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By Rodney S. Read

Both crystalline and sedimentary rocks are being considered to host a deep geological repository (DGR) for nuclear fuel waste in Canada. In the past several decades, considerable research has been conducted around the world to better understand geomechanical processes associated with development and long-term performance of a DGR. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization?s (NWMO?s) technical research and development program is examining a number of potentially suitable rock formations to support implementation of Adaptive Phased Management, Canada?s approach for long-term management of nuclear fuel waste. Rock engineering will play an important role in siting, design, and construction of a DGR for nuclear fuel waste. Post-construction activities such as excavation maintenance, monitoring, decommissioning, and closure will also involve rock engineering. The type of host rock selected for a DGR will influence the scope of rock engineering activities and related research requirements. This paper outlines key rock engineering aspects to be considered in developing a DGR in sedimentary rock.

May 1, 2009

By G. W. Davies

"IntroductionThe development of British Columbia's northeast coal deposits, represents the single biggest industrial undertaking in British Columbia's history.As a result of this development, several thousand jobs were created, hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue and billions of dollars in new foreign exchange began flowing into Canada.The Northeast Coal Development began in 1981 with the signing of sales contracts to ship a total of 6.5 million tonnes of metallurgical and additional quantities of thermal coal annually to Japan over a 15-year period. The current long-term agreements contain provisions for extension to 20 years.The sales contracts with a group of Japanese steel mills were signed by two Vancouver-based mining companies, Quintette Coal Limited and Teck Corporation. The agreements followed years of exploration and negotiation beginning in 1968.The first shipment of coal from Quintette and Teck's Bullrnoose Mine was transported by BC Rail and Canadian National Railways to the Ridley Island coal port in the fall of 1983."

Jan 1, 1992

By D. J. Sapsford

This paper details results from laboratory simulation of an innovative underground bioleaching process. The underground reactors are periodic flushed with recycled leachate to remove uranium that accumulates within the reactor water. This leaching cycle has been recreated within the laboratory. This study examines the influence of varying cycle protocol on uranium leaching. Protocol variants examined include variation of flushing frequency, flush volume, leachate recycle, nutrient solution (NPK) addition to reactors and Fe(III) sulphate addition to reactors. The presented data highlight the dramatic improvements in uranium recovery that might be achievable by varying the operating protocol for the actual underground reactors.

Aug 1, 2010

By Normand Bédard

This presentation highlights Cambior?s initial approach for recruiting and retaining its international employees, the importance of proper preparation and the support needed to ensure a competent and stable workforce. In general, most of the training and information available for human resources personnel prepares the specialist for handling various aspects of labour relations, recruitment and hiring, benefits administration, employee relocation, etc. This is usually done in a Canadian context. Only recently, has more specialized training been developed to prepare human resources practitioners for the complex issues related to expatriate employees and dealing with human resources issues in other countries.

May 1, 2003

By George P. Demopoulos, Amani Al-Othman, Terry C. Cheng

One critical issue in chloride hydrometallurgy is the regeneration of the lixiviant HCl that is currently achieved by pyrohydrolysis. In this paper, a low temperature HCl regeneration process was investigated which regenerates HCl and produces saleable gypsum. This process promises to reduce the generation of wastes by the reaction of spent calcium chloride leach liquors with sulfuric acid solution at low temperature. Experiments were performed to determine the optimum conditions of the reaction in terms of temperature, reagent concentrations, rate of reagent addition, mixing and seeding/recycling to produce marketable gypsum and HCl with practical strength.

Jan 1, 2004

By Takashi Nakamura, Atsushi Iizuka, Yong Fan, Etsuro Shibata

Magnetic separation of precipitated magnetite as iron resources in copper slag is one of the potential effective ways to recycle the slag. It is preferable to convert molten fayalite slag after copper smelting process to magnetite slag via oxidation. With a TTT (Time-Temperature-Transformation) diagram, the crystal composition of the slag obtained after air isothermal oxidation could be estimated through a designed cooling path. The crystallization behaviors concerned with molten oxidation was studied for better understanding of the trade-off relationship between magnetite and hematite during molten heat treatment. Moreover, a brief consideration was implemented of the reaction mechanism.

