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By A. Ingelson

Conflict over mineral development and its impacts on indigenous peoples occurs in many countries around the world. Canada, Bolivia and Peru have experienced mine development for centuries in areas where indigenous communities have been and continue to be affected by the mining industry. On a global basis the mining industry continues to face the challenge of implementing meaningful consultation programs with indigenous peoples. Many governments around the world have adopted sustainable development as a policy and one important element of sustainable development is minimizing social conflict. John Moffet and Francois Bregha (Moffet & Bregha, 1996), in their analysis of the role of law reform in promoting sustainable development, noted that stakeholder participation can reduce this type of conflict. Social conflict can result in expensive litigation and costly project delays for mine developers. Meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples in areas where mine development is proposed can be a critical factor in securing a social licence to operate. A report released by the United Nations in 2005, outlined the elements of a concept called ?free, prior informed consent? (FPIC) that promotes more sustainable development. FPIC provides that mineral exploration and mining should not proceed unless the mining company has secured the consent of the relevant indigenous group(s). This paper employs a comparative approach to evaluate the extent to which three active mining nations, Canada, Bolivia and Peru, require consultation with indigenous residents and adhere to the principle of FPIC. The comparative approach assists in the identification of those consultation elements in the legal regimes of each country that can minimize social conflict in mineral exploration and mine development and therefore contribute to more sustainable development. First, we examine the legal requirements to consult with and accommodate indigenous communities in Canada, a country with a long history of mineral development over a large geographic area that has entrenched in its Constitution the protection of indigenous peoples? rights. We then turn to an analysis of Bolivia, one of the most indigenously conscious mining jurisdictions that has followed the Canadian lead in entrenching constitutional protection for indigenous peoples. Third, the approach to consultation with indigenous peoples in Peru, a nation that has not adopted the Canadian and Bolivian approaches to constitutional protection of indigenous peoples rights, is considered.

Aug 1, 2013

By C. A. Young, H-H. Huang, L. G. Twidwell

Equilibrium calculational software programs can be effectively utilized to model important parameters in aqueous and aqueous/solid systems, e.g., activity or concentration, solubility, temperature, solution pH, solution potential, and ligand complexation. In this regard, the calculational program ST ABCAL will be demonstrated. Illustrative examples for the creation of diagrams such as potential-pH, and activity or concentration-pH will be presented to demonstrate the fundamentals in real hydrometallurgical systems. Speciation, titration and mixing will be used to simulate or predict operational processes. Berkeley Pit water from a flooded abandoned copper open-pit mine will be used to illustrate the modeling process. According to analytical results the water contains about 20 important constituents. In addition to measured potential and dissolved oxygen, there are two distinctive oxidation/reduction couples. Concentration and other experimental parameters are seldom matched to each other and 12 different conditions have been identified. Water for each condition must be speciated in order to find the best-fit model. The STABCAL program will be used for the modeling calculations and the implication of the water chemistry to defining treatment opportunities will be discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

By Y. Tanaka, M. Maeda, S. Suzuki, C. Tokoro, T. Kato, K. Muto

Boron (B) co-precipitation was investigated with ettringite to establish a cost efficient method of removing B from acid mine drainage. For 25 mg/L of B solution, most appropriate pH for B removal was pH 11.5. The most appropriate amount of reagent for B removal within Japanese effluent standard (10 mg/L) was B:Al:Ca:SO4 = 1:3:9:4.5, which corresponds to the composition of Ettringite (Al:Ca:SO4 = 2:6:3). The effect of silicate, carbonate and temperature on efficiency of B removal is important as groundwater and hot spring water are often contaminated. When silicate and carbonate are present, more Al and Ca salts are needed for B removal since some aluminum and calcium precipitate with silicate and carbonate as kaolinite and calcium carbonate. These precipitates do not contribute much to B removal. As the temperature raised, the most appropriate pH for B removal decreased. B removal became less efficient as monosulfate precipitated more rapidly as ettringite.

