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By Sunil S. Gandhi

Magmatic-hydrothermal deposits rich in magnetite and/or hematite form a broad group that includes monometallic Fe deposits and polymetallic (mainly Cu and Au) deposits. They show a considerable variation in deposit characteristics, but share the genetic processes of magmatic differentiation and related hydrothermal activity in intermediate to felsic melts, and in some cases involve brines and/or meteoric waters during mineralization. They include several world-class deposits. They range in age from Proterozoic to Recent, and form important metallogenic districts in Scandinavian, Canadian, Brazilian and Australian Shields, Circum-Pacific regions, and in China, Iran and Turkey. Monometallic deposits have been important sources of iron in the past and still contain significant resources of the metal, e.g., the Kiirunavaara deposit in Sweden. The giant Olympic Dam Cu-Au-Ag-U-REE deposit was discovered in 1975, and since then explorationists have focussed on search for analogues worldwide. This has brought to light a number of economically important new deposits and prospects, including examples in Canada. The discoveries have in turn prompted considerable research on individual deposits and the group as a whole. This short paper is an attempt to summarize the main aspects of the group from the literature cited in Gandhi and Bell (1996), and from the papers published recently in two milestone volumes on these deposits, edited by Porter (2000 and 2002).

May 1, 2003

By William Petruk

Image analysis studies were performed on mill products from pilot-plant and laboratory tests that had been conducted to determine the effect of grinding media on the selective flotation of two zinc-lead-copper ores. It was found that, when the ores had been ground to the same degree of fineness with flint pebbles, ceramic pebbles or ore fragments (autogenous grinding) as with steel balls, there generally was increased sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena liberation in the flotation feeds, depending on the textures of the minerals. The increased sphalerite liberation fully accounted for the improved zinc recoveries that were obtained when steel balls were replaced by either pebbles or ore fragments. The increased chalcopyrite and galena liberation accounted for part of the changed technical efficiency of concentration, but other factors, probably changes in oxidation and reduction of iron and in consumption of oxygen, also contributed.

Jan 1, 1977

By Pierre Gy

"Abstract - This paper deals with industrial complexes such as: (1) a mine producing metal-bearing ore and a furnace(s)/converter(s) where the ore is melted into metal, either directly, or after a mineralurgical concentration; and (2) quarries producing the raw materials required for the manufacturing of cement and the kilns to which they are fed.Each mine or quarry operation results from the exploitation of a mineral deposit. This deposit is never homogeneous. The raw materials which are extracted from the mine/quarry can never be safely fed to a "process" such as a cement kiln or a metal smelter, because the devices involved lack the flexibility required to absorb a very inhomogeneous feed. Furnaces and kilns are known to be very sensitive, sometimes dangerously so, with regard to deviations from a certain ideal feed composition.The purpose of this paper is to present the conditions required to optimize the operation of such a complex, so as to maximize the production, the quality of the product, as well as the profit generated. Two key operations are involved: sampling (to know accurately the materials being dealt with) and bed-blending (to achieve the desired degree of homogeneity). The theories of sampling and bedblending have been developed by the author and presented in various books (Gy, 1992, 1998)."

Jan 1, 1998

By Chuanhui Cao, Shimei Liu, Xiaojing Li, Yueyuan Zhou

"Force analysis on weakly-magnetic particles and non-magnetic particles in magnetic field are presented, using a kind of permanent magnetic drum magnetic separator, which is designed with strong specific magnetic force and open magnetic system. Its surface peak intensity reaches to 1.0T, and the distribution density of capture line is 1.25×103/dm2. Qualitative analysis on the particles including its magnetic property, particle size, motion speed, magnetic field intensity, etc. is also presented to calculate the separating parameters for the drum separator. Experiment was conducted for the separation of fine weakly magnetic minerals for example ilmenite. The practicability to separate the minerals using separator designed with open magnetic system has been proved, providing an economic way for efficient separation of micro-fine weakly magnetic minerals and upgrading of non-metallic minerals. INTRODUCTIONMagnetic separation is a mineral processing method based on the differences of magnetic properties between minerals in inhomogeneous magnetic field (Sun, 2007). Currently for separation of micro-disseminated weakly magnetic iron ore, electromagnetic high intensity magnetic separators with closed structure of magnet system are often used. And for the separation of strongly magnetic minerals such as magnetite, low intensity drum magnetic separators with open magnet system are often used. In order to lower the operation costs and improve energy efficiency, it is important to develop efficient high intensity permanent magnetic separator with open magnet system, to some extent replacing high intensity electromagnetic separator.Oberteuffer (1974) discussed the magnetic force and competing forces in magnetic separators which compete with the magnetic forces and act on all of the particles which travel through the separator are those of gravity, hydrodynamic drag, fraction, and inertia in magnetic separation."

