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By M. J. Latva-Kokko, T. J. Riihimäki

"Oxidation autoclaves are normally operated at elevated temperature and pressure. The improvement in kinetics is due to combined effect of temperature and partial pressure of oxygen. In this paper exclusive effect of pressure has been studied with a low grade sulphide ore at below 100 °C temperature. These studies are related to development of a novel tower-like reactor that utilizes hydrostatic pressure. Technology is designed to generate high amount of effective fluid volume for high solid content slurries with lower energy consumption and improved kinetics compared to normal atmospheric operation.INTRODUCTIONEconomical utilization of low-grade ores requires handling of enormous amount of material. This sets new requirements for process equipment in terms of size and energy efficiency. For example on the field of mineral processing this has lead to a six fold increase in the operating volume of mechanical flotation cells over the past two decades. Ore beneficiation methods like flotation greatly reduce amount of material that needs to be further processed in smelters or hydrometallurgical refineries. However with some ore types, such as nickel laterites and refractory gold ores, traditional concentration technologies cannot be utilized. Thus direct leaching of ground ore could be an attractive option. In many cases normal atmospheric tank leaching has traditionally been a non-feasible option mainly due to high capital and operational expenses induced by large amount of stirred reactors required. Main restriction for increasing reactor size to beyond 500 m3 has been mechanical load and power requirements set by mixing in cases when high dispersion efficiency of gas is required. THEORETICAL BACKGROUNDIn hydrometallurgical industry autoclaves are typically operated at elevated temperature and pressure. In many cases increase in operating temperature is the desired phenomena and improvements in kinetics are strongly related to that. Thus increase in pressure might be induced solely by water vapor pressure. However when gaseous feed is present, pressure itself has a strong effect on leaching kinetics for various reasons and its role should not be neglected."

Jan 1, 2012

By O. Rabeau, M. Legault, A. Cheilletz, L. Z. Cheng, J. J. Royer, M. Jébrak

"By compiling geological, structural, geophysical, and geochemical information into a 3D geological model, we evaluated the orogenic gold potential in the vicinity of a hidden segment of an important Archean fault zone, the Cadillac-Larder Lake fault (CLLF) in the region of Rouyn-Noranda. The segment of CLLF in the present study is partly covered by Proterozoic sedimentary rocks. Because more than 2000 t Au have been extracted along the CLLF to date, our objective is to evaluate the gold potential at depth along a poorly known segment of this fault. A 3D geological model (50 km × 9 km × 1.5 km) including the covered segment was built through the compilation and homogenization of available geological data and the construction of 23 cross sections. The geology under the Proterozoic cover was evaluated using geophysical inversions, drill holes (42 in total), and surrounding geology. All available assays were filtered and upscaled to a 250 m × 250 m × 250 m regular cell grid to determine and quantify spatial relationships between geological features and mineralized occurrences using the weights of evidence method. Structural features, such as E-W-trending faults and fault intersections, and certain lithologies with a high primary porosity such as volcanoclastic rocks of the Blake River Group and Timiskaming sedimentary rocks, proved to be very prospective, yielding favourable factors with a weight of evidence index W+ > 0.24. These salient features were then assigned a combination index for ultimately evaluating the orogenic gold potential under the sedimentary cover. The zones resulting in an optimization of exploration targeting were attributed the highest probability, representing ~1% of the initial volume. La compilation des données géologiques, géophysiques, structurales, et géochimiques et leur intégration au sein d’un modèle géologique 3D a permis d’évaluer le potentiel aurifère dans les environs d’une importante zone de faille archéenne sous couverture protérozoïque. Cette méthodologie a été développée en utilisant le cas de la Faille Cadillac-Larder Lake (FCLL) dans la région de Rouyn-Noranda. Puisque plus de 2000 t d’Or ont été extrait à proximité de la FCLL, l’objectifs des travaux est l’évaluation du potentiel aurifère en profondeur de ce segment. Un modèle géologique 3D (50 km × 9 km × 1.5 km) incluant le segment sous couverture de la FCLL a été construit en utilisant l’ensemble des données géologiques disponibles et 23 coupes géologiques. La géologie du socle archéen sous la couverture protérozoïque a été interprétée avec des inversions géophysiques, des forages (42 au total) et les contacts géologiques exposés. Les teneurs aurifères dans le secteur ont été filtrées et ajusté à une grille régulière de 250 m × 250 m × 250 m afin d’évaluer et de quantifier les relations spatiales existantes entre certaines entités géologiques et les emplacements minéralisés en utilisant la méthode du poids de la preuve. Les failles de direction Est-Ouest, les intersections de failles ainsi que certaines lithologies possédant une porosité primaire importantes comme les certains tuf du Groupe de Blake River et les sédiments du Timiskaming se sont montrés très prospectifs avec des valeurs de W+ > 0.24. Ces entités géologiques ont ensuite été utilisées par le biais d’un indice de combinaison pour évaluer le potentiel en or de type orogénique sous le couvert sédimentaire. Cette méthodologie permet une optimisation des campagnes d’exploration puisque les zones pour lesquelles la probabilité de minéralisations a été évaluée à la plus haute valeur représentent 1% du volume initial."

