Search Documents

By ByongPil Lee, Changkyu Lee, Jin Gyun Park, Hyung Sub Eom, Sung-Koo Jo, Jae-Young Lee, Gilsoo Han

"A new hydrometallurgical process for nickel extraction from a low grade laterite ore such as limonite has been developed by RIST and POSCO. This POSCO Nickel Extraction Process (PosNEP) consists of five main processes: ore reduction using hydrogen as a reductant; acid leaching at atmospheric pressure and temperature; cementation by the use of reduced-ore seed; production of the main product such as ferronickel or a high purity nickel compound; and production of by-products such as cobalt and iron in the forms of cobalt sulfate and iron oxide. In addition, hydrogen produced in acid leaching and hydrochloric acid regenerated in pyrohydrolysis for iron oxide production can be reused in the process, which makes PosNEP more cost-effective. The performance of PosNEP has been proven through pilot tests, showing that this process is economically and technically viable. In this paper, basic concepts and detailed test results of PosNEP are shown.INTRODUCTIONNickel has been extracted from two types of ore, sulfide and oxide ore. Nickel and cobalt usually occur together in the ores. The principal ore mineral of the sulfide is pentlandite, (Ni,Fe)9S8, which is easily beneficiated to produce sulfide concentrates(Moats & Davenport, 2014). These concentrates are usually treated by smelting and converting to make a matte. The produced matte is then purified through either hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processes to produce high-purity nickel. In general, this process for sulfide ore has been known as a more cost-effective process than that for oxide ore.The oxide ore is laterite comprised of two different ore types, saprolite and limonite. The main nickel-bearing mineral of saprolite is nickeliferrous garnierite,(Mg,Ni)6Si4O10(OH)8, and that of limonite is nickeliferrous goethite (Fe,Ni)O·OH ore (Moats & Davenport, 2014). Since the saprolite has high contents of nickel and slag formers (MgO and SiO2) and a low content of iron, it tends to be treated by a pyrometallurgical smelting process such as calcination and electric furnace techniques to produce ferronickel for use in stainless steel. In this process, the cobalt in the ferronickel does not have any economic value."

Jan 1, 2017

By G. Anger, J. Enser, H. Antrekowitsch, S. Koch

Homogeneous chemical composition and microstructure are always necessary, but not always attained in practice. As-cast aluminium alloys tend to have a segregation microstructure. Features of the cast structure, which affect subsequent processing or properties, can be altered by the homogenization. The main task of the Department of Nonferrous Metallurgy was to investigate the effect of homogenization treatment on precipitation hardening of aluminium alloys 6061 and 6082. The effect of the solution heat treatment (SHT) temperature on the mechanical properties was also analyzed. The homogenized and non-homogenized rolling slabs were produced according to the usual conditions and methods. The metallographic investigations were carried out on the as-cast samples, after homogenization, after the hot and the cold rolling mill, and after natural and artificial ageing. Then, Brinell hardness measurements and tensile tests were conducted on both alloys in order to examine the influence of the homogenization.

Jan 1, 2006

By C. A. Pickles

Microwaves are being applied industrially in a number of fields and possess a number of potential advantages that could be applied in extractive metallurgy. Microwave heating has a number of unique characteristics, which distinguish it from the conventional heating methods. In microwave heating, the absorption of energy occurs at the molecular or atomic level and therefore the heat is generated within the material itself. In conventional heating, the exterior temperature is usually higher than the interior, but with microwave heating, the temperature gradient is inverted and thus the interior temperature can be much higher than that of the surface. The energy densities in microwave systems can be relatively high and this in combination with the low thermal conductivities of oxide ores, can lead to very high internal heating rates. In this research, the application of microwave energy for the reduction of a nickeliferous silicate laterite ore has been investigated. The real and imaginary permittivities are the two fundamental properties which determine the microwave absorption characteristics of a material and these were measured for the ore, both with and without carbon additions using the cavity perturbation technique. The microwave heating and reduction experiments were performed in a 0 to 2 kW CTC microwave system. The effects of power input, processing time, sample mass and charcoal additions on the microwave absorption were investigated. Then reduction experiments were performed and the nickel grade of the magnetic concentrate and the nickel recovery in the concentrate were determined.

