceous basin that was formed by salt solution collapse structures. Sedimentary rocks in the Wilcox area belong to the Snakebite Member of the Upper Cretaceous Bearpaw Formation. Bentonite beds are 61 cm, 46 cm and 30 cm thick; these are separated by 365 cm and 182 cm of shale respectively. Saskatchewan bentonite is used primarily in the oil well industry.

Jan 1, 1984

By Parviz N. Farsangi, Ferri P. Hassani, Allen G. Hayward

"Kidd Creek Mines places approximately 10 000 tonnes of consolidated rockfill (CRF) daily. Consolidated rockfill comprises sized aggregate mixed with different ratios and amounts of binders. Consolidated rockfill is employed to simplify subsequent pillar recovery and provide improved passive/active ground support.The consolidated rockfill is designed to sustain not only the gravitational loading of the overlaying fill material, but also to some extent the dynamic loading applied during blasting of the adjacent stopes and/or pillars. This paper describes the steps taken to optimize the pre-sent fill system at Kidd Creek Mines.The emphasis is on four areas which have high saving potential: lower cost alternative binders, structural design, quality control measures, in-situ testing techniques for back analysis. A consolidated rockfill design optimization chart was developed from these investigations."

Jan 1, 1996

High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) are said to be a good option in new grinding circuits. Due to their low energy consumption compared to other grinding systems such as SAG milling, there is a strong incentive to check their behaviour for certain ore types. With rising energy prices the operation will become even more beneficial in future. As published in the past, the HPGR is claimed to increase the liberation of the valuable mineral component within an ore. An investigation at the research centre of Polysius was conducted to substantiate the liberation behaviour in finish grinding operations. A pilot scale HPGR test unit (POLYCOM MAGRO) with a roll diameter of 950 mm and processing capacity of 80 t/h was used. Grinding tests were completed with a screen and a two stage drying air separation process (SEPOL). Analysis included standard screen analysis, fractional XRF and modern MLA technology. A technique was developed to oppose the amount of produced slimes (resuming bad flotation) against the positive effect of producing high mass fraction at flotation-easy sizes. The paper shows how effective the use of a dry grinding separation could be in terms of production of mass of liberated metal.

Jan 1, 2012

By Raj Rajamani

In general, many past works examine mill load, mill power, shell lifter design etc with a view to improving the mill capacity. On the contrary, only a handful of papers have addressed the transport of fine slurry through the pulp lifters. We present the flow dynamics of pulp lifters via laboratory scale experiments, high speed photography and modeling with computational fluid dynamics. Next, the flow behaviour in ArcelorMittal?s Mont-Wright autogenous mill discharge flow is examined. In an effort to improve mill throughput, a comprehensive simulation and plant scale study of the mill was taken up with a focus on the shell and pulp lifter design. The shell lifter was found to be at its optimum limit for breakage of ore particles given the constraints of wear life and occupied volume. Next, the pulp lifter study was taken up with computational fluid flow code and discrete element code. The simulations directly showed that there was considerable carry-over of slurry. This effect was traced to the area restriction in the pulp lifter channels. Further, crash-stop studies confirmed slurry pooling within the mill. Thus it was readily apparent that mill throughput can be increased if the pulp-lifter could be redesigned. Consequently, the discharger section of the pulp-lifter was redesigned. First, this paper outlines the modeling in laboratory scale studies and plant scale studies leading up to the discharger design. Next, the discharge flow in seven different published mill surveys is predicted with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology shown here. Finally, Mont-Wright mill circuit performance before and after the discharger redesign is described. The usefulness of fluid flow simulations in the design of pulp-lifters is emphasized.

Jan 1, 2012

By Lorrie Fava

Two needs in the mining industry, to enable overall process improvements, are open systems and network connectivity in underground mines. The Pando project, a collaboration between Symboticware, Vale and Xstrata Nickel, and supported by CEMI, addresses these issues, and leverages the solution platform to deliver intelligent applications. An open system is one that uses publicly available standards for its key interfaces. Vendor-neutrality and ease of information flow are two main benefits that result from the use of open systems. By facilitating the interoperability of systems, open systems allow information to be available when and where it is needed for decision support. Network connectivity in underground mines is typically limited, with hotspots in strategically chosen areas that are relatively static. Mobile equipment moving through a mining work cycle experiences intermittent connectivity; in this situation, seamless remote equipment monitoring is impossible. The Pando project establishes an open technology platform, adhering to the IREDES and OPC UA standards. It enables the collection and integration of information generated by mobile equipment? seamlessly while there is a network connection, and as a store-and-forward gateway to manage intermittent connectivity. The platform capabilities are leveraged to support embedded intelligent applications. This open platform, the SymBot, is a rugged hardware and software device. The platform complies with open standards for industrial automation and systems interoperability. The SymBot platform is capable of providing advanced real-time decision support at the device level, and is designed to be remotely configurable. Applications being developed through the Pando project include engine monitoring, a dynamic load weighing system, machine location monitoring and automated activity monitoring including production and maintenance reporting.

Oct 1, 2010

The Cooperative Research Centre for Mining Technology and Equipment (CMTE) is funded by the Commonwealth Government, by its mining research members Ñ the Universities of Queensland and Sydney and the CSIRO1, and by its industry members Ñ BHP Coal, RioTinto R&TD, Hamersley Iron, Mining Technologies Australia, Pasminco, Shell Coal, WMC Resources, Advanced Mining Technologies, and Aberfoyle. The Centre conducts work aimed at improving the competitiveness of the Australian mining industry. The current work is focused in four areas: new mining and drilling systems, geological sensing, automation, and equipment maintenance and reliability. This paper describes much of the work in these program areas that relates to metalliferous mining.