Jan 1, 2009

By Tobias Riedel, Peter Ay, University of Applied Sciences, Bianka Bade, Nicole Pausch, Bernhard Gemende, Florian Logsch, Matthias Leiker, Satyanarayana Narra, Claudia Glaser

This study focusses on the production of micro-structured agglomerates with high porosity from iron (III)-hydroxide-containing materials as adsorbent. A fractal-like structure of the agglomerates was created through a two-stage agglomeration process. Developing porous structures was necessary to increase the adsorption capacity. Various materials were used for the agglomeration experiments: i) filter cake (dry matter content 23 to 27 wt.-%); ii) FerroSorp®DGµ, a product which is already being used commercially for various applications in water cleaning. These materials in the pristine state have different characteristics such as dry matter content and particle size distribution. The desired optimised agglomerates can be achieved with the help of additives or binders, respectively. Additionally, the agglomeration process parameters play a vital role. In order to produce agglomerates with high porosity, the process was carried out in two steps. Firstly, FerroSorp®DGµ (d90 < 30 µm) was agglomerated jointly with the aforementioned filter cake in an Eirich intensive mixer (particle size range 125 µm < d90 < 500 µm). The second agglomeration step post drying was carried out in a pelletisation disc or in an Eirich intensive mixer with the addition of polymeric binders (up to particle sizes ranging from 2 to 4 mm). Agglomerates were characterised both in short and long term loading tests using phosphate as model ion. Contact times were less than 10 min, similar to practical application in percolation columns, or more than 7 days, respectively. The results show that the agglomerates produced in the two-stage pelletisation process have more advantageous properties like better accessibility of the active sites obtained by specificly influencing the particle size distribution during the two-stage pelletisation process.

Jan 1, 2016

By F. S. Thurner

This paper, a description of the new ore-unloading and stockpiling facilities at the Sydney Works of DOSCO Steel Limited, deals with a new approach to arrive at the most economical solution to combine ore unloading facilities for common bulk carriers and for different types of self-unloading vessels. Also discussed is the design and installation of a 1-mile-long steel-cord belt conveyor sys-tem with a most modern type of mobile belt conveyor stacker, along with automatic and semi-automatic controls for the entire ship-unloading and stockpiling operations.

Jan 1, 1968

By Lloyd W. Trevoy

Syncrude Canada Limited is presently studying commercial production of heavy minerals from plant tailings of the openpit A lhabasca tar sands operation. When tar sands are processed and upgraded to synthetic crude oil, heavy minerals can be removed f rom the extraction circuit and beneficiated to provide concentrates of zircon and titanium minerals. Calculated recovery rates indicate that crude oil production capabilities of 105,000 barrels per day would provide 26,000 tonnes of zircon and 114,000 tonnes of titanium minerals annually. The titanium minerals concentrate is a mixture of ilmenite, leucoxene and rutile; it could be used as recovered or upgraded to synthetic rutile. With the consrruction of further synthetic crude oil plants in Western Canada, a large reserve of heavy minerals will become available.

