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By H. Zniber El Mouhabbis

Ore dilution or stope overbreak increases the cost of production and ultimately reduces the profitability of a mining operation. The adverse economic impact of ore dilution is due to the added costs associated with the mucking, haulage, crushing, hoisting, milling, and treatment of waste rock or low grade ore in the hangingwall and footwall. One factor that could have a significant influence on stope overbreak is the undercutting of the stope into the walls. Undercutting stope walls is often necessary, in particular in narrow vein mines. Moreover, equipment size has a role in drift sizing where stope undercutting may become a must in order to fit the mobile equipment while respecting legal clearances.

May 1, 2009

By M. Rigaud, K. Sankaranarayanane, X. Zhou

The effect of varying fine alumina/ultra-fine alumina ratio on the Bingham to dilatancy transition in alumina based, self-flowing refractory castables has been studied in detail employing rheological tests and particle size distribution measurements. Analysis of flow resistance and torque viscosity values has shown that Bingham to dilatancy transition is strongly influenced by fine alumina/ultra-fine alumina ratio in the castable, as well as by the nature of ultra-fine alumina. The calculated values of rheological constants and the viscosity coefficient were found to increase at higher fine alumina/ultra-fine alumina ratios.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Galip Ulsoy

This review paper is intended to provide, the mineral process engineer with an introduction to the concepts, terminology and practice of mineral process control. It also provides an extensive sampling of the vast body of literature relevant to this topic. The topics discussed include the principles of automatic control, instrumentation, mineral processing unit operations, process modeling and simulation, and process and plant control.

Dec 1, 1981

By Peter A. Witt

Highland Valley Copper is a conventional truck-shovel mining and flotation concentrator operation located some 75 kilometres southwest of Kamloops, B.C. (Figure 1). The ore is within a porphyry deposit and is mined at a rate of 135,000 metric tonnes per day from two separate open pits. The nearby mill produces concentrates containing 375 million pounds of copper and 5 million pounds of molybdenum metal yearly. Head grades are roughly 0.40% Cu at a 0.23% Cu equivalent cut-off. The strip ratio currently sits at 0.55:1 with waste quantities made up of separate rock and unconsolidated overburden units. From the mill, concentrates are trucked to nearby Ashcroft and then hauled by rail to ocean port facilities in Vancouver. The mine employs 950 persons and is planned to operate until 2009. The operation is a partnership between three owners: TeckCominco (61.4%), BHP Billiton (33.6%), and Highmont Mining (5%). Management is shared by the two principal owners and directed by an appointed committee.

May 1, 2002

By Patrick Andrieux

Numerous rock blasting design methodologies have been developed over the years, relating either to the primary objectives of blasting, such as the size distribution of the blasted material, or to its undesirable side effects, such as damage to the remaining rock mass. All existing methodologies, while of use, do have serious shortcomings. The question remains whether further improvements can be achieved in the field of practical rock blasting engineering. One approach that seems to hold promise is the relatively new matrix-based rock engineering systems (RES) methodology. It has been conceptually demonstrated that RES could be efficiently adapted to blasting. A brief overview of rock blasting design techniques and their main shortcomings is followed by the basic concepts governing rock engineering systems and a discussion on their pertinence to blasting. The paper concludes with a review of current efforts to develop a useful practical blast design tool using RES. SOMMAIRE Le potentiel d?application des systèmes d?ingénierie du roc aux tirs à l?explosif. De nombreuses méthodologies de conception d?abattage du roc à l?explosif ont été développées au cours des années, qui ont adressé soit les principaux objectifs des tirs, comme par exemple la granulométrie du matériel dynamité, soit ses effets secondaires indésirables, tels les dommages au massif rocheux. Toutes les méthodes existantes fonctionnent dans une certaine mesure et sont utiles - elles sont cependant pour ainsi dire toutes affectées par des limitations ou défauts plus ou moins sévères. La question demeure quant à savoir si des améliorations supplémentaires peuvent être apportées dans le domaine de la conception pratique des opérations d?abattage du roc à l?explosif. Une approche alternative qui semble prometteuse est celle relativement récente des systèmes matriciels d?ingénierie du roc (?Rock Engineering Systems?, ou RES). Il a été démontré de manière conceptuelle que les RES ont le potentiel d?être adaptés aux opérations de sautage. Une brêve revue des principales techniques de conception des tirs à l?explosif est suivie d?un énoncé des principes de base gouvernant les RES, ainsi que d?une discussion sur leur pertinence aux opérations de tir. Cet article conclut avec la revue d?un projet de recherche axé vers le développement d?une méthodologie de conception des tirs à l?explosif basée sur les RES.

