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By C. Fortin

ABSTRACT The subject of gold flotation has been reviewed extensively. Most of these reviews focus on the theories of gold flotation and the physical and chemical effects that may impact the efficacy of the gold flotation process. The current status of gold flotation chemistry as it is being applied in industry has not been widely addressed. This paper reviews current gold flotation practice and research advancements and discusses how these applications tie in with the current understanding of gold flotation chemistry. Survey results from worldwide gold flotation operations are analyzed. Potential future areas of gold flotation research are highlighted.

Jan 1, 2013

By L. Nutter, J. Clancy

"Barite is used extensively by the oil and gas well-drilling industry as a weighting agent. It is particularly well suited for drilling mud because of its qualities; it is non-abrasive, heavy, virtually inert chemically, easy to handle and inexpensive compared to other available heavy materials. Increased deep well drilling in Western Canada, and especially in the Arctic regions, could dramatically affect the demand for barite through this decade. Known deposits in northeast British Columbia are possible sources of incremental barite supplies, should the situation develop.IntroductionThe purpose of this report is to examine the opportunities for expanding barite production in British Columbia. Of primary interest will be the relationship between the projected future levels of production and consumption of barite in Western Canada and the extent to which increased domestic production could replace the need for imports in filling any expected supply shortages.After a brief overview of the nature and uses of barite and some of the relevant features of the barite supply industry, the discussion will turn to the supply gap in the Canadian market and the possibilities for import substitution.OverviewBarite is an industrial mineral which is used in large quantities by the oil and gas well-drilling industry. It is often an important component of drilling mud, a fluid circulated continuously in the well during the drilling process to lubricate and cool the drilling apparatus and to contain the high oil and gas pressures found at depth. Barite (BaSO4) is particularly well suited as a weighting agent for drilling mud because it is a heavy (specific gravity to 4.5) inert mineral which is inexpensive in relation to other materials having a high specific gravity. In the on-site use of drilling mud, ground barite is combined with numerous other solid ingredients and chemicals in the form of a slurry. Other advantages of barite include cleanliness, ease in handling and its non-abrasive character (hardness of 3-3.5)."

Jan 1, 1982

By Adrian E. Scheidegger

"AbstractThe possibilities of deriving pertinent information about fractures in an oil pay from data obtained by core analysis are investigated. It is shown that it is possible to obtain an estimate of the fractured area per unit volume of the pay, and that the size of the fractures can be estimated if their shape is known. A suggestion of a routine procedure for the analysis of fractures is given.1.-IntroductionMany oil fields are producing essentially from cracks or fractures. Where this is the case, it is important to be able to obtain a knowledge of the size and distribution of those fractures in the oil pay. This knowledge has to be derived from the analysis of cores taken from the fields, as it is generally impossible to follow a fracture through the pay by direct means. The necessity of using statistical methods to extrapolate the meagre information obtained from the cores of the wells is therefore indicated.It is known that the fractures are much bigger than the diameter of the cores; thus, if they strike a core, the latter will generally fall into two pieces. The angle of the fracture with the vertical can be measured and, if oriented cores are taken, the exact position of the surface element representing the intersection of the fracture with the drill stem can be determined. Sometimes the edge of a fracture can be seen in a core. The number of •Cores that show such an edge can be noted. Of course, one has to be careful to distinguish between original fractures in the pay and fractures in the core caused by drilling operations. Only the former are relevant."

Jan 1, 1955

By R. U. Seneviratne, B. K. Ahlgren

In this paper we follow various technological discoveries and developments in the purification of minerals and metals in the mining industry by ion exchange. For approximately 100 years, ion exchange has been a known and variously applied purification and separation technology used by scientists and producers. It would seem obvious that the producer’s objectives have always been to achieve the highest quality products and the lowest operation costs, but also with the least amount of technological complexity. As a strategy to reach these goals, much effort has been expended in the quest to improve continuous ion exchange (CIX) systems by reducing utility needs and resin degradation or loss while at the same time improving productivity and reliability. Recent developments from a number of companies have pushed equipment boundaries, resulting in a variety of unique commercial equipment designs each with a varying degree of success. The challenge set forth for all new designs has been a truly continuous process with no sacrifice in the afore mentioned benefits. One very recent equipment design based on system symmetry appears to meet many of these objectives with greater flexibility and less complexity resulting in better economics for the producer.