Jan 1, 1984

By S. C. Ells

Within the Dominion of Canada occurrences of petro-liferous shales have been known for many years. Nevertheless, with the exception of a comparatively brief period, Canada has had to depend largely on foreign sources for its supplies of crude petroleum and petroleum products. Attempts were made to retort local shales in 1859, near Collingwood, Ontario, and again in 1862, near Baltimore, New Brunswick. In each instance these attempts were abandoned owing to the rapidly increasing production of well petroleum from the newly discovered pools of western Ontario and Pennsylvania. Now, after a lapse of nearly sixty years, attention is again directed to the commercial value of Canadian shales as a possible source of crude petroleum. Province of Nova Scotia: The principal deposits of oil-shales occur in Pictou and Antigonish counties and have been known for more than 60 years. During the three years following its discovery, several thousand tons of a particularly rich sub-variety, known as stellarite (stellar coal or oil coal) was mined near Stellarton in Pictou county. It is stated that stellarite yielded upwards of 10,000 cubic feet of 36 candle gas, and that selected samples gave a yield equivalent to 170 Imperial gallons (204 U.S. gallons) of crude petroleum per ton. The average petroleum content of a cargo shipped to Boston was 48 Imperial gallons (57.6 U. S. gallons) and the associated shale or &apos;bat&apos;, gave a yield of 39 Imperial gallons (46.8 U.S. gallons). Part of the above output was shipped to retorting works in Boston and in Portland, and part was mixed with bituminous coals for the enrichment of illuminating gas. Following the discovery of well petroleum in Ontario and in the United States, the mining of stellarite ceased.

Jan 1, 1925

By J. E. Marshall

"The concept of employing a project management team to coordinate all aspects of the construction of a new resource development has gained wide acceptance. This team can be formed from within the staff of large mining companies or contracted from major engineering firms and consultants. The mandate of the project managers usually terminates on successful startup of the operation. For frontier mineral developments in the Canadian Arctic or in the developing countries, startup and the initial year of operation represents the period in which the project is most vulnerable to technical, political and managerial problems. A complete change of the management team or the retention of the construction project managers and the resulting cost combined with the breakdown of organizational accountability within the operating staff .are unnecessary management problems.Independent project management services provide the commitment necessary to sustain the continuity of management through all project phases. Efficiency and the ability to make decisions quickly are characteristics of the many successful small mining companies. These qualities are necessary in the project management group, which will be responsible for up to 90% of the preproduction costs.Continuous project management in the construction and operational phases of a mineral development are common in the iron ore industry, but remain anomalous in the base metal, energy mineral and industrial mineral fields.The Nanisivik project on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic is used to illustrate the advantages of total project management through construction and operation.Total project management has further potential for foreign interests and financial and utility organizations desirous of participating in the Canadian mining industry, but with no direct involvement in the construction or operating management. Participation agreements in the operating phase of a project can be negotiated to have management fees related to both the production and the profits of the enterprise."

Jan 1, 1980

By Alexander Smith

Surf Point and Edye Pass mines are on the northwestern part of Porcher island; 25 miles southwest of Prince Rupert. During the 1930's they produced about $750; 000 in gold from ore averaging better than one-half ounce a ton. The deposits are quartz veins; containing auriferous pyrite; concentrates average about 8 oz. gold a ton. The veins occur in a quartz diorite; stock. Their distribution shows an apparent control by primary flow structures; for the principal deposits lie on the axis of an arch of flow layers. The technique used in mapping the structures in the intrusive is that known as the Cloos method and described by Balk.