Jan 1, 2005

By CIM Mineral Resource, Mineral Reserve Committee

Industrial minerals are generally considered to include non-metallic minerals, mineral products, or materials that provide raw material inputs for the construction, chemical, and manufacturing industries. They are often relatively low-value and bulky materials that are generally used close to where they are produced; however, some raw materials may be transported hundreds of kilometres to manufacturers and customers (ENDM, 2021). They do not include the metallic minerals, mineral fuels, or gemstones, and are used in industries based on their physical and/or chemical properties (Wikipedia, 2021). In contrast to most metallic minerals, a general distinguishing characteristic of the industrial minerals sector is their general low degree of market elasticity in relation to the market prices and product specifications. The estimation of either a Mineral Resource or a Mineral Reserve (MRMR) for an industrial minerals deposit can be affected to a significant degree by a number of factors that are not typically applicable to metallic mineral deposits. These factors can include such considerations as the particular physical and chemical characteristics of the final product, product quality issues, market size and market access. In some cases, such information may be confidential and proprietary. One of the key challenges of the industrial minerals sector is to define a commonly accepted listing of which types of minerals, materials, or mineral deposits can be considered as industrial minerals (Mining Standards Task Force, 1999). Although definitions for what constitutes an industrial mineral can vary in detail, general descriptions can be found in American Geosciences Institute (2021), Fastmarkets IM (2021), Snowden (2019), SME (2021) and Wikipedia (2021). A brief listing of some of the materials and minerals that are generally considered to be industrial minerals is provided in Table 1. For the purposes of this document, all references to industrial minerals include not only the minerals, materials, and mineral deposits themselves, but also the various commercial products that are derived from these sources.

Nov 19, 2023

By Jonathan Ruiz Lizardo, Met-Chem Canada Inc., Flavio Ccuno, Constante Umipig, Ewald Pengel, José Ruiz

"Cerro de Maimón is located in the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola approximately 75 kilometers northwest of the capital city, Santo Domingo. The processing facility consisted of two separate processing plants for oxide and sulphide ores. The oxide plant processed oxide ore bearing gold and silver ore using cyanide leaching and Merrill Crowe processes, while the sulphide plant produced a copper concentrate using conventional flotation. Cormidom is a commendatory example how mineral processing facilities can co-exist in balance with the environment. In 2014, natural occurring copper oxide contamination with finer grained copper-zinc sulphide mineralisation was expected to dominate the sulphide ore body. In anticipation Cormidom contacted the original plant designer Met-Chem to assist in overcoming this challenge. Test work indicated that increased flotation time and subsequent very fine grinding were required. Met-Chem provided the detailed engineering and Cormidom proceeded with the expansion project internally. Currently Cormidom has processed the sulphide ore successfully by implementing flotation modifications. This paper describes the history of Cormidom, test work on the “new” ore body, modification in process design in the Cu-Zn sulphide flotation circuit, construction and implementation.INTRODUCTIONCorporación Minera Dominicana (CORMIDOM) was a wholly owned subsidiary of GlobeStar Mining Corporation (a Canadian based minerals exploration company) with extensive exploration of base and precious metals in the Dominican Republic. In 2007-2008 CORMIDOM constructed the Cerro de Maimom project. The company was subsequently sold and purchased by Perilya Limited from Australia in 2013. Cerro de Maimón is located in the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola approximately 75 kilometers northwest of the capital city, Santo Domingo. It is near the town of Maimón in Monsenor, Nouel Province (see Figure 1)."

Jan 1, 2016

By H S. Ellis

Flow studies have been conducted on nickel-water suspensions in a 1in.-diam., 42-ft.-long transparent lab-oratory pipeline at concentrations of up to 25 per cent, by volume, and slurry velocities of up to 15 ft/sec. The average size of the nickel powder was approximately 150 mesh (106J.L). Three flow regime were noted. At the highest velocities, i.e., above 10 ft/;sec., where the concentration distribution through the vertical diameter was most uniform, pressure gradients could be correlated with the Durand-Condolios equation (7,8). An intermediate region, i.e., from 7 ft/sec. to10 ft/sec., could be distinguished, the lower velocity limit being that at which nickel particles began to deposit. This region was also marked by decreasing pressure gradients, for a given concentration, as the velocity was reduced. The upper velocity limit in this region was also uniquely defined in that the friction factor for any nickel concentration was the same as that for water. In the third regime, below about 7 ft/sec