Jan 1, 2014

By Joseph D. Martinez

"The benefits of modern technology can readily be identified with energy availability. A clear correlation has been established between per-capita energy consumption and the GNP for various nations. The United States is an outstanding example of a nation which has benefited from vast energy reserves. The nation is now challenged, how¬ever, by dwindling reserves and the need to develop new sources consistent with the preservation of environmental quality. The development of new, virtually inexhaustible and environmentally acceptable sources cannot be expected for several decades. Meanwhile, we will have to depend on coal, nuclear energy and/or rigorous conservation measures.The net effect of environmental considerations has been to delay and perhaps ultimately eliminate the nuclear energy option as a national energy alternative. This forces a more positive move toward coal as the next major source of electrical power. Our coal resources are large, but the use and production of coal is also a threat to the environment. Thus, we seem to be moving from one major accessible source to another due to environmental concern only to face the probability that the alternative is also environ¬mentally unacceptable.Controversies revolving about energy choices must be resolved by an analysis of the relative benefits and impacts of these two sources and others. The pattern of changing energy sources is not new. We have moved from wood to coal to oil and gas in the past and must learn to adapt in the future. Rational decisions must be made relative to the utilization of intermediate energy sources pending development of promising future approaches. A collapse of current levels of energy supply could threaten our technological society and the means to develop a new energy base."

Jan 1, 1976

By S. F. LEAMING

Jade occurs with alpine-1ype serpe111iniIes in a be// of middle Paleozoic to Triassic rocks extending from southern British Columbia in10 Yukon Territory. Most known deposiIs are in BriIish Columbia and are associa1ed wi1h the Cache Creek Group. Jade deposits are generally small len1icular masses 1ha1 lie along con1acIs beIween serpenIinites and various countIy rocks; some are 1ec1onic inclusions wi1hin se1pen1ini1es. Qualify and quan1i1y of 1he jade varies widely. Deposi1s occasionally, but rarely, reach 3,000 /Onnes. The ma1erial may be rendered non-commercial by .frac1ures, impuriIies, inferior colour and poor IexIure. Because unit value of jade can approach $80.00 per kg, greaI incen1ive exisIs 10 exploi1 1his resource. Successful commercial operations, however, depend on large- *A more detailed version of 1hi paper occur in Leaming (1978). PHOTO I . Sawn blocks of nephrite ready for shipping. 270 volume sales, for which $6.00 to $15.00 per kg is more realistic. Many undiscovered jade deposits undoubtedly remain in the Canadian Cordillera.