Jan 1, 2016

By Minghao Hu, Hongbo Zhao, Jun Wang, Wenqing Qin, Rui Liao, Central South University

"In the present work, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis and electrochemical analysis were carried out to investigate the intermediate species and electrochemical dissolution process of chalcopyrite in the presence of sulfur and iron oxidizing microorganisms. For bioleaching of chalcopyrite by the sulfur oxidizing microorganism Acidithiobacillus caldus, the redox potential was always lower than the appropriate value and chalcopyrite was mainly directly oxidized to polysulfide (Sn 2-), thus resulting in low copper extraction. As for bioleaching of chalcopyrite by the iron oxidizing microorganism Leptospirillum ferriphilum, chalcopyrite was mainly directly oxidized to polysulfide at the initial stage where redox potential was lower than the appropriate value and resulted in low dissolution rate. At the middle stage where redox potential was appropriate (about 350–480 mV vs. Ag/AgCl), chalcopyrite was mainly transformed to intermediate species of Cu2S rather than polysulfide, thus resulting in high dissolution rate. At the later stage where redox potential was higher than the appropriate value, chalcopyrite was mainly directly oxidized to polysulfide which caused the later passivation of chalcopyrite. Finally, a model of electrochemical dissolution process of chalcopyrite in the presence of sulfur and iron oxidizing microorganisms was provided.INTRODUCTIONBiohydrometallurgy is considered as one promising mineral processing technique in processing low grade ores due to the advantages of simplicity, low cost and eco-friendly. Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is the most abundant copper-bearing resource, accounting for appropriately 70% of the known reserves in the world, while is recalcitrant to bio-hydrometallurgy mainly due to the coated passivation layer (Klauber, 2008; Li, Kawashima, Li, Chandra, & Gerson, 2013). However, the detailed dissolution and passivation mechanisms of chalcopyrite bioleaching are still uncertain. The microorganisms assisting chalcopyrite dissolution can be mainly classified into three types, including mesophilic microorganisms (e.g., Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans), moderately thermophilic microorganisms (e.g., Acidithiobacillus caldus, Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans and Leptospirillum ferriphilum), and extremely thermophilic microorganisms (e.g., Metallosphaera sedula, Sulfolobus sp., Acidianus sp., and Sulfurcoccus mirabilis). Moderately thermophilic microorganisms have a better prospect in the future industrial application of chalcopyrite bio-hydrometallurgy (Olson, Brierley, & Brierley, 2003; Rohwerder, Gehrke, Kinzler, & Sand, 2003). Hence, investigating the detailed dissolution and passivation mechanisms of chalcopyrite bioleaching by moderately thermophilic microorganisms is of important significance, which will provide essential information for promoting chalcopyrite bioleaching by moderately thermophilic microorganisms in laboratory or industrial plant."

Jan 1, 2016

By S. Kwon, J. W. Wilson

"In salt and potash mines, the time-dependent deformation mechanism should be clearly understood based on in situ measurements to predict the performance of a mining design. In this study, in situ deformation measurements from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) and other salt and potash mines were used to determine the transition time from the primary to the secondary creep stage and to investigate the influence of adjacent excavations such as a nearby tunnel excavation, panel excavation and/or pillar extraction on rock deformation. IntroductionThe deformational behaviour of underground excavations in salt and potash mines is complex due to the time-dependency of the rocks. When the material properties are determined from laboratory tests, they should be carefully applied to in situ conditions, because in situ conditions are completely different from laboratory conditions. For instance, in situ deformation measurements show that the deformation rate decreases with time similar to those observed in the laboratory during the early stages. However, the rapid decrease of deformation rate does not come from the microscopic strain hardening effect observed in laboratory tests, but mainly from stress relief around the opening after its excavation (Baar, 1977). It is, therefore, recommended to undertake in situ measurements and use them to understand the deformation mechanism.Even though in situ measurements are widely accepted as important information for understanding the deformation mechanism of salt and potash (Barr, 1971; Kovari and Amstad, 1993), not many publications have focused on the fundamentals of data measurement, the application of the measured data, and the development of data analysis techniques. Recently, several new techniques for better understanding the deformation mechanism of rock salt have been developed that are based on in situ measurements. Kwon and Miller (1995) developed a new technique for describing the actual deformational behaviour of an underground excavation in rock salt. The migration of “zero strain boundary,” which represents a no movement boundary around an underground excavation, could be calculated by the technique developed by Kwon and Miller (1996). Kwon and Wilson (1997, 1998) applied neural network techniques to in situ deformation measurements to predict the deformational behaviour of the underground excavations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) located in the United States.In this study, in situ deformation measurementsfrom the WIPP site and other salt and potash mines in the United States were extensively analyzed to understand the deformation mechanism of the underground excavations in the rock mass."

Jan 1, 2002

By Y. Wang

Phosphates and fluorides are used as regulators for the removal of silicates from diasporic-bauxite both in direct and reverse flotation. While using dodecylamine chloride as a collector, micro-flotation studies showed that sodium hexametaphosphate has stronger depressing power on diaspore than on silicate minerals with increasing sodium hexametaphosphate concentration at pH 6.5, but sodium fluorosilicate shows poor depression on diaspore with increasing sodium fluorosilicate concentration at the same pH. Zeta potentials of diaspore and silicate minerals become more negative both in the presence of sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium fluorosilicate. Adsorption density studies indicated that the adsorption density of sodium hexametaphosphate on diaspore is much higher than that on silicate minerals at the concentration of 75 mg/L. FTIR spectroscopy studies show that sodium hexametaphosphate interacted with the Al atoms exposed on the diaspore and silicate minerals surfaces to form P?O?Al bonds through the P02 groups. It is possible that sodium fluorosilicate interacted through F- or [SiF6]2- with silicate minerals surfaces based on the analysis by AES.

Jan 1, 2006

By Q. Han, W. Dai

Al-Ti-B type master alloys have been widely used in the grain refinement of aluminum since 1940s. The introduction of Al3Ti and TiB2(AlB2) particles reduces the grain sizes down to about 200 micrometer level and makes cold work possible. However, the mechanism for the grain refinement is still not clear, though it is believed that TiB2 in the presence of Al3Ti nucleate a-Al grains in solidification. This paper presents our finding on the formation of (Ti,Al)B2 solid solution, which leads to a proposed theory on grain refinement by Al-Ti-B type master alloys that upon addition into aluminum melt stable TiB2 particles react with aluminum slowly and release titanium into the melt. The titanium thus released in combination with titanium in the melt through dissolution of Al3Ti maintains a transient titanium-rich layer on the surface of (Ti,Al)B2. This layer offers a low crystal mismatch with a- Al and promotes the nucleation of aluminum grains.

Jan 1, 2014

By P. D. R. Maltby

"The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has undertaken to host the XIV International Mineral Processing Congress to be held in Toronto at the Royal York Hotel from October 10 to 16, 1982. The theme of the Congress will be ""Worldwide Industrial Application of Mineral Processing Technology."" The program will include 10 sessions and numerous field trips to the different mining areas of Canada.For prospective authors, the preliminary program includes sessions on,1. Flotation - plant practice, equipment design, simulation, control and economics.2. Comminution - plant practice, equipment, design, simulation, control, wear, energy consideration and economics.3. Round table seminar on large grinding mills.4. Round table seminar on modern and future plant design.5. Mineral processes to recover precious metals.6. Mineral processes to recover energy minerals (coal, uranium).7. Mineral processes to recover industrial minerals.8. Round table seminar on the environment and ecology and how the different countries cope with associated problems.9. Materials handling with an emphasis on agglomeration techniques ereconentration methods, solid-liquid separation.10. Open session to deal with topic emerging from general demand."

Jan 1, 1980

By J. Shahabpour

"Breccias with angular and rounded clasts of a late-mineralization, ""barren"" hornblende porphyry dike set within a comminuted matrix consisting of rock fragments and quartz, cemented by quartz and K-feldspar of hydrothermal origin is observed in diamond drill cores from the Sar Cheshmeh porphyry copper deposit. Studies of age relationship between vein types, phyllic-altered clasts and the breccia groundmass suggest that the brecciation is a late event. The breccia clasts record evidence of hydrothermal reaction between the clasts and fluids responsible for the brecciation.Formation of bornite, in the breccia clasts of the originally barren hornblende porphyry dike, and in the breccia matrix, along with the scarcity of bornite in the Sar Cheshmeh deposit itself suggest involvement of fluids which are later and of different composition from the fluids responsible for the known mineralization at Sar Cheshmeh. These later fluids may be related to a later plutonic event and suggest the possibility of a later, and concealed deposit."

Jan 1, 1994

By C. Cutts, K. Wheatley

The Dragon Lake Zone (uranium prospect) comprises a N160º trending vein that is approximately 110 m long, up to 5 m wide and from 1 to 40 m high. The zone is mostly within altered sandstone of the Fair Point Formation, the basal unit of the Paleoproterozoic Athabasca Group, but it also extends downward (up to 3.5 m) into basement rocks that occupy the northerly trending Maybelle River Shear Zone (MRSZ). This subvertical shear zone separates graphitic paragneiss and weakly deformed granitoid rocks to the east from non-graphitic paragneiss and foliated granitoid rocks to the west. The Dragon Lake Zone cuts across both the MRSZ and N060º-N070º-trending cross-faults that offset the shear zone but not the mineralized vein, which contains values up to 54.5% U over 50 cm core length. Strong chloritization occurs in graphitic paragneiss and sandstone adjacent to mineralization. Silica was depleted from the basement rocks and redeposited at the borders of the 5-15-m-wide alteration zone, as well as within overlying sandstone of the Manitou Falls Formation. There are minimal alteration effects in the overlying Lazenby Lake Formation. Geochemistry shows that the alteration zone in the Fair Point Formation is highly anomalous in metals, most notably in Ni, As, U, Pb, Co, and B. Clay within this zone is illitic and Fe-rich chlorite is also present. Brittle deformation is not as widespread or as well developed in the Fair Point Formation as it is in the overlying Manitou Falls Formation, which is extensively brecciated and contains some anomalous metal values.

Jan 1, 2013

By L. H. Michaud

"Albian Sands Energy (ASE), an oil sands surface mining and extraction operation, is currently undergoing start-up and is scheduled to ramp-up to full production by mid-2003. Startup includes the selection and implementation of over 75 IT systems or computer applications which include: engineering applications; systems required to control mining activities, maintenance, the processing plant and utilities; and also systems required to run the company, such as human resources, finances and inventory/ warehousing.This paper outlines the processes used for the selection, implementation and integration of these systems in order to optimize the use of information and to meet the technical, business and IT requirements of the company. The first step in ASE’s approach to identifying system requirements is the development of a business activity model, outlining all tasks involved in running the operations. The computer applications required to accomplish each task are then identified by having the IT team work closely with each technical and business unit. Historically, at some companies, the selection of systems has been led by the IT team or by consultants, with little input from the technical or business units. Typically, this results in products that do not meet the company’s expectations. To ensure a more positive outcome, ASE believes that it is imperative that the company’s technical and business people be closely involved in the selection process.Integration of the IT systems is also key, including linking all applications through a data warehouse and EDMS. Over 120 required integrations have been identified. This ensures the storage of all data in only one location, data security, and easy data and document retrieval for all requirements throughout the company"

Jan 1, 2003

By F. G. Pickard

"The Strathcona Concentrator is one of three concentrators presently operated in the Sudbury District by the Nickel Division of Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited. Production commenced in 1968 at a milling rate of 6,300 tons per operating day. Milling capacity was increased in 1970 to 7,200 tons per operating day. 7he ore contains iron, nickel and copper primarily in the form of pyrrhotite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite, while the common gangue minerals are feldspar, quartz, mica, talc and chlorite. The primary function of the concentrators is not only to liberate sulphides from silicate gangue minerals but also to separate pyrrhotite from the more valuable minerals pentlandite and chalcopyrite.SummaryExcessive wear on steel liners and blinding of grates in a regrind pebble mill of the Hardy Concentrator was corrected by the use of rubber liners and grates. The success of these resulted in their installation as original linings In all grinding units except the rod mills at the Strathcona Concentrator. The operation of rubber liners and grates when sized mine ore was used as the grinding medium was satisfactory confirming the Hardy Concentrator experience. Problems developed when the grinding medium was changed from sized mine ore to steel balls in that blinding of the grates occurred. This resulted in conversion of the units to overflow type mills through removal of the grates. The lifter bar life was significantly increased by using higher lifter bars.Grinding PracticeOperation of a regrind pebble mill commenced in 1961 in the Hardy Concentrator. This operation demonstrated the economic feasibility of using sized mine ore as grinding medium. Problems caused by excessive wear of metal liners and grates combined with blinding of the grates were corrected in 1964 through installation of rubber liners and grates."

Jan 1, 1974

The uranium ore processed by the McClean Lake Operation is co-mineralized with niccolite, rammelsbergite and gersdorffite (nickel arsenides). During the strong acid leach process, the majority of the reduced arsenic is oxidized and liberated into the lixiviant solution as As+5. Following uranium extraction, the residual raffinate solution, enriched in As+5, reports to the tailings preparation process. In this process, Fe+3 is first added and mixed with raffinate (pH~1) to achieve a Fe+3/Astotal molar ratio of at least 3. This is followed by two stages of neutralization, using slaked lime to achieve a solution pH of 4, and approximately 7.5, respectively. Synchrotron based x-ray absorption techniques (XANES, EXAFS) applied to neutralized raffinate solids and tailings samples collected from the tailings management facility provide evidence that arsenic has been precipitated as a poorly crystalline form of the mineral scorodite (FeAsO4?2H2O).

Aug 1, 2010

By P. J. Foster

Bowtie analysis has recently emerged as a technique of choice that can be used when looking specifically at major hazards in the mining industry. A Bowtie diagram is a graphical means of assessment that focuses on identifying all the specific causes and consequences of major events, from which all the ?pre-event? and ?post-event? control measures can be identified. From this critical control measures can be identified and monitoring/assurance systems can be established. It is this assessment of control measures and their effectiveness that replaces the more traditional evaluation of risk (using matrix-based approaches) based on the fact that risk is a function of control ineffectiveness. This is a major difference with traditional risk assessment where all too often control effectiveness is assumed. This paper summarises the Bowtie analysis process and outlines one specific case study where the technique was used on the unwanted event of a collision of a haul truck and light vehicle in an openpit mine. Although more effort is required in undertaking the assessments, control assurance provided this way will go a long way in ensuring that risk assessments and major hazard management become much more effective in practice.

Aug 1, 2013

By G. Bylapudi, K. Mondal, J. Hirschi

ABSTRACT: Rock bolts are the main form of defence against rock falls in mines. Conditions under-ground are conducive to corrosion. A perception exists about American coal mines that bolt corrosion is not an issue, especially when bolts are fully grouted. This perception is not necessarily accurate due to the formation of micro-cracks as the resin sets and to subsequent rock movement that breaks the resin column’s continuity. Corrosion should be considered when designing rock bolt support in long-term excavations. This paper explores the problem of corrosion, outlines a method to determine the corrosion potential of bolts, and suggests ways to mitigate such effects.

Jan 1, 2010

By R. Knapp, R. Firlotte

"Les Terrains Auriferes (LIA) Property, formerly the Malartic Goldfield (Goldfield) mine, ceased its remaining milling operations in the fall of 1994. During the early years of mining, the mill processed a non-sulfide ore with substantial carbonate mineralization.In 1977 after an extended shutdown period, ore from a nearby property, Bousquet, was processed at the mill. That ore contained larger quantities of sulfides, and unlike the old tailings, had acid generating potential.Upon closure of the L TA mill, the closure options considered for the L TA site were to cover with:1. a thin cover of 0.5 metres of borrow material (sand and gravel) to achieve basic erosion protection/stabilization; collect acidic seepage and treat with lime.2. a 2 metres of non-acid producing tailings; final surface to be vegetated.3. an engineered oxygen barrier consisting of a multi-layer cover; final surface to be vegetated.The paper presents the technological and economical methodologies that were used to select the closure alternative, describe the associated construction challenges that were faced with the implementation of the multi-layer cover concept and presents preliminary results on the cover's performance.In addition to being the first full scale demonstration of this type of multi-layer engineered oxygen barrier cover technology, this project had the advantage of using non acid producing mine tailings as part of the reclamation solution."

Jan 1, 1997

By Pingchao Ke, Zhihong Liu

Fe(III)-As(V) precipitates were synthesized from the Fe(II)-As(V)-SO42--H2O system at 90°C in initial Fe(II)/As(V) molar ratios of 4.0 and 5.0, respectively. The synthesis were carried out by introducing oxygen gas into the system to oxidize Fe(II) ions into Fe (III) ions, and at the same time, adding aqueous sodium carbonate solution into the system to neutralize the acid released by the hydrolysis reactions, with the purpose of keeping the pH constant at 1.5±0.05. The precipitates obtained were characterized by XRD, chemical composition analysis, SEM, XPS, and Raman spectrum. The results indicated that the particles in the precipitates were in the morphology of irregular aggregation with their sizes in the range of about 1–4 µm. The precipitates consisted of scorodite, ferric arsenate and amorphous hydrated ferric oxide, of which amorphous hydrated ferric oxide formulated as Fe(OH)x(SO42-)y. The characteristic XPS peaks of Fe-AsO43- and Fe-O in the precipitates located at 711.8 and 713.3 eV, separately, and the existence of amorphous hydrated ferric oxide led to two series of shake off lines developed over the end of high binding energy of Fe2p XPS. The precipitates were stable in TCLP tests at pH 4.93 for 60 hours with the arsenic concentrations in the leaching solutions being 0.27 mg/L and 0.59 mg/L for the precipitates prepared in the initial Fe(II)/As(V) molar ratios of 4.0 and 5.0, respectively. The tests for the long-term stability of the precipitates were carried out by leaching them for 40 days at 25°C under various media in the pH range from 9.50 to 10.57, and the results showed that the precipitates synthesized in this study were much more stable than those by previous researchers.

Jan 1, 2017

By I. G. L. Sinclair

"ABSTRACTTill geochemistry was the principal exploration tool employed by Selco in the investigation of a zinc prospect in Lanark Township, Ontario. The geochemical studies were undertaken after the discovery at surface of marble boulders containing bands of sphalerite and lesser amounts of galena.The source of these mineralized boulders was sought by means of B-horizon soil geochemistry, followed, where appropriate, by back-hoe trenching and till sampling. The thickness of the tiff in this part of Ontario seldom exceeds 3 m or 4 m and it was generally possible to sample complete profiles of the till and thus to obtain detailed information concerning the dispersion of zinc. Drilling and trenching at the up-ice extremity of the zinc dispersion trains showed the source of the float to be sub-economic bands of sphalerite in the Grenville marble. IntroductionTill geochemistry was used extensively by Selco during the period 1975 through 1980. It was the principal exploration technique employed in a program seeking carbonate-hosted lead-zinc deposits of the Balmat-Edwards type in the Grenville rocks of southeastern Ontario. This paper describes the use of the method to locate the bedrock source of a group of sphalerite boulders found at the surface near the village of Hopetown in Lanark Township (Fig. I) . Geochemical investigations at this locality were the subject of a previous publication by the author (Sinclair, 1979).All of the analytical work related to this project was done by Bondar-Clegg & Co. Ltd. in their Ottawa laboratory. In all cases the -80 mesh fraction of the till was analyzed. The total zinc content was determined by atomic ab sorption spectrometry after hot aqua regia digestion; readily extractable zinc was determined by atomic absorption after samples had been cold-leached for 18 hours in an ammonium citrate hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution, the pH of which was adjusted to 8.5"

Jan 1, 1986

By D. S. Rogers

"Throughout the history of mining at the Dome, gold has been found in a number of different rock types and in association with a number of different structural settings. Diamond drilling plays an important role in the evaluation of the stratigraphic and structural features which control ore deposition. The main function of diamond drilling is to locate favourable areas of mineralization.To date, over 20,000 diamond drill holes have been drilled from combined surface and underground programs. Needless to say, a great many significant intersections, carrying a wide range of gold values, have resulted from the total of over 756 miles of drill cores which these programs have produced.However, the term ""significant"" takes on new meaning in light of the experience of diamond drilling in a number of ore-type situations at the Dome Mine. Drilling through individual ore veins, such as the Fuchsite Vein or the Quartz-Tourmaline Vein, often intersect the vein structure; however, assays from the veins frequently fail to yield any ore grades. Similarly, drill cores through stringer-type occurrences such as dacite or conglomerate, when assayed, fail to indicate the true size or grade of the orebody ultimately mined.IntroductionOver the years, those who explore for gold and those who have the slightly less fickle task of actually mining gold have shared a common dilemma. That dilemma lies in the failure to relate the results of diamond drill information to a positive ore situation, or ultimately to reconcile ""diamond drill indicated ore"" to actual ore reserve tonnages.Drawing on the knowledge of more than 72 years of mining history at the Dome operation in the famous Porcupine Camp, this paper will review a number of drift and stope situations in which the grades of the ore material extracted will be compared with the anticipated grade of that same drift or zone as calculated solely on the basis of diamond drill assays."

Jan 1, 1982