Jan 1, 1954

By B. Haugrud, E. McConaghy, M. Collins, G. Smith

"Laterite ore processed by the Ambatovy Joint Venture in Madagascar is primarily limonitic in nature, containing about 40 to 45 wt.% Fe and 1.1 wt.% Ni. The process selected for treatment of this ore considered the behavior and deportment of iron in each step of the commercial flowsheet. Such considerations included nickel and cobalt recoveries, reagent consumptions, liquid-solid separation characteristics, and both intermediate and final product purities. In this paper, the results for the first three years of commercial operation at Ambatovy are compared with the design parameters, with emphasis on the behavior of iron.INTRODUCTION The main component of nickeliferous laterite ore is iron, and the Ambatovy deposit in Madagascar is no exception. The Ambatovy ore is primarily limonitic in nature, containing about 40 to 45 wt.% Fe and 1.1 wt.% Ni. Since the nickel content of the ore is roughly one fortieth that of iron, successful recovery of nickel depends on close control of the behavior of iron in the selected process. Exploration of the Ambatovy area, which is located to the east of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, dates back to 1960, when the Malagasy Service Géologique carried out a limited pitting and auger-drilling program. Phelps Dodge Corporation (now Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.) was granted the mining rights to the property in 1995 and carried out significant resource definition, environmental assessment and engineering studies between 1995 and 2001 (Chou, Rooke, Williams, & Hanks, 2000). In 2003, Dynatec Corporation, which was formed in 1997 by the merger of Dynatec International Ltd. and Sherritt International Consultants Inc., signed a joint venture agreement with subsidiaries of Phelps Dodge to evaluate the Ambatovy Nickel Project. Dynatec then became extensively involved in the development of the project, including process selection and pilot plant testing in Fort Saskatchewan (Collins et al., 2004, 2005, 2009; Collins & Vardill, 2005). Dynatec acquired 100% of the project in 2005 and a joint venture between Dynatec, Sumitomo Corporation, Korea Resources Corporation (KORES), and SNC-Lavalin Inc. (SLI) was formed shortly thereafter to provide funding for further development. SLI was responsible for engineering, procurement and construction management of the commercial facilities. Sherritt International Corporation reacquired Dynatec Corporation, including 40% ownership in the Ambatovy Nickel Project, in 2007. The current Ambatovy Joint Venture consists of an integrated nickel and cobalt mining, processing, refining and marketing enterprise between subsidiaries of Sherritt (40% owner and mine and plant operator), Sumitomo Corporation (32.5% owner) and KORES (27.5% owner)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Cesar A. Urbano Jr., Gretchen T. Lapidus

A series of experiments examined silver extraction from a high-grade sulfide concentrate employing thiourea solution. Thiourea was initially oxidized with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to form formamidine disulfide (FADS) and used to extract silver from the as-received concentrate and after various pretreatments. Very low recoveries (~30%) were obtained with the as-received concentrate due to competitive cementation reactions by metallic iron and easily oxidizable copper phases. Over 80% Ag recovery was obtained when the concentrate was pretreated to remove this iron and copper. The results suggest that an oxidative acid pretreatment of this concentrates significantly improves silver recovery upon leaching with thiourea.

Jan 1, 2014

By M. Massinaei

Recently constructed circuits have included multiple stages of columns in a variety of applications, from roughing to cleaning. The Miduk copper concentrator (in south-eastern Iran) is one of the unique mineral processing plants which use column flotation cells as rougher. As the bulk of final concentrate is produced by rougher columns, optimized metallurgical performance of these cells is crucial. This paper will present the study and optimization of, a froth washing system of columns. For this purpose, the cross-sectional area of orifices was increased and their orientation altered. Concentrate assay for copper and silica, in addition to bias rate were found to be the assessment criteria. Modification of the wash water system resulted in increasing the purity of rougher and final concentrate. Negative bias and short-circuiting of wash water into the concentrate launder were the main causes of improper froth zone washing in the former system.