Jan 1, 2014

By N. Morrison, I. Holl, R. Welyhorsky, A. Hempstock

ABSTRACT: The Victor diamond mine is located in the James Bay lowlands, 90 km west of the First Nations village of Attawapiskat. The project was the first of its kind in northern Ontario. The process plant was designed to produce a 95 to 98% by weight diamond concentrate through three stages of comminution, dense medium separation, and proprietary X-ray technology for final recovery. The plant was commissioned over a period of six months, commencing prior to substantial completion of construction. Through effective planning of the commissioning phase, the Victor mine start-up was safely completed nine months ahead of schedule.

Jan 1, 2011

The total current inventory of mature fine tailings is estimated to be nearly 850 million m³. Pressure has come to bear on the industry to accelerate its tailings management practices and prevent this inventory from steadily growing. The present paper describes the treatment, management and reclamation of fluid fine tailings. New technologies being evaluated include: i) Thin layered - fines dominated deposits, ii) Deep - fines dominated deposits, iii) Fines enriched sand deposits, and finally iv) water capped disposal in end pit lakes. A brief overview for each of the methods of treatment and disposal for fluid fine tailings is provided.

Aug 1, 2013

By I. Bakry

Uncertainty is an inherent characteristic of construction projects. Neglecting uncertainties associated with different input parameters in the planning stage could well lead to misleading and/or unachievable project schedules. The objective of this paper is to present a new approach towards scheduling repetitive construction projects while accounting for uncertainty. The paper presents an algorithm that quantifies anticipated delays resulting from different sources of uncertainty in the form of fuzzy time buffers. Through inserting the time buffers in strategic places in a time schedule, the algorithm provides protection against those main anticipated delays. The presented algorithm comprises two integrated components, a scheduling component responsible for producing a basic Linear Scheduling Method (LSM) schedule with deterministic activity durations, and a buffer component that handles fuzzy buffers sizing and insertion. The presented algorithm offers four different buffer insertion techniques covering different cases of interrelations between successive activities. The algorithm is implemented in a spreadsheet application, which automates calculations, yet allows users to fine tune the algorithm to fit the project at hand. With a focuses on highway construction projects as an example of repetitive construction projects, this paper accounts for sources of uncertainty such as weather, site conditions, change orders and equipment related delays. A hypothetical case is studied and explained to further demonstrate how the proposed algorithm works.

Aug 1, 2013

By X. Cao, X. -G. Chen, K. Liu

Due to the detrimental effect of platelet iron-rich intermetallics on mechanical properties (particularly ductility) in cast alloys, it has been essential to transform these phases into Chinese script morphology. In the present work, the effects of Mn and/or Si addition and cooling rate on the phase transformation of the iron-rich intermetallics in 206 cast alloys with different Fe contents ranging from 0.15 % to 0.5 % were systematically investigated. The results obtained showed that platelet ß-Fe and Al3(FeMn), Chinese script a-Fe, Alm(FeMn) and Al6(FeMn) can be observed in the 206 cast alloys, depending on the Fe, Mn and Si contents as well as the cooling rate. It was found that the addition of either Mn or Si favors the formation of Chinese script iron-rich intermetallics but inhibits the precipitation of the platelet phases. In addition, the combined addition of both Mn and Si has a synergistic effect on the phase transformation. Furthermore, there exists a critical cooling rate to effectively suppress the formation of platelet iron-rich intermetallics for a given alloy. The threshold cooling rate decreases with increasing Fe, Mn and Si contents. Casting process maps are established to correlate the intermetallics precipitated with alloy chemistry and cooling rate for 206 cast alloys containing various Fe levels.