Jan 1, 1963

By Yuanming Pan, Brett Rogers, Baoquan Hu, Gary Yeo, Christine Austman

The nature and distribution of radiation-induced defects (RIDs) in quartz from the Maw Zone, a yttrium- and rare-earth-element-enriched sandstone breccia complex exhibiting intense hydrothermal alteration, have been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. EPR spectra show that detrital quartz in sandstone, from five diamond drill holes intersecting the Maw Zone and one above the crest of the so-called Quartzite Ridge, contain only background-level RIDs, indicating that Ubearing fluids were absent in this area. However, close to the sandstone-basement unconformity, in hole WR-194 immediately west of the Quartzite Ridge, the concentration of RIDs in detrital quartz is significantly above background but at least an order of magnitude lower than those at the Key Lake and McArthur River deposits. Widespread drusy quartz at the Maw Zone, which signifies intense hydrothermal alteration, is associated with hematite-, sulfide- and carbonate-bearing mineral assemblages, which exhibit complex crosscutting relationships. EPR spectra of drusy quartz in all three types of mineral assemblages are low in RIDs as well, supporting the EPR evidence that fluids at the Maw Zone did not carry significant U. These EPR results suggest that, in spite of intense hydrothermal alteration and favorable structural geology, the Maw Zone is unlikely to host any significant U mineralization. Moreover, this study shows that the EPR technique is potentially a useful exploration tool, capable of determining whether individual alteration zones in the Athabasca Basin were associated with U-bearing fluids or not.

Jan 1, 2013

By Gregory A. Johnson

Operations and Maintenance departments have long had an adversarial relationship. The widespread evolution and adoption of modern management techniques such as Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Lean Production however has driven interest in working co-operatively to optimize overall plant performance. Mining and minerals operations have long adopted RCM in maintenance, and are now adopting Lean throughout the organization. Modern management initiatives like these explicitly call for co-operation between the two disciplines of maintenance and production and many advances have been made in the realms of people and methodology. One area that has lagged behind in supporting these developments however is information systems. Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems in maintenance and newer Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) in operations have not been truly integrated in the way needed. Complicated plants, different software architectures, continually changing conditions and many variables have lead to systems problems which have contributed to the maintenance/operations divide. Master data synchronization (the ?plant tree?) and integrated reporting of real-time data with transactional data are just two of the issues that are being solved by new approaches in information technology including web services and service orientated architectures. New technologies are coming on-stream to enable the final ?bridging of the gap?.

Feb 1, 2008

By Peter Hood

Data on world-wide geophysical activity in mining exploration programs are collected annually by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists' Geo-physical Activity Committee as part of a continuing service to the industry. The data are obtained by sending out questionnaires to all organizations which are known to be carrying out mining geophysical work; the organizations canvassed include mining companies, contractors, government departments and universities. The questionnaire is divided into three sections; namely, ground methods, airborne methods and research. The data compiled from the questionnaires show that world-wide utilization of mining geophysical methods reached a new high in 1967 with total expenditures of (U .S.) $32,323,240. This was divided as follows: ground methods, $18,106,785; airborne methods, $10,-123,405; and research, $4,093,050. For the ground methods, most money was spent on the induced polarization technique ($5,681,780); electromagne-tic methods were second in reported expenditures ($2,010,900). The total reported geophysical line mileage flown was 1,275,072 line miles, with aeromagnetic surveying being the most popular airborne method. The total amount spent on aeromagnetic surveys was $5,832,564 for 895,420 line miles. This gives an average cost of (U.S.)$6.50 per line mile.

Jan 1, 1968

By Vard H. Johnson

"In contrast with the well-publicized Pittsburgh coal, and the Everglades of Florida, most coal-forming swamps of Cretaceous time in western North America occupied relatively limited areas. They formed in areas of irregular subsidence, bounded by the changing levee systems of meandering streams. Coke quality is determined by the physical and chemical behaviour of the vitrain during thermal decomposition. Vitrain is at least in part a colloidal substance, originally containing large proportions of water; its formation and survival depend on maintaining a shallow cover of stagnant water up to the time of burial. Heat from swamp fires or subaerial dyhydration could destroy it or impair its quality. Observed patterns suggest that the metamorphism is almost entirely thermal, and that there is little relation to tectonic stresses, or loading. These coals had probably achieved essentially their present rank prior to deformation. Evidence of frictional heating along the thrust planes is minimal or absent. Normally, coal beds are aquifers. Oxygen carried into the subsurface becomes available and reacts with the vitrain to destroy its natural thermoplastic properties. The tolerance of oxygen without loss of thermoplasticity is inversely related to the volatile content. Significant lateral variations of coal thickness are common and sometimes occur in short distances. In deformed areas these thickness changes are more commonly due to differential tectonic stress rather than to original thicknesses of coal. Locally, coal is known to have flowed into cavities, or fractures. These principals are discussed in relation to coal deposits of western Alberta and eastern British Columbia."