Jan 1, 2015

By Anton Gronningsater

MR. J. R. GORDON: The authors are to be congratulated for their excellent papers on Copper-Nickel Matte Converting. Mr. Drummond's paper contains the results of a thorough and exhaustive study of a series of converter charges. Mr. Gronningsater has presented convincing arguments in favour of his claim that the converter has been neglected as a smelting machine for ore. Some of us may not be inclined to agree with his conclusions. Converting, like most metallurgical operations, is a compromise between an ideal and a practical operation. If it were possible for one to neglect entirely the matter of converter linings, I believe we would all agree that the proper flux for matte in a converter would be pure quartz. Under such ideal conditions, one would, if proper temperature were maintained, make the smallest quantity of slag containing a minimum of magnetite. Converter slags are notorious for their high metal content and must always be subjected to a further cleaning treatment before being discarded. For that reason, the tonnage of converter slag produced should be minimized. If norite is used as a converter flux, then the tonnage of converter slag would be greatly increased if the silica content is maintained at 27 per cent or higher. I cannot agree with Mr. Gronningsater's suggestion that, in con¬sidering a converter flux, the sum of the silica, alumina, alkaline-earths, and alkalis should be considered as being of value. The alkalis and alkaline-earth contents of the flux will replace iron in the silicates formed and tend to increase the viscosity of the slags. However, if the converter is to be used as a smelting machine, it will be necessary to drop the silica content of the converter slag in order to avoid production of excessive slag tonnages.

Jan 1, 1942

By I. Ciabatti

Inorganic salts of hexavalent iron (ferrate (VI)) are versatile reagents for water and industrial effluent treatment because of the strong oxidising effect of the ferrate ion (FeO42-) and the well-known coagulation properties of the resulting ferric ion. Among other applications, ferrate can effectively remove arsenic, cyanide and phenols from industrial effluents. Furthermore, ferrate salts can be prepared from ferrous sulphate, a common byproduct of the steel and titanium industries, and possibly from other iron wastes. Notwithstanding their many potential advantages, the industrial-scale application of ferrate salts, such as potassium ferrate (K2FeO4), for effluent treatment has been hindered by the difficulties inherent in their synthesis and stabilisation. Within a project co-funded by the European Commission, the large-scale synthesis of stabilised potassium ferrate was realised through a new synthesis process, and different applications of the resulting ferrate to effluent and wastewater treatment are under investigation. This paper reports the results of the application of stabilised potassium ferrate for the purification of textile effluents. Laboratory and pilot-scale tests were carried out and the performance of the ferrate was compared to that of chemicals currently used in wastewater treatment. According to these experiments, potassium ferrate is a promising reagent for an effective treatment of textile and other industrial effluents.

Jan 1, 2006

By C. G. Bruce

"ON NOVEMBER 15th, 1950, the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys announced the discovery of vermiculite near Perth, Ontario. The announcement followed nearly a month of study to determine so far as possible the potentialities of the deposit and quality of the material from surface indications. The mineral was identified by the writer in the field among samples submitted by Mr. Arthur Powers of Stanleyville or, September 22nd, 1950. Within a week of the announcement, mining rights to properties covering a major portion of the deposit had been acquired by commercial interests.Hitherto, Canada has had to import her entire requirements of vermiculite. Prospects of .a domestic supply gave promise of considerable benefit to many industries, particularly the building industry, and to the consumer public. Should the deposit •prove large enough there was also the possibility of exporting to centres in the United States.Field and laboratory studies were continued at the Mines Branch during the winter of 1950-51 as opportunity occurred. It is the purpose of this paper to describe the results of these •preliminary investigations, to attempt to present the Stanleyville occurrence in its proper perspective with regard to similar occurrences elsewhere, and to review the salient features of the vermiculite industry.Properties and UsesVermiculite is a hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate. In appearance it resembles mica, having the same micaceous cleavage, but it differs from that mineral in being very soft, pliable, and inelastic. Colours range from black through dark olive-green and brown to almost colourless."

Jan 1, 1952

By A. Longval, Q. Jiao, T. Shannon

In 2000, Xstrata Zinc (former Falconbridge Ltd.) Brunswick Smelter commissioned a modified lead blast furnace. Since then, efforts have been made to improve its operation in order to achieve optimal operation in terms of coke consumption, lead loss to slag, and improved environmental and hygiene conditions. This paper will review the important step changes in operational philosophy, undertaken since 2004, for the control of the blast rate, oxygen enrichment in blast, slag chemistry and charge level. Furthermore, a review of the improvements made in secondary materials consumed at the blast furnace will be made. This paper will also discuss the significant reduction of the frequency of accretion removal as a result of improved furnace operation.