Jan 1, 2014

?Introduction to the Delphi Group ?Why is carbon important to your organization ?Key elements of a carbon management strategy ?Inventory ?Risk & opportunity scan ?Mitigation options and financial mechanisms ?Identify targets and develop policy ?Communication and improvement ?Manage for success

May 1, 2009

By Carmen Mihaela Neculita

Sulfate-reducing passive bioreactors efficiently treat acid mine drainage (AMD) by increasing its pH and alkalinity and by removing metals as sulfide precipitates, in addition to hydroxides and carbonates. However, the new mining legislation sets discharge limits based on physicochemical parameters and on the non-toxicity of treated effluent as well. In this study, toxicity was assessed for effluent from 3.5 L column bioreactors filled with mixtures of natural organic carbon sources and operated at two different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 7.3 d and 10 d for the treatment of a highly contaminated AMD. Acute toxicity was observed for D. magna, and a toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) procedure was performed to identify potential toxicants. To help the interpretation of the toxicity results, metal partition in the effluent was also determined by filtration and ultrafiltration, while geochemical modeling was performed for metal speciation evaluation. The 10 d HRT effluent was nonacutely lethal for rainbow trout but acutely lethal for D. magna, whereas the 7.3 d HRT effluent was toxic for both organisms. The toxicity to D. magna was eliminated by 2 h of aeration for the 10 d HRT effluent, and the TIE procedure suggested iron as a cause of toxicity. However, the 2 h aeration eliminated the toxicity of the 7.3 d HRT effluent, only if performed after the pH rising to 9.3. Data regarding metal speciation indicated instability of both effluents during aeration and were consistent with the toxicity being caused by iron. The study indicates that design of passive treatment should include sufficient HRT and posttreatment aeration to meet acute toxicity requirements. Keywords: acid mine drainage, sulphate-reducing passive bioreactors, hydraulic retention time, effluent toxicity, metal speciation

Nov 1, 2008

Introduction A Hypothetical Scenario: Suppose that your company's research department has developed a new device which represents a significant innovation. You would like to begin selling it as soon as possible. The new device has not been publicly disclosed. You're not sure about what type of intellectual property protection you should be seeking, or when you should be seeking it. As discussed below, assuming that the costs are worth it, a patent application probably should be filed before any public disclosure is made. In general, if you do not file a patent application prior to a public disclosure, you will lose rights. Major Types of Intellectual Property In this paper, intellectual property protection is broadly discussed. Practical steps which can be taken to minimize the possibility of losing intellectual property rights (and maximizing the possibility of benefiting from your company's intellectual property) are outlined at the end of this paper. The issues discussed in this paper are somewhat complex, because a number of outcomes are possible, depending on the facts. It is strongly recommended that you seek legal advice in your jurisdiction in connection with any particular circumstances relating to intellectual property rights. "Intellectual property" refers to a number of different types of rights. The major types of intellectual property are: (i) patents; (ii) trademarks; and (iii) copyright. Trade secrets are also usually considered to be a type of intellectual property, and they are also discussed in this paper because of their importance. In general, each of these types of intellectual property protects different subject matter, although there can be some overlap. Intellectual property rights are generally territorial in nature. The scope of protection of a type of intellectual property in a country (e.g., patent protection) depends on whether the specific national requirements for protection have been met.