Jan 1, 1972

By Eugene (Gene) Bounds

The Mining industry faces many challenges, one of which is the demand to communicate over a variety of media, be it visual, sound, voice, data or any combination. Over the years multiple infrastructures have been put in place to overcome environmental obstacles and address these communication needs. A mine is an aggressive environment for electronic equipment and as such only the best quality equipment can perform under those special conditions of e.g. temperature, dust and humidity. Siemens Canada and its partner LComm will discuss a mining solution using a unique combination of technologies based on fibre optics, standard communication interfaces, passive antenna infrastructure and wireless services. The presentation looks at maximizing the use of infrastructure, reducing costs, addressing difficulty of communications coverage above and below the surface and the capability to future proof the capital investment as new requirements and applications are identified. Discussion will address: Wireless voice, high speed data Data acquisition for process control from sensors Video for remote control and security Miner safety and location Timely receipt of large volumes of information

Apr 1, 2005

By A. Y. Smith, R. J. Allan, E. H. W. Hornbrook, R. W. Boyle, W. Dyck

"HYDROGEOCHEMICAL METHODS in the Canadian Shield can be based on analyses of the following :(1) spring waters and their precipitates;(2) stream and river waters;(3) lake and muskeg waters;( 4) ground waters from drill holes, wells, faults, etc.;(5) waters issuing from diamond drill holes, faults, shear zones, etc. into mine workings and open pits; also analyses of precipitates associated With these waters.The first four can be utilized in both reconnaissance and detailed surveys. The last is suitable only for detailed work.For hydrogeochemical methods of prospecting to be effective, the following conditions must be present. 1. Natural waters must come into contact with mineral deposits and remain in contact with them long enough for the solution of detectible amounts of ore, gangue or indicator elements. 2. Dispersion patterns must be present in the hydrologic systems in order to trace the elements back to their source. These patterns may take the form of trains (e.g., increasing amounts of elements upstream toward t he source (s), Figure 1 ) or halos (e.g., increasing amounts of elements in bodies of water toward the source (s), F igures 2 and 3)."

Jan 1, 1971

By R. M. Porter

PILLAR extraction at the Sullivan Mine bas been in progress for over twenty-five years and bas .involved progressively larger pillars. The largest pillar blasted to date exceeds one million tons and is described in this paper. This blast is believed to be one of the largest to take place entirely under-ground. The Sullivan Mine, owned by The Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada Limited, is located in the southeastern corner of British Columbia on the east flank of the Purcell range overlooking the twenty-mile wide Rocky Mountain Trench (Figure 1). The orebody is a bedded replacement deposit in argillites, varying in thickness up to 300 feet, but averaging about 80 feet. Above the 3900 Level, the dip varies from nearly horizontal to 40 degrees; be-low the 3900 Level it varies from 45 to 20 degrees (Figure 2). Pillar extraction follows a plan of retreating outward from caved areas. The size of each blast is determined by the effect which the removal of support

Jan 1, 1961

By R. D. Brown

"AbstractIn order to raise the enormous amounts of capital which will be essential for the development of Canada's mineral and petroleum resources, this country's resource industry must be permitted to earn an acceptable rate of return. The existing tax regime, with its high rates, complexities and misdirected incentives, presents a serious obstacle to our resource industries in their development of Canada's immense , but increasingly lean, resources. Government tax and other policies are not the only cause of the crisis now facing the resource sector in Canada, but a reformed tax system, with stable and reasonable tax burdens, is required if Canada's resources of minerals, oil and natural gas are to continue to contribute in the future, as in the past, to our national well-being.An independent task force, organized under the auspices of the Canada West Foundation, has recently completed a wide -ranging report: on the future development of Canada's mineral, oil and gas resources. This five-volume report, completed after almost two years of research and study, concludes that Canada •is facing a major crisis •in the development of our resources, It states that unless corrective action is taken now, mineral production and exports could decline drastically after 1985, at the same time that Canada would face massive bills for imported oil because of inadequate and declining production.The task force, chaired by the author of this article, has put forward recommendations for a fundamental shift in both federal and provincial policies in order that Canada's mineral reserves can be developed in the national interest. This article consists of excerpts from the summary of the task force's report."