Jan 1, 2008

By Charles S. Ney

"THE WRITER'S acquaintance with Kootenay King mine is limited to a brief geological excursion in the vicinity. This paper has been compiled largely from maps of J. Sullivan, mine geologist in 1952, kindly made available to the writer by Transcontinental Resources; a 1942 private report by W. L. Brown; and personal communications with J. Sullivan. Remarks on regional geology, and the comparison with Sullivan mine, are specifically the writer's.The Kootenay King mine is situated in the westernmost range of the southern Canadian Rockies at an elevation of 7,300 feet. From the Sullivan Mine at Kimberley, B. C., it lies 19 miles due east. Six miles of this distance are represented by the pronounced topographical and structural gap of the Rocky Mountain Trench. Mineral claims were locat-ed in the area prior to 1898. The deposit was first seriously explored in the late 1920s, and a small orebody was then outlined and developed. Mining and milling were undertaken in 1951.52. The orebody, amounting to about 14,000 tons, was mined out, and no significant new ore was revealed.The orebody is a replacement of dolomitic argillite by fine-grained galena, sphalerite, and pyrite. The sulphides are finely laminated in the direction of bedding, following out minor folds faithfully. The grade of ore estimated from diamond drill holes (W. L. Brown, 1942) was 11 ·I per cent zinc, 11 ·I per cent lead, and 3·8 ounces per ton of silver. The mineralized zone extends about 250 feet horizontally, 160 feet vertically, with a width of six to twenty feet.General GeologyThe country rocks are sediments of the Aldridge formation of late Precambrian age. For several thousand feet stratigraphically above and below the mine, the formation consists mainly of thinly laminated argillite and siltstone. Several horizons contain appreciable carbonate. About 2,800 feet stratigraphically below the mine, predominantly dolomitic beds mark the top of the underlying Fort Steele formation. The medium-bedded fine quartzites, which characterize about 10,000 feet of the Middle Aldridge in the Purcell range, have a restricted development amounting to only 2,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains. This member is about 2,200 feet above the mine horizon."

Jan 1, 1949

By J. Armitage, J. Erskine

Feed level and thickness measurements are essential in the optimization of an electric arc furnace. A precise measurement of the feed thickness and level gives operators the ability to increase the smelter efficiency and reduce the maintenance cost. Hatch has developed a radar system which is an affordable, low maintenance, and accurate level measurement system. The radar units can be installed across the furnace to measure the feed level and the feed thickness can be calculated with one slag level sounding. The present paper describes the development of radar systems as a process optimizing tool by furnace controls. The authors will discuss the challenges involved in installing eight radar units on the roof of a six-in-line electric furnace.

Jan 1, 2015

By Stefan Boshkov

THE ADVENT of mining at great depth has brought to the fore the question of stresses around mine openings. The many-pronged attack on this problem is certified by the accelerated appearance, in the mining literature, of articles on various topics related to this subject (1). Whereas it may be agreed that we, of the mining profession, have fallen woefully behind in research and the development of an understanding of this important facet of the general problem of mining, it must also be accepted that the analysis of the stresses in a mine structure is usually more complex than is the case in the majority of structures encountered and dealt with in civil engineering. Whereas homogeneity and isotropy are readily acceptable for most metals, such properties are but crudely approximated in rocks. Whereas the external loads on a structure in civil engineering may be readily determined, those on a mining structure are subject to ?conjecture. Whereas the limits of the structure may readily be defined in civil engineering, the boundaries of the mining structure are, in most cases, indeterminate, and subject to intelligent guesswork, at best.

Jan 1, 1956

By K. G. Wheeland, K. G. Byberg

The occurrence of a secondary, dust-fuelled explosion following blasting of sulphide ores has been reported in mines in many countries, including canada, the USA, Australia and South Africa. However there has been little effort to document the events and develop effective control technology. Following a detailed investigation of an incident at the Geco Di vision of Noranda Minerals Inc. , the company held a conference of interested parties in October 1986 to review the state-of-the-art and to agree on action. '!his paper outlines the causes and effects of such explosions, the key conference points and conclusions, and subsequent information-exchange and teclmology-developrnent activities.