May 1, 2002

By Paul Stothart

Context ? Industry is active in urban, rural, and remote regions ? Faces a range of environmental challenges and ?social license? issues ? There are also Aboriginal and northern issues ? Also very active internationally, with associated challenges ? Environmental/social groups often target the industry ? The important contribution of the industry should not be overlooked Useful Minerals and Metals Minerals are intrinsic to the residential, municipal, communications, and transportation infrastructure of modern life. Examples: Hybrid motors - nickel hydride batteries Water purification systems ? nickel, rare earth elements Catalytic converters - cerium Screens and monitors - several rare earth elements Clean electricity - uranium Circuitry - gold, copper, aluminium, lithium, titanium, silver, cobalt, zinc Instruments - copper, silver, nickel, cobalt, copper, brass Protective products ? zinc, calcium carbonate, sulphur

May 1, 2008

By Andrew Young

A Question Murray Dodge ?Inco Stobie Maintenance ?I visually inspect my hoist ropes every day and seldom find anything. Is there a better way to do the inspection?? Based on HRIA research activities, the answer would seem to be ?yes?.

May 1, 2006

By M. Azzaz

In this paper, we report on new mechanical tests, at high temperatures, performed with a supposed better aluminium nitride (A1N) material, containing fewer oxygen. Our purpose was twofold: (i) check whether creep resistance is modified and hopefully enhanced and (ii) determine the elementary mechanisms controlling plastic deformation through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of deformed samples up 10% strain in compression at elevated temperatures (1823-1923 K) under constant stress in the range 150¬250 MPa. Stationary rates are lower by an order magnitude than those previously measured in MN with higher oxygen content. All dislocations imaged by TEM look undissociated, which clearly relates the formerly observed wide dissociation to oxygen in excess.

Jan 1, 2004

By J. Erik Scheel

Overview ? About Hard Creek Nickel ? Turnagain property ? Proposed power line ? Recent Preliminary Assessment ? Favourable economics ? Property Geology ? Mineralization and metallurgical characteristics of major lithologies ? Development of the acNi (ammonimum-citrate H2O2) technique ? Overview of necessary steps ? Results of the technique ? Conclusions

May 1, 2008

By Matt Manson

?? Current Exploration and Assessment ?? Overview of Potential Development ?? Infrastructure ?? Opportunities and Challenges ?? Renard? 1-10 kimberlite pipes and ?Lynx-Hibou? kimberlite dyke system within ?Foxtrot? property ?? 50/50 Joint Venture between Ashton (a subsidiary of Stornoway) and SOQUEM ?? Discovered 2001-2003 ?? Québec is routinely assessed as one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world ?? Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. Is Stornoway?s largest shareholder and a leading mine developer in Québec

May 1, 2008

By P. E. Weidmark

"PART 1-Published PapersAllcott, G.A., and Archibald, D.E.; ""Description of pillar behaviour at Heath Steele Mines""; Can Min Metall Bull; 74:834:80-87; 1981.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of rock Mechanics; 3:32-33; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:37-38; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:38; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses"" ; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:41; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:42; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 1: ""Physical properties of intact rock and rock masses""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:46; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 2: ""Tectonophysics""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:60; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3: 116; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:116-117; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:117; 1979.Baar, C.A. '; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:118-119; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussions (2) of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress lntnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:119; 1979.Baar, C.A.; Discussion of Theme 4: ""Underground openings""; Proceedings 3rd Congress Intnl Soc of Rock Mechanics; 3:120-121; 1979."