Jan 1, 1984

By J. Guha, R. Kanwar, G. Archambault, A. Tremblay

The Copper Rand Cu-Au deposit lies within a shear zone which strikes N50-60W and dips steeply southward (50°-55°) and extends over 1. 5 km with a thickness which varies form 350 to 425 metres. Mineralization, inside the shear zone, is structurally controlled by a dilation mechanism which can be explained by a fracture dilatancy model. The principle of this model involves the mechanics of overriding of irregular planes and surfaces of faults and schistosities, These structures are characteristic features of the Copper Rand shear zone. A structural analysis of the shear zone has been carried out to establish relations between the different structures within the shear zone and their evolution with the development of the shear zone. A geomechanical interpretation of the Copper Rand shear zone explains the formation of internal structures such as faults, schistosities and microstructure during the shearing. This interpretation confirms Ramsay's theoretical model on the geomechanical evolutuion of shear zone development, and the experimental work of Morgenstern-Tchalenko on the simulation of shear zones in clay models. The geomechanical interpretation of the shear zone demonstrates that at the onset, subsidiary fracture patterns are developed in second order faults in the following sequence. At peak strength Riedel shears ( R and R') are formed which propagate outside the strength, restraint (P) shears are developed in the thrust attitude within the shear zones. Principal displacement shears (D) develop toward residual strength in the direction of movement. Shear lenses are formed by the interaction of these shear discontinuities and these facilitate the formation of schis tosi ties with the continuation of the shear displacement within the main shear zone. While the main shear zone and the P and D shears within the main shear zone were in continual movement, the Rand R' structures, once formed, retained a simple fracture pattern and moved little outside the shear limits in comparison to the main shear zone. Parts of these structures inside the shear zone were reactivated by subsequent movements and deformed into folds to account for the present attitudes of the HW-1 and HW-2 and HW-3 structures. This geomechanical model for the shear zone with its subsidiary structures (R, R', P and D shears) is also applied on a larger scale to the Dore Lake shear belt and explains the different structures accompanying it. The initial development of the WNW shears (most are ore deposits) was followed by the subsidiary structures of the Dore Lake shear in a north-south stress field and is well defined by the movements characteristic of the different structures. It is concluded that the Dore Lake shear cannot be the prolongation of the McKenzie Narrows shear but it seems that this prolongation relates to the Henderson-Portage shear zone.

Jan 1, 1984

By Y. Wang, S. Liu, K. Jiang

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of non-ferrous metals. In recent years, significant progress has been made in research and commercial application of pressure leaching technology to produce some nonferrous metals. Research and development activities include a low-pressure, low-temperature leaching technology for complex copper concentrates, a hematite process to treat pressure leach solutions from zinc concentrates, and a pressure leaching - solvent extraction process for molybdenum and rhenium. Examples of commercial practices include a two-stage pressure leach technology in a zinc plant in Danxia, a direct leaching technology in a zinc plant in Zhuzhou, a high pressure acid leaching process for a nickel laterite project in RAMU, and a pressure leaching technology to treat arsenic sulfides in a plant in Guixi. The development of pressure leaching technology for the recovery of lead, vanadium, gallium, germanium, and precious metals in China will also be described in this paper.

Jan 1, 2015

By Jos. Kalbhenn

MR. G. G. BOWSER: Mr. Kalbhenn's paper is an excellent one and is a concise description of a very interesting piece of work. It is well known that a great deal of preliminary study was given to this job before the final plans were made. It is due to this thorough preparation .chat the work progressed so satisfactorily, smoothly, and safely. The ideas carried out in the construction of the hardwood pack, timbered compartment, inclined raise, loading chute, and steel-boomed room, all contributed to a successful conclusion of the work. The extra care in being certain that the compartment shafts were well timbered was especially necessary on account of the difficult blasting conditions. In other words, the foundations .of this job were well and truly laid. The blasting in this work was very difficult due to the nature of the Strata. Working under an ever precarious roof condition and completing .this job with only two lost-time accidents is a record of which to be proud. The shaft men engaged on this work are also due for praise. I regret I did not visit this work while it was in progress. It was not in lack of interest. This, however, more or less proves that the blasting end .of this job went along with practically no trouble. I have seen the nature of the rock, as I made several visits to the tunnels while they were being put through from the Phalen to the Harbour seam. According to figures in Mr. Kalbhenn's paper, the explosives consumption works out to 1.61 pounds per cubic yard of rock in the solid, or 0.8 pounds per ton. The explosives consumption in the tunnels ran from 2.86 to 3.46 pounds per cubic yard or an average of 1.58 pounds per ton of rock. Of course, the rock in the shaft was blasted in the most economical way possible, as far as powder costs are concerned, as the face advanced at close -wright angles to the strata and gravity was acting with the explosive. The tunnels were driven nearly 'end on' the strata and bottom holes had to be lifted, and I believe there was some re-drilling of ribs left in the floor. I would like to congratulate Mr. Kalbhenn on his very fine paper.