May 11, 1988

By Pierre Buteau

Peat/ands distribution in Canada is widely spread thoughout the country and corresponds to a wide spectrum of wetland habitats which overlay peat deposits. The development and the evolution ofpeat/ands and peat deposits are closely linked together, since the vegetal remains of the peat deposits originate from the peatland habitats, and the peatland habitats constitute a response to many factors, including the properties of the substrate, which are the peat deposits. Peat/ands are defined as waterlogged terrains where the production of plant materials usually exceeds the rate of decomposition. The underlying peat deposits consists of organic residues associated to peatland vegetation, more or less decomposed, built up and kept under anaerobic conditions. Peat/ands evolution and distribution are determined primarily by climatic factors, but also by the geomorphology and edaphic conditions. All of these create particular hydrodynamical environments which will vary according to different regional settings, and sequentially to an evolutive time frame.

Jan 1, 2001

By John S. Stevenson

THE Twin "J" Mine, operated by Twin "J" Mines, Limited, represents an amalgamation of the old Lenora, Tyee, and Richard III mines (see Figure 1) on mount Sicker, eight miles by road, northwesterly, from the city of Duncan, on Vancouver island. These mines produced 253,000 tons of copper-gold ore between 1898 and 1909 (see Table I). During the more recent period of production from these properties, July, 1943, to May, 1944, Twin ?J? Mines, Limited, mined and milled ore with values mainly in copper and zinc, and minor values in gold, silver, and lead. Figures are not available for this later production. Field work at the property was started by the writer in 1941 and continued in 1943 and 1944.

Jan 1, 1945

By Tony Lipiec, Chris Fleming, Larry Urbanoski

In 2009, the Canadian Mineral Processors (CMP) became aware that Canadian securities regulators were amending the contents of National Instrument 43-101. NI 43-101 is a set of regulations which establish how ore resources and reserves are presented to the investing public. The documents produced under NI 43-101 are central to the ability of many companies to raise financing for their projects. With the increase of metallurgical complexity, and decrease of head grades encountered in new deposits, the role of the Qualified Person (QP) in determining process performance has become increasingly critical in determining the classification category of resources and reserves. Given the challenges confronted by those involved in defining the concentration and extraction of minerals and metals, there is a need to provide support to these QPs. To address these concerns, the CMP established a sub-committee in 2010 to create a set of guideline documents to assist the QP involved in process matters as to what should be included at the various levels of study supporting the establishment of resources and reserves in NI 43- 101. The results of the sub-committee work are presented and the considerations in the writing of the documents are discussed.

Jan 1, 2011

By George Meadows

Consultation and Accommodation Introductions Consultation -Best Practices The Role of Negotiations The HVC Experience Summary / Conclusions The Challenge Meeting legal and policy obligations to consult while adhering to project priorities, timelines and budgets Defining who needs to be consulted, by whom, and ?how much?? Accommodation ?who is responsible and what is the appropriate scope? Social License -establishing positive working relationships with First Nations involved in project review / approvals / implementation in a manner that advances the interests of all parties

May 1, 2010

By L. Jones, S. R. Lawrence, A. R. Holloway

Whilst dense medium separation is best known for its ability to concentrate diamond and coal deposits, the process is now being employed in southern Africa as a pre-concentration step to improve the economics of platinum group metal and nickel ores. DMS plants built for these industries (such as the 1600tph unit at Tati Nickel, Botswana), are spearheading an expansion in this area by reducing mine and process operating costs yet maintaining economic metal recoveries. This paper provides an overview of DMS technology and examines the economic benefits available to North American operators and projects, with recent case studies as reference.