Feb 1, 2008

By Robert B. Parsons

"""I would be a rich man if I had a dime for every man hour spent by the bureaucracy on changing tax legislation."" Anonymous.The mind of a cynic might very well conjure thoughts about ""change for the sake of change"", given the protracted saga of federal sales tax reform in Canada. The latest chapter unfolded this summer when the Commodity Tax Review Group released its important report. Whatever sales tax changes, if any, are finally adopted will have profound effects on many aspects of doing business. The capital-intensive mining industry will not escape these effects.IntroductionThe Federal Sales Tax Review Committee, established by the Minister of Finance earlier this year, has published a report that is sharply critical of the government proposals to shift the incidence of federal sales tax from the manufacturer level to the whole sale level (sales to retailers). The Report recommends a continuance of the present manufacturer's tax, for the present, but with significant changes that would increase the tax cost on certain imports, smooth the administrative machinery and make appeals and determinations more open and equitable. For the longer term, the Report recommends a shift of the tax base to the retail level.Reform of the federal sales tax system has been under consideration for several decades. Briefly the history is as follows: 1940 Report of Rowell-Sirois Commission-proposed the eventual elimination of federal sales tax1956 Report of Federal Sales Tax Committee-proposed a shift in tax from manufacturer to wholesaler level1966 Report of Carter Commission-proposed shift to a retail tax1975 Discussion Paper on Federal Sales and Excise Taxation-concluded that retail tax conceptually best but provincial agreement/administrative problems present a major hurdle-proposed wholesale tax as best practical approach1977 Report of Commodity Tax Review Group"

Jan 1, 1983

By Roy O. Ifill, W. Charle Cooper, Alan H. Clark

"Queen’s UniversityIn representative, run-of-mine samples from the Panel and New Quirke mines of the Elliot Lake uranium district, Ontario, brannerite, ametamict uranous titanate, occurs in microscopic grain-aggregates which display wide variations, both in textural habit and in the relative proportions of brannerite, titania polymorphs and/or “uraniferous titania”. As is widely documented, much of the brannerite occurs as trellis-like arrays of laths and needles pseudomorphing rutile oranatase. In some cases, the laths and needles are cemented by coffinite. Brannerite, with an average composition of (U0.629Th0.039Ca0.20)(Ti2.199Fe0.13)O69contains =3 wt% Th and is distinctly Ti-rich relative to the ideal composition, UTi2O6. Much of the Si reporting consistently in electron microprobe analyses (between 1 wt%and 5 wt%) is tentatively attributed to contamination by the quartz-sericite matrix, and a minor proportion is attributed to the presence of coffinite intergrowths. “Uraniferous titania” (average par-tial composition by weight: 10.8% U, 0.3% Th,32.9% Ti) is considered to represent an intermediate stage in the conversion of titania to brannerite.The leaching behaviour of brannerite in its different modes of occurrence was studied qualitatively by the rotating-disc (polished section) method in H2SO4and HCl solutions at 25° to70°C. Redox potential was not measured. The progress of the dissolution of the individual brannerite crystallites and grain-aggregates was monitored by optical and scanning electron microscopes. Regardless of its morphology and texture (laths or needles, reticulate or blocky),brannerite is not readily leachable. Regardless of the process conditions, the rate-controlling step appears to be the initial leach-pit formation. These pits expand radially through the aggregate as leaching proceeds. This dissolution mode is independent of the relative amounts of brannerite and titania, i.e. the type of grain-aggregate. Secondary coffinite intergrowths are readily leachable and enhance the overall leaching kinetics of brannerite by accelerating leach-pit formation. These data provide, for the first time, information on the controls on the leaching of the uraniferous phases which dominate the lower-grade ores in the Elliot Lake district."

Jan 1, 1996

By Leon C. Botham

?? Review of Requirements ?? Components of Modeling ?? Water Management ?? Tailings Management ?? Primarily a water management problem ?? Solids relatively easily contained ?? Process flows and runoff a continuous stream over life of mine ?? Need to allow this to safely happen over wide range of conditions

May 1, 2008

By Trang T. Tran-Valade

With continually increasing energy prices, the mining industry has been on the search for new energy optimization technologies. One area that is garnering great interest is Ventilation-On-Demand (VOD). Prior to selection and implementation of a VOD solution, it is important to fully understand the mine requirements as well as its existing infrastructure and the interaction with other automation in place at the site. With this information, a business case can be generated including a cost versus benefit comparison for various control strategies. To assist in the development of the business case, this paper will identify key areas for consideration and recommendations for an implementation plan.