Jan 1, 1944

By Christian M. Bauer

Modern surface mines are among the world's largest single consumers of diesel fuel. A typical mine site can consume in excess of 200 million liters of diesel fuel per year. Delivered diesel fuel is not necessarily clean. Depending on the mode of transportation, handling practices and local climate, incoming bulk fuel can contain up to 20 mg/L suspended solid contaminants and also significant quantities of free water, which can amount to substantial quantities ? for a typical mine site 200 to 400 kg of dirt per year. Standard on-board fuel filters are not designed to handle high levels of contamination, and most engine manufacturers have specific fuel cleanliness requirements to ensure reliable engine operation. New developments in fuel injector technology, such as high pressure, common rail injectors require even cleaner fuel. In order to ensure reliable operation, it is therefore recommended to control particulate contamination throughout the entire Diesel supply chain - from the bulk storage on mine sites to the injection systems on-board through the use of particulate filtration and liquid coalescence technologies. In this work, the author introduces a comprehensive approach to contamination control for the entire fuel supply chain, and discusses the benefits of using advanced filtration and separation technologies, with a particular focus on the requirements of modern high pressure, common rail (HPCR) fuel injection systems.

Nov 1, 2011

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 S. N. Aliferova, E. I. Afonina, S. N. Titkov, A. Ju. Bondareva, N. N. Panteleeva

"Potash ore is mainly processed using the method of cationic flotation. Potash ore deposits of the CIS, namely: at Upper Kama river, Gremyachinsk (Russia), Starobin (Belarus), Tubegatan (Uzbekistan) are characterized by relatively low KCl impregnation (1.0 – 1.5 mm) and contain up to 10% of waterinsoluble impurities (WII). Water-insoluble impurities are presented by aluminosilicate, silicate, carbonate (calcite, dolomite) minerals and anhydrite. In the process of milling the ore to a flotation size there are released and dispersed the insolubles impurities actively sorbing the cationic collector, i.e. aliphatic amines C16 – C22. In this regard there is carried out a preliminary desliming of the ore.Currently grinding the ore to a flotation size (1.5 mm or less) is carried out in rod mills along with forming of a large number of fine-grained ore fractions having the size under 0.25 mm, which results in the increased KCl losses with halite slime waste and reduction in the quality of finished product. There has been developed the technique for processing of potash ores with a high content of water-insoluble impurities (10 – 12%) containing, in different ratios, silicates, carbonates and anhydrite. The technology involves the use of the ore dry grinding to the flotation size and subsequent reagent activation of the processes for sludge removal and sylvite flotation.INTRODUCTIONCurrently there are being developed the potash ore deposits in the CIS countries, namely: at Upper Kama river and Gremyachinsk deposits (Russian Federation), Starobin deposit (Republic of Belarus) and Tubegatan deposit (Uzbekistan). Potash ores are a mixture of sylvite and halite and contain water-insoluble impurities of silicates, carbonates and anhydrite. The content of water-insoluble impurities (WII) reaches up to 10%, disseminated (impregnated) sylvite does not exceed 1.5 mm and in connection with that the ore is crushed to a particle size under 1.5 mm. Ore grinding is performed by wet process in rod mills with producing a significant amount of fine-grained mineral fractions and sludge, which are actively sorbing a cationic collector, i. e. primary aliphatic amines C16 - C22. The ground ore is deslimed and the slime product is directed to a sludge depot (pits)."