Jan 1, 2009

By Lawrence D. Meinert

Abstract-Most large skarn deposits are zoned in both space and time relative to associated intrusions. Zonation occurs on scales from kilometers to micrometers, and reflects infiltrative fluid flow, wallrock reaction, temperature variations, and fluid mixing. The most spectacular examples of skarn zonation usually occur at the skarn-marble contact, where transitions between monomineralic bands can be knife sharp. Other small-scale examples occur in zoned veins and individual mineral crystals. Although, visually striking and scientifically interesting, in mineral exploration these small-scale variations are less useful than deposit- or district-scale zonation. In most skarn systems there is a general zonation pattern of proximal garnet, distal pyroxene, and vesuvianite (or a pyroxenoid such as wollastonite, bustamite, or rhodonite) at the marble front. As well, individual skarn minerals may display systematic color or compositional variations within the larger zonation pattern. Such patterns are reviewed for 14 well-studied examples of Cu, W, Sn, Au, and Zn-Pb skarns. In addition, many deposits have endoskarn or other alteration of the associated intrusion, and recrystallization or other subtle changes have occurred in the surrounding wallrocks. Copper skarns, such as Mines Gaspé in Quebec and Big Gossan in Irian Jaya, have high ratios of garnet:pyroxene and are zoned outward from the intrusion, to garnet, to pyroxene, to massive-sulfide replacement and vein deposits. Garnets in Cu skarn are Fe-rich and change from dark red-brown near the intrusive contact to paler brown, green, or yellow in distal locations. Pyroxenes in Cu skarns are pale and diopsidic near the intrusion, and become darker and more Fe- and Mn-rich away from the intrusion. Tungsten skarns, such as Salau and Costabonne in France and Pine Creek and Garnet Dike in California, have intermediate ratios of garnet:pyroxene, are more extensive vertically and along strike than perpendicular to the intrusive contact, and have zonation patterns commonly complicated by overprinting of metamorphic lithologies. In W skarns, garnet is commonly subcalcic and the pyroxene is Fe-rich, reflecting particularly reducing wallrocks or great depth of formation. Tin skarns, such as Dachang in China and Moina in Australia, also can have subcalcic garnet and Fe-rich pyroxene, but this reduced mineral assemblage typically is due to an association with reduced S-type granites. Tin skarns differ from most other skarn types in having a late greisen stage that may replace earlier Sn-bearing calc-silicate minerals, thus liberating Sn to form cassiterite. Many high-grade Au skarns, such as Hedley in British Columbia and Fortitude in Nevada, have low ratios of garnet:pyroxene and are associated both with reduced plutons and reduced wallrocks. Goldrich zones occur in Fe-rich, pyroxene-dominant, distal skarn. Zn-Pb skarns, such as the Yeonhwa- Ulchin district in Korea and Groundhog in New Mexico, have low ratios of garnet:pyroxene and generally form distal to associated intrusions. These skarns also are zoned from proximal garnet to distal pyroxene and pyroxenoid (bustamite-rhodonite), with significant zones of massive sulfides within and beyond skarn. Manganese enrichment of most mineral phases, particularly pyroxene, is characteristic of distal zones. Fundamental controls on skarn zonation include temperature, depth of formation, composition and oxidation state of associated plutons and wallrocks, and tectonic setting. Most W skarns form at relatively great depth, 5 km to 20 km, with extensive high-temperature metamorphic and metasomatic mineral assemblages. In contrast, most other skarn types are relatively shallow, <10 km and mostly <5 km, with limited, lower temperature metamorphic aureoles. Differences in oxidation state correlate well with different skarn zonation patterns, particularly garnet:pyroxene ratios and compositions, and can be used in both classification of and exploration for s