Jan 1, 1977

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has been a world leader in the development of innovative virtual reality technologies over the last 10 to 15 years. These developments have included developing the world?s first 360° surround, virtual reality (VR), stereo projection theatre system known as AVIE (Advanced Visualisation and Interactive Environment), which was developed by iCinema, a collaborative venture between the UNSW Faculties of Engineering and College of Fine Arts. The UNSW School of Mining Engineering has been responsible for development of mining applications virtual reality software modules and to date, has developed eighteen different mine safety training and mining engineering education modules which run in the AVIE environment. This platform and technology package provides a unique ?immersive environment? experience for groups of trainees or students who can engage with the simulated environment in the complete safety of the virtual reality theatre. In all of the major international mining industries, safety is of paramount importance, and training of personnel is an essential component of any comprehensive proactive safety management system. All personnel need to be aware of the inevitable hazards around them at all times, as well as understand appropriate safety and operational procedures. This can be done by conventional class-room style training sessions, or by provision of training documentation. However the effectiveness of such systems is often very limited due to the inability of trainers to engage with the audience for a lengthy period of time; or to convey the often complex and variable mining environments and situations which can exist in a typical mine. The ability to immerse the trainees in a virtual mine environment, with all the reality of an actual mine but with none of the physical exposure to actual hazards, provides a far more effective and engaging training experience. Furthermore, in the virtual world, trainees can be exposed to the very unlikely, but nevertheless high consequence hazards such as mine fires, falls of ground or outbursts, without any risk to their safety and well-being. The end result is that trainees will be far more engaged with the learning environment they find themselves in, and will develop a far higher level of understanding of the topics, rather than simply experiencing a passive class-room style learning environment offered by conventional training modes. The UNSW systems have been implemented widely within the Australian mining industry and the mining engineering education sector and are now being adopted internationally. This paper presents an overview of the innovative technologies involved in these virtual reality systems ? as applied to the mining industry. Modules developed for both mineworker training and mining engineering student learning will be presented, to illustrate the effectiveness and value of such a training and education approach.

Aug 1, 2013

By G. Guiglionda, A. Deschamps, F. De Geuser, M. Langille, B. J. Diak

"Increased demand for light-weighting in passenger vehicles has created a need for strong, light, ductile materials to be used in body-in-white applications. The AA6xxx-series of aluminum alloys are suitable candidates meeting most requirements but can fall short of the formability demands of designers, necessitating an understanding of what controls the formability in this alloy series. This work examines the effect of copper alloying in AA6xxx on the pre-ageing and natural ageing responses of the microstructure and mechanical properties. The changes in microstructure observed by differential scanning calorimetry and hardness testing are related to the work-hardening and strain-rate sensitivity parameters for these alloys measured by tensile testing. An observed asymmetry in the measured strain-rate sensitivity associated with increasing versus decreasing strain rate changes suggests that a different mechanism operates for the two conditions. It is postulated how this asymmetry in strain-rate sensitivity will impact the necking and ductility behaviour of these alloys.INTRODUCTION The widespread use of AA6xxx series alloys in the form of sheets has provided the need for a more thorough understanding of the complex interactions between composition, processing, resulting microstructure and ultimately, the mechanical properties of the alloys. Conventional industrial practices involve the production of rolled AA6xxx sheet (typically 1 mm thick) to be used for body-in-white (BIW) applications for auto body panels (Hirsch, 2004, 2014). The final metallurgical step prior to the shipment of these panels to manufacturers involves a solution heat treatment (SHT) reverting the ageing products of the alloys into solid solution and the product is then shipped to the customer. During this shipping time and while sheets are waiting to be used, the natural ageing (NA) process occurs whereby the strength of the alloys increases resulting in reduced formability. This can result in a product that is unable to meet the formability demands of the automotive manufacturer. As a result, industry has moved towards performing pre-ageing (PA) treatments to prolong the “shelf-life” of the material prior to it having insufficient formability. Once formed into BIW panels, the parts are then painted and subsequently undergo the paint curing heat treatment which consists of a short period of time at medium temperature, typically 20 minutes at 170–190°C. This short artificial ageing (AA) treatment, known as the paint bake (PB), provides additional strength and improved dent resistance for the material, but reduced formability. The PB result is strongly dependent on the PA treatment performed prior to the forming operation. Furthermore, the addition of copper (Cu) to a base Al-Mg-Si composition is known to increase the alloy’s strength. The goal of this work is to study the effect of Cu on strength, strain hardening, and strain-rate sensitivity (SRS) of these alloys, to understand the strength-formability compromise, for two separate heat treatment schedules; one including and one excluding the PA treatment, both followed by NA."