Jan 1, 2016

By I-H. Jung, J. Kim

"Mg alloys are extensively used as light structural materials in modern industry. Mn and RE (rareearth) metals are effectively used as alloying elements to enhance the properties of Mg alloys. Therefore, the thermodynamic database of those alloys is important in the Mg alloy design and processing. Critical evaluation and optimization of all available literature data for the Mn-RE systems were conducted to obtain reliable thermodynamic functions. The Mn-RE systems shows systematic changes in the phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties with increasing atomic number in the lanthanide series. This systematic approach for all RE elements allows to resolve inconsistencies in the available experimental data. INTRODUCTIONRare Earth (RE) metals are widely used in many industrial fields including permanent magnet, electronic materials and structural materials. As a small addition of RE can enhance magnetic, electronic, optical and mechanical properties of numerous materials, the usage of the RE is still expanding regardless of the strategic control of their supply.Magnesium alloys are getting great scientific and industrial attention as the lightest structural materials. One of the drawbacks of Mg alloys is their poor formability at room temperature due to the limited slip system with hcp crystal structure. Recently, several studies (Farzadfar et al., 2011; Sandloebes et al., 2010; Stanford, 2010; Stanford et al., 2008; Yan et al., 2010) show that the additions of small amounts of RE can considerably enhance the ductility of Mg alloys. Therefore, a lot of research on Mg-RE alloys is undergoing to clarify the role of RE on the enhanced deformation mechanism and to find out the most optimum Mg alloy compositions. In order to respond to the need of Mg-RE alloy development, a large thermodynamic database for Mg alloys containing RE has been developed with critical systematic analysis and optimization of the entire RE series data. This includes the thermodynamic database of the Mg-RE (Kang et al., 2009), Mg-RE-RE (Kang et al., 2009), Mg-Al-RE (Jin et al., 2011; Jin et al., 2010), Mg-Zn-RE and Mg-Mn-RE systems."

Jan 1, 2012

By R. Marleau, R. Assad, J. Dugas

"A study of the geological features of known occurrences of mineralization in Gaspe is the basis for a classification. Nickel, chromite, asbestos and some copper are pre-or syn-Taconic, whereas the most important deposits are tied to granitic post-Taconic stocks. Most occurrences are clearly related to igneous rocks: nickel, chromium and asbestos to Ordovician serpentinite; copper to volcanic rocks of different ages; and copper, zinc and lead to acidic intrusions with apparent zoning. Some lead-zinc deposits lying between the Grande Greve and York Lake formations are stratigraphically controlled. Some occurrences are tied to faults; e.g., the nickel-copper mineralization along the North Grand Pabos fault. Northerly-trending transverse structures appear to coincide with the Gaspe Copper, Mount McGerrigle (Tabletop) granite and Lemieux dome areas of mineralization. JEAN DUGAS, after graduating"

Jan 1, 1969

By L. K. Daneshmend

Key issues in managing information systems in the minerals industry will likely continue to be those relating to the integration and interoperability of disparate systems. This paper argues that, in order to harness the promised benefits of information technologies, the mining industry should adopt a set of open systems standards to define data formats and protocols for seamless data exchange. This is in direct contrast to the present situation where mining equipment, software and instrument suppliers rigidly adhere to proprietary standards for fear of losing competitive advantage. Benefits to the mining sector resulting from the adoption of such standards would be: the provision of near-time data for executive decision support, and the freedom to choose best technologies. The principal benefits to the leading mining software suppliers will be increased market share as a result of “captive sites” converting to open systems standards. Examples are given of open systems standards developed for related industries such as the Petroleum Open Systems Corporation (POSC) and the Machinery Information Management Open Systems Alliance (MIMOSA).

Jan 1, 2000

By Horace Freeman

Introduction This paper is an amplification of the paper presented by the writer at the last (1930) Annual Meeting of the Institute (1), and is somewhat in the nature of a progress report upon the introduction of pyrite into the field of Canadian consumption. The burner installed at the plant of the Canada Power & Paper Corporation, St. Maurice division, has been slightly changed in dimensions and has been put into continuous operation during the past year. As predicted, it has been possible to somewhat increase the steam consumption and at the same time decrease the amount of sulphur remaining in the calcine. The grade of the sulphur-dioxide gas produced has been maintained very steadily at 12 per cent, and sufficient experience has been obtained to determine the renewal cost of continuous operation. The object of this paper now is to encourage the development of pyrite, particularly by-product flotation pyrite, as it is shown that there is a very definite field in Canada for this material and that all the previous objections to the use of pyrite have been overcome, and that the use of the material in practice in paper mills has been developed to such a point that the operation of manufacturing the sulphite cooking-liquor is as simple as, or simpler than, the present style of operation with the use of sulphur.