Jan 1, 2007

By Manjeet Chowdhry, Qingxia Liu, Phillip Choi, Zhenghe Xu

Computational chemistry methods, such as density functional theory (DFT), are powerful tools to quantify reagent-mineral interactions encountered in sulphide mineral flotation. A quantitative relationship between theoretically calculated parameters based on chemical structure of collectors and their reactivity with different metals/minerals can provide valuable insights for design and development of more powerful and tailor-made reagents offering enhanced metal/mineral selectivity. DFT calculations at B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level were employed to elucidate the reactivity of neutral sulphide collector reagents, including thionocarbamates (TC), thioureas (TU), xanthogen-formates (XF), dialkyldithiocarbamates (DTC) and dialkyltrithiocarbonates (TTC) with different heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+) in solution. The extent of delocalization of lone pair electrons of heteroatoms (attached directly to C in C=S) over C=S group was found to be the dominant factor in determining the collector’s reactivity. Order of reactivity was established as: TU > TC > XF > DTC > TTC. All the collectors showed superior affinity towards copper followed by lead. Unidentate binding was observed through sulphur atom except for xanthogen-formate for which bidentate binding mode was observed. Effect of nature of substituent groups at N and/or O atom on reactivity of thionocarbamate and thiourea was also investigated. The results obtained through DFT calculations are consistent with the experimental data reported in literature.

Jan 1, 2015

By Antonio Laguna

During the past few years, synthetic efforts have been addressed to the synthesis of polymeric materials with optical or semiconducting properties or even with capabilities to act as sensors for volatile organic compounds (1). The most recent studies have been concerned with the synthesis of heterometallic systems with short metal-metal interactions and the determination of their optical properties. These complexes are undoubtly interesting from a theoretical viewpoint and include an emerging class of luminescent materials, in which the observed luminescence results mainly from the interactions among the different metal centers, as well as the environments of these atoms. The understanding of the photophysics and photochemistry of these products could permit the design of complexes with appropriate metals and ligands chosen for individual applications. Following a synthetic strategy consisting on reactions between acid heterometal complexes and basic gold precursors we have succeded in synthesizing supramolecular assemblies formed via acid-base stacking, which display tunable luminescence or selective and reversible sensitivity to Vapour Organic Compounds (VOC?s) (2-5). In this sense, in accord with previous Mössbauer studies carried out in the gold precursor complex [AuR2]- (R = C6F5), the basic properties of this and related materials have been employed as building blocks of supramolecular assemblies in their reactions with complexes in wich the metallic centers act as lewis acids as, for instance, Tl(I) or Ag(I) (6). For instance, in the case of silver, by reacting equimolecular quantities of [NBu4][Au(C6F5)2] with AgClO4, in acetone, a solid of stoichiometry [Au2Ag2(C6F5)4(OCMe2)2]n is obtained. The polymeric nature of this material in solid state is confirmed through X-ray analyses (figure 1). It consists of polymeric chains formed by repetition of Au2Ag2 moieties linked through short gold-gold interactions. Nevertheless, in solution, the nature of this polymeric materials was still a matter of controversy and, in this case, the optical properties have been shown as useful tools in order to obtain information. Thus, while dilute acetone solutions of this complex give a emission coming from pentafluorphenyl localized ??* excited states, in accord with the presence of isolated tetranuclear Au2Ag2 units, when the measurements are done at different and higher concentrations, a band that does not obey the Lambert-Beer law appears. This deviation is consistent with molecular aggregation in solution of these units through gold-gold interactions, and a clear correlation between the emssion wavelength and the structure in the solid state and in solution is shown (figure 2). DFT calculations accord with the observed experimental behaviour and show the nature of the orbitals involved in each transition.