Jan 1, 2001

By D. E. Wakefeld

"My first reaction to Joanna LaForte’s discussion paper is that she has quite properly assumed that I would like the process of equitable participation between aboriginal landowners and mining companies to be a fast process. On the other hand, I have been a business lawyer long enough to know that the past experiences of the parties will have a significant effect on how they will proceed at any one time.In my article, I was trying to convey the importance of responding to the wishes, aspirations and fears of aboriginal communities in Arctic regions without land settlements. I agree that if it is necessary to wait for governments, the process will be quite slow. My article did point out that often aboriginal communities and mining companies who have become comfort-able that a project is in their mutual interest regard the government(s) involved as their common enemy. I agree that the education and training of aboriginals should “expedite the negotiations and end the power struggles equitably”. Also, I did not mean to suggest that the elders distrust of changes in traditional land use was solely due to concern for alienation and separation from their offspring; however, I suspect it is one reason for their caution. I also agree with this author that establishing opportunities that enable the young aboriginal community members to remain in the north and avoid the problems that await them in southern urban culture should be a common concern of the mineral developer and the Arctic aboriginal community.When this author suggests I am “overly concerned about how much land the aboriginals will control, how educated they may become, how ignorant they are of mining procedures, how objections from aboriginals will escalate expenses, etc.”, she attributes to me as “concerns” matters that were intended to be general information for my readers. My references to the increased land holdings and the improvement in education of aboriginal peoples was intended to deter mining companies from any attempt to be inequitable in their dealings with aboriginal communities."

Jan 1, 1996

By L. H. Chen, Y. C. Chen, Leo Benyamin, W. C. Chen

"To investigate the evolution of fluid-driven fracture of rock-like material subjected to borehole fluid pressure and its consequential damage with regard to post-peak stabilization, micro-seismic activities have been monitored using nondestructive technique of acoustic emission (AE) corresponding to the macro-scale complete history of loading curve by setting the hollow cylindrical external circumferential strain to be a closed-loop feedback signal during servo-fluid-driven tests. Development of a novel fluidinduced loading system injected from internal borehole as well as monitoring system were equipped such that the initiation and propagation of micro-cracks enable to analyze experimentally. By programming/controlling either injection rate or fluid pressure, synthetic sandstones with low-permeability made by cement mortar were conducted in this study. It found that both the growth of macro-crack initialized intensively as reaching the breakdown pressure and the micro-seismic activities represented by AE locations show nice agreement. The experimental results in this paper provide better understandings of fluid-driven fracture mechanism.INTRODUCTIONFluid-driven fracture is a process of generating cracks by injecting viscous fluid into solid material. Conventionally, fluid-driven fracture tests have been performed by mining industry to measure the in situ stress (Haimson & Fairhurst, 1969) and fluid-driven fracture has been employed by the petroleum industry to recover oil and gas. Additionally, the mechanism of crack growth or the extension of existing cracks is important to the evolution of volcanic dikes over distances of a few kilometers (Lister & Kerr, 1991; Rubin, 1995), crack propagation in dams (Bolzon & Cocchetti, 2003) and the disposal of radioactive waste (Sun, 1969)."

Jan 1, 2015

By R. Clarkson

"Free gold particles occur in many base metal and precious metal mines throughout the world. Due to the high density and malleability of gold, large circulating loads of free gold particles can build up over time in grinding circuits. This gold is often deposited in unintended traps throughout the mineral processing system.These unidentified free gold deposits represent a serious security risk as well as an inaccessible inventory of gold. Deposits of free gold particles often remain undetected by mine management until they are accidentally discovered while repairing mill equipment.Nuclear tracers have been used to determine the free gold recovery efficiency of gravity recovery equipment, drills, and sampling equipment (Clarkson, 1994, 1995; Walsh and Rao, 1986; Walsh and Kelly, 1992). In November, 1993, the author inspected the grinding circuit at La Mine Doyon in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec and made recommendations to recover coarse gold and to eliminate gold traps from the circuit. In 1995, the author salted mineral processing circuits with radioactive gold particles. The gamma and X-ray radiation from gold’s nuclear isotope (Au198) were detected through steel, in pipes, and in moving equipment using scintillometers. The radiotracers proved to be a safe, rapid and accurate method of identifying gold traps and improving security.Nuclear TracersWhen particles of gold are placed in a nuclear reactor, some of the gold atoms (Au197) absorb another neutron in their nucleus to form gold’s radioactive isotope (Au198). In the process of radioactive decay, this isotope emits high energy gamma rays and X-rays which are easily detected (even through steel) with scintillometers.Radioactive gold (Au198) has a very short halflife of 2.7 days. At the relatively low activity levels used for tracing, the particles remain detectable with a small hand-held scintillometer for about 10 to 14 days. After 14 days the irradiated gold is close to background levels and within two months it is essentially non-radioactive. The radiation has no effect on the recovery characteristics of the gold particles. The gold radiotracers are very safe due to their very low level of radiation, short half-life, and their inherent physical and chemical stability. However, the use and possession of even mildly irradiated gold is strictly licensed and regulated."

Jan 1, 1997