Jan 1, 2018

By J. J. Brummer

"A reconnaissance geochemical survey, using the stream sediment technique, is described. The survey covered an area of about 400 square miles, in the Seal Lake area of central Labrador, underlain by basaltic flows, diabase and metadiabase sills, and sedimentary rocks. Previous work had indicated numerous small copper occurrences within the Seal Lake group of rocks. Stream sediments were tested for the readily extractable copper content and total heavy metal content. The results of the copper survey did not yield any new data on the distribution of copper mineralization. Results of the total heavy metal survey attracted attention to a remote portion of the area (Ten Mile Lake), which had hitherto been regarded as having no economic interest. The anomalous values found, suggested that zinc mineralization should occur in this region. Geological mapping indicated that the rocks exposed belonged to the Letitia Lake Group, which is older than the Seal Lake Group exposed to the east, which contains the copper mineralization of the district.Investigation of the area lead to the discovery of: (1) uneconomic lead-zinc mineralization; (2) radioactivity extending over a considerable area. Evaluation of the radioactive rocks led to the discovery of columbium-thorium mineralization in amphibolite and in diopside-actinolite schists along a contact with intrusive alkali syenite.Thus a geochemical survey, which was planned to evaluate a copper province, resulted in the discovery of lead-zinc-columbium-thorium mineralization."

Jan 1, 1960

By D. Bois, P. Keating, J. Lemieux, M. A. Vallée, M. Allard, R. S. Smith, L. Z. Cheng, M. Chouteau, D. K. Fountain

"Abstract -A test survey using the MEGATEMII airborne electromagnetic system was flown over the Iso and New Insco massive sulfide orebodies in the Rouyn-Noranda mining camp, Canada. The results were compared with data from historical systems (INPUT, DIGHEM) used to discover the deposits. The historical data show that the two deposits have comparable conductances. However, the modern MEGATEMII system reveals that the New Insco deposit has a much slower decay than the Iso deposit, and it is, therefore, interpreted to be more conductive. The MEGATEMII anomaly maps provide estimates of the location, depth, dip, and strike of the two deposits, information that was not available from the historical anomaly maps. The signal-to-noise ratio of the MEGATEMII data is greater than the historical data, yielding more sharply defined anomalies. The investigations also included a comparison between 90 Hz and 30 Hz MEGATEMII data. The 90 Hz data were found to be useful for mapping the less conductive parts of the Iso body, whereas the 30 Hz data demonstrated that the New Insco body is more conductive. Analysis of height attenuation data over the Iso body indicates that the body could be seen by the MEGATEMII system if it were buried an additional 230 m deeper (in highly resistive material). On the other hand, the INPUT system would detect the Iso body only if it were buried no deeper than an additional 60 m. Tests with the transmitter turned off showed that, for this flight, the MEGATEMII system noise levels on the processed data are about 300 pT/s. Sommaire - Dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche, un ensemble de levés d’essais électromagnétiques aéroportés employant le système de MEGATEMII a été effectué au dessus des dépôts d’Iso et de New Insco, Rouyn-Noranda, Canada. Les données ont été comparées avec les réponses des systèmes qui ont découvert ces deux dépôts (INPUT et DIGHEM). Les données antérieures montrent que le dépôt d’Iso a une conductance comparable à celle de New Insco. Cependant, les données de MEGATEMII démontrent que le dépôt de New Insco a une haute valeur de la constante de décroissance, ce qui reflète une plus forte conductivité. La carte d’anomalies de MEGATEMII indique la localisation, la profondeur, le pendage et l’orientation des deux dépôts, ce que la carte d’anomalies antérieure ne montrait pas. Le rapport de signal à bruit de MEGATEMII est plus grand que celui des données de INPUT et de DIGHEM; de plus, les pics sont mieux définis. Les tests ont également permis une comparaison entre les fréquences de base de 90 Hz et de 30 Hz. Les données de 90 Hz se sont montrées utiles pour cartographier la partie du dépôt Iso dont la conductivité est la plus faible, tandis que les données de 30 Hz montrent clairement que le dépôt de New Insco est plus conducteur. Les analyses de l’atténuation du signal avec la hauteur ont indiqué que le dépôt d’Iso pourrait être détecté par le système MEGATEMII s’il était enfoui à 230 m sous la surface (dans un milieu hautement résistant). D’autre part, le système INPUT pourrait seulement détecter le dépôt d’Iso s’l était situé à 60 m de profondeur. Les tests avec l’émetteur fermé démontrent que le niveau de bruit est des l’ordre de ±300 pT/s."

Jan 1, 2006

By J. Holder

"A key barrier to vertical mineshaft construction is the construction access required for workers. A suspended work stage is used to provide this access for the mechanical, electrical and structural applications and other tasks. Work stage design is complicated considering the numerous types of construction activities that are executed simultaneously, the confined environment in which the work stage operates, the significant corrosion attack that is present, the weight limitations imposed by the mechanical hoist systems, and the risks associated with worker safety. Also complicating the design, these structures and their construction environment can vary with time. Hence, they can be described as 4D structures. The author has discovered significant synergies and advantages with integrating engineering design with detailed three-dimensional (3D) fabrication design. The significant reduction of minor design errors needing field correction will be underscored. The tender process is also accelerated since the design output is fabrication shop drawings including a detailed quantity takeoff output which lists each component required and its specific quantity. The paper presented will document the numerous advantages to the project using this approach. INTRODUCTION A key barrier to vertical mineshaft construction lies in the access for the workers to execute the construction. Suspended work stages are used to provide this access for the mechanical, electrical and structural applications as well as other tasks. The design of such work stages is complicated considering the numerous types of construction functions that need to be executed simultaneously, the confined environment in which it operates , the significant corrosion attack that is present, the weight limitation imposed by the mechanical systems for suspension, and the risks associated with worker safety. Also complicating the design, these structures and their construction environments can vary with time. They can be described as 4D structures with the fourth dimension being time. This design is a time consuming process. The post tender award is meticulous and requires strong teamwork between the steel fabricator and the consulting engineer. This teamwork may or may not be present and is dependant on the experience and relationship the team members have working together as well as other factors."

Jan 1, 2019

By E. Eccleston, E. Gardner, F. Letarte, R. Schonewille

"In 2005, after nearly a decade of process development and feasibility work, the commercialization of the Falconbridge Nickel Smelting Technology (NST) began in earnest with the design and construction of a grassroots ferronickel plant at Koniambo Nickel in New Caledonia. The NST process was developed as an alternative to the conventional Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RKEF) process for production of ferronickel from saprolitic nickel laterite ores. The NST process promised environmental and energy efficiency advantages over the conventional route. A key step of the NST process involves fluidized bed pre-reduction of calcined laterite ore using direct injection of pulverized coal as the reductant. Two parallel fluidized bed reduction roasters (FBRs) were installed at Koniambo Nickel, each designed for a maximum capacity of 4,200 MTPD of calcined nickel laterite ore. This paper describes the process development and scale-up of the fluidized bed pre-reduction process, the design challenges associated with the prototype commercial units, and the current status of the FBR operation at Konaimbo.INTRODUCTION In the mid-1990s, Falconbridge began to develop a new flowsheet for production of ferronickel from nickel laterite ores. The process that developed came to be known as the Falconbridge Nickel Smelting Technology (NST). The flowsheet, which is particularly appropriate for saprolitic ores, involves several major unit operations, including: drying in a hammer mill-flash dryer, calcination and preheating in a flash calciner, pre-reduction in a fluidized bed reactor, and smelting in a DC arc furnace to produce the ferronickel product. This paper focuses on the fluidized bed pre-reduction step of the process and provides an overview of the process chemistry, laboratory and pilot plant development work, scale-up and commercialization of the pre-reduction step, and the results obtained in the prototype commercial units."

Jan 1, 2017