Oct 1, 2003

By Kevin Bell

About Beltek Inc. For more than a decade Beltek, Inc. has been working with national and international organizations to harness and deliver solutions which gain real ebusiness advantages in today&apos;s world. Our objectives are to partner with our customers to achieve maximum results, while reducing costs. At Beltek, we provide a commitment to you and your organization&apos;s needs. Whether that be delivered by ensuring our services and products are state of the art or by providing a level of personalized service, which makes you feel like the center of attention, Beltek is about adding value to every job we work on. The individuals who work at Beltek quickly become your friends because we share your passion and enthusiasm for the business we are in. That&apos;s why every person is a leader in his or her respective fields. Having these individuals as apart of our business ensures you get the best out of our equipment, receive the very latest in advise, problem solving and support. We also pride ourselves on our ability to remain flexible at all times because we know deadlines and schedules can change quickly, so we always go the extra mile to deliver exactly what you need.

May 1, 2004

By D. F. VanDine, H. George

"The possibility of spoil pile failure at the Kara Kara bauxite strip mine, Guyana, South America, is of major concern to the mine operators. The current mining technique requires the continuous operation of an 11 ms bucket capacity walking dragline on top of 18 metres of freshly spoiled uncompacted overburden material consisting of varying mixtures of kaolinitic clay and quartzitic sand. A field biased geotechnical study of undisturbed overburden and corresponding spoiled material has identified site-specific, non-linear correlations between vane shear strength, standard penetration resistance and spoil pile composition. Readily available geological exploration borehole logs has enabled a composite clay isopach map of the entire mining property to be drawn and critical areas to be zoned according to expected slope stability. Stability has been assessed using simple hand calculation techniques. Use of the resulting stability map provides the mine operators with a means of forecasting the need for appropriate preventative measures at varying stages of mine development, throughout the life of the mine.A similar investigation procedure could be employed at many presently operating and future strip mines.IntroductionThe Kara Kara bauxite stripe mine is located at Linden within the bauxite belt of Guyana in South America. The mining property covers a total area of 88 hectares of flat to gently sloping ground of which some forty per cent is being actively mined or being preparatorily stripped of overburden, prior to eventual mining (George and Gordon, 1979). The regional climate is tropic and humid. Temperatures vary from 16°C to 38°C and yearly rainfall averages 2600 mm, with at least 55 per cent of this precipitation occurring during the &apos;wet season&apos; months of May to July and December to January."

Jan 1, 1983

By Jan Rosenkranz, Anders Sand, Lisa Malm, Nils-Johan Bolin

Within flotation technology the general trend is towards very large cells. Scale-up is usually done by postulating geometrical similarity, which implies keeping the aspect ratio constant when increasing cell volume. Consequently, the design of flotation circuits typically involves several cells of identical geometry within a bank. Using a few standard sizes in a flotation plant simplifies design, manufacturing and maintenance of the cells, but does not necessarily guarantee optimal performance and selectivity of the flotation process. Geometry parameters for a given cell volume that influence flotation cell performance include cell height, which causes changes in the hydrostatic pressure and suspension hydrodynamics, and also influences the travel distance of particle-bubble agglomerates as well as the homogeneity of the mixing. Also the thickness of the froth layer depends on the aspect ratio of the cell. The objective of this work is to gain a better understanding of material distribution and properties within a flotation cell and, based on this information, elucidate how alterations of the cell geometry can influence separation efficiency. For this purpose systematic measurements and analyses of the spatial distribution of the different phases within a 160 m3 flotation cell have been carried out with a particular focus on an industrial, low-grade copper ore beneficiation process. The concepts for sampling at different vertical and lateral positions of the flotation cell are introduced. The results from the experimental work give an understanding of internal material distribution within flotation cells. Based on the measured phase distribution and concentrations as well as particle properties at various positions within the cell, the implications for an optimized scaling and design of individual flotation cells within a flotation circuit are discussed.

