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By Derek H. C. Wilton

"The Cape Ray Fault Zone of southwestern Newfoundland contains two notable electrum/ base metal sulphide quartz vein lode occurrences hosted by two contrasting lithological units, viz. a graphite schist horizon and a granite. The two occurrences, although in proximity, are not in direct contact, but, based on geochronological, geochemical and isotopic evidence, they were apparently deposited from hydrothermal fluids generated as a vapour phase from the magmatic progenitor of the Windowglass Hill granite.This paper provides further evidence, from REE and background A u and Ag data, for the magmatic origin of the hydrothermal fluids. Wall rocks to the electrum-bearing quartz veins in both the schists and granite have experienced a LREE depletion probably due to leaching by Cl-bearing solutions. Gold and silver contents are typically low in all rock types but there is a slight elevation in gold concentrations in those units in contact with the Window glass Hill granite. The granite also has the relatively highest gold and silver contents of any unit in the region.IntroductionThis paper presents the evidence from rare earth element (REE) and gold/silver concentration data for the magmatic origin of hydrothermal fluids responsible for deposition of the Cape Ray electrum deposits of southwestern Newfoundland. The two deposits occur in the Cape Ray Fault Zone (Fig. I) within the Windsor Point Group and Window glass Hill granite. The larger occurrence is called the Main Shear Showing and consists of a deformed quartz vein horizon, which extends for - 6 km, within the late Devonian Windsor Point Group. This unit is an intermixed ignimbrite and mafic tuff sequence with associated schists (metasediments) and gabbros. The host rocks to the mineralized quartz veins are interleaved graphite, chlorite and sericite schists. Basal ignimbrites within the Windsor Point Group have been dated, by Rb/Sr isotopic methods, at 377 ±21 Ma (Wilton, 1983a). The basal ignimbrites also have enriched REE patterns, an elevated initial Sr ratio (0.709) and a peraluminous-siliceous nature which suggest they resulted from the partial melting of continental crust (Wilton, 1984)."

Jan 1, 1985

By Robert B. Parsons

"Draft income tax amendments aimed primarily at certain carve-out arrangements prevalent in the oil and gas industry could have devastating results for long standing royally arrangements in the mining industry . Whether or not this potentially damaging effect is intended is largely beside the points-the point is that the mining industry would be well advised to become familiar with the draft amendments and make sure that the potential damage to existing and future royalty agreements is minimized.The draft amendments fail to take into account the nature of mineral royalties and app ear to reflect a lack of understanding of the characteristics of the mining industry.IntroductionOn July 19, 1985 Finance Minister Michael Wilson released draft amendments to the Income Tax Act which are intended 10 effectively thwart the use of so called “carve-out arrangements"".Unfortunately, the proposed amendments are so broad and far- reaching that countless ""innocent"" royalty arrangements in the mining industry, and in the oil and gas industry, are threatened. The potential harshness of the new rules would be compounded by the retroactive application to the amendments to longstanding royalty and similar agreements."

Jan 1, 1985

By R. L. Amelunxen

"In January 1983, Gibraltar Mines Ltd. started an exploratory program on Column Flotation with hopes of improving performance of the Molybdenum Cleaning circuit. The encouraging results led to a column test trial in the Bulk Copper Cleaner circuit where the test unit has per¬formed well. A program was undertaken to understand the mechanics of column operation. A year and a half later, Gibraltar is considering the replacement of existing Bulk Copper and Moly Cleaning flotation cells with a fully computer con¬trolled Column Flotation circuit.BRIEF SUMMARY OF TESTWORKInitial testwork was done with a home made 20 inch diameter x 31 foot high column, equipped with a doppler flow-meter at the tail line and automatic level conrol. This loop maintained constant level in the column by throttling the tail valve. This column was placed in a variety of locations around the Moly circuit as shown on Figure 1 a, b. Test re¬sults indicated that the column could achieve much higher grades than the conventional cells, but recovery wise, the performance was low. Spillages from overloaded pump boxes were a common frustration during this time.Column control strategy was reviewed; and, in light of information received from McGill University, changed to conform with the methods that had been employed by D. Wheeler, of the Column Co. of Canada4 and Gaspe Copper Mines3.The column was tested replacing a portion of the bank, figure lc. The results obtained were more or less equal to the circuit. However, as we had Nitrogen gas connected to the column and not the regular cells, the column was kept in service. With the use of Nitrogen in the column, the usual copper depressant, Sodium Cyanide could be replaced with Sodium Hydrosulphide, hence lower operating cost.As time went on, a 10 inch diameter column was added in series to re-treat the concentrate of the 20 inch diameter column with hopes that the copper content would decrease from 0.6% down to 0.3% in order to save on subsequent leach¬ing costs. So far, results indicate there has been some im-provement, hut we are not achieving 0.3% copper. (See figure 1d)."

Jan 1, 1985

By J. Duncan Crone

"A test surface Pulse EM(PEM) survey over a plunging massive sulphide lens, located in the Snow Lake area of Manitoba, has shown that it is possible to detect the body to a depth of 300 metres. Another surface survey in the Athabasca basin of Saskatchewan, clearly outlined a large, basement graphitic zone below 450 metres of sandstone cover. Deep detection of these conductive bodies was achieved by energizing large volumes of ground with a strong transmitted EM field. Such large fields also energize all other conductors present in the exploration area. Both of the above survey results indicate that more than one conductor is present. In such cases, detailed field coverage is required for accurate interpretation, and interpretational procedures that assume simple geometrical shapes should be applied with caution. In all cases geological and geophysical information should be coordinated in detail. The first test drill hole still has a high risk of missing the deep conductive body and two or three holes should be budgeted per target.Borehole Pulse EM surveys are now routinely used to help zero in on deep conductive targets. They are also proving effective in development drilling programs by outlining the edges of conductive bodies. The results of surveys from northern Quebec illustrate how they may provide more accurate shape and tonnage estimates."

Jan 1, 1985

By H. A. Schnell

"The Phase I Mill at Cluff Lake in northern Saskatchewan was designed to accommodate a very specific high grade uranium ore. As this high grade ore was depleted, construction was undertaken on a new mill circuit (Phase 2) to process a more conventional lower grade ore deposit.The Phase 2 Mill expanded the ore throughput to 800 tonnes per day. The new process employs crushing, grinding, leaching, counter—current decantation, solvent extraction and magnesia yellowcake precipitation and drying to produce a yellowcake concentrate.This paper discusses the process decisions required for this expansion and outlines the new mill circuit. Included is a review of the start up in August, 1984.1.,INTRODUCTION The Cluff Lake Uranium deposit is located 720 kilometers north of Saskatoon in northern Saskatchewan. A high grade deposit was discovered in 1970 with the first production taking place in 1980 after lengthy hearings. The original mill (or Phase 1 Mill) was specifically designed to accommodate this very high grade ore for a very limited plant life.Pilot plant work was carried out in 1981 on the other lower grade ores found in the immediate Cluff Lake area. Feasibility and process selection studies were then undertaken as the Phase 1 mill was nearing its end of life. These studies were completed in March 1983 when approval was given to construct the new Phase 2 mill."

Jan 1, 1985

By N. Melnyk

"FOREWORDThis paper provides a unique description of a method devised for mining a very thick steeply dipping seam of soft gassy coal which was prone to spontaneous combustion. The editors con¬sider that the information in this paper should be important to those who may have to consider mining such seams again at some time in the future and therefore believe that the paper warrants reprinting in the present volume. The author was ask¬ed to review the paper and to add any additional relevant in¬formation. He provided the accompanying footnote, only a month before his death on April 22, 1982.IntroductionIn the past, the Cadomin Coal Company has opened four mines, all in the same coal seam or its folds. Three of these were opened from river level by horizontal entries or rock tunnels. and the fourth, the present working mine, by vertical shafts. This paper deals largely with some operating phases of this fourth mine, with which the writer has been associated.The seam worked here is a thick, steep, bituminous seam, and the writer feels there is a paucity of published data on the mining of such seams. Possible reasons for this are that such seams do not lend themselves to intensive development or mining, there is little chance to mechanize because of the extreme pitch, and operations are fraught with many problems. In addition the present operations in this particular' seam are being carried on at a level below the former workings, introducing new problems, not encountered on the upper level.Coal will, without question, long continue to be an impor¬tant factor in the national economy, and some of the best coal is to be found in thick, steep seams. But with the exhaustion of the easily-mined coal near the outcrops, future coal will have to come more and more from lower levels. At Cadomin there is still considerable coal on the second level, below the old river-workings, and there is a possibility that, in the future, still lower levels will be worked. It is the purpose of this paper to indicate some phases of such lower-level operations and to invite discussion."

Jan 1, 1985

By D. G. Osborne

"The paper describes current 'tools' available to the coal preparation engineer for carrying out the evaluation of data, process design, selection of equipment and layout and design of coal preparation plants.Laboratory and pilot-scale equipment is widely available and test data can be used to provide valuable design information regarding capacities and sizing for specific applications. Pilot plants, unless they fit closely to the basic design envisaged for the eventual commercial plant, C(In often provide only limited useful information.Computing aids such as equipment simulation, plant modelling, etc. are becoming widely applied for establishing design criteria and investigating flowsheet options . Other computer tools such as computer-aided design systems are taking over some of the time-consuming tasks of detailed layout and design and estimation of quantities, etc. and providing the means for detailed examination of more than a single option.Besides computer modelling there is also physical modelling of plant buildings, plant sites and entire proposed mining areas; the former can be especially useful in finalizing design and threading' pipework and electrical reticulation systems through the plant without the resultant risk of impairment of flow, obstruction or wastefulness. Not the least of the benefits of plant models is the assistance provided for training new operating and maintenance staff."

Jan 1, 1985

By Bennett McLaughlin, Gille Brousseau, John F. Cook

"La Mine Bousquet commenced operations in October 1979. Mining has been by underground methods from two main zones which dip steeply to the south , Sub-level stoping methods with following fill are used.The orebody and immediate country rocks are sericitic and highly schistose. The intensity of schistosity varies significantly and poor ground conditions prevail, especially within the orebody,Initially few mining problems were encountered but in May 1981, significant damage occurred. A system of stabilizing pillars was introduced with improved support systems. Predevelopment in ore and pre-drilling of blastholes were reduced with extra footwall development.Damage has continued to occur on a regular basis particularly during the spring thaw. Generally, the adverse conditions have been successfully overcome.IntroductionMost of the mining problems that have been experienced at Bousquet have been caused by poor ground conditions . This pa per describes these conditions, considers the cause and describes the ways in which the conditions have been dealt with . Despite the problems, Bousquet is a successful operation which in 1983 produced 95,000 ozs of gold from 514,000 tons of ore."

Jan 1, 1985

By E. L. Horner

"Srnoky River Coal is capable ofprocessing 3 million tonnes per year ofrun-of-mine coal at the Smoky River Coal preparation facilities to produce 2.1 million tonnes of high quality, low volatile coking coal for export markets. Multi-seam surface and underground mining operations are scheduled to maintain raw coal feed to the plant. Two beneficiating circuits wash the coal. A heavy medium cyclone circuit cleans the plus 0.5 mm coal and a froth flotation circuit cleans the minus 0.5 mm coal. Clean coal is thermally dried, loaded into unit trains, treated for dust suppression, and transported to west coast port facilitiesf or export. Plant by-products are used as thermal fuel Jn an adjacent power station. Quality control procedures ensure efficient resource recovery for a yield of uniform specification product, at a 7% ash level. Introduction Smoky River Coal operates surface and underground mines in the Smoky River coalfield. Approximately 3 million tonnes per year (mt/ a) of run-of-mine (ROM) coal can be processed at the coal preparation plant to provide 2.1 mt/ a of clean, high quality, low volatile bituminous coking coal. Coal is processed by heavy media and froth flotation cleaning circuits and is thermally dried.Raw Coal Characteristics The characteristics of the ROM coal, both in terms of quality and size consistency, vary with intrinsic seam qualities and mining methods employed. The two seams mined (No. 4 and No. 10) show distinctly different washability characteristics. Seam No. 4 contains relatively few middlings and can be readily cleaned by dense-medium cyclones and froth flotation to give a clean coal at specification ash content. Seam No. JO is more difficult to wash, and the ash content of the clean coal is higher than No. 4 seam at the same operating conditions. However, when the upper I m is excluded from the plant feed, the remaining lower section has washability characteristics similar to No. 4 seam. Coal mined by underground means sometimes contains caprock and consequently tends to be dirtier than similar coal mined by surface means."

Jan 1, 1985

By George A. Lawrence, J. C. McHardy

"Field operating experience with an improved flotation mechanism for handling various flotation applications is covered in this paper. Some aspects of designing flotation machines are also presented. Operating data from extensive testing of commercial size equipment under actual plant operating conditions in the following applications is detailed:1. Copper Flotation2. Fine Coal Flotation3. Base Metal Sulfide FlotationDesign features, design improvements, modifications tested, and overall performance data are reviewed. Some mecl1anical performance data as well as metallurgical performance results are presented. Some comparisons with conventional flotation equipment are reported in this paper.Flotation sizing theories are reviewed and an actual equipment selection ex2.mple is presented. Scale-up criteria used for developing large cells are briefly covered.The paper concludes with a brief review of anticipated future flotation equipment design needs. IntroductionThe mining/milling industry is faced with increasing pressure to cut costs while maintaining product quality and indeed, in some instances, expanding production. For copper, nickel, iron, molybdenum, lead and zinc sulphides, coal, phosphate and some other minerals;, flotation remains the primary method of concentration and recovery of the valuable mineral away from the gangue. Cost reduction in flotation can be broadly focused on two areas:1. Flotation Chemicals2. Flotation Equipment"

Jan 1, 1985

By F. D. Ball, D. E. Gemmell

"Coal mining in New Brunswick dates from the year 1639, when, as today, coal was produced from the area surrounding Grand Lake near the geographic centre of the province. Current production by N.B. Coal Ltd. is approximately 453,000 tonnes per year and comes from a single, thin Pennsylvanian age seam. The history of development and understanding of the geological setting of New Brunswick coals is discussed, beginning with the work of A. Gesner in 1839. The lithostratigraphic sub-divisions of the Pennsylvanian strata proposed by various workers are summarized and the present hypothesis that only biostratigraphic subdivision is possible is detailed. The Pictou Group, which includes the New Brunswick coals, consists of repetitive sequences of sediments consistent with flu vial and upper delta plain sedimentation. The development of coal mining in the province has progressed from horse-powered stream-bank stripping operations prior to the late 1800s through to the present use of open stripmining techniques utilizing eight walking draglines of various sizes. During the intervening years the introduction and eventual phasing out of underground mining occurred with the near termination of the coal mining industry in the province prior to 1973. The coal seam worked by N.B. Coal Ltd. averages 46 cm in thickness, has never been found to be more than 76 cm thick and has both high ash (12.4 -31.1%) and sulphur (4.9-7.8%) content. The wide variety of coal beneficiation studies and tests completed on New Brunswick coals have lead to the conclusion that a washed New Brunswick coal product could be expected with 10 to 12% ash, 5 to 6% sulphur, and 30,225 to 31,388 1/gm. Recoverable coal reserves, including those in the area licenced to N.B. Coal Ltd. and those licenced, although not yet in production, to both the St. Lawrence Cement Co. Ltd. and Provincial Holdings Ltd. at Lake Stream and Beersvil/e, total 60 million tonnes. At present, coal in New Brunswick is removed from prospecting and staking and all existing and future coal exploration and development will be administered by agreement under the Mining Act. Based on the results of a recently completed drilling project undertaken by the Department of Natural Resources, seventeen coal exploration blocks which carry minimum work commitments will be offered to the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission on a sixty-day first right ofrefusal basis. Those blocks not taken up by the Power Commission will be offered under the same commitments to the private sector."

Jan 1, 1985

By A. Darragh

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

Jan 1, 1985

By G. Gabra

"A process of leaching niobium oxide from pyrochlore concentrate using hydrofluoric acid is described. Variables such as acid concentration, temperature, reaction time, solid/acid ratio, agitation speed and particle size are correlated to the recovery of niobium oxide.The relatively low activation energy (1,86 Kcal/mole) and the dependence of reaction rate on agitation suggest that the process is diffusion controlled. The optimum conditions for extracting niobium oxide from the leach solution, using either methyl isobutyl ketone or tributyl phosphate have been determined.IntroductionMost of the commercial production of niobium and tantalum has been derived from the treatment of columbite - tantalite minerals.In recent years (1960) , pyrochlore mineral has been found to be an alternate source of niobium . This mineral varies widely in composition and contains in addition to the main elements of calcium , sodium and niobium, some tantalum, fluorine, rare earth elements, titanium, alkali an d alkaline earth elements.It is well known that the province of Quebec possesses several pyrochlore niobium deposits totalling approximately 151 million ton s at an average 0.45% niobium oxide(1). One of the deposits, the St-Honor carbonatite, was brought into production by Niobec Inc. in 1976. Flotation o f this material produces a concentrate of about 60% Nb205(2).In view of an expanding niobium market in recent years and the presence of large niobium deposits in the province, a research and development program was initiated at the Centre de Recherches Miner ales to evaluate known processes for the separation of niobium and tantalum from each other as well as their purification . Some work has also been undertaken at the CRM to develop an improved extraction process. T his work will be the subject of further communication s."

Jan 1, 1985

By H. T. John

"The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how the optimum cut -off grade can be calculated for typical large tonnage openpit mines. In the examples, it is assumed that the concentrator tonnage is fixed and that there are no market restrictions. The mining rate is assumed to be variable. This is usually the situation at an operating property.ModellingA model of the ore body is required to examine alternate cutoff grade strategies. The model must be accurate in its relationship between grade and tonnage. Table I shows a typical relationship between ore tons and grade for various cut-off grades. The average strip ratio is also shown. For higher cutoff grades, the ore tonnage is decreased and the ore grade is increased. Strip ratio increases with the cut-off grade.Using the relationship between ton s and grade, and assuming a homogenous, long life orebody, a simple calculation of the optimum cut-o ff grade can be made. The objective is to maximize the present value of cash flows. For the long life homogenous orebody example this objective is satisfied by maximizing present cash flows.Cash flow is calculated by subtracting operating cost from revenue . Operating cost will increase with the cut -off grade as the strip ratio increases."

Jan 1, 1985

By T. Yalcin

"This paper describes the development of a mathematical model for determining the liberation of an ore at various grinding sizes, based on the combined results of microscopic counting, grinding tests, and chemical analysis.The method is illustrated with an application to the magnetite ore of Sherman Mine in Temagomi, Ontario. For this ore, a degree of liberation of 98.7% was determined at a grinding size of 90% passing 44 microns, which closely corresponds to the final grinding size employed at the Sherman Mine Concentrator.Introduction Liberation characteristic of ores have direct and significant bearing on overall economics of concentration processes.Target grades and recoveries can be achieved only it minerals are adequately liberated prior to separation. Degree of liberation depends on the extent of size reduction. However, due to the high costs associated with size reduction processes, it is important to keep size reductions within limits of satisfactory liberation. Prevention of excessive size reduction is also necessary because of inefficient mineral separations in very fine sizes. Hence, a study of reduction size — liberation relationship is essential for optimum profit from milling operations.A number of procedures have been developed for liberation studies (1-12), but there is lack of method for universal adoption.A new approach is presented in this paper that might provide a realistic estimate of liberation and give a practical guidance as to the degree of size reduction required for satisfactory liberation."

Jan 1, 1985

By E. Contestabile, T. R. Craig

"This report describes the development and effective use of shaped charges as part of the Elliot Lake Mine Roof Stability Project to remotely remove the heads from roof bolts. With a slight modification, these same shaped charges are being recommended f or use to the Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corporation Limited (Mining Division), to cut steel cable bolts.IntroductionThe Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory (CERL) often receives requests to cooperate in solving problems encountered in private industry or other sectors of the government. CERL is equipped to design and test explosive and pyrotechnic devices and the policy is to treat each case individually.The first case reported evolved from a request from a sister laboratory at Elliot Lake. The intent was to remotely remove the head s of roof bolts as part of a mine roof stability project. The device designed for this use was 1000,70 effective in the laboratory and 80% effective in the mine.The second case reported results from a request from a private mining company knowledgeable of the Elliot Lake Project. Their requirement was to remotely cut cable bolts. This request was first treated as presenting a new problem. The solution, however, proved to be very similar to the former."

Jan 1, 1985

By G. Shore

Radiation grafted structures my be fabricated to contain ion exchange groups selective to an ion complex. Proper choice of substrate and monomer will provide selective ion exchange with differing physico and chemical properties. Grafting a selected monomer to the proper polymer will provide selective ion exchange with assured chemical protection of the substrate. Ion exchange systems utilizing radiation grafted structures have been fabricated to ''capture'' gold, silver and palladium from dilute solutions. Other ion exchange systems can feasibly be produced to remove other precious metals. Rotating Cathode Technology is used to recover the metals from their regenerating solutions are pure metal foil.

Jan 1, 1985

By Robert B. Parsons

"This month, Tax Notes focuses on two features which can potentially ""dress up"" a new issue of common shares to make the shares more attractive to investors. Attaching warrants to a share issue is a relatively common practice, and recent years have seen an imaginative variety of different kinds of warrants, some of which can be subject to somewhat different tax treatment . A less common financing strategy which certainly deserves some consideration involves the possibility of utilizing ""Share Purchase Tax Credits "" in conjunction with a new share issue.IntroductionPrevious subjects covered in Tax Notes have dealt with flow-through shares and other tax angles which can make equity issues more appealing to potential investor s. Two other techniques which can add zest to a new stock issue involve the utilization of warrants and ""share purchase tax credits"" (or SPTCs). This article takes a brief look at the better known subject of warrants and the lesser known matter of SPTCs.Of course, this paper presents only a relatively general summary of the income tax implications of warrants and SPTCs, and is not intended to be a definitive commentary on all of the detailed and complex tax issues that might be relevant in the circumstances."

Jan 1, 1985

By J. George Gregr

"This paper gives a brief review of grinding mills installation procedures with special emphasis on future maintenance. The importance of cooperation between the customer, construction contractor and manufacturer's representative is discussed, as well as the imparlance of complying with standards, specifications and the keeping comprehensive installation records.Fundamentals of mill maintenance are explained with the aim being to maximize the equipment availability and to minimize unscheduled downtime. The paper also includes development of wear items design, based on operating conditions, drive components and bearings, and how to keep large gears healthy thus eliminating surprise failures.Experience with installation of a large gear on a 34-foot diameter mill in Lornex and successful application of a computer program for the gear alignment on the mill are given.IntroductionSuccessful operation of a concentrator begins with the engineering of the project and continues through selecting the right equipment, its installation , start-up period, and ends with final tuning of the process. machinery and the human factor into an efficient and viable industrial complex.The following is a brief review of grinding mill installation procedures with special emphasis on future maintenance. Fundamentals of mill maintenance are discussed with the aim being to maximize the equipment availability and to minimize unscheduled downtime, with some specific points on key grinding mill components such as bearings and drives.Finally, the experience is recounted with the installation of a large ring gear on a 34-foot diameter mill at Lornex, and the successful application of a computer program for the gear alignment on the mill."

Jan 1, 1985

By Ward E. Kilby, Bruce I. Mcclymont

"Data from the South Fork Pit Area of the Bullmoose deposit in northeastern British Columbia are used to demonstrate the usefulness of microcomputers to the on-site geologist. The technique utilizes a series of digital surf aces in the form of a network of points to define various geologic parameters such as seam positions, topography and coal quality characteristics. Manual digitizing, kriging and combinations of these techniques are used to calculate these digital surfaces, the best method depending upon the type and quality of the data in question. Digital surfaces, each modelling a specific feature when combined and manipulated with the computer form a powerful tool, the deposit model. The resultant model, containing all the surfaces, is used to examine seam and inter-seam thicknesses, deposit volumetrics, seam quality characteristics and the adequacy of sampling.IntroductionCoal deposit modelling using computer-based techniques has become routine. However, a geologist working in the field, without access to mainframe or minicomputer, ha s considerable difficulty implementing these procedures. However, microcomputers, which are portable and inexpensive can handle exploration data, perform various geological analyses, and produce deposit models virtually at the same time as the data is being collected. For the on-site geologist this means that quick access to the results of such modelling could point out inadequacies in deposit definition and trends in coal quality deserving investigation."

Jan 1, 1985