Jan 1, 1931

By J. D. Nye, I. A. Farr, W. J. D. Stone

"A unique deposit of barite exists near Brookfield, Nova Scotia. The crystals are extremely fine and the whole deposit virtually free of heavy metals. The deposit size was not large enough for conventional uses, such as the production of barium carbonate and drilling mud. In an effort to obtain maximum utilization, a program was begun to determine if U.S.P.-grade pharmaceutical barium sulphate for X-ray diagnosis could be produced. Early work was sufficiently encouraging to institute a development program under the federal Program for Advancement of Industrial Technology. This has been very successfully completed. Canadian and U.S. process patents have been issued, clinical trials have been successful, a production plant has been designed and the plant’s production sold. The processing plant will include magnetic separation for the removal of iron minerals, fine grinding by paddle milling to minus one micron and acid leaching. The process is unique in that at no time is the barium taken into solution.Information is given on the deposit, process, markets, use, plant capital and operating costs, and projected profits. The initial production plant will have an annual capacity of 2,000 tons per year of end product. Capital cost is $850,000 and annual turnover more than $1.5 million. As this capacity only represents approximately 15% of the North American market, rapid plant expansion is foreseen."

Jan 1, 1980

By P. Czaja

The paper presents a patented and copyright protected concept of constructing a shaft lining that goes through rock masses having strong rheological properties and being susceptible to leaching. In the case of salt layers, especially at significant depths (over 900 m) the relative convergence of the heading contour may amount to 40 ?/year. That results in the fact that any other method of securing the shaft lining, e.g. by making it flexible, will not be sufficient to ensure the stability of the shaft reinforcement geometry. In the new shaft lining concept the excessive rock creep into the outbreak inside the shaft diameter will be removed by local and controlled leaching of the shaft cheeks by means of fresh water directed through a porous medium at the contact layer behind the watertight tubing lining. The paper presents the structure of such a lining and an outline of the construction technology. In order to implement such a lining, a typical tubing will be applied. Separate design and manufacturing will be required for the technological rings used to control the leaching process behind the lining.

Aug 1, 2013

By A. J. DeArdo

Linepipe steels have come a long way in the past forty years. In fact, modern, high strength steels for large diameter linepipe applications represent one of the seminal accomplishments in metallurgy of the past half-century. The synergy of advanced steelmaking, alloy design including microalloying, hot rolling, and interrupted accelerated cooling has led to the marvelous steels being used today. The drive for higher performance pipelines has been motivated by the energy sector of our global economy who wanted both higher throughput capacity, i.e., larger diameters and higher pressures, and lower material cost, i.e., relatively thinner gauge wall thicknesses. These requirements led to new steels with higher strengths, better toughness and improved weldability. The goal of this paper is to trace the evolution of linepipe steels from the X60 grades of the small diameter pipelines of the 1960s to the (X80 - X120) grades used in the large diameter pipelines of today. The metallurgical triumphs permitting this success story, e.g., clean steel practices, controlled rolling, microalloying with Nb, and using IAC to obtain low temperature transformation products, will be highlighted and discussed.

Jan 1, 2005

By J. Bouchard, A. Desbiens, M. Maldonado, R. del Villar

ABSTRACT: Despite many years of practical applications in mineral processing plants, the potential of column flotation has still not been fully exploited. The challenge in measuring some key variables is certainly an important contributing factor to this situation. Reliable online measurement of varibles, such as the froth depth, bias, gas hold-up, frother concentration, bubble surface area flux, and bubble size distribution, provides opportunities for the application of various advanced control strategies and real-time optimization based on an economic criterion. For several years, Université Laval’sLaboratoire d’observation et d’optimisation des procédés researchers have been working on these opportunities. This paper describes the most recent advances and current research trends.

Jan 1, 2011