Jan 1, 2016

By F. Romero

In the last four years, Compañia Minera Doña Ines de Collahuasi has been working in the application of advanced multivariate statistical techniques for the improvement of the metallurgical processes. In this paper the main conclusions for the application of multivariable analysis to the EW process are presented; including the identification of (target) process patterns according to throughput and quality criteria. Based on the process patterns, process variables hierarchies were identified by selecting the most influential ones, as well as to identify and isolate the root causes of pattern deviations and sub-standard operating conditions, cause-effect relationships were established, leading to the definition of process policies and controls to give early corrections to potential failures. The analysis was focused on cathode quality, specifically in its sulfur content, using an empirical model based on those variables that from a phenomenological and statistical stand point appeared to be the most influencing ones.

Jan 1, 2007

By Clifford Britch

"Kaiser Resources Ltd. has completed feasibility studies resulting in approval of $277,500,000 for the construction of the Greenhills Surface Coal Mine, located 35 km north of Sparwood, B.C. The mine is designed to produce 1,800,000 tonnes per year of metallurgical coal over a 20-year period by conventional truck /shovel methods.The project is in the detailed design phase, with some preparation work being carried out on the site. The major construction activities are scheduled to commence in the spring of 1981. Mine development and pre-stripping will commence in July 1981, with first coal production scheduled for mid 1983.This paper will be a general description of the project and will include a discussion of the geology, reserves, mine planning, coal handling and processing, surface facilities and related topics.IntroductionProject DefinitionThe Greenhills Project is designed to produce, by conventional truck I shovel surface mining methods, 1,800,000 clean tonnes of metallurgical coal per year for twenty years . The production/ life constraints were chosen as being meaningful for planning and evaluation purposes after appraisal of the market potential and are not limited .by economic reserves. Substantial additional strippable reserves are available which would facilitate expansion of the proposed mine life and/ or capacity. In fact , all the facilities are designed so that they can be expanded in the future to accommodate a doubling of annual coal production, and certain portions of the coal processing facilities are being installed with an annual capacity of 3,600,000 tonnes. The mine will also produce approximately 2,400,000 clean tonnes of oxidized thermal coal, mostly in the first decade."

Jan 1, 1981

By Guoxiang Chi

This paper consists of two parts: the first part describes the principles and functionality of the BsnMod program, and the second part presents preliminary application of this program to paleo-fluid flow modeling in the Anticosti Basin. The BsnMod program simulates fluid flow and heat transfer during the evolution of sedimentary basins through numerical solution (finite difference method) of three partial differential equations, which describe sediment compaction, fluid continuity, and heat conservation. It can be used to estimate the evolution of fluid overpressure, flow rate, and temperature during the basin history. The program was written in C++, works under Windows environments, and has a user interface allowing inputs in dialogues and outputs in both tabular and graphic forms. The program was applied to the Lower Paleozoic Anticosti Basin in eastern Canada. The basin history consists of a passive margin stage and a foreland basin stage. Preliminary simulation results indicate that no significant fluid overpressures were developed in the passive margin stage and during the early period of the foreland basin stage, but strong overpressures were developed within the foreland basin succession during the middle and late periods of the foreland basin stage. Fluid flow rates were generally slow, and thermal profiles were not significantly disturbed by fluid movement throughout the basin history. Potential source rocks of hydrocarbons were found in the foreland basin succession. The strong overpressures in the foreland basin succession could have been a major driving force for hydrocarbon migration from the source rocks to the underlying potential reservoir rocks.

May 1, 2001

By BARRY BANNATYNE

Non-swelling bentonite has been quarried in Manitoba by Pembina Mountain Clays Limited since 1941. It occurs in several thin layers near the base of the Pembina Member of the Upper Cretaceous Vermilion River Formation, and is quarried from the narrow outcrop belt along the slope of the Manitoba Escarpment. It is marketed both as natural and activated bentonite for a variety of specialized uses. Percolation of acidic water through bentonite has produced a naturally activated bentonite with good absorbent properties; these properties are enhanced by treatment with sulphuric acid to produce an activated bentonitefor decolourizing petroleum and vegetable oil.

Jan 1, 1984