Jan 1, 1982

By Matt Schuett

Antamina Mine Facts • Surface Water Design Principles • Drainage Areas • SEDCAD Modeling • Impacted Runoff Collection • Clean Runoff Collection • System Flexibility • Outfall Construction

May 1, 2004

By Robert Marchand

_ North-western Quebec _ Bousquet mining district _ 21 M oz mining camp _ 100,000 t/yr (400 t/d) _ Shrinkage : 52 % _ Longhole : 40% _ Development : 8% _ 5 days/week _ 120 employees _Discovered in 1936. _12 changes of ownership. _Exploration & development : 1987 _Commercial production : 1990 _Shaft deepening : 1995 _Internal shaft : 1999

Oct 1, 2001

?Hydrothermal breccias-genetic models ?Deep drilling-underground potential ?Deposit variety-test new ideas Exploration Summary

May 1, 2006

By R. H. Colquhoun, A. W. Bolland, H. J. H. Pieterse

"American Barrick Resources Corporation acquired the goldstrike property in north eastern Nevada in early 1987. Since that time, the company has undertaken an extensive development program. This paper will overview the milling, autoclaving, and heap leaching facilities which are part of the $400-million Betze development plan. Gold production at the Mine has increased from 40,000 ounces per annum in 1987 to more than 500,000 ounces in 1991. And in 1992 Goldstrike will be the single largest North American gold mine when it produces 1,000,000 ounces.1. SUMMARYAmerican Barrick Resources Corporation acquired the Goldstrike property in northeastern Nevada in early 1987. Since that time, the company has undertaken an extensive development program. This paper will overview the milling, autoclaving, and heap leaching facilities which are part of the four year, $440- million Betze Development Plan. Gold production at the Goldstrike Mine has increased from 40,000 ounces per annum in 1987 to more than 500,000 ounces in 1991. In 1992, Goldstrike will be one of the largest North American gold mines, when it produces appro approximately 1,000,000 ounces.2. INTRODUCTIONAmerican Barrick Resources Corporation is in the process of developing the Betze gold deposit, located on Barrick's Goldstrike property in the Carlin area of Nevada, U.S.A.The Goldstrike Mine has 17.9 million ounces of proven and probable reserves and an additional 460,000 ounces of possible reserves. Additionally, the Purple Vein deposit, one mile north of the Mine, is expected to add at least 4 million ounces of reserves by year end 1991.The Goldstrike ore body contains both oxide and sulphide ore. The largest part of the reserves are contained in the high grade, deep sulphide ore. Mining of the sulphide ore contained in the Betze deposit involves the removal of large quantities of overlying oxide ore. Oxide ore is treated through one of the following processes:-"

Jan 1, 1992

Mine Evaluation Engineering , Operational and Social evaluation. Focus is on what opportunities are available. Social ??History ??Past Management Practices ??Community / Available labor force Mining Method / Equipment ??Competent rock ?little support required, no backfill ??Shallow mining ?ramp mining, no shafts or hoisting ??Large scale mining potential ??Simple rock breaking and crushing on surfaceMill Process ??Straightforward gold liberation process Create a Plan / Create a Team Following the feasibility 44-101. Key people were hired and a full operational Business Plan was developed. Focus is on how to get the job done. ??Scoping Study / Pre-Feasibility / Feasibility ??Operational Business Plan ??Hire key people ??Purchase key equipment

May 1, 2006

By W. Dan Hausel

"Hundreds of diamonds have been found in the United States. The majority of the discoveries occurred during the 19th century as a by-product of placer gold mining. Most of these early diamond finds have no known source, and in many cases are situated in areas unfavorable for diamond exploration based on current models that require kimberlite or lamproite to be emplaced in a stable Archean craton or Proterozoic craton margin.Diamonds have also been recovered in situ from lamproite at Murfreesburo, Arkansas, from kimberlite in the Lake Ellen region of Michigan, and in several kimberlites in the Colorado–Wyoming State Line district. Unverifed reports also suggest that diamonds may have been recovered from other related intrusions at a number of localities in the United States.IntroductionTo date, diamonds have been recovered in situ from kimberlite in the Colorado–Wyoming State Line district and from a kimberlite in Michigan. Additionally, diamonds have been recovered from lamproites in Arkansas. Diamonds have also been reported from kimberlite in Kansas, and from peridotite in New York and Maryland. However, these latter reports have not been verified."