May 1, 2013

By David L. Anderson

This paper explores the financial impact of the initial version of the Saskatchewan Potash Reserve Tax; first, a one; and second, in conjunction with the other taxes affecting the industry's profitability. A though the introduction of the Reserve Tax is shown to lead to a substantia increase in a hypothetical firm's effective tax burden, the more unusual outcomes frequently attributed to this levy on y occur after the imposition of other non-provincial tax rulings. Despite this qualification, the results obtained suggest that the Reserve Tax undoubted y acted as a catalyst in the polarization of attitudes during the ear y period of industry/government confrontation

Jan 1, 1979

By R. E. Whitehead

"The earliest gold-mining operations in Ontario included the Cordova, Deloro, and Sophia mines north of Lake Ontario (see for example, Miller and Knight, 1914). The Cordova deposit, worked intermittently between 1891 and 1940, is reported to have yielded 22 774 oz of gold from 127 670 tons of ore averaging 0.19 oz/ton Au (Gordon et al., 1979). The property remained inactive for many years. In 1988, Gunnar Gold Inc. and Mill City Gold Inc. conducted a drilling program along the main Cordova vein. The present study is based on core from three drill holes through the Cordova gabbro (Fig. 1) and the carbonate alteration zones enveloping the quartz-carbonate veins. The relatively narrow width of the alteration zone and the availability of continuous sections of core provided an opportunity to conduct a compact mineralogical-chemical study of carbonate alteration and its effect on the redistribution of rare earth elements (REEs). Although the Cordova deposit is not of great economic importance, this study has revealed a number of interesting features which are interpreted as resulting from processes that may be applicable to gold-bearing quartz vein deposits elsewhere.The Cordova gabbro is layered in places, varying from fine-to coarse-grained and in color from light gray (feldspathic) to dark gray-green (amphibolitic). However, layering within the section of the gabbro considered here and which hosts the Cordova gold deposit is mainly textural rather than compositional. Samples of unaltered gabbro selected for analyses were medium- to coarse-grained; amphibolitic and anorthositic phases were avoided as being less representative of the general chemical composition of the gabbro.The Cordova intrusion has undergone regional metamorphism and consists dominantly of actinolite and saussuritized plagioclase with smaller amounts of granular clinozoisite and flaky chlorite; minor quartz, ilmenite, titanite, apatite, and calcite are typically present. Some actinolite grains have irregular rims of pleochroic green hornblende that is optically continuous with the actinolite. Both chlorite and clinozoisite occur in two modes. Chlorite occurs as an alteration product of actinolite and as separate grains in the groundmass. Clinozoisite and albite occur together as regional metamorphic alteration products of original plagioclase crystals and as discrete grains in the matrix.The main gold-bearing quartz-carbonate occurrence occupies an easterly trending, steeply southward-dipping carbonatized shear zone up to 15 m wide and 700 m long. The gold occurs principally in irregular lenses and veins of quartz-carbonate up to a foot thick occupying the lower part of the schistose shear zone within the gabbro. This zone consists of chlorite, biotite, and carbonate and is flanked on both sides by chlorite-carbonate schist lacking biotite. The chlorite-carbonate schist in turn grades into regionally metamorphosed actinolite-bearing undeformed gabbro.The dominant sulfide within the quartz-carbonate lenses and in the surrounding schist is pyrite which occurs mainly as small cubes (1 mm to 2 mm) generally making up less than 10% of the rock. Rare blebs of chalcopyrite are present. Magnetite is common throughout the schist."

Jan 1, 2001

By Malcolm Scoble

School Values ?? Each other; ?? Students, & helping them develop intellectually, personally & professionally; ?? Freedom to pursue educational & research opportunities; ?? Home-work-life balance; ?? The geographic-business community in which we operate ; ?? The pursuit of excellence; ?? Our contribution to society; ?? Creativity & innovation; ?? Teamwork & collaboration; ?? Career development, achievement & reward.

May 1, 2008