Jan 1, 1997

By Lawrence D. Meinert

Most large skarn deposits are zoned in both space and time relative to associated intrusions. Zonation occurs on scales from kilometers to micrometers, and re?ects in?ltrative ?uid ?ow, wall rock reaction, temperature variations, and ?uid mixing. The most spectacular examples of skarn zonationusually occur at the skarn-marble contact, where transitions between monomineralic bands can be knifesharp. Other small-scale examples occur in zoned veins and individual mineral crystals. Although,visually striking and scienti?cally interesting, in mineral exploration these small-scale variations areless useful than deposit- or district-scale zonation. In most skarn systems there is a general zonationpattern of proximal garnet, distal pyroxene, and vesuvianite (or a pyroxenoid such as wollastonite, bustamite, or rhodonite) at the marble front. As well, individual skarn minerals may display systematic color or compositional variations within the larger zonation pattern. Such patterns are reviewed for 14well-studied examples of Cu, W, Sn, Au, and Zn-Pb skarns. In addition, many deposits have endoskarnor other alteration of the associated intrusion, and recrystallization or other subtle changes have occurred in the surrounding wall rocks. Copper skarns, such as Mines Gaspé in Quebec and Big Gos-san in Irian Jaya, have high ratios of garnet:pyroxene and are zoned outward from the intrusion, to gar-net, to pyroxene, to massive-sul?de replacement and vein deposits. Garnets in Cu skarn are Fe-rich and change from dark red-brown near the intrusive contact to paler brown, green, or yellow in distal loca-tions. Pyroxenes in Cu skarns are pale and diopsidic near the intrusion, and become darker and more Fe- and Mn-rich away from the intrusion. Tungsten skarns, such as Salau and Costabonne in France and Pine Creek and Garnet Dike in California, have intermediate ratios of garnet: pyroxene, are more extensive vertically and along strike than perpendicular to the intrusive contact, and have zonation pat-terns commonly complicated by overprinting of metamorphic lithologies. In W skarns, garnet is com-monly subcalcic and the pyroxene is Fe-rich, re?ecting particularly reducing wall rocks or great depth of formation. Tin skarns, such as Dachang in China and Moina in Australia, also can have subcalcicgarnet and Fe-rich pyroxene, but this reduced mineral assemblage typically is due to an association with reduced S-type granites. Tin skarns differ from most other skarn types in having a late greisens stage that may replace earlier Sn-bearing calc-silicate minerals, thus liberating Sn to form cassiterite.Many high-grade Au skarns, such as Hedley in British Columbia and Fortitude in Nevada, have low ratios of garnet: pyroxene and are associated both with reduced plutons and reduced wall rocks. Gold-rich zones occur in Fe-rich, pyroxene-dominant, distal skarn. Zn-Pb skarns, such as the Yeonhwa-Ulchin district in Korea and Groundhog in New Mexico, have low ratios of garnet: pyroxene and generally form distal to associated intrusions. These skarns also are zoned from proximal garnet to distal pyroxene and pyroxenoid (bustamite-rhodonite), with signi?cant zones of massive sul?des within and beyond skarn. Manganese enrichment of most mineral phases, particularly pyroxene, is characteristic of distal zones. Fundamental controls on skarn zonation include temperature, depth of formation, composition and oxidation state of associated plutons and wall rocks, and tectonic setting. Most W skarns form at relatively great depth, 5 km to 20 km, with extensive high-temperature metamorphic and meta-somatic mineral assemblages. In contrast, most other skarn types are relatively shallow, <10 km and mostly <5 km, with limited, lower temperature metamorphic aureoles. Differences in oxidation state correlate well with different skarn zonation patterns, particularly garnet: pyroxene ratios and compositions, and can be used in both classi?cation of and exploration for skarn deposits

Jan 1, 1997

By Robert D. Irvine

"Enhanced concern for protection of the environment and attendant actions by environ-mental regulatory authorities in support of this concern are influencing, to varying degrees, the demand and supply of a range of industrial minerals in a number of jurisdictions. These influences take a variety of forms.In this paper, the author seeks to delineate certain broad trends which are occurring relative to industrial minerals and the environment and then, through a series of examples, to outline opportunities, developments, and impacts respecting a number of industrial minerals produced and consumed in Canada and the United States."

Jan 1, 1996

By V. S. Sastri, M. Elboujdaïni

"Corrosion rates of silicon brasses, highzinc yellow brass, low-zinc yellow brass, leadedtin bronze and silicon bronzes in both permanent-mold and sand-cast conditions were determined in soft water of pH 3, 5 and 8, and hard water of pH 8 at 70°C by electrochemical polarization technique. The alloys in permanent- mold condition showed greater corrosion resistance than sand-cast condition. Corrosion rates obtained from weight loss measurements showed no observable trend of a difference between permanent-mold and sand-cast alloys.The corrosion rates decreased with increasing pH of the medium. Silicon bronze and silicon brass showed high corrosion resistance while leaded-tin bronze showed the least resistance. Addition of small amounts of aluminum improved the corrosion resistance of silicon bronzes and silicon brasses. Alloys in permanent- mold condition showed greater resistance to dezincification than sand-cast alloys when average pit depth parameter is considered."

Jan 1, 1997