Jan 1, 1995

By Mehmet F. Taner

"The East Sullivan Stock (ESS) is a small, composite felsic alkaline pluton of presumedlate Archean age in the Val d’Or mining district. Three main facies have been distinguished: mon-zonite sensu stricto, porphyritic monzonite, and green trachytic porphyry. This monzonitic group ofrocks is of relatively homogeneous composition with high abundances of Na2O, K2O, Ba, Sr, Rb, Zr,Mo and LREE. The alkaline ESS is distinguished from other igneous units in the Val d’Or miningdistrict, such as the Bourlamaque Batholith, by relatively high concentrations of Ba, Sr, Rb, Mo, Cuand Au. The ESS hosts many base (Cu, Mo) and precious (Au) metal occurrences, including: (1)porphyry style Cu-Au-Mo disseminated sulfde deposits, (2) Cu-Au deposits in volcanic rocks near the ESS contact, and (3) pyritic gold mineralization in east-west trending shear zones. The ESS is well defined by concentrical zoning on the aeromagnetic vertical gradient color map, and displays four linear trends, which are assumed to be structural lineaments, at 035°-055°, 320°-300°, east-west, and north-south. The main mineral occurrences related to the stock display a preferred spatial association with the east-west linear magnetic trends.The ESS is preferentially located along a major structure and was emplaced late in the evolutionof the Abitibi subprovince like other felsic alkaline plutons. This stock is similar to late-tectonic min-eralized felsic alkaline intrusions of the Kirkland Lake and Larder Lake mining districts in Ontario, and to the Allard stock in the U.S.A. which is associated with gold and base metal mineralization. Similarities also exist with younger alkaline plutons associated with Cu-Mo-Au porphyry deposits in the Canadian Cordillera, which formed in tensional tectonic environments. The felsic alkaline magmamay have formed by partial melting of deeply buried supracrustal rocks, concomitant with the development of deep fractures such as the Cadillac Fault. In such an environment, hydrothermal solutions carrying remobilized metals from deep supracrustal rocks may have deposited gold and base metals in structural traps. Plutons similar to the ESS should be good targets for mineral exploration. Copyright © 1996 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum."

Jan 1, 1996

By T. Grammatikopoulos, A. McKen, O. Christiansen

Vanadium mineralization occurs in oxide-rich horizons within layered metagabbro zones of the Sinarsuk deposit, West Greenland. The main oxide minerals are vanadiferous magnetite and ilmenite, comprising 30% to 90% of the rock volume and the ratio of magnetite to ilmenite ranges from 3:2 to 4:1. Ore microscopy shows that magnetite and ilmenite vary between 0.2 mm and 4.5 mm in grain size, but locally they are coarser grained. Grains are subhedral to euhedral and annealed suggesting that they will liberate very well upon grinding. Electron microprobe analyses indicate that magnetite grains are homogeneous and have a vanadium content, in different mineralized samples, ranging from 1.93 wt% to 2.68 wt% equivalent V2O5. Ilmenite hosts abundant and variably sized hematite lamellae, and it has vanadium contents ranging from 0.32 wt% to 0.59 wt% equivalent V2O5. Preliminary beneficiation of two composite bulk samples shows the samples can be beneficiated fairly easily using low-intensity magnetic separation at a coarse grind (106 microns to 600 microns) to yield a vanadiferous magnetite concentrate. The presence of hematite lamellae in ilmenite prevents recovery of a satisfactory ilmenite concentrate. The most likely beneficiation flowsheet would encompass a primary mill (SAG or rod mill), which would grind to about 600 microns, followed by a rougher magnetic separation stage. The rougher magnetic concentrate would be reground in a ball mill until suitable liberation is achieved. The reground material would then be cleaned in further LIMS stages. However, further laboratory testing is required to establish the final beneficiation program. This work demonstrates the value of mineralogical investigation in guiding and explaining the results of beneficiation processes.

Jan 1, 2002

By J. Severin

Surface mining operations are increasingly involving the design and development of deeper and larger open pits, often with plans to transition into underground mass mining operations. Experiences at the Palabora Mine in South Africa demonstrate the complex interactions between underground workings and the steep slopes above that may lead to slope movements that potentially pose safety and economic concerns. To properly assess the rock mass response to these interactions for planning of future developments, understanding the controlling influence of geological and geomechanical structures is crucial. Preliminary results are presented from a detailed review of historical slope monitoring data from the Palabora Mine, before and after the initiation of block caving 400-m beneath a 800-m deep pit. This paper demonstrates that a detailed analysis of geology and monitoring data can be used to better understand the kinematic controls of complex rock slope displacements and interactions between open pits and underground mines. This investigative treatment of the monitoring data is important in understanding the failure mechanisms prior to undertaking sophisticated 3-D numerical models.